Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reduced Nasal Viral Load and IFN Responses in Infants with Respiratory Syncytial Virus Bronchiolitis and Respiratory Failure

Rationale: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in infancy. Severe disease is believed to result from uncontrolled viral replication, an excessive immune response, or both. Objectives: To determine RSV load and immune mediator levels in nasal mucosal lining fluid by serial sampling of nasal fluids from cases of moderate and severe bronchiolitis over the course of infection. Methods: Infants with viral bronchiolitis necessitating admission (n = 55) were recruited from a pediatric center during 2016 and 2017. Of these, 30 were RSV infected (18 “moderate” and 12 mechanically ventilated “severe”). Nasal fluids were sampled frequently over time using nasosorption devices and nasopharyngeal aspiration. Hierarchical clustering of time‐weighted averages was performed to investigate cytokine and chemokine levels, and gene expression profiling was conducted. Measurements and Main Results: Unexpectedly, cases with severe RSV bronchiolitis had lower nasal viral loads and reduced IFN‐&ggr; and C‐C chemokine ligand 5/RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted) levels than those with moderate disease, especially when allowance was made for disease duration (all P < 0.05). Reduced cytokine/chemokine levels in severe disease were also seen in children with other viral infections. Gene expression analysis of nasopharyngeal aspiration samples (n = 43) confirmed reduced type‐I IFN gene expression in severe bronchiolitis accompanied by enhanced expression of MUC5AC and IL17A. Conclusions: Infants with severe RSV bronchiolitis have lower nasal viral load, CXCL10 (C‐X‐C motif chemokine ligand 10)/IP‐10, and type‐I IFN levels than moderately ill children, but enhanced MUC5AC (mucin‐5AC) and IL17A gene expression in nasal cells.
A novel naturally occurring hybrid gene encoded by a plant RNA virus facilitates long distance virus movement.

We recently identified a new cucumovirus‐specific gene (2b) which is encoded by RNA 2 of the cucumber mosaic cucumovirus (CMV) tripartite RNA genome and whose coding sequence overlaps the C‐terminal 69 codons of ORF 2a encoding the RNA polymerase protein. We have now found that although a CMV mutant lacking ORF 2b accumulated in the inoculated cotyledons of cucumber plants, it was unable to spread systemically, demonstrating involvement of 2b in long distance movement. The same mutant infected tobacco systemically with a much reduced virulence and delayed appearance of symptoms, indicating that 2b may contribute to long distance movement in this host. Deletion of the overlapping C‐terminal part of ORF 2a did not change infectivity of the mutant in either host species, ruling out 2a mutation as the reason for the change of phenotype. Further infectivity studies with mutants containing partial deletions in ORF 2b further supported the conclusion that 2b encodes a host‐specific long distance movement function. Sequence analysis revealed that 2b may represent a novel naturally occurring hybrid gene important to the evolutionary formation of the cucumovirus group and that it could provide a genetic basis for the wide host range of these viruses.
Effect of Inflation on the Growth and Development of the Nigerian Economy (An Empirical Analysis)

This paper investigates the impact of inflation on economic growth and development in Nigeria between 19702010 through the application of Augmented Dickey-Fuller technique in testing the unit root property of the series and Granger causality test of causation between GDP and inflation. The results of unit root suggest that all the variables in the model are stationary and the results of Causality suggest that GDP causes inflation and not inflation causing GDP. The results also revealed that inflation possessed a positive impact on economic growth through encouraging productivity and output level and on evolution of total factor productivity. A good performance of an economy in terms of per capita growth may therefore be attributed to the rate of inflation in the country. A major policy implication of this result is that concerted effort should be made by policy makers to increase the level of output in Nigeria by improving productivity/supply in order to reduce the prices of goods and services (inflation) so as to boost the growth of the economy. Inflation can only be reduced to the barest minimum by increasing output level (GDP).
Sharing My Way Or Your Way? Institutional Alignment of Ideological Tensions and Justice Narratives Within a Sharing Community

