Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification of O-glycan Structures from Chicken Intestinal Mucins Provides Insight into Campylobactor jejuni Pathogenicity*

The Gram-negative bacteria Campylobactor jejuni is the primary bacteria responsible for food poisoning in industrialized countries, and acute diarrheal illness is a leading cause of mortality among children in developing countries. C. jejuni are commensal in chickens. They are particularly abundant in the caecal crypts, and poultry products are commonly infected as a result of cross-contamination during processing. The interactions between C. jejuni and chicken intestinal tissues as well as the pathogenic molecular mechanisms of colonization in humans are unknown, but identifying these factors could provide potential targets to reduce the incidence of campylobacteriosis. Recently, purified chicken intestinal mucin was shown to attenuate adherence and invasion of C. jejuni in the human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line HCT-8 in vitro, and this effect was attributed to mucin O-glycosylation. Mucins from different regions of the chicken intestine inhibited C. jejuni binding and internalization differentially, with large intestine>small intestine>caecum. Here, we use LC-MS to perform a detailed structural analysis of O-glycans released from mucins purified from chicken large intestine, small intestine, and caecum. The O-glycans identified were abundantly sulfated compared with the human intestines, and sulfate moieties were present throughout the chicken intestinal tract. Interestingly, alpha 1–2 linked fucose residues, which have a high binding affinity to C. jejuni, were identified in the small and large intestines. Additionally, N-glycolylneuraminic/N-acetylneuraminic acid containing structures present as Sda-like epitopes were identified in large intestine samples but not small intestine or caecum. O-glycan structural characterization of chicken intestinal mucins provides insights into adherence and invasion properties of C. jejuni, and may offer prospective candidate molecules aimed at reducing the incidence of infection.
Physics-of-Failure, Condition Monitoring, and Prognostics of Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor Modules: A Review

Recent growth of the insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) module market has been driven largely by the increasing demand for an efficient way to control and distribute power in the field of renewable energy, hybrid/electric vehicles, and industrial equipment. For safety-critical and mission-critical applications, the reliability of IGBT modules is still a concern. Understanding the physics-of-failure of IGBT modules has been critical to the development of effective condition monitoring (CM) techniques as well as reliable prognostic methods. This review paper attempts to summarize past developments and recent advances in the area of CM and prognostics for IGBT modules. The improvement in material, fabrication, and structure is described. The CM techniques and prognostic methods proposed in the literature are presented. This paper concludes with recommendations for future research topics in the CM and prognostics areas.
Screening for lead exposure in children in Belize.

OBJECTIVES The objectives of this pilot study were to determine the blood lead levels in children in Belize and to try to relate these findings to demographic variables. METHODS With permission from parents, capillary blood was collected from the fingers of 164 children with an age range of 2 to 8 years, living and attending school in the spring of 2002 in four towns: Belize City, San Pedro, Orange Walk, and Benque Viejo. The sample represents 0.4% of all children in Belize in that age range. Lead levels were analyzed by the method of anodic stripping voltammetry using the ESA LeadCare analyzer. RESULTS The mean blood lead level for the children in the sample was 4.94 micrograms per deciliter (microg/dL) with a standard deviation of 2.46. However, 11 children (7%) had blood lead in the range of 10.1-13.8 microg/dL, which is the level of concern according to guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children living in the large urban centers of Belize City and Orange Walk town had higher lead levels (mean 5.80 and 5.74 microg/dL) than children living in the smaller towns of Benque Viejo and San Pedro (mean 4.17 and 4.63 microg/dL). There were no statistically significant differences between male and female children. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that children in Belize are being exposed to lead and suggest that this pilot study be followed up with a comprehensive study with a larger sample and correlation of the findings to socioeconomic characteristics, to children's behavior, and to the home and school environment.
Recognizing and responding to early psychosis: a qualitative analysis of individual narratives.

OBJECTIVE The ways in which individuals recognize and respond to emerging psychotic illness remain poorly understood. This retrospective study explored when and how individuals recognized changes in themselves and responded to these changes. METHODS This study used qualitative methods to explore when and how 15 individuals recognized changes and identified how they responded. Standardized information on the onset of psychosis was also collected. RESULTS Themes relating to recognizing and responding to emerging psychosis were identified through qualitative analysis of interview transcripts. Themes included normalization, explanatory models, withdrawal, avoiding help, and coming to terms with psychosis. CONCLUSIONS Participants recognized changes in themselves but tended not to understand the observed changes as part of a mental illness. Individuals avoided professional help because of stigma concerns and identified domains of recovery beyond the management of symptoms and medication. Qualitative methods offer a promising strategy for understanding subjective illness experience and suggesting psychosocial treatment approaches.
Design and use of a networked 3D-learning environment: the situated conditions of awareness information

Recent research has to a limited extent explored the situated conditions of different kinds of awareness information in distributed collaborative learning environments. We approach this issue by developing a set of design principles related to a networked 3D-learning environment. The principles constitute the following relationships outlined from socio-cultural perspectives: actor-object, object-object, and actor-actor. In these relationships among students, we illustrate how awareness information is shaped and developed throughout their social interactions during task solving. We conclude by emphasising the importance of meta-communicative actions as part of meaningful knowledge construction in distributed collaboration. In addition, we identify four tensions between the design principles and the actual knowledge construction.
How Sensitive are Seniors to the Price of Prescription Drugs?

