Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Shared governance arrangements and social connectivity: advancing large-scale coastal and marine conservation initiatives in the Dominican Republic

ABSTRACT Increasingly, large-scale conservation initiatives (e.g. through protected area networks and transboundary connectivity initiatives) are growing in prevalence as their diverse sustainability benefits are further understood. Conventional, centralized approaches to conservation, often featuring unconnected discrete ‘patches’, are no longer sufficient for achieving effective, long-term protection. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of how to achieve effective large-scale conservation initiatives by addressing the following objectives: (1) To assess the degree to which local actors are involved in coastal and marine conservation practices, with a focus on large-scale conservation initiatives (LCIs); and, (2) To identify barriers and opportunities for achieving effective large-scale conservation. This paper presents findings from research in the Dominican Republic where social-ecological components of coastal and marine systems are considered from multiple perspectives to advance management and increase effectiveness of LCIs. Data were acquired through semi-structured interviews with 35 coastal and marine actors (e.g. fishers, ministers, non-governmental organizations, practitioners, academics) working at local to international scales. Interview data were analysed through thematic coding using QSR-Nvivo 12 software. Respondents expressed that non-governmental actors (e.g. private organizations, coastal communities) should have an increased role in developing, implementing and managing coastal and marine LCIs. Additionally, respondents commented on strategies to enhance social connectivity (i.e. sharing experiences, programs and expertise) within coastal and marine practices to enhance effectiveness and facilitate learning. Findings contribute to the understanding of complex coastal and marine social-ecological systems of the Dominican Republic and provide further support for involving multiple actors in governance processes.
Cost-effectiveness of telaprevir in combination with pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin in treatment-experienced chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 patients

Abstract Background: Telaprevir (TVR,T) and boceprevir (BOC,B) are direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) used for the treatment of chronic genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This analysis evaluated the cost-effectiveness of TVR combined with pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN) alfa-2a plus ribavirin (RBV) compared with Peg-IFN alfa-2a and RBV (PR) alone or BOC plus Peg-IFN alfa-2b and RBV in treatment-experienced patients. Methods: A Markov cohort model of chronic genotype 1 HCV disease progression reflected the pathway of experienced patients retreated with DAA therapy. The population was stratified by previous response to treatment (i.e., previous relapsers, partial responders, and null responders). Sustained virologic response (SVR) rates were derived from a mixed-treatment comparison that included results from separate Phase III trials of TVR and BOC. Incremental cost per life year (LY) gained and quality-adjusted-life-year (QALY) gained were computed at lifetime, adopting the NHS perspective. Costs and health outcomes were discounted at 3.5%. Uncertainty was assessed using deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Sub-group analyses were carried out by interleukin (IL)-28B genotype. Results: Higher costs and improved outcomes were associated with T/PR relative to PR alone for all experienced patients (ICER of £6079). T/PR was cost-effective for each sub-group population with high SVR advantage in relapsers (ICER of £2658 vs £7593 and £20,875 for partial and null responders). T/PR remained cost-effective regardless of IL-28B sub-type. Compared to B/PR, T/PR prolonged QALYs by 0.57 and reduced lifetime costs by £13,960 for relapsers. For partial responders T/PR was less costly but less efficacious than B/PR, equating to an ICER of £128,117 per QALY gained. Limitations: No head-to-head trial provides direct evidence of better efficacy of T/PR vs B/PR. Conclusion: T/PR is cost-effective compared with PR alone in experienced patients regardless of treatment history and IL-28B genotype. Compared to B/PR, T/PR is always cost-saving but only more effective in relapsers.
Smallmouth Bass Summer Habitat Use, Movement, and Survival in Response to Low Flow in the Illinois Bayou, Arkansas

Abstract The southwestern edge of the natural range of smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu contains streams that become disconnected pools during summer primarily owing to hydrogeologic conditions, including high evapotranspiration rates. These conditions may complicate fisheries management by affecting fish behavior or mortality rates. The objectives of this study were to characterize summer habitat use by smallmouth bass, estimate the changes in the extent of available habitat, describe summer movement patterns, and estimate summer survival rates. Radio transmitters were implanted into 60 smallmouth bass during May 2006, and the fish were tracked until October in the forks of the Illinois Bayou, which drains a portion of the Ozark National Forest. Habitat characteristics were measured as the summer progressed, and during this time most riffle–run habitat dried completely, resulting in a series of disconnected pools. The decreases in wetted area exceeded 55% in certain 2-km study reaches; however, small.
Ownership Structure and Productivity of Multinationals

