Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evolution of HIV‐1 in a patient population failing multiple‐drug therapy

To understand the evolutionary pathway of the multi‐drug‐resistant virus HIV‐1 under drug‐induced selection pressure, plasma from seven patients from baseline to different intervals post‐treatment failure were used in RT‐PCR protocols. Multiple clones were sequenced for each time point. Drug‐resistant mutations were detected in five patients. Phylogenetic analysis showed that at different time points, viral sequences clustered separately and formed independent lineages. Genetic diversity decreased from 1.59 to 0.55, whereas non‐synonymous/synonymous mutation ratios increased from 0.067 to 0.118, respectively. These data suggest that the virus population changed dynamically and clustered in a time point‐specific manner whereas genetic diversity decreased consistently.
Water Habits and Hygiene Education to Prevent Diarrhoeal Diseases: The Zambezi River Basin in Mozambique†

This research analyses the relationship between certain water-related habits and infrastructure likely to influence the frequency of diarrhoea in children that are five years old or younger. The study is implemented using an ordered logit model with information from 334 households from the Zambezi river in Mozambique, with children who were aged up to five years. The main objective of this paper is to emphasize the importance of hygiene education in the prevention of gastrointestinal diseases in children, that are affected by poor access to water systems and sanitation. Maintaining hygiene is especially important in households with young children, who are more vulnerable to gastrointestinal diseases. The results of the research reveal that in households that do not know that water transmits illnesses and where they do not wash their hands before preparing a child's meal, the children suffer diarrhoea more frequently. The main recommendation is to invest in hygiene education programmes to reduce the risk of illnesses such as diarrhoea. Improvements in access to water and sanitation may not be sufficient in order to improve life conditions if there is no hygiene education.
Level of agreement between physical activity levels measured by ActiHeart and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire in persons with intellectual disability

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the level of agreement between objective physical activity (PA) (ActiHeart®) and subjective proxy-respondent International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short version (IPAQ-S) data in adults with intellectual disabilities (IDs). Method: Fifty-eight participants wore ActiHeart® monitors for seven consecutive days. Caregivers of each participant completed the IPAQ-S on behalf of the participant. Total PA, time spent in light, moderate, and vigorous activity as well as time spent being sedentary were assessed by the IPAQ-S and the ActiHeart®. Results were compared by means of correlation analyses. The level of agreement was presented with Bland–Altman plots. Results: Objective PA (ActiHeart®) was higher (225.57 ± 91.96 min/week) than IPAQ-S PA reported by care-givers (177.06 ± 309.17 min/week). Weak significant correlations were observed between the ActiHeart® and IPAQ-S instruments for sedentary behavior (r = 0.31; p = 0.04); no significant correlations for light (r= −0.04; p = 0.8), moderate (r= −0.07; p = 0.63), or vigorous PA (r= −0.2; p = 0.18) were found. Limited agreement between objectively determine PA (ActiHeart®) and IPAQ-S was found. Conclusion: IPAQ-S is inaccurate when determining PA in persons with ID as it significantly underestimates the true levels of PA in this cohort. Implications for Rehabilitation Persons with intellectual disability (ID) report insufficient physical activity for health benefits. Physical activity is often determined by means of subjective proxy reporting. Objective physical activity measurements by means of combined heart rate and accelerometer are necessary to determine accurate levels of physical activity in persons with ID. Exercise interventions should be based on objective physical activity measurements.
Anomaly detection approach to keystroke dynamics based user authentication

Keystroke dynamics is one of the authentication mechanisms which uses natural typing pattern of a user for identification. In this work, we introduced Dependence Clustering based approach to user authentication using keystroke dynamics. In addition, we applied a k-NN-based approach that demonstrated strong results. Most of the existing approaches use only genuine users data for training and validation. We designed a cross validation procedure with artificially generated impostor samples that improves the learning process yet allows fair comparison to previous works. We evaluated the methods using the CMU keystroke dynamics benchmark dataset. Both proposed approaches outperformed the previous state-of-the-art results for the CMU dataset for unsupervised learning.
Use of an Acellular Flowable Dermal Replacement Scaffold on Lower Extremity Sinus Tract Wounds

