Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantitative real-time PCR compared with pp65 antigen detection for cytomegalovirus (CMV) in 1122 blood specimens from 77 patients after allogeneic stem cell transplantation: which test better predicts CMV disease development?

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) can compromise the life of patients who are immunosuppressed after organ transplantation or who have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. CMV infections or reactivations can be successfully treated, provided treatment is instituted early in the course of developing disease. Current assays to detect the CMV pp65 antigen in peripheral blood leukocytes or CMV DNA by qualitative PCR of leukocytes or plasma can be slow and tedious (1)(2)(3). Antigen detection is limited by the availability of sufficient white blood cell numbers and is impossible to perform on leukopenic patients. In addition, blood for antigen detection cannot be stored for long periods because white blood cells need to be intact for staining procedures (4)(5). PCR techniques detect relatively stable double-stranded DNA present in the plasma or whole blood regardless of storage conditions or cell integrity, but qualitative PCR assays are not useful for follow-up studies of patients, and they do not allow the determination of viral load, which is useful for prognosis. In this study we compared quantitative real-time PCR (6)(7) with conventional pp65 antigen staining among 77 patients (1122 blood samples) surviving more than 30 days after stem cell transplantation (see Table 1 in the Data Supplement that accompanies the online version of this Technical Brief at http://www.clinchem.org/content/vol49/issue10/). In a retrospective study, results of the two assays were compared, and their sensitivity and specificity for predicting CMV disease were calculated. All patients were transplanted in the Virchow Klinikum (Berlin, Germany) between January 1998 and March 2001 (see Table 1 in the online Data supplement). Five patients developed CMV organ disease, which included pneumonitis and hepatitis (n = 1), hepatitis (n = 1), enteritis (n = 2), and retinitis (n = 1). Seven additional patients developed thrombo- and leukopenia not explained by other conditions. …
Red but not dead: unveiling the star-forming far-infrared spectral energy distribution of SpARCS brightest cluster galaxies at 0 < z < 1.8

We present the results of a Spitzer/Herschel infrared photometric analysis of the largest (716) and the highest-redshift (z = 1.8) sample of brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs), those from the Spitzer Adaptation of the Red-Sequence Cluster Survey Given the tension that exists between model predictions and recent observations of BCGs at z < 2, we aim to uncover the dominant physical mechanism(s) guiding the stellar mass buildup of this special class of galaxies, the most massive in the Universe and uniquely residing at the centres of galaxy clusters. Through a comparison of their stacked, broad-band, infrared spectral energy distributions (SEDs) to a variety of model templates in the literature, we identify the major sources of their infrared energy output, in multiple redshift bins between 0 < z < 1.8. We derive estimates of various BCG physical parameters from the stacked νLν SEDs, from which we infer a star-forming, as opposed to a ‘red and dead’ population of galaxies, producing tens to hundreds of solar masses per year down to z = 0.5. This discovery challenges the accepted belief that BCGs should only passively evolve through a series of gas-poor, minor mergers since z ∼ 4, but agrees with an improved semi-analytic model of hierarchical structure formation that predicts star-forming BCGs throughout the epoch considered. We attribute the star formation inferred from the stacked infrared SEDs to both major and minor ‘wet’ (gas-rich) mergers, based on a lack of key signatures (to date) of cooling-flow-induced star formation, as well as a number of observational and simulation-based studies that support this scenario.
Effect of long‐term (2 years) exposure of mouse brains to global system for mobile communication (GSM) radiofrequency fields on astrocytic immunoreactivity

This study was designed to determine whether long‐term (2 years) brain exposure to mobile telephone radiofrequency (RF) fields produces any astrocytic activation as these glia react to a wide range of neural perturbations by astrogliosis. Using a purpose‐designed exposure system at 900 MHz, mice were given a single, far‐field whole body exposure at a specific absorption rate of 4 W/kg on five successive days per week for 104 weeks. Control mice were sham‐exposed or freely mobile in a cage to control any stress caused by immobilization in the exposure module. Brains were perfusion‐fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde and three coronal levels immunostained for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). These brain slices were then examined by light microscopy and the amount of this immunomarker quantified using a color deconvolution method. There was no change in astrocytic GFAP immunostaining in brains after long‐term exposure to mobile telephony microwaves compared to control (sham‐exposed or freely moving caged mice). It was concluded that long‐term (2 years) exposure of murine brains to mobile telephone RF fields did not produce any astrocytic reaction (astrogliosis) detectable by GFAP immunostaining. Bioelectromagnetics. 36:245–250, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Coiling of Ruptured Pericallosal Artery Aneurysms