We examine the ownership structure and productivity of multinational affiliates and their effects on domestic industry. We first separate plant-level efficiency into a physical productivity and a price component. Multinationals target plants with high prices and markups. Upon acquisition they raise physical productivity but lower prices, leaving markups unchanged, especially when they are majority owners. This pro-competitive effect means that multinationals' productivity effects may be previously under-estimated. Multinational presence in an industry increases physical productivity while lowering prices at domestic firms, especially when majority-owned affiliates are present. Ownership structure and foreign acquisitions therefore play an important role in driving aggregate productivity growth.
Transcription of the Herpes Simplex Virus Genome in Human Cells

We have examined the details of the transcription of the herpes simplex virus (HSV) genome in HeLa cells using deoxyribonucleic acid-ribonucleic acid (DNA-RNA) hybridization. The following findings are reported. (i) Virus-specific RNA (vRNA) synthesized following onset of HSV-DNA replication (L-vRNA) is complementary to as much as 90% of the HSV genome. (ii) There is no significant class of virus-specific RNA synthesized later than L-vRNA. (iii) The vRNA synthesized prior to HSV-DNA replication (E-vRNA) is composed of two classes; one class comprising 75% of the total E-vRNA is found in large amounts as early as 45 min after infection, whereas the other class making up the other 25% of E-vRNA is found in only small amounts at 1.5 hr after infection. This second class of E-vRNA is found in amounts comparable to the first by 3.5 hr after infection. (iv) Inhibition of HSV-DNA synthesis results in the continued synthesis of E-vRNA, but there is no synthesis of L-vRNA. (v) Finally, there is no class of vRNA found in the nucleus that is not found associated with cytoplasmic polyribosomes either early or late after infection.
Regulation of Human β-Defensins by Gastric Epithelial Cells in Response to Infection with Helicobacter pylori or Stimulation with Interleukin-1

ABSTRACT Gastric epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo are shown to constitutively express the peptide antibiotic human β-defensin type 1 (hBD-1). In contrast, hBD-2 expression is regulated in gastric epithelial cells and increases in response to infection withHelicobacter pylori or stimulation with the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1. These data suggest that hBD-2 is a component of the regulated host gastric epithelial cell response to H. pylori infection and proinflammatory mediators.
Epitope-Blocking Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays for Detection of West Nile Virus Antibodies in Domestic Mammals

ABSTRACT We evaluated the ability of epitope-blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) to detect West Nile virus (WNV) antibodies in domestic mammals. Sera were collected from experimentally infected horses, cats, and pigs at regular intervals and screened in ELISAs and plaque reduction neutralization tests. The diagnostic efficacies of these techniques were similar.
pING Family of Conjugative Plasmids from the Extremely Thermophilic Archaeon Sulfolobus islandicus: Insights into Recombination and Conjugation in Crenarchaeota

ABSTRACT A novel family of conjugative plasmids from Sulfolobuscomprising the active variants pING1, -4, and -6 and the functionally defective variants pING2 and -3, which require the help of an active variant for spreading, has been extensively characterized both functionally and molecularly. In view of the sparse similarity between bacterial and archaeal conjugation and the lack of a practical genetic system for Sulfolobus, we compared the functions and sequences of these variants and the previously described archaeal conjugative plasmid pNOB8 in order to identify open reading frames (ORFs) and DNA sequences that are involved in conjugative transfer and maintenance of these plasmids in Sulfolobus. The variants pING4 and -6 are reproducibly derived from pING1 in vivo by successive transpositions of an element from the Sulfolobus genome. The small defective but mobile variants pING2 and -3, which both lack a cluster of highly conserved ORFs probably involved in plasmid transfer, were shown to be formed in vivo by recombinative deletion of the larger part of the genomes of pING4 and pING6, respectively. The efficient occurrence of these recombination processes is further evidence for the striking plasticity of the Sulfolobus genome.
Thorough investigation of the third current harmonic in delta-connected induction motors suffering from a stator inter-turn fault

It has been noted in previous works that, when there is a stator inter-turn fault, the third current harmonic increases in the line current frequency spectrum offering diagnostic potential. This phenomenon has been given many explanations in the past. Many causes have been reported that may produce and influence the third current harmonic, such as saturation, manufacturing imbalances, supply asymmetries, etc. This paper constitutes an effort to analyze and evaluate previous knowledge regarding the third line current harmonic in induction motors suffering from a stator inter-turn fault. The work is carried out with Finite Element Analysis (FEM). In this investigation, FEM is a valuable tool, because it allows the investigation of each parameter's influence on the third current harmonic, independently from the others.
Vertical structure and physical processes of the Madden‐Julian oscillation: Exploring key model physics in climate simulations

