Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A randomized phase 3 study of lenalidomide versus placebo in RBC transfusion-dependent patients with Low-/Intermediate-1-risk myelodysplastic syndromes with del5q.

This phase 3, randomized, double-blind study assessed the efficacy and safety of lenalidomide in 205 red blood cell (RBC) transfusion-dependent patients with International Prognostic Scoring System Low-/Intermediate-1-risk del5q31 myelodysplastic syndromes. Patients received lenalidomide 10 mg/day on days 1-21 (n = 69) or 5 mg/day on days 1-28 (n = 69) of 28-day cycles; or placebo (n = 67). Crossover to lenalidomide or higher dose was allowed after 16 weeks. More patients in the lenalidomide 10- and 5-mg groups achieved RBC-transfusion independence (TI) for ≥ 26 weeks (primary endpoint) versus placebo (56.1% and 42.6% vs 5.9%; both P < .001). Median duration of RBC-TI was not reached (median follow-up, 1.55 years), with 60% to 67% of responses ongoing in patients without progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Cytogenetic response rates were 50.0% (10 mg) versus 25.0% (5 mg; P = .066). For the lenalidomide groups combined, 3-year overall survival and AML risk were 56.5% and 25.1%, respectively. RBC-TI for ≥ 8 weeks was associated with 47% and 42% reductions in the relative risks of death and AML progression or death, respectively (P = .021 and .048). The safety profile was consistent with previous reports. Lenalidomide is beneficial and has an acceptable safety profile in transfusion-dependent patients with Low-/Intermediate-1-risk del5q myelodysplastic syndrome. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials. gov as #NCT00179621.
Multi-Node Fault-Tolerant Two-Cell Real-Time S2A Network

This paper presents a novel fault-tolerant networked control system architecture consisting of two cells working in-line. This architecture is fault-tolerant at the level of the controllers as well as the sensors. Each cell is based on the sensor-to-actuator approach and has an additional supervisor node. It is proven, via analysis as well as OMNeT++ simulations that the production line succeeds in meeting all control system requirements with no dropped or over-delayed packets. A reliability analysis is then undertaken to quantitatively estimate the increase in reliability due to the introduction of fault-tolerance.
Continuous glucose monitoring: current clinical use

Four kinds of subcutaneous continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) machines have been currently introduced in clinical practice. These machines exhibit real‐time glucose on the monitor every 5 minutes and have alarms to indicate hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia. However, thus far, there is no clear consensus about the clinical indications for CGM in actual clinical practice. CGM should be an ideal and powerful tool for monitoring glucose variability. Glycaemic variability has become a major concern over the years with growing evidence on its detrimental impact with respect to the risk of diabetic complications. Although the HbA1c level is ubiquitously measures in clinical practice, this level does not adequately represent glycaemic variability. Currently available evidence indicates that CGM aids in lowering the HbA1c level without increasing the incidence of severe hypoglycaemic episodes in patients with type 1 diabetes. Thus far, CGM has not been indicated for preventing severe hypoglycaemia or for treating type 2 diabetes because sufficient supporting evidence has not been obtained. Promising results have been obtained for the use of CGM for pregnant women with diabetes and for patients with hospital hyperglycaemia. Predictions regarding the feasibility of the closed‐loop system have proven to be optimistic. CGM‐integrated communication systems using information technology such as smart phone help controlling blood glucose more easily and effectively.
On the frontier of local law enforcement: Local police and federal immigration law

Purpose – Some local governments are asking their police departments to enforce federal immigration law more aggressively. However, there is little research or policy guidance available to assist police in balancing local immigration enforcement with the norms of community-oriented policing. Methodology – This paper presents results from a national survey of municipal police chiefs. Findings – The survey responses indicate substantial differences in the way that police departments are approaching unauthorized immigration. Implications – The highly varied nature of policing practice on this issue is a function of the lack of clear policy guidance and models for local enforcement of immigration law.
Accumulation of an Acidic Dehydrin in the Vicinity of the Plasma Membrane during Cold Acclimation of Wheat

