Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Why Functional Pre-Erythrocytic and Bloodstage Malaria Vaccines Fail: A Meta-Analysis of Fully Protective Immunizations and Novel Immunological Model

Background Clinically protective malaria vaccines consistently fail to protect adults and children in endemic settings, and at best only partially protect infants. Methodology/Principal Findings We identify and evaluate 1916 immunization studies between 1965-February 2010, and exclude partially or nonprotective results to find 177 completely protective immunization experiments. Detailed reexamination reveals an unexpectedly mundane basis for selective vaccine failure: live malaria parasites in the skin inhibit vaccine function. We next show published molecular and cellular data support a testable, novel model where parasite-host interactions in the skin induce malaria-specific regulatory T cells, and subvert early antigen-specific immunity to parasite-specific immunotolerance. This ensures infection and tolerance to reinfection. Exposure to Plasmodium-infected mosquito bites therefore systematically triggers immunosuppression of endemic vaccine-elicited responses. The extensive vaccine trial data solidly substantiate this model experimentally. Conclusions/Significance We conclude skinstage-initiated immunosuppression, unassociated with bloodstage parasites, systematically blocks vaccine function in the field. Our model exposes novel molecular and procedural strategies to significantly and quickly increase protective efficacy in both pipeline and currently ineffective malaria vaccines, and forces fundamental reassessment of central precepts determining vaccine development. This has major implications for accelerated local eliminations of malaria, and significantly increases potential for eradication.
The Cost of Barriers to Entry: Evidence from the Market for Corporate Euro Bond Underwriting

The advent of the euro has eroded many of the barriers that segmented the European corporate bond market along currency lines and given rise to a unified market comparable in size to the one denominated in US dollars. In doing so, the new currency has made it easier for investment banks to explore scale economies in the provision of underwriting services, lowered the entry barriers to this industry, and made it easier for European borrowers to benefit from scope economies by combining their purchasing of commercial and investment banking services. This paper shows that the arrival of the euro led to a reduction in the underwriting fees of corporate bonds issued in the new currency and that this reduction was largely due to greater contestability of the investment banking business in the post-EMU European market. Our paper also shows that the elimination of market segmentation led to a migration of underwriting business towards the larger international investment banking houses, particularly those from the United States, rather than an intensification of the business links between euro area borrowers and bankers from the same country. Moreover, borrowers that chose American investment banks appear to have made extra savings in the underwriting fees. Finally, our analysis shows that these fee savings were not overcome by an increase in the credit spreads of these borrowers' bonds at issue date. Altogether, these results suggest that borrowers attach more weight to placing capacity than to business relationships in the choice of an underwriter.
Psychometric properties of the adolescent stress questionnaire-short form scores and association with self-efficacy

Adolescence is a period of intense biological, and psychological change. This change can result in stress, which in turn can lead to a range of negative mental and physical health outcomes. It is important that stress in adolescence is measured accurately and reliably. This study examined a new and shortened 24-item version of the Adolescent Stress Questionnaire that accounts for stress in eight domains. Participants were school children in Northern Irish and Scottish high schools who completed a questionnaire 33 months apart. The questionnaire assessed stress, selfefficacy in three domains, and socio-demographic variables. Results of Confirmatory Factor Analyses in part one supported the proposed eight factor structure ASQ scores, as well as measurement invariance across country of residence, gender, socioeconomic status groups, and time. Correlations between scores on the eight factors and scores on three domains of self-efficacy supported construct validity. In short, higher levels of stress in some, but not all domains, was associated with lower social, emotional, and academic self-efficacy. Future studies are recommended to include more exploration into the usefulness of conceptualizing ASQ scores as multivariate. The study demonstrates that shortened ASQ scores are viable and reliable indicators of adolescent stress, and that stress has a negative relationship with the degree to which adolescents feel able to manage major life demands. Introduction Adolescence is a period of intense biological and psychological change that can sometimes result in stress [1], which could have a negative impact on mental well-being [2]. The 56-item Adolescent Stress Questionnaire [1] is an index of stress consisting of items forming 10 different stress components or domains. Psychometric studies examining the properties of ASQ scores have reported mixed results with some supportive [1,3], and others reporting problems with both structural validity and internal consistency [4], test-retest reliability [5] and problematic factor loadings [6]. Although McKay et al. [6] reported adequate fit indicies among Northern Irish adolescents (CFI = .95; RMSEA= .08), these authors also reported concerns about the reliability (α= .50) and validity of ‘emerging adult responsibility’ scores specifically. Furthermore, the importance of ASQ domain specificity in
Urinary monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in renal transplant recipients: implications in proteinuric patients

