Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distinct phenotypes and regenerative potentials of early endothelial progenitor cells and outgrowth endothelial progenitor cells derived from umbilical cord blood

The capability of postnatal neovascularization makes circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) promising for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Using EPCs isolated from umbilical cord blood, this study aimed to clarify the transition of functional properties from early EPCs (e‐EPCs) to outgrowth EPCs (og‐EPCs) for potential applications in regenerative medicine. Mononuclear cells were collected from umbilical cord blood via density gradient centrifugation and further negatively selected by CD45. EPCs were sorted from mononuclear cells by the expression of CD34. e‐EPCs (7 days of culture) and og‐EPCs (3 weeks of culture) were characterized by morphology, intake of acetylated low‐density lipoprotein, vessel‐cord formation, cell surface phenotype and the expression of angiogenic genes. e‐EPCs and og‐EPCs were also compared for osteogenic differentiation under the stimulation of BMP‐2. Chemotaxis by SDF‐1 was compared among og‐EPCs and the first‐ and second‐day attached e‐EPCs. Based on the expression of angiogenic genes, e‐EPCs possessed few angiogenic properties in vitro and og‐EPCs were angiogenic. e‐EPCs, however, expressed significant CXCR4 and migrated toward the SDF‐1 gradient. og‐ECPs did not express CXCR4 and showed no response to SDF‐1. During culture, gaining an angiogenic phenotype by og‐EPCs is associated with the loss of homing potential. These contrast properties determine different potentials of e‐EPCs and og‐EPCs in regenerative medicine. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Handling uncertainty when performing economic evaluation of healthcare interventions.

Record Status This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database. Citation Briggs A H, Gray A M. Handling uncertainty when performing economic evaluation of healthcare interventions. Health Technology Assessment 1999; 3(2): 1-134 Authors' objectives 1. To perform a structured review of the way in which uncertainty has been handled in economic evaluation. 2. To assemble data on the actual distributional form and variance of healthcare costs, and to devise guidelines to improve current practice. In particular the focus was on the handling of cost and cost-effectiveness data.
An Estimation Method of Poynting Vector with Near-Magnetic-Field Measurement

A new technique to estimate the Poynting vector distribution from near-magnetic-field measurement is proposed. To calculate the Poynting vector, both electric and magnetic field should be known. In the proposed method, only magnetic-field measurement of three orthogonal axes is required. Electric field is estimated from the measured magnetic field by using the Maxwell's equation. The modified Yee cell is employed to estimate electric field from the measured magnetic field. Finally, the Poynting vector is calculated from the measured magnetic field and the estimated electric field. Since the proposed method enables us to understand propagation direction of electro-magnetic energy, it can be utilized to locate an emission source and to investigate a mechanism of undesired emission. Experiments are carried out to discuss the accuracy and to validate practical usefulness.
Induction by topical corticosteroids of skin enzymes metabolizing carcinogenic hydrocarbons

Epidermal aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity of homogenates from mice treated for 7 days with various topical corticosteroid ointments was significantly higher than in preparations from animals receiving steroid‐free ointment bases, or no treatment. As determined by 3,4‐benzopyrene oxidation, enzyme activity was also greatly increased 24 h after small doses of various polycyclic hydrocarbons given by the intraperitoneal route. Inhibition of enzyme activity was observed in skin homogenates from both control and treated animals following addition in vitro of 7,8‐benzoflavone, but not with dimethylsulphoxide.
A Rapid Cold-Hardening Process in Insects

Traditionally studies of cold tolerance in insects have focused on seasonal adaptations related to overwintering that are observed after weeks or months of exposure to low temperature. In contrast, an extremely rapid cold-hardening response was observed in nonoverwintering stages that confers protection against injury due to cold shock at temperatures above the supercooling point. This response was observed in nondiapausing larvae and pharate adults of the flesh fly, Sarcophaga crassipalpis, nondiapausing adults of the elm leaf beetle, Xanthogaleruca luteola, and the milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus. The rapid hardening response is correlated with the accumulation of glycerol.
The Politics of Organizational Learning: Integrating Power into the 4I Framework

