Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Past HBV Viral Load as Predictor of Mortality and Morbidity from HCC and Chronic Liver Disease in a Prospective Study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS:In a prospective cohort study with 11 yr of follow-up, we assessed the relationship between past hepatitis B virus (HBV) viral load and mortality. Surviving cohort members were evaluated for current liver disease.METHODS:We measured HBV viral load by real-time polymerase chain reaction on stored samples from cohort entry (1992–1993) in 2,763 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive adults. Major end points were death from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or chronic liver disease (CLD). There were 447 deaths. In the 1,683 survivors, we assessed severity of liver disease on a return visit in 2003. Viral load was divided into three categories: undetected (<1.6 × 103 copies/mL); low titer (<105 copies/mL); and high titer (≥105 copies/mL). RESULTS:For HCC, there was a significant increase in mortality across viral load categories (ptrend < 0.001). Compared to the HBV undetected category, the relative risk (RR) for HCC mortality in the low viral load group was 1.7 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.5–5.7) and 11.2 (3.6–35.0) in the high viral load group. For CLD mortality, the RRs were 1.5 (0.2–12.1) and 15.2 (2.1–109.8), respectively (ptrend < 0.001). The RR associated with high viral load did not change with increased follow-up time. In surviving cohort members evaluated for liver disease in 2003, there was also a significant association of viral load with disease severity.CONCLUSION:In this prospective study, viral load is associated with increased mortality from HCC and CLD in HBV-infected subjects. Viral load may be a useful prognostic tool in HBV infection, and interventions aimed at its reduction should be explored.
Multiplex PCR for Detection of Genes forStaphylococcus aureus Enterotoxins, Exfoliative Toxins, Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin 1, and Methicillin Resistance

ABSTRACT A multiplex PCR assay for detection of genes for staphylococcal enterotoxins A to E (entA, entB,entC, entD, and entE), toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (tst), exfoliative toxins A and B (etaA and etaB), and intrinsic methicillin resistance (mecA) was developed. Detection offemA was used as an internal positive control. The multiplex PCR assay combined the primers for sea tosee and femA in one set and those foreta, etb, tst, mecA, and femA in the other set. Validation of the assay was performed using 176 human isolates of Staphylococcus aureus. This assay offers a very specific, quick, reliable, and inexpensive alternative to conventional PCR assays used in clinical laboratories to identify various staphylococcal toxin genes.
Happiness and House Prices in Canada: 2009-2013

The purpose of this study was to understand the relationship between happiness and housing prices in Canada. The happiness data were obtained from the General Social Survey between 2009 and 2013, asking respondents to report overall happiness level by using scale ranging between 1 to 10 points. House Price Indexes at the provincial level were constructed to cover the same period. The relationship between average house price change and average happiness was estimated using Ordinary Least Square and Logistic Regression techniques. Individual's characteristics were used as control variables. The study found that average happiness level is positively and significantly related to the change in housing prices for one group and not for another - for homeowners but not for renters. In addition, individuals with better health are much happier than individuals with poor health. Similarly, individuals with higher income are happier than individuals with less income. The implication of this study is that the government should design attractive policies to encourage homeownerships.
Neural based dynamic modeling of nonlinear microwave circuits

A neural network formulation for modeling nonlinear microwave circuits is achieved in the most desirable format, i.e., continuous time-domain dynamic system format. The proposed dynamic neural network (DNN) model can be developed directly from input-output data without having to rely on internal details of the circuit. An algorithm is developed to train the model with time or frequency domain information. A circuit representation of the model is proposed such that the model can be incorporated into circuit simulators for high-level design. Examples of dynamic-modeling of amplifiers, mixer and their use in system simulation are presented.
Extracellular matrix components supporting human islet function in alginate-based immunoprotective microcapsules for treatment of diabetes.

In the pancreas, extracellular matrix (ECM) components play an import role in providing mechanical and physiological support, and also contribute to the function of islets. These ECM-connections are damaged during islet-isolation from the pancreas and are not fully recovered after encapsulation and transplantation. To promote the functional survival of human pancreatic islets, we tested different ECMs molecules in alginate-encapsulated human islets. These were laminin derived recognition sequences, IKVAV, RGD, LRE, PDSGR, collagen I sequence DGEA (0.01 - 1.0 mM), and collagen IV (50 - 200 µg/mL). Interaction with RGD and PDSGR promoted islet viability and glucose induced insulin secretion (GIIS) when it was applied at concentrations ranging from 0.01 - 1.0 mM (p < 0.05). Also the laminin sequence LRE contributed to enhanced GIIS but only at higher concentrations of 1 mM (p < 0.05). Collagen IV also had beneficial effects but only at 50 µg/ml and no further improvement was observed at higher concentrations. IKVAV and DGEA had no effects on human islets. Synergistic effects were observed by adding Collagen(IV)-RGD, Collagen(IV)-LRE, and Collagen(IV)-PDSGR to encapsulated human islets. Our results demonstrate the potential of specific ECM components in support of functional survival of human encapsulated and free islet grafts. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1788-1796, 2016.
Saskatchewan Police Officers’ Perceptions of Justice Paradigms: Their Impact on Discretionary Decision-Making with Youth

