Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Method for decreasing uptake of 18F-FDG by hypermetabolic brown adipose tissue on PET.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine whether use of a high-fat, very-low-carbohydrate protocol for preparing patients for PET decreases the frequency of (18)F-FDG uptake by hypermetabolic brown adipose tissue (BAT) on PET scans. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this HIPAA-compliant retrospective study, 741 FDG PET/CT scans obtained during the winter months (October 1-April 30) for patients who prepared with a high-fat, very-low-carbohydrate, protein-permitted protocol were compared with 1,229 FDG PET scans obtained during the winter months for patients who prepared by fasting. FDG uptake on PET scans co-localized with regions of fat identified on the CT scans was assumed to represent hypermetabolic BAT. The categoric variables frequency of occurrence of hypermetabolic BAT (present or not) and the sex ratios of the groups before and after the change in preparation were compared by use of a chi-square test. The continuous variables of age and blood glucose level were compared by use of a two-tailed Student's t test. RESULTS In this intention-to-treat analysis, there was no difference between the fasting (n = 1,229) and the high-fat, very-low-carbohydrate, protein-permitted diet (n = 741) groups in terms of age and sex. Patients who prepared with the high-fat diet had a significantly lower frequency of hypermetabolic BAT uptake on FDG PET scans during the winter months (p<0.0002) and had lower blood glucose levels (p<<0.001). CONCLUSION In this intention-to-treat analysis, use of a high-fat preparation protocol significantly lowered the frequency of uptake of FDG by hypermetabolic BAT on FDG PET studies. Use of this protocol has the potential to decrease the rate of false-positive findings on oncologic FDG PET scans.
Integration of marker and force data to compute three-dimensional joint moments of the thumb and index finger digits during pinch

This study presents methodology to determine joint moments of the digits of the hand during pinch function. This methodology incorporates steps to identify marker-based kinematic data defining aligned coordinate systems for individual digit segments and joint centre locations. The kinematic data are then transformed to a common reference frame along with the force data collected at pinch contact of a customised apparatus in three dimensions. These methods were demonstrated with a pilot investigation to examine the static joint moments occurring during two-digit oppositional precision pinch at a particular end point force level applied at the digit pads. Notable abduction joint moments at the proximal joints of both digits were observed, which implicate the role of respective intrinsic and extrinsic muscles in maintaining pinch grasp. Examining differences in joint moment results when substituting selected steps of this methodological approach suggested greater relative importance for joint centre identification and segment coordinate system alignment.
Deleterious Effects of UV-B Radiation on Herbivorous Spider Mites: They Can Avoid It by Remaining on Lower Leaf Surfaces

