Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Danish PEP Registry: Experience with the use of post-exposure prophylaxis following blood exposure to HIV from 1999–2012

Abstract Background: The risk of occupational exposures to blood cannot be eliminated completely and access to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent HIV transmission is important. However, PEP administration has been associated with frequent adverse effects, low compliance and difficulties to ensure a proper risk assessment. This nationwide study describes 14 years of experience with the use of PEP following blood exposure in Denmark. Methods: A descriptive study of all PEP cases following non-sexual exposure to HIV in Denmark from 1999–2012. Results: A total of 411 cases of PEP were described. There was a mean of 29.4 cases/year, increasing from 23 cases in 1999 to 49 cases in 2005 and then decreasing to 16 cases in 2012. Overall 67.2% of source patients were known to be HIV-positive at the time of PEP initiation, with no significant change over time. The median time to initiation of PEP was 2.5 h (0.15–28.5) following occupational exposure. Adverse effects were reported by 50.9% with no significant difference according to PEP regimen. In 85.1% of cases with available data, either a full course of PEP was completed or PEP was stopped because the source was tested HIV-negative. Only 6.6% stopped PEP early due to adverse effects. Conclusions: PEP in Denmark is generally prescribed according to the guidelines and the annual number of cases has declined since 2005. Adverse effects were common regardless of PEP regimens used and new drug regimens should be considered.
Shallow genetic structure of three species of the genus Trachurus in European waters

Pelagic marine fishes generally show little geographical population differentiation. Of special interest are marine species with Atlantic-Mediterranean distribution because of the possible effect of past and present day restrictions to gene flow between the 2 seas. Thus, restriction analysis of the whole control region (D-loop) of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was used to extensively investi- gate the genetic structure of the 3 Trachurus species present both in Atlantic and Mediterranean waters: T. trachurus, T. mediterraneus and T. picturatus. In total, 666 individuals were screened from 5 Mediterranean and 6 Atlantic areas. Two African areas were also sampled for T. trachurus. No dif- ferentiation was revealed among European populations within the 3 studied species. Additionally, no sign of Atlantic-Mediterranean division was found, probably due to the fact that specific life history traits provide the Trachurus species with flexibility to oceanographical constraints and give them the ability to migrate long distances. Differentiation was only revealed between European and African populations of T. trachurus, reinforcing the existence of the T. trachurus capensis subspecies in African waters. Populations are probably under long and stable demographic equilibrium conditions as indicated by high haplotypic and nucleotide diversity values for all 3 species. Thus, mtDNA could be a powerful tool in determining the taxonomic distinctiveness of individual populations and spe- cies, and therefore, aid in setting priorities for future management policies. The present results are also discussed in comparison with the results of previous cytochrome b sequence analysis of the 3 Trachurus species.
Characteristics of inpatients with a history of recurrent psychiatric hospitalizations: a matched-control study.

OBJECTIVE This study examined the association between patient characteristics and inpatient hospitalization among patients with a history of recurrent psychiatric hospitalizations (two or more hospitalizations in the 18 months before the index hospitalization) (N=75) and patients without such a history (N=75). METHODS Characteristics at the time of the index hospitalization and 48-month inpatient utilization rates (24 months before and 24 months after the index hospitalization) were extracted from medical records. Backwards stepwise regression models were used to identify characteristics independently associated with inpatient utilization. RESULTS Psychotic disorder and unemployment at the time of index hospitalization were independently associated with higher inpatient utilization over the 48 months. Only the number of hospitalizations in the prior 24 months predicted the number of readmissions after the index hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS Psychosis and unemployment seem to have an independent effect on the number of hospitalizations.
The role of biofilm formation in pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori infections

