Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Patient and parent preferences for immunoglobulin treatments: a conjoint analysis

Abstract Objectives: The purpose was to quantify patient and parent preferences for administration attributes of immunoglobulin (IG) treatments; and determine which administration attributes were most important to users of IG treatment and whether patients and parents have similar preferences for administration attributes. Methods: US adult patients and parents of children with a self-reported physician diagnosis of a primary immunodeficiency disorder completed a best-practice web-enabled choice-format conjoint survey that presented a series of 12 choice questions, each including a pair of hypothetical IG-treatment profiles. After reviewing current therapies, each profile was defined by mode of administration, frequency, location, number of needle sticks, and treatment duration. Before answering the choice questions, respondents were told to assume all treatments worked equally well. Choice questions were based on a D-efficient experimental design. Preference weights for attribute levels were estimated using random-parameters logit for each sample (adult patients and parents). Tests were performed to determine potential interactions among the administration attributes. All respondents provided online informed consent. Results: In total, 252 patients and 66 parents completed the choice questions appropriately. Overall, both groups preferred a home setting, monthly frequency, fewer needle sticks, and shorter treatment durations of IG treatment relative to alternative choices (p < 0.05). Mode of administration was the least important attribute to both samples; however, parents strongly preferred self-administration to an appointment with a healthcare professional (p < 0.05), whereas patients slightly preferred self-administration but were indifferent to the two modes. Limitations: Respondents evaluate hypothetical treatments and differences can arise between stated and actual choices. Conclusions: Considering the hypothetical treatments evaluated, IG treatments that provide the option of a home setting, monthly frequency, fewer needle sticks, and shorter treatment durations may address the needs of both patients and parents. Patients and parents have different preferences for administration attributes of IG treatments.
Molecular adjuvants and immunomodulators: new approaches to immunization

Epitopes on microbial antigens responsible for protective immunity have begun to be identified and isolated, and their chemical structures have been determined. Ensuing knowledge of their weak immunizing capacity per se has led to an appreciation of the need for adjuvants to increase the immunogenicity of these low-molecular-weight synthetic structures. As such, a recent surge in adjuvant research has emerged. Accordingly, this review will highlight a number of those adjuvant substances whose activity in animals indicates a potential use in human vaccines. In addition, the potential of several well-defined substances, termed immunomodulators, which nonspecifically stimulate resistance of animals to multiple 50% lethal doses of microbial challenge is described. Among the most extensively characterized adjuvants of microbial origin discussed in detail are (i) the lipopolysaccharides isolated from gram-negative bacteria and their nontoxic analogs, (ii) the synthetic muramyl dipeptides and their multiple analogs, and (iii) the synthetic polyribonucleotide complexes, mimicking the interferon-inducing capacity of viruses. Discussed also are the heat-labile enterotoxin of Escherichia coli, the nonionic block copolymers, the saponins, a quinolamine derivative, and the hormone dihydroepiandrosterone.
Source analysis of the Mw 6.3 2004 Al Hoceima earthquake (Morocco) using regional apparent source time functions

[1] We use small and moderate aftershocks of the 24 February 2004 Al Hoceima earthquake as empirical Greens' functions (EGFs) to retrieve the rupture history of the main event. The magnitude, depth, and geometry of faulting were estimated for the main shock and 20 small and moderate aftershocks (Mw between 3.9 and 5.2) computing moment tensor solutions. For the main shock, we obtain a moment magnitude of Mw = 6.3 and a nearly pure double-couple source (4% compensated linear vector dipole) with predominately strike-slip faulting. The preferred fault plane has a strike of N11°E, a dip of 72°, and a rake of −17°. Fourteen aftershocks, having depths (±4 km) and faulting geometries (±11° for the strike of the preferred plane) similar to the ones found for the main event, were used as EGFs. Apparent source time functions (ASTFs) of the Al Hoceima event were retrieved at twelve regional stations using an iterative time domain deconvolution on the P waveforms. At each station, time functions are enhanced by stacking of the deconvolved waveforms for different EGFs. ASTFs show total durations of 5 to 6 s, two consecutive subevents separated by about 3 s, and only a weak effect of directivity. We further investigate the source history by inverting the set of ASTFs for the distribution of fault slip and rupture propagation. Two different source models were selected for presentation, one involving one single fault plane and the other involving two parallel fault planes. The two-fault model fits more accurately the observations and leads to a more plausible slip distribution. We estimate rupture dimensions of about 10 × 10 km2 and 8 × 8 km2 and moment magnitudes of Mw = 6.2 and 6.0 for the first and second subevent, respectively.
Temporal relation between Ixodes scapularis abundance and risk for Lyme disease associated with erythema migrans.

