Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neutralizing antibodies reduce the efficacy of βIFN during treatment of multiple sclerosis

Objective: To analyze the impact of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) on the clinical efficacy of IFNβ. Methods: This was an open-label study involving 78 patients with multiple sclerosis treated with Betaferon 8 million IU (MIU) subcutaneously (SC) every other day (n = 20), Rebif 22 μg SC 3 times weekly (n = 25), or Avonex 30 μg IM once weekly (n = 33). Every 3 months, blood samples were collected and sera were analyzed for NAbs using an antiviral cytopathic effect assay. Patients were categorized according to their NAb status: NAb negative (NAb−); isolated NAb positive (NAb+), patients with ≥1 positive sample (titer ≥ 20); and persistent NAb+, patients with ≥2 consecutive positive samples (titer ≥ 20). Patients who were NAb− and persistent NAb+ were compared for relapse rate, time between first and second relapse, percentage of relapse-free patients, and percentage of patients who had a sustained progression of ≥1 point on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Results: The incidence of persistent NAb+ patients was 35% for Betaferon, 20% for Rebif, and 3% for Avonex. During IFNβ treatment, both NAb+ and NAb− patients showed a reduction in relapse rate; this reduction (25%) was not significant in NAb+ patients but was significant (67%; p < 0.0001) in NAb− patients. In addition, the mean relapse rate was higher (p = 0.039), mean time between first and second relapse was shorter (13 vs 21 months; p = 0.0064), and there was a trend suggesting that NAbs affected the probability of remaining relapse free (p = 0.08). A higher percentage of NAb+ patients versus NAb− patients had worsening of EDSS scores during follow-up (p = 0.013). Conclusion: Persistent NAbs significantly reduce the clinical efficacy of IFNβ.
Is spirituality related to survival in advanced cancer inpatients in Korea?

Abstract Objective Spirituality is what gives people meaning and purpose in life, and it has been recognized as a critical factor in patients’ well-being, particularly at the ends of their lives. Studies have demonstrated relationships between spirituality and patient-reported outcomes such as quality of life and mental health. Although a number of studies have suggested that spiritual belief can be associated with mortality, the results are inconsistent. We aimed to determine whether spirituality was related to survival in advanced cancer inpatients in Korea. Method For this multicenter study, we recruited adult advanced cancer inpatients who had been admitted to seven palliative care units with estimated survival of <3 months. We measured spirituality at admission using the Korean version of the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being (FACIT-sp), which comprises two subscales: meaning/peace and faith. We calculated a Kaplan-Meier curve for spirituality, dichotomized at the predefined cutoffs and medians for the total scale and each of the two subscales, and performed univariate regression with a Cox proportional hazard model. Result We enrolled a total of 204 adults (mean age: 64.5 ± 13.0; 48.5% female) in the study. The most common primary cancer diagnoses were lung (21.6%), colorectal (18.6%), and liver/biliary tract (13.0%). Median survival was 19.5 days (95% confidence interval [CI95%]: 23.5, 30.6). Total FACIT-sp score was not related to survival time (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.981, CI95% = 0.957, 1.007), and neither were the scores for its two subscales, meaning/peace (HR = 0.969, CI95% = 0.932, 1.008) and faith (HR = 0.981, CI95% = 0.938, 1.026). Significance of results Spirituality was not related to survival in advanced cancer inpatients in Korea. Plausible mechanisms merit further investigation.
A Framework for Resolving Functional Dependency in Service Component System

Component adaptation is a key solution to eliminate the mismatches between existing components and the particular reuse context in applications. During the adaptation process of reusable components, there are two important problems should be concerned. One is "coupling", and the other is "Delay Adaptation". Several mechanisms have been proposed for resolving those two problems, but most of them have only taken those problems into consideration in part. Different from them, this paper proposes a framework which focuses on thoroughly resolving functional dependency among components and enabling "Delay Adaptation". This framework introduces an "Adaptation Table" to describe components' interfaces and their interactions. Since functional dependency comes from the interactions among components, this "AdaptationTable" makes the dependency under control, a support toolkit is also developed. At last, the analysis of a case shows that the framework achieves the result that we expect in great measure.
The Common Fisheries Policy: The Quest for Sustainability

Commencing with introductory chapters which look at the history behind the CFP, its birth and enlargement, this excellent book continues with chapters covering the major aspects of the CFP including policies on conservation, fishing fleets, structure, control, and environment, the external sector, scientific advice, stakeholders and decision making. Further chapters consider the Mediterranean Sea, aquaculture and the reforms of the CFP. A concluding chapter looks at what’s next for the CFP.
STRUCTURAL COMPLEXITY OF THE ENVIRONMENT AFFECTS THE SURVIVAL OF ALTERNATIVE MALE REPRODUCTIVE TACTICS

