Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in haemodialysis patients. The Multicentre Haemodialysis Cohort Study on Viral Hepatitis.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection among patients undergoing haemodialysis (HD) and to evaluate whether chronic haemodialysis is associated with an increased risk of HEV infection. METHODS Serum samples from 420 HD patients and 316 healthy volunteers were tested for IgG and IgM antibodies to HEV (anti-HEV). Anti-HEV IgG positive sera were confirmed using synthetic peptides. RESULTS Anti-HEV IgG was confirmed in 27/420 (6.4%) of the HD patients and in 7/316 (2. 2%) of the reference group (P=0.07). However, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the prevalence of anti-HEV IgG was not significantly higher in HD patients compared with the reference group, after controlling for age and sex. No patient was found positive for anti-HEV IgM. The presence of anti-HEV was associated with sex in HD patients (P=0.04). No significant association was found between anti-HEV and underlying renal disease, anti-HCV, anti-HBc, blood transfusions, history of elevated transaminases, history of clinical hepatitis and renal transplantation. A marginal association, which was observed with the duration of haemodialysis in univariate analysis (P=0.07), was not confirmed in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS Chronic haemodialysis is not associated with an increased risk of exposure to HEV, and the high prevalence of anti-HEV IgG in HD patients reported in uncontrolled studies is possibly due to the confounding effect of age and sex.
Why are inflation forecasts sticky

This paper proposes a theoretical model of forecasts formation which implies that in presence of information observation and forecasts communication costs, rational professional forecasters might find it optimal not to revise their forecasts continuously, or at any time. The threshold time- and state-dependence of the observation reviews and forecasts revisions implied by this model are then tested using inflation forecast updates of professional forecasters from recent Consensus Economics panel data for France and Germany. Our empirical results support the presence of both kinds of dependence, as well as their threshold-type shape. They also imply an upper bound of the optimal time between two information observations of about six months and the co-existence of both types of costs, the observation cost being about 1.5 times larger than the communication cost.
Contracting with Long-Term Consequences

I examine optimal managerial compensation and turnover policy in a principal-agent model in which the firm output is serially correlated over time. The model captures a learning-by-doing feature: higher effort by the manager increases the quality of the match between the firm and the manager in the future. The optimal incentive scheme entails an inefficiently high turnover rate in the early stages of the employment relationship. The optimal turnover probability depends on the past performance and the likelihood of turnover decreases gradually with superior performance. Following weak performance, the contract implements a permanently inefficient turnover rate. With correlated outcome, a permanent inefficiency is needed to save on information rents to the agent, even when the agent does not have persistent private information.
How Do Households Value the Future? Evidence from Property Taxes

Despite the near ubiquity of intertemporal choice, there is little consensus on the rate at which individuals trade present and future costs and benefits. We contribute to this debate by estimating discount rates from extensive data on housing transactions and spatiotemporal variation in property taxes in England. Our findings imply long-term average net of growth nominal discount rates that are between 3 and 4 percent. The close correspondence to prevailing market interest rates gives little reason to suggest that households misoptimize by materially undervaluing very long-term financial flows in this high-stakes context. (JEL D15, H71, R31)
Transformative Scenario Planning: Working Together to Change the Future

People who are trying to solve tough economic, social, or environmental problems often find themselves frustratingly stuck. They can’t solve their problems in their current context, which is too unstable or unfair or unsustainable. Nor can they transform the system on their own or by working only with their friends or colleagues—systemic change requires the participation of actors from across the system, including strangers and opponents. But how can people work together if they don’t necessarily like, trust, or understand each other and disagree not only on what the solution is but even on what the problem is? Transformative scenario planning is a powerful new methodology for dealing with such situations. It has been proven in some of the most challenging contexts, including South Africa, Colombia, Guatemala, Sudan, and Israel. Its roots are in scenario planning, a long-established tool organizations use to develop strategies for adapting to a range of possible futures. But in transformative scenario planning, leaders develop strategies not merely to adapt to the future but to change it. In this concise and compelling handbook, Adam Kahane—who played the leading role in originating this methodology and has been using it around the world for over two decades—walks readers through the five steps of the transformative scenario planning process. He explains what is needed to convene a broad-based team, develop a shared understanding of what is happening in the present, construct stories about what could happen in the future, discover what the team can and must do about this, and then act to create a better future. Along the way he shares stories of both his successes and his failures in applying transformative scenario planning in the most complex and challenging contexts. At a time when tension within and between societies and nations creates so much suffering, this book offers hope—and a proven approach that can help people create better futures.
Monastral bipolar spindles in meiosis II of male Trichosia pubescens (Sciaridae): early stages of spindle formation and chromosome orientation.

The metaphase spindle of male meiosis II in fungus gnats (Sciaridae) is one example of naturally occurring monastral bipolar spindles. To gain further insights into how the bipolar spindle is formed in the presence of only one polar center, prometaphase of male meiosis II was investigated in the sciarid Trichosia pubescens by means of anti-tubulin immunofluorescence, DAPI chromosome staining, and electron microscopy of ultrathin serial sections. The first step in spindle formation after interkinesis seems to be the organization of an astral half-spindle, probably by MTOC activity of the astral region. With the exception of the non-disjunctional X chromosome, which always lies close to the aster, the chromosomes are found to occupy various positions with respect to the astral region, revealing different orientations of their chromatid kinetochores. It was observed that some of the mal-oriented kinetochores are associated with microtubules that, due to their orientation perpendicular to the spindle axis, are unlikely to originate from the astral region. Therefore, these mal-oriented microtubules are taken as an indication of a dispersed MTOC activity near the chromosomes or at kinetochores. According to recent models of chromosome-induced spindle self-organization [e.g., Merdes et al., 1997: J. Cell Biol. 138:953-956], they could be responsible for the formation of the other (anastral) half-spindle and for amphitelic (bipolar) orientation of the chromosomes.
Effect of intraperitoneal injection volume and antibody protein dose on the pharmacokinetics of intraperitoneally administered IgG2a kappa murine monoclonal antibody in the rat.

The i.p. route of antibody administration offers a regional delivery advantage to the peritoneal cavity. In an effort to optimize this method of delivery, the volume of i.p. injection and total protein dose were examined for their effect on the absorption and disposition of an IgG2a kappa murine monoclonal antibody. 5G6.4, administered i.p. Normal rats (Sprague-Dawley) were given one of two protein doses (1-2 or 100 micrograms) of 125I-5G6.4 in a 2.0-ml i.p. injection volume. In both cases the same radiation dose (approximately 20 mu Ci/rat) was administered since only the tracer level (1-2 micrograms) was labeled. Hence, the 100-micrograms dose consisted of approximately 2 micrograms of labeled antibody with 98 micrograms of unlabeled antibody. In a separate experiment, two i.p. injection volumes (2.0 or 20.0 ml) of 125I-5G6.4 (approximately 20 mu Ci/rat) were administered to normal Sprague-Dawley rats. Pharmacokinetic modeling of the whole blood radioactivity levels was undertaken for both groups. The liver, kidney, muscle, lung, diaphragm, and anterior mediastinal lymph nodes were excised upon sacrifice and tissue levels at sacrifice were recorded. The volume of i.p. injection is shown to be a significant factor with respect to i.p. transport. Maximum concentration in the blood, Cmax, was reduced (P less than 0.1) and time of maximum concentration, tCmax was prolonged (P less than 0.05) from 8.4 h (in the 2-ml group) to 14.5 h (in the 20-ml group). Both contribute to a modest reduction in AUC(0----infinity) (P less than 0.15) in which AUC is the area under the concentration-time curve. The increase in blood clearance, Clb, at the higher injection volume (0.287 ml/h for the 20-ml volume and 0.194 ml/h for the 2-ml volume) is presumably due to increased diuresis resulting from autoregulation of fluid removal via lymphatic drainage. Volume of distribution, Vd, is increased since Vd and Clb are functionally proportionate and elimination is assumed constant. Tissue levels at sacrifice, except for the thyroid and anterior mediastinal lymph nodes, were the same. Mean thyroid levels were reduced in the 20-ml group (P less than 0.05) by 22.5%, likely as a result of increased diuresis. Increased nodal uptake (P less than 0.01) can be attributed to the dilution effect of the bolus injection. The rate of mass transfer is greater for the 2-ml group up to 4 h postinjection. Subsequently, the mass transfer rate is greater for the 20-ml group. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Mass media attention to welfare state reforms: evidence from Britain, 1996–2014

Abstract One of the core questions facing political scientists is how politicians are able to implement cutbacks without suffering electoral backlash. A possible explanation might be that the mass media refrain from reporting on welfare state reforms in a consistent way. In order to explore this, two unique datasets have been collected: one contains information on all policy reforms of British old age pensions and unemployment protection from 1996 to 2014, and the other contains hand-coded media articles that allow the tracking on a monthly basis of what reforms are picked up. It is found that the mass media report on cutbacks, but not on expansions, and that they prioritise easy-to-understand cutbacks over cutbacks that are more technical in nature.
Cysticercosis of Slaughter Cattle in Southeastern Nigeria