OBJECTIVE To assess the technical feasibility of treating ruptured pericallosal artery aneurysms with detachable coils and to evaluate the anatomic and clinical results. METHODS Over a period of 27 months, 12 patients with a ruptured pericallosal artery aneurysm were treated with detachable coils. A retrospective review was performed to assess the clinical and angiographic results. The three men and nine women had a mean age of 46.6 years (range, 35–75 yr). Seven patients presented in Hunt and Hess Grade II, three in Grade III, and two in Grade IV. Six patients had a concomitant intracerebral hematoma, and four had at least one additional aneurysm. RESULTS In all 12 patients, the pericallosal aneurysm could be reached with a microcatheter and the coils delivered. No procedure-related complications occurred. Angiography demonstrated that the initial occlusion was complete in 11 aneurysms and near-complete in 1. At follow-up angiography at 6 months, one aneurysm had become partially recanalized owing to coil compaction. At a mean clinical follow-up of 9.2 months, 11 patients had an excellent outcome and one patient had mild hemiparesis and aphasia. CONCLUSION Coiling of ruptured pericallosal artery aneurysms can be considered an alternative to surgical clipping.
Multimarket High-Frequency Trading and Commonality in Liquidity

This paper examines the effects of multimarket high-frequency trading (HFT) activity on liquidity co-movements across different markets. Multimarket trading by HFTs connects individual markets in a single network, which should induce stronger network-wide liquidity co-movements. We use the staggered introduction of an alternative trading platform, Chi-X, in European equity markets as our instrument for an exogenous increase in multimarket HFT activity. Consistent with our predictions, we find that liquidity co-movements within the aggregate network of European markets significantly increase after the introduction of Chi-X and even exceed liquidity co-movements within the home market. They are especially strong in down markets and for stocks with a higher intensity of HFT trading in the post-Chi-X period.
Effects of wheat-flour biscuits fortified with iron and EDTA, alone and in combination, on blood lead concentration, iron status, and cognition in children: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Lead is a common neurotoxicant and its absorption may be increased in iron deficiency (ID). Thus, iron fortification to prevent ID in populations is a promising lead mitigation strategy. Two common fortificants are ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) and ferric sodium EDTA (NaFeEDTA). EDTA can chelate iron and lead. OBJECTIVES Our study objective was to determine the effects of iron and EDTA, alone and in combination, on blood lead (BPb) concentration, iron status, and cognition. DESIGN In this 2 × 2 factorial, double-blind placebo-controlled trial, 457 lead-exposed Moroccan children were stratified by school and grade and randomly assigned to consume biscuits (6 d/wk at school) containing 1) ∼8 mg Fe as FeSO4, 2) ∼8 mg Fe as NaFeEDTA that contained ∼41 mg EDTA, 3) ∼41 mg EDTA as sodium EDTA (Na2EDTA), or 4) placebo for 28 wk. The primary outcome was BPb concentration; secondary outcomes were iron status and cognitive outcomes from subtests of the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children and the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test. These outcomes were measured at baseline and endpoint. All data were analyzed by intention-to-treat. RESULTS The adjusted geometric mean BPb concentration at baseline was 4.3 μg/dL (95% CI: 4.2, 4.3 μg/dL), and at endpoint these values were 3.3 μg/dL (95% CI: 3.1, 3.5 μg/dL) for FeSO4, 2.9 μg/dL (95% CI: 2.7, 3.0 μg/dL) for NaFeEDTA, 3.3 μg/dL (95% CI: 3.1, 3.5 μg/dL) for EDTA, and 3.7 μg/dL (95% CI: 3.5, 3.9 μg/dL) for placebo. We found an effect of iron (P = 0.009) and EDTA (P = 0.012) for reduced BPb concentrations at endpoint, but no iron × EDTA interaction. Iron fortification improved iron status, but there were no positive effects of iron or EDTA on cognitive test scores. CONCLUSIONS Food fortification with iron and EDTA additively reduces BPb concentrations. Our findings suggest that NaFeEDTA should be the iron fortificant of choice in lead-exposed populations. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01573013.
Pricing Capabilities and Firm Performance: A Socio-Technical Framework for the Adoption of Pricing as a Transformational Innovation

