Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Is there any relationship between producer price index and consumer price index in the Czech Republic?

Abstract This article tests the expenditure-switching model in the Czech Republic to inspect the causal link between the Producer Price Index (P.P.I.) and Consumer Price Index (C.P.I.). The results of the co-movement between the P.P.I. and C.P.I. in the period indicate a positive relationship across the chosen period. We notice that in the frequency domain, the two variables have a relationship in higher spectrums (short-term). The results also show that co-movements exist during structural reforms and financial crises, which in turn supports the expenditure-switching model. The C.P.I. and P.P.I. are sensitive to variations in exchange rates, which pass through prices at the domestic level. Exchange rate shocks lead to inflationary pressure; therefore, long-term oriented intervention policies of the central banks will be more efficient. This article provides substantial information to exporters about price adjustments to exchange rate fluctuation.
Insect herbivory, plant defense, and early Cenozoic climate change

Insect damage on fossil leaves from the Central Rocky Mountains, United States, documents the response of herbivores to changing regional climates and vegetation during the late Paleocene (humid, warm temperate to subtropical, predominantly deciduous), early Eocene (humid subtropical, mixed deciduous and evergreen), and middle Eocene (seasonally dry, subtropical, mixed deciduous and thick-leaved evergreen). During all three time periods, greater herbivory occurred on taxa considered to have short rather than long leaf life spans, consistent with studies in living forests that demonstrate the insect resistance of long-lived, thick leaves. Variance in herbivory frequency and diversity was highest during the middle Eocene, indicating the increased representation of two distinct herbivory syndromes: one for taxa with deciduous, palatable foliage, and the other for hosts with evergreen, thick-textured, small leaves characterized by elevated insect resistance. Leaf galling, which is negatively correlated with moisture today, apparently increased during the middle Eocene, whereas leaf mining decreased.
Ca3Pt(4+x)Ge(13-y) and Yb3Pt4Ge13: new derivatives of the Pr3Rh4Sn13 structure type.

The new phases Ca(3)Pt(4+x)Ge(13-y) (x = 0.1; y = 0.4; space group I2(1)3; a = 18.0578(1) Å; R(I) = 0.063; R(P) = 0.083) and Yb(3)Pt(4)Ge(13) (space group P4(2)cm; a = 12.7479(1) Å; c = 9.0009(1) Å; R(I) = 0.061, R(P) = 0.117) are obtained by high-pressure, high-temperature synthesis and crystallize in new distortion variants of the Pr(3)Rh(4)Sn(13) type. Yb(3)Pt(4)Ge(13) features Yb in a temperature-independent non-magnetic 4f(14) (Yb(2+)) configuration validated by X-ray absorption spectra and resonant inelastic X-ray scattering data. Ca(3)Pt(4+x)Ge(13-y) is diamagnetic (χ(0) = -5.05 × 10(-6) emu mol(-1)). The Sommerfeld coefficient γ = 4.4 mJ mol(-1) K(-2) for Ca(3)Pt(4+x)Ge(13-y), indicates metallic properties with a low density of states at the Fermi level in good agreement with electronic structure calculation (N(E(F)) = 3.3 eV(-1)/f.u. )); the Debye temperature (θ(D)) is 398 K.
Peripheral nerve injury fails to induce growth of lesioned ascending dorsal column axons into spinal cord scar tissue expressing the axon repellent Semaphorin3A