Abstract: The incidence of cysticercosis due to Taenia saginata in both local and exotic breeds of cattle slaughtered for meat in southeastern Nigeria between November 1999 and April 2002 is reported. The examination of various organs of 25,800 cattle in 10 major abattoirs of this region showed that 6750 (26.2%) were infected with Cysticercus (C.) bovis. The prevalence rates varied from one abattoir to another while the rates of cysticercosis in local and exotic breeds varied significantly (P > 0.05). Sixty percent of all the infected animals had cysts. The tongue, cardiac, and masseter muscles were the main predilection sites of the cysts. Out of 11,720 male cattle, examined, 3215 (27.4%) had cysts of C. bovis while 160 (13.6%) of the 1180 female animals investigated were infected. There was an inverse relationship between the ages of the animals and prevalence of infection with C. bovis (r=−0.8743, P < 0.05). Monthly occurrence of the cysts in the animals revealed an upsurge of infected animals during the dry season. The epidemiology and epizootiology of Taenia saginata and C. bovis in relation to the veterinary service agencies and public health planners in southeastern Nigeria are highlighted.
Community resilience to natural disasters in the informal settlements in Mwanza City, Tanzania

The impacts of natural disasters on communities living in hazard prone areas are wide ranging and complex. In Mwanza, steep slopes, rocky hills and river valleys are inhabited by society's poorest people. These areas are prone to natural disasters. Residents have accumulated coping mechanisms for disaster risks and impact reduction. We combine spatial data, household surveys and data from focus groups to identify and rank areas based on their exposure to major disasters. We also examine household and communal mitigation efforts in relation to these disasters. Most areas of the city are exposed to at least one of the natural disasters studied. Pre- and post-disaster risk reduction measures are influenced by the site of homesteads and the socioeconomic situation of households. Current resilience measures are skewed towards the development of physical infrastructure. The challenge of reducing disaster risks in Mwanza involves recognizing the role of non-infrastructure based factors that promote urban resilience to natural disasters.
Protective effects of omega-3 essential fatty acids against formaldehyde-induced cerebellar damage in rats

This study aimed to investigate changes in the cerebellum of formaldehyde-exposed rats and the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on these changes. The study involved 21 male Wistar-Albino rats which were divided into three groups. The rats in Group I comprised the control group. The rats in Group II were injected with intraperitoneal 10% formaldehyde every other day. The rats in Group III received omega-3 fatty acids daily while exposed to formaldehyde. At the end of the 14-day experimental period, all rats were killed by decapitation and the cerebellum removed. The activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), xanthine oxidase (XO), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined in cerebellum specimens by using spectrophotometric methods. In our study, levels of SOD and CAT were significantly decreased, and GSH-Px, XO, MDA levels were significantly increased in rats treated with formaldehyde compared with those of the controls. Whereas, it was seen that there was an increase in SOD and CAT enzyme activities and decrease in MDA, XO, and GSH-Px levels in rats administered to omega-3 fatty acids with exposure of formaldehyde. It was determined that exposure of formaldehyde increased free radicals in cerebellum of rats and this increase was prevented by administration of omega-3 fatty acids.
Airport Delays and Metropolitan Employment

This study provides the first empirical assessment of the impact airline delays have on urban employment. While previous works have suggested that road congestion can slow down regional development, the influence of air traffic delays on metroâ€ level jobs has not been examined comprehensively. The present study uses a nineâ€ year panel of quarterly data, which covers passenger airline traffic and delays at airports across urban areas in the United States. The panel also includes data on total and industryâ€ specific employment at the metropolitanâ€ area level. Our empirical estimates of the impact of air traffic on total employment are comparable to previously reported measures in the literature. However, we find that serviceâ€ sector employment is less sensitive to air traffic than other studies suggested. We provide new evidence confirming that delays have a negative effect on employment, a finding that is robust to various specifications of our empirical model. Our results indicate that a 10 percent increase in the number of delayed flights leads to up to a 0.15 percent decrease in total and serviceâ€ sector employment, a 0.47 percent decline in leisure and hospitality employment, and a 0.7 percent reduction in the employment level of goodsâ€ producing jobs.
Involvement of the pancreas in AIDS: a prospective study of 109 post-mortems