We argue that power and politics provide the social energy that transforms the insights of individuals and groups into the institutions of an organization. Moreover, we propose that different forms of power in organizations are connected to specific learning processes—intuition is linked with discipline, interpretation with influence, integration with force, and institutionalization with domination—and that an examination of these different forms of power provides a basis for understanding why some insights become institutionalized while others do not.
The research design maze: understanding paradigms, cases, methods and methodologies

The present paper introduces the logical choices available in research methodologies; which enable the drawing of correct inferences to answer the various research questions that are asked by accounting researchers. It starts with an overview of research paradigms as fundamental beliefs that affect the ways to conduct social research, including the choice of a particular research methodology. The paper then details the elements of case study design, including the justification to choose case organisations. The sections that follow present an overview of the required data and collection methods and discuss the methods used to analyse the collected data. Considerations regarding research quality are also presented. This paper is a useful reference or a starting point for researchers considering qualitative multi-method case study research designs.
The impact of obesity on male fertility

Val Bullen, MSc, CBiol, FHEA, FRSM, is Director of Education at The College of Contemporary Health. Simran Judge is Academic Resources Intern at the College of Contemporary Health. While the majority of research into the effects of obesity on reproductive health focusses on women, the latest evidence shows that a large number of complications can also occur in obese men. This article summarises the effects of obesity on male reproductive health across a man’s entire lifespan, from the in utero environment, through puberty and adulthood, to the putative epigenetic effects on the offspring. Treatment options are also discussed, although this remains a somewhat overlooked area of research.
Peroxisomes, Refsum's disease and the α- and ω-oxidation of phytanic acid

In the present paper, we describe the current state of knowledge regarding the enzymology of the phytanic acid α-oxidation pathway. The product of phytanic acid α-oxidation, i.e. pristanic acid, undergoes three cycles of β-oxidation in peroxisomes after which the products, including 4,8-dimethylnonanoyl-CoA, propionyl-CoA and acetyl-CoA, are exported from the peroxisome via one of two routes, including (i) the carnitine-dependent route, mediated by CRAT (carnitine acetyltransferase) and CROT (carnitine O-octanoyltransferase), and (ii) the free acid route, mediated by one or more of the peroxisomal ACOTs (acyl-CoA thioesterases). We also describe our recent data on the ω-oxidation of phytanic acid, especially since pharmacological up-regulation of this pathway may form the basis of a new treatment strategy for ARD (adult Refsum9s disease). In patients suffering from ARD, phytanic acid accumulates in tissues and body fluids due to a defect in the α-oxidation system.
In vitro fermentation by human faecal bacteria of total and purified dietary fibres from brown seaweeds

Abstract The in vitro degradation of dietary fibre from three brown seaweeds (Himanthalia elongata, Laminaria digitata and Undaria pinnatiJda) was studied, using human faecal flora. Two sets of fibre were tested: (1) total algal fibres extracted from the whole algae, mainly composed of alginates, and (2) purified fibres (sulphated fucans, Na-alginates and laminarans) representative of those contained in the whole brown algae. Mannuronate, one algal component, was also investigated. Substrate disappearance and short- chain fatty acid (SCFA) production were monitored after 6, 12 and 24 h fermentation. Gas production was followed hourly during the first 9 h and then at 12 and 24 h. Sugarbeet fibre was used as a fermentation reference substrate. According to the fermentative indices used, most of each of the total algal fibres disappeared after 24 h (range 60–76 %) hut, unlike the reference substrate, they were not completely metabolized to SCFA (range 47–62 %). Among the purified algal fibres, disappearance of laminarans was approximately 90% and metabolism to SCFA was approximately 85% in close agreement with the fermentation pattern of reference fibres. Sulphated fucans were not degraded. Na- alginates exhibited a fermentation pattern quite similar to those of the whole algal fibres with a more pronounced discrepancy between disappearance and production of SCFA: disappearance was approximately 83 % but metabolism was only approximately 57 YO. Mannuronate was slowly fermented hut its metabolism corresponded to its disappearance from the fermentative medium. Thus, the characteristic fermentation pattern of the total fibres from the three brown algae investigated was attributed to the peculiar fermentation of alginates, and mannuronate was shown not to be directly involved.
[Rice endogenous nitrogen fixing and growth promoting bacterium Herbaspirillum seropedicae DX35].

