Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Income distribution and life expectancy.

The relationship between income distribution and mortality is explored using data from published sources. Specifically the author attempts to "investigate the cross sectional relation between income distribution and mortality and its possible interactions with gross national product per head and to assess whether changes in income distribution over time are related to changes in mortality in developed countries. " He concludes that "there is clear evidence of a strong relation between a societys income distribution and the average life expectancy of its population. " (EXCERPT)
EXPERIMENTAL HEATSTROKE IN BABOON: ANALYSIS OF THE SYSTEMIC INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE

The objective of this study was to analyze the pattern of the inflammatory response to heatstroke in an experimental baboon model with a view to identifying potential target for therapeutic interventions. Blinded analysis of plasma collected from 12 juvenile baboons (Papio hamadryas) in heatstroke was used. Eight anesthetized animals were heat-stressed in an incubator at 44°C to 47°C until rectal temperature was 42.5°C (moderate heatstroke; n = 4) or systolic arterial pressure fell to <90 mmHg (severe heatstroke; n = 4) and were allowed to recover at room temperature. Four sham-heated animals served as a control group. We performed sequential measurement of cytokines. The rectal temperature on completion of heat stress was 42.5°C ± 0.0°C and 43.3°C ± 0.1°C in moderate and severe heatstroke, respectively. Heat stress elicited early, simultaneous release of anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines (IL-10, IL-1ra, sTNFr I and II, and IL-8). Circulating levels of IL-12p40 were significantly decreased, whereas TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-4 were below the detection limit in all animals. No baboon survived severe heatstroke; there was neurological morbidity without mortality in moderate heatstroke. Nonsurvivors displayed significantly greater activity/alterations in inflammation markers than survivors. Sham-heated animals had no evidence of inflammation activation. These results show that heatstroke activates complex systemic inflammatory and regulatory responses associated with outcome. Further definition of this ambivalent response is needed before identification of target of successful modulation may become possible.
Glucocorticoids Promote Chondrogenic Differentiation of Adult Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Enhancing Expression of Cartilage Extracellular Matrix Genes

In the adult human, mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) resident in the bone marrow retain the capacity to proliferate and differentiate along multiple connective tissue lineages, including cartilage. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are required for chondrogenic differentiation of hMSCs in vitro; however, the exact role of GCs in this process is not known. In this study, we examined the effects of dexamethasone (DEX) on chondrogenic differentiation of hMSCs in the presence or absence of DEX, transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β), or DEX plus TGF‐β. GC treatment upregulated gene expression of cartilage matrix components aggrecan, dermatopontin, and collagen type XI; enhanced TGF‐β‐mediated upregulation of collagen type II and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein; and increased aggrecan and collagen type II production as well as cartilage matrix‐sulfated proteoglycans as assessed by immunohistochemistry and alcian blue staining. Inclusion of an antagonist of GCs inhibited expression of chondrogenic differentiation markers, suggesting that the GC effects during chondrogenesis are mediated by the GC receptor (GR). Steady levels of the major active form of GR, GRα, were detected in both undifferentiated and differentiating hMSCs, whereas the dominant‐negative isoform GRβ, present at low levels in undifferentiated hMSCs, was downregulated during chondrogenesis. In the presence of DEX and TGF‐β, expression of a collagen type II gene promoter luciferase reporter construct in hMSCs was upregulated. However, coexpression of GRβ dramatically inhibited promoter activity, suggesting that GRα is required for GC‐mediated modulation of chondrogenesis and that GCs may play an important role in the maintenance of cartilage homeostasis.
A novel transmission scheme for STBC with one additional bit based on labeled MPSK constellation

In this work, we propose a novel algorithm to combat We propose a novel transmission scheme, which divides a MPSK constellation into two labeled constellations to transmit one bit more information without requiring any additional system resource (power or bandwidth) by using orthogonal space-time block code (STBC). These two labeled constellations represent the information of this additional bit. An overall coding gain (OCG) is also defined in this letter to select two constellations from an alphabet by maximizing OCG. The maximum likelihood (ML) decoding algorithm is considered in this work with low complexity with O(2(n/2)N+1).
Fast plagiarism detection based on simple document similarity

Plagiarism detection in a large number of documents requires efficient methods. This paper proposes a plagiarism detection algorithm based on approximate string matching to be specified in “copy and paste”-type plagiarisms, and a speed improvement to an implementation of the algorithm. Most of the computations required in the algorithm are omitted by two kinds of approximations of the output used for plagiarism detection, while the decrease of accuracy caused by the approximations is acceptable. The effect of the improvement on the processing time and accuracy of the algorithm is evaluated by conducting experiments with a data set. The experimental results show that the improvement can reduce the processing time to approximately one-twentieth for a 6.4% decrease of the accuracy from those for the normal implementation of the algorithm.
The proteolytic system of a gram negative rod isolated from the bovine rumen.