The significance of biofilm in pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections is poorly understood. Biofilm is thought to play a role in transmission of infection to humans, may influence the nature of inflammatory changes in the gastrointestinal tract, and may cause reinfection. In this study, the forms of life of H. pylori, biofilm formation in the environment and human gastrointestinal tract and its impact on the course of infection as well as difficulties in elimination of infections accompanied with biofilm are discussed. Streszczenie Znaczenie biofilmu w patogenezie zakazen paleczkami Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) nie jest do konca poznane. Uwaza sie, ze biofilm moze odgrywac role w transmisji zakazenia tymi drobnoustrojami, a takze wplywac na charakter zmian zapalnych w przewodzie pokarmowym czlowieka i przyczyniac sie do ponownej infekcji. W pracy omowiono formy bytowania H. pylori, tworzenie sie biofilmu w środowisku zewnetrznym i w przewodzie pokarmowym czlowieka, jego wplyw na przebieg zakazenia oraz trudności w eliminacji zakazen przebiegających z tworzeniem biofilmu.
Diversification Choices in Agriculture: A Choice Modelling Case Study of Sugarcane Growers

Growers in the sugarcane industry have been struggling under financial pressure for several years. One option to improve farm viability might be to diversify farm enterprise income. Choice Modelling, an economic valuation technique, was used to explore the trade-offs growers make between different attributes of diversification, and how their choices may be related to certain socio-economic characteristics. Application of the technique involved surveys of cane growers in three regions of Central Queensland. This is a novel approach to assessing grower intentions that has the potential to reveal detailed information about influences on grower choices.
Initial public offering (IPO) underpricing in Malaysian settings

Empirical debate on Initial public offering (IPO) underpricing has never laid to rest. Motivated by the IPO underpricing phenomenon across various market, this paper examines the anomalous market behaviors of IPO in an emerging market setting such as Malaysia. The primary purpose of this paper is to analyze the existence and magnitude of the underpricing phenomenon and post listing performance of IPOs listed in Bursa Malaysia from 2008 to 2016. Moreover, this study aims to provide an insight primarily into the relationship between IPO initial and long-term stock performance and the four main determinants influencing underpricing, namely IPO size, market volatility, underwriter status and the reciprocal of IPO price. By analyzing a sample of 313 IPOs, the average market adjusted initial return is 9.4%. The regression-based analysis indicates positive relationship between underpricing and the explanatory variables, namely IPO size, market volatility, underwriter status and the reciprocal of IPO price. In addition, the findings of the present study lend support to the evidence of a fads hypothesis as the sample IPO was found to underperform the market over a 36-month period after listing and a univariate regression analysis further reveals that there is a negative relationship between initial market adjusted returns and returns over the 36-month period.
Determination of Phenol Content and Antibacterial Activity of FiveMedicinal Plants Ethanolic Extracts from North-West of Morocco

The aim of this study is to screening the phytochemical content of five medicinal plants of Ouezzane province for their antibacterial activity. Ethanolic extracts were prepared using solid-liquid extraction. The total phenolic content was assessed by the Folin-Ciocalteau assay, total flavonoid content was assessed by aliminuim chloride (AlCl3) colorimetric assay. The antibacterial activity of extracts was tested against two reference strains, Escherichia coli K12 MBLA and Staphylococus aureus CECT 976 using the agar well diffusion method. The total phenol content of five ethanolic extracts ranged between 34,64 ± 1,16 and 112,48 ± 1,75 mg GAE per g extract, and the flavonoid content ranged between 9,28 ± 1,37 and 24,55 ± 0,58 mg QE/g extract. In the determination of the in vitro antimicrobial activity, flowering extracts prevented the growth of the tested strain by forming significant inhibition zones. The inhibitory activity of Ajuva Iva ethanolic extracts was especially remarkable (17,5 mm against E. coli and 21 mm against S. aureus). These species could be considered as potential sources of antibacterial compounds. Further studies are necessary for chemical characterization of the active principles and more extensive biological evaluations.
Do monetary policy shocks generate TAR or STAR dynamics in output?