ii Acknowledgements iii Post Acknowledgement iv Dedication v List of Tables viii List of Appendices ix List of Abbreviations x Chapter 1: Introduction 1 Saskatchewan Police Officers and Justice 1 Restorative Justice 4 The Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) 5 The Role of Police in Restorative Processes 7 Research Questions 10 Purpose and Significance 10 Thesis Organization 12 Chapter 2: Literature Review 14 Justice 14 Modern Forms of Justice 16 Restorative Justice 19 Defining restorative justice 21 Restorative justice as a maximalist vision 23 Restorative justice: Reintegrative shaming and responsive regulation 25 Restorative justice: From theory to practice 30 Evaluating restorative justice 32 The Youth Criminal Justice Act 35 The evolution of youth justice 35 The restorative nature of the YCJA 38 YCJA: The Saskatchewan context 43 Police Discretion 48 The Evolution of Policing 52 Restorative Policing 54 Chapter 3: Methodology 63 Ways of Understanding Social Reality 63 Selecting a Method 64 Survey Construction and Population 66 Data Collection 69 Analyses 69 Ethical Concerns 72 Limitations 74
Innovative work behaviour in knowledge-intensive public sector organizations: the case of supervisors in the Netherlands fire services

Abstract Studying innovative employee behaviours within knowledge-intensive public sector organizations (KIPSOs) might seem an odd thing to do given the lack of competitive pressures, the limited identification of the costs and benefits of innovative ideas and the lack of opportunities to incentivize employees financially. Nevertheless, KIPSOs require innovations to ensure long-term survival. To help achieve this goal, this paper explores the role of supervisors in supporting innovative work behaviour (IWB) by considering the unique challenges of KIPSOs and the conditions and characteristics of IWB in this context. Based on our rich qualitative data of a single case study in the Netherlands Fire Services, we demonstrate the ability of public-sector supervisors to engage employees in innovative behaviours. On the downside, implementation failures and a lack of radical innovation projects seem to be the result of loosely coupled bottom-up and top-down innovation projects and decentralization in the KIPSO which requires situational leadership that emphasizes networking activities and lobbying with public managers.
IFRS, sincronicidade e crise financeira: a dinâmica da informação contábil para o mercado de capitais brasileiro

This study aims is to investigate the synchronicity levels of shares traded on the spot market of the Sao Paulo Stock, Commodities , and Futures Exchange (BM&FBOVESPA) in relation to the accounting convergence process towards International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in Brazil. The term synchronicity refers to the amount that company-specific information and market information are reflected in stock prices. The more share prices reflect company-specific information rather than market information, the greater the informational content of these prices will be in terms of representing the economic value of a particular company. For this investigation, information on companies and shares from 2005 to 2015 was collected, excluding the financial sector. The data were analyzed using cross-sectional and panel regressions. The results indicate a reduction in the synchronicity levels of stocks in the period of full adoption of IFRS in Brazil from 2010 onwards. From 2008 to 2009, which includes the partial adoption of IFRS in Brazil, statistically significant results were not found for the synchronicity levels of shares. However, for times of financial crisis, evidence was found of a reduction in the relevance of accounting information even with the adoption of international accounting standards. The results obtained for the Brazilian context do not support the idea that the adoption of IFRS necessarily causes an increase in the informational content of financial statements and that relevant information is consequently reflected in stock prices.
Study of VTLN method to recognize common speech disorders in speech therapy of Persian children

In this study, isolated word recognition system has been investigated. The purpose of this research is to increase the performance of children's speech recognizer using vocal tract length normalization. The speech data that has been used to recognize phase, are correct and incorrect pronunciation of 47 words. This recognition system has been created to design a speech therapy software. Recognition of correct and wrong pronunciation and help children to improve it are the goals of this software. Four Baseline models have been Trained, one for children, one combined model (females and children) and two for Adults (by exploiting one Persian database). Children's model was trained with data that has been collected from 25 children. 13 children's vocabulary data were used to recognize phase. These experiments were implemented in HTK toolkit. Poor performance was improved using VTLN. Improvement of adult's model was more than children's model.
Acute bacterial meningitis: an analysis of factors influencing prognosis