We have investigated the hypothesis that the chemorepellent Semaphorin3A may be involved in the failure of axonal regeneration after injury to the ascending dorsal columns of adult rats. Following transection of the thoracic dorsal columns, fibroblasts in the dorsolateral parts of the lesion site showed robust expression of Semaphorin3A mRNA. In addition, dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons with projections through the dorsal columns to the injury site persistently expressed both Semaphorin3A receptor components, neuropilin‐1 and plexin‐A1. These ascending DRG collaterals failed to invade scar regions occupied by Semaphorin3A‐positive fibroblasts, even in animals which had received conditioning lesions of the sciatic nerve to enhance regeneration. Other axon populations in the dorsal spinal cord were similarly unable to penetrate Semaphorin3A‐positive scar tissue. These data suggest that Semaphorin3A may create an exclusion zone for regenerating dorsal column fibres and that enhancing the intrinsic regenerative response of DRG neurons has only limited effects on axonal regrowth. Tenascin‐C and chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans were also detected at the injury site, which was largely devoid of central nervous system (CNS) myelin, showing that several classes of inhibitory factors, including semaphorins, with only partially overlapping spatial and temporal patterns of expression are in a position to participate in preventing regenerative axonal growth in the injured dorsal columns. Interestingly, conditioning nerve injuries enabled numerous ascending DRG axons to regrow across areas of strong tenascin‐C and chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan expression, while areas containing Semaphorin3A and CNS myelin were selectively avoided by (pre)primed axonal sprouts.
The experience of life-threatening illness: patients' and their loved ones' perspectives.

BACKGROUND Little is known about the actual concerns of patients and families regarding their health care during life-threatening illness and at end of life. Previous research with these groups has focused on their reaction to concerns of the medical community, eg, advance directives, decision making, and pain and symptom management. OBJECTIVE To elicit and listen attentively to the actual experiences and major concerns of persons with life-threatening illness, personal/family caregivers, and bereaved individuals regarding their health care and interactions with healthcare system. DESIGN Thirty-three focus groups were convened to involve 3 categories of individuals: persons with life-threatening illness (n = 77), personal/family caregivers (n = 70), and bereaved persons (n = 81). Three focus groups, 1 of each kind, were held in 11 cities across the United States. Verbatim transcripts were coded and analyzed to identify themes. RESULTS (1) Persons with life-threatening illnesses indicated that health professionals focus on medical and physical interventions, give too little information, appear uncomfortable talking about death, and do not include family members in conversations. (2) Caregivers reported exhaustion. They said that doctors do not appreciate the impact of the illness on their lives and rarely consult them, although all treatment decisions affect them. (3) Bereaved persons emphasized the loved ones' comfort in the last days of life. They wished that physicians would tell families when the end is near and avoid interrupting the process of dying with medical and often futile tasks. "I'm sorry" is sufficient initially to express the physician's condolences, but families appreciate contact weeks later. CONCLUSIONS Many sources of dissatisfaction with care among persons with life-threatening illness and their families are interpersonal in nature. The physician's respectful presence and demonstration of caring are highly desired, significant interventions for those who cannot be cured of illness and for their loved ones. Making healthcare professionals aware of these concerns may itself bring about some changes in daily practice. Further research is needed to test the most useful skills and behaviors of healthcare professionals in caring for persons with life-threatening illness and their loved ones.
Comparison of Specific Prediction Equations to Estimate Peak Oxygen Uptake in Obese Women

Abstract The aim of the current study was to compare 2 equations to predict peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2peak) in obese women, according to their obesity class. 92 maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing sets (CPET with initial and subsequent increments set to achieve an exercise duration between 8–12 min) were retrospectively analysed. These CPET were divided into 3 groups according to the women body mass indexes (BMI): class 1 (30 kg.m−2≤BMI<35 kg.m−2, n=22), class 2 (35 kg.m−2≤BMI<40 kg.m−2, n=36) or class 3 (BMI≥40 kg.m−2, n=34). Each participant’s V̇O2peak was predicted from 2 prediction equations (from Wasserman et al.'s and Debeaumont et al.'s equations) and compared with the actual V̇O2peak. Moreover, the correlations between these values were studied, and the accuracy of the predictions was analysed. Only predicted V̇O2peak from the Debeaumont et al.'s equation was not significantly different from the actual V̇O2peak in the women in obesity class 3 (p=0.89). Moreover, significant correlation was found between these values (p<0.001, r=0.68). The bias and the 95% limits of agreement represented -3.2±34.0%. In women in obesity class 3, Debeaumont et al.'s equation may be the accurate one to predict V̇O2peak. However, the accuracy of predictions is low. Consequently, to improve this accuracy, new prediction equations for obese women are required according to the obesity class.
State Decomposition Principle in Set Invariance Theory for Linear Discrete Time Systems