Abstract Alternative reproductive tactics in males are often associated with divergent phenotypes expressed as phenotypically plastic threshold traits. The evolution of threshold traits in these species has been modeled under the conditional evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS). Both strategic and genetic models predict that perturbations to the fitness trade-off between the male morphs will lead to a shift in the ESS switch point of the threshold. So far, demographic factors that influence the competitive ability of male morphs have been investigated and related to intraspecific population variation in male dimorphic thresholds. Here we reveal evidence for the theoretical prediction that abiotic features of the environment, in particular its structural complexity, are likely to influence the ESS threshold. In the male dimorphic mite Sancassania berlesei, we monitored the survival of aggressive fighter males and their benign scrambler counterparts in populations that differed in structural complexity. We found that, consistent with our prediction, the complex habitat favored fighter males, enabling them to kill a greater number of rival scramblers. We found no effect of habitat complexity on the survival of fighter males. These results demonstrate how abiotic as well as biotic aspects of the environment can be important in determining the frequencies of males adopting alternative tactics in different species or populations.
Evaluation of software for multiple imputation of semi-continuous data

It is now widely accepted that multiple imputation (MI) methods properly handle the uncertainty of missing data over single imputation methods. Several standard statistical software packages, such as SAS, R and STATA, have standard procedures or user-written programs to perform MI. The performance of these packages is generally acceptable for most types of data. However, it is unclear whether these applications are appropriate for imputing data with a large proportion of zero values resulting in a semi-continuous distribution. In addition, it is not clear whether the use of these applications is suitable when the distribution of the data needs to be preserved for subsequent analysis. This article reports the findings of a simulation study carried out to evaluate the performance of the MI procedures for handling semi-continuous data within these statistical packages. Complete resource use data on 1060 participants from a large randomized clinical trial were used as the simulation population from which 500 bootstrap samples were obtained and missing data imposed. The findings of this study showed differences in the performance of the MI programs when imputing semi-continuous data. Caution should be exercised when deciding which program should perform MI on this type of data.
Observer using low-frequency injection for sensorless induction motor Control-parameter sensitivity analysis

The zero-frequency vector control of an induction motor without a speed sensor has proven to be a very difficult task. Uncertainty and variation in the electrical parameters of the motor deteriorate the performance of fundamental-wave flux observers as the frequency approaches zero, and observers based on high-frequency signal injection rely on motor-specific phenomena. A new method has recently been proposed, where a low-frequency current signal is injected in the estimated rotor flux direction. If there is an error in the orientation, the signal gives rise to a torque oscillation and affects the back electromotive force (EMF) through the mechanical system. The phenomenon makes it possible to reach sensorless zero-frequency operation. This paper shows that the method is insensitive to the variation of the motor parameters. Experiments confirm the result.
Mathematic and experimental evaluation of phase errors when receiving hydro-acoustic PSK-signals with sweep-spread carrier in reverberant underwater environments

When propagating in water, acoustic signals experience distortions and thus received signals can essentially distinct from those which were transmitted. Basic distortions originate from interference of multipath arrivals comprising random energies, phases and Doppler shifts. Assuming an underwater acoustic environment for middle and high telemetry frequencies as a channel with (in wide sense) stationary uncorrelated scattering, each multipath arrival of a received signal is characterized with a random propagation delay, random energy and (equally distributed) phase, as well as random Doppler shift. Based on such assumption, a receive signal with sweep-spread carrier was represented with a mathematical model, which was used for derivation of a analytical expression for estimation of maximum phase errors expected to be registered in underwater acoustic channels with given multipath. The use of the mathematical expressions allowed to quantify the upper limit of phase errors in different conditions of the multipath channel (different excess propagation delays and relative attenuations of delayed multipath arrivals). Expected phase errors obtained by means of this expression and values measured during physical experiments demonstrated a good agreement.
A real time algorithm for exposure fusion of digital images

A real time algorithm for fusion of differently exposed images is proposed in this paper. The algorithm blends the details from two images of high dynamic range scene, acquired with different exposure values, into one output image which can be displayed on low dynamic range devices. The blending is performed in the spatial domain, using pixel by pixel approach, thus eliminating the need for expensive block processing or transform domain coding. The proposed scheme works both on grey and color images. The algorithm shows high efficiency, which make it applicable on low processing power platforms, such as mobile devices. The obtained results are visually comparable with previously published algorithms that are computationally much more expensive.
Nonlinear Granger Causality Test of Spot and Future prices:Evidence from the Copper Market