Sharing is driven by different and partly contradicting ideologies such as ecological, social and capitalist point of views. By the means of an ethnographic approach we investigate how institutional structures align those ideologies within a sharing community and advance understanding of ideology and justice in the field of consumer behavior. Extended Abstract Gift-exchanges, sharing and alternative markets as they can be observed within the “new sharing economy” (Botsman & Rogers, 2011) flourish all over the world. Recent research has pointed out the nuances of sharing and proposed classification and distinctions of sharing (Russell Belk, 2010). However, the distinction between sharing, gift-giving and pseudosharing (Russel Belk, 2014) is oftentimes blurry as sharing communities tend to act as a nexus of different ideological orientations. In popular media but also in academic accounts, sharing is displayed as a panaceum in a hyper consumerist world: It is not only seen as pro-social (Belk, 2010), but moreover associated with an environmentally friendly lifestyle (Botsman & Rogers, 2011) that fosters an efficient use of existing resources. From this perspective on sharing, the ideals of pro-sociality and sustainability go hand in hand. In addition to ideals of sustainability and pro-sociality, sharing also accommodates capitalist ideals. Indeed, the “new sharing economy” has brought forward numerous new business models (e.g., car-sharing, peer-to-peer rental) that outperform traditional businesses through their efficiency and profit margins. Ideologies
Effects of the non‐peptide, non‐selective endothelin antagonist, bosentan, on regional haemodynamic responses to NG‐monomethyl‐L‐arginine in conscious rats

1 Male, Long Evans rats (350–450 g) were chronically instrumented to allow monitoring of mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate and changes in renal, mesenteric and hindquarters haemodynamics. In the first experiment, animals (n = 8) were given a bolus i.v. injection of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, NG‐monomethyl‐L‐arginine hydrochloride (L‐NMMA; 30 mg kg−1) on four consecutive days. Fifteen min prior to L‐NMMA administration on the fourth day, the endothelin, ETA‐, ETB‐receptor antagonist, bosentan, was injected (30 mg kg−1, i.v.). Relative to the response on the third day, bosentan caused 33±4%, 24±3%, 14±3%, and 18±5% inhibition of the pressor, and renal, mesenteric and hindquarters vasoconstrictor effects of L‐NMMA, respectively. 2 In the second experiment, bosentan was given 15 min before L‐NMMA in a group of rats (n = 6) which had not received L‐NMMA previously. Relative to the responses to L‐NMMA on the first day in the previous experiment, bosentan caused a 30%, 24%, 18% and 27% inhibition of the pressor, and renal, mesenteric and hindquarters vasoconstrictor effects of L‐NMMA, respectively. 3 The results indicate a significant contribution from endothelin to the haemodynamic effects of L‐NMMA in conscious rats. However, since our previous studies have shown the renin‐angiotensin and sympathoadrenal systems are not involved, it is likely that the major component of the cardiovascular response to L‐NMMA in conscious rats is due to loss of vasodilator action of endothelial nitric oxide.
“The Worst Thing Was…”: Prostate Cancer Patients’ Evaluations of Their Diagnosis and Treatment Experiences

The objective of the current study was to identify the patient-perceived “worst aspects” of their diagnostic and treatment processes for prostate cancer (PCa) so as to inform targeted interventions aimed at reducing patient anxiety and depression. Two hundred and fifty-two patients who had received their diagnoses less than 8 years ago answered a postal survey about (a) background information, (b) their own descriptions of the worst aspects of their diagnosis and treatment, and (c) their ratings of 13 aspects of that process for (i) how these aspects made them feel stressed, anxious, and depressed and (ii) how they affected their relationships with significant others. They also answered standardized scales of anxiety and depression. The worst aspects reported by patients were receiving the initial diagnosis of PCa, plus the unknown outcome of that diagnosis, because of the possibility of death, loss of quality of life and/or partner, and the shock of the diagnosis. The most common coping strategy was to “just deal with it,” but participants also thought that more information would help. Principal contributors to feeling stressed, anxious, and depressed were also the diagnosis itself, followed by surgery treatment effects. The aspects that most affected relationships were receiving the diagnosis and the side effects of hormone therapy. The identification of these specific worst aspects of the PCa experience provides a set of potential treatment and prevention “targets” for psychosocial care in PCa patients.
The Pathology of Peracute Experimental Clostridium Perfringens Type D Enterotoxemia in Sheep