This study estimates the demand curve for prescription drugs among elderly Medicare beneficiaries. In contrast to previous work, the current analysis uses a measure of price rather than insurance status as the key explanatory variable to test for seniors' sensitivity to prescription drug price changes. The estimates show that a one percentage point increase in the coinsurance rate implies a 1.01 percent decrease in the number of prescriptions filled and a 0.69 percent decrease in total drug expenditures. This finding indicates that seniors are far more responsive to prescription drug price changes than suggested by studies that examine younger individuals or those that do not control for self-selection into supplemental insurance plans.
A revised approach to patient selection for cardiac resynchronization treatment using multiple asynchrony parameters in Narrow- and Wide-QRS cardiomyopathy causes cardiac reverse remodelling: a single centre non-randomized prospective study.

AIMS Conflicting data exists on the benefit of cardiac resynchronization treatment (CRT) in patients with narrow QRS (Narrow-QRS) cardiomyopathy (CMP). We determined the effect of CRT in patients with CMP and mechanical asynchrony based on a comprehensive assessment by multiple echocardiographic criteria. METHODS AND RESULTS Ninety patients, 65 +/- 16 years, 32 with Narrow-QRS <120 ms and 58 with wide QRS >or=120 ms (Wide-QRS) CMP who met criteria for significant mechanical asynchrony by 15 criteria before CRT were studied. Responders were patients in whom end-systolic volume (ESV) reduced by >or=15% post-CRT. There was no difference in the response to CRT in the Narrow-QRS (ESV 132 +/- 60 to 120 +/- 60 mL, P = 0.02) or Wide-QRS (123 +/- 54 to 102 +/- 50 mL, P < 0.01) groups at 1 +/- 2 month follow-up. A difference of >or=40% in time to peak contraction in a cardiac cycle on tissue velocity imaging between the earliest and the most delayed segment had the best area under curve for response to CRT, 0.71 (0.55-0.85), P = 0.02. Using logistic regression model, delay in mid-posterolateral segment of >or=20% in a cardiac cycle compared with remaining 10 segments was the only predictor of response to CRT in the overall study population. Conclusion In patients with CMP and mechanical asynchrony by multiple criteria, response to CRT in Narrow-QRS group is similar to those with Wide-QRS. Greater than or equal to 40% delay in systolic contraction between 12 left ventricular (LV) segments or >or=20% delay of posterolateral segment to other LV segments predicted CRT response.
Effect of Fiber Concentration on Mechanical and Thermal Properties of a Solder Matrix Fiber Composite Thermal Interface Material

Increased demand on the mechanical and thermal properties on the thermal interface and die attach material creates a demand for materials with tailored material properties. Solder matrix fiber composites (SMFCs) have been shown to address these challenges, but have, so far, required complicated procedures and components. In this paper, we present the fabrication of a new type of SMFC based on commercially available fiber networks infiltrated with Sn–Ag–Cu alloy (SAC305) or indium using equipment for large-volume production. The composite material exhibits similar thermal properties compared to pure solder, and mechanical properties that can be tailored toward specific applications. We also show that the handling properties of the SMFC allows it to be used in process flows where multiple reflow cycles are required and can achieve a well-defined bond line thickness (BLT) and good bonding using fluxless reflow under pressure.
Financial development and poverty reduction: panel data analysis of South Asian countries

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to examine the contribution of financial development to poverty reduction in 11 South Asian developing countries using panel data set over the time period 1990-2012. Design/methodology/approach - – The stationarity properties are checked by using Levin-Lin-Chu and Im-Pesaran-Shin panel unit root tests. The paper applied the Pedroni’s panel co-integration test to examine the existence of long-run relationship. The coefficients of co-integration are examined by fully modified OLS (FMOLS) and the causal link is checked by panel causality test. Findings - – The empirical results of Pedroni co-integration test confirm a long-run relationship between financial development and poverty reduction in South Asian developing economies. The findings of FMOLS method confirm a strong and positive relationship between financial development, trade openness, inflation and poverty reduction. Results of panel causality test indicate that there is a unidirectional causality running from financial development to poverty reduction variable. Research limitations/implications - – The present study recommends appropriate economic and financial reforms focussing on financial inclusion to reduce poverty in selected South Asian economies. Originality/value - – This paper is the first of its kind to empirically examine the causal relationship between financial sector development and poverty reduction in South Asian economies using modern econometric techniques.
Rehabilitation Exoskeletal Robotics