Abstract This paper studies whether the relationship between monetary policy shocks of different size and output is better described by threshold autoregressive (TAR) or smooth transition autoregressive (STAR) dynamics. Using a Bayesian framework, a TAR process and a STAR process are formally compared within an unobserved components model of output, augmented with a monetary policy variable. The Bayesian model comparison favors the notion that the dynamics are nonlinear and better described by a smooth transition between regimes, which suggests that aggregation plays a role in the dynamics between monetary policy and output. This evidence is further supported by the results of a model that uses output data at the sectoral level: when more disaggregated data are employed, the transition between regimes is more abrupt. Moreover, the results show that, when the transition between regimes is smooth, large monetary policy shocks identified as the residuals of a VAR are neutral, consistent with the implications of menu-costs models.
Antiplatelet Activity of Allium ursinum and Allium sativum

Objectives: Garlic (Allium sativum) has a well-established reputation as a protective agent against cardiovascular disease, while nearly nothing is known about its cousin Allium ursinum. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiaggregatory mechanism of garlic and to compare the effects of A. ursinum and A. sativum. Methods: In a prospective study, extracts were prepared from A. sativum powder made from fresh A. sativum bulbs and fresh A. ursinum leaves by maceration. The extracts were characterized by thin layer chromatography. Their in vitro effects on human platelet aggregation were examined by light transmission aggregometry after induction by adenosine diphosphate (ADP), collagen, A23187, epinephrine and arachidonic acid (ARA) in platelets from healthy volunteers. Results:A. ursinum and A. sativum exert similar antiaggregatory effects: they inhibit platelet aggregation induced via the ADP pathway and to a lesser extent aggregation induced by epinephrine, whereas ARA-, collagen- and A23187-induced aggregation was not affected. It became clear that the alcoholic extract of A. ursinum is the potent form, while the aqueous extract exerted an unspecific activity. The effects were strictly dose related. A. ursinum and A. sativum extracts exhibited similar potencies. Conclusion: Both A. ursinum and A. sativum exert antiaggregatory effects. Garlic extracts are acting by inhibition of the ADP pathway; their mechanisms of action are comparable to that of the clinically used drug clopidogrel. The pharmacologically active component of the extracts appears to be lipophilic rather than hydrophilic, but the precise chemical substance is still unknown. This is the first report on the antiplatelet activity of A. ursinum.
Preparation of Kepler lightcurves for asteroseismic analyses

The Kepler mission is providing photometric data of exquisite quality for the asteroseismic study of different classes of pulsating stars. These analyses place particular demands on the pre-processing of the data, over a range of timescales from minutes to months. Here, we describe processing procedures developed by the Kepler Asteroseismic Science Consortium (KASC) to prepare light curves that are optimized for the asteroseismic study of solar-like oscillating stars in which outliers, jumps and drifts are corrected.
All-trans-retinal sensitizes human RPE cells to alternative complement pathway-induced cell death.

PURPOSE Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell death occurs early in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and Stargardt's disease. Emerging evidence suggests that all-trans-retinal (atRal) and alternative complement pathway (AP) activation contribute to RPE cell death in both of these retinal disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the combined effect of atRal and AP activation on RPE cell viability. METHODS RPE cells were treated with atRal and then incubated with a complement-fixing antibody followed by stimulation with C1q-depleted serum to activate AP. Cell viability was assessed by tetrazolium salt and lactate dehydrogenase release assays. Changes in cell surface CD46 and CD59 expression were assessed by flow cytometry. Cells were pretreated with the antioxidant resveratrol, and C1q-depleted serum was incubated with an anti-C5 antibody prior to initiating AP attack to determine the protective effects of antioxidant therapy and complement inhibition, respectively. RESULTS Both atRal and AP activation independently caused RPE cell death. When AP attack was initiated following atRal treatment, a synergistic increase in cell death was observed. Following 24-hour atRal treatment, CD46 and CD59 expression decreased, corresponding temporally to increased susceptibility to AP attack. Resveratrol and the anti-C5 antibody both protected against AP-induced cell death following atRal exposure and were most effective when used in combination. CONCLUSIONS atRal sensitizes RPE cells to AP attack, which may be mediated in part by atRal-induced downregulation of CD46 and CD59. Despite increased susceptibility to AP attack following exposure to atRal, resveratrol and anti-C5 antibody effectively prevent AP-mediated cell death.
Electrospinning Superhydrophobic Fibers Using Surface Segregating End-Functionalized Polymer Additives

