Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An outbreak of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia with 1 predominant genotype among renal transplant recipients: interhuman transmission or a common environmental source?

BACKGROUND An outbreak of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP) occurred among renal transplant recipients attending the outpatient department at the Leiden University Medical Centre (Leiden, The Netherlands) from 1 March 2005 through 1 February 2006. Clinical, epidemiological, and molecular data were analyzed to trace the outbreak's origin. METHODS Renal transplant recipients with a clinical suspected diagnosis of PCP were included in the study. The diagnosis had to be confirmed by direct microscopy or real-time polymerase chain reaction of the dihydropteroate synthase gene in a bronchoalveolar fluid specimen. To detect contacts between patients, a transmission map was constructed. A case-control analysis was performed to asses whether infection was associated with certain wardrooms. Genotyping of Pneumocystis isolates was performed by sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) number 1 and 2 gene regions. RESULTS Twenty-two confirmed PCP cases were identified; approximately 0-1 would have been expected over the same time period. No risk factor was predominantly present, and standard immunosuppressive regimens had not changed. Liver transplant recipients who used the same outpatient facilities had not acquired PCP. The transmission map findings were compatible with interhuman transmission on multiple occasions. The case-control study did not point to wardrooms as a common source. Genotyping by sequencing of the ITS1 and ITS2 gene regions revealed type Ne in 12 of 16 successfully typed samples. Genotype Ne was found in only 2 of 12 reference samples. CONCLUSIONS The clinical data and genotyping results are compatible with either interhuman transmission or an environmental source of infection. More complex models may account for PCP clusters.
Reduced tetanus antibody titers in overweight children

Under-nutrition impairs immune responses, but far less is known about the impact of over-nutrition, such as obesity, on the response to vaccines. We measured the effect of childhood overweight status on inflammatory mediators, circulating immunoglobulins and tetanus antibodies in fifteen overweight children (BMI > 85 age-adjusted percentile) and 15 age-matched normal weight controls. Fitness was measured by a progressive ramp type exercise test. Lean body mass (LBM) and fat mass were determined by DXA. Tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 β (IL-1β) and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) were used to assess the inflammatory status; and circulating immunoglobulins (IgM, IgA, IgG and IgG subclasses) and specific IgG titer to tetanus were used to assess humoral immunity. Overweight children had higher LBM and percent fat mass, and lower peak VO2 normalized to body weight. IL-6 was significantly higher in the obese children (2.6 ± 0.3 vs. 1.3 ± 0.3 pg/ml, in overweight and normal weight children, respectively; p < 0.05). No significant differences were found in TNF-a, IL-1β and IL-1ra between the groups. No significant differences were found in immunoglobulin levels (IgM, IgA, IgG and IgG subclasses) between the groups. Anti-tetanus IgG antibodies were significantly lower in the overweight children compared to normal weight controls (2.4 ± 0.6 vs. 4.2 ± 0.5 IU/ml, in overweight and normal weight children, respectively; p < 0.05). The reduced specific antibody response to tetanus in obese children and adolescent might be due to mechanical factors such as lower relative vaccination dose, or reduced absorption from the injection site due to increased adipose tissue, or related to reduce immune response due to the chronic low grade inflammation expressed by the higher levels of IL-6. Please click http://www.journalsonline. tandf.co.uk/openurl.asp? genre=article&issn=0891-6934&volume=39&issue=4&spage=349"here for an erratum concerning this article.
Analysis of a Class of Multilevel Markov Chain Monte Carlo Algorithms Based on Independent Metropolis-Hastings