The pathological findings in sheep with peracute experimental Clostridium perfringens type D enterotoxemia are described. Of 16 animals inoculated intraduodenally with a whole culture of this microorganism and a starch solution in the abomasum, 12 developed clinical signs including increased respiratory efforts, recumbency, paddling, bleating, convulsions, blindness, and opisthotonus. Diarrhea was not observed in any of the animals. The time lapse between the beginning of intraduodenal infusion and onset of clinical signs varied between 30 minutes and 26 hours, and the clinical course varied between 1 and 9 hours. Gross postmortem changes were observed in these 12 animals and included pulmonary edema; excess pericardial, peritoneal, or pleural fluid with or without strands of fibrin; liquid small intestinal contents; leptomeningeal edema; cerebellar coning; and subcapsular petechiae on kidneys. Histological changes consisted of severe edema of pleura and interlobular septa and around blood vessels and airways and acidophilic, homogeneous, proteinaceous perivascular edema in the brain. Five of 12 animals (42%) with clinical signs consistent with enterotoxemia lacked specific histological lesions in the brain. None of the intoxicated or control animals developed nephrosis. Glucose was detected in the urine of 3 of 6 animals that were tested for this analyte. These results stress the importance of the use of histological examination of the brain, coupled with epsilon toxin detection, for a definitive diagnosis of C. perfringens type D enterotoxemia in sheep.
Sectoral Productivity Gaps and Aggregate Productivity

Abstract The paper examines the aggregate impact of misallocation measured using gaps in labor productivity across sectors. A simple model of resource allocation is used to quantify the effect in which the gaps arise due to distortions in the form of asymmetrical taxes on hiring labor across sectors. From a development accounting approach, the gains from eliminating distortions are meager and are not consequential in accounting for cross-country variation in incomes. Nevertheless, the gains for some countries rival the growth that they have accumulated over several years. Of the 87 countries in the sample, the changes in distortions over time exert a net negative impact in 45 countries instead of providing tailwinds to growth. Changes in distortions account for just under 5.6% of the total growth when aiding growth. In turn, the output drag represents 3.4% of the actual growth on average for the sub-sample in which distortions yield a net negative effect. The move towards allocative efficiency bears a positive association with the quality of institutions.
Investigating non-visitors’ intentions to travel to a long-haul holiday destination

This article aims to expand our understanding of the main drivers of traveler’s intention to visit a long-haul holiday destination drawing on a model of consumer-based brand equity. The authors propose and test a conceptual model using data from a sample of 152 Chilean travelers who have not visited Australia previously. The findings show that the image and value of Australia are positively and significantly related to Chilean traveler’s intention to visit this destination for holidays. Awareness of Australia has only an indirect effect on intentions to visit this destination through its effect on brand image. Finally, perceptions of brand quality were not significantly related to Chilean traveler’s intention to visit Australia for holidays. This study contributes to the tourism and leisure literature by identifying the main drivers for attracting long-haul potential travelers who have not visited the destination previously.
Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Clinical Consequences of Recurrent Activation of a Rapid Response Team: A Multicenter Observational Study