ABSTRACT The herbivorous spider mite Tetranychus urticae usually remains on the lower leaf surfaces of its host plants. Although terrestrial animals are generally thought to be well protected from damage because of UV radiation, insect herbivory frequently increases when solar UV-B (280–315 nm) radiation is attenuated. As UV transmission through leaves is generally low because of the accumulation of compounds that act as selective sunscreens (e.g., phenolics), we hypothesized that T. urticae avoids solar UV-B radiation by staying on lower leaf surfaces. We examined whether artificial UV irradiation and solar UV affected the survival and reproduction of T. urticae and whether staying on lower leaf surfaces was beneficial to their performance under ambient UV radiation. We found that T. urticae was not well protected from UV-B radiation, because artificial UV-B irradiation strongly decreased survivorship and egg production. More importantly; compulsory solar UV irradiation treatments also had lethal effects on T. urticae, whereas the mites could avoid them if they remained on the lower leaf surfaces of their host plants. These results showed that access to habitats protected from sunlight, such as lower leaf surfaces, is likely essential for T. urticae survival under ambient UV-B radiation. The lethal effects of solar UV radiation may also affect the population dynamics of spider mites, and habitat (resource) limitation may increase the probability of interspecific interactions, such as competition and predation. In turn, the occurrence of these interactions in sheltered areas may be associated with observed increases in herbivory under conditions of solar UV-B-attenuation.
Peripheral and intestinal regulatory CD4+ CD25(high) T cells in inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Regulatory CD25+ T cells (T(reg)) are effective in the prevention and down-regulation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in animal models. Functional T(reg) cells are characterized by the expression of the transcription factor FOXP3 and show a CD4+ CD25(high) phenotype in humans. The aim of this study was to determine whether disease activity in IBD correlates with changes in frequency of T(reg) cells and their distribution in the intestinal mucosa. METHODS T(reg) cells were analyzed from peripheral blood and from biopsy specimens of IBD patients, inflammatory controls, and healthy volunteers by flow cytometry (CD4+ CD25(high)), immunochemistry (FOXP3), and real-time PCR (FOXP3). Regulatory properties of purified peripheral CD4+ CD25(high) T(reg) cells were determined by their suppressive effect on the proliferation of CD4+ CD25- T cells. RESULTS In peripheral blood, CD4+ CD25(high) T cells from IBD patients retain their suppressive activity. CD4+ CD25(high) and FOXP3+ T(reg) cells are increased during remission but decreased during active disease. This contrasts with their strong increase in peripheral blood of patients with acute diverticulitis. Different than peripheral blood, inflamed IBD mucosa contains an increased number of CD4+ CD25(high) T cells, FOXP3+ T cells, and transcripts for FOXP3 compared with noninflamed mucosa. However, the increase of FOXP3+ T cells in IBD lesions is significantly lower compared with inflammatory controls. CONCLUSIONS The frequency of CD4+ CD25+ T(reg) cells varies with IBD activity. Active IBD is not associated with a functional defect but with a contraction of the peripheral blood T reg pool and an only moderate expansion in intestinal lesions. Thus, compensatory mechanisms, numerically, are not successfully achieved in these diseases.
Foreign Direct Investments, Exports, Unemployment and Economic Growth in the New EU Members - A Panel Data Approach

Foreign direct investments and exports play an important role in economic growth worldwide. Particularly, foreign direct investments have been considered as one of the best alternatives to fuel economic growth mainly for developing countries. Policy, macroeconomic stability of each country as well as the labor market of an economy are some of the main aspects analyzed by foreign investors before investing in a country. In this paper we study the interdependencies among foreign direct investment, exports, unemployment and economic growth for thirteen new member countries of European Union (EU) for the period 1995-2013. The econometric methodology, based on error correction model is used to analyze the short and long term causal relationship between the examined variables. The main finding of the study is that there is bidirectional long term causal relationship between exports and economic growth and unidirectional long term causal relationship between economic growth and unemployment. Also, the results of the paper show that there is a short run unidirectional causality between exports and foreign direct investments. Investimenti diretti esteri, esportazioni, disoccupazione e crescita economica nei nuovi paesi membri dell’Unione Europea – un approccio panel data Gli investimenti diretti esteri e le esportazioni svolgono un ruolo importante per la crescita economica globale. In particolare gli investimenti diretti esteri sono stati considerati tra le politiche migliori per la crescita economica, soprattutto per i paesi in via di sviluppo. La situazione politica, la stabilita economica ed il mercato del lavoro sono alcuni degli aspetti principali analizzati dagli investitori stranieri prima di effettuare investimenti in un paese. In questo lavoro si studia l’interdipendenza tra investimenti diretti esteri, esportazioni, disoccupazione e crescita economica per tredici nuovi membri dell’Unione Europea nel periodo 1995-2013. Vengono utilizzati modelli error correction per analizzare le relazioni causali di breve e lungo periodo tra le variabili considerate. Il risultato principale di questo studio e che esiste una relazione causale di lungo termine unidirezionale tra crescita economica e disoccupazione. Inoltre, i risultati dello studio mostrano che c’e causalita unidirezionale di breve periodo tra esportazioni e investimenti diretti esteri.
Tn2009, a Tn916-Like Element Containing mef(E) in Streptococcus pneumoniae