Nonlinear structure is often found in the spot and future prices,but the traditional linear Granger causality can't discriminate nonlinear causality very well,so as not to estimate their relationship clearly. This paper empirically tests the nonlinear causality relationship between spot and future prices of copper contract. The modified Baek and Brock test model provides evidence of significant bidirectional nonlinear Granger causality between spot and future prices,it means that there isn't absolute lead and lag relations between the spot and futures prices. The nonlinear causality could be due to simple volatility effects associated with information flows,so it is necessary to adjust the series of the spot and futures prices by fitting the EGARCH model. The result revealed that there is also bidirectional nonlinear causality between the adjusted series of the spot and futures prices.
Record-linkage and capture–recapture analysis to estimate the incidence and completeness of reporting of tuberculosis in England 1999–2002

SUMMARY In 1999 the Enhanced Tuberculosis Surveillance (ETS) system was introduced in the United Kingdom to strengthen surveillance of tuberculosis (TB). The aim of this study was to assess the use of record-linkage and capture–recapture methodology for estimating the completeness of TB reporting in England between 1999 and 2002. Due to the size of the TB data sources sophisticated record-linkage software was required and the proportion of false-positive cases among unlinked hospital-derived TB records was estimated through a population mixture model. This study showed that record-linkage of TB data sources and cross-validation with additional TB-related datasets improved data quality as well as case ascertainment. Since the introduction of ETS observed completeness of notification in England has increased and the results were consistent with expected levels of under-notification. Completeness of notification estimated by a log-linear capture–recapture model was highly inconsistent with prior estimates and the validity of this methodology was further examined.
Motivating organizational commitment in hotels: The relationship between leaders and employees

ABSTRACT This study developed and tested a research model, which predicted the impacts of justice (procedural and interactive justice), trust (cognitive and affective trust), and leader–member exchange between transformational leadership and organizational commitment. Respondents were full-time employed frontline employees of international hotels of Taiwan. The results demonstrated that justice, trust, and leader–member exchange are mediators between transformational leadership and organizational commitment. The results also show that transformational leadership had a positive relationship with justice and trust. Further, justice and trust had a positive relationship with leader–member exchange, and partially mediated the relationship between transformational leadership and leader–member exchange. Leader–member exchange significantly and positively influenced organizational commitment, and partially mediated the relationship between justice and trust and organizational commitment. As such, hotel managers should endeavor to have transformational leadership to facilitate greater justice and trust between employees and supervisors in order to achieve improved leader–member exchange then increased organizational commitment.
Poultry and Fish Consumption in Relation to Total Cancer Mortality: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies

ABSTRACT Observational studies on the association between fish and poultry intake and the risk of total cancer mortality have been reported with mixed results. Thus, we aimed to assess this association by conducting a meta-analysis of prospective studies. We performed a literature search on PubMed database through February 1, 2017 to identify relative prospective studies. A random-effects model was used to calculate the summary estimates. We identified fourteen prospective studies involving 2,378,204 participants and 96,712 cancer mortality events. Comparing the highest category of consumption with lowest category, pooled relative risk (RR) of total cancer mortality was 0.99 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94–1.05) for fish (10 studies) and 0.96 (95% CI, 0.93–1.00) for poultry (8 studies), respectively. However, we failed to identify any dose–response association based on a limited number of eligible studies, with a pooled RR of 0.98 (95% CI, 0.92–1.05) and 0.97 (95% CI, 0.88–1.07) for each 100 g per day increment in fish and poultry consumption, respectively. In summary, this meta-analysis indicates that consumption of either fish or poultry is not substantially associated with lower risk of total cancer mortality. The observed weak inverse association for high poultry consumption needs to be verified in additional large prospective studies.
A SDN security control forwarding mechanism based on cipher identification

SDN is a new network architecture for control and data forwarding logic separation, able to provide a high degree of openness and programmability, with many advantages not available by traditional networks. But there are still some problems unsolved, for example, it is easy to cause the controller to be attacked due to the lack of verifying the source of the packet, and the limited range of match fields cannot meet the requirement of the precise control of network services etc. Aiming at the above problems, this paper proposes a SDN network security control forwarding mechanism based on cipher identification, when packets flow into and out of the network, the forwarding device must verify their source to ensure the user's non-repudiation and the authenticity of packets. Besides administrators control the data forwarding based on cipher identification, able to form network management and control capabilities based on human, material, business flow, and provide a new method and means for the future of Internet security.
Secure property right as a determinant of SME’s access to formal credit in Ghana: dynamics between Micro-finance Institutions and Universal Banks