Expression of the acidic dehydrin gene wcor410 was found to be associated with the development of freezing tolerance in several Gramineae species. This gene is part of a family of three homologous members, wcor410, wcor410b, and wcor410c, that have been mapped to the long arms of the homologous group 6 chromosomes of hexaploid wheat. To gain insight into the function of this gene family, antibodies were raised against the WCOR410 protein and affinity purified to eliminate cross-reactivity with the WCS120 dehydrin-like protein of wheat. Protein gel blot analyses showed that the accumulation of WCOR410 proteins correlates well with the capacity of each cultivar to cold acclimate and develop freezing tolerance. Immunoelectron microscope analyses revealed that these proteins accumulate in the vicinity of the plasma membrane of cells in the sensitive vascular transition area where freeze-induced dehydration is likely to be more severe. Biochemical fractionation experiments indicated that WCOR410 is a peripheral protein and not an integral membrane protein. These results provide direct evidence that a subtype of the dehydrin family accumulates near the plasma membrane. The properties, abundance, and localization of these proteins suggest that they are involved in the cryoprotection of the plasma membrane against freezing or dehydration stress. We propose that WCOR410 plays a role in preventing the destabilization of the plasma membrane that occurs during dehydrative conditions.
Internal initiation of translation of five dendritically localized neuronal mRNAs

In neurons, translation of dendritically localized mRNAs is thought to play a role in affecting synaptic efficacy. Inasmuch as components of the translation machinery may be limiting in dendrites, we investigated the mechanisms by which translation of five dendritically localized mRNAs is initiated. The 5′ leader sequences of mRNAs encoding the activity-regulated cytoskeletal protein, the α subunit of calcium–calmodulin-dependent kinase II, dendrin, the microtubule-associated protein 2, and neurogranin (RC3) were evaluated for their ability to affect translation in the 5′ untranslated region of a monocistronic reporter mRNA. In both neural and nonneural cell lines, the activity-regulated cytoskeletal protein, microtubule-associated protein 2, and α-CaM Kinase II leader sequences enhanced translation, whereas the dendrin and RC3 5′ untranslated regions slightly inhibited translation as compared with controls. When cap-dependent translation of these constructs was suppressed by overexpression of a protein that binds the cap-binding protein eIF4E, it was revealed that translation of these mRNAs had both cap-dependent and cap-independent components. The cap-independent component was further analyzed by inserting the 5′ leader sequences into the intercistronic region of dicistronic mRNAs. All five leader sequences mediated internal initiation via internal ribosome entry sites (IRESes). The RC3 IRES was most active and was further characterized after transfection in primary neurons. Although translation mediated by this IRES occurred throughout the cell, it was relatively more efficient in dendrites. These data suggest that IRESes may increase translation efficiency at postsynaptic sites after synaptic activation.
Evaluation of the Iddq Signature in devices with Gauss-distributed background current

In the last decade, the single-threshold IDDQ approach made way for more elaborated techniques like Delta-IDDQ and adaptive IDDQ. Due to increasing background currents, however, also these methods are beginning to have problems to distinguish between good and bad devices. A good evaluation algorithm for IDDQ takes all known information about 'good' and 'bad' parts into account, i.e. it 'knows' how the IDDQ signatures of good and bad parts look like. Unfortunately, not only do the signatures of good parts differ significantly, but the signatures of bad parts differ even more. Moreover, since IDDQ faults are more often than not non-fatal (not impairing the functionality), it is frequently hard to say if a device is really 'good' or bad'. There are two kinds of information, however, which are known without referring to a certain process or IC type: one is the model of the IDDQ fault, and the other is the statistical distribution of the background-IDDQ. Using this information, an estimator with higher discrimination capability than the traditional Delta-IDDQ-approach is created. Measurement results form several lots of a 180 nm chip are presented.
Watching wildlife in Cabo Polonio, Uruguay: tourist control or auto-control?

