Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of Biofilms on Indwelling Medical Devices

Microbial biofilms develop when microorganisms irreversibly adhere to a submerged surface and produce extracellular polymers that facilitate adhesion and provide a structural matrix. This surface may be inert, nonliving material or living tissue. Biofilm-associated microorganisms behave differently from planktonic (freely suspended) organisms with respect to growth rates and ability to resist antimicrobial treatments and therefore pose a public health problem. This article describes the microbial biofilms that develop on or within indwelling medical devices (e.g., contact lenses, central venous catheters and needleless connectors, endotracheal tubes, intrauterine devices, mechanical heart valves, pacemakers, peritoneal dialysis catheters, prosthetic joints, tympanostomy tubes, urinary catheters, and voice prostheses).
Clinical and Preclinical Advances in Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Therapy

The molecular events leading to gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (GEP-NET) formation are largely unknown. Over the past decades, systemic chemotherapies have been replaced by therapies directed at particular molecular targets such as the somatostatin receptors, mTOR complexes or proangiogenic molecules. These approaches have demonstrated some success in subtypes of this heterogeneous tumor group, but responses are still widely varied. This review highlights the clinical trials ongoing for neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and includes emerging immunotherapy, which holds great promise for NETs based on successes in other tumor types. Current avenues of preclinical research, including Notch and PI3K/AKT, will lead to additional targeted therapies based on genome-wide studies that have cast a wide net in the search for driver mutations. Future preclinical and clinical investigations are required to identify those mutations predictive of therapeutic response or disease progression. Results of current clinical trials outlined here will better inform patient management with respect to agent selection, timing, duration and combination therapy in the treatment of NETs.
Does Procyclical Fiscal Policy Reinforce Incentives to Dollarize Sovereign Debt?

This paper explores the link between the cyclical patterns of macroeconomic and policy variables and the currency composition of domestic sovereign debt in emerging market countries. The empirical analysis is anchored in an equilibrium model, in which the dollarization of sovereign debt arises as a result of the optimal portfolio choices by risk-averse investors, and of a sovereign debt manager who takes fiscal policy as given. The model predicts that in countries where the exchange rate is countercyclical (i.e., the exchange rate depreciates during recessions), a more procyclical fiscal policy (i.e., expansionary in good times and contractionary in bad times) would lead, on average, to a more dollarized domestic sovereign debt. The empirical analysis using the Jeanne-Guscina EM Debt database (2006) on the currency structure of the central government debt in 22 emerging market countries over 1980 - 2005, supports these predictions.
Legal Effectiveness and External Capital: The Role of Foreign Debt

Previous research has documented weak, and sometimes conflicting, effects of legal quality on measures of firm debt. Using WorldScope data for 1,689 firms, as well as more detailed proprietary data for 315 firms across nine East Asian countries, the authors find that access to foreign financing appears to loosen borrowing constraints associated with poor legal systems. This helps resolve inconsistencies in prior findings and explains how legal protection is important for borrowing by firms. In particular, they find that legal effectiveness is important for determining the amount, maturity, and currency denomination of debt. The authors discuss several mechanisms by which firms can avoid the costs of poor legal systems with foreign borrowing. The paper contributes to the policy debate surrounding the importance of creditor rights for domestic lending.
Clinical use of serum and urine bone markers in the management of osteoporosis

ABSTRACT Osteoporosis is a common disease characterized by decreased bone mass, increased bone turnover, and increased susceptibility to fracture. Almost 44 million Americans are estimated to have low bone mass, which puts them at increased risk of developing osteoporosis and fractures. Osteoporosis is diagnosed by a low bone density (BMD) measurement, because a low BMD is known to contribute to increased fracture risk, which is the main source of morbidity and mortality for osteoporosis. However, changes in bone mass and density in response to anti-resorptive therapy account for only a small portion of the predicted fracture risk reduction. Whereas dynamic changes in bone turnover, estimated by measurement of bone biochemical markers, such as breakdown products of type-I collagen and proteins secreted by osteoblasts and osteoclasts in blood and urine, can account for a major portion of anti-fracture efficacy of anti-resorptive agents. Most anti-resorptive agents act by rapidly reducing bone markers. This has led to advocacy for use of bone turnover markers, in complement to BMD measurement, in the management of osteoporosis. In general, higher bone turnover is associated with accelerated bone loss and potential deterioration in bone quality. Several clinical trials have established the potential utility of markers to identify patients with rapid bone loss, to aid in therapeutic decision-making, and to monitor therapeutic efficacy of various treatments. Elevated marker levels have been shown to be associated with increased risk of fracture in elderly women, but their utility in predicting fracture is not yet established. In this article, we provide a brief summary to primary practitioners about the role bone markers can play in the management of osteoporosis.
The Glutamate-Rich Protein (GLURP) of Plasmodium falciparum Is a Target for Antibody-Dependent Monocyte-Mediated Inhibition of Parasite Growth In Vitro