OBJECTIVE To screen efficient nitrogen fixation endophytes from rice and to analyze their growth-promoting properties. METHOD We isolated strains from the roots of rice in the field where it has a rice-rice-green manure rotation system for 30 years. Efficient strains were screened by acetylene reduction assay. Phylogenetic analysis is based on 16S rRNA gene, nifH gene and the composition of fatty acid. In addition, we also detected the ability of indole acetic acid secretion through the Salkowski colorimetric method, measured the production of siderophore through the blue plate assay and detected phosphate solubilization, to analyze the growth-promoting properties. RESULT A total of 48 strains were isolated, in which DX35 has the highest nitrogenase activity. It belongs to Herbaspirillum seropedicae after identification. Its nitrogenase activity (181.21 nmol C2H4/(mg protein x h)) was 10 times as much as the reference strain Azotobacter chroococcum ACCC10006. In addition, it also can secrete siderophore and solubilize phosphorus. CONCLUSION Strain DX35, belonging to Herbaspirillum seropedicae, is an efficient nitrogen fixation endophytes.
Regulation of Triacylglycerol Lipolysis in the Perfused Hearts of Normal and Diabetic Rats

Effects of insulin, palmitate, and acetate on lipolysis of endogenous triacylglycerols were studied in the isolated perfused hearts of control and ketotic diabetic rats. In the absence of fatty acid, the rate and net amount of lipolysis were increased in diabetic hearts. After 120 min of perfusion, the residual triacylglycerol content was similar in both hearts, suggesting that the accumulation of triacylglycerols in the heart of ketotic diabetic rats was due to the expansion of the mobiliza-ble fraction. Insulin, in physiologic concentrations, inhibited triacylglycerol lipolysis in control hearts, provided glucose was present in the perfusate. In diabetic hearts perfused with glucose, insulin up to 500 μU/ml did not inhibit triacylglycerol lipolysis. A physiologic concentration of palmitate (0.5 mM) completely inhibited triacylglycerol lipolysis in both control and diabetic hearts. Palmitate inhibition of lipolysis in both control and diabetic hearts could be observed in absence of perfusate glucose. Heart intra-cellular lipoprotein lipase activity was determined to check whether the inhibitory actions of insulin and palmitate could be explained by reduction in this lipase activity. Perfusion of control hearts with insulin and glucose had no effect on the lipase activity. Lipase activity of the control heart was unaffected and that of the diabetic heart was inhibited after perfusion with palmitate. The results of this study show (1) insulin in physiologic concentrations inhibits heart triacylglycerol lipolysis probably through increased glucose transport and glycolysis; (2) inclusion of palmitate in the perfusate results in inhibition of triacylglycerol lipolysis in both control and diabetic hearts and in the case of the diabetic heart, the palmitate effect is due to the inhibition of the intracellular lipoprotein lipase activity; and (3) an increased synthesis of triacylglycerol coupled with an inhibition of its lipolysis by free fatty acids and ketone bodies may explain the accumulation of triacylglycerols in the hearts of diabetic rats.
Software root cause prediction using clustering techniques: A review

A software bug is an error, flaw, failure or fault in a computer program or system that causes it to produce an incorrect or unexpected result, or to behave in unintended ways. The main risk factors associated with a software defect which is not detected during the early phase of its development are cost and effort. Thus the main intention of any organization is to identify and rectify the defects in an early stage of software development. Root cause analysis (RCA) is a method of problem solving that tries to identify the root causes of faults or problems. The analysis helps to identify the fundamental cause of software defects and use this information to prevent the re-occurrence of the same in future. Software defect prediction methods are majorly used to study the impact of defects on software using different data mining techniques. The aim of this paper is to discuss various clustering methods used for predicting software defects.
Gefitinib‐induced lung injury successfully treated with high‐dose corticosteroids

