Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High prevalence of subclass-specific binding and neutralizing antibodies against Clostridium difficile toxins in adult cystic fibrosis sera: possible mode of immunoprotection against symptomatic C. difficile infection

Objectives Despite multiple risk factors and a high rate of colonization for Clostridium difficile, the occurrence of C. difficile infection in patients with cystic fibrosis is rare. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of binding C. difficile toxin-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)A, IgG and anti-toxin neutralizing antibodies in the sera of adults with cystic fibrosis, symptomatic C. difficile infection (without cystic fibrosis) and healthy controls. Methods Subclass-specific IgA and IgG responses to highly purified whole C. difficile toxins A and B (toxinotype 0, strain VPI 10463, ribotype 087), toxin B from a C. difficile toxin-B-only expressing strain (CCUG 20309) and precursor form of B fragment of binary toxin, pCDTb, were determined by protein microarray. Neutralizing antibodies to C. difficile toxins A and B were evaluated using a Caco-2 cell-based neutralization assay. Results Serum IgA anti-toxin A and B levels and neutralizing antibodies against toxin A were significantly higher in adult cystic fibrosis patients (n=16) compared with healthy controls (n=17) and patients with symptomatic C. difficile infection (n=16); p≤0.05. The same pattern of response prevailed for IgG, except that there was no difference in anti-toxin A IgG levels between the groups. Compared with healthy controls (toxins A and B) and patients with C. difficile infection (toxin A), sera from cystic fibrosis patients exhibited significantly stronger protective anti-toxin neutralizing antibody responses. Conclusion A superior ability to generate robust humoral immunity to C. difficile toxins in the cystic fibrosis population is likely to confer protection against symptomatic C. difficile infection. This protection may be lost in the post-transplantation setting, where sera monitoring of anti-C. difficile toxin antibody titers may be of clinical value.
Economic Structural Change: Analysis and Forecasting

In modern economic model building, structural change is a key concept. Economic growth and events like the oil price shocks have impacts on the economic system such that models with fixed structure are illusions. Considerable progress has been made in the last few years concerning statistical and econometric tools. Methods for identification of structural change, models that are robust to changes and assimilate their effects, and adequate forecasting techniques have been developed. Under the auspices of IIASA a very active community of statisticians and econometricians has made a very influential effort in this area. The purpose of this volume is to document these activities, to present new methods and developments in this area, and to demonstrate applications. Particular weight is given to nonparametric and robust methods for identification of and modeling under structural change, a Bayesian approach to forecast combination, and time-varying parameter cointegration. This book has four parts: (1) Identification of structural change, (2) Model building in the presence of structural change, (3) Forecasting in the presence of structural change, and (4) Economic modeling and the use of empirical data. The book provides an up-to-date status report on the field and should stimulate applications of the methods in empirical work as well as further research.
Optimal Simple Nonlinear Rules for Monetary Policy in a New-Keynesian Model

We study the role of nonlinear simple rules for monetary policy. We depart from the standard rules proposed by Taylor (1993), and consider a nonlinear rule for the so-called opportunistic approach to disinflation originally proposed by Orphanides and Wilcox (2002) and Aksoy, Orphanides, Small, Wieland, and Wilcox (2002). We set out a model economy with capital accumulation and nominal and real rigidities. Households have weakly-separable preferences along the lines of Chari, Kehoe, and McGrattan (2000). The public sector is modeled as a simple rule for lump-sum taxes like in Leeper (1991). We include three sources of exogenous fluctuations in the form of stochastic shocks to productivity, firmsâ€™ markup and government spending. We solve the model through the second-order Taylor approach developed by Schmitt-GrohA© and Uribe (2004), and maximize a measure of conditional consumer welfare. Our microfounded model represents an improvement over the framework used by Aksoy, Orphanides, Small, Wieland, and Wilcox (2002). Our results support the view that optimal opportunistic monetary policy involves a strong anti-inflationary stance outside the zone of policy inaction, indicating that a large degree of nonlinearity can be desirable from a welfare perspective. We also compare the quantitative and qualitative properties of the model economy under the optimal nonlinear rule with those arising from optimized linear rules.
Health benefits and evaluation of healthcare cost savings if oils rich in monounsaturated fatty acids were substituted for conventional dietary oils in the United States

The impact of nutritional behaviors on health is beyond debate and has the potential to affect the economic outputs of societies in significant ways. Dietary fatty acids have become a central theme in nutrition research in recent years, and the popularity of dietary oils rich in healthy fatty acids, such as monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), for cooking applications and use in food products has increased. Here, the objective is to summarize the health effects of MUFA-rich diets and to systematically estimate the potential healthcare and societal cost savings that could be realized by increasing MUFA intakes compared with other dietary fat intakes in the United States. Using a scoping review approach, the literature of randomized controlled clinical trials was searched and a 4-step cost-of-illness analysis was developed, which included estimates of success rate, disease biomarker reduction, disease incidence reduction, and cost savings. Findings revealed improvements in established biomarkers and in incidence of coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes, along with potentially substantial annual healthcare and societal cost savings when recommendations for daily MUFA intake were followed. In summary, beyond the beneficial health effects of MUFA-rich diets, potential economic benefits suggest practical implications for consumers, food processors, and healthcare authorities alike.
Predictors of Failure to Cure Atrial Fibrillation with the Mini‐Maze Operation

Abstract Background: Maze‐III is a complex surgical procedure designed to treat chronic atrial fibrillation. A reduction in the number of right and left atrial incisions could decrease the operative time. The aim of this study was to assess the results of a mini‐maze operation and to define predictors of its failure. Methods: Between 1995 and 2000, 72 patients (mean age 64 ± 9 years) undergoing cardiac surgery had a concomitant mini‐maze operation for symptomatic chronic atrial fibrillation. Three and 12 months postoperatively, heart rhythm and left atrial transport functions were assessed by electrophysiology, echocardiography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify predictors of failure of the mini‐maze operation. Results: Operative mortality was 1.4% (1/72). Death during follow‐up occurred in 5.6% of patients (4/71), in one due to chronic heart failure. After 1 year, 80% of patients (48/60) were either in sinus rhythm (n = 43; 72%) or had a pacemaker (n = 5; 8%) implanted due to sick sinus syndrome. Intermittent and chronic atrial fibrillation was found in 20% of patients (12/60). Preoperative duration of atrial fibrillation (p = 0.05), preoperative left atrial diameter (p = 0.001), preoperative right atrial diameter (p = 0.02), a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (p = 0.03), an increased left ventricular end‐diastolic diameter (p = 0.04), and the presence of mitral valve stenosis (p = 0.001) were found to be univariate predictors of failure of the mini‐maze operation 1 year postoperatively. Multivariate analysis defined preoperative diagnosis of mitral valve stenosis (p = 0.005; OR 117.5), longer duration of preoperative atrial fibrillation (p = 0.01; OR 1.33), and increased preoperative left ventricular end‐systolic diameter (p = 0.02; OR 1.2) as incremental independent risk factors for failure of the mini‐maze operation to cure chronic atrial fibrillation. Conclusion: The mini‐maze operation is a safe procedure with similar results to that of Cox's Maze‐III operation. The less‐invasive mini‐maze operation could be applicable even to patients with severely reduced left ventricular function, in whom complex cardiac surgery has to be performed concomitantly as well as in those presenting severe comorbidities. (J Card Surg 2004;19:1‐6)
Communication and Channel Systems in Tourism Marketing

Contents Introduction * Communicating Tourism Supplier Services: Building Repeat Visitor Relationships * Market Structure Analysis of Media Selection Practices by Travel Services * Effects of Distribution Channel Level on Tour Purchasing Attributes and Information Sources * Communication Channels to Segment Pleasure Travelers * Using Travel Brochures to Target Frequent Travelers and "Big-Spenders" * State Slogans: The Case of the Missing U.S.P. * Design of Destination and Attraction-Specific Brochures * Functional and Aesthetic Information Needs Underlying the Pleasure Travel Experience * Effects of User and Trip Characteristics on Responses to Communication Messages * The Influence of Tourists' Characteristics on Ratings of Information Sources for an Attraction * Image Formation Process * Collaborative Alliances: New Interorganizational Forms in Tourism * Competing and Cooperating in the Changing Tourism Channel System * Reference Notes Included * Index
A 1.3 mW 48 MHz 4 Channel MIMO Baseband Receiver With 65 dB Harmonic Rejection and 48.5 dB Spatial Signal Separation

A four-channel multi-input multi-output (MIMO) complex baseband receiver for spectrum and space-aware cognitive radio applications is presented. The MIMO baseband receiver comprises a capacitive harmonic-rejection downconverting mixer (HRM) receiver and a signal-separation multi-input multi-output analog core (MAC) on a single integrated circuit. The HRM receiver performs frequency selection of the incoming RF signals by programmable spectral downconversion and filtering with minimal harmonic folding. The subsequent MAC separates the spectrally overlapping but spatially diverse signals by weighted complex matrix multiplication. The entire signal path is implemented using energy-efficient gm-C analog circuits with digitally controlled capacitive weighting for configurable baseband down-/upconversion ranging from -24 to +24 MHz in the HRM, and programmable spatial filtering with 4×4 complex (8×8 real) 14-bit coefficients in the MAC. Measurements demonstrate greater than 65 dB harmonic-folding rejection by the HRM, and greater than 48.5 dB spatial signal separation by the MAC. The 65 nm CMOS IC occupies 3.27 mm2 active area, and consumes 480 μW digital power at 45 MHz LO and 840 μW analog power at 3 MHz baseband from a 1.2 V supply.
Comparative risk of cardiac catheterisations performed on low birth weight neonates

Abstract To determine whether cardiac catheterisation procedures for low birth weight neonates ≤2.5 kg carries a greater risk of complications compared with neonates >2.5 kg, we conducted a single-centre retrospective case–control study. From 01/03 to 01/09, 46 consecutive neonates <2.5 kg at the time of cardiac catheterisation were identified. For each low birth weight case, three control patients >2.5 kg were randomly selected from our heart centre database during the same time period. Data included demographic characteristics, type of intervention, fluoroscopy time, contrast volume, pre- and post-blood urea nitrogen to creatinine ratio, physician performing procedure, procedural risk category, and all major and minor complications. The overall incidence of complications was higher in neonates ≤2.5 kg compared with neonates >2.5 kg (34.8% versus 17.6%, p = 0.023) because of a greater proportion of minor complications (34.8% versus 16.9%, p = 0.021). When specific minor complications were stratified, there was a greater incidence of hypotension requiring intravenous fluids in neonates ≤2.5 kg (6.5% versus 0%, p = 0.015). After controlling for physician performing procedure and risk category, neonates ≤2.5 kg remained at a higher risk for any complication (adjusted odds ratio = 3.2, 95% confidence interval 1.4–7.2, p = 0.005). The percentage of neonates having at least one major complication was not higher in the ≤2.5-kg group (2.2% versus 2.2%). No procedural deaths occurred in either group.
Temperature Stability of SNIS Josephson Arrays Between 4.2 K and Critical Temperature in Cryocooler

Cryogen-free operation is essential to expand applications of superconductivity, is unavoidable in some special cases and, in perspective, provides a solution to the expected shortages of liquid helium. In electrical metrology applications, high-temperature operation to reduce the refrigerator size and complexity is not yet possible since arrays of Josephson junctions for voltage standard applications made with high-temperature superconductors are not presently available. The superconductor-normal metal-insulator-superconductor (SNIS) technology developed at INRIM uses low-temperature superconductors but allows operation at temperatures close to 6 K. Thus, it is interesting for the cryocooler operation of a programmable voltage standard. We report on measurements of SNIS devices cooled with a closed-cycle refrigerator and in liquid helium to test the electrical behavior and its dependence on specific fabrication parameters that can be used to optimize the temperature stability.
Serotonergic paraneurones in the female mouse urethral epithelium and their potential role in peripheral sensory information processing

The mechanisms underlying detection and transmission of sensory signals arising from visceral organs, such as the urethra, are poorly understood. Recently, specialized ACh‐expressing cells embedded in the urethral epithelium have been proposed as chemosensory sentinels for detection of bacterial infection. Here, we examined the morphology and potential role in sensory signalling of a different class of specialized cells that express serotonin (5‐HT), termed paraneurones.
On robust D admissibility for uncertain singular linear systems in generalized linear matrix inequality region

The problem of robust D admissibility in generalized linear matrix inequality regions for uncertain singular linear systems is concerned in this paper. With the introduction of some free matrices, a necessary and sufficient condition for the considered singular linear system to be D admissible is presented in terms of linear matrix inequalities. Based on this, a sufficient condition for the existence of state feedback control law for the resultant closed-loop singular linear systems to be robustly D admissible is proposed and an explicit expression for the desired state feedback control law is also given. The obtained results are expressed in terms of a solution of a set of linear matrix inequalities that can be implemented numerically. Numerical examples illustrate the effectiveness and applicability of our approach.
Hardware-based parallel firefly algorithm for embedded applications

The firefly algorithm (FA) is a new population-based metaheuristic bioinspired on the behavior of the flashing characteristics of fireflies. As a population-based algorithm, the FA suffers from large execution times specifically for embedded optimization problems with computational limitations. For reducing execution times we propose a hardware parallel architecture of the FA algorithm that facilitates the implementation in Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). In addition, this work proposes the application of the opposition-based learning (OBL) approach to the FA algorithm. The respective hardware implementation (HPOFA) was mapped into a Virtex5 FPGA device and numerical experiments using four well-known benchmark problems demonstrate that the opposition-based approach allows the FA algorithm to improve its functionality, preserving the swarm diversity and avoiding the premature convergence problem. Synthesis results point out that the HPOFA architecture is effectively mapped in hardware and is suitable for embedded applications.
Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Trough and Tower Concentrating Solar Power Electricity Generation

In reviewing life cycle assessment (LCA) literature of utility‐scale concentrating solar power (CSP) systems, this analysis focuses on reducing variability and clarifying the central tendency of published estimates of life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through a meta‐analytical process called harmonization. From 125 references reviewed, 10 produced 36 independent GHG emissions estimates passing screens for quality and relevance: 19 for parabolic trough (trough) technology and 17 for power tower (tower) technology. The interquartile range (IQR) of published estimates for troughs and towers were 83 and 20 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilowatt‐hour (g CO2‐eq/kWh), 1 respectively; median estimates were 26 and 38 g CO2‐eq/kWh for trough and tower, respectively.
The complete mitochondrial genome of Myotis lucifugus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

Abstract The mitochondrial genome of the little brown bat, Myotis lucifugus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae), is a circular molecule of 17,038 bp in length, containing 22 transfer RNAs genes, 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNAs, and one D-loop region. The A + T content of the overall base composition of the H-strand is 63.2% with individual nucleotides comprising T 29.8%, C 23.4%, A 33.3%, and G 13.5%. In BI and ML trees, we found M. lucifugus is a sister clade to M. brandtii, Myotis is a sister clade to Murina, and Pipistrellus is a sister clade to (Chalinolobus + (Eptesicus + Vespertilio)) (1.00 in BI, >100% in ML). The monophyly of Myotis, Murina, and Plecotus is well supported (1.00 in BI, 100% in ML).
ANALYSIS ON THE IMPACT OF THE CONVERSION OF ESCUDOS INTO EUROS

The conversion of national currencies into euros, which occurred at the beginning of 2002, gave origin to some fears of its effect on inflation in the public opinion of the participating countries. With information already available for that period, it is now possible to assess the extent to which these fears were justified. Following a preliminary work of simulation conducted in the second half of 2001, (1) the aim of this study is to analyse the effects of the introduction of the euro on the behaviour of consumer prices in Portugal. The information available in the meanwhile confirmed the idea that the changeover will have had a relatively reduced effect on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), merely causing a slight increase of the global index. However, looking in greater detail at the different components of this index, some meaningful effects of the changeover were detected. Indeed, in the present study a quantitative indication of the impact of the changeover on the evolution of the Consumer Price Index, both national and harmonised, was obtained, pointing to values around 0.2 percentage points (p.p.) in the first three months of 2002 taken as a whole. Similar studies have been conducted by several Central Banks of the Eurosystem, similarly concluding that the impact of the changeover from the respective national currencies into euros will have been relatively small. Eurostat attributed to the introduction of the euro 0.0-0.16 p.p. of the overall increase of the 0.8 per cent increase in the Harmonised Consumer Price Index, registered between the fourth quarter of 2001 and the first quarter of 2002. (2)
Predicting the Risk of Traumatic Lumbar Punctures in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: a Retrospective Cohort Study using Repeated-measures Analyses

Traumatic lumbar punctures (TLPs) in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia are associated with a poorer prognosis. The objective of this study was to determine risk factors for TLPs using a retrospective cohort. We compared and contrasted three different regression methods for the analysis of repeated-measures data. In the multivariable model using generalized estimating equations, variables significantly associated with TLPs were age < l year or ≥ 10 years; body mass index percentile ≥ 95; platelet counts < 100 x 10/μL; fewer days since previous LP, and a preceding TLP. The same variables, with similar estimates and confidence-intervals, were identified by the random-effects model. In a fixed-effects model where each patient was used as their own control, days since prior LP and the effect of using image-guidance were significant. Random-effects and GEE lead to similar conclusions, whereas fixed-effects discards between-subject comparisons and leads to different estimates and interpretation of results.
Tracking local volume 3D‐echo‐planar coronary artery imaging

Aiming for robust high‐resolution free respiration coronary artery imaging, localized tracking volume selective 3D‐EPI at spatial resolution 1.25 × 1.25 × 3 mm and temporal resolution 65 ms was evaluated in 14 normal subjects. Subject‐specific motion tracking factors were measured between diaphragm navigator and coronary artery in S‐I and A‐P directions. Imaging was repeated with and without tracking, accepting 128 cardiac cycles over a 20‐mm range from free breathing. Reference images with minimal respiratory motion (5‐mm range) used LED‐guided multiple breathholds. Depending on accurate motion measurement, coronary arteries were imaged with tracking, in a 20‐mm range of free breathing, with increased scan efficiency but without significant loss of image quality compared to multiple breathhold imaging. Magn Reson Med 46:1031–1036, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The relationship between knowledge management enablers and performance

– This paper aims to study the correlation between knowledge management (KM) enablers and performance indices of KM. , – Referring to the literature reviews, it attempts to construct the KM process performance index, analyze its importance, and further analyze a company's characteristics, the relationship between KM enablers with the importance of the KM process performance index, and try to adopt four KM enablers as independent variables. Lastly, it intends to explore whether the relationship between the importance of the KM process performance and financial performance indices affects the importance of the financial performance index. , – Among KM enablers, the factor strategy and leadership appears to be one of the most significant positive relationships among all of the KM process performance indices. The importance of performance indices in knowledge creation and knowledge internalization on the operational and customer sides show a positive, significant relationship in the importance of the financial performance index. , – With the constraint of the number of samples, this study does not construct the KM process performance indices of every industry category or strategy. , – The main contribution of the paper is that it explores the causes that influence KM process performance indices, and this enriches empirical research literatures in the domain of the KM process performance indices.