ABSTRACT Monocyte-dependent as well as direct inhibitory effects of antimalarial antibodies point toward antigens accessible at the time of merozoite release as targets for biologically active antibodies capable of mediating protection against Plasmodium falciparum. The glutamate-rich protein (GLURP), being an antigen associated with mature schizont-infected erythrocytes, was therefore the object of the present investigation, in which we analyzed whether anti-GLURP antibodies can either interfere directly with merozoite invasion or act indirectly by promoting a monocyte-dependent growth inhibition, antibody-dependent cellular inhibition. GLURP-specific human immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies, from pooled IgG of healthy Liberian adults who were clinically immune to malaria, were purified by affinity chromatography on columns containing R0 (N-terminal nonrepetitive region of GLURP) or R2 (C-terminal repetitive region of GLURP) recombinant protein or synthetic peptides as ligands. Analysis of the pattern of reactivity of highly purified anti-GLURP antibodies led to the definition of at least four B-cell epitopes. One epitope was specific for R0, two were specific for R2, and the fourth displayed cross-reactivity between R0 and R2. None of the purified IgG antibodies had direct invasion-inhibitory effects, even at high concentrations. In contrast, when allowed to cooperate with monocytes, all anti-GLURP IgG preparations mediated a strong monocyte-dependent parasite growth inhibition in a dose-dependent manner.
Ground Plane Boosters as a Compact Antenna Technology for Wireless Handheld Devices

The increasing demand for multifunctional wireless devices has fostered the need to reduce the space devoted to the antenna in order to favor the integration of multiple and new functionalities. This fact becomes a challenge for the handset antenna designers who have to develop antennas capable of providing multi-band operation constrained by physical limitations. This proposal consists in a radiating system capable of providing multi-band operation without the need of an antenna element, by properly exciting the efficient radiation modes associated to the ground plane structure. In this sense, the typical volume devoted to a handset antenna is reduced by a factor of 20. The electrical model approximation of the radiating structure leads to the radiofrequency system design able to provide multi-band operation. The feasibility of the proposal has been tested by electromagnetic simulations as well as by experimental measurements regarding the main antenna parameters: reflection coefficient, efficiency, and radiation patterns. Furthermore, the human head interaction concerning biological compatibility in terms of SAR (Specific absorption rate) has been measured and a solution for its reduction is presented. As a result, a promising standard solution for a radiating system capable to operate in the main communication standards GSM850, GSM900, DCS, PCS and UMTS is provided with a volume reduction factor around 20.
What policymakers need and must demand from research regarding the employment rate of persons with disabilities.

Enabling persons with disabilities to prepare for and engage in gainful employment has become a priority concern in U.S. society. As a result, federal and state policymakers are adopting employment-related initiatives designed to enhance the employment rate of persons with disabilities. Policymakers need credible evidence in order to assess and reform these initiatives. This recognized need, however, begs the question of what constitutes 'credible evidence. ' Of particular concern in the disability policy arena is the debate over the types of conclusion about employment rates that can and cannot be drawn from analyses of national survey data sets. This article connects standard research methodology concepts with the complexities of evaluating disability policy to help stakeholders appreciate the issues involved in this debate. This appreciation can help policymakers (1) recognize unwarranted cause-and-effect conclusions based solely on existing national survey data and (2) demand better data and stronger research designs to complement the potential over-reliance on correlational studies using problematic survey data to estimate policy impacts. To this end, the article concludes with a practical framework with a checklist for assessing the adequacy of research regarding the employment rate of persons with disabilities.
The Influence of a Firm's Ownership Structure and Chaebol Group Belongingness on its Debt Levels -Using Korean Firms-