In this work, we present, analyze, and implement a class of multilevel Markov chain Monte Carlo (ML-MCMC) algorithms based on independent Metropolis--Hastings proposals for Bayesian inverse problems. In this context, the likelihood function involves solving a complex differential model, which is then approximated on a sequence of increasingly accurate discretizations. The key point of this algorithm is to construct highly coupled Markov chains together with the standard multilevel Monte Carlo argument to obtain a better cost-tolerance complexity than a single-level MCMC algorithm. Our method extends the ideas of Dodwell et al., [SIAM/ASA J. Uncertain. Quantif. , 3 (2015), pp. 1075--1108] to a wider range of proposal distributions. We present a thorough convergence analysis of the ML-MCMC method proposed, and show, in particular, that (i) under some mild conditions on the (independent) proposals and the family of posteriors, there exists a unique invariant probability measure for the coupled chains generated by our method, and (ii) that such coupled chains are uniformly ergodic. We also generalize the cost-tolerance theorem of Dodwell et al. to our wider class of ML-MCMC algorithms. Finally, we propose a self-tuning continuation-type ML-MCMC algorithm. The presented method is tested on an array of academic examples, where some of our theoretical results are numerically verified. These numerical experiments evidence how our extended ML-MCMC method is robust when targeting some pathological posteriors, for which some of the previously proposed ML-MCMC algorithms fail.
The effects of dolomitization on petrophysical properties and fracture distribution within rift-1 related carbonates ( Hammam Faraun Fault Block , Suez Rift , Egypt ) 2

4 Statoil, Norway 16 Forusbeen 50, 4035 Stavanger, Norway 17 anjaeker@hotmail.com 18 5 School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester 19 Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL 20 Jesal.hirani@hotmail.com 21 Cathy.Hollis@manchester.ac. uk 22 Rochelle.Taylor@manchester.ac. uk 23 24
Perception of affect elicited by robot motion

Nonverbal behaviors serve as a rich source of information in inter human communication. In particular, motion cues can reveal details on a person's current physical and mental state. Research has shown, that people do not only interpret motion cues of humans in these terms, but also the motion of animals and inanimate devices such as robots. In order to successfully integrate mobile robots in domestic environments, designers have therefore to take into account how the device will be perceived by the user. In this study we analyzed the relationship between motion characteristics of a robot and perceived affect. Based on a literature study we selected two motion characteristics, namely acceleration and curvature, which appear to be most influential for how motion is perceived. We systematically varied these motion parameters and recorded participants interpretations in terms of affective content. Our results suggest a strong relation between motion parameters and attribution of affect, while the type of embodiment had no effect. Furthermore, we found that the level of acceleration can be used to predict perceived arousal and that valence information is at least partly encoded in an interaction between acceleration and curvature. These findings are important for the design of behaviors for future autonomous household robots.
Seroprevalence of Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in 10 Sites in the United States, March 23-May 12, 2020.

Importance Reported cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection likely underestimate the prevalence of infection in affected communities. Large-scale seroprevalence studies provide better estimates of the proportion of the population previously infected. Objective To estimate prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in convenience samples from several geographic sites in the US. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study performed serologic testing on a convenience sample of residual sera obtained from persons of all ages. The serum was collected from March 23 through May 12, 2020, for routine clinical testing by 2 commercial laboratory companies. Sites of collection were San Francisco Bay area, California; Connecticut; south Florida; Louisiana; Minneapolis-St Paul-St Cloud metro area, Minnesota; Missouri; New York City metro area, New York; Philadelphia metro area, Pennsylvania; Utah; and western Washington State. Exposures Infection with SARS-CoV-2. Main Outcomes and Measures The presence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was estimated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and estimates were standardized to the site populations by age and sex. Estimates were adjusted for test performance characteristics (96.0% sensitivity and 99.3% specificity). The number of infections in each site was estimated by extrapolating seroprevalence to site populations; estimated infections were compared with the number of reported coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases as of last specimen collection date. Results Serum samples were tested from 16 025 persons, 8853 (55.2%) of whom were women; 1205 (7.5%) were 18 years or younger and 5845 (36.2%) were 65 years or older. Most specimens from each site had no evidence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. Adjusted estimates of the proportion of persons seroreactive to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antibodies ranged from 1.0% in the San Francisco Bay area (collected April 23-27) to 6.9% of persons in New York City (collected March 23-April 1). The estimated number of infections ranged from 6 to 24 times the number of reported cases; for 7 sites (Connecticut, Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, New York City metro area, Utah, and western Washington State), an estimated greater than 10 times more SARS-CoV-2 infections occurred than the number of reported cases. Conclusions and Relevance During March to early May 2020, most persons in 10 diverse geographic sites in the US had not been infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus. The estimated number of infections, however, was much greater than the number of reported cases in all sites. The findings may reflect the number of persons who had mild or no illness or who did not seek medical care or undergo testing but who still may have contributed to ongoing virus transmission in the population.
Microporous and Mesoporous Materials