Understanding the role that nymphal and female ticks, Ixodes scapularis, have in the epidemiology of Lyme disease is essential to the development of successful prevention programs. In this study, the authors sought to evaluate the seasonal and annual relations between tick densities and patients > or = 16 years of age diagnosed with erythema migrans (EM), the rash associated with early Lyme disease. Ticks were collected weekly by drag sampling throughout most of the year from 1991 to 1996 in Westchester County, New York. The number of EM cases was based on patients diagnosed at the Westchester County Medical Center using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria. No patients with EM were diagnosed from January through April, when only adult ticks were active. Correlation analysis between monthly tick densities and EM incidence was significant for nymphs (r = 0.87, p < 0.01), but not for adult ticks (r = -0.57, p > 0.05). There was a strong, although not significant, correlation between peak annual number of patients with EM and peak nymphal tick abundance (r = 0.76, p = 0.08). These data indicate that bites from adult I. scapularis only rarely result in Lyme disease, and that annual nymphal tick abundance determines exposure. This suggests that annual fluctuations in Lyme disease case numbers are largely due to natural changes in tick abundance and, therefore, that control of nymphal I. scapularis should be a major component of Lyme disease prevention efforts.
Effects of glycopyrrolate premedication on preventing postoperative catheter-related bladder discomfort in patients receiving ureteroscopic removal of ureter stone

Background Glycopyrrolate given as reversing agents of muscle relaxants has been reported to be effective in reducing postoperative catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD). However, it remains unclear whether glycopyrrolate as premedication is also effective. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of glycopyrrolate as premedication on preventing CRBD in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). Methods Eighty-three patients who received elective ureteroscopic removal of ureteral stone were randomly assigned to the control (n = 43) or the glycopyrrolate group (n = 40). The glycopyrrolate group was treated with glycopyrrolate 0.3 mg as premedication while the control group received 0.9% saline 1.5 ml. The incidence and severity of CRBD and pain score using numerical rating scale (NRS) were measured in the PACU. Results The incidence of CRBD (26 of 40 patients vs. 41 of 43 patients, relative risk [RR] = 0.68, 95% Confidence interval [CI] = 0.53–0.86, P = 0.001) and the moderate to severe CRBD incidence (6 of 40 patients vs. 20 of 43 patients, RR = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.14–0.72, P = 0.002) were lower in the glycopyrrolate group than in the control group. Also, postoperative pain NRS score was found to be lower in the glycopyrrolate group (median = 1 [Q1 = 0, Q3 = 2]) compared to the control group (3 [1, 5], median difference = 1.00, 95% CI = 0.00–2.00, P = 0.002). Conclusions The use of glycopyrrolate 0.3 mg as premedication in patients receiving ureteroscopic removal of ureteral stone reduced the incidence and severity of CRBD, and decreased postoperative pain in the PACU.
A Positive Affective Neuroendocrinology Approach to Reward and Behavioral Dysregulation

Emerging lines of research suggest that both testosterone and maladaptive reward processing can modulate behavioral dysregulation. Yet, to date, no integrative account has been provided that systematically explains neuroendocrine function, dysregulation of reward, and behavioral dysregulation in a unified perspective. This is particularly important given specific neuroendocrine systems are potential mechanisms underlying and giving rise to reward-relevant behaviors. In this review, we propose a forward-thinking approach to study the mechanisms of reward and behavioral dysregulation from a positive affective neuroendocrinology (PANE) perspective. This approach holds that testosterone increases reward processing and motivation, which increase the likelihood of behavioral dysregulation. Additionally, the PANE framework holds that reward processing mediates the effects of testosterone on behavioral dysregulation. We also explore sources of potential sex differences and the roles of age, cortisol, and individual differences within the PANE framework. Finally, we discuss future prospects for research questions and methodology in the emerging field of affective neuroendocrinology.
Summer temperature variability in central scandinavia during the last 3600 years