In this paper, we investigate the influence of corporate ownership structure on debt ratio, by studying whether the importance of management's will and a firm's chaebol group affiliation affect its capital structure. As different regression models often indicate different results, they are in line with different firms' conditions, such as a corporate ownership structure or the previous year's debt levels, it might imply that it is too early to have a final conclusion about the relationship between a firm's debt level and corporate ownership structure. However, we confirm that firms debt ratios show statistically significant differences, based on firms' ownership structure and on chaebol group belongingness. In addition, corporate ownership structure and debt ratios present an inverted U-sharp(∩)relationship between them; and a negative association between them if firms are chaebol group affiliations, and a positive association otherwise. Finally, firms with a high level of ownership ratio or with chaebol group affiliations show high speed of capital structure adjustment compared with others, ceteris paribus. This implies that a strong ownership or an image of financial stability caused by chaebol group affiliation gives firms an opportunity for a fast capital structure adjustment. However, as our results also indicate, firms' debt ratios are more seriously influenced by their size, profits and tangible asset levels than their corporate ownership structure.
High-frequency equivalent circuit of GaAs FETs for large-signal applications

The application of GaAs field effect transistors in digital circuits requires a valid description by an equivalent circuit at all possible gate and drain bias voltages for all frequencies from DC up to the gigahertz range. An equivalent circuit is presented which takes into account the gate current of positively biased transistors as well as the symmetrical nature of the devices at low drain voltages. A fast method of determining the elements of the equivalent circuit at all bias points without frequency limitations is presented. Direct computation from analytical expressions, without iteration, allows this parameter extraction procedure to be used for real-time on-wafer parameter extraction. Large-signal calculations are possible by inserting the voltage dependences evaluation for the elements into suitable simulation programs, such as SPICE. >
Control Systems and Incentives as Moderators of the Positive Association between Perceived Environmental Uncertainty and Willingness to Recommend Strategic Change

To remain competitive, organizations must change in response to demands in the dynamic environments in which they operate; yet oftentimes they do not change, perhaps due to an inability to first recognize, and then act on, the need for change. To combat this reluctance, organizational factors such as control systems and incentives may be effective since they are often used to direct managerial attention and thereby influence firm strategy (e.g., Simons 1990, 1995; Garg et al. 2003; Kober et al. 2007; Peterson and Luthans 2006). Indeed, prior research has found that control systems influence managers’ information search as well as firm-level strategic choice (e.g., Simons 1990, 1995) and incentives are closely tied to managers’ motivation to act (e.g., Bruggen and Moers 2007; Peterson and Luthans 2006). To further investigate this issue, we examine whether one individual-level variable – perceived environmental uncertainty (hereafter, “PEU”) – and two firm-level variables – control systems and incentives – are effective in overcoming managers’ insufficient motivation and/or their inability to recognize that change is needed, thereby increasing their willingness to recommend strategic change (hereafter, “WTRC”). Consistent with expectations, we find that the positive association between PEU and willingness to recommend strategic change is diminished by all combinations of control systems and incentives (except for an interactive system–social recognition incentive combination). Regarding this result, neither interactive systems nor social recognition incentives seem to provide a point of focus for managers to interpret strategic threats, thereby lowering the likelihood that managers will recommend strategic change. Thus, the positive association between PEU and WTRC remains intact. However, for low PEU managers, both diagnostic systems and financial incentives seem to make low PEU managers behave more like high PEU managers by focusing attention on performance metrics, thereby creating a strategic decision-making framework that increases the likelihood of recommending strategic change. Overall, these results suggest that the positive association between PEU and managers’ willingness to recommend strategic change can be enhanced, or muted, by control systems and incentives.
The Impacts of Financial Development on Growth: A Time-Varying Causality Analysis for Turkey

The goal of this research is to determine whether the causal relationship between financial development and economic growth in Turkey is stable over time. For this purpose, causal relationship between financial development and economic growth in Turkey has been investigated by means of annual data for the period of 1960- 2013. Differently from previous studies in the literature, considering that causal relationship between financial development and economic growth might change depending on time, time-varying causality test developed by Balcilar, Ozdemir and Arslanturk (2010) has been used. The results show that there is a unidirectional causal relationship from financial development to economic growth and this relationship changes depending on time. It is seen that unidirectional causality from financial development to economic growth emerged during the periods of financial turmoil and political crisis. The basic conclusion is that there is no stable causal relationship between financial development and economic growth in Turkey over the given time period.
Essays on Momentum and Risk