Introduction: Rapid response teams (RRTs) are groups of health-care providers, implemented by hospitals to respond to distressed hospitalized patients on the hospital wards. Patients assessed by the RRT for deterioration may be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) or may be triaged to remain on the wards, putting them at risk of recurrent deterioration and repeat RRT activation. Previous studies evaluating outcomes of patients with recurrent deterioration and multiple RRT activations have produced conflicting results. Methods: We used a prospectively collected multicenter registry from 2 hospitals within a single tertiary-level hospital system between 2012 and 2016. Comparisons were made between patients with a single RRT activation and those with multiple RRT activations over the course of their admission. Primary outcome was in-hospital mortality, which was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. Results: A total of 5995 patients who had any RRT activation were analyzed. Of that, 1183 (19.7%) patients had recurrent deterioration and multiple RRT activations during their admission. Risk factors for recurrent deterioration included admission from a home setting (as opposed to a long-term care facility), RRT activation during nighttime hours, and delay (>1 hour) to RRT activation. Recurrent deterioration was associated with increased odds of mortality (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.44 [1.28-1.64], P = <.001). Increasing number of RRT activations were associated with increasing risk of mortality. Patients with recurrent deterioration had prolonged median hospital length of stay (21.0 days vs 12.0 days, P < .001), while patients with only a single activation were more likely to be admitted to the ICU (adjusted OR: 2.30 [1.96-2.70], P < .001). Conclusions: Recurrent deteriorations leading to RRT activations among hospitalized patients are associated with increased odds of mortality and prolonged hospital length of stay. This work identifies a group of patients who warrant closer attention to help reduce adverse outcomes.
Effective Masking Levels for Bone Conduction Auditory Steady State Responses in Infants and Adults Run down Normal Hearing

Objective: To obtain ear-specific bone conduction thresholds, masking of the nontest ear is often required. Bone conduction masking has not been formally investigated for infants assessed physiologically. The objective of this study was to determine effective masking levels (EMLs) for auditory steady state responses (ASSRs) elicited by bone-conducted stimuli in a group of normal-hearing infants and adults. Design: Participants were 15 infants younger than 6 mo and 15 adults, all with normal hearing. EML was defined as the lowest level of a binaural air-conducted masker that resulted in absent bone conduction ASSRs. Stimuli were single bone-conducted tones that were 100% amplitude modulated and 25% frequency modulated at 85 and 101 for 1000 and 4000 Hz, respectively. The stimuli were calibrated in dB HL (ANSI S3.6-1996) and expressed in dB HL or dB SL (dB relative to mean bone conduction ASSR thresholds reported in a previous study). The maskers were 1 and 4 kHz narrowband noise generated by a clinical audiometer. Unmasked and masked ASSRs were obtained for each participant. Real ear-to-coupler differences (RECDs) were also obtained for each participant and were used to convert masker dB SPL measured in the coupler to dB SPL in the individual ear canal. Results: Infant EMLs for ASSRs elicited to bone-conducted stimuli in dB HL were 6 to 7 dB higher and 8 to 10 dB lower for 1000 and 4000 Hz, respectively, compared with adults. When masker was adjusted for RECDs, infant EMLs were 12 dB higher at 1000 Hz and similar at 4000 Hz compared with adults. When the stimulus levels were corrected for the mean differences in ASSR bone conduction thresholds between infants and adults and the masker levels adjusted for RECDs, infants had lower EMLs at 1000 Hz and equal EMLs at 4000 Hz, in comparison to adults. Frequency- and level-dependent effects on ASSR amplitude due to masking were found and differed between infants and adults. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that there are frequency- and level-dependent infant–adult differences in EMLs for bone conduction ASSRs and confirm that a 1000 Hz stimulus is 12 dB more effective for infants compared with adults. The following infant preliminary masking levels for bone conduction stimuli are recommended: (i) 1000 Hz: 48 and 58 dB SPL at 15 and 25 dB HL, respectively, and (ii) 4000 Hz: 40 and 45 dB SPL at 25 and 35 dB HL, respectively.
Enhanced diastolic reflections on arterial pressure pulse during exercise recovery