Three-hundred and forty-nine cases of acute bacterial meningitis treated during a 25-year period (1949 through 1973) were reviewed to determine the prognostic significance of initial historical, physical and laboratory findings. A poor prognosis was associated with age ≥ 40 years (p<0.01), presence of predisposing illness (p<0.01), associated illness (p<0.01), absence of nuchal rigidity (p<0.05), and derangement of cerebral function (p<0.01). The effects of predisposing illness and moderate cerebral dysfunction were dependent upon age. In contrast, the effects of associated illness, mild or severe cerebral dysfunction, and absent nuchal rigidity were independent of age. Laboratory studies associated with a poor prognosis included an elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein (p<0.05), a positive CSF smear (p<0.05), or culture (p<0.01), or bacteremia (p<0.01). No prognostic significance could be attributed to race (p>0.05), sex (p>0.05), prior antibiotic therapy (p>0.05), duration of illness before institution of adequate therapy (p>0.05), CSF leukocyte count (p>0.05), frequency of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in CSF (p> 0.05), CSF sugar ≤ 40 mg/100 ml (p>0.05), or a CSF sugar-simultaneous blood sugar ratio ≤ 0.40 (p> 0.05).
Characterization of perioperative seizures and epilepsy following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

OBJECT The reported incidence, timing, and predictive factors of perioperative seizures and epilepsy after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) have differed considerably because of a lack of uniform definitions and variable follow-up periods. In this study the authors evaluate the incidence, temporal course, and predictive factors of perioperative seizures and epilepsy during long-term follow up of patients with SAH who underwent surgical treatment. METHODS Two hundred seventeen patients who survived more than 2 years after surgery for ruptured intracranial aneurysms were enrolled and retrospectively studied. Episodes were categorized into onset seizures (< or = 12 hours of initial hemorrhage), preoperative seizures, postoperative seizures, and late epilepsy, according to their timing. The mean follow-up time was 78.7 months (range 24-157 months). Forty-six patients (21.2%) had at least one seizure post-SAH. Seventeen patients (7.8%) had onset seizures, five (2.3%) had preoperative seizures, four (1.8%) had postoperative seizures, 21 (9.7%) had at least one seizure episode after the 1st week postoperatively, and late epilepsy developed in 15 (6.9%). One (3.8%) of 26 patients with perioperative seizures (onset, preoperative, or postoperative seizure) had late epilepsy at follow up. The mean latency between the operation and the onset of late epilepsy was 8.3 months (range 0.3-19 months). Younger age (< 40 years old), loss of consciousness of more than 1 hour at ictus, and Fisher Grade 3 or greater on computerized tomography scans proved to be significantly related to onset seizures. Onset seizure was also a significant predictor of persistent neurological deficits (Glasgow Outcome Scale Scores 2-4) at follow up. Factors associated with the development of late epilepsy were loss of consciousness of more than 1 hour at ictus and persistent postoperative neurological deficit. CONCLUSIONS Although up to one fifth of patients experienced seizure(s) after SAH, more than half had seizure(s) during the perioperative period. The frequency of late epilepsy in patients with perioperative seizures (7.8%) was not significantly higher than those without such seizures (6.8%). Perioperative seizures did not recur frequently and were not a significant predictor for late epilepsy.
Nephrocystin-conserved Domains Involved in Targeting to Epithelial Cell-Cell Junctions, Interaction with Filamins, and Establishing Cell Polarity*

Nephrocystin is the protein product of the gene mutated in juvenile nephronophthisis, an autosomal recessive cystic kidney disease afflicting children and young adults. Because the normal cellular function of nephrocystin is largely unknown, the molecular defects underlying disease pathogenesis remain obscure. Analysis of nephrocystin amino acid sequences from human and other species revealed three distinct conserved domains including Src homology 3 and coil-coil domains in the N-terminal region, as well as a large highly conserved C-terminal region bearing no obvious homology to other proteins and hence referred to as the “nephrocystin homology domain” (NHD). The objective of this study was to gain insight into nephrocystin function by defining functional properties of the conserved domains. We analyzed a series of nephrocystin deletion mutants expressed in Madin-Darby canine kidney and COS-7 cells. This analysis revealed previously unrecognized functional attributes of the NHD, including abilities to promote both self-association and epithelial cell-cell junctional targeting. We further observed that Madin-Darby canine kidney cell lines stably expressing a nephrocystin mutant with a deletion of the Src homology 3 domain have reduced ability to establish tight junctions as measured by transepithelial electrical resistance. Finally, from a two-hybrid screen and coimmunoprecipitation studies we identified members of the filamin family of actin-binding proteins as having the capacity to interact with the NHD. These findings support a functional role for nephrocystin as a docking protein involved in organizing a protein complex to regulate the actin cytoskeleton at sites of epithelial cell-cell adhesion and further suggest that these properties are important for establishing epithelial cell polarity.
The DEAD‐box RNA helicase SrmB is involved in the assembly of 50S ribosomal subunits in Escherichia coli