Ion exchange of nanoporous (e.g., zeolite) membranes is of increasing importance in their applications as separation devices and catalytic reactors. Ion exchange processes in zeolite membranes are significantly limited by slow hydrated-ion transport rates and the low liquid-solid interfacial area available in com- parison to ion exchange of zeolites in powdered form, thereby leading to long membrane processing and regeneration times. Here, we consider ion exchange processes in zeolite membranes in more detail, and show the much higher efficacy of a vacuum-assisted liquid-vapor 'flow-through' method in compar- ison to both the conventional 'immersion/counter-diffusion' method as well as a liquid-liquid flow- through method. Na-MFI zeolite disk membranes, made by both in situ and seeded growth, were ion- exchanged with Ga 3+ ,Z n 2+ , and Pt 2+ ions in the temperature range of 23-70 C and exchange times of 5-24 h. The penetration of these ions into the zeolite membranes was investigated in detail by energy- dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. Surprisingly, the quantity of exchanged ions in the membranes via the vacuum-assisted 'flow-through' technique is found to exceed that achieved by the other two methods by up to a factor of ten, with the liquid-liquid technique being the least efficient. Higher tem- peratures and longer ion exchange times increased the ion exchange efficiency in the vacuum-assisted method. Chemical analysis of the condensed permeate solution by inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) mass spectrometry revealed that both the original Na
Acute burn care in resource-limited settings

Background: Only a few papers are published on the safety and effectiveness of acute burn care in low - income countries. A cohort study was therefore carried out to determine such outcomes. Methods: The study was conducted in a rural Tanzanian hospital in 2017–2018. All patients admitted with burns were eligible. Complications were scored during admission as an indication for safety. Survivors of severe burn injuries were evaluated for time of
Analysis of Chilean children’s perceptions of commercial content on TikTok: “I ate

In the context of the high digitization of childhood, advertising on social networks becomes an ideal location for brands and advertisers to meet this audience profile. However, in the debate, no space has been given to how boys and girls perceive these advertising strategies. Therefore, this work aims to qualitatively explore the discourses related to the experience of using TikTok with a focus on advertising. For this, 32 in-depth interviews were conducted with minors between 11 and 14 years old who are users of this platform in Santiago, Chile. The results indicate that the platform is perceived as an entertainment space, especially for the segment of children and young people. Regarding advertising, the participants agree that, although it may be intrusive and not necessarily appropriate to their interests, if it complies with the rules of the application -brief, with humor, and music-it is tolerated and even welcomed by its users. However, this does not happen when there is a covert, deceptive or repetitive advertising intent. Added to these elements is their control over the advertisement and the possibility of interaction with the brand.
Modelling of Interconnected Critical Infrastructure Systems Using Complex Network Theory

-The paper reviews several Complex Network Theory (CNT) based methodologies to model and analyze interconnected networks. To address the deficiencies reported in past studies, an advanced model of coupled Electric Power System (EPS) and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is developed. The new model is designed as a three-dimensional graph with edges and nodes, and it highlights the interaction and interdependency of both EPS and ICT. The criticality of each component within the interconnected system is investigated by analyzing the efficiency-weighted node degree of each node symbolizing the components. The model has been tested on an ICT supported 14-Bus distribution network under three different loading conditions. Results show that the coupled infrastructure complies with the typical characteristics of scale-free network [1]. It is also shown the ICT system, although smaller in scale, contains more critical hubs than the power distribution network. The results of the proposed approach can be used as a reference to analyze the criticality in other coupled infrastructure by incorporating the internal characteristics of coupled systems.
valuating suitability of MODIS-Terra images for reproducing historic ediment concentrations in water bodies : Lake Tana , Ethiopia