xxii CHAPTER I: OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH JOURNEY . 25 Introduction . 25 Research Gaps . 26 Research Goals. 27 Integrated Theoretical Framework . 27 Theoretical Foundation . 29 Resource-based View (RBV) and Capability-based View (CBV) of the Firm . 29 Defining Capabilities . 29 Organizational Capabilities . 31 Pricing Capabilities . 32 Prior research . 32 Nature of pricing capability . 37 Summary of pricing capabilities . 39 Technical pricing capabilities . 40 Tangible versus Intangible Capabilities . 42 Socio-Technical Perspective . 44 Socio-technical systems theory . 45 Socio-technical change . 48
Effect of Hemodialysis Duration on Conjunctival Bacterial Flora and Susceptibility of Conjunctival Bacterial Isolates to Fluoroquinolones

Abstract Purpose: To determine the differences between conjunctival bacterial flora of hemodialysis patients and healthy subjects, the effect of duration of hemodialysis on conjunctival bacterial flora, and in vitro antibiotic susceptibility patterns of conjunctival bacterial flora to fluoroquinolones. Methods: Sixty healthy subjects (32 male, 28 female) and 60 hemodialysis patients (33 male, 27 female) who had renal failure due to reasons other than diabetic nephropathy and with no previous history of intraocular surgery participated in this study. Statistical analysis of the difference between the culture positivity of hemodialysis patients and a control group was determined using the chi-square test. Pearson's correlation test was used to quantify the correlations among culture positivity and duration of hemodialysis. Results: Conjunctival culture positivity of the hemodialysis patients and the control group was 58.3 and 45.0%, respectively, and there was no statistically significant difference between these groups (p = 0.144). Pearson's correlation test revealed that there was a weak but statistically significant positive correlation between culture positivity and duration of hemodialysis (r value was 0.378 [p = 0.003]). Staphylococcus aureus (28.3%) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (20.0%) were the most frequently isolated organisms in the hemodialysis patients, Staphylococcus epidermidis (26.7%) and Staphylococcus aureus (6.7%) were the most frequently isolated organisms in the control group. Resistance of most frequently isolated organisms (Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis) from control group and hemodialysis patients to ofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and gatifloxacin were 20, 15, 5, and 5%, and 34.5, 20.7, 6.9, and 6.9%, respectively. Conclusions: As distinct from the control group, S. aureus colonization was isolated more from the hemodialysis patients. Culture positivity of the hemodialysis patients was positively correlated with the duration of hemodialysis. Antibiotic susceptibility of isolates from conjunctival bacterial flora of hemodialysis patients were less than healthy control group.
Diversity and population structure of northern switchgrass as revealed through exome capture sequencing.

Panicum virgatum L. (switchgrass) is a polyploid, perennial grass species that is native to North America, and is being developed as a future biofuel feedstock crop. Switchgrass is present primarily in two ecotypes: a northern upland ecotype, composed of tetraploid and octoploid accessions, and a southern lowland ecotype, composed of primarily tetraploid accessions. We employed high-coverage exome capture sequencing (~2.4 Tb) to genotype 537 individuals from 45 upland and 21 lowland populations. From these data, we identified ~27 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), of which 1 590 653 high-confidence SNPs were used in downstream analyses of diversity within and between the populations. From the 66 populations, we identified five primary population groups within the upland and lowland ecotypes, a result that was further supported through genetic distance analysis. We identified conserved, ecotype-restricted, non-synonymous SNPs that are predicted to affect the protein function of CONSTANS (CO) and EARLY HEADING DATE 1 (EHD1), key genes involved in flowering, which may contribute to the phenotypic differences between the two ecotypes. We also identified, relative to the near-reference Kanlow population, 17 228 genes present in more copies than in the reference genome (up-CNVs), 112 630 genes present in fewer copies than in the reference genome (down-CNVs) and 14 430 presence/absence variants (PAVs), affecting a total of 9979 genes, including two upland-specific CNV clusters. In total, 45 719 genes were affected by an SNP, CNV, or PAV across the panel, providing a firm foundation to identify functional variation associated with phenotypic traits of interest for biofuel feedstock production.
EspF of Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli Binds Sorting Nexin 9