ABSTRACT Cabo Polonio (Uruguay) is a popular but atypical centre for beach vacations, because tourists spend days without electricity, running water and vehicle. There is a continental pinniped colony that acts as secondary attraction, but there is not direct control over tourist visits to the rookery. Our objective was to evaluate the experience of visitors to this pinniped colony. We used questionnaires to determine the information used by tourists and to analyse their attitudes towards the colony conservation. To validate questionnaires, we also conducted direct observations of the tourist-pinniped interactions. Less than 15% of tourists received information, which was provided by local people. Most tourists saw the rookery as an important touristic attraction. There was total consensus about the requirement for wildlife information. Despite the lack of active supervision, most people behaved properly and complied with conservation measures: the probability that a tourist crossed the fence during a visit was only 0.002 (17 crosses in 902 hours). This positive attitude is possible related to the fact that tourists in Cabo Polonio, accept the discomfort of living without social commodities and welcome the closeness with nature. It is expected that most people will have a spontaneous predisposition to take care of nature.
SHARING THE BENEFITS OF COOPERATION IN HIGH SEAS FISHERIES: A CHARACTERISTIC FUNCTION GAME APPROACH

In the current paper we examine a game‐theoretic setting in which three countries have established a regional organization for the conservation and management of straddling and highly migratory fish stocks. A characteristic function game approach is applied to describe the sharing of the surplus benefits from cooperation. We demonstrate that the nucleolus and the Shapley value give more of the benefits to the coalition with substantial bargaining power than does the Nash bargaining scheme. We also compare the results that are obtained by using the nucleolus and the Shapley value as solution concepts. The outcomes from these solution concepts depend on the relative efficiency of the most efficient coalition. Furthermore, the question of fair sharing of the benefits is considered in the context of straddling stocks.
Effect of Helicobacter pylori density on inflammatory activity in stomach.

AIM To assess the relationship of H. pylori density on inflammatory activity in different parts of stomach. MATERIALS AND METHODS Endoscopic biopsies were taken from gastric antrum, corpus and cardia of 150 dyspeptic patients in a prospective analysis. A semiquantitative scoring was done according to updated Sydney system in accordance with the variables like H. pylori density, neutrophil activity and mononuclear cell infiltrate. Glandular atrophy and intestinal metaplasia was also noted. Statistical analysis was done using Spearman rank correlation test. RESULT One hundred and fifty patients, 94 males and 56 females (with a mean age of 35.4) were analyzed. Morphologically within stomach 82.7% of antral, 74% of corpus and 68% of cardia biopsies were positive for H. pylori. Correlation coefficient of H. pylori density and neutrophil activity was 0.542, 0.644 and 0.729 for antrum, corpus and cardia respectively (P = 0.00); while the correlation coefficient of mononuclear cell infiltrate with H. pylori density was 0.173, 0.245 and 0.326 for antrum, corpus and cardia respectively (P = 0.035, 0.003, 0.000). H. Pylori density in corpus and cardia was proportional to its density in antrum. CONCLUSION Density of H. pylori is more in the antrum due to its alkaline pH and the neutrophil activity shows a direct association with H. pylori density (JPMA 50:148, 2000).
Introduction: global regionalisms and higher education

Over the past two decades, a growing number of researchers interested in transformations in world orders have focused their attention on the growth of supranational (as opposed to subnational) regions, and the role of education in this process. Indeed, just over a decade ago, two of us (Dale and Robertson, 2002) published a paper reflecting on such developments, arguing that statecreated regional organizations were significant agents in powering and steering the forces that make up global capitalism. In the paper we pointed out that each of these organizations operates in a geographical ‘regional’ space that is itself constructed (for instance the ‘Asia Pacific’ or Latin America), that such regions are the deliberate creation of national governments ceding some authority and sovereignty to the bodies orchestrating and mediating their development, and that these global regionalisms differed from each other. These differences were not only the result of the kind of emphases they placed on the form of economic relations, but also because political, cultural and historical dynamics mediate the nature of their institutional forms and other social relations. Our paper went on to examine in greater depth what were at the time three prominent regional groupings – the European Union (EU), the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum – through an exploration of their form and purpose, the dimensions of power at work (such as decisions, agendasetting, rules of the game), and the nature of the effects on national and subnational education systems, whether directly on education policies (such as new curricula, discourses of inclusion, quality assurance mechanisms) or the broader politics of education (such as how social sectors like education were being recalibrated by, or indeed calibrating, bigger political projects).
Virtual reality as a training tool for human interactions

