Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on Human Development Index in Nigeria

Economic growth is a necessary condition for human progress, but not sufficient in itself to guarantee it; therefore, other dimensions and determinants of human development must be investigated by researchers. This paper explores the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on the human development index (HDI) in Nigeria for the period of 1972–2013. Johansen cointegration test results reveal a long-term relationship between FDI and human development indices (e.g., school enrollment, life expectancy at birth, and gross national income). Toda-Yamamoto test results show long-run bidirectional causality between FDI and life expectancy at birth. There is also unidirectional causality from FDI to gross national income. These results indicate that FDI has a significant impact on the HDI in Nigeria during the sample period. The striking message our empirical findings conveys is that the effect of FDI on the HDI is a complicated issue, so to obtain optimum results policy-makers should be aware of and take into account the pros and cons of FDI inflows on several aspects of human development.
Multihead Multitrack Detection for Next Generation Magnetic Recording, Part II: Complexity Reduction — Algorithms and Performance Analysis

To achieve large storage capacity on magnetic hard disk drives, very high track density is required, causing severe intertrack interference (ITI). Multihead multitrack (MHMT) detection has been proposed to better combat the effects of ITI. Such detection, however, has prohibitive implementation complexity. Reduced-state sequence estimation (RSSE) is a promising technique for significantly reducing the complexity, while retaining good performance. In this paper, several different MHMT models are considered, including symmetric and asymmetric 2H2T systems, and a symmetric 3H3T system. By carefully evaluating the effective distance between two input symbols, we propose optimized set partition trees for each channel model. Different trellis configurations for RSSE are constructed based on the desired performance/complexity tradeoff. Simulation results show that the reduced MHMT detector can achieve near maximum-likelihood (ML) performance with a small fraction of the original number of trellis states. We also use error event analysis to explain the behavior of RSSE. The proposed algorithm could be potentially applied to next generation magnetic recording systems, especially when the ML detector is infeasible due to the high computational complexity.
Stem cell mobilization in resistant or relapsed lymphoma: superior yield of progenitor cells following a salvage regimen comprising ifosphamide, etoposide and epirubicin compared to intermediate‐dose cyclophosphamide

We analysed the factors influencing the efficacy of peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) collection in patients with lymphoma. Sixty‐six patients underwent initial PBSC collection following mobilization with chemotherapy plus recombinant granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (300 μg/d). Patients were mobilized with one of two chemotherapy regimens, either cyclophophamide (3 g/m2 or 4 g/m2) (n=50) or ifosphamide, etoposide and epirubicin (IVE; n=16). The target of collecting >2.0×106 CD34+ cells/kg was achieved in 43/66 (65%) patients with a median of two apheresis procedures. The IVE plus G‐CSF mobilization regimen gave a significantly higher median yield of CD34+ cells (8.62 × 106/kg) compared with cyclophosphamide plus G‐CSF (3.59 × 106/kg) (P=0.045). The median yield of CD34+ cells per leukapheresis was almost twice as high in patients receiving IVE (1.94 × 106/kg) compared to cyclophosphamide (1.03 ×106/kg) (P= 0.035). In a univariate analysis of the factors affecting mobilization, the subtype of lymphoma (high‐grade NHL) and the mobilization regimen were the only factors associated with high CD34+ cell yield. However, in a multivariate analysis of factors affecting mobilization including age, lymphoma subtype, previous chemotherapy and radiotherapy, only the use of the IVE protocol was predictive of a high yield of CD34+ cells. In 13 patients undergoing a second mobilization procedure the use of IVE was associated with a significantly higher yield of CD34+ cells compared to cyclophosphamide; three patients who failed cyclophosphamide plus G‐CSF mobilization were able to proceed to transplantation following success‐ful mobilization with IVE + G‐CSF. These results demon‐strate that IVE is a highly effective mobilization regimen which is superior to cyclophophamide and has the benefit of being effective salvage therapy for lymphoma patients.
An examination of internal auditor turnover intentions

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that are associated with internal auditors’ professional turnover intentions. Design/methodology/approach The study analyzes data from responses to the Institute of Internal Auditors’ (IIA) (2015) Common Body of Knowledge global survey and uses a multivariate approach to identify factors that influence internal auditor turnover intentions. Findings Results show that internal auditor turnover intentions are negatively associated with an academic background in accounting, possessing internal audit professional certification, and having access to more training opportunities. Turnover intentions are positively associated with organizational-professional conflict, restricted access to documents and personnel, and the existence of a program of using the internal audit function as management training ground. Differences by IIA global region highlight the diversity in the turnover challenges that face the professional globally. Originality/value Results from this study are important because they bring attention to issues that potentially lead to internal auditors leaving the profession. This can help the profession and organizations take measures to motivate internal auditors to remain in the profession and alleviate the current staffing challenges faced by the profession.
Risk of Posthospitalization Mortality Among Persons With Traumatic Brain Injury, South Carolina 1999–2001