A novel injectable human dermal matrix has been developed for the treatment of complex diabetic sinus tract wounds. Bioengineered grafts are commercially available that have been somewhat effective in treating chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers; however, these bioengineered grafts are only available in sheet form. These therapies are less effective in treating complex or irregularly shaped wounds that demonstrate tunnels or extensions into deep soft tissue. One acellular graft (GRAFTJACKET, Matrix, Wright Medical Technology, Arlington, Tennessee) that has been shown to effectively treat open wounds is also available in a micronized form (GRAFTJACKET Xpress Scaffold, Wright Medical Technology). This human dermal graft forms a flowable soft tissue scaffold that can be delivered via syringe into tunneling wounds. In this retrospective series, 12 patients with deep tunneling wounds were treated with GRAFTJACKET Xpress Scaffold and followed for 12 weeks. Complete wound healing was achieved in 10 of 12 patients within the 12-week evaluation. The average time to complete healing was 8.5 weeks, whereas the average time to depth healing was 7.8 weeks. The data from the study suggest that this injectable human dermal matrix has unique properties that allow it to facilitate healing of complex tunneling diabetic foot ulcers. The material is easy to prepare and inject into the wound, thereby preventing the necessity of extensive surgical exposure. The matrix supports neo-subcutaneous tissue formation and allows the body to rapidly repair these wounds.
A wavelet Kalman filter with perceptual masking for speech enhancement in colored noise

A wavelet Kalman filter combined with masking properties of the human auditory system is proposed for enhancing speech degraded by colored noise. A wavelet domain speech state-space model is first constructed, with a corresponding Kalman filter. A post-filter, considering both time and frequency masking properties, is then applied. From the calculated masking threshold, the noisy speech spectrum is further enhanced. Simulation results show that the proposed approach has the best performance compared with either classic or recently introduced methods, evaluated using ITU-T P.862 PESQ scores. The proposed approach also has a reduced complexity compared to a time-domain implementation of the Kalman filter with a perceptual post-filter.
Electron Microscopy: Two Major Synaptic Types on Spinal Motoneurons

Two major types of synaptic bulbs are defined on the motoneuron surface of the monkey, on the basis of content of agranular "synaptic" vesicles of two distinct kinds. Both types are present on dendritic as well as perikaryal surface. Because of the approximately equal numbers, the hypothesis that one type is excitatory and the other inhibitory naturally arises.
"New institutionalism, the single market and EU governance"

This paper seeks to suggest a way in which the different levels of research analysis on governance of the European Union can be linked up through application of a middle-range theory, namely new institutionalism. The paper draws on the methods used in, and findings of, a study of the governance of the Single European Market (1985-96) (Armstrong and Bulmer 1997 forthcoming). The paper has four parts. The first simply seeks to identify what "the governance of the EU" is and how to have a complete picture of it. The second part looks at new institutionalism--specifically its historical institutionalist variant--and locates this approach at the intersection of comparative politics, international relations and legal theory, the core areas affected by EU governance. Can historical institutionalism benefit from this location to "capture" the different facets of EU governance? And if so, how? In the third part attention is focused on the Single European Market, with a view to showing how historical institutionalism may encompass the scope of EU governance. Finally, the paper aims to draw some conclusions about whether historical institutionalism is "up to the job. "
Preparation and in vitro analysis of microencapsulated live Lactobacillus fermentum 11976 for augmentation of feruloyl esterase in the gastrointestinal tract

FA (ferulic acid) is a well‐known phenolic phytochemical present in plant cell walls. Various studies have indicated that FA has many physiological functions in the prevention of chronic disease. It has been shown to play an important chemoprotective role in degenerative diseases. FA also shows strong antioxidant and nitrite‐scavenging potential and anticarcinogenic and antiinflammatory properties. The in vivo physiological importance of FA depends on its availability for absorption. Dietary fibre‐bound FA is partially released by gut micro‐organisms; however, the concentration of the released FA is too low to act as a chemopreventive agent. Therefore it is important to augment the bioavailability of FA to appreciate more fully its real physiological effect. This paper evaluates the suitability of the alginate–poly(l‐lysine)–alginate microcapsules for oral delivery of live feruloyl esterase‐producing Lactobacillus fermentum 11976 cells, in vitro, by using a dynamic simulated human GI (gastrointestinal) model. The present study shows that microencapsulated L. fermentum 11976 cells can efficiently break down a FA‐containing substrate, and establishes the biotechnological basis for their use in supplementing the bioavailability of dietary FA in the intestine.
The Impact of Management Capacity on Government Innovation in Korea: An Empirical Study

ABSTRACT A common assertion within public management is that management capacity drives policy outcomes. This study tests that argument, focusing on an important policy outcome—innovation. Data were drawn from the Korean government to examine the impact of government's management capacity for the adoption and implementation of innovation. The results confirm that both managerial behaviors and structures are drivers of government innovation. The adoption and implementation of innovative projects require full-scale management capacity, encompassing innovative leadership, a quality workforce, appropriate structures/systems, and the ability to manage external influences. These results suggest that public management capacity drives innovation in government by changing managerial behaviors and structures. Implications of these results for managing government innovation are discussed.
Increased External Tibial Torsion and Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Knee