With the increasingly globalisation of the world, interaction with people from different cultures than ours is more likely than ever. Knowing how to correctly approach and interact with people that have different social norms than us is a necessary condition to live in this multicultural world. This project provides a tool to learn how to adapt the way we behave. This is achieved using a virtual reality environment as a way to train interactions, with focus on the interpersonal distances we take.
Influence of serotoninergic drugs on in vivo dopamine extracellular output in rat striatum

In vivo microdialysis was used to investigate the mechanism behind the increase in extracellular dopamine (DA) induced by increase in extracellular serotonin (5‐HT) level and 5‐HT1 and 5‐HT2 receptor activation. The following serotoninergic drugs were perfused in the absence or presence of nomifensine (5 μM)or tetrodotoxin (TTX; 2 μM): clomipramine (10, 500 and 1,000 μM), a selective 5‐HT reuptake inhibitor; 8‐OH‐DPAT (50 and 500 μM), a 5‐HT1A receptor agonist; and α‐methyl‐5‐HT (1, 5 and 50 μM), a 5‐HT2 receptor agonist. All the serotoninergic drugs studied increased DA extracellular output in a dose‐dependent manner. The presence of nomifensine attenuated the effect of perfusion of clomipramine (500 μM) and completely abolished the effect of perfusion of 8‐OH‐DPAT (500 μM) and α‐methyl‐5‐HT (5 μM) on DA extracellular output. Clomipramine (100–1,000 μM) perfusion produced a dose dependent increase in DOPAC extracellular output, which was stronger when clomipramine (500 μM) was co‐perfused with nomifensine. 8‐OH‐DPAT and α‐methyl‐5‐HT perfusion decreased DOPAC overflow. Addition of TTX to the perfusion fluid one hour before serotoninergic drugs perfusion, did not completely abolish the effect on dopamine extracellular output produced by the serotoninergic drugs. These data seem to indicate that increase in extracellular 5‐HT level and 5‐HT1 and 5‐HT2 receptor activation increase in vivo DA extracellular output in the striatum mainly by a non‐exocytotic mechanism involving DA uptake sites and, secondarily, by activation of 5‐HT receptors. J. Neurosci. Res. 52:591–598, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hardware implementations of the WG-5 cipher for passive RFID tags

This paper presents two versions of a Welch-Gong cipher designed for use in passive RFID tags. The low-cost and low-power requirements for passive RFID tags impose stringent design constraints for the chips used in the tags. The WG5-80(x) cipher operates over the finite field F25, and has an 80-bit secret key and 80-bit initialization vector. WG5-80(x11) is the same as WG5-80(x), but includes a decimation function of x11, which increases the linear complexity at the cost of losing the 1-order resiliency property that is inherent in the WG-transform. Both ciphers can be implemented using parallel LFSRs to provide throughputs ranging from one to twenty-five bits per clock cycle. On a 130 nm fabrication process with a clockspeed of 100 kHz and a throughput of 100 kbps, WG5-80(x) has an area of 1229 GE (gate equivalents) and a power consumption of 0.78 μW. The linear complexity of the cipher is 217. The corresponding numbers for WG5-80(x11) are 1235GE, 0.79 μW, and 222. This paper presents results for a 130 nm and a 180 nm process, and data rates of 100 kbps and 200 kbps. The combined area and power results for the WG5 ciphers are approximately 5% better than previous results for low-data-rate ciphers. In addition, WG-ciphers offer mathematically guaranteed randomness and cryptographic properties not provided by other ciphers.
Rapid Induction of Hypothermia by the ThermoSuit System Profoundly Reduces Infarct Size and Anatomic Zone of No Reflow Following Ischemia–Reperfusion in Rabbit and Rat Hearts