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) negatively impacts long-term survival. However, little is known about the likelihood of death within the first year following hospital discharge. This study examined mortality among a representative sample of 3679 persons within 1 year of being discharged from any of 62 acute care hospitals in South Carolina following TBI and identified the factors associated with early death using a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model. The mortality experience of the cohort was also compared with that of the general population by using standardized mortality ratios for selected causes of death by age, adjusted for race and sex.
Bioactive glass-mesoporous silica coatings on Ti6Al4V through enameling and triblock-copolymer-templated sol-gel processing.

The combination of thick glass coatings that can protect Ti6Al4V from corrosion in the body fluids, and mesoporous silica films able to readily induce the formation of apatite when immersed in a simulated body fluid (SBF), has been investigated in this work as a possible route towards more resistant and long-lasting implants. Glasses in the system Si-Ca-Mg-Na-K-P-O with thermal expansion coefficients close to that of Ti6Al4V were prepared and used to coat this alloy by an enameling technique. However, the glasses apt to coat Ti6Al4V exhibited a very limited capacity to induce apatite formation in SBF. In order to enhance their bioactivity, a thin film of mesoporous silica was applied on the exterior of the specimens by spin coating a sol-gel solution. When tested in SBF, these coatings induced apatite formation after 7 days. The mesoporosity of the silica film was created through a triblock-copolymer-templating process. The diameters of the mesochannels could be adjusted by changing the size of the directing agent. A preferred alignment of the mesostructure was observed. The removal of the organic templates could be achieved through a photocalcination treatment, which, compared to conventional thermocalcination, offered several advantages.
HLA‐G up‐regulates ILT2, ILT3, ILT4, and KIR2DL4 in antigen presenting cells, NK cells, and T cells

The nonclassical HLA class I antigen HLA‐G is an inhibitory molecule involved in immune tolerance and immune escape. HLA‐G exerts its inhibitory functions via interaction with inhibitory receptors ILT2, ILT4, and KIR2DL4, differentially expressed by NK, T, and antigen‐presenting cells. Cells expressing HLA‐G and cells expressing its receptors are often found in the vicinity of each other, but the mechanisms responsible for this colocalization are still unknown. We report that ILT2, ILT3, ILT4, and KIR2DL4 expression is up‐regulated by HLA‐G in antigen‐presenting cells, NK cells, and T cells. Because this up‐regulation seems not to require antigenic costimulation, it might precede an immune response. Functionally, up‐regulation of inhibitory receptors in immune cells before stimulation might increase their activation thresholds and participate in immune escape mechanisms.
Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation reduces serum high mobility group box 1 levels and improves survival in murine sepsis *

Objective: Electrical vagus nerve stimulation inhibits proinflammatory cytokine production and prevents shock during lethal systemic inflammation through an [alpha]7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ([alpha]7nAChR)‐dependent pathway to the spleen, termed the cholinergic anti‐inflammatory pathway. Pharmacologic [alpha]7nAChR agonists inhibit production of the critical proinflammatory mediator high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and rescue mice from lethal polymicrobial sepsis. Here we developed a method of transcutaneous mechanical vagus nerve stimulation and then investigated whether this therapy can protect mice against sepsis lethality. Design: Prospective, randomized study. Setting: Institute‐based research laboratory. Subjects: Male BALB/c mice. Interventions: Mice received lipopolysaccharide to induce lethal endotoxemia or underwent cecal ligation and puncture to induce polymicrobial sepsis. Mice were then randomized to receive electrical, transcutaneous, or sham vagus nerve stimulation and were followed for survival or euthanized at predetermined time points for cytokine analysis. Measurements and Main Results: Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation dose‐dependently reduced systemic tumor necrosis factor levels during lethal endotoxemia. Treatment with transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation inhibited HMGB1 levels and improved survival in mice with polymicrobial sepsis, even when administered 24 hrs after the onset of disease. Conclusions: Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation is an efficacious treatment for mice with lethal endotoxemia or polymicrobial sepsis.
Development of Toxoplasma oocysts in neotropical felidae.