Background: After the first year of transplantation chronic allograft nephropathy is the most important cause of renal graft loss and hypertension and proteinuria occur commonly. In native nephropathies, proteinuria and progression to renal failure are linked and renal tubulo-interstitial fibrosis determines prognosis. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a powerful chemokine promoting tubulo-interstitial fibrosis but data are limited in a transplant context. Hence this observational cross-sectional study. Methods: The MAP, 24h urinary creatinine clearance, proteinuria and MCP-1 were measured in 81 renal transplant pa- tients (43 with chronic allograft nephropathy). Most patients were on calcineurin-inhibitor based immunosuppression. Re- gression analysis was applied and comparisons made with 64 patients with native nephropathies and comparable function. Results: One fifth (18/81) of all renal transplant patients had less than optimally controlled hypertension. Proteinuria was heaviest in non-transplanted patients (average 3.0 g/24h, 0.1-12.2) and the ciclosporin-treated transplant patients (1.2 g/24h, 0.02-6.4). Proteinuria and MCP-1 were positively correlated in all patients (r 0.54, p<0.0001) and r 0.84, p<0.0001 in 19 transplant patients receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. MCP-1 levels were highest in non-transplant and ciclosporin-treated patients; geometric mean (SE), 412.4(1.16) and 314.5(1.21) pg/24h respectively. MCP-1 levels were unrelated to age, MAP, creatinine clearance, or blood ciclosporin or tacrolimus levels. Conclusions: Urinary MCP-1 may be a useful non-invasive marker of chronic graft dysfunction in transplant patients fa- cilitating monitoring of progression and response to treatment even in proteinuric patients.
Can Swedish interactive thresholding algorithm fast perimetry be used as an alternative to goldmann perimetry in neuro-ophthalmic practice?

OBJECTIVE To assess the potential role of Swedish Interactive Thresholding Algorithm (SITA) Fast computerized static perimetry, compared with that of Goldmann manual kinetic perimetry (GVF), for reliably detecting visual field defects in neuro-ophthalmic practice. BACKGROUND Automated visual field testing is challenging in patients with poor visual acuity or severe neurological disease. In these patients, GVF is often the preferred visual field technique, but performance of this test requires a skilled technician, and this option may not be readily available. The recent development of the SITA family of perimetry has allowed for shorter automated perimetry testing time in normal subjects and in glaucoma patients. However, its usefulness for detecting visual field defects in patients with poor vision or neurological disease has not been evaluated. DESIGN AND METHODS We prospectively studied 64 consecutive, neuro-ophthalmologically impaired patients with neurologic disability of 3 or more on the Modified Rankin Scale, or with visual acuity of 20/200 or worse in at least one eye. Goldmann manual kinetic perimetry and SITA Fast results were compared for each eye, with special attention to reliability, test duration, and detection and quantification of neuro-ophthalmic visual field defects. We categorized the results into 1 of 9 groups based on similarities and reliabilities. Patient test preference was also assessed. RESULTS Patients were separated into 2 groups, those with severe neurologic deficits (n = 50 eyes) and those with severe vision loss but mild neurologic dysfunction or none at all (n = 50 eyes). Overall, GVF and SITA Fast were equally reliable in 77% of eyes. Goldmann manual kinetic perimetry and SITA Fast showed similar visual field results in 75% of all eyes (70% of eyes of patients with severe neurologic deficits and 80% of eyes with poor vision). The mean +/- SD duration per eye was 7.97 +/- 3.2 minutes for GVF and 5.43 +/- 1.41 minutes for SITA Fast (P<.001). Ninety-one percent of patients preferred GVF to SITA Fast. CONCLUSIONS We found the SITA Fast strategy of automated perimetry to be useful in the detection, and accurate in the quantification of central visual field defects associated with neuro-ophthalmic disorders. Our results suggest that for the general ophthalmologist or neurologist, visual field testing with SITA Fast perimetry might even be preferable to GVF, especially if performed by a marginally trained technician, even in patients with severely decreased vision or who are neurologically disabled.
Family carers providing support to a person dying in the home setting: A narrative literature review