A state decomposition principle in set invariance theory for linear discrete time systems is analyzed. The proposed approach allows for an appropriate use of the superposition principle, for linear time invariant discrete time systems, in the set invariance theory. It is shown how to obtain a characterization of a novel family of robust control/positively invariant sets, given a collection of robust positively invariant sets for the system with respect to relaxed state and control constraints. The corresponding feedback control strategy is generally a selection from an appropriately defined set valued map. It is shown how to define a point-valued selection that, is in general case, non-linear function of state. The potential benefits of the proposed method are illustrated by a simple and illuminating example
In vivo skin fluorescence imaging in young Caucasian adults with early malignant melanomas

Background Human cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) is an aggressive cancer showing a dramatic worldwide increase in incidence over the past few decades. The most prominent relative epidemiological increase has been disclosed in young women. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of chronic sun exposures in order to rate the extend of melanocytic stimulations in the vicinity of CMM. Methods The study was designed to evaluate the melanin distribution and density using ultraviolet light illumination. The present study was performed on surgical excision specimens of thin CMM lesion removed from the upper limbs of 55 Caucasian adults (37 women and 18 men). Two control groups comprised 23 men and 21 women of similar ages who had medium-size congenital melanocytic nevi, also present on the upper limbs. The peritumoral skin was scrutinized using a Visioscan® VC98 device, revealing the faint mosaic melanoderma (FMM) pattern that grossly indicates early signs of chronic photodamage in epidermal melanin units. Results The median extent of relative FMM was significantly higher in the CMM male group. By contrast, the CMM female group showed a reverse bimodal distribution in FMM size. Only 12/37 (32.5%) of the CMM female group had an increased FMM size, whereas 25/37 (67.5%) of females with CMM had a global FMM extent in the normal range, relative to the controls. Conclusion Thin CMM supervening in young women appear unrelated to repeat photoexposure. Other mechanisms are possibly involved.
Prevention of Thromboembolism with Use of Recombinant Hirudin. Results of a Double-Blind, Multicenter Trial Comparing the Efficacy of Desirudin (Revasc) with That of Unfractionated Heparin in Patients Having a Total Hip Replacement*

Specific inhibition of thrombin is a new method for the prevention of postoperative deep-vein thrombosis. The objective of this multicenter, randomized, double-blind study was to compare the efficacy and safety of desirudin (Revasc, CGP 39393; fifteen milligrams two times a day) with that of unfractionated heparin (5000 international units three times a day) in patients having a primary elective total hip replacement. The medications were administered subcutaneously, starting preoperatively and continuing for eight to eleven days. The primary end point was a confirmed thromboembolic event during the treatment period. The presence of deep-vein thrombosis was evaluated with bilateral venograms, which were centrally assessed by two independent radiologists. A total of 445 eligible patients were randomized: 220, to management with heparin, and 225, to management with desirudin. A per-protocol analysis of efficacy was performed for the 351 patients (79 per cent) for whom an adequate bilateral venogram had been made within eight to eleven days after the operation or who had had a proved thromboembolic event. The prevalence of confirmed deep-vein thrombosis was thirteen (7 per cent) of 174 patients who had received desirudin and forty-one (23 per cent) of 177 patients who had received heparin, a significant difference (p < 0.0001). The prevalence of proximal deep-vein thrombosis was also significantly reduced (p < 0.0001), by 79 per cent, in the group that had received desirudin (six [3 per cent] of 174 patients) compared with in the group that had received heparin (twenty-nine [16 per cent] of 177). There were no confirmed pulmonary embolisms or deaths during the period of prophylaxis. During a six-week follow-up period, pulmonary embolism was confirmed in four patients, all of whom had received heparin. There was no significant difference between the treatment groups with respect to bleeding variables or bleeding complications. These data demonstrate that a fixed dose of fifteen milligrams of desirudin, started preoperatively and administered subcutaneously twice daily for at least eight days, provided effective, safe prevention of thromboembolic complications, with no specific requirements for laboratory monitoring, in patients who had a total hip replacement.
Efficacy and Tolerability of Intravenous Paricalcitol in Calcitriol-Resistant Hemodialysis Patients with Secondary Hyperparathyroidism: 12-Month Prospective Study