Abstract Toxoplasma gondii oocysts were isolated from the feces of one Felis yagouaroundi (jaguarundi) and two Felis pardalis (ocelot) which initially lacked antibody to Toxoplasma gondii, establishing that not only domestic cats, but other members of the family Felidae can spread Toxoplasma via their feces. These findings explain the reported occurrence of toxoplasmosis in jungle wildlife in the absence of a domestic cat population. A number of Felidae with positive antibody titers to Toxoplasma did not excrete Toxoplasma oocysts after being fed cysts of Toxoplasma. Members of the Procyonidae (raccoon family), Potos flavus, Nasua nasua, and Bassaricyon gabbii, failed to produce oocysts although they became infected and developed antibody to Toxoplasma.
Secure Ranking over Encrypted Documents

SUMMARY Ranking the encrypted documents stored on secure cloud computing servers is becoming prominent with the expansion of the encrypted data collection. In our work, order preserving encryption is employed to pre-rank the encrypted documents. Paillier’s additive homomorphic encryption is used to re-rank the top pre-ranked documents of some considerate scale.
Cash Welfare as a Consumption Smoothing Mechanism for Single Mothers

While there has been considerable research on the disincentive effects of cash welfare under the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program, there is little evidence on the benefits of the program for single mothers and their children. One potential benefit of this program is that it provides short-run consumption insurance for women at the point that they become single mothers. This is only true, however, to the extent that the program is not crowding out other sources of support, such as own savings, labor supply, or transfers from others. I assess the importance of this insurance mechanism by measuring the extent to which AFDC smooths the consumption of women who transition to single motherhood. I use longitudinal data on family structure and consumption expenditures on food and housing from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID), matched to information on the welfare benefits available in each state and year over the 1968-1985 period. I find that raising potential benefits by one dollar raises the food and housing consumption of all women who become single mothers (and their families) by 30 cents. This estimate implies that for each dollar of AFDC received by this population their consumption of these categories of goods rises by up to 95 cents. This consumption smoothing benefit appears to be larger for women who become single mothers through marital dissolution, rather than through out-of-wedlock childbearing; this is due to increased housing expenditures of the former group but not of the latter.
IMPROVED LYSOZYME METHOD TO OBTAIN CYANOBACTERIA IN AXENIC CULTURES

Isolation of cyanobacteria from natural environments is needed to obtain axenic cultures of cyanobacteria which can be mainly used for studies in fundamental and applicative researches. The aim of this study is to present the results concerning the purification from sulphurous mesothermal spring of cyanobacteria in axenic culture by an improved lysozyme method which uses a second antibiotic, tienam, added after organic nutrients.
Personal Identification Through 3D Biometric Measurements Based on Stereoscopic Image Pairs

The possibility of identifying people starting form images grabbed by video surveillance systems is a key characteristic that transforms a deterrence device in an effective and useful investigation tool. A system that allows to identify people in a reliable way, permits to increase the security of citizens. This means that the surveillance system has to be properly designed and installed. Images coming from common surveillance systems, rarely show a sufficient quality, and it is often impossible to verify personal identity in a reliable way, even combining different techniques together. In this paper an innovative video surveillance system, is proposed; this system allows to grab couples of stereoscopic images for each person passing within the cameras field of view. Starting from these images it will be possible to extract the three-dimensional positions of some face features, allowing for a reliable personal identification
Myocyte Enhancer Factors 2A and 2C Induce Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Transgenic Mice*

Cardiac hypertrophy and dilation are mediated by neuroendocrine factors and/or mitogens as well as through internal stretch- and stress-sensitive signaling pathways, which in turn transduce alterations in cardiac gene expression through specific signaling pathways. The transcription factor family known as myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) has been implicated as a signal-responsive mediator of the cardiac transcriptional program. For example, known hypertrophic signaling pathways that utilize calcineurin, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase, and MAPKs can each affect MEF2 activity. Here we demonstrate that MEF2 transcription factors induced dilated cardiomyopathy and lengthening of myocytes. Specifically, multiple transgenic mouse lines with cardiac-specific overexpression of MEF2A or MEF2C presented with cardiomyopathy at base line or were predisposed to more fulminant disease following pressure overload stimulation. The cardiomyopathic response associated with MEF2A and MEF2C was not further altered by activated calcineurin, suggesting that MEF2 functions independently of calcineurin in this response. In cultured cardiomyocytes, MEF2A, MEF2C, and MEF2-VP16 overexpression induced sarcomeric disorganization and focal elongation. Mechanistically, MEF2A and MEF2C each programmed similar profiles of altered gene expression in the heart that included extracellular matrix remodeling, ion handling, and metabolic genes. Indeed, adenoviral transfection of cultured cardiomyocytes with MEF2A or of myocytes from the hearts of MEF2A transgenic adult mice showed reduced transient outward K+ currents, consistent with the alterations in gene expression observed in transgenic mice and partially suggesting a proximal mechanism underlying MEF2-dependent cardiomyopathy.
Immature platelet count: A simple parameter for distinguishing thrombocytopenia in pediatric acute lymphocytic leukemia from immune thrombocytopenia

Platelet counts below normal values define thrombocytopenia. However, platelet counts alone do not reveal the underlying pathomechanism. New blood cell counters provide additional information on platelet size and volume, and enable the distinction of sub‐populations. In this preliminary study, we evaluate whether one of these markers can be used for diagnosis of isolated thrombocytopenia in children.
Both selenium deficiency and modest selenium supplementation lead to myocardial fibrosis in mice via effects on redox-methylation balance.