We describe here a facile route for the in situ modification of the surface properties of fibers produced by electrospinning polystyrene containing small quantities of compatible polymer additives, end-functionalized with 1–3 fluoroalkyl groups. Such additives undergo spontaneous surface segregation during the electrospinning process, resulting in fibers with low surface energy, fluorine-rich, superhydrophobic surfaces. Surface properties were analyzed using static contact angle measurements (with water as the contact fluid) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. We report the effect of a number of parameters on the surface properties of the resulting polystyrene fibers including the molecular weight and concentration of functionalized additive, the number of fluoroalkyl groups, the effect of annealing, and spinning solvent. The majority of the fibers were successfully produced using THF as the spinning solvent and fibers with a contact angle of ∼150° were attainable. However, preliminary investigations us.
Optimization of Stake Height and Pressures for Irrigation Design with Pressure Compensated Microsprinklers

2 ABSTRACT: Hydraulic parameters which effect the design of irrigation system using pressure compensated microsprinklers are stake heights and pressure differences within the system due to friction and elevation changes, inherent design characteristics of emitter, the unit-to-unit variation of emission devices during manufacture, and partial or full clogging of the emitters from particles, insects or organic growth. It is important to know the capacity of irrigation system, or, how much water the irrigation system is capable of applying in a given time period making it pertinent to evaluate performance of pressure compensated micro-sprinklers (PCMS) at different heights at different pressures and overlapping. In this study, the pressure compensated microsprinklers were evaluated at different pressures of 100kPa, 150kPa and 200kPa and stake heights with overlaps of 30%, 40% and 50%. Regression equations were developed for the effect of stake height and pressure variation.
A Brief Note on Commercial Deficits and Profits in Kaleckian and Post-Keynesian Theories

In the economic literature there has been a lack of empirical and theoretical studies linking the relationship between profits and trade. The few theoretical researches that exist consider that profits increase when there is a trade surplus in a country. However, there is an apparent contradiction regarding the fact that the United States has run a large and growing trade deficit nevertheless U. S. corporate profits have systematically continued to rise. Following a Marxist perspective it is possible to make consistent the role of the U. S. as the hegemonic economy with its large and growing trade deficit since the latter has been necessary to increase the mass of profits. In this sense, the trade deficit in the U. S. economy might have acted as a counterbalancing force of the fall in the profit rate.
Cultural Issues That Affect Computer Programming: A Study of Vietnamese in Higher Education

Every society has its own cultural system which ultimately permeates and influences their educational system. Cultural attitudes impact the way students learn and participate in education. A few social practices or culture values may affect student engagement, learning process and learning experience in computer programming education. The purpose of this research was to investigate the impact of students’ cultural attitudes on learning programming courses in Vietnam. To identify this, a questionnaire was designed and distributed to Vietnamese undergraduate IT students in order to measure the relationship between cultural attitudes and student engagement in learning. This study used Geert Hofstede’s defined cultural dimensions of power distance, and collectivism versus individualism as combined factors that affect student participation and engagement. The survey results were analyzed by the correlation coefficient statistical method to examine the statistical relationships that exist between student’s power dependency culture and participation in learning. The survey results confirmed that many students completed their secondary education in a teacher centered environment and students are hesitant to express their opinions to teachers, and prefer to use existing solutions to complete their work. Moreover, statistical results partially supported the conclusion that, student’s high power distance culture may affect their engagement in learning programming courses though many students are interested in active learning environments.
Surveying respiratory infections among Iranian Hajj pilgrims