Aimed at reducing deficiencies in representing the Madden‐Julian oscillation (MJO) in general circulation models (GCMs), a global model evaluation project on vertical structure and physical processes of the MJO was coordinated. In this paper, results from the climate simulation component of this project are reported. It is shown that the MJO remains a great challenge in these latest generation GCMs. The systematic eastward propagation of the MJO is only well simulated in about one fourth of the total participating models. The observed vertical westward tilt with altitude of the MJO is well simulated in good MJO models but not in the poor ones. Damped Kelvin wave responses to the east of convection in the lower troposphere could be responsible for the missing MJO preconditioning process in these poor MJO models. Several process‐oriented diagnostics were conducted to discriminate key processes for realistic MJO simulations. While large‐scale rainfall partition and low‐level mean zonal winds over the Indo‐Pacific in a model are not found to be closely associated with its MJO skill, two metrics, including the low‐level relative humidity difference between high‐ and low‐rain events and seasonal mean gross moist stability, exhibit statistically significant correlations with the MJO performance. It is further indicated that increased cloud‐radiative feedback tends to be associated with reduced amplitude of intraseasonal variability, which is incompatible with the radiative instability theory previously proposed for the MJO. Results in this study confirm that inclusion of air‐sea interaction can lead to significant improvement in simulating the MJO.
Innovation network

Significance We describe the strength and importance of the innovation network that links patenting technology fields together. We quantify that technological advances spill out of individual fields and enrich the work of neighboring technologies, but these spillovers are also localized and not universal. Thus, innovation advances in one part of the network can significantly impact nearby disciplines but rarely those very far away. We verify the strength and stable importance of the innovation network by showing how past innovations can predict future innovations in other fields over 10-y horizons. This better understanding of how scientific progress occurs and how inventions build upon themselves is an important input to our depictions of the cumulative process of innovation and its economic growth consequences. Technological progress builds upon itself, with the expansion of invention in one domain propelling future work in linked fields. Our analysis uses 1.8 million US patents and their citation properties to map the innovation network and its strength. Past innovation network structures are calculated using citation patterns across technology classes during 1975–1994. The interaction of this preexisting network structure with patent growth in upstream technology fields has strong predictive power on future innovation after 1995. This pattern is consistent with the idea that when there is more past upstream innovation for a particular technology class to build on, then that technology class innovates more.
Linking LMX, engagement, innovative behavior, and job performance in hotel employees

Purpose The concept of leader–member exchange (LMX) is well accepted in the service industry. This study examines how the quality of LMX helps hotels to achieve desirable outcomes, such as innovative behavior and job performance. The model was developed based on the LMX theory, and considers the relationship among the quality of LMX, employee engagement, innovative behavior and job performance. Design/methodology/approach The model was tested on employees of hotels in South Korea using a survey method. Data were analyzed using frequency, reliability, confirmatory factor, correlation and structural equation modeling analyses. Findings LMX significantly influenced job engagement and innovative behavior but did not significantly affect organization engagement. Job engagement significantly affected organization engagement and innovative behavior but did not significantly influence job performance. Organization engagement significantly influenced job performance but did not significantly affect innovative behavior. Job performance was significantly influenced by innovative behavior. Practical implications The findings of this study suggest that an immediate leader plays a critical role in fostering engagement, behavior and performance. Originality/value The current study is the first to use the LMX theory to develop and test a research model that accounts for the antecedents and desired outcomes (i.e. innovative behavior and job performance) of two types of employee engagement in the hotel context.
[Voluntary drug poisoning cases admitted to an emergency care unit].

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to ascertain the specific nature of voluntary drug intoxications seen in emergency wards receiving adult patients. METHODS From July 1992 to June 1993, all patients presenting at the emergency room with voluntary drug intoxication were assessed retrospectively. There were 727 patients (482 females and 245 males, mean age 33.3 +/- 12 years, age range 15-92) admitted for 804 episodes of voluntary drug intoxication. RESULTS A past history of psychiatric problems or drug abuse was found in 42.8 and 9.1% of the patients respectively. The time laps between ingestion and consultation was noted for 43% (5 h 30 +/- 9 h, range 15-4320 min). The drug ingested was identified in 89% of the cases and 1.7 drugs were ingested per episode (range 1-8). Generally, only 1 (52%) or 2 (21%) drugs were ingested. Nonbarbituric psychotropic agents were ingested in 79.7% of the cases. Alcohol had also been consumed in 36.5% of the cases. Treatment was gastric lavage in 34.4%, activated carbon in 16.7%, flumazenil in 16.9%, naloxone and N-acetyl-cysteine in 3.4%. Twelve patients required intubation. Patients were admitted to a medical (n = 156) or psychiatric (n = 67) ward or an intensive care unit (n = 61). Nearly 25% of the patients left hospital either against medical advice or left without notice. CONCLUSION Voluntary drug intoxications seen in emergency rooms require care by a well coordinated team of clinicians and psychiatrists.
The Incidence of Agricultural Subsidies on Rental Rates for Grassland