Abstract: A 55‐year‐old man was treated with gefitinib for disseminated pleural lesions, 1 year after resection of the left lower lobe for non‐small cell lung cancer. After 6 weeks of continuous daily treatment with oral gefitinib, he developed dyspnoea on exertion and a non‐productive cough. CXR and CT revealed focal areas of ground‐glass opacity (GGO) in the right upper lobe. Despite gefitinib being discontinued, high‐resolution CT revealed extension of GGO and restructuring of lung parenchyma, suggesting acute interstitial pneumonia. Transbronchial biopsy revealed acute‐phase diffuse alveolar damage. After administration of methylprednisolone pulse therapy (1 g/day intravenously) for three consecutive days, the areas of GGO shrank on high‐resolution CT and symptoms resolved. Diffuse alveolar damage caused by gefitinib can be successfully treated in the early phase with high‐dose corticosteroids. Patients receiving gefitinib should be carefully examined for symptoms and undergo CT if their condition deteriorates.
Loss reduction in generalised multilevel converters

Capacitor-switching operations found in magnetic-less DC-DC converters lead to significant capacitor power loss while capacitor voltage unbalance leads to high peak currents in the capacitors and switches. Power loss leads to premature failure of capacitors and is inversely proportional to both capacitance and switching frequency. A given reduction in losses then requires a corresponding increase in one of these parameters. This paper will show that by increasing the size of specific capacitors, it is possible to reduce significantly switching state transition capacitor losses and voltage unbalance without the need to increase the size of the capacitor bank by the same proportion. A method to identify capacitors that will lead to significant switching transition loss reduction when their sizes are increased is proposed.
Population densities of indigenous Acidobacteria change in the presence of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in rhizosphere

Rhizosphere microbial community has diverse metabolic capabilities and plays a crucial role in maintaining plant health. Oligotrophic plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), along with difficult‐to‐culture microbial fractions, might be involved synergistically in microbe‐microbe and plant‐microbe interactions in the rhizosphere. Among the difficult‐to‐culture microbial fractions, Acidobacteria constitutes the most dominant phylum thriving in rhizospheric soils. We selected effective PGPR for tomato and black gram and studied their effect on population densities of acidobacterial members. Three facultatively oligotrophic PGPR were identified through 16S rRNA gene sequencing as Sphingobacterium sp. (P3), Variovorax sp. (P4), and Roseomonas sp. (A2); the latter being a new report of PGPR. In presence of selected PGPR strains, the changes in population densities of Acidobacteria were monitored in metagenomic DNA extracted from bulk and rhizospheric soils of tomato and black gram using real time qPCR. A gradual increase in equivalent cell numbers of Acidobacteria members was observed over time along with a simultaneous increase in plant growth promotion by test PGPR. We report characterization of three effective PGPR strains and their effects on indigenous, underexplored difficult‐to‐culture phylum‐Acidobacteria. We suggest that putative interactions between these two bacterial groups thriving in rhizospheric soils could be beneficial for plant growth.
Serum concentrations of acute phase proteins and immunoglobulins of calves with rotavirus diarrhea