In the past, osteochondritis dissecans of the knee was associated with increased tibial exotorsion, established with a clinical measuring method. Now the gold standard for determining tibial torsion is computed tomography. The aim of the current study was to establish whether the abovementioned association could be confirmed in the current patients, measured with computed tomography. Confounding aberrations of femoral torsion were ruled out. Twenty-three patients with osteochondritis dissecans in 27 knees were treated between 1991 and 1999. Symptoms and treatment results were comparable with those reported in the literature. Femoral and tibial torsion were measured with a computed tomography scan. The average femoral antetorsion was comparable with that in the literature. The average tibial exotorsion was significantly higher than the control value. Exotorsion was increased more in patients with bilateral osteochondritis, and extremely high in patients with persisting complaints. Increased tibial exotorsion could play a role in development of osteochondritis dissecans of the knee. Extreme exotorsion might be prognostic for persistent complaints.
Purified Neurons can Survive on Peptide‐Free Graphene Layers

In the fi eld of bioelectronics, and in particular for neuroprosthetics, [ 1–3 ] materials at the tissue/electrode interface are critical for either stimulation or recording with electronic devices. Besides an excellent electronic performance, suitable materials for the development of neuroprostheses must promote a close contact to the neuronal tissue. This proximity, for instance, decreases the diffusion of stimulating current and thus increases the focal effi cacy during stimulation, [ 4 ] or allows the detection of small signals in the recording mode. [ 5 , 6 ] One of the characteristic that largely infl uences the tissue/electrode interface is the biocompatibility of the electrode material. Herein, we demonstrate the excellent cytocompatibility of graphene, a promising material for novel neural prostheses, by showing that primary retinal ganglion cells can directly survive on its surface without any supporting glial layer or protein coating. Graphene has recently attracted considerable interest for bioelectronics, [ 7 ] due to its unique combination of physical and chemical properties. [ 7–12 ] Its electronic properties have already been taken to advantage for the fabrication of high-performance solution-gated fi eld effect transistors (SGFETs), [ 13 ] which exhibited high gate sensitivity in electrolyte environment. [ 14 ]
Role of Combination Therapy in the Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

As a result of the multimechanistic pathology of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), combination therapy is emerging as a potential treatment option. Recent guidelines from the American College of Chest Physicians and expert consensus from the American College of Cardiology Foundation and American Heart Association do not definitively support or disapprove of combination pharmacotherapy for the treatment of PAH. Published trials have investigated different combinations including endothelin receptor antagonists with prostanoids, prostanoids with phosphodiesterase inhibitors, and phosphodiesterase inhibitors with endothelin receptor antagonists. Pertinent trials on combination pharmacotherapy for PAH were identified through a MEDLINE search of literature from 1967–2009 in addition to a manual search of references from the articles retrieved. Search results identified 12 trials that evaluated combination therapy for PAH; some included an add‐on agent for patients who failed treatment with monotherapy and others were placebo controlled. Even with the published data, the overall consensus is unclear. Well‐designed, larger trials with validated end points are needed to further identify when to initiate combination therapy for the treatment of PAH. Meanwhile, perhaps the most appropriate situation for using combination pharmacotherapy may be in the setting of a lack of clinical improvement or deterioration.
Essays on the Empirics of Transition

After a long downturn, the economies of transition countries have bounced back with strong output growth and stable fiscal and monetary policies. The group ranges from large countries like Russia, with extensive resources to much smaller countries in Central and Eastern Europe. The change of their planned economic systems to market economies can be regarded, as one of the biggest socioeconomic transformations in the human history. This dissertation studies the dynamic transition process equipped with sophisticated econometric techniques to improve on the current empirical literature. In the first part I employ the structural VAR model of Clarida and Gali (1998) to a sample of transition countries in order to assess the importance of different types of externalities. In particular, I am interested in how much of the variances of output, real effective exchange rate and prices are explained by the three types of shocks before the Euro adoption. In the second part I use a regime switching autoregressive model to determine, whether CEE countries have put emphasis on stabilizing inflation or on output during the last decade of transition. I find that the monetary policy depended on the country specific structure and therefore monetary policy in transition countries before joining the euro had focused more on the output stabilization. This is of particular relevance for their prospective participation in a monetary union, where in contrast, the main focus will be on the union-level price stability. Finally, we estimate error correction model determining the long-run exchange rate elasticity in Russia and summarize my main theoretical and empirical findings.
Examining the Performance of Venture-Backed Companies in the Hong Kong IPO Market

