Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Economic Evaluation of Omalizumab in the Treatment of Severe AllergicAsthma in Adult Patients in Greece: A Cost Effectiveness Analysis ofClinical Trial and Real-Life Data

Background: Severe asthma is a major cause of morbidity and mortality around the world, associated with a heavy societal burden. The aim of this study was to evaluate the economic value of omalizumab in the treatment of adult patients with severe asthma in Greece, from a societal perspective, based on both data collected via a clinical trial and data from a prospective observational study with real-world evidence (RWE) using a simulation model. Method: A Markov cohort model was developed in Microsoft Excel to compare the costs and outcomes of omalizumab plus standard therapy (ST) versus ST alone. The time horizon was that of a lifetime. Costs and health outcomes were discounted annually at 3.5%. A primary analysis was based on clinical data from the INNOVATE trial, and a secondary analysis, was based on recently published real-world evidence on effectiveness of omalizumab. Both direct and indirect costs were incorporated. Unit costs were taken from publically available sources, Productivity losses were calculated based on published data, while utility values were taken from the INNOVATE study. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were undertaken to test the robustness of the model results. Results: The addition of omalizumab to ST led to an incremental cost of €27,888 and € 27,255 per QALY gained in the primary and secondary analyses, respectively. The model appeared to be most sensitive to changes in the time horizon and the age of retirement. The results of the probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that the probability of omalizumab being cost effective was 58% and 84%, at a threshold of €30,000 and € 40,000 (willingness to pay for one QALY), respectively. Conclusion: Omalizumab appears to be a cost-effective treatment option for patients with severe asthma compared to ST in Greece, and this result is confirmed both with trial and real-world data.
Power Semiconductor Devices Creating Comfortable Low-carbon Society

INTRODUCTION THE problem of global warming is an important issue for the entire world. At the Hokkaido Toyako Summit held in July 2008, with respect to the goal of achieving at least 50% reduction of global emissions by 2050, the USA and seven other major nations (the G8) leaders agreed to seek to share and adopt it with all parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, including the BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, India, and China), to also adopt this target. Similarly, the government of Japan has proposed its Cool Earth Initiative and has announced its intention to “work toward establishing a low-carbon society that will be admired internationally with a long-term objective of reducing CO2 (carbon dioxide)emissions by 60 to 80% of current levels by 2050 as Japan’s contribution to the goal of halving total global emissions by 2050. ” In recent years, the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere has reached levels higher than any the Earth has experienced over the last 600,000 years (see Fig. 1). The major cause of this rise is the extensive use of fossil fuel since the industrial revolution and the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) Fourth Assessment Report released in 2007 predicted that by 2100 the mean global temperature could rise by up to 6.4°C and sea levels by up to 59 cm. This article describes the expectations for power semiconductor devices in their role as key devices in power electronic equipment for achieving a lowcarbon society with a halving of CO2 emissions by 2050, and also looks at the potential market size. The article also looks at IGBTs (insulated gate bipolar transistors), a type of power semiconductor devices that has experienced annual growth of 19% in recent OVERVIEW: Reducing CO2 emissions recently has been an urgent issue to cope with the global warming. As the G8 leaders at the Hokkaido Toyako Summit in 2008 agreed to seek to share and adopt “the goal of achieving at least 50% reduction of global emissions by 2050” and the Japanese government set “the long-term goal of reducing 60 to 80% of emissions by 2050,” there is a need for greater energy conservation and a switch to sustainable energy sources that do not use fossil fuels. Power electronics equipment and power semiconductor devices will be key for achieving these goals. Hitachi has been developing new power semiconductor devices, primarily through collaboration and cooperation with power electronics departments in the fields of power generation, rolling stock, automotive vehicles, industry, and consumer electronics. This report estimates the market size of the power semiconductor devices in a low-carbon society with a “halving of CO2 emissions. ” It also describes Hitachi’s latest technology of power semiconductor devices and the role of these devices in the future.
A sample of galaxy pairs identified from the LAMOST spectral survey and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey

A small fraction (< 10%) of the SDSS main galaxy (MG) sample has not been targeted with spectroscopy due to the effect of fiber collisions. These galaxies have been compiled into the input catalog of the LAMOST ExtraGAlactic Surveys and named the complementary galaxy sample. In this paper, we introduce this project and status of the spectroscopies associated with the complementary galaxies in the first two years of the LAMOST spectral survey (till Sep. of 2014). Moreover, we present a sample of 1102 galaxy pairs identified from the LAMOST complementary galaxies and SDSS MGs, which are defined as two members that have a projected distance smaller than 100 h−170kpc and a recessional velocity difference smaller than 500 km s−1. Compared with galaxy pairs that are only selected from SDSS, the LAMOST-SDSS pairs have the advantages of not being biased toward large separations and therefore act as a useful supplement in statistical studies of galaxy interaction and galaxy merging.
The embedding theorem for tropical modules

Tropical algebra is the algebra constructed over the tropical semifield IRmax = (IR∪{−∞},max,+). We show here that every m-dimensional tropical module M over IRmax, given by a m × p matrix A can be embedded into IRmax, iff n of its rows are independent. This result yields a significant improvement to the Whitney embedding for tropical torsion modules published earlier.
Psychological and Environmental Predictors of Student Imagination: The Mediating Role of Generative Cognition

This study aimed to explore what psychological and environmental influences stimulated imagination in education major university students. In addition, it was assessed to what degree these influences had on student imagination. The participants in this study were two groups of students from eight education programs. Sample one (n = 402) served as the calibration sample for testing the most appropriate structures of imaginative capability scale and psychological/environmental influence scales, using exploratory factor analysis. Sample two (n = 380) served as the validation sample using confirmatory factor analysis for validating the factor structure from sample one, and establishing the predictive model. The results of this study supported that imagination consists of nine capabilities, namely crystallization, effectiveness, elaboration, exploration, intuition, novelty, productivity, transformation, and sensibility. The psychological influences regarding imagination stimulation were comprised of six factors, namely: intrinsic motivation, self-efficacy, inspiration through action, stress, emotion, and generative cognition. The environmental influences of imagination-stimulation were composed of four factors, namely: social climate, organizational measure, physical component, and human aggregate. The hypothesis of the study that generative cognition plays a mediating role on imagination-stimulation was partially supported. The structural model also showed that variables of intrinsic motivation, emotion, self-efficacy, and organizational measure have significant, indirect effects on imagination.
Resistor Type Superconducting Fault Current Limiter: Optimum Shunt Resistance Determination to Enhance Power System Transient Stability

In power systems, Resistor type Superconducting Fault Current Limiters (RSFCL) can limