Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Volkswirtschaft und Statistik Revue suisse d'Economie politique et de Statistique

Multiple risks in energy supply and optimal reserve capacities the case of Switzerland This study starts from the observation that Switzerland is exposed to multiple supply risks, e.g. a simultaneous disruption of oil and electricity imports. To cope with these risks, oil can be stocked and indigenous capacity for electricity production built up. Given the policy objective of cost minimization, decision rules can be derived prescribing adjustments of stocks and capacities to economic growth e.g. Against this benchmark, conventional rules, focusing on one energy source only ("Oil reserves for 90 days", "19 out of 20 winters without net electricity imports") turn out to be deficient and even misleading.
The influence of margin width on local control of ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast.

BACKGROUND Ductal carcinoma in situ is a non-invasive carcinoma that is unlikely to recur if completely excised. Margin width, the distance between the boundary of the lesion and the edge of the excised specimen, may be an important determinant of local recurrence. METHODS Margin widths, determined by direct measurement or ocular micrometry, and standardized evaluation of the tumor for nuclear grade, comedonecrosis, and size were performed on 469 specimens of ductal carcinoma in situ from patients who had been treated with breast-conserving surgery with or without postoperative radiation therapy, according to the choice of the patient or her physician. We analyzed the results in relation to margin width and whether the patient received postoperative radiation therapy. RESULTS The mean (+/-SE) estimated probability of recurrence at eight years was 0.04+/-0.02 among 133 patients whose excised lesions had margin widths of 10 mm or more in every direction. Among these patients there was no benefit from postoperative radiation therapy. There was also no statistically significant benefit from postoperative radiation therapy among patients with margin widths of 1 to <10 mm. In contrast, there was a statistically significant benefit from radiation among patients in whom margin widths were less than 1 mm. CONCLUSIONS Postoperative radiation therapy did not lower the recurrence rate among patients with ductal carcinoma in situ that was excised with margins of 10 mm or more. Patients in whom the margin width is less than 1 mm can benefit from postoperative radiation therapy.
Cognitive and behavioral outcomes of school-aged children who were born preterm: a meta-analysis.

CONTEXT The cognitive and behavioral outcomes of school-aged children who were born preterm have been reported extensively. Many of these studies have methodological flaws that preclude an accurate estimate of the long-term outcomes of prematurity. OBJECTIVE To estimate the effect of preterm birth on cognition and behavior in school-aged children. DATA SOURCES MEDLINE search (1980 to November 2001) for English-language articles, supplemented by a manual search of personal files maintained by 2 of the authors. STUDY SELECTION We included case-control studies reporting cognitive and/or behavioral data of children who were born preterm and who were evaluated after their fifth birthday if the attrition rate was less than 30%. From the 227 reviewed studies, cognitive data from 15 studies and behavioral data from 16 studies were selected. DATA EXTRACTION Data on population demographics, study characteristics, and cognitive and behavioral outcomes were extracted from each study, entered in a customized database, and reviewed twice to minimize error. Differences between the mean cognitive scores of cases and controls were pooled. Homogeneity across studies was formally tested using a general variance-based method and graphically using Galbraith plots. Linear meta-analysis regression models were fitted to explore the impact of birth weight and gestational age on cognitive outcomes. Study-specific relative risks (RRs) were calculated for the incidence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and pooled. Quality assessment of the studies was performed based on a 10-point scale. Publication bias was examined using Begg modified funnel plots and formally tested using the Egger weighted-linear regression method. DATA SYNTHESIS Among 1556 cases and 1720 controls, controls had significantly higher cognitive scores compared with children who were born preterm (weighted mean difference, 10.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 9.2-12.5). The mean cognitive scores of preterm-born cases and term-born controls were directly proportional to their birth weight (R(2) = 0.51; P<. 001) and gestational age (R(2) = 0.49; P<. 001). Age at evaluation had no significant correlation with mean difference in cognitive scores (R(2) = 0.12; P =. 20). Preterm-born children showed increases in externalizing and internalizing behaviors in 81% of studies and had more than twice the RR for developing ADHD (pooled RR, 2.64; 95% CI, 1.85-3.78). No differences were noted in cognition and behaviors based on the quality of the study. CONCLUSIONS Children who were born preterm are at risk for reduced cognitive test scores and their immaturity at birth is directly proportional to the mean cognitive scores at school age. Preterm-born children also show an increased incidence of ADHD and other behaviors.
Invariant Natural Killer T Cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Inflammatory Arthritides

Like cells of the adaptive immune system, natural killer T (NKT) cells possess immune recognition receptors formed by germline DNA rearrangement. However, in common with cells of the innate immune system, the repertoire of NKT cell receptors is limited and NKT cells can mount a robust effector response with little capacity for immunological memory, sharing some of the characteristics of other innate-like lymphocytes such as ┛├ T cells, marginal zone B cells, B1 B cells and NK cells. NKT cells have been shown to play a staggering array of roles in infection, cancer and autoimmunity. Autoimmune diseases in which NKT cells have been implicated include type I diabetes, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus and graft-versus-host disease. In rheumatoid arthritis, much work has been done to characterise the frequency and phenotype of NKT cells. Animal models such as collagen-induced arthritis or the antibody-mediated arthritis in the K/BxN serum transfer model have provided valuable insight into the multi-faceted potential of these remarkable cells and in time, pharmacological manipulation of their immune function may provide us with the prospect of novel therapeutic tools.
Intelligent Flow-Based Sampling for Effective Network Anomaly Detection

Sampling has become an essential component of scalable Internet traffic monitoring and anomaly detection. In this paper, the emphasis is placed on the evaluation of the impact of using intelligent flow sampling techniques on the anomaly detection process. Based on the observation that small flows are usually the source of many network attacks (DDoS, portscans, worm propagation) we first introduce a new flow sampling methodology that focuses on the selection of small flows and achieves to improve anomaly detection effectiveness, while at the same time reduces the number of selected flows. The performance evaluation of the impact of intelligent flow-based sampling on the anomaly detection process is achieved through the adoption and application of a sequential non-parametric Change-Point Detection anomaly detection method on realistic data that have been collected from a real operational university campus network.
Efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of glatiramer acetate in the treatment of relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis

The current Multiple Sclerosis (MS) therapeutic landscape is rapidly growing. Glatiramer acetate (GA) remains unique given its non-immunosuppressive mechanism of action as well as its superior long-term safety and sustained efficacy data. In this review, we discuss proposed mechanisms of action of GA. Then we review efficacy data for reduction of relapses and slowing disability as well as long term safety data. Finally we discuss possible future directions of this unique polymer in the treatment of MS.
Threshold doses and circulatory disease risks

Tissue reactions (deterministic effects) become manifest either early or late after doses above a threshold dose, which is the basis for recommended dose limits for avoiding such effects. Threshold doses have been defined for comparative purposes at 1% incidence of an effect, although the choice of incidence level may be scenario-dependent in practice. Latency time before manifestation is related to cell turnover rates and tissue complexity. In general, threshold doses become lower for longer follow-up times because of the slow progression of injury before manifestation, particularly after lower doses. Radiosensitive individuals may contribute to low threshold doses, which would provide a safety margin for the majority of a population. A threshold dose of 0.5 Gy was proposed for radiation-induced circulatory disease, after acute or chronic exposures, in the International Commission on Radiological Protection Publication 118. However, more recent meta-analyses of low-dose population studies suggest that, if a linear dose-incidence is assumed, the risk of some types of circulatory disease after doses <0.5 Gy or <10 mGy day−1 may be positive and similar to that for induced cancer. Animal studies show that doses >2 Gy induce the expression of inflammatory and thrombotic molecules in endothelial cells. This causes progressive loss of capillaries in the heart and leads to reduced perfusion, myocardial cell death, and fibrosis. However, doses <1 Gy inhibit both inflammatory cell adhesion to endothelial cells and the development of atherosclerosis in mice. Different mechanisms of injury at low and high doses preclude the simple extrapolation of risk on a linear-quadratic basis from acute to chronic exposures.
A prospective study of whole-grain intake and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in US women.

OBJECTIVES This study examined the association between intake of whole vs refined grain and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS We used a food frequency questionnaire for repeated dietary assessments to prospectively evaluate the relation between whole-grain intake and the risk of diabetes mellitus in a cohort of 75,521 women aged 38 to 63 years without a previous diagnosis of diabetes or cardiovascular disease in 1984. RESULTS During the 10-year follow-up, we confirmed 1879 incident cases of diabetes mellitus. When the highest and the lowest quintiles of intake were compared, the age and energy-adjusted relative risks were 0.62 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.53, 0.71, P trend < .0001) for whole grain, 1.31 (95% CI = 1.12, 1.53, P trend = .0003) for refined grain, and 1.57 (95% CI = 1.36, 1.82, P trend < .0001) for the ratio of refined- to whole-grain intake. These findings remained significant in multivariate analyses. The findings were most evident for women with a body mass index greater than 25 and were not entirely explained by dietary fiber, magnesium, and vitamin E. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that substituting whole- for refined-grain products may decrease the risk of diabetes mellitus.
A branch model simulation for express logistics service system evaluation under online shopping

Under Online shopping environment, express logistics service evaluation system was established based on logistics services theory and Dynamics System Theory Through the analysis of the process of express logistics service. For this system and one main variable “Logistics Services Quality”, their causal relationship was analyzed. Then the system dynamics branch model of a subsidiary variable “timely delivery rate” from the main variable was established. And the model is proved correctly by the dimensionless testing, the sensitivity testing and the extreme conditions testing. On this basis, the data of the four courier companies including SHENTONG EXPRESS (STO), YUANTONG EXPRESS (YTO), ZHONGTONG EXPRESS (ZTO) and YUNDA EXPRESS (YUNDA) were applied to the simulation software Vensim in order to confirm the effectiveness of the simulation Branch Model and to obtain courier companies rankings based on the subsidiary variable, which will provide new methods of express logistics service assessment.
CCAAT-binding factor NF-Y and RFX are required for in vivo assembly of a nucleoprotein complex that spans 250 base pairs: the invariant chain promoter as a model

The events that lead to promoter accessibility within chromatin are not completely understood. The invariant chain (Ii) promoter was used as a model to determine the contribution of different DNA-binding factors in establishing occupancy of a complex promoter. Gamma interferon induction of the Ii promoter requires the cooperation of multiple cis elements including distal S, X, and Y/CCAAT elements along with proximal GC and Y/CCAAT elements. The heteromeric transcription factor NF-Y binds to both Y/CCAAT elements. Genomic footprinting was used to analyze in vivo protein-DNA contacts for integrated Ii promoters bearing mutations in each element. The results reveal a hierarchy of transcription factor loading with NF-Y binding to the distal Y/CCAAT element being required for establishing protein-DNA interactions over the entire 250 bp analyzed. Mutation of the X box disrupts binding primarily at the adjacent Y/CCAAT element along with a lesser effect on GC box binding. Importantly, this finding is verified with a cell line which lacks a functional X-box-binding factor, RFX, providing physiological validity for the strategy described here. Mutation of both the S element and the GC box results in either no or little effect on transcription factor binding. However, mutation of the proximal Y/CCAAT element disrupts binding to the adjacent GC box and partially reduces binding in the distal S/X/Y domain. The crucial role for NF-Y in establishing promoter occupancy may be related to its histone fold motif, the essential component for assembling nucleosome-like structures.
CIVILIZING DEFICIT OF OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM. THE OTHER ANOMALY FROM A COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE

SUMMARY This article wonders if we are facing a genuine anomaly in the light of both the attempts to resolve it as well as the literature on the relationshi p between democracy and repression. The first part sets out the basics of this anomaly: democracy, repression, and predatory repression. At the same time, it presents the basic theory of the relationshi p between democracy and repression, the “inner peace theory” (from the inside). The second part discusses the attempts to dissolve the anomaly, by eliminating one of its terms: be it democracy, be repression. The third focuses on a key explanation of the anomaly: it exists because the country is at war. The fourth debates a combination of dissolution and explanation: the actual content of our political system is social exclusion, and that would explain the civilizing deficit of Colombian democracy.
Production of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN): scaling up feasibilities

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN/Lipopearls) are widely discussed as a new colloidal drug carrier system. In contrast to polymeric systems, such as Polylactic copolyol microcapsules, these systems show with a good biocompatibility, if applied parenterally. The solid lipid matrices can be comprised of fats or waxes, and allow protection of incorporated active ingredients against chemical and physical degradation. The SLN can either be produced by 'hot homogenization' of melted lipids at elevated temperatures or by a 'cold homogenization' process. This paper deals with production technologies for SLN formulations, based on non-ethoxylated fat components for topical application and high pressure homogenization. Based on the chosen fat components, a novel and easy manufacturing and scaling-up method was developed to maintain chemical and physical integrity of the encapsulated active ingredients in the carrier.
Mechanisms of Inhibition of Triacylglycerol Hydrolysis by Human Gastric Lipase*

In the human stomach, gastric lipase hydrolyzes only 10 to 30% of ingested triacylglycerols because of an inhibition process induced by the long chain free fatty acids generated, which are mostly protonated at gastric pH. The aim of this work was to elucidate the mechanisms by which free fatty acids inhibit further hydrolysis.In vitro experiments examined gastric lipolysis of differently sized phospholipid-triolein emulsions by human gastric juice or purified human gastric lipase, under close to physiological conditions. The lipolysis process was further investigated by scanning electron microscopy, and gastric lipase and free fatty acid movement during lipolysis were followed by fluorescence microscopy. The results demonstrate that: 1) free fatty acids generated during lipolysis partition between the surface and core of lipid droplets with a molar phase distribution coefficient of 7.4 at pH 5.40; 2) the long chain free fatty acids have an inhibitory effect only when generated during lipolysis; 3) inhibition of gastric lipolysis can be delayed by the use of lipid emulsions composed of small-size lipid droplets; 4) the release of free fatty acids during lipolysis induces a marked increase in droplet surface area, leading to the formation of novel particles at the lipid droplet surface; and 5) the gastric lipase is trapped in these free fatty acid-rich particles during their formation. In conclusion, we propose a model in which the sequential physicochemical events occurring during gastric lipolysis lead to the inhibition of further triacylglycerol lipolysis.
Effect of Apodization on SAR Image Understanding

