Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sarcocystis strixi n. sp. from a Barred Owl (Strix varia) Definitive Host and Interferon Gamma Gene Knockout Mice as Experimental Intermediate Host

Abstract Here we report a new species of Sarcocystis with a barred owl (Strix varia) as the natural definitive host and interferon gamma gene knockout (KO) mice as an experimental intermediate host. A barred owl submitted to the Carolina Raptor Center, Huntersville, North Carolina, was euthanized because of paralysis. Fully sporulated 12.5 × 9.9 μm sporocysts were found in intestinal scrapings from the owl. Sporocysts from the barred owl were orally fed to 4 laboratory-reared outbred Swiss Webster (SW) (Mus musculus) and 8 KO mice. All mice remained asymptomatic. Microscopic sarcocysts were found in all 5 KO mice euthanized on day 32, 59, 120, 154, and 206 post-inoculation (PI), not in KO mice euthanized on day 4, 8, and 14 PI. Sarcocysts were not found in any SW mice euthanized on day 72, 120, 206, and 210 PI. Sarcocysts were microscopic, up to 70 μm wide. By light microscopy, the sarcocyst wall < 2 μm thick had undulating, flat to conical, protrusions of varying dimensions. Numerous sarcocysts were seen in the histological sections of tongue and skeletal muscles from the abdomen, limbs, and eye but not in the heart. By transmission electron microscopy, the sarcocyst wall was “type 1j. ” The ground substance layer (gs) was homogenous, up to 2 μm thick, with very fine granules, and a few vesicles concentrated toward the villar projections. No microtubules were seen in the gs. Longitudinally cut bradyzoites at 206 days PI were 7.8 × 2.2 μm. Based on molecular characterization using 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, and cox1 genes and morphology of sarcocysts, the parasite in the present study was biologically and structurally different from species so far described, and we therefore propose a new species name, Sarcocystis strixi n. sp.
From Where Does it Come? An Analysis of Currency Market Volatility in Sri Lanka

Exchange rate volatility is a key concern of policy makers. Existing literature has identified a large set of variables as the determinants of exchange rate volatility. However, it is argued that there are common shocks that underlie the co-movements of large time series used in such studies. Using the latent factor approach, which is naturally structured to identify such common shocks, this paper disentangles the unconditional volatility of six currencies expressed against the Sri Lankan rupee into common, numaraire and idiosyncratic factors to identify the sources of currency market volatility in Sri Lanka during the period from 2002–2012. Specifically, this paper attempts to investigate whether the volatility of currency market in Sri Lanka stems from domestic currency market specific sources or external sources. Care is taken to distinguish the effects on intervention and non-intervention days. Empirical results suggest that currency market volatility in Sri Lanka is primarily externally sourced. Prior to the financial crisis, policy makers are found to have been primarily focused on mitigation of the volatility coming from the US currency market, whereas during the crisis this was expanded to include volatility emanating from European currency markets in what may be characterised as an attempt to minimise Sri Lanka’s exposure to global events at the time. However, the policy change introduced in early 2012 by limiting the Central Bank intervention in the foreign exchange market can be identified as an effective policy measure which has reduced exchange rate volatility arises in the domestic currency market. Staff Studies Vol.42(1&2) 2012; 75-97
Nonstationarity of Regressors and Tests on Real-Interest-Rate Behavior

This article reexamines tests on the behavior of real interest rates in light of recent results that indicate that regressors are nonstationary and not strictly exogenous. Strong rejections of constancy of real interest rates that have been found previously in the literature are confirmed here. Although there is some evidence here that real rates are negatively correlated with expected inflation, this result is not as strong as has been indicated by previous research. In addition, results that found a significant negative correlation between real rates and nominal rates before 1979 are not supported here, although there is evidence for a positive correlation of real and nominal interest rates after 1979.
The association between greater continuity of care and timely measles-mumps-rubella vaccination.

OBJECTIVES This study assessed whether greater continuity of care is associated with timely administration of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination. METHODS We studied 11,233 patients continuously enrolled in Group Health Cooperative (GHC) from birth to 15 months. We used a preestablished index to quantify continuity of care based on the number of primary care providers in relation to the number of clinic visits. MMR vaccination status at 15 months was assessed with automated immunization data systems at GHC. RESULTS In a logistic regression model, both medium continuity (odds ratio [OR] = 1.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.08, 1.33) and high continuity (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.22, 1.52) were associated with increased likelihood of being immunized by 15 months compared with patients in the lowest tercile of continuity of care. CONCLUSION Greater continuity of care is associated with more timely immunization.
Probability distributions and leveraged trading strategies: an application of Gaussian mixture models to the Morgan Stanley Technology Index Tracking Fund