Exoskeletons are wearable robots exhibiting a close cognitive and physical interaction with the human user. These are rigid robotic exoskeletal structures that typically operate alongside human limbs. Scientific and technological work on exoskeletons began in the early 1960s but have only recently been applied to rehabilitation and functional substitution in patients suffering from motor disorders. Key topics for further development of exoskeletons in rehabilitation scenarios include the need for robust human-robot multimodal cognitive interaction, safe and dependable physical interaction, true wearability and portability, and user aspects such as acceptance and usability. This discussion provides an overview of these aspects and draws conclusions regarding potential future research directions in robotic exoskeletons.
Extraction and Degradation of Timothy Pollen Allergen during Simulated in vivo Conditions

Extraction and degradation of timothy pollen in saline has been compared with extraction in nasal secretion and gastric fluid. By measuring the absolute amount of one important allergenic substance by quantitative immunoelectrophoresis and the total allergenic activity by RAST as a function of time it was shown that the allergens were extracted extremely fast and that both the total allergenic activity and the concentration of one allergen readied maximum after about 20 min. Compared with saline, extraction under the simulated in vivo conditions gave a lower maximum level and a faster degradation of allergens.
Celiac disease and autoimmune thyroid diseases

Celiac disease (CD) is a disease that characterized with small intestinal injury by the ingestion of gluten, the major protein of wheat and similar grains in genetically predisposed persons. The clinical presentation may be seen in a wide spectrum from severe malabsorption syndromes to silent asymptomatic cases. Diagnosis of celiac disease requires the finding of a typical mucosal lesion from small bowel biopsy such as villous atrophy and crypt hypertrophy and recovery of the histological findings and clinical improvement after introduction of gluten free diet. The occurrence of antibodies supports the diagnosis of celiac disease. Prevalence of other autoimmune diseases, including autoimmune thyroid diseases, has been reported to be higher than controls. The coexistence of autoimmune thyroid disease and celiac disease may related to genetic predisposition. Thus evaluation of CD patients for thyroid disorders may improve CD patients’ quality of life and may be important in their clinical management. Patients diagnosed with autoimmune diseases may develop other autoimmune disorders related with different organ systems in consequent years. Clinicians should be aware of this issue and evaluate patients’ for concomitant endocrinopathies.
Pharmacological Prevention and Treatment of Acute Pancreatitis: Where Are We Now?

Acute pancreatitis is a disease of increasing prevalence, unchanged mortality over many decades, and limited treatment strategies. Progress has been made in developing therapies that reduce the rate of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-associated pancreatitis and in preventing infected pancreatic necrosis with intravenous carbapenems. Attempts at reducing pancreatic enzyme output or inhibiting the activity of digestive enzyme proteases have not yielded encouraging results – nor have anti-inflammatory strategies for the treatment of acute pancreatitis been found to be effective so far. Future therapeutic options that are presently being developed or under investigation attempt to restore pancreatic secretory function, interfere with inflammatory pathways in a more effective manner, or inhibit digestive enzyme proteases more selectively.
Risk factors and predisposing conditions for urinary tract infection

Understanding individual and population-specific risk factors associated with recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) can help physicians tailor prophylactic strategies. Frequent intercourse, vulvovaginal atrophy, change of the local bacterial flora, history of UTIs during premenopause or in childhood, family history, and a nonsecretor blood type are substantiated risk factors for recurrent uncomplicated UTIs. This is a narrative review based on relevant literature according to the experience and expertise of the authors. Asymptomatic bacteriuria is generally benign; however, during pregnancy it is more common and is associated with an increased likelihood of symptomatic infection, which may harm the mother or fetus. Screening of pregnant women and appropriate treatment with antimicrobials must be balanced with the potential for adverse treatment-related outcomes; appropriate prophylaxis should be considered where possible. High-quality data are currently lacking on risks related to asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy and further data in this hard-to-study population should be a primary concern for researchers. Incomplete voiding represents the primary risk factor for UTIs associated with conditions such as urinary incontinence and prolapse. Correcting the presence of residual urine remains the most effective prophylaxis in these populations. Bladder function alters throughout life; however, changes in function may be particularly profound in clinical populations at high risk of UTIs. Patients with neurogenic bladder will also likely have other evolving medical issues which increase the risk of UTIs, such as repeated catheterization and increasing residual urine volume. More aggressive antimicrobial prophylactic strategies may be appropriate in these patients. Again, the paucity of data on prophylaxis in these high-risk patients requires the attention of the research community.
Temporary exposure of prepubertal, somatically-mature broiler breeder females to stimulatory photoperiods