This empirical study investigates whether venture capitalists (VCs) can certify their portfolio companies as the most promising ones and whether they can alleviate the IPO underpricing issue in Hong Kong market. Although a number of studies show that the VCs can ease underpricing issues and can help their ventures generate better post-IPO operational performance in the US market, we find the effects of VC participations in Hong Kong are different. We find that the underpricing issues of VC-backed IPOs are more severe than non-VC-backed IPOs. We make use of key financial ratios to compare their post-IPO operating performances and find that VC-backed post-IPO performance is poorer than non-VC-backed performance. The result reflects that VCs cannot certify their portfolio companies as those with better prospects and they cannot improve the IPO underpricing issue in Hong Kong market. The significant findings are different from previous studies to some extent. In short, it can add value to the previous articles and tend to solve their drawbacks. It can also contribute to the literature and add insight for future studies on VC development in other Asian markets.
Data‐Driven Process and Operational Improvement in the Emergency Department: The ED Dashboard and Reporting Application

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Emergency departments (EDs) in the United States are expected to provide consistent, high‐quality care to patients. Unfortunately, EDs are encumbered by problems associated with the demand for services and the limitations of current resources, such as overcrowding, long wait times, and operational inefficiencies. While increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of emergency care would improve both access and quality of patient care, coordinated improvement efforts have been hindered by a lack of timely access to data. The ED Dashboard and Reporting Application was developed to support datadriven process improvement projects. It incorporated standard definitions of metrics, a data repository, and near real‐time analysis capabilities. This helped acute care hospitals in a large healthcare system evaluate and target individual improvement projects in accordance with corporate goals. Subsequently, there was a decrease in “arrival to greet” time—the time from patient arrival to physician contact—from an average of 51 minutes in 2007 to the goal level of less than 35 minutes by 2010. The ED Dashboard and Reporting Application has also contributed to datadriven improvements in length of stay and other measures of ED efficiency and care quality. Between January 2007 and December 2010, overall length of stay decreased 10.5 percent while annual visit volume increased 13.6 percent. Thus, investing in the development and implementation of a system for ED data capture, storage, and analysis has supported operational management decisions, gains in ED efficiency, and ultimately improvements in patient care.
Baseline characteristics and statistical power in randomized controlled trials: Selection, prognostic targeting, or covariate adjustment?*

Objective: Heterogeneity of patients is a common problem in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in various fields of clinical research. We aimed to investigate the potential benefits of different approaches for dealing with heterogeneity in a case study on traumatic brain injury (TBI). Design and Setting: Statistical modeling studies in three surveys and six randomized controlled trials. Patients: Individual patient data (n = 8033) from the IMPACT database. Interventions: We investigated the statistical power and efficiency of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in relation to (1) selection according to baseline characteristics, (2) prognostic targeting (i.e., excluding those with a relatively extreme prognosis), and (3) covariate‐adjusted analysis. Statistical power was expressed as the required sample size for obtaining 80% power and efficiency as the relative change in study duration, reflecting both gains in power and adverse effects on recruitment. Uniform and targeted treatment effects were simulated for 6 month unfavorable outcome. Results: For a uniform treatment effect, selection resulted in a sample size reduction of 33% in the surveys and 5% in the RCTs, but decreased recruitment by 65% and 41%, respectively. Hence, the relative study duration was prolonged (surveys: +95%; RCTs: +60%). Prognostic targeting resulted in sample size reductions of 28% and 17%, and increased relative study duration by +5% in surveys and +11% in the RCTs. Covariate adjustment reduced sample sizes by 30% and 16%, respectively, and did not affect recruitment. For a targeted treatment effect, the sample size reductions by selection (surveys: 47%; RCTs: 20%) and prognostic targeting (surveys: 49%; RCTs: 41%) were larger and adverse effects on recruitment smaller. Conclusions: The benefits of selection and prognostic targeting in terms of statistical power are reversed by adverse effects on recruitment. Covariate adjusted analysis in a broadly selected group of patients is advisable if a uniform treatment effect is assumed, since there is no decrease in recruitment.
Assessment Of Transport Policies Toward Future Emission Targets: A Backcasting Approach For Stockholm 2030

Stockholm has set a target for greenhouse gas emissions in the year 2030, based on the United Nation's (IPCC) recommendations for an acceptable CO2 level in the atmosphere. In this study we use a backcasting framework to analyze a range of specific transport policies and fuel technology related developments with respect to the emission target. Our study employs a transport modelling system, traditionally used for forecasts, to quantify the impacts of various travel demand measures (TDM). Our study shows that the change in travel demand, induced by various travel policies, will not suffice on its own to reach the target. Even if fuel price is tripled, a substantial share of renewable fuels is required for target achievement. While our study shows that travel demand measures have a fairly small effect on CO2 emissions, it also hints at other compelling reasons for introducing such measures. Constructive strategies for the transport system would not only contribute to reduce risks with climate change. Even small reductions of transport volumes might imply large socio economic savings in traffic related costs, reduced emissions of substances with health impacts, fewer accidents, shorter travel times and higher travel time reliability. These aspects are arguably all part of a sustainable transport development.