Introduction: Although hypothermia reduces myocardial infarct size, noninvasive and rapid cooling methods are lacking. This study tests the effectiveness of a novel cooling apparatus on myocardial infarct size and no-reflow area in 2 models of coronary artery occlusion (CAO). Methods and Results: Animals were randomized to normothermic (N) or hypothermic (H) groups after isolation of a proximal coronary artery. Animals were subjected to 30 minutes CAO and 3 hours reperfusion. In protocol 1 (rabbit, n = 8 per group), hypothermia was initiated, using the ThermoSuit apparatus (convective-immersion cooling), 5 minutes after the onset of CAO to a goal temperature of ∼32°C. In protocol 2 (rat, n = 5 per group), hypothermia was initiated 2 minutes after the onset of CAO to a goal temperature of ∼30°C. Goal temperature was reached in ∼20 minutes. In protocol 1, hypothermia caused an 82% reduction in infarct size as a percentage of the ischemic risk zone (N, 44% ± 5%; H; 8% ± 2%, P < 0.001) and an 89% reduction in the no-reflow area (N, 44% ± 4%; H, 5% ± 1%, P < 0.001). In protocol 2, hypothermia caused a 73% infarct size reduction (N, 51% ± 5%; H, 14% ± 6%, P < 0.01) and a 99% reduction in the no-reflow area (N, 33% ± 5%; H, 0.4% ± 0.3%, P < 0.01). Conclusion: The ThermoSuit device induced rapid hypothermia and limited infarct size and no reflow to the greatest extent ever observed in this laboratory with a single intervention.
Neighbourhood renewal, participation, and social capital in deprived areas: unintended consequences in a Nordic context

ABSTRACT This paper addresses the use of the concept of social capital in neighbourhood renewal programmes which aim to influence social and health-related processes. Based on a social network analysis of 17 groups comprising 133 members, qualitative interviews were conducted with 22 participants to consider the kinds of patterns and connections that build up in a neighbourhood renewal project in a small, deprived neighbourhood of a provincial town in Denmark. Results show that outcomes of community participation depend on the kind of social capital generated and on who is excluded from these resources or capital. Problems hindering inclusive participatory processes include self-exclusion and exclusionary dynamics in the neighbourhood. These dynamics centre on power struggles that lead the least powerful to opt out. Thus, the Danish ‘Ghetto Strategy’, which aims to increase local community participation and volunteering, could have the unintended consequence of increasing social and health inequalities rather than reducing them.
Multiple-input buck converter optimized for accurate envelope tracking in RF power amplifiers

Envelope Tracking techniques are used to increase the efficiency of modern radiofrequency transmitters. These techniques are based on varying the supply voltage of the radiofrequency power amplifier according to the envelope of the signal to be transmitted. This paper presents an Envelope Tracking system based on a multilevel topology that targets relatively low voltage systems (12-28 volt range) and medium to high power applications (> 50 W peak power). The proposed converter achieves low output voltage ripple, high tracking bandwidths, high efficiency and high output power capabilities. An appropriate characterization of the load behavior of the radiofrequency power amplifier allows the system to work in an open loop manner. This paper shows that the envelope tracking system proposed is capable of increasing the efficiency of linear, Class-A and Class-B commercial radiofrequency power amplifiers between 10 and 15%.
Measuring Stress and Immune Response in Healthcare Professionals following Interaction with a Therapy Dog: A Pilot Study

This study investigated the optimal time for measuring stress and immune function in 20 healthcare professionals (19 women and 1 man) following interaction with a therapy dog. A nonclinical sample of healthcare professionals was assigned to 20 min. of quiet rest, and 5 and 20 min. with a therapy dog. Serum cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine were collected at baseline, 5, 15, 30, 45, and 60 min. postcondition. Salivary cortisol, salivary IgA, and blood for lymphocytes were collected at baseline, 30, 45, and 60 min. postcondition. Analysis indicated significant reductions in serum and salivary cortisol. The optimal time for measuring serum or salivary cortisol following interaction with a therapy dog was 45 min., with changes in salivary cortisol reflecting serum cortisol changes. Findings also suggest stress reduction in healthcare professionals may occur after as little as 5 min. of interaction with a therapy dog and warrants further investigation.
Measurement of Active Quantity of the Subject Movement and Design of Surveillnace Camera System Using High Active Part

This study proposes Active Quantity for measuring the movement of subject body using Motion Region, and finds how subject body moves activity so that observer can watch the action effectively. In these years, we can watch the monitoring place by remote control of surveillance camera system. The surveillance camera system can enhance a security effect. On the other hand, it spends great labor and time that observer finds a person taking suspicious movement from the enormous image data photographed by surveillance camera. The surveillance camera system which I suggest detects High Active Part with high Active Quantity so that observer can watch the movement of the subject efficiently.