The purpose of this paper is twofold. Firstly, to assess the merit of estimating probability density functions rather than level or direction forecasts for one-day-ahead forecasts of the Morgan Stanley Technology Index Tracking Fund (MTK). This is implemented using a Gaussian mixture model neural network, benchmarking the results against standard forecasting models, namely a naïve model, a moving average convergence divergence technical model (MACD), an autoregressive moving average model (ARMA), a logistic regression model (LOGIT) and a multi-layer perceptron network (MLP). Secondly, we examine the possibilities of improving the trading performance of those models with confirmation filters and leverage. While the two network models outperform all of the benchmark models, the Gaussian mixture model does best: it is worth noting that it does well on a time series where the training period is showing a strong uptrend while the out-of-sample period is characterized by a downtrend.
Impact of Total Shoulder Arthroplasty on Golfing Activity

Objective:Golf is a widely popular sport in the United States with 29 million Americans participating in the game. With an aging population and increased incidence of glenohumeral degenerative arthritis, the number of active golfers requiring total shoulder replacement is on the rise. This study aims to evaluate the effect of total shoulder replacement on golfing activity. Design:Retrospective; questionnaire. Setting:Survey. Participants:Three hundred sixty-seven patients were identified based on Current Procedural Terminology codes who underwent total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) between January 2004 and January 2013. Interventions:A voluntary anonymous questionnaire was sent to patients by mail including both objective and subjective questions about their level of golf activity and ability both before and after the surgery. Main Outcome Measures:Two hundred sixty-eight (73%) patients responded with 35 (34 right-handed and 1 left-handed patients) golfers completing the questionnaire. Results including visual analog pain scores, handicap change, and driving distance were evaluated statistically using the Student t test. Results:Thirty-five golfers at an average time of 3.2 years after TSA completed the questionnaire with 31/35 being able to return to the sport at an average time of 8.4 months postoperatively. Thirty of 31 patients reported improvement in their pain level during and after golfing activity by an average of 4.3 (P < 0.05) on a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain. On average, driving distances increased by 12.5 yd (P = 0.0012) and handicap improved by 1.4 strokes (P = 0.03). Conclusions:Patients who undergo TSA for primary glenohumeral arthritis can safely return to golfing activity with a significant decrease in their perceived pain level as per VAS scores. Statistically significant findings included an increase in driving distance by 12.5 yd and an improvement in handicap by 1.4. Clinical Relevance:In counseling patients, it is the authors' opinion that based on our experience with golfers undergoing TSA, patients can safely return to sport at an average of 8.4 months. The likelihood of return to play was quite high, but not 100%, and as such no guarantee should be provided to patients. Outcomes of patients with TSA desiring a return to golf are positive, and possible benefits include improvement of pain and possible improvements in driving distance and handicap. Level of Evidence:IV.
Body composition measurement in severe obesity

Purpose of reviewSevere obesity is accompanied by large increases in fat mass and alterations in the composition of fat free mass, in particular total body water and its extracellular compartment. The physical size limitations imposed by severe obesity, and variations in body composition from that of normal weight, pose tremendous challenges to the measurement of body composition. This review focuses on some of the methodological and practical issues associated with the use of common body composition methods, and identifies available published information on feasible methods for use in the severely obese. Recent findingsThere is little published research regarding what body composition methods can be used with confidence in the severely obese populations. A simple three-compartment model combining measurements of body density by air displacement plethysmography and total body water by bio-electrical impedance can provide measurements of percentage body fat in the severely obese that are comparable with a traditional, highly technical three-compartment model requiring facilities such as isotope ratio mass spectrometry along with a substantial technical expertise. SummaryThis review highlights some of the basic challenges faced by researchers and clinicians when conducting body composition assessments in severely obese patients. A simple three-compartment model that is accurate and easy to perform appears to be promising for use in this population. Further research is needed, however, on this and other feasible methods of body composition assessment in a diverse group of severely obese people.
Mothers' early depressive symptoms and children's first-grade adjustment: a transactional analysis of child withdrawal as a mediator.

BACKGROUND The depression-inhibition hypothesis suggests that mothers' depressive symptoms undermine development because they lead children to withdraw from social contact. To test this, this study examined whether poor first-grade adjustment among children of mothers with depressive symptoms is mediated by the emergence of child withdrawal in early development. METHOD Based on 1,364 dyads, four waves of data spanning from 24 months to first grade (7 years) were used to examine paths by which children's withdrawal mediates relations between mothers' early depressive symptoms and three first-grade outcomes: social competence, academic performance, and externalizing behavior problems. RESULTS Structural equation modeling revealed three principal paths. First, direct relations were observed: Mothers' depressive symptoms predicted early child withdrawal and increases in child withdrawal over time, which predicted poor first-grade adjustment. Second, reciprocal relations were observed: Mothers' depressive symptoms predicted child withdrawal, which predicted increases in depressive symptoms. Third, relations via mother-child mutual responsiveness were observed: Depression-related increases in child withdrawal predicted declines in mutual responsiveness, which predicted poor first-grade adjustment. CONCLUSION The findings suggest that, due to its interdependence with maternal depression and low mother-child mutual responsiveness over time, child withdrawal may play an important role in the poor first-grade adjustment of children whose mothers are high in depressive symptoms.
Education Requirements, Audit Fees, and Audit Quality

SUMMARY: We examine whether additional education requirements to enter the accounting profession lead to higher costs to clients. Using the 150-hour education requirement in the U.S. and the audit services market during the period 2000–2004 as the setting for our study, we find that corporations headquartered in states that have implemented the 150-hour requirement pay, on average, 4.8 percent more in audit fees than corporations in states that have not implemented the 150-hour requirement. Additionally, we find that audit fees increase as time passes after implementing additional education requirements. We also provide evidence that corporations headquartered in states with higher general wage levels pay higher audit fees. In supplementary analyses, we do not find an association between additional education requirements and differential quality of work product as measured by discretionary accruals.
Relationship dimensions of the 'Down syndrome advantage'.

BACKGROUND Some researchers have proposed an 'advantage' for parents of children with Down syndrome over parents of children with other intellectual disabilities, especially in relation to experiencing less parenting stress. Others have maintained that these differences are an artefact of demographic and related differences. This study extends the investigation of possible differences in dimensions of parenting stress and also examines whether differences exist in maternal and child contingent responsiveness during mother-child interaction in these two groups. METHOD Mothers of children with Down syndrome (n = 43) and undifferentiated developmental disabilities (n = 54) completed measures of children's adaptive functioning and behaviour problems, parenting stress and maternal social support. Observers rated the contingent interactions between mothers and children using the Nursing Child Assessment Teaching Scale. RESULTS Once mother's age, education and social support as well as child adaptive functioning and behaviour problems were considered, neither parent nor child related parenting stress demonstrated an advantage for parents of children with Down syndrome. However, a 'Down syndrome advantage' was apparent for both maternal and child contingent responsiveness after accounting for maternal demographic and contextual variables and child attributes. CONCLUSIONS Children with Down syndrome and their mothers have more positive interactions than children with other developmental disabilities, both in terms of the responsiveness of mothers and of child responses contingent on maternal behaviour. These findings suggest that both children with Down syndrome themselves and their mothers are contributing to a Down syndrome advantage.
Risk factors for preeclampsia, abruptio placentae, and adverse neonatal outcomes among women with chronic hypertension. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Network of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units.

Background Women with chronic hypertension who become pregnant have an increased risk of preeclampsia and adverse neonatal outcomes. However, within this group, the risk factors for these adverse events are not known. Methods We analyzed data on outcomes for 763 women with chronic hypertension enrolled in a multicenter trial of low-dose aspirin for the prevention of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia was defined as new-onset proteinuria (urinary protein excretion, ≥300 mg per 24 hours) in the 682 women without proteinuria at base line. It was defined according to strict clinical criteria in the 81 women who had proteinuria at base line. The end points were maternal and neonatal outcomes. Results Among the 763 women, 193 (25 percent) had preeclampsia. The frequency of preeclampsia was not affected by the presence of proteinuria at base line (27 percent among women with proteinuria, vs. 25 percent among those without it), but it was greater in women who had had hypertension for at least four years (31 percent vs. 2.
In vivo MRSI of hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate metabolism in rat hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the primary form of human adult liver malignancy, is a highly aggressive tumor with average survival rates that are currently less than 1 year following diagnosis. Most patients with HCC are diagnosed at an advanced stage, and no efficient marker exists for the prediction of prognosis and/or response(s) to therapy. We have reported previously a high level of [1‐13C]alanine in an orthotopic HCC using single‐voxel hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate MRS. In the present study, we implemented a three‐dimensional MRSI sequence to investigate this potential hallmark of cellular metabolism in rat livers bearing HCC (n = 7 buffalo rats). In addition, quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the mRNA levels of lactate dehydrogenase A, nicotinamide adenine (phosphate) dinucleotide dehydrogenase quinone 1 and alanine transaminase. The enzyme levels were significantly higher in tumor than in normal liver tissues within each rat, and were associated with the in vivo MRSI signal of [1‐13C]alanine and [1‐13C]lactate after a bolus intravenous injection of [1‐13C]pyruvate. Histopathological analysis of these tumors confirmed the successful growth of HCC as a nodule in buffalo rat livers, revealing malignancy and hypervascular architecture. More importantly, the results demonstrated that the metabolic fate of [1‐13C]pyruvate conversion to [1‐13C]alanine significantly superseded that of [1‐13C]pyruvate conversion to [1‐13C]lactate, potentially serving as a marker of HCC tumors. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Consultant‐Researchers in Public Sector Transformation: An Evolving Role