ABSTRACT. A Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) tree‐ring width chronology from Jämtland, in the central Scandinavian Mountains, built from living and sub‐fossil wood, covering the period 1632 BC to AD 2002, with a minor gap during AD 887–907, is presented. This is the first multi‐millennial tree‐ring chronology from the central parts of Fennoscandia. Pine growth in this tree line environment is mainly limited by summer temperatures, and hence the record can be viewed as a temperature proxy. Using the regional curve standardization (RCS) technique, pine‐growth variability on short and long time scales was retained and subsequently summer (June–August) temperatures were reconstructed yielding information on temperature variability during the last 3600 years. Several periods with anomalously warm or cold summers were found: 450–550 BC (warm), AD 300–400 (cold), AD 900–1000 (the Medieval Warm Period, warm) and AD 1550–1900 (Little Ice Age, cold). The coldest period was encountered in the fourth century AD and the warmest period 450 to 550 BC. However, the magnitude of these anomalies is uncertain since the replication of trees in the Jämtland record is low during those periods. The twentieth century warming does not stand out as an anomalous feature in the last 3600 years. Two multi‐millennial tree‐ring chronologies from Swedish and Finnish Lapland, which have previously been used as summer temperature proxies, agree well with the Jämtland record, indicating that the latter is a good proxy of local, but also regional, summer temperature variability.
The effect of averaging on bulk estimates of heat and momentum fluxes for the tropical western Pacific Ocean

The magnitudes of bulk air-sea surface flux estimates calculated using three temporal averaging methods were compared. The reference method is a simple average of fluxes computed from hourly values of bulk meteorological parameters termed the sampling method (SM). In contrast, the scaler averaging method (SAM) computes the average flux from the average of the bulk data; thus it ignores correlations between variables. The vector averaging method (VAM) is similar to the SAM but uses the magnitude of the average wind vector rather than the average magnitude of the hourly wind vectors. The data used in this study were collected during the Tropical Ocean and Global Atmospheric pilot cruise of the R/V Wecoma in the equatorial Pacific Ocean near 0°N, 145°E from February 17 to March 10,1990. The ratios of the SAM and VAM values relative to the SM values were studied as a function of averaging periods from 2–72 hours. The ratios vary little for times exceeding 36 hours. For averaging periods of 72 hours, the SAM estimates of QE, QH, τx, and τy were 102%, 61%, 21%, and 69% of the SM estimates, respectively; the VAM ratios were even lower. These results suggest that air-sea surface sealer fluxes and stress components computed from monthly, weekly, and even daily averaged bulk meteorological parameters can be seriously in error in equatorial, temporally variable wind regimes.
Functional and kinetic characterization of granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor‐primed CD34− human stem cells

Summary. We assessed the functional properties and the kinetic status in vitro, and the engraftment potential in vivo of human haematopoietic stem cells according to the expression of CD34 antigen. Lin−CD34− and Lin−CD34+ cells were isolated from granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor‐primed peripheral blood (PB) cells of healthy donors. The CD34− cell fraction did not contain either clonogenic cells in semisolid culture or long‐term culture initiating cells (LTC‐IC). However, stroma‐dependent liquid cultures and cytokines induced CD34 expression on a minority of stem cells, acquisition of clonogenic capacity and generation of LTC‐IC. Significantly higher percentages of quiescent G0 cells and lower percentages of cycling G1 cells were found in Lin−CD34− cells when compared with Lin−CD34+ cells. Kinetic quiescence of Lin−CD34− cells was associated with a significantly higher expression of the negative regulators of the cell cycle, p27Kip1 and p21cip1/waf1. Cytokine‐mediated induction of CD34, in vitro, resulted in cycling of stem cells and downregulation of p27. There was a higher rate of human long‐term engraftment in immunocompromised non‐obese diabetic (NOD)/recombination activating gene 1null and NOD/severe combined immunodeficient‐β2microglobulinnull mice injected with CD34+ cells. Thus, our study indicated that CD34 expression on human PB stem cells was associated with haematopoietic activity, cell‐cycle recruitment and downregulation of p27Kip1in vitro and higher engraftment capacity in vivo.
Chitosan Fibers Modified with HAp/β–TCP Nanoparticles