Background: This study is based on people dying at home relying on the care of unpaid family carers. There is growing recognition of the central role that family carers play and the burdens that they bear, but knowledge gaps remain around how to best support them. Aim: The aim of this study is to review the literature relating to the perspectives of family carers providing support to a person dying at home. Design: A narrative literature review was chosen to provide an overview and synthesis of findings. The following search terms were used: caregiver, carer, ‘terminal care’, ‘supportive care’, ‘end of life care’, ‘palliative care’, ‘domiciliary care’ AND home AND death OR dying. Data sources: During April–May 2013, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Pubmed, Cochrane Reviews and Citation Indexes were searched. Inclusion criteria were as follows: English language, empirical studies and literature reviews, adult carers, perspectives of family carers, articles focusing on family carers providing end-of-life care in the home and those published between 2000 and 2013. Results: A total of 28 studies were included. The overarching themes were family carers’ views on the impact of the home as a setting for end-of-life care, support that made a home death possible, family carer’s views on deficits and gaps in support and transformations to the social and emotional space of the home. Conclusion: Many studies focus on the support needs of people caring for a dying family member at home, but few studies have considered how the home space is affected. Given the increasing tendency for home deaths, greater understanding of the interplay of factors affecting family carers may help improve community services.
Pertussis Toxin-Induced Reversible Encephalopathy Dependent on Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 Overexpression in Mice

In this report we describe pertussis toxin-induced reversible encephalopathy dependent on monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) overexpression (PREMO), a novel animal model that exhibits features of human encephalopathic complications of inflammatory disorders such as viral meningoencephalitis and Lyme neuroborreliosis as well as the mild toxic encephalopathy that commonly precedes relapses of multiple sclerosis (MS). Overexpression of the mouse MCP-1 gene product (classically termed JE) in astrocytes, the major physiological CNS cellular source of MCP-1, failed to induce neurological impairment. Unexpectedly, transgenic (tg) mice overexpressing MCP-1 at a high level (MCP-1hi) manifested transient, severe encephalopathy with high mortality after injections of pertussis toxin (PTx) plus complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Surviving mice showed markedly improved function and did not relapse during a prolonged period of observation. Tg mice that expressed lower levels of MCP-1 were affected minimally after CFA/PTx injections, and tg expression of other chemokines failed to elicit this disorder. The disorder was significantly milder in mice lacking T-cells, which therefore play a deleterious role in this encephalopathic process. Disruption of CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) abolished both CNS inflammation and encephalopathy, identifying CCR2 as a relevant receptor for this disorder. Proinflammatory and type 1 cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1β, IFN-γ, IL-2, RANTES, and IP-10 were elevated in CNS tissues from mice with PREMO. These studies characterize a novel model of reversible inflammatory encephalopathy that is dependent on both genetic and environmental factors.
Biopolymers for Hard and Soft Engineered Tissues: Application in Odontoiatric and Plastic Surgery Field