SCOPE Selenium has complex effects in vivo on multiple homeostatic mechanisms such as redox balance, methylation balance, and epigenesis, via its interaction with the methionine-homocysteine cycle. In this study, we examined the hypothesis that selenium status would modulate both redox and methylation balance and thereby modulate myocardial structure and function. METHODS AND RESULTS We examined the effects of selenium-deficient (<0.025 mg/kg), control (0.15 mg/kg), and selenium-supplemented (0.5 mg/kg) diets on myocardial histology, biochemistry and function in adult C57/BL6 mice. Selenium deficiency led to reactive myocardial fibrosis and systolic dysfunction accompanied by increased myocardial oxidant stress. Selenium supplementation significantly reduced methylation potential, DNA methyltransferase activity and DNA methylation. In mice fed the supplemented diet, inspite of lower oxidant stress, myocardial matrix gene expression was significantly altered resulting in reactive myocardial fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction in the absence of myocardial hypertrophy. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that both selenium deficiency and modest selenium supplementation leads to a similar phenotype of abnormal myocardial matrix remodeling and dysfunction in the normal heart. The crucial role selenium plays in maintaining the balance between redox and methylation pathways needs to be taken into account while optimizing selenium status for prevention and treatment of heart failure.
Hedging against uncertainty in biomass processing network design using a data-driven approach

Sustainability has become a key concern in process systems engineering. Renewable energy, such as biofuels, and renewable materials, such as bioproducts, could replace their non-renewable, petroleum-based counterparts. However, there remain many challenges in producing biofuels and bioproducts economically and efficiently. There are many different biomass feedstocks, processes to convert them, and many different possible biofuels and bioproducts to produce. Furthermore, prices and demands of biofuels and bioproducts are uncertain. The variation of price or demand of one bioproduct could influence price or demand of another, further complicating the problem. An approach that can identify economical, efficient, and sustainable biofuel and bioproduct production processes from the myriad possible options while also considering correlated and uncorrelated price and demand uncertainties of the final bioproducts is required. In this work, a data-driven decision-making framework is proposed for biomass processing network design that directly integrates machine learning with robust optimization. Principal component analysis (PCA) is used to identify latent uncertainties behind observed uncertainty data. A kernel density estimation approach captures probability distributions of the projected uncertainty data extracted from PCA. This uncertainty data analysis approach is applied to a bioconversion product and process network to identify cost-effective and environmentally-friendly biofuels and bioproducts production pathways. Our approach identifies a total annualized cost of $ 18.3M/y, 6 % lower than the cost found with conventional adaptive robust optimization.
Downlink Scheduling in Network MIMO Using Two-Stage Channel State Feedback

In this paper, we propose a user scheduling scheme which is based merely on the ergodic rate. We derive the ergodic rate of each user for our network MIMO system from the average Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) and the covariance of prediction error. Further more, we design a joint precoding for the selected users. The precoding matrices are contrived according to the predicted Channel State Information at Transmitter (CSIT) in the future time slot to reduce the deviation caused by delay. Such a network MIMO system is under consideration, where the users are cooperatively served by multiple Base Stations (BSs). User scheduling and joint precoding are executed by a central unit connected to all BSs. Both the above functions require the CSIT which is acquired by an uplink feedback overhead. Simulation results demonstrate a conspicuous improvement in user spectral efficiency with reduced feedback.
Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease: New and Emerging Targets for Refractory Motor and Nonmotor Symptoms

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition characterized by bradykinesia, tremor, rigidity, and postural instability (PI), in addition to numerous nonmotor manifestations. Many pharmacological therapies now exist to successfully treat PD motor symptoms; however, as the disease progresses, it often becomes challenging to treat with medications alone. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has become a crucial player in PD treatment, particularly for patients who have disabling motor complications from medical treatment. Well-established DBS targets include the subthalamic nucleus (STN), the globus pallidus pars interna (GPi), and to a lesser degree the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) of the thalamus. Studies of alternative DBS targets for PD are ongoing, the majority of which have shown some clinical benefit; however, more carefully designed and controlled studies are needed. In the present review, we discuss the role of these new and emerging DBS targets in treating refractory axial motor symptoms and other motor and nonmotor symptoms (NMS).