This paper describes a method for preparing chitosan fibers modified with hydroxyapatite (HAp), tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP), and HAp/β-TCP nanoparticles. Fiber-grade chitosan derived from the northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) and nanoparticles of tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and hydroxyapatite (HAp) suspended in a diluted chitosan solution were used in the investigation. Diluted chitosan solution containing nanoparticles of Hap/β-TCP was introduced to a 5.16 wt% solution of chitosan in 3.0 wt% acetic acid. The properties of the spinning solutions were examined. Chitosan fibers modified with nanoparticles of HAp/β-TCP were characterized by a level of tenacity and calcium content one hundred times higher than that of regular chitosan fibers.
NBTI Lifetime Prediction and Kinetics at Operation Bias Based on Ultrafast Pulse Measurement

Predicting negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) lifetime can be dangerous since it is difficult to assess its safety margin. The common technique uses gate bias Vg acceleration to reduce the test time, and the data were typically obtained from quasi-DC measurements. Recently, it has been shown that substantial recovery occurs during the quasi-DC measurement, and the suppression of recovery requires using ultrafast pulse measurement, where time was reduced to the order of microseconds. In a real circuit, different transistors have different levels of recovery, and the worst case scenario is when recovery is suppressed. At present, there is little information on how this worst case NBTI lifetime can be predicted and whether the traditional Vg acceleration technique can still be used. This work will show that the prediction based on the Vg acceleration results in a substantial error, and its cause will be analyzed. To predict the worst case lifetime, a model for NBTI kinetics under operation gate bias is developed. This kinetics includes contributions from both as-grown and generated defects, and it no longer follows a simple power law. Based on the new kinetics, a single-test prediction method is proposed, and its safety margin is estimated to be 50%.
Analysis and design of sub-harmonically injection locked oscillators

Sub-harmonic injection locking (SHIL) is an interesting phenomenon in nonlinear oscillators that is useful in RF applications, e.g., for frequency division. Existing techniques for analysis and design of SHIL are limited to a few specific circuit topologies. We present a general technique for analysing SHIL that applies uniformly to any kind of oscillator, is highly predictive, and offers novel insights into fundamental properties of SHIL that are useful for design. We demonstrate the power of the technique by applying it to ring and LC oscillators and predicting the presence or absence of SHIL, the number of distinct locks and their stability properties, lock range, etc. We present comparisons with SPICE-level simulations to validate our method's predictions.
Guilt and shame--a semantic concept analysis of two concepts related to palliative care.

BACKGROUND The theoretical viewpoint of the study was based on the fundamental motive in caring science, the suffering person and his/her health and life situation, which according to the philosophy of palliative care also includes the next of kin. The latter often wish to participate in the care of their loved ones and it is thus important for them to be able to make decisions that can generate a meaningful participation. Unfulfilled obligations or wrong decisions, concerning their dying relative, can result in experiences of guilt and shame in relation to the care of the loved one. A semantic concept analysis can provide a deeper understanding of these concepts and create a deeper insight into what the concepts mean for the individual. AIM The aim of the study was to elucidate the meaning of and the distinction between the concepts of guilt and shame. METHODS Semantic concept analysis based on Koort and Eriksson. FINDINGS The findings show that guilt and shame are two separate concepts. Guilt contains meaning dimensions of being the cause of and sin. Shame contains meaning dimensions of something that gives rise to shame and ability to experience shame. The synonyms for each concept do not overlap each other. CONCLUSION The semantic analysis creates an understanding of the concepts ontologically and provides a basis for theoretical, contextual and clinical understanding and development.
Dynamics of vertical mixing in lake Geneva