Abstract This paper examines the impact of agricultural subsidies on rental rates for grassland. In theory, the capitalization of subsidies into grassland rents has become increasingly important as a result of the decoupling of direct payments from production in 2005. The focus is on the pass-through of both coupled and decoupled direct payments on grassland rentals in Western Germany. The empirical investigation is based upon farm-level data of grassland rental rates from the six farm census surveys carried out between 2001 and 2013. The results of spatial econometric models show that landlords of grassland have benefited strongly from the decoupling of direct payments. For the period prior to the decoupling of direct payments, the estimates point to low capitalisation of the livestock payments into grassland rentals. For the period after decoupling, the estimations reveal a significant pass-through of direct payments to landowners, with the marginal capitalisation increasing over time. At the end of the observation period, after regional standardisation of the payments, the estimates show marginal capitalisation rates of 87–94 cents per additional premium euro, suggesting almost complete capitalisation of the funding into the rental price for grassland.
Active Citizenship in the Political Realm: The Case of Australian Secondary School Students

For democratic societies to sustain, the participation of young people in political realm is of high significance, yet research suggests that adolescents are rather passive citizens. This article examines the behaviors and behavior-related attitudes of young Australians over the past almost two decades. Given significant developments in Australian civics education with regard to policy, curriculum and implementation, this article adds to the understanding of the long-term developments and potential influences of civics and citizenship education in Australia. Various data sources suggest that civics and citizenship education may have made little difference in the long term with respect to active citizenship in political realms, though we also identify promising trends that may reflect general developments rather than outcomes of civics and citizenship education. We discuss our analysis with regard to the need of long-term commitment of politics and teachers as well as deficits and further influences in civics and citizenship education outcomes.
Modelling the population-level impact of vaccination on the transmission of human papillomavirus type 16 in Australia.

BACKGROUND Vaccines are now available to prevent the development of cervical cancer from genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The decision to vaccinate depends on a vaccine's cost-effectiveness. A rigorous cost-effectiveness model for vaccinated individuals is presented in a companion paper; this paper investigates the additional benefits the community might receive from herd immunity. METHODS A mathematical model was developed to estimate the impact of a prophylactic vaccine on transmission of HPV type 16 in Australia. The model was used to estimate the expected reduction in HPV incidence and prevalence as a result of vaccination, the time required to achieve these reductions, and the coverage required for elimination. The modelled population was stratified according to age, gender, level of sexual activity and HPV infection status using a differential equation formulation. Clinical trials show that the vaccine is highly effective at preventing persistent infection and pre-cancerous lesions. These trials do not, however, provide conclusive evidence that infection is prevented altogether. The possible modes of vaccine action were investigated to see how vaccination might change the conclusions. RESULTS The model predicts that vaccination of 80% of 12-year-old girls will eventually reduce HPV 16 prevalence by 60-100% in vaccinated and 7-31% in unvaccinated females. If 80% of boys are also vaccinated, reductions will be 74-100% in vaccinated and 86-96% in unvaccinated females. A campaign covering only 12-year-old girls would require 5-7 years to achieve 50% of the eventual reduction. With a catch-up campaign covering 13-26-year-olds, this delay would be reduced to only 2 years. Unrealistically high coverage in both sexes would be required to eliminate HPV 16 from the population. Under pessimistic assumptions about the duration of vaccine-conferred immunity, HPV 16 incidence is predicted to rise in some older age groups. CONCLUSIONS Mass vaccination with a highly effective vaccine against HPV 16 has the potential to substantially reduce the incidence and prevalence of infection. Catch-up vaccination offers the potential to substantially reduce the delay before the benefits of vaccination are observed. A booster vaccination might be required to prevent an increase in incidence of infection in women over 25 years of age.
A prospective, longitudinal diffusion tensor imaging study of brain injury in newborns

Objective To establish the magnitude and time course of the changes in water diffusion coefficient (Dav) following newborn infant brain injury. Methods Ten newborn infants at high risk for perinatal brain injury were recruited from the neonatal intensive care unit. Conventional and diffusion tensor MRI was performed on three occasions during the first week of life. Regions of injury were determined by evaluating conventional MR images (T1, T2, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery) at 1 week after injury. Dav values were determined for these regions for all three scans. Results Dav values were decreased in most infants 1 day after injury, but injury was not evident or underestimated in 4 of 10 infants despite the presence of injury on conventional imaging at 1 week. By the third day, Dav values were decreased in injured areas in all infants, reaching a nadir of approximately 35% less than normal values. By the seventh day after injury, Dav values were returning to normal (pseudonormalization). Conclusions MR diffusion images (for which contrast is determined by changes in Dav) obtained on the first day after injury do not necessarily show the full extent of ultimate injury in newborn infants. Images obtained between the second and fourth days of life reliably indicate the extent of injury. By the seventh day, diffusion MR is less sensitive to perinatal brain injury than conventional MR because of transient pseudonormalization of Dav. Overall, diffusion MR may not be suitable as a gold standard for detection of brain injury during the first day after injury in newborn infants.