Government and NGO funded conservation programs are being implemented in developing countries with the potential benefit of reduced sediment inflow into fresh water lakes. However, these claims are difficult to verify due to limited historical sediment concentration data in lakes and rivers. Remote sensing can potentially aid in monitoring sediment concentration. With almost daily availability over the past ten years and consistent atmospheric correction applied to the images, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) 250 meter images are potential resources capable of monitoring future concentrations and reconstructing historical sediment concentration records. In this paper, sitespecific relationships are developed between reflectance in near-infrared (NIR) images and three factors: total suspended solids (TSS), turbidity and Secchi depth for Lake Tana near the mouth of the Gumara River. The first two sampling campaigns on November 27, 2010 and May 13, 2011 are used in calibration. Reflectance in the NIR varies linearly with turbidity (R2 = 0.89) and TSS (R2 = 0.95). Secchi depth fit best to an exponential relation with R2 of 0.74. The relationships are validated using a third sample set collected on November 7, 2011 with RMSE of 11 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) for Turbidity, 16.5 mg l−1 for TSS and 0.12 meters for Secchi depth. The MAE was 10% for TSS, 14% for turbidity and 0.1% for Secchi depth. Using the relationship for TSS, a 10-year time series of sediment concentration in Lake Tana near the Gumara River was plotted. It was found that after the severe drought of 2002 and 2003 the concentration in the lake increased significantly. The results showed that MODIS images are potential cost effective tools to monitor suspended sediment concentration and obtain a past history of concentration for evaluating ment the effect of best manage
RECURSIVE CONCURRENT STOCHASTIC GAMES

We study Recursive Concurrent Stochastic Games (RCSGs), extending our recent analysis of recursive simple stochastic games [16, 17] to a concurrent setting where the two players choose moves simultaneously and independently at each state. For multi-exit games, our earlier work already showed undecidability for basic questions like termination, thus we focus on the important case of single-exit RCSGs (1-RCSGs). We first characterize the value of a 1-RCSG termination game as the least fixed point solution of a system of nonlinear minimax functional equations, and use it to show PSPACE decidability for the quantitative termination problem. We then give a strategy improvement technique, which we use to show that player 1 (maximizer) has ǫ-optimal randomized Stackless & Memoryless (r-SM) strategies for all ǫ > 0, while player 2 (minimizer) has optimal r-SM strategies. Thus, such games are r-SM-determined. These results mirror and generalize in a strong sense the randomized memoryless determinacy results for finite stochastic games, and extend the classic Hoffman-Karp [22] strategy improvement approach from the finite to an infinite state setting. The proofs in our infinite-state setting are very different however, relying on subtle analytic properties of certain power series that arise from studying 1-RCSGs. We show that our upper bounds, even for qualitative (probability 1) termination, can not be improved, even to NP, without a major breakthrough, by giving two reductions: first a P-time reduction from the long-standing square-root sum problem to the quantitative termination decision problem for finite concurrent stochastic games, and then a P-time reduction from the latter problem to the qualitative termination problem for 1-RCSGs.
The flight of the Amokura: Oceanic languages and formal education in the South Pacific. By Richard A. Benton. Wellington: New Zealand Council for Educational Research, 1981. Pp. xiv, 236

complex phenomena, researchers need good descriptive studies of sociolinguistic situations in various parts of the world, and the present work fills that need in the case of the South Pacific region. But far from being a dry academic treatise, it is a wellwritten book that should be readily accessible to teachers, educationists, parents and others with an interest in language education in Oceania and beyond. Since the author is a New Zealander
OSPM : A Design Methodology for Open Strategic Planning 1