1. Individually-caged Ross 308 broiler breeders were transferred temporarily at 147 d from 8 to 14-h photoperiods and back to 8 h at 5-d intervals from 5 to 25 d and at 32 d. Control birds were maintained on 8 h or transferred permanently to 14 h. 2. Five long days had minimal effect on age at first egg, between 10 and 25 long days progressively accelerated sexual development, and maximum advance was achieved by 32 long days. However, a model involving the ogive of a normal distribution with a mean of 14 long days and an SD of 5.3 indicated that 28 long days would be sufficient to maximise sexual development. 3. The similarity of this model for broiler breeders with one previously produced for egg-type pullets suggested a common physiological mechanism for photosexual responses to two opposing changes in photoperiod.
Meta-Analysis of Gender Differences in Self-Compassion

While research suggests strong associations of self-compassion with mental health and well-being, gender norms may hinder the development of self-compassion by women on one hand, and men on the other. This study represents one of the first systematic analyses of potential gender differences in self-compassion using meta-analytic techniques, including whether such gender differences are moderated by age or ethnic minority status. Fixed-effects models were used to estimate the average effect size (ES) of gender differences in self-compassion scores across 71 journal articles and dissertations providing a total of 88 estimates. Results revealed that males had slightly higher levels of self-compassion than females, with a small ES observed (d = .18). This difference was larger in samples with a higher percentage of ethnic minorities. Researchers and practitioners should take these group differences into account in future studies and interventions focused on self-compassion, while not overemphasizing gender differences in self-compassion as being large in size.
Der Momentum-Effekt und Momentum-Handelsstrategien

The dissertation demonstrates Momentum returns for European equities of between 6 and 19% annually depending on the top/flop percentage in the period from 1991 to 2010. At the same time high standard deviations, negative skewness and high drawdowns are shown to be three major risk factors. For the core analysis of a 5% top/flop value the highest Momentum returns of more than 10% annually occur for ranking periods of 80 to 100 and holding periods of 60 to 90 trading days. Basically, stocks with the most extreme of returns in the ranking period are essential for the occurence of the Momentum Effect. At the same time, with increasing confinement of the top/flop value risks increase, suggesting an explanation of high Momentum returns from the perspective of Risk Aversion Theory. Also, additional filter conditions (moving averages, trading volume, low volatility) allow slightly higher momentum returns at correspondingly higher risks. However, there is no clear correlation between the Momentum Effect and the occurrence of overnight gaps. For practical use momentum strategies with dynamic position management implemented during the holding period are of particular interest. Strategies examined are based on the specially programmed simulation methods Stopout and Castout as well as a combined procedure. As a result, depending on the preferences of the investor, the Castout and the combined method are optimal. As for the rebalancing of the portfolios, it is advisable to reset only the short side to the initial value at the respective dates. Furthermore, the studies show that significantly overweighting the long portfolio in Momentum strategies is generally advantageous. Potential improvements in the results may be achieved by an increase in stop distances, a reduction in the top/flop percentage or an increase in the length of the ranking period. Furthermore, of particular interest for practical application are long-only strategies based on double sort methods in which the secondary ranking is carried out by standard deviation or return/standard devation ratio.
A Resistorless Low-Power Voltage Reference

A novel low-power temperature-stable voltage reference without resistors is presented in this brief, which is compatible with standard CMOS technology. In order to reduce the temperature nonlinearity in the proposed voltage reference, threshold voltage and a proportional-to-absolute-temperature voltage form the basic linear-temperature components, which are achieved by resistorless threshold voltage extractor and asymmetric differential difference amplifier. Moreover, a self-biased current source with feedback is used to provide stable bias currents for the whole voltage reference, which can improve the power-supply noise attenuation (PSNA) with reduced current mirror errors. Verification results of the proposed voltage reference implemented with 0.18-μm CMOS technology demonstrate that the temperature coefficient of 14.1 ppm/°C with a temperature range of -20°C to 80 °C is obtained at 1.35-V power supply, and a PSNA of 75.7 dB is achieved without any filtering capacitor while dissipating a maximum supply current of 880 nA. The active area is 115 μm × 130 μm.
The “star-sign” in magnetic resonance enteroclysis: A characteristic finding of internal fistulae in Crohn's disease

Clinical symptoms in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) and internal fistulae (IFs) may be unspecific [1] and require further diagnostic investigations such as laboratory findings, endoscopic and imaging studies. Although barium contrast radiography and computed tomography (CT) are considered the imaging gold standard, reported sensitivities of barium studies for IFs are low (51 /68%) [2,3]. Magnetic resonance enteroclysis (MRE) is a promising technique in the diagnosis of CD and its complications [4,5]. To date, the imaging characteristics for IF in MRE have not been analyzed in detail. The present study is the first to address and describe typical imaging findings of IF in MRE.