BackgroundPancreatic involvement in AIDS is rarely mentioned in medical literature. AimsTo identify the main morphological patterns of the pancreas using optical and electron microscopy in AIDS patients. DesignAn open, prospective, and sequential study in a tertiary institutional hospital. MethodsConsecutive post-mortems of 109 AIDS patients and 38 controls (1995). Baseline characteristics of AIDS patients and controls were evaluated. Morphological analysis consisted of: (i) semi-quantitative score of acinar and parenchymal elements; (ii) qualitative analysis of ducts, vascular components, nerves, and Langerhans’ islets; (iii) specific stains and immunohistochemistry for opportunistic agents; (iv) ultrastructural data. ResultsThe mean age of AIDS patients was 37 years; 80% were male; 60% were white; 21% were alcoholic. All patients with AIDS had normal blood amylase, blood glucose, and pancreatic ultrasound. Histological findings were: acinar atrophy (60%), few zymogen granula in acinar cytoplasm (52%), abnormalities in acinar nucleus (65%), pancreatic steatosis (66%), and focal necrosis (17%). Immunohistochemistry revealed: mycobacteriosis (22%), toxoplasmosis (13%), cytomegalovirus (9%), Pneumocystis carinii (9%), and HIV p24 antigen in macropahge cytoplasm (22%). Ultrastructural examination showed: decreased zymogen granula, enlargement and proliferation of the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, nuclear abnormalities, and increased lipid droplets in acinar cytoplasm. ConclusionPancreatic involvement in AIDS is very frequent (90%) and is usually asymptomatic. Morphological changes showed three patterns of pancreatic alterations: ‘nutritional-like', inflammatory and both of these together. The ‘nutritional-like’ pattern (atrophy, few zymogen granula and steatosis) may be due to many factors such as nutritional characteristics (Kwashiorkor-like) induced by the HIV infection or related to the HIV virus itself.
Sex-Discordant Associations With Adiponectin Levels and Lipid Profiles in Children

In adults, lower circulating levels of the adipocyte-derived hormone adiponectin are associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease risks. Its use as a risk marker in children is less clear. In 839 children aged 8 years from a representative birth cohort, circulating adiponectin levels were associated with body weight, BMI, waist circumference, and fasting and 30-min insulin levels, but the associations were opposite in boys, with positive associations, and girls, with inverse associations (P = 0.008–0.00001 for interaction with sex). Girls had overall higher adiponectin, higher total cholesterol, lower HDL cholesterol, and higher triglyceride levels than boys, even after adjustment for BMI. With increasing BMI, girls showed steeper declines in HDL cholesterol (P = 0.01 for interaction) and adiponectin levels (P = 0.0005 for interaction) and a steeper increase in triglyceride levels (P = 0.009 for interaction) compared with boys. In conclusion, plasma adiponectin is not a simple marker of central fat and insulin sensitivity in children. With increasing BMI, decreasing adiponectin levels in girls could contribute to their faster deterioration in lipid profiles in comparison with boys. Our data suggest a complex age- and sex-related regulation of adiponectin secretion or clearance.
Decision making under multi-dimensional price uncertainty for long lived energy investments

One of the major challenges that investors face today in the energy market is the riskiness if it comes to long-lived projects such as new power generation assets. Especially, the additional uncertainty resulting from the highly volatile carbon dioxide price renders those investments to be very risky and incorrect decisions to be very costly. Thus, cautious evaluation of the economic benefits is necessary before deciding about such far-reaching investments. In six distinct but related essays, different net present value and real options (RO) models have been developed, that are suited especially for such long-lived investments. All models are based on a multi-dimensional stochastic price path modeling, representing the basic underlying assets such as the price of electricity, carbon dioxide, and fuel. Caused by the different risks associated with each of the assets, special attention in this doctoral thesis is drawn to the risk-adjusted evaluation of the future cash flows. This includes besides a time, technology, and state dependency also correlations between cash flows of subsequent periods as well as a possible extension of an existing portfolio of power generation units. Using technical specifications from the German “Leitstudie 2010”, which provides projections for the required specifications till 2050, and market data from the European Energy Exchange (EEX), different scenarios have been investigated. In Chapter 2, an analytical threeand four-dimensional model was developed and applied to two alternative retrofit options which were compared to a greenfield CCS plant. The model results show that, in addition to the cost of CCS, due to the loss in net efficiency and the variable CTS costs, major uncertainty costs exist. In Chapter 3, the option value and the probability to invest in different technologies, such as photovoltaics, onand offshore wind, hard coal-, and gas-fired power plants was investigated by a binomial-lattice-based RO approach. We find that renewable energy as well as CCS technologies are largely displaced by the conventional hard coal and combined-cycle gas and steam power plants if all technologies are evaluated simultaneously. In Chapter 4 the same approach was extended to include existing power plant portfolios. A stepwise increase of the model’s complexity depicted the influences of various aspects, including the interaction of technologies, the value of waiting, or the modification of an existing power plant portfolio. An application of a stochastic net present value method to investigate the value of capture-readiness by analyzing various alternative technological options and focusing on different clean-coal technology pathways is presented in Chapter 5. In Chapter 6, the influence of subsidies for renewables is investigated, which can strongly promote the diffusion of renewable energy technologies and thus reduce the economic value of CCS power plants as a bridging technology. The doctoral thesis closes with a critical discussion on the risk structure of geometric Brownian motions.