This paper investigates the effect of apodization on the statistical properties of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images and its impact on the capability of extracting information from homogeneous regions of apodized SAR images. The statistical model for the pixel complex amplitude of the apodized image is derived in terms of both probability density function and statistical moments. Knowledge of the statistical properties is then used to develop appropriate schemes for parameter estimation and supervised classification of homogeneous regions with different radar cross sections in apodized SAR images. The performance analysis shows that the new techniques (properly derived for the apodized case) provide information extraction capabilities only slightly worse than those provided by the conventional techniques applied to the nonapodized case. This allows us to conclude that the use of nonlinear apodization yields sidelobe level reduction and main lobe resolution preservation that can be traded with the small losses above. A full characterization of the estimation and classification performance of these new techniques shows that nonlinear apodization globally introduces a performance degradation comparable to a reduction of the number of looks of a factor of 1.455 for a homogeneous region.
Prim-SNPing: a primer designer for cost-effective SNP genotyping.

Many kinds of primer design (PD) software tools have been developed, but most of them lack a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping service. Here, we introduce the web-based freeware "Prim-SNPing," which, in addition to general PD, provides three kinds of primer design functions for cost-effective SNP genotyping: natural PD, mutagenic PD, and confronting two-pair primers (CTPP) PD. The natural PD and mutagenic PD provide primers and restriction enzyme mining for polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment of length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), while CTPP PD provides primers for restriction enzyme-free SNP genotyping. The PCR specificity and efficiency of the designed primers are improved by BLAST searching and evaluating secondary structure (such as GC clamps, dimers, and hairpins), respectively. The length pattern of PCR-RFLP using natural PD is user-adjustable, and the restriction sites of the RFLP enzymes provided by Prim-SNPing are confirmed to be absent within the generated PCR product. In CTPP PD, the need for a separate digestion step in RFLP is eliminated, thus making it faster and cheaper. The output of Prim-SNPing includes the primer list, melting temperature (Tm) value, GC percentage, and amplicon size with enzyme digestion information. The reference SNP (refSNP, or rs) clusters from the Single Nucleotide Polymorphism database (dbSNP) at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), and multiple other formats of human, mouse, and rat SNP sequences are acceptable input. In summary, Prim-SNPing provides interactive, user-friendly and cost-effective primer design for SNP genotyping. It is freely available at http://bio.kuas. edu.tw/prim-snping.
Musculoskeletal spectroscopy

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) of skeletal muscle has been successfully applied by physiologists over several decades, particularly for studies of high‐energy phosphates (by 31P‐MRS) and glycogen (by 13C‐MRS). Unfortunately, the observation of these heteronuclei requires equipment that is typically not available on clinical MR scanners, such as broadband capability and a second channel for decoupling and nuclear Overhauser enhancement (NOE). On the other hand, 1H‐MR spectra of skeletal muscle can be acquired on many routine MR systems and also provide a wealth of physiological information. In particular, studies of intramyocellular lipids (IMCL) attract physiologists and endocrinologists because IMCL levels are related to insulin resistance and thus can lead to a better understanding of major health problems in industrial countries. The combination of 1H‐, 13C‐, and 31P‐MRS gives access to the major long‐ and short‐term energy sources of skeletal muscle. This review summarizes the technical aspects and unique MR‐methodological features of the different nuclei. It reviews clinical studies that employed MRS of one or more nuclei, or combinations of MRS with other MR modalities. It also illustrates that MR spectra contain additional physiological information that is not yet used in routine clinical applications. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intravoxel incoherent motion MRI as a means to measure in vivo perfusion: A review of the evidence

The idea that in vivo intravoxel incoherent motion magnetic resonance signal is influenced by blood motion in the microvasculature is exciting, because it suggests that local and quantitative perfusion information can be obtained in a simple and elegant way from a few diffusion‐weighted images, without contrast injection. When the method was proposed in the late 1980s some doubts appeared as to its feasibility, and, probably because the signal to noise and image quality at the time was not sufficient, no obvious experimental evidence could be produced to alleviate them. Helped by the tremendous improvements seen in the last three decades in MR hardware, pulse design, and post‐processing capabilities, an increasing number of encouraging reports on the value of intravoxel incoherent motion perfusion imaging have emerged. The aim of this article is to review the current published evidence on the feasibility of in vivo perfusion imaging with intravoxel incoherent motion MRI.