Abstract Does registered land title help to improve tenure security and enhance one’s chances of securing a loan from formal financial institutions? This question continues to sharply divide opinions among academics, policy-makers and international development partners. The long running debate on the subject of ‘Property in the Commons’, which serves as the ideological origin of what has become known as ‘Washington Consensus’ in contemporary times claims that there is positive correlation between the possession of registered land title and access to credit. However, this has often received considerable rebuttals. Even if the ‘Washington Consensus’ is accepted, the argument is still laced with some fundamental difficulty because it inherently assumes and treats financial institutions as a homogenous class of business. Yet financial institutions exhibit greater diversity in their operations and decision-making process. This paper attempts to contribute towards developing improved understanding between the ‘secure land title and access to credit relationship’ by disaggregating financial institutions into Micro-finance and Universal Banks (UBs) and examining what role secure land title play in granting credit from the perspectives of these two categories of financial institutions. To achieve this, field level investigations were conducted amongst officials of both Micro-finance Institutions (MFIs) and UBs in Ghana using structured questionnaires. A total of 200 questionnaires – 100 each to MFI and Universal Banks were administered of which a response rate of 51 and 57 was, respectively, achieved. The data were analysed using various non-parametric statistics. The study amongst other things established that UBs and MFIs differ in their opinions on how important secure titles are in the lending process and the nature of the influence they can exert on the final lending decision. It was established that both categories of lenders do regard secure titles as important but whether or not it will influence their decision to accept a given landed property as collateral varies across lender types.
Generation of MANAbodies specific to HLA-restricted epitopes encoded by somatically mutated genes

Significance Mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes drive tumorigenesis and their protein products form therapeutic targets that are absent from normal cells. However, nearly all such mutant epitopes lie in the interior of the cells, either in the cytoplasm or nucleus, complicating immunotherapies directed against the mutants. We have developed an approach to identify antibodies selectively targeting complexes containing common HLA types bound to peptide products of commonly mutated oncogenes. Because these peptide-HLA complexes are expected to be exclusively present on the surface of cancer cells, antibodies targeting them could in principle be used for therapeutic purposes. Mutant epitopes encoded by cancer genes are virtually always located in the interior of cells, making them invisible to conventional antibodies. We here describe an approach to identify single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) specific for mutant peptides presented on the cell surface by HLA molecules. We demonstrate that these scFvs can be successfully converted to full-length antibodies, termed MANAbodies, targeting “Mutation-Associated Neo-Antigens” bound to HLA. A phage display library representing a highly diverse array of single-chain variable fragment sequences was first designed and constructed. A competitive selection protocol was then used to identify clones specific for mutant peptides bound to predefined HLA types. In this way, we obtained two scFvs, one specific for a peptide encoded by a common KRAS mutant and the other by a common epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutant. The scFvs bound to these peptides only when the peptides were complexed with HLA-A2 (KRAS peptide) or HLA-A3 (EGFR peptide). We converted one scFv to a full-length antibody (MANAbody) and demonstrate that the MANAbody specifically reacts with mutant peptide–HLA complex even when the peptide differs by only one amino acid from the normal, WT form.
Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and skull of sheep with cerebral coenurosis.

OBJECTIVE To determine MRI characteristics of the skulls and brains of sheep with chronic cerebral coenurosis (CC) caused by naturally acquired Taenia multiceps infection. ANIMALS 33 sheep with CC and 10 healthy control sheep. PROCEDURES Sheep underwent MRI of the head. Volumes of the cranial cavity and rostral and caudal fossas of the cranial cavity were determined. For CC-affected sheep, the number, location, and volume of T multiceps cysts were determined and the percentage volumes of cysts in the cranial cavity and rostral and caudal fossas of the cranial cavity were calculated. Focal and diffuse abnormalities of cranial bones in CC-affected sheep were identified. Brain edema and hemorrhage and signs of increased cranial pressure (ICP) in MRI images were determined. RESULTS Volumes of the cranial cavity and rostral and caudal fossas of the cranial cavity were significantly larger for CC-affected sheep versus healthy control sheep. Total volumes of cysts ranged from 4.40% to 46.93% in cranial cavities of sheep, 4.12% to 51.53% in rostral fossas of cranial cavities of sheep, and 15.24% to 68.30% in caudal fossas of cranial cavities of sheep. Moderate to severe diffuse cranial bone abnormalities and signs of increased ICP in MRI images were detected in 21 and 24 sheep, respectively, and were positively correlated with cyst volumes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that cranial cavity volume and morphological abnormalities can be detected in sheep with CC. These changes may reflect abnormalities in ossification of the cranial bones secondary to chronically increased ICP caused by development of T multiceps cysts.