This study does show that the high momentum returns found among high volatility stocks is caused by an overreaction. The high positive risk-adjusted returns in the high-volatility momentum portfolio are followed by negative risk-adjusted returns. The negative returns drive stock prices closer to their fundamental value. Returns in a low-volatility momentum strategy suggest no overreaction, but a slow price change towards the fundamental value.
Fluids or flows? Information and qualculation in medical practice

Purpose – Seeks to explore the assumptions and limitations of current programmes for the creation of electronic patient records by comparing ICT programme statements with hospital uses of information.Design/methodology/approach – Compares qualitative data from medical ICT programmes statements with data from ethnographic studies of hospital decision making. Uses actor‐network theory to develop a performative definition of information as that which secures a decision or “qualculation”, whether in the form of calculation or judgement.Findings – Shows that decision making depends on a mix of formal and informal considerations that are, however, always restricted in scope and number. Shows that some of these are locally and organisationally contingent.Research limitations/implications – The ethnographic findings illustrate the character of information rather than offering data about the character of decisions in different clinical locations.Practical implications – Caution is needed in the face of claims abou.
Individual and Contextual Antecedents of Donor Trust in the Voluntary Sector

Extant research by the Henley Centre suggests that the level of public trust in the voluntary sector is low. In this study we explore the individual and contextual antecedents of trust, develop measurement scales therefore and explore their relationship with the trust construct. Four factors, attitude to philanthropy, organisational judgment, perceived role competence and delivered service quality were identified through the use of structural equation modelling as being antecedents of trust. The implications for nonprofit management in relation to building trust are discussed.
The effect of the haematocrit value on the determination of glucose levels by reagent‐strip methods

Twenty‐one patients' blood samples, each with modified haematocrit concentrations of about 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% and 60%, were assayed for the presence of glucose by two reagent‐strip methods — the Ames Glucometer with BG reagent strips and the Reflolux reflectance meter with BM‐test strips. The reference method was the YSI blood glucose analyser. Both Ames and BM systems were found to have good precision. Ames results were falsely high (mean, 15%) at a haematocrit value of 20% and falsely low (mean, 21%) at a haematocrit value of 60%. BM results also overestimated (mean, 4%) and underestimated (mean, 5%) at the corresponding haematocrit levels. The results showed good agreement between Ames and BM methods and the YSI method for normal haematocrit concentrations of 40% to 50%. Clinicians should be aware of inaccuracies in glucose results by test‐strip methods in patients with abnormal haematocrit concentrations.
A patient's guide to donor insemination and in-vitro fertilization clinics.

Over the past 5 or 10 years providers of public services have increasingly, by reason of administrative decree or public demand, been required to provide information about the services they provide in terms of quality, cost and performance. In transport and education, and in many other services, we, as users, have come to expect accountability and responsiveness, both of which can only be achieved on the basis of public information about performance and outcome measures. We expect to be able to exercise choice based on good quality information, and we expect services which are failing to meet proper standards to change accordingly. Health services have been subjected to this kind of scrutiny through medical audit and through the pressures brought to bear by purchasing authorities. But they are also increasingly under pressure from patients themselves who wish to take a more active role in their own medical care than perhaps they did in the past This has been particularly the case in assisted conception where, because much of the treatment is sought privately, there is the added consideration for patients of value for their often large sums of money. We should welcome, and not discourage, this patient involvement. Parliament, in preparing the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (HFE Act), recognized the need for patients to have good information and realistic expectations. Licensed in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and donor insemination (DI) clinics therefore have a statutory duty, before offering treatment, to provide relevant information to patients [HFE Act, section 13(6)]. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), in its Code of Practice, has always said that this should include 'the limitations and possible outcomes of the treatment proposed' [Code of Practice (second revision, paragraph 4.4)] and has required clinics to provide patients with their live birth rates. The HFEA itself also has a duty to 'provide. advice and information for persons. who are receiving treatment services. or who may wish to do so' [HFE Act, section 8(c)]. One of the problems that patients frequently approach the HFEA about is the great difficulty they have in using the data given to them by clinics in making their decision about which clinic to attend. The information is presented in different formats; some is more recent than others; some are broken down into sub-groups where others are not; some quote only pregnancy and not live birth rates; some highlight data for a