Background: The annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca brings over two million people together in a small confined area. Respiratory involvement is the most common disease during this ceremony, and up to now no unique cause has been identified. The present study was conducted to determine the incidence and types of respiratory diseases and their associated etiologic agents. Materials and methods: During this prospective study, seroconversion was assessed for bacteria, viruses and fungi on 170 Iranian pilgrims prior to departure and 2 weeks after convalescence and returning from the Hajj pilgrimage. Meanwhile, sputum specimens of 252 patients were cultured. Results: The following viruses were detected: influenza type A and B (21.5%), adenovirus (36.2%), and RSV (1.9%). Among bacteria isolates, β-haemolytic Streptococcous (9.7%), Haemophilus species (9.1%), Gram negative bacilli (20.6%), Legionella pneumophila (6.3%), Mycoplasma pneumonia (0.8%), and Chlamydia (32%) were more common, however, no fungal seroconversion was noted. Conclusion: We suggest administration of Fluvaccin for high risk groups, adenoviral vaccine for volunteer pilgrims, erythromycin or azithromycine for empiric bacterial therapy, and Oseltamivir or Zanamivir for prophylaxis or treatment of influenza like illness.
Slow responses to standard dose rituximab in immune thrombocytopenic purpura

We read with interest the article by Zaja et al . in which the results of a prospective multicenter Phase II study to assess the response rates of lower dose rituximab in adults with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) were reported. [1][1] In this single arm study 28 ITP patients received
TGF-Beta Antibody for Prostate Cancer: Role of ERK

Abstract : Characteristics of aggressive prostate cancers (CaP) include a loss of sensitivity to physiologic levels of TGF- due to in part TGF- receptors (T Rs) methylation mediated by DNA methyltransferase (DNMT). However, the mechanisms underlying these alterations remain undetermined. We used human CaP cell lines with varying degrees of invasive capability, and human CaP samples to elucidate the mechanism(s) associated with TGF- insensitivity and disease outcome following radical prostatectomy. We determined that more aggressive CaP cells had significantly higher TGF- levels and increased expression of DNMTs compared to benign and less aggressive prostate cancer cells. In contrast, T Rs expression was significantly reduced in more aggressive cancer cells. Blockade of TGF- signaling or the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) was associated with a dramatic decrease in the expression of DNMTs, and with a coincident increase in the expression of T Rs in cancer cells. In addition, there was a time dependent positive correlation between treatment of cells with TGF- and the expression of p-ERK in CaP cells. In contrast, benign prostate cells demonstrated a negative correlation between TGF- treatment and p-ERK expression. Inhibition of TGF- in an in vivo xenograft model using 1D11 was associated with inhibition of tumor growth but also the downregulation of p-ERK and DNMTs. Finally, independent of Gleason grade, TGF- induced expression of DNMT1 was associated with biochemical recurrence following radical prostatectomy. Our findings demonstrated that CaP tumor derived TGF- may induce the expression of DNMTs which subsequently results in the hypermethylation of its own receptors and insensitivity to growth inhibition. ERK activation mediates this feedback loop which is associated with the aggressive potential of CaP. In addition, this pathway may have future clinical implications in CaP as a therapeutic target and a prognostic tool.
Effectively Communicating Qualitative Research

This article is a guide for counseling researchers wishing to communicate the methods and results of their qualitative research to varied audiences. The authors posit that the first step in effectively communicating qualitative research is the development of strong qualitative research skills. To this end, the authors review a process model for developing such competence and emphasize the importance of research paradigm and philosophy-of-science knowledge for the competent researcher. The authors present characteristics of strong qualitative writing and highlight the concept of “thick description. ” The article includes a recommended structure for presenting the qualitative study and provides suggestions for targeting writing for different audiences. The authors conclude with suggestions for graduate students considering conducting qualitative dissertations.