The goal of modern dentistry and plastic surgery is to restore the patient to normal function, health and aesthetics, regardless of the disease or injury to the stomatognathic and cutaneous system respectively. In recent years tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have yielded many novel tissue replacements and implementation strategies. Scientific advances in biomaterials, stem cell isolation, growth and differentiation factors and biomimetic environments have created unique opportunities to fabricate tissues in the laboratory. Repairing of bone and skin is likely to become of clinical interest when three dimensional tissue reconstructive procedures and the appropriate supporting biomimetic materials are correctly assembled. In the present review, we provide an overview of the most promising biopolymers that may find clinical application in dento-maxillo-facial and plastic surgery.
The effect of market-sensing capability on knowledge creation process and innovation Evidence from SMEs in Jordan

Article history: Received: December 11, 2018 Received in revised format: January 8, 2019 Accepted: January 30, 2019 Available online: January 30, 2019 This article aims to investigate the effect of market-sensing capability among knowledge creation and process and product innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Jordan. We propose that market-sensing capability will influence knowledge creation and process as well as product innovation. The study develops a model that contributes to the flourishing marketing management literature, i.e. the higher the knowledge creation, the higher the performance of SMEs. Data are collated from valid (n=304) respondents of Jordanian SMEs. The study uses structural equation modeling (SEM) to explore the analysis and the results indicate a positive effect of market-sensing capability on knowledge creation, and process and product innovation. Knowledge creation process has also maintained a positive effect on process and product innovation. Knowledge creation process mediated the link between market-sensing capability and process and product innovation. The study suggests that market sensing abilities of an enterprise are important for SME’s improvement which requires learning-positioning for firm effectiveness. In addition, managers need to harmonize their procedures concerning market sensing and learning. Future study can streamline the findings with a longitudinal design and insights can be acquired by exploring the impact of environmental factors surrounding strategic entrepreneurial orientation. © 2019 by the authors; licensee Growing Science, Canada
An Estimated Stochastic Dynamic General Equilibrium Model of the Euro Area

This paper, first, develops and estimates a stochastic dynamic general equilibrium (SDGE) model with sticky prices and wages for the euro area. The model incorporates various other features such as habit formation, costs of adjustment in capital accumulation and variable capacity utilisation and is estimated using seven key macro-economic variables: GDP, consumption, investment, prices, real wages, employment and the nominal interest rate. The introduction of eight orthogonal structural shocks (including productivity, labour supply, preference, cost-push and monetary policy shocks) allows for an empirical investigation of the effects of such shocks and of their contribution to business cycle fluctuations in the euro area. For example, it is found that productivity shocks account for only 10 percent of the long run variance in output. Using the estimated model, the paper then analyses the output (real interest rate) gap, defined as the difference between the actual and the flexible-price level of output (real interest rate). Finally, the estimated model is also used to analyse optimal monetary policy.
Pairwise matching, worker heterogeneity and non-linear wages

The paper studies wage formation in a pairwise matching model with heterogeneous labor. Firms propose wage offers unilaterally but workers can opt to search for alternative contacts besides pairwise meetings. Due to this option, the Diamond Paradox does not emerge but workers earn a non-trivial share of the transferable rent. Since the search option is disproportionately valuable for high skilled workers, the equilibrium wage function is increasing and convex in worker's skills. A mean preserving spread in the skill distribution induces greater wage dispersion. In the short-run, an increase in the average skill level compresses wages and may drive some low skilled workers out of the market. In the long-run, however, higher skill levels stimulate labor demand, counterbalancing the negative short-run effects. The long-run demand effect and the non-linear wage function can help to explain the empirically observed increase in the both supply and price of skilled labor.
Disruption of the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus in Fibroblast Growth Factor Signaling-Deficient Mice