Ribosome assembly in Escherichia coli involves 54 ribosomal proteins and three RNAs. Whereas functional subunits can be reconstituted in vitro from the isolated components, this process requires long incubation times and high temperatures compared with the in vivo situation, suggesting that non‐ribosomal factors facilitate assembly in vivo. Here, we show that SrmB, a putative DEAD‐box RNA helicase, is involved in ribosome assembly. The deletion of the srmB gene causes a slow‐growth phenotype at low temperature. Polysome profile analyses of the corresponding cells reveal a deficit in free 50S ribosomal subunits and the accumulation of a new particle sedimenting around 40S. Analysis of the ribosomal RNA and protein contents of the 40S particle indicates that it represents a large subunit that is incompletely assembled. In particular, it lacks L13, one of the five ribosomal proteins that are essential for the early assembly step in vitro. Sucrose gradient fractionation also shows that, in wild‐type cells, SrmB associates with a pre50S particle. From our results, we propose that SrmB is involved in an early step of 50S assembly that is necessary for the binding of L13. This step may consist of a structural rearrangement that, at low temperature, cannot occur without the assistance of this putative RNA helicase.
Pregnancy and the prolactin family of hormones: coordination of anterior pituitary, uterine, and placental expression.

I. Introduction SPECIALIZED strategies have evolved for controlling embryonic development. In oviparous species, development of the embryo is dependent upon regulatory factors contained within the egg, whereas embryonic development in mammalian species and some nonmammalian species, viviparity, is more complex, requiring regulatory factors arising from maternal, extraembryonic, and embryonic tissues. Successful maturation of the mammalian embryo is largely dependent upon the functioning of a specialized extraembryonic tissue of pregnancy, the placenta. The placenta is a tissue that develops in concert with the embryo and enables the embryo to have access to and to control the availability of maternal resources. Several essential functions are performed by the placenta: 1) regulation of nutrient and waste transport between maternal and fetal compartments, 2) immunological modulation, preventing rejection of the genetically disparate embryo, and 3) transduction of fetal and maternal signals.
Environmental Kuznets curve: an empirical analysis for carbon dioxide emissions in Egypt

The aim of the study is to address the relationship between environmental degradation and economic growth in Egypt. In this regard, the study examines the relationship between carbon dioxide emissions (CO2), economic growth (real GDP per capita), energy consumption, trade openness and population density employing Johansen cointegration analysis over time series data of 1980-2010. Specifically, the study investigates the existence of Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis, the relationship between CO2 emissions and real GDP per capita. The results of the study confirm the existence of long-run relationship between the variables. In addition, the study does not support the existence of EKC either in the short or the long run. Also, it is concluded that energy consumption is correlated positively with CO2 emissions, while trade openness and population are correlated negatively with it. Granger causality test indicates bilateral causality between economic growth and CO2 emissions and unilateral causality running from economic growth to energy consumption and from trade openness to economic growth. Important policy implications will be recommended based on these results.
The effect of equity and bond issues on sustainability disclosure. Family vs non-family Italian firms

Purpose - This article studies firms’ attitudes to using sustainability reporting in order to facilitate the raising of external capital and the effect of the ultimate controlling owner on disclosure. Design/methodology/approach - A disclosure index is constructed on the basis of sustainability reports, for a sample of 230 Italian listed firms. Empirical analysis is based on panel data models. Findings - Firms are more prone to disclose when they are planning to issue equity/bonds. Family control does not affect disclosure in the case of bond issues but it has a moderating effect in the case of equity issuance. A family CEO, increasing the family’s sense of identification with the business, improves disclosure. Research limitations/implications - Family ownership is the most viable measure to assess its socioemotional-wealth. This catches only the dimension related to family control and influence but it doesn’t take into account other aspects of SEW. Our study focuses on the relation between disclosure and financing choices, it doesn't analyze the relationship between disclosure and the success of equity/bond issues. Practical implications - Family firms should improve their sustainability reporting, especially for firms operating in environmentally-sensitive industries. Sustainability reports could play an effective role as a control mechanism in a firm’s behavior towards the environment, society, employees and consumers. Originality/value - The paper contributes to the studies on sustainability, showing that the nature of ultimate controlling owners and firms’ financing decisions affect disclosure. Moreover, it contributes to family firms literature shedding light on the effect of the family control and sense of identification with the firm on disclosure.