For some time there has been considerable interest in the metabolism of ingested food in the rumen. Recently, it has been shown that an appreciable amount of hydrolysis takes place in this organ (McDonald, 1954). Since there are no digestive juices secreted into the rumen by the host, it was concluded that the agent responsible for this hydrolysis was of microbial origin. Considering protein as one of the nutrients undergoing hydrolysis, it can be stated that only a few proteolytic bacteria have been isolated from the rumen and their proteolytic activities have not been studied extensively (Appleby, 1955; Bryant and Burkey, 1953; Huhtanen and Gall, 1953). There are many more bacterial proteinases than can be found in plant and animal tissues. With the limited information available it is clear that they exhibit tremendous variations in their mode of action and substrate specificity. The present paper describes the isolation of a proteolytic organism, from rumen contents, probably belonging to the genus Flavobacterium (Breed et al., 1948), and the action of its extracellular proteinase.
A Probabilistic Numerical Method for Optimal Multiple Switching Problems in High Dimension

In this paper, we present a probabilistic numerical algorithm combining dynamic programming, Monte Carlo simulations and local basis regressions to solve non-stationary optimal multiple switching problems in infinite horizon. We provide the rate of convergence of the method in terms of the time step used to discretize the problem, of the regression basis used to approximate conditional expectations, and of the truncating time horizon. To make the method viable for problems in high dimension and long time horizon, we extend a memory reduction method to the general Euler scheme, so that, when performing the numerical resolution, the storage of the Monte Carlo simulation paths is not needed. Then, we apply this algorithm to a model of optimal investment in power plants in dimension eight, i.e. with two different technologies and six random factors.
Republished review: Systematic review and meta-analysis of psychomotor effects of mobile phone electromagnetic fields

Objectives Over the past 10 years there has been increasing concern about the possible behavioural effects of mobile phone use. This systematic review and meta-analysis focuses on studies published since 1999 on the human cognitive and performance effects of mobile phone-related electromagnetic fields (EMF). Methods PubMed, Biomed, Medline, Biological Sciences, PsychInfo, PsycARTICLES, Environmental Sciences and Pollution Management, Neurosciences Abstracts and Web of Science professional databases were searched and 24 studies selected for meta-analysis. Each study had to have at least one psychomotor measurement result as a main outcome. Data were analysed using standardised mean difference (SMD) as the effect size measure. Results Only three tasks (2-back, 3-back and simple reaction time (SRT)) displayed significant heterogeneity, but after studies with extreme SMD were excluded using sensitivity analysis, the statistical significance disappeared (χ2(7)=1.63, p=0.20; χ2(6)=1.00, p=0.32; χ2(10)=14.04, p=0.17, respectively). Following sensitivity analysis, the effect of sponsorship and publication bias were assessed. Meta-regression indicated a significant effect (b1/40.12, p<0.05) only for the 2-back task with mixed funding (industry and public/charity). Funnel plot inspection revealed a significant publication bias only for two cognitive tasks: SRT (Begg's rank correlation r=0.443; Egger's test b=−0.652) and the subtraction task (Egger's test b=−0.687). Conclusions Mobile phone-like EMF do not seem to induce cognitive and psychomotor effects. Nonetheless, the existence of sponsorship and publication biases should encourage WHO intervention to develop official research standards and guidelines. In addition, future research should address critical and neglected issues such as investigation of repeated, intensive and chronic exposures, especially in highly sensitive populations such as children.
Evidence of subjects sensitized to Leishmania infantum on the French Mediterranean coast: differences in gamma interferon production between this population and visceral leishmaniasis patients

Summary The Marseilles region is an endemic area for visceral mediterranean leishmaniasis, but although the number of dog cases, the parasite's main host, is very high, only a few people develop the disease. We looked for sensitized healthy subjects among 25 healthy individuals living in this area by studying their in vitro lymphoproliferative response to Leishmania infantum antigens and gamma interferon synthesis. We found that 65% of tested subjects were sensitized against L. infantum. We compared their cell mediated immunity to that of 13 active Kala‐Azar patients and 13 controls from non‐endemic areas. In patients, results showed a specific cellular immuno‐deficiency in the lymphocyte response to L. infantum antigens and a global deficiency of gamma interferon production. Interestingly, the healthy individuals from the endemic area who responded to L. infantum antigens were found to produce high γ interferon levels after L. infantum antigen stimulation. After healing, the cell mediated‐immunity of the 3 patients we followed up was similar to that of the sensitized tested healthy subjects, but the former were still producing antibodies at the time of study.
Behavioral activity of 1S,3R-ACPD, an agonist of metabotropic glutamate receptors.

The influence of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injections of 1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (1S,3R-ACPD), an agonist of metabotropic glutamate receptors, on the activity of the central nervous system was examined in rats. 1S,3R-ACPD at the i.c. v. doses of 100 and 200 nmole significantly decreased apomorphine-induced stereotypy, and at a dose 200 nmole significantly diminished catalepsy caused by haloperidol, two behavioral symptoms controlled mainly by central dopaminergic system. The tested compound had no influence on the locomotor and exploratory activity of rats estimated in open field. 1S,3R-ACPD significantly improved acquisition at the i.c. v. dose of 100 nmole, and consolidation of information at the i.c. v. doses of 100 and 200 nmole. The tested compound had no influence on retention processes in passive avoidance situation. This compound also did not improve recognition memory tested in the object recognition test. These results indicated that 1S,3R-ACPD improved memory motivated affectively but had no influence on recognition memory and the diminished dopaminergic transmission.
Dan Suthers: The Influence of Knowledge Modeling on the Communication Process

A semiconductor device having its carrier-injecting region formed with a Schottky structure, and arranged so that the current flowing through the Schottky barrier by virtue of tunnel effect is controlled by a controlling electrode to thereby control the drain or collector or anode current. Thus, this device has a large current density and a large current gain. This device can be used not only as a discrete one, but also it is quite suitable when applied to integrated circuits.
Evaluation of a learning analytics application for open edX platform

Massive open online courses (MOOCs) have recently emerged as a revolution in education. Due to the huge amount of users, it is difficult for teachers to provide personalized instruction. Learning analytics computer applications have emerged as a solution. At present, MOOC platforms provide low support for learning analytics visualizations, and a challenge is to provide useful and effective visualization applications about the learning process. At this paper we review the learning analytics functionality of Open edX and make an overview of our learning analytics application ANALYSE. We present a usability and effectiveness evaluation of ANALYSE tool with 40 students taking a Design of Telematics Applications course. The survey obtained very positive results in a system usability scale (SUS) questionnaire (78.44/100) in terms of the usefulness of visualizations (3.68/5) and the effectiveness ratio (92/100) of the actions required for the respondents. Therefore, we can conclude that the implemented learning analytics application is usable and effective.
Smart geometrical antenna design exploiting the LOS component to enhance a MIMO System based on Rayleigh-fading in indoor scenarios

In this paper we propose a special antenna design for indoor applications which enables superior transmission properties within a designated and fixed area due to a line of sight (LOS) based MIMO antenna configuration. In the rest of the room the MIMO-system relies on the multi-path signal from the Rayleigh channel background. We derive a simple design recipe to achieve a nearly perfect antenna configuration for a LOS-based MIMO-system and apply this to an indoor application example. Assuming a typical office scenario, capacity issues are discussed and a very simple transmission system is simulated. In the designated area a very simple transmission system delivers nearly the maximum data rate and hence, the application of successive interference (SIC) cancellation is not necessary here. For the rest of the room SIC yields a significant improvement. At last we propose a more symmetrical antenna structure, which reduces the angular dependence of the transmission quality.
Animal companions and one-year survival of patients after discharge from a coronary care unit.

This study looked at the effects of social isolation and social support on the survival of patients who were hospitalized in a CCU with a diagnosis of MI or angina pectoris (AP). Social factors have been reported to account for some of the variation in the incidence of MI and AP (25,28), but.
Tips In vitro assays di V erentially recapitulate protein export from the trans-Golgi network

In vitro assays have been broadly applied to reconstitute traYcking events along the biosynthetic and endocytic pathways of eukaryotic cells [1]. Cell-based assays employ mild detergents or mechanical means to perforate the plasma membrane and release cytosolic components while maintaining the integrity of intracellular membrane compartments (Supplementary Fig. 1). In contrast, cell-free assays are performed using isolated membrane fractions enriched in a particular organelle. Cell-based assays can allow analysis of multiple steps along a traYcking pathway, while cell-free assays are generally designed to reconstitute an individual membrane Wssion or fusion step. Both cellbased and cell-free assays have proven useful for dissecting the roles of various components in intracellular traYcking events. In many instances, these assays have been utilized to dissect the requirements for polarized biosynthetic sorting of cargo molecules from the trans-Golgi network (TGN)1[2–5]. Interestingly, segregation of apical and basolateral marker proteins into distinct transport carriers that bud from the TGN appears to occur even in nonpolarized cells, enabling the use of nondiVerentiated cell types for such assays [6–8]. However, the extent to which these assays recapitulate in vivo sorting and regulation of membrane traYc has not been systematically examined. Here we have compared cell-based and a cell-free in vitro assays for their ability to reconstitute polarized protein sorting from the TGN. We previously found that eYcient apical delivery of the marker protein inXuenza hemagglutinin (HA) in polarized Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells requires TGN acidiWcation [9]. In particular,
Pension benefits in Chile: is it possible to improve adequacy and solidarity?

Chile revolutionized pension systems in 1981 by transforming its defined-benefit pay-as-you-go contributive system into a defined contribution privately managed fully-funded scheme. After 27 years, the fragmentation, low coverage and high costs of administering the private system led to a comprehensive reform to address these problems in 2008. The latter reform was a step forward in several ways: a social protection floor was established, the non-contributory and the contributory components were combined in an integrated system, and a significant increase in benefits coverage was reached. However, the reform was insufficient: the system continues paying low benefits; coverage gaps have not been eliminated and significant benefit inequities remain. In 2014, only after six years, the government of President Bachelet convened a new commission of national and international experts to recommend further changes to the system. The Commission delivered a report in 2015 which shows the challenges of returning to a path to recover the benefits and rebuild social security solidarity mechanisms. Beyond some reforms proposals to adjust the system to the demographic and labour context, major differences persist between two proposals: (a) keep the status quo of the current system with mild increases in tax financed benefits; and (b) transform it into a three pillar mixed system that includes a social insurance component. This paper summarizes the trajectory and challenges of Chile's pension system together with the dilemmas posed by the experts commission reform proposals.
A novel technique for unsupervised texture segmentation

Image texture segmentation is an important problem and occurs frequently in many image processing applications. Although, a number of algorithms exist in the literature. Methods that rely on the use of expectation-maximisation algorithm are gaining a growing interest. The main feature of this algorithm is that it is capable of estimating the parameters of mixture distribution. This paper presents a novel unsupervised algorithm based on expectation-maximisation algorithm where the analysis is applied on vector data rather than the grey level. This is achieved by defining a likelihood function which measures how the estimated features are fitting the present data. Experimental results on images containing various synthetic and natural textures have been carried out and a comparison with existing and similar techniques has shown the superiority of the proposed method.
Cerebrovascular reactivity mapping in patients with low grade gliomas undergoing presurgical sensorimotor mapping with BOLD fMRI

(i) to validate blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) breathhold cerebrovascular reactivity (BH CVR) mapping as an effective technique for potential detection of neurovascular uncoupling (NVU) in a cohort of patients with perirolandic low grade gliomas undergoing presurgical functional MRI (fMRI) for sensorimotor mapping, and (ii) to determine whether NVU potential, as assessed by BH CVR mapping, is prevalent in this tumor group.
UML and Object Oriented Drama

Readers of this article have probably seen, at least once, diagrams produced using the UML (Unified Modeling Language). Some of you have perhaps used UML for your own work and know that the UML can also be applied to a variety of analytic disciplines, ranging from economics to electronics, from mathematics to medicine, etc. However, you are less likely to have encountered UML in the strictly artistic domain of Theatre. Yes … Right in the theatre. In this article we illustrate a unique experiment: the application of the UML for analysis of dramatic words. Daily interdisciplinary tests and hybridisations occur among the different contemporary arts; theatre meets new technologies more and more frequently and it turns out to be a fascinating and complex meeting. As a consequence, the problem of identifying new tools that the dramatist and/or director can use to analyse a text arises. Among these tools, it is important to select which is to be used in order to facilitate the sharing of the project among the different participants (director, dramatist, actors, etc.). The discipline of computer science can provide us with a valid solution to this problem, where comparable problems are, typically, solved by means of UML.
Difficulties in post‐stroke gait improvement caused by post‐stroke depression

Background Depression is a common problem impeding post‐stroke rehabilitation. Up to 70% of patients show depression symptoms during the first twelve months after stroke onset. However, the depression and its effect on functional recovery can be difficult to diagnose. The purpose of this study was to use gait analysis as a tool to compare the recovery after stroke in patients with and without depression and to assess the impact of the initiation time of rehabilitation after stroke onset. Methods One hundred and forty five consecutive patients after first ever stroke admitted for designed rehabilitation program within 2 to 31 months after stroke onset participated. All patients received 4 weeks treatment program included comprehensive rehabilitation consisted of multipurpose activities 5 days a week. These included individual and group exercises, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and gait training. Gait analysis with Kistler force plates was employed to assess gait pattern symmetry before and after the treatment. Gait symmetry was evaluated based on seven gait parameters. Regaining of gait pattern symmetry was assumed as a measure of rehabilitation outcome. Results After rehabilitation program gait symmetry was regained in patients without depression. Gait asymmetry remained unchanged in patients diagnosed with depression. No major differences in outcome from rehabilitation were noted in regards to the initiation time of rehabilitation after the stroke onset. Conclusions Depression limits gait recovery after stroke. The time of initiation of rehabilitation after stroke onset does not limit the motor recovery after rehabilitation program.