Fibroblast growth factor (Fgf) 8 is essential for the development of multiple brain regions. Previous studies from our laboratory showed that reduced Fgf8 signaling led to the developmental alterations of neuroendocrine nuclei that originated within the diencephalon, including the paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic (SON) nuclei. To further understand the role of Fgf8 in the development of other hypothalamic nuclei, we examined if Fgf8 and its cognate receptor, Fgfr1, also impact the integrity of the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN). The SCN control an organism’s circadian rhythm and contain vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-producing neurons as the main input neurons. Mice hypomorphic for Fgf8, Fgfr1, or both were examined for their SCN volume and the number of VIP neurons on postnatal day (PN) 0; adult hypomorphic mice were further examined for SCN function by quantifying SCN neuronal activation using cFos as a marker. On PN0, mice homozygous for Fgf8 hypomorphy displayed the most severe reduction of the SCN volume and VIP neurons. Those heterozygous for Fgf8 hypomorphy alone or Fgf8 combined with Fgfr1 hypomorphy, called double heterozygotes (DH), showed normal SCN volume but significantly reduced VIP neurons, albeit less severely than the homozygotes. Adult wild type, heterozygous Fgf8 hypomorphs (F8 Het), and DH mice were also examined for SCN cFos activation at three time points: 1 h (morning), 6 h (afternoon), and 11 h (evening) after light onset. In F8 Het mice, a significant change in the pattern of cFos immunostaining that may reflect delayed morning SCN activation was observed. Overall, our studies provide evidence supporting that deficiencies in Fgf8 not only impact the structural integrity of the SCN but also the pattern of SCN activation in response to light.
Decomposing Swap Spreads

We analyze a six-factor model for Treasury bonds, corporate bonds, and swap rates and decompose swap spreads into three components: a convenience yield from holding Treasuries, a credit risk element from the underlying LIBOR rate, and a factor specific to the swap market. The convenience yield is by far the largest component of spreads. There is a discernible contribution from credit risk as well as from a swap-specific factor with higher variability which in certain periods is related to hedging activity in the mortgage-backed security market. The model also sheds light on the relation between AA hazard rates and the spread between LIBOR rates and General Collateral repo rates and on the level of the riskless rate compared to swap and Treasury rates.
Delay-Dependent Robust Stability of Networked Control Systems with Uncertainties and Multiple Time-Varying Delays

This paper deals with the problem of delay-dependent robust stability for networked control systems (NCSs) with time-varying structured uncertainties and multiple time-varying state delays. Modeling of multi-input and multi-output (MIMO) NCSs with network-induced delays by new methods are proposed. Based on Lyapunov stability theory combined with linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) techniques and taking the relationship between the terms in the Leibniz-Newton formula into account, some new delay-dependent stability criteria in terms of LMIs are derived. Since free weighting matrices are used to express this relationship and appropriate ones are selected by means of LMIs, the new criteria are much less conservative and are more general than the existing ones. Numerical examples and simulation suggest that the methods are less conservative and more effective
Substructurability: the effect of interface location on a real-time dynamic substructuring test

A full-scale experimental test for large and complex structures is not always achievable. This can be due to many reasons, the most prominent one being the size limitations of the test. Real-time dynamic substructuring is a hybrid testing method where part of the system is modelled numerically and the rest of the system is kept as the physical test specimen. The numerical–physical parts are connected via actuators and sensors and the interface is controlled by advanced algorithms to ensure that the tested structure replicates the emulated system with sufficient accuracy. The main challenge in such a test is to overcome the dynamic effects of the actuator and associated controller, that inevitably introduce delay into the substructured system which, in turn, can destabilize the experiment. To date, most research concentrates on developing control strategies for stable recreation of the full system when the interface location is given a priori. Therefore, substructurability is mostly studied in terms of control. Here, we consider the interface location as a parameter and study its effect on the stability of the system in the presence of delay due to actuator dynamics and define substructurability as the system’s tolerance to delay in terms of the different interface locations. It is shown that the interface location has a major effect on the tolerable delays in an experiment and, therefore, careful selection of it is necessary.