The aim of the present study was to characterize changes in acute phase protein levels according to the occurrence of rotavirus diarrhea in calves in the first month of life. Blood and fecal samples were taken before colostrum intake and at 1, 2, 7, 15, 21 and 30 days of age from 24 Holstein calves allotted in three experimental groups: calves that did not present diarrhea (group A), calves that presented diarrhea, but tested negative for rotavirus in feces (group B), and calves that presented diarrhea and tested positive for rotavirus in feces (group C) (experiment 1). When the animals presented episodes of diarrhea, blood and fecal samples were taken at 24-hour intervals until the end of clinical signs (experiment 2). Serum proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE technique and rotavirus in feces was detected by PAGE. Data of experiment 1 were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's test, considered significant at P<0.05. Data of experiment 2 were subjected to the HSD test. Total protein, globulins, and IgG concentrations were lower in group C than in groups A and B. Ceruloplasmin and transferrin levels were higher in group C than in groups A and B. Serum concentrations of haptoglobin and α1-acid glycoprotein did not differ significantly between groups throughout the experimental period. Calves presented diarrhea between 10.4 and 14.6 days of age in group B, and between 10.3 and 14.6 days of age in group C. In the moments of diarrhea manifestation, least square means of IgA, haptoglobin and α1-acid glycoprotein concentrations did not differ significantly between groups B and C, but ceruloplasmin and transferrin concentrations were higher in group C than in group B, as opposed to what occurred with IgG levels. These findings show that optimizing passive immunity transfer of immunoglobulins decrease the likelihood of calves developing diarrhea caused by rotavirus. In addition, ceruloplasmin presents characteristics of a biomarker of rotavirus infection in calves.
Acoustic Sensor Based Recognition of Human Activity in Everyday Life for Smart Home Services

A novel activity recognition method is proposed based on acoustic information acquired from microphones in an unobtrusive and privacy-preserving manner. Behavior detection mechanisms may be useful in context-aware domains in everyday life, but they may be inaccurate, and privacy violation is a concern. For example, vision-based behavior detection using cameras is difficult to apply in a private space such as a home, and inaccuracies in identifying user behaviors reduce acceptance of the technology. In addition, activity recognition using wearable sensors is very uncomfortable and costly to apply for commercial purposes. In this study, an acoustic information-based behavior detection algorithm is proposed for use in private spaces. This system classifies human activities using acoustic information. It combines strategies of elimination and similarity and establishes new rules. The performance of the proposed algorithm was compared with that of commonly used classification algorithms such as case-based reasoning, k-nearest neighbors, support vector machine, and multiple regression.
Integrated Time-Series Analysis of Spot and Option Prices

This paper examines the joint time series of the S&P 500 index and near-the-money short-dated option prices with an arbitrage-free model, capturing both stochastic volatility and jumps. Jump-risk premia uncovered from the joint data respond quickly to market volatility, becoming more prominent during volatile markets. This form of jump-risk premia is important not only in reconciling the dynamics implied by the joint data, but also in explaining the volatility “smirks” of cross-sectional options data. Further diagnostic tests suggest a stochastic-volatility model with two factors — one strongly persistent, the other quickly mean-reverting and highly volatile. ∗MIT Sloan School of Management, 50 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA 02142. Email: junpan@mit.edu. I benefited from discussions with professors and doctoral students in the finance program at Stanford. I am especially grateful to my advisers Darrell Duffie and Ken Singleton, who inspired me to take on this project, and helped push it all the way through with their insightful comments and warm encouragement. I also benefited from extensive discussions with Jun Liu, and comments from Andrew Ang, Joe Chen, Mark Ferguson, Peter Glynn, Harrison Hong, Ming Huang, George Papanicolaou, Monika Piazzesi, Tom Sargent, and seminar participants at Stanford, Berkeley, MIT, UCLA, HBS, Rochester, Wisconsin Madison, Michigan, Duke, Kellogg, Chicago, and Columbia. This paper can be downloaded at http://www.mit.edu/~junpan/.
Online sequential extreme learning machines for fault detection

In this paper, we propose the application of a new fault detection approach with a sequential updating function under new operating conditions or natural evolving degradation processes. The proposed approach is based on Online Sequential Extreme Learning Machines (OS-ELM). OS-ELM have the advantages of a strong learning ability, very fast training, and online learning. The concept of applying OS-ELM to fault detection is demonstrated on an artificial case study. We expect that OS-ELM can contribute to improve the fault detection and also the associated initiation of maintenance activities for engineering components working in an evolving environment such as electric components, bearings, gears, alternators, shafts and pumps, in which the monitored signals are not only significantly affected by working load and surrounding environment but may also experience some modifications due to a slow aging and degradation process.