ABSTRACT EspF of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli targets mitochondria and subverts a number of cellular functions. EspF consists of six putative Src homology 3 (SH3) domain binding motifs. In this study we identified sorting nexin 9 (SNX9) as a host cell EspF binding partner protein, which binds EspF via its amino-terminal SH3 region. Coimmunoprecipitation and confocal microscopy showed specific EspF-SNX9 interaction and non-mitochondrial protein colocalization in infected epithelial cells.
Earthshine observations of the Earth's reflectance

Regular photometric observations of the moon's “ashen light” (earthshine) from the Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO) since December 1998 have quantified the earth's optical reflectance. We find large (∼5%) daily variations in the reflectance due to large‐scale weather changes on the other side of the globe. Separately, we find comparable hourly variations during the course of many nights as the earth's rotation changes that portion of the earth in view. Our data imply an average terrestrial albedo of 0.297±0.005, which agrees with that from simulations based upon both changing snow and ice cover and satellite‐derived cloud cover (0.296±0.002). However, we find seasonal variations roughly twice those of the simulation, with the earth being brightest in the spring. Our results suggest that long‐term earthshine observations are a useful monitor of the earth's albedo. Comparison with more limited earthshine observations during 1994–1995 show a marginally higher albedo then.
Loss of Trex1 in Dendritic Cells Is Sufficient To Trigger Systemic Autoimmunity

Defects of the intracellular enzyme 3′ repair exonuclease 1 (Trex1) cause the rare autoimmune condition Aicardi–Goutières syndrome and are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. Trex1−/− mice develop type I IFN–driven autoimmunity, resulting from activation of the cytoplasmic DNA sensor cyclic GMP–AMP synthase by a nucleic acid substrate of Trex1 that remains unknown. To identify cell types responsible for initiation of autoimmunity, we generated conditional Trex1 knockout mice. Loss of Trex1 in dendritic cells was sufficient to cause IFN release and autoimmunity, whereas Trex1-deficient keratinocytes and microglia produced IFN but did not induce inflammation. In contrast, B cells, cardiomyocytes, neurons, and astrocytes did not show any detectable response to the inactivation of Trex1. Thus, individual cell types differentially respond to the loss of Trex1, and Trex1 expression in dendritic cells is essential to prevent breakdown of self-tolerance ensuing from aberrant detection of endogenous DNA.
American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians " The Voice of Interventional Pain Management " 81 Lakeview Drive , Paducah

On behalf of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP), the board and membership, the Executive Committee thanks Washington State Health Care Authority for providing us with an opportunity to present public comments for key questions on spinal injections. ASIPP is a not-for-profit professional organization comprised of over 4,500 interventional pain physicians and other practitioners who are dedicated to ensuring safe, appropriate, and equal access to essential pain management services for patients across the country suffering with chronic and acute pain. There are approximately 7,000 appropriately trained and qualified physicians practicing interventional pain management in the United States.
The Impact of Board Oversight Functions on the Performance of Listed Companies in Nigeria