ABSTRACT The association between the macrolide efflux gene mef(E) and the tet(M) gene was studied in two clinical strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae that belonged to serotypes 19F and 6A, respectively, and that were resistant to both tetracycline and erythromycin. The mef(E)-carrying element mega (macrolide efflux genetic assembly; 5,511 bp) was found to be inserted into a Tn916-like genetic element present in the chromosomes of the two pneumococcal strains. In both strains, mega was integrated at the same site, an open reading frame identical to orf6 of Tn916. The new composite element, Tn2009, was about 23.5 kb and, with the exception of the tet(M)-coding sequence, appeared to be identical in both strains. By sequencing of the junction fragments of Tn2009 at the site of insertion into the chromosome, it was possible to show that (i) the insertion site was identical in the two clinical strains and (ii) the integration of Tn2009 caused a 9.5 kb-deletion in the pneumococcal chromosome. It was not possible to detect the conjugal transfer of Tn2009 to a recipient pneumococcal strain; however, transfer of the whole element by transformation was shown to occur. It is possible to hypothesize that Tn2009 relies on transformation for its spread among clinical strains of S. pneumoniae.
Smart Microgrids as a Solution for Rural Electrification: Ensuring Long-Term Sustainability Through Cadastre and Business Models

The provision of energy at the local level by using renewable and local resources is increasingly acknowledged as a techno-economic solution for rural electrification. This work describes an approach for implementing microgrid projects at the institutional level by means of a specific entity that uses methods that engage the community in microgrid operation and maintenance (O&M), which ensures long-run benefits. The first step, related to macro-level barriers, is addressed by building a complete cadastre of isolated communities, while the second, at the micro level, focuses on business models for covering investment and O&M costs. A cadastre uncovers the key characteristics of each location (energy resources, availability, socio-economic conditions, environment, etc.). A cadastre also helps identify local needs, develop monitoring strategies, and determine benchmarks among microgrids. Its information also assists with proposing new projects, securing funding, and monitoring actual microgrids. At the micro level, local stakeholders, economic capabilities, social capital, and organizational structures are identified, which contribute to the selection of a tailored business model that can enable fundraising and O&M activities. The approach is presented in a four-stage framework: 1) background data collection; 2) community profile building; 3) system design; and 4) detailed engineering. Each community is evaluated by a prioritization index that considers the electrical conditions of each residence.
Affective Disorders: Basic Principles Regarding Clinical Course, Long-Term Therapeutic and Prophylactic Strategies

Affective disorders, mainly depressive and bipolar afflictions are life-long recurrent diseases and require constant treatment and prophylaxis. Both acute and maintenance therapeutic strategies have to be applied to the special subgroups of the depressive and bipolar spectrum. Despite the development of new pharmacological agents and psychotherapeutical settings, the long-term prognosis, especially functional outcome, did not change considerably in comparison to past decades.
Characterization of Epoxyeicosatrienoic Acid Binding Site in U937 Membranes Using a Novel Radiolabeled Agonist, 20-125I-14,15-Epoxyeicosa-8(Z)-Enoic Acid

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are important regulators of vascular tone and homeostasis. Whether they initiate signaling through membrane receptors is unclear. We developed 20-iodo-14,15-epoxyeicosa-8(Z)-enoic acid (20-I-14,15-EE8ZE), a radiolabeled EET agonist, to characterize EET binding to membranes of U937 cells. 20-I-14,15-EE8ZE stimulated cAMP production in U937 cells with similar potency, but it decreased efficacy compared with 11,12-EET. Maximum cAMP production increased 4.2-fold, with an EC50 value of 9 μM. Like 14,15-EET, 20-I-14,15-EE8ZE relaxed bovine coronary arteries, with a similar EC50 value. Both 20-I-14,15-EE8ZE agonist activities were blocked by the EET antagonist 14,15-epoxyeicosa-5(Z)enoic acid (14,15-EE5ZE). Specific 20-125I-14,15-EE8ZE binding to U937 membranes reached equilibrium within 10 min and remained unchanged for 30 min at 4°C. The binding was saturable, reversible, and exhibited KD and Bmax values of 11.8 ± 1.1 nM and 5.8 ± 0.2 pmol/mg protein, respectively. Pretreatment of the membranes with guanosine 5′-O-(3-thio)triphosphate reduced the Bmax in a concentration-related manner. 20-125I-14,15-EE8ZE binding was inhibited by eicosanoids with potency order of 11,12-EET >14,15-EE5ZE ≈ 14,15-EET » 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid > 14,15-EET-thiirane >14,15-dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid. This order is in agreement with the efficacy and potency of cAMP production. In summary, 20-125I-14,15-EE8ZE is a radiolabeled EET agonist that is useful to study binding and metabolism. Using this radioligand, we have identified a specific high-affinity and high-abundance EET binding site in U937 cell membranes. This binding site could represent a specific EET receptor, which is probably a G protein-coupled receptor.
CD28 Utilizes Vav-1 to Enhance TCR-Proximal Signaling and NF-AT Activation1