This paper analyses the changing role of consultant‐researchers in the public sector, drawing empirically on a 12‐year interventionist project. The investigation focuses on the heterogeneity of participants’ contributions, and shows the researchers’ actions to be closely entangled with participants’ attitudes. Furthermore, the longitudinal study highlights the relevance of the changing reform and organisational setting in shaping these roles, such that the actors’ actions can be regarded as institutionally embedded. From this perspective, the roles are analysed across three dimensions – purposes, participation and learning – representing polar types on a broad spectrum.
Superconducting fault current limiter for smart grid application

The conventional power system is adopting the concept of the smart grid by integrating intelligent control system, advanced communication network and green energy resources. Penetration of renewables is increasing the fault current level of the system. Conventional protection elements are unable to suppress the fault current rapidly. The superconducting fault current limiters (SFCL) are perceived to be very useful in this regard. SFCL is having a very fast response and its high nonlinear characteristics help to limit high fault current. In this work, some unique case studies have been carried out with resistive-SFCL. The proposed model of resistive-SFCL can be easily employed to limit high fault currents in multifarious smart grid systems. The power system model considered here is a practical Indian grid system with generation, transmission, and distribution facility. To reflect the performance of resistive-SFCL in micro-grid environment one wind farm of 12 MVA capacities is considered as a distributed generation resource. To analyze the performance in detail of resistive-SFCL, different faults have been considered at different locations in presence of wind farm. Strategic locations of resistive-SFCL have been considered according to network protection priority. The simulation results obtained from different case studies are reliable and satisfactory.
The Credit Crisis and De Nova Mimicking in Security Analysis

The failure of the investment community in 2007 to foresee the systematic collapse of the credit default swap market significantly increased the complexity of security analysis and damaged the reputation of the security analyst community in general. submit that in response to the credit crisis, security analysts may have engaged in a de nova form of mimicking by increasing emphasis on general market factors and reducing emphasis on idiosyncratic factors in their valuations, driven by behavioral motives to achieve increased cost efficiency and avoid higher penalties for unfavorable outlier valuations. The result would be increased correlation among security valuations and therefore returns, and diminished benefits of diversification. We test this hypothesis by examining the patterns of security and portfolio returns surrounding the onset of the credit crisis in early 2007 and observe a significant postcrisis increase in the proportion of security and portfolio returns explained by market factors. The findings support the hypothesized shift in emphasis in security analyst valuation techniques, and provide results consistent with the hypothesized behavioral explanations.
Economic aid to post-conflict countries: a methodological critique of Collier and Hoeffler

In the past five years, research sponsored by the World Bank on the economic aspects of civil war1 under the research directorship of Oxford economist Paul Collier has had an extraordinary influence on the subsequent study of violent conflict and civil war and on international policy. The research project has now turned its attention to the problem of countries emerging from civil war and what Collier and his co-author, Anke Hoeffler, call ‘a first systematic empirical analysis of aid and policy reform in the post-conflict growth process. ’2 Building on the influence of their earlier research and the lively interest currently in knowledge about and policy on post-conflict strategies, this work is likely to be equally influential on research, thinking, and policy. It is all the more important, therefore, to subject the research to critical examination before it becomes established as conventional wisdom. This note reports one such attempt to analyze some major methodological problems with the study and argues that the research cannot sustain the conclusions they draw or the resulting policy recommendations.
A dual Gm-mode LC-tank VCO with programmable-in-size-and-current active core and pseudo-exponential tank capacitance

An LC-tank quadrature voltage-controlled oscillator (QVCO) with an octave overall tuning range is designed and fabricated in AMS 0. 35μm 2P/4M RF CMOS. The VCO utilizes an nMOS-based, cross-coupled, programmable-in-size-and-current active core for dual Gm-mode operation to overcome a tradeoff between the VCO minimum frequency limited by the startup gain of its active core and the VCO maximum frequency impacted by parasitic capacitances of the active core. The VCO also employs a pseudo-exponential tank capacitance with both coarse and fine tuning, which highly linearizes the coarse-tuning characteristics and reduces the variation of the VCO gain factor across the tuning range. The VCO achieves 66.3% frequency-tuning range (FTR) from 1.232 to 2.455GHz with measured phase noise of -119.5 and -121.5dBc/Hz at 1MHz offset from the minimum and maximum oscillation frequencies, respectively. The measured power consumption is 6mW at 2.455GHz and 15mW at 1.232GHz from 1.5V.