We ascertain the impact of board oversight functions on the financial performance of listed companies. The study covers the entire 186 companies listed on the Nigeria stock exchange for a period of five years between 2010 and 2014. Three aspect of board oversight function which includes the audit committee function, risk management committee function and remuneration/human capital committee function were considered in this study in line with the provision of (SEC) code of corporate governance and (OECD) code of corporate governance. Return on capital employed and earnings per share were used as the measures of firm financial performance. We conducted both descriptive and inferential statistics on a set of data extracted from the audited financial statement of the listed companies. The descriptive statistics include the mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum value for each variable while the inferential statistics includes the univariate t- test and multivariate regression analysis. The findings of this study revealed that board oversight function have significant impact on the financial performance of listed companies in Nigeria. The significant relationship between the board oversight functions and financial performance reported in this study have been asserted in previous literature in Africa (Beltratti & Stulz, 2009) and Asia (Fahlenbrach & Stulz, 2009; Fernandes & Fich, 2009) which implies that this might be the global trend on the topic. Thus, the general hypothesis which predicts a significant relationship between board oversight function and firm financial performance cannot be rejected. Therefore, the recommendations emanating from this study is that concerted efforts should be put in place by the security and exchange commission to ensure strict compliance with regulations regarding the formation of audit committee and other oversight committees by the Nigerian listed companies.
Service quality in Finnish retailing : an exploratory study from an Asian consumers' perspective

University of Tampere: Faculty of Management, Business Competence Author: NGUYEN THI MINH PHUC Title: SERVICE QUALITY IN FINNISH RETAILING: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY FROM AN ASIAN CONSUMERS‟S PERSPECTIVE Master’s Thesis: 84 pages, Date: May 2017
ARAB COUNTRIES AND THE DOHA ROUND: BETWEEN AMBITIONS AND REALITIES

Since 2001, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has launched the Doha Round that aims to speed up the liberalization of trade policies while ensuring for developing countries, in particular the least developed among them, a share in the growth of world trade that corresponds to the needs of their economic development. However, like many developing countries, the Arab countries have ambiguous relationships with the multilateral negotiations process, ambiguity that characterizes more generally their position within the WTO. The Doha Round has shown the Arab countries’ adherence to the virtues of free trade and their desire of deeper integration in the multilateral trading system. At the same time, the impact of the Arab countries on the conduct of the negotiation process remains low and reflects, ultimately, their marginalization in the WTO system. This contribution endeavors to analyze the key issues of the Doha Round for Arab countries and the reasons of this ambiguity.
Environmental Mycobiome Modifiers of Inflammation and Fibrosis in Systemic Sclerosis

Abstract : This project is focused on Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), a progressive fibrotic disease characterized by skin fibrosis and damage to internal organs. While a wide range of environmental and biological triggers have been proposed, no definitive etiologic agents have yet been identified. Metagenomic analysis of non-human sequences in SSc RNA-seq data was used to detect microbial sequences in human tissues in an unbiased, quantitative manner. Our studies suggest that disease pathogenesis includes a common environmental fungal trigger, Rhodotorula glutinis, which we hypothesize elicits immune activation in a permissive host genetic background. Skin biopsies have been collected from SSc patients and analyzed by high-throughput sequencing, providing substantial gene expression data as well as detailed information regarding the host microbiome. Data have been compared against that of healthy control samples.
An MOS transistor model for analog circuit design

This paper presents a physically based model for the metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistor suitable for analysis and design of analog integrated circuits. Static and dynamic characteristics of the MOS field-effect transistor are accurately described by single-piece functions of two saturation currents in all regions of operation. Simple expressions for the transconductance-to-current ratio, the drain-to-source saturation voltage, and the cutoff frequency in terms of the inversion level are given. The design of a common-source amplifier illustrates the application of the proposed model.
Ultrasound for evaluation of adnexal malignancy: From 2D to 3D ultrasound

Conventional two‐dimensional (2D) ultrasound has been widely used for the evaluation of adnexal malignancy in gynecologic fields. This 2D ultrasound evaluation includes a morphological assessment, color/power and pulsed Doppler sonographic assessment, scoring system, and contrast agent assessment of adnexal masses. The introduction of three‐dimensional (3D) ultrasound would facilitate the novel assessment of adnexal masses. With the recent advance in 3D power Doppler (3DPD) ultrasound as well as quantitative 3DPD histogram analysis, quantitative and qualitative assessments of the vascularization and blood flow of adnexal masses have become feasible. These novel techniques may assist in the evaluation of adnexal malignancy, and offer potential advantages relative to conventional 2D sonographic assessments. 3D ultrasound may be an important modality in future gynecologic oncology research and in the evaluation of adnexal malignancy in clinical practice, although some limitations regarding the assessment of adnexal malignancy employing 3D ultrasound remain unresolved.