Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sensitive and Specific Serodiagnosis of Lyme Disease by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay with a Peptide Based on an Immunodominant Conserved Region of Borrelia burgdorferi VlsE

ABSTRACT VlsE, the variable surface antigen of Borrelia burgdorferi, contains an immunodominant conserved region named IR6. In the present study, the diagnostic performance of a peptide enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on a 26-mer synthetic peptide (C6) with the IR6 sequence was explored. Sensitivity was assessed with serum samples (n = 210) collected from patients with clinically defined Lyme disease at the acute (early localized or early disseminated disease), convalescent, or late disease phase. The sensitivities for acute-, convalescent-, and late-phase specimens were 74% (29 of 39), 85 to 90% (34 of 40 to 35 of 39), and 100% (59 of 59), respectively. Serum specimens from early neuroborreliosis patients were 95% positive (19 of 20), and those from an additional group of patients with posttreatment Lyme disease syndrome yielded a sensitivity of 62% (8 of 13). To assess the specificity of the peptide ELISA, 77 serum samples from patients with other spirochetal or chronic infections, autoimmune diseases, or neurologic diseases and 99 serum specimens from hospitalized patients in an area where Lyme disease is not endemic were examined. Only two potential false positives from the hospitalized patients were found, and the overall specificity was 99% (174 of 176). Precision, which was assessed with a panel of positive and negative serum specimens arranged in blinded duplicates, was 100%. Four serum samples with very high anti-OspA antibody titers obtained from four monkeys given the OspA vaccine did not react with the C6 peptide. This simple, sensitive, specific, and precise ELISA may contribute to alleviate some of the remaining problems in Lyme disease serodiagnosis. Because of its synthetic peptide base, it will be inexpensive to manufacture. It also will be applicable to serum specimens from OspA-vaccinated subjects.
DECISIONS BASED ON ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTMENTS AND SUSTAINABILITY

This work deals with the efficiency of the decisions based on environmental investments by the use of the costbenefit analysis in the evaluation of an investment project of an aluminium industry company of Romania. The paper deals with the typology of the costs used in the evaluation of the environmental investment projects in point of managerial accounting, but also with the indicators used in a cost-benefit analysis. To analyze the data we used a questionnaire based on three questions whose results were analyzed and which were at the basis of the realization of our whole scientific approach. The case study on the cost-benefit analysis used in an environmental investment project has been realized at a company of the aluminium industry, of Romania, and the results obtained have been presented and analyzed adequately. The work ends with the authors’ conclusions related to the efficiency of the decisions based on environmental investments and sustainability and to the use of the cost-benefit analysis in the evaluation of the environmental investments projects.
Sterile product compounding using an i.v. compounding workflow management system at a pediatric hospital.

PURPOSE Patient safety enhancements achieved through the use of an automated i.v. compounding workflow management system are reported. SUMMARY Automated systems integrating barcode verification of ingredients and the capture of serial images of all steps of the admixture process have the potential to improve the accuracy of parenteral i.v. medication dose preparation. About 18 months after the implementation of such a system at a large pediatric hospital, a retrospective analysis of dose preparation outcomes was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the i.v. workflow manager in detecting compounding errors and to categorize detected errors. In verifying the accuracy of 425,683 medication doses prepared during the approximately 13-month evaluation period, dispensing pharmacists detected preparation or documentation errors affecting 2,900 doses (0.68%); 1,223 of those doses (0.29%) required reworking, and 1,677 (0.4%) were rejected and destroyed. Roughly 23% of the detected errors were classified as undetectable via the pharmacy's previous verification practices, with 167 errors judged to pose the potential for adverse drug events resulting in moderate (n=146) or severe (n=21) harm. Among the reworked and rejected doses, 43.8% and 31.3%, respectively, were due to newly emergent problems not seen with traditional paper-based verification systems; however, most of these errors involved blurry or missing images and were not judged to be clinically significant. CONCLUSION Implementation of an i.v. workflow management system that integrates barcode verification, automated calculations, and image-capture capabilities led to increased detection of errors in the sterile product compounding process.
Validation of a Pediatric Early Warning Score in Hospitalized Pediatric Oncology and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patients