Rationale/objectives: Data are limited regarding the use of paricalcitol in calcitriol-resistant patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). We aimed to evaluate the effects of paricalcitol in calcitriol-resistant hemodialysis patients with SHPT. Methods: This is a 12-month, open-label, prospective study. Forty patients with calcitriol-resistant and/or calcitriol-intolerant SHPT were included. After a washout period, all patients converted to paricalcitol with a 1:3 conversion ratio. Serum calcium and phosphorus were monitored monthly, while serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) once in every 3 months. Paricalcitol dose was reduced or discontinued in case of hypercalcemia and/or hyperphosphatemia. Pre- and posttreatment electrolyte and iPTH values were compared with Student’s t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test, respectively. Main findings: Forty patients completed the study. Mean initiation dose of paricalcitol was 23 ± 7 μg/week. Mean serum calcium was 8.9 ± 0.8 mg/dL at baseline and 9.4 ± 0.7 mg/dL at study end (p = 0.07). Mean monthly serum phosphorus levels stayed stable. Paricalcitol was effective in reducing iPTH levels when compared with pretreatment values (747.9 ± 497.2 pg/mL, 307.3 ± 417.1 pg/mL, respectively; p < 0.001). Thirty-two patients had to discontinue intravenous (IV) paricalcitol at some time during their treatment. Main reasons for discontinuation were as follows: hyperphosphatemia (58%), hypercalcemia (25%), and iPTH < 150 pg/mL (17%). Principle conclusions: Paricalcitol was found to be effective in reducing iPTH levels in calcitriol-resistant patients with SHPT despite relatively frequent drug discontinuation rates.
Consumption and Saving Response to a Tax-Subsidized Saving Policy: Evidence from India

To incentivize households to increase private savings, the Indian government implemented in July 2014 a new tax-subsidized saving policy that largely incentivizes homeowners by allowing them to exempt an additional 50,000 INR ($833) of the mortgage principal and interest payments from taxable income. We exploit the exogeneous policy change and assess the extent to which households reduce their consumption in order to finance a tax-favored saving instrument using a unique administrative panel data of consumer debit card and credit card spending transactions. We find that about 31% of households with a mortgage increase the principal repayment amount after the policy change; the median annual increase in principal repayment is about US$307, which is about 36.8% of the higher tax exemption limit. We estimate that households with a mortgage reduce their consumption by US$25 (5.2%) per month on average in order to finance the tax-favored saving account. For a one dollar increase in the income tax exemption limit on long-term savings, private saving increases by $0.23 for the treatment group. Relative to annual income, private savings for the treatment group increase by about 1.87% on average.
No association of seropositivity for anti-Borrelia IgG antibody with mental and physical complaints

Undiagnosed chronic Lyme disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi is considered a differential diagnoses in medically unexplained symptoms like arthralgias, distal paresthesias, depressive symptoms, lack of concentration and fatigue. The aims of the study were to assess the association of mental and physical complaints with seropositivity for anti-Borrelia IgG in a general population sample. Seropositivity indicated an infection with Borrelia in the past. The Study of Health in Pomerania was conducted in a community living in a region with endemic Lyme disease. Mental and physical complaints were assessed on 38 items with the von Zerssen's complaint scale. IgG antibodies to Borrelia were determined by ELISA in 4264 individuals. Seropositivity was analyzed applying two cut-off scores (>5 and >10 IU/ml). IgG antibodies to Borrelia were found positive in 388 subjects (9.1%) applying the >5 IU/ml cut-off and in 130 subjects (3.0%) applying the >10 IU/ml cut-off. In multivariate analyses (MANCOVA), both definitions of seropositivity were not associated with increased mental or physical complaints while adjusting for gender, age, employment status, rural residency, physical activity, diabetes mellitus and number of chronic diseases. In the general population, seropositivity for anti-Borrelia IgG antibodies was not associated with an increase of self-rated mental or physical complaints or impairments. Therefore, clinicians should not overvalue seropositivity for anti-Borrelia IgG as a medical cause for unexplained mental or physical complaints.
Extending social protection to persons with disabilities: Exploring the accessibility and the impact of the Disability Fund on the lives of persons with disabilities in Ghana