During recovery from a maximal or submaximal aerobic exercise, augmentation of central (aortic) systolic pressure by reflected pressure waves is blunted in healthy humans. However, the extent to which reflected pressure waves modify the central pulse in diastole in these conditions remains unknown. We evaluated systolic and diastolic central reflected waves in 11 endurance‐trained athletes on recovery from a maximal running test on a treadmill (treadmill‐max) and a 4000 m run in field conditions. On both occasions in each subject, the radial pulse was recorded with applanation tonometry in the resting preexercise state and then 5, 15, 25, 35, and 45 min after exercise termination. From the central waveform, as reconstructed by application of a generalized transfer function, we computed a systolic (AIx) and a diastolic index (AId) of pressure augmentation by reflections. At 5 min, both indices were below preexercise. At further time‐points, AIx remained low, while AId progressively increased, to overshoot above preexercise at 45 min. The same behavior was observed with both exercise types. Beyond the first few minutes of recovery following either maximal or submaximal aerobic exercise, reflected waves selectively augment the central pressure pulse in diastole, at least in endurance‐trained athletes.
Properties of R Plasmids Determining Gentamicin Resistance by Acetylation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Two clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, one a pyocin type 5 strain from Atlanta, could transfer gentamicin resistance by conjugation. Donor and recipient strains inactivated gentamicin by acetylation. The R plasmids, pMG1 and pMG2, also determined resistance to sisomicin, another substrate of gentamicin acetyltransferase I, sulfonamides, and streptomycin, but not resistance to kanamycin, neomycin, tobramycin, butirosin, or BB-K 8. They were transmissible to many strains of P. aeruginosa, including a Rec− strain, but not to Escherichia coli or other enterobacteriaceae. These R plasmids were compatible with R plasmids transmissible to P. aeruginosa from E. coli, including members of C, N, P, and W incompatibility groups. From a strain carrying pMG1 and a compatible plasmid, pMG1 was transferred independently but transfer of the second plasmid often resulted in cotransfer of pMG1. In contrast, pMG1 and pMG2 were incompatible with pseudomonas R plasmids R931 and R3108, and with R931 they readily formed recombinant plasmids. The four plasmids in this incompatibility group determine additional biological properties, including resistance to inorganic and organic mercury compounds, to ultraviolet light, and to certain deoxyribonucleic acid phages. pMG1 and pMG2 also phenotypically inhibited pyocin production. Consequently such R plasmids alter the phage and pyocin types of their host strains.
Critical Factors of Cloud Computing Adoption in Organizations: An Empirical Study

Using extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this study attempts to assess empirically crucial factors affecting cloud computing adoption intentions. It explores security, availability and compliance-related challenges in cloud computing and makes the necessary recommendation which can help to mitigate the risk in cloud computing. A framework was developed to test the effect of security, availability of cloud service provider and compliance-related factors on cloud computing adoption intentions mediated by perceived ease of use (PEOU) and perceived usefulness (PU). A questionnaire for the factors was developed to collect the data from 280 companies in information technology, manufacturing and finance sectors in India. The data was analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Further, structural equation modelling using AMOS 20.0 was used to test the proposed model. The empirical results show that cloud computing adoption intention is determined by PU and PEOU. Further, PU is found to be significantly influenced by PEOU. Risk as well as availability and support are found to be significant on PEOU. In addition, threat, risk, vulnerability and compliance are found to be significant on PU. The model can be used as a guideline to ensure a positive outcome of the cloud computing adoption in organizations. The findings offer cloud computing users with a better understanding of how security, availability of cloud service provider and compliance-related factors affect cloud computing adoption intentions. It also provides relevant recommendations to achieve conducive implementation environment for cloud computing adoption. This study is an attempt to explore and develop model for cloud computing adoption intentions that was theoretically grounded in the TAM.