Objectives: To evaluate the correlation of a Pediatric Early Warning Score with unplanned transfer to the PICU in hospitalized oncology and hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients. Design: We performed a retrospective matched case–control study, comparing the highest documented Pediatric Early Warning Score within 24 hours prior to unplanned PICU transfers in hospitalized pediatric oncology and hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients between September 2011 and December 2013. Controls were patients who remained on the inpatient unit and were matched 2:1 using age, condition (oncology vs hematopoietic stem cell transplant), and length of hospital stay. Pediatric Early Warning Scores were documented by nursing staff at least every 4 hours as part of routine care. Need for transfer was determined by a PICU physician called to evaluate the patient. Setting: A large tertiary/quaternary free-standing academic children’s hospital. Patients: One hundred ten hospitalized pediatric oncology patients (42 oncology, 68 hematopoietic stem cell transplant) requiring unplanned PICU transfer and 220 matched controls. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: Using the highest score in the 24 hours prior to transfer for cases and a matched time period for controls, the Pediatric Early Warning Score was highly correlated with the need for PICU transfer overall (area under the receiver operating characteristic = 0.96), and in the oncology and hematopoietic stem cell transplant groups individually (area under the receiver operating characteristic = 0.95 and 0.96, respectively). The difference in Pediatric Early Warning Score results between the cases and controls was noted as early as 24 hours prior to PICU admission. Seventeen patients died (15.4%). Patients with higher Pediatric Early Warning Scores prior to transfer had increased PICU mortality (p = 0.028) and length of stay (p = 0.004). Conclusions: We demonstrate that our institution’s Pediatric Early Warning Score is highly correlated with the need for unplanned PICU transfer in hospitalized oncology and hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients. Furthermore, we found an association between higher scores and PICU mortality. This is the first validation of a Pediatric Early Warning Score specific to the pediatric oncology and hematopoietic stem cell transplant populations, and supports the use of Pediatric Early Warning Scores as a method of early identification of clinical deterioration in this high-risk population.
Catheter-Based Renal Denervation Reduces Atrial Nerve Sprouting and Complexity of Atrial Fibrillation in Goats

Background—Atrial fibrillation (AF) leads to structural and neural remodeling in the atrium, which enhances AF complexity and perpetuation. Renal denervation (RDN) can reduce renal and whole-body sympathetic activity. Aim of this study was to determine the effect of sympathetic nervous system modulation by RDN on atrial arrhythmogenesis. Methods and Result—Eighteen goats were instrumented with an atrial endocardial pacemaker lead and a burst pacemaker. Percutaneous catheter-based RDN was performed in 8 goats (RDN-AF). Ten goats undergoing a sham procedure served as control (SHAM-AF). AF was induced and maintained by burst pacing for 6 weeks. High-resolution mapping was used to record epicardial conduction patterns of the right and left atrium. RDN reduced tyrosine hydroxylase-positive sympathetic nerve staining and resulted in lower transcardiac norepinephrine levels. This was associated with reduced expression of nerve growth factor-&bgr;, indicating less atrial nerve sprouting. Atrial endomysial fibrosis content was lower and myocyte diameter was smaller in RDN-AF. Median conduction velocity was higher (75±9 versus 65±10 cm/s, P=0.02), and AF cycle length was shorter in RDN-AF compared with SHAM-AF. Left atrial AF complexity (4.8±0.8 fibrillation waves/AF cycle length versus 8.5±0.8 waves/AF cycle length, P=0.001) and incidence of breakthroughs (2.0±0.3 versus 4.3±0.5 waves/AF cycle length, P=0.059) were lower in RDN-AF compared with SHAM-AF. Blood pressure was normal and not significantly different between the groups. Conclusions—RDN reduces atrial sympathetic nerve sprouting, structural alterations, and AF complexity in goats with persistent AF, independent of changes in blood pressure.
Functional involvement of polypyrimidine tract-binding protein in translation initiation complexes with the internal ribosome entry site of foot-and-mouth disease virus

The synthesis of picornavirus polyproteins is initiated cap independently far downstream from the 5' end of the viral RNA at the internal ribosome entry site (IRES). The cellular polypyrimidine tract-binding protein (PTB) binds to the IRES of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). In this study, we demonstrate that PTB is a component of 48S and 80S ribosomal initiation complexes formed with FMDV IRES RNA. The incorporation of PTB into these initiation complexes is dependent on the entry of the IRES RNA, since PTB and IRES RNA can be enriched in parallel either in 48S or 80S ribosomal complexes by stage-specific inhibitors of translation initiation. The formation of the ribosomal initiation complexes with the IRES occurs slowly, is temperature dependent, and correlates with the incorporation of PTB into these complexes. In a first step, PTB binds to the IRES, and then the small ribosomal subunit encounters this PTB-IRES complex. Mutations in the major PTB-binding site interfere simultaneously with the formation of initiation complexes, translation efficiency, and PTB cross-linking. PTB stimulates translation directed by the FMDV IRES in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate depleted of internal PTB, and the efficiency of translation can be restored to the original level by the addition of PTB. These results indicate that PTB plays an important role in the formation of initiation complexes with FMDV IRES RNA and in stimulation of internal translation initiation with this picornavirus.
Enhancement of Performance, Availability, and Flexibility of a Battery Energy Storage System Based on a Modular Multilevel Cascaded Converter (MMCC-SSBC)

This paper provides a theoretical and experimental discussion about the performance, availability, and flexibility of a battery energy storage system (BESS) using a modular multilevel cascaded converter based on single-star bridge cells (MMCC-SSBC). The SSBC-based BESS produces three-phase multilevel voltage waveforms, and eliminates both harmonic filters and a complicated zig-zag transformer from the ac side. The circuit modularity of the SSBC enables the usage of multiple individual low-voltage battery modules. Along with control strategy based on zero-sequence-voltage injection, this modularity enhances the availability and flexibility of the BESS. A three-phase laboratory downscaled system rated at 140 V, 10 kW, and 21 kW·h is designed, constructed, and tested to verify the operating principles and performance. The tested BESS produces a current total harmonic distortion (THD) of 3.0% even when it operates with different active-power commands for individual bridge cells. In addition, zero-voltage ride-through capability is verified for the severest single-phase, two-phase, and three-phase voltage sags. Mathematical analysis and experimental verification validate the downscaled system and performance, making the BESS prospective.
III-Nitride Phototransistors Fabricated on a Light-Emitting-Diode Epitaxial Wafer

Instead of using a wafer with a bipolar junction transistor n-p-n epitaxial structure, we successfully fabricated AlGaInN-based near-ultraviolet (UV) heterojunction phototransistors (HPTs) on a commercial wafer with a light-emitting-diode (LED) epitaxial structure by employing silicon diffusion to convert a part of the p-AlGaN layer into an n-AlGaN layer. High responsivity of more than 77 A/W in the near-UV spectral range, including a peak responsivity of 120 A/W at 382 nm, was obtained at a bias voltage of only 3 V. The corresponding photocurrent gain was approximately 790. The response speed and photocurrent versus incident light intensity were also characterized. The results indicate that the LEDs can be monolithically integrated with high-responsivity HPTs.
Anteroposterior variation of the cell types in the interrenal gland of the male toad Rhinella arenarum (Amphibia, Anura)

The interrenal gland of anurans synthesizes the steroids aldosterone and corticosterone, but it is unknown whether these hormones are synthesized by the same cell type. In this work, we aim to elucidate whether there are different steroidogenic cell types and whether they have specific regionalization in the interrenal gland of the male toad Rhinella arenarum. We characterized all cell types using histological, immuhistochemical, and histochemical methods as well as transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, we evaluated the organization of the cell types in the gland and anteroposterior variations in the synthesis of the steroids. We found evidence of five cell types: two morphologically different steroidogenic cells, type 1: polyhedral cells tightly attached to each other that have spherical euchromatic nuclei and type 2: retracted cells loosely attached to each other that have oval heterochromatic nuclei. Cell type 2 is mainly observed in the inner zone of the gland. In addition, we observed two types of chromaffin cells, called type 3 and 4 cells, randomly distributed throughout the interrenal gland, as well as type 5 cells, recognized as summer cells. Morphometric analyses of the cell types in the anterior and posterior zones of the interrenal showed that the ratio “area of type 2 cells/total interrenal area” is significantly lower in the posterior zone. In vitro incubations showed that the posterior portion of the gland produces significantly higher amounts of both corticosterone and aldosterone. Overall, our results suggest that the type 2 cells are less active to synthesize both aldosterone and corticosterone, compared to type 1 cells. Unlike most previous reports on the interrenal gland of anurans, in R. arenarum there is a zonation of the steroidogenic cell types, which implies that the organ is not anteroposterior or dorsoventrally homogeneous. © J. Morphol. , 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Are PIIGS so Different? An Empirical Analysis of Demand and Supply Shocks

This paper analyses responses to supply and demand shocks in PIIGS countries. We compare the results obtained for PIIGS with those of Germany and the USA, and also with those of France, which despite its government’s efforts demonstrate relatively poor recent economic performance. The main objective of this paper is to establish whether it is still reasonable to consider PIIGS as a group apart. Our methodological strategy is based on the Okun Law (OL) which is incorporated in a Structural Vector Autoregression (SVAR) model with Blanchard-Quah (BQ) restrictions. We address two drawbacks that usually present in the OL: the interdependency problem and the non-stationarity problem. By using a non-parametric representation of OL, we identify the heterogeneity between countries. We build stable VAR models for each of the economies and use the BQ SVAR impulses to analyse the importance of contemporary and long-run effects of supply and demand shocks. The main conclusion of this paper is that it does not make any sense today to identify PIIGS as a separate group. Additionally, a country that stands out from our analysis is France. The question can thus be posed that if “PIIGS” signifies “countries with poor economic performances” then should not France also belong to this group?
A population‐based study of lung carcinoma in Pennsylvania

Lung carcinoma remains the major cause of cancer death in North America and is even more common among military veterans. The objective of this study was to determine whether there were differences in the characteristics and survival of Pennsylvania patients with lung carcinoma in the Veterans Administration (VA) hospital system compared with patients in the rest of the state.
Fostering incremental and radical innovation through performance-based contracting in buyer-supplier relationships

While anecdotal evidence suggests that performance-based contracts (PBCs) may foster innovation in buyer-supplier relationships, the understanding of the underlying mechanisms is limited to date. The purpose of this paper is to draw on transaction cost economics and agency theory to develop a theoretical model that explains how PBCs may lead to innovation. Using data on 106 inter-organizational relationships from the Dutch maintenance industry, the authors investigate how the two main features of PBCs – low-term specificity and performance-based rewards – affect incremental and radical innovation. The authors find that term specificity has an inverse-U-shaped effect on incremental innovation and a non-significant negative effect on radical innovation. Furthermore, pay-for-performance has a stronger positive effect on radical innovation than on incremental innovation. The findings suggest that in pursuit of incremental innovation, organizations should draft contracts with low, but not too low, term specificity and incorporate performance-based rewards. Radical innovation may be achieved by rewarding suppliers for their performance only. The findings suggest that in pursuit of incremental innovation, organizations should draft contracts with low, but not too low, term specificity and incorporate performance-based rewards. Radical innovation requires rewarding suppliers for their performance only.
Structure of Attention in Children with Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common cause of disability among children in the United States, and attention deficits are frequently observed in both the acute and chronic phases of injury. The current study investigated models of attention in children with TBI and examined differential sensitivity of various components of these attention models to the severity of the brain injury. Participants included 151 children and adolescents (mean age 12.9 years, SD = 2.6) who had suffered TBI, and 50 normal controls (mean age 12.5 years old, SD = 2.2). All children were administered neuropsychological tests of attention as part of a comprehensive neuropsychological battery for brain injury (TBI group) or for the purposes of the current investigation (normal controls). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the attention tests indicated that a four-factor model of attention composed of Shift, Focus, Encode, and Sustain factors provided the best fit of the TBI group data. Factor scores were subsequently created and used to predict the severity of brain injury. All four factors were sensitive to TBI in that those with TBI performed significantly worse than the controls, but regression analysis indicated that only the Shift and Focus factors were significant predictors of TBI severity. These findings support the utility of a multicomponent model of attention to understand attention deficits resulting from TBI, and may be useful in determining those aspects of attention that are differentially impacted by TBI, in order to assist in assessment and rehabilitation planning.
High-Resolution Global Maps of 21st-Century Forest Cover Change

Forests in Flux Forests worldwide are in a state of flux, with accelerating losses in some regions and gains in others. Hansen et al. (p. 850) examined global Landsat data at a 30-meter spatial resolution to characterize forest extent, loss, and gain from 2000 to 2012. Globally, 2.3 million square kilometers of forest were lost during the 12-year study period and 0.8 million square kilometers of new forest were gained. The tropics exhibited both the greatest losses and the greatest gains (through regrowth and plantation), with losses outstripping gains. Landsat data reveals details of forest losses and gains across the globe on an annual basis from 2000 to 2012. Quantification of global forest change has been lacking despite the recognized importance of forest ecosystem services. In this study, Earth observation satellite data were used to map global forest loss (2.3 million square kilometers) and gain (0.8 million square kilometers) from 2000 to 2012 at a spatial resolution of 30 meters. The tropics were the only climate domain to exhibit a trend, with forest loss increasing by 2101 square kilometers per year. Brazil’s well-documented reduction in deforestation was offset by increasing forest loss in Indonesia, Malaysia, Paraguay, Bolivia, Zambia, Angola, and elsewhere. Intensive forestry practiced within subtropical forests resulted in the highest rates of forest change globally. Boreal forest loss due largely to fire and forestry was second to that in the tropics in absolute and proportional terms. These results depict a globally consistent and locally relevant record of forest change.
The Educational Impact of a Computer-Based Training Tutorial on Dementia in Long-Term Care for Licensed Practice Nursing Students

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine whether training with a multimedia tutorial would have an impact on LPN students' knowledge of dementia care, attitudes toward dementia care, and self-efficacy ratings. A total of 38 nursing students participated. Pre-post comparisons of outcome measures revealed significant improvements in knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy ratings. Results of post-training satisfaction and usability questionnaires indicate that participants found the tutorials easy to understand and easy to use. These data support the effectiveness of the dementia tutorial and the use of computer-based training in educating our long-term care workforce.
Research of optimally design novel pole type perpendicular MRAM for high capacity

This paper described about biggest hurdle of MRAM solved method for high capacity. Normalizations MRAM have two current lines and it was to magnetize by two current appeared composition magnetic fields. This system has a weak magnetic field because of only current line that is appeared magnetic fields. For solving problem, this paper has used novel design that is to add high permeable magnetic pole using perpendicular magnetization field. For optimization design of Pole type perpendicular MARAM (PTP MRAM) research had used 3D FEM.