In many low-income countries, persons with disabilities are consistently denied access to essential services, contributing to a high incidence of poverty among them. The Goal 1 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) exhorts countries to develop appropriate social protection to serve as a springboard to alleviate poverty among all persons. The government of Ghana has introduced Disability Fund to provide one-off financial support to persons with disabilities through its decentralised political units. This is to enable persons with disability to participate in socio-economic activities. However, after a decade of the establishment of the fund, anecdotal evidence still shows that many persons with disabilities continue to live in deplorable conditions. Therefore, the main aim of this qualitative study was to explore the beneficial impact of the fund on the lives of persons with disabilities in Ghana. A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data from 48 participants, comprising 20 males and 28 females with disabilities. The narratives from the participants revealed that only a few were able to access the fund. In their quest to access the fund, participants encountered barriers, such as lack of information, delays in disbursement and insufficient funds. The findings underscore the need for re-evaluation of the administration of Disability Fund and its disbursement processes. The implications of the findings for policy reform are extensively discussed.
The Effects of Urban Spatial Structure on Travel Demand in the United States

We examine the effects of urban form and public transit supply on the commute mode choices and annual vehicle miles traveled (VMTs) of households living in 114 urban areas in 1990. The probability of driving to work is lower the higher are population centrality and rail miles supplied and the lower is road density. Population centrality, jobs-housing balance, city shape, and road density have a significant effect on annual household VMTs. Although individual elasticities are small absolute values (0.10), moving sample households from a city with the characteristics of Atlanta to a city with the characteristics of Boston reduces annual VMTs by 25.
Is the ventilatory threshold coincident with maximal fat oxidation during submaximal exercise in women?

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to detect the fraction of peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) that elicits maximal rates of fat oxidation during submaximal treadmill exercise. It was hypothesized that this point would appear at a work rate just below the ventilatory threshold. METHODS EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN subjects completed a protocol requiring them to exercise for 15 min on a treadmill at six different workloads, 25, 40, 55, 65, 75, and 85% VO2peak, over two separate visits. PARTICIPANTS nine healthy, moderately-trained eumenorrheic females (age = 28.8+/-5.99 yrs, VO2peak = 47.20 +/-2.57 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1)) volunteered for the study. MEASURES a one-way ANOVA with repeated measures was used to test for differences across exercise intensities in the metabolic variables (i.e. substrate oxidation, blood lactate concentration ([La-]), RER, and the contribution of fat to total energy expenditure). Following significant F ratios, post-hoc tests were used to detect differences between the means for various exercise intensities. RESULTS Exercise at 75% VO2peak elicited the greatest rate of fat oxidation (4.75+/-0.49 kcal x min(-1)), and this intensity was coincident with the ventilatory threshold (76+/-7.41% VO2peak). Moreover, a significant difference (t(8) = -3.98, p<0.01) was noted between the mean ventilatory threshold and lactate threshold. CONCLUSIONS The finding that a relatively heavy work rate elicits the highest rate of fat oxidation in an active, female population has application in exercise prescription and refutes the belief that low-intensity exercise is preferred for fat metabolism.
A robust cell tracking framework by fusing global and local optimization algorithms

Automated cell tracking is an important branch of multi-object tracking, which can be used for quantitatively analyzing cell migration, proliferation and mitosis. In this paper, we proposed a hierarchical tracking method, fusing the global optimal method in consecutive frames assignment and local optimal approach in spatial trajectory linkage. During the process, the detection errors were recognized and cell moving trajectories were completed gradually. We also introduced the concept of clustering to measure the correlation between established short trajectories and reduce the tracking errors caused by fast motion. Although rare information of cells was used in the linkage, the system can work well with robustness. The experimental results show the effectiveness of our approach with cells having different density and activity.