This study employs a design science perspective to propose a methodology for open strategic planning (OSP). Habermas’ discourse theory and Bryson’s strategy change cycle are used as informing kernel theories. A methodology is proposed to satisfy the requirements retrieved from the kernel theories. The proposed methodology contains modules for a planning system, and a planning process. Design principles are explained through a blueprint of the system and process. The proposed methodology is applied and evaluated in two cases. Contributions to the literature involve extending the theoretical work on OSP to an applicable methodology with guidelines on how to implement open strategy.
Compositional Dependence of the Performance of Poly(p‐phenylene vinylene):Methanofullerene Bulk‐Heterojunction Solar Cells

The dependence of the performance of OC1C10‐PPV:PCBM (poly(2‐methoxy‐5‐(3′,7′‐dimethyloctyloxy)‐p‐phenylene vinylene):methanofullerene [6,6]‐phenyl C61‐butyric acid methyl ester)‐based bulk heterojunction solar cells on their composition has been investigated. With regard to charge transport, we demonstrate that the electron mobility gradually increases on increasing the PCBM weight ratio, up to 80 wt. ‐%, and subsequently saturates to its bulk value. Surprisingly, the hole mobility in the PPV phase shows an identical behavior and saturates beyond 67 wt. ‐% PCBM, a value which is more than two orders of magnitude higher than that of the pure polymer. The experimental electron and hole mobilities were used to study the photocurrent generation of OC1C10‐PPV:PCBM bulk‐heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells. From numerical calculations, it is shown that for PCBM concentrations exceeding 80 wt. ‐% reduced light absorption is responsible for the loss of device performance. From 80 to 67 wt. ‐%, the decrease in power conversion efficiency is mainly due to a decreased separation efficiency of bound electron–hole (e–h) pairs. Below 67 wt. ‐%, the performance loss is governed by a combination of a reduced generation rate of e–h pairs and a strong decrease in hole transport.
Dynamique tectono-sédimentaire et restauration séquentielle du rétro-bassin d'avant-pays des Andes centrales

Le bassin d'avant-pays retro-arc des Andes Centrales est considere comme un exemple typique de systeme de bassin d'avant-pays (Horton et DeCelles, 1997). Les trois regions etudiees sont le bassin nord-amazonien (3ʿ-8ʿS), le bassin sud-amazonien (11ʿ-12ʿS) et le bassin sud est bolivien (19ʿ-20ʿS). Le systeme de bassin d'avant-pays des Andes Centrales constitue un domaine privilegie ou l'analyse de la deformation peut se faire de facon concomitante avec l'etude du remplissage sedimentaire. Cette etude nous a permis de mieux comprendre la variabilite de l'evolution longitudinale et latitudinale, la dynamique tectono-sedimentaire du bassin et de l'orogene adjacent et la reconstruction sequentielle des differents bassins a des stades cles de l'evolution de la chaine depuis l'Eocene. L'Eocene inferieur et moyen, au nord du Perou, entre 3ʿ et 8ʿS, represente une periode importante dans la structuration du systeme de bassin d'avant-pays. En effet, la Cordillere Occidentale est soumise a une importante surrection et a une forte erosion. Cet evenement traduit un episode de quiescence tectonique avec erosion et reequilibrage isostatique (orogenic unloading). Au sud de 11ʿ de latitude S, les effets de ce processus d'orogenic unloading n'apparaissent plus. L'enregistrement sedimentaire montre la presence d'un bassin flexural plus classique (orogenic loading). Comme le systeme de bassin d'avant-pays nord-amazonien se situe a l'articulation entre les Andes centrales et les Andes septentrionales, cette difference fondamentale dans le processus geodynamique peut etre attribuee a l'interference avec l'orogenese des Andes septentrionales qui presentent un style de deformation et une geometrie de la zone de convergence tres differents.
Ethical Aspects of Climate Engineering

This study investigates the ethical aspects of deploying and researching into so-called climate engineering methods, i.e. large-scale technical interventions in the climate system with the objective of offsetting anthropogenic climate change. The moral reasons in favour of and against R&D into and deployment of CE methods are analysed by means of argument maps. These argument maps provide an overview of the CE controversy and help to structure the complex debate.