The mechanism through which CD28 costimulation potentiates TCR-driven gene expression is still not clearly defined. Vav-1, an exchange factor for Rho GTPases thought to regulate, mainly through Rac-1, various signaling components leading to cytokine gene expression, is tyrosine phosphorylated upon CD28 engagement. Here, we provide evidence for a key role of Vav-1 in CD28-mediated signaling. Overexpression of Vav-1 in Jurkat cells in combination with CD28 ligation strongly reduced the concentration of staphylococcus enterotoxin E/MHC required for TCR-induced NF-AT activation. Surprisingly, upon Vav-1 overexpression CD28 ligation sufficed to activate NF-AT in the absence of TCR engagement. This effect was not mediated by overexpression of ZAP-70 nor of SLP-76 but necessitated the intracellular tail of CD28, the intactness of the TCR-proximal signaling cascade, the Src-homology domain 2 (SH2) domain of Vav-1, and SLP-76 phosphorylation, an event which was favored by Vav-1 itself. Cells overexpressing Vav-1 formed lamellipodia and microspikes reminiscent of Rac-1 and Cdc42 activation, respectively, for which the SH2 domain of Vav-1 was dispensable. Together, these data suggest that CD28 engagement activates Vav-1 to boost TCR signals through a synergistic cooperation between Vav-1 and SLP-76 and probably via cortical actin changes to facilitate the organization of a signaling zone.
Ripple-port integrated PFC rectifier with fast dynamic response

A control strategy for a new Power Factor Correction (PFC) rectifier which has double-line frequency ripple decoupling capability is presented and verified by simulation results. Based on the commonly-used Boost PFC regulator, a non-cascading ripple-port on the DC-side is added to eliminate the double-line frequency ripple. Hence, the output capacitance required is significantly reduced and high reliability film capacitors can be used to replace the bulky, low reliability electrolytic ones. Both the ripple-port and the PFC stage have closed-loop control and a feed-forward control guarantees the ripple cancellation under various load conditions. The proposed rectifier achieves faster transient response to load dynamics.
AN EVALUATIVE STUDY OF A UNIT BASED ON THE NAZI HOLOCAUST: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE DESIGN OF INTERDISCIPLINARY CURRICULA

An Evaluative Study of a Unit Based on the Nazi Holocaust: triplications for the Design of Interdisciplinary Curricula (September 1979) Roselle Kline Chartock, B.S., Skidmore College M.A., Hunter College, Ed.D. , University of Massachusetts Directed by: Professor Judithe Speidel The secondary schools responsible for educating our future problem solvers do not, for the most part, offer courses that facilitate interdisciplinary thinking. Perhaps this situation exists because most high school curricula are structured departmentally with subjects organized into separate disciplines. Consequently, students have little or no opportunity for learning about relationships among the various components of these separate subject areas or for learning how to synthesize methods and ideas from various disciplines in order to solve problems. This study deals with a unit based on the Nazi Holocaust, an example of an interdisciplinary curriculum that utilizes a convergence approach. Through the use of evaluative instruments the researcher tried to determine what changes in students' learning and attitudes occurred as a result of the unit and to describe what teaching approaches were used. The instruments were designed to help answer four research questions: l) What are students learning as a result of exposure to an interdisciplinary curriculum? 2) Can the teaching of an interdisciplinary unit help students apply interdisciplinary concepts and problem-solving approaches to historical and contemporary issues as well as to their own lives? 3) What changes in
End Users and ERP Systems’ Success. Three Models

Information systems (IS) have an enormous impact on organizations, individual work, and performance in general. As a result, many research works in the field of IS are focused on the interrelationship between individual performance and IS performance. During the last 20 to 30 years many models have been developed and tested by researchers. Their main objective was to investigate IS success and user performance in different environments. Therefore, a number of models appeared, their goal being the studying of the success, usefulness, end user adoption and utilization of IS, and other user and IS-related aspects in different organizations. This research paper presents three of the most important models developed in specialized literature, which deal with measuring IS success and end user adoption of the IS: the TAM model, the D&M model, and the TTF model. The research also provides an overview of some studies that have applied these models in the field of ERP systems.
Exponential event-based consensus for general liner dynamic agents

For multi-agent systems (MASs), event-triggered strategies typically require less control task execution and information transmission in achieving a collective behaviour compared to the time-triggered control schemes. This paper investigates exponential event-based consensus in directed topologies for MASs with general linear dynamic agents. The proposed control scheme involves a piecewise continuous event-based control law and an event-based data transmission strategy for each individual agent which are developed based on a co-design procedure. Necessary triggering instants in the agents are determined by local triggering mechanisms (ETMs) based on the violation of well-designed triggering-conditions. To avoid continuous time communication between agents, a time-dependent ETM is proposed. Then, analytical discussions on Zeno behaviour exclusion are given for the proposed ETM. It is proved that the proposed control schemes guarantees exponential consensus achievement meanwhile decreases both control input updates and data broadcasts by the agents. As a result, such control scheme facilitates more energy saving and extends the lifespan of agent actuators in addition to decreasing the communication costs. Illustrative simulations are given to support the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Treatment of unresectable or metastatic pediatric soft tissue sarcomas with surgery, irradiation, and chemotherapy: a Pediatric Oncology Group study.

BACKGROUND The objectives of this study were to compare vincristine/actinomycin D/cyclophosphamide/adriamycin (VACA) with VACA/plus imidazole carboxamide (DTIC) (VACAD) therapy in regards to complete/partial response and event free survival rates in children and adolescents with metastatic non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas (NRSTS) or previously chemotherapy-naive recurrent NRSTS or locally persistent gross residual tumor after surgery and radiation therapy. PROCEDURES Between 1986 and March 1994, 75 patients entered this randomized study comparing VACA and VACAD, given at 3 week intervals. Sixty-one patients were considered eligible and received chemotherapy and radiation therapy to the primary tumor and areas of metastases. Thirty-six patients had regional unresected (Group III) disease, and 25 had metastatic disease (Group IV) at time of accession. Thirty-six patients received VACA (11 were not randomized), and 25 received VACAD. RESULTS With a median follow-up of greater than 4 years, overall and event-free survival for all eligible patients are 30.6% and 18.4% respectively (S.E: 9.5% and 6.8%). There was insufficient evidence that DTIC offered any advantage to event free survival, but there was evidence for better outcome for patients in Group III disease in comparison to patients with Group IV disease, and for patients with a Grade 1 and 2 histology in comparison to Grade 3 lesions. CONCLUSIONS Combination chemotherapy with VACA and VACAD were insufficient to prevent recurrent or progressive disease in children and adolescents with high stage NRSTS. The use of vincristine/ifosfamide/doxorubicin with cytokine support is under study.
SEASONALITY AND ASYMMETRIC CONDITIONAL VOLATILITY: AN ANALYSIS OF INDIAN VIX

The study aims to understand the behavior of Indian Implied Volatility Index (Indian VIX) in terms of its seasonal anomalies, like day-of-the-week effect and month-of-the-year effect. The study examines the effect of options expiration dates on expected market volatility. The study also investigates the asymmetric relationship between Indian Implied Volatility and its underlying series Nifty 50 index returns. The empirical result confirms that the Indian VIX holds seasonal anomalies. The results explain that there is a significant positive Monday effect on expected market volatility. The month-of-the-year results reported that the corporate announcements have a significant impact on Indian VIX. The Regression estimates supported a strong negative correlation between Indian VIX and stock returns. The results of the study are important for portfolio managers, volatility traders and risk managers to price the options and to understand the exit and entry timing in the equity markets.