These Ecole polytechnique federale de Lausanne EPFL, n° 1254 (1994) Reference doi:10.5075/epfl-thesis-1254Print copy in library catalog Record created on 2005-03-16, modified on 2016-08-08
A comparative, randomized study of levonorgestrel Intrauterine System (LNG-IUS) vs Copper T 380 A intrauterine device applied during cesarean section

Objective: To assess levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system LNG-IUS (Mirena? ) application at caesarean section (CS). Design: Randomized, comparative study. Setting: Department of obstetrics and gynecology in a primary reference hospital at Puebla City, Mexico. Sample: 396 women requiring CS signed informed consent and were randomly allocated to the post-placental application of LNG-IUS (198) or Copper T 380 A (198). Methods: Follow up visits at 6 weeks, and 6 and 12 months were performed. Main Outcomes Measures: IUDs expulsion, maternal and babies’ health conditions, breastfeeding and menstrual patterns, adverse effects and pregnancies. Differences between groups were analyzed by Fisher and X2 tests, Odds ratios, relative risk and 95% confidence limits, as appropriate. Results: After one year of follow up, no pregnancies were reported. The IUD expulsion rate was 4.5% in each group. LNG-IUS users had a higher incidence of amenorrhea (OR 2.5 95% CI 2.2 - 3) and menstrual patterns significantly brief and lighter than Copper T 380 A (p < 0.001) with lower incidence of dysmenorrhea (OR 0.1 95% CI 0.04 - 0.2). No detrimental effects of LNG-IUS on breastfeeding was observed and interestingly babies weights of LNG-IUS users was slightly above the average for age compared with Copper T 380 A users. This was probably related with a major proportion of women with normal ferritin serum levels (94% vs 68%) leading to better mother’s general condition. Conclusions: LNG-IUS inserted during CS provides high efficacy contraception with additional benefits, mainly reducing menstrual bleeding and doing so, faster recovery of ferrous homeostasis after CS.
Microplastics in Sewage Sludge: Effects of Treatment.

Waste water treatment plants (WWTPs) are receptors for the cumulative loading of microplastics (MPs) derived from industry, landfill, domestic wastewater and stormwater. The partitioning of MPs through the settlement processes of wastewater treatment results in the majority becoming entrained in the sewage sludge. This study characterized MPs in sludge samples from seven WWTPs in Ireland which use anaerobic digestion (AD), thermal drying (TD), or lime stabilization (LS) treatment processes. Abundances ranged from 4196 to 15 385 particles kg-1 (dry weight). Results of a general linear mixed model (GLMM) showed significantly higher abundances of MPs in smaller size classes in the LS samples, suggesting that the treatment process of LS shears MP particles. In contrast, lower abundances of MPs found in the AD samples suggests that this process may reduce MP abundances. Surface morphologies examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed characteristics of melting and blistering of TD MPs and shredding and flaking of LS MPs. This study highlights the potential for sewage sludge treatment processes to affect the risk of MP pollution prior to land spreading and may have implications for legislation governing the application of biosolids to agricultural land.
Mineralization of Eroded Organic Carbon Transported from a Loess Soil into Water

The fate of soil-derived organic C (SOC) transported during erosion is a large uncertainty in assessing the impact of soil erosion on aquatic environments and in balancing C budgets. In our study, we determined C mineralization from solid soil organic C and dissolved organic C (DOC) translocated from a loess soil into surface water. We used runoff generated during rainfall simulation experiments. Both total runoff C and DOC were incubated to measure CO2 evolution during 28-d experiments. Cumulative CO2 emissions from runoff accounted for 3.9 to 4.8% of initial runoff C. It was estimated that 3.3 to 3.7% of initial solid SOC was mineralized contributing to 69 to 80% of total C mineralization from runoff. Mineralization of DOC was larger (7.3-30.2% of initial DOC) and showed a much larger variability than mineralization from solid SOC. However, DOC mineralization contributed to 20 to 31% of total C mineralization from runoff only because of the much smaller amounts of DOC than solid SOC. We could confirm a preferential removal of labile C from soils by water erosion. Nevertheless, the majority of this C will contribute to an aquatic C sink with less than 5% being potentially mineralizable. Our results indicated that the base level of C mineralization from translocated C was derived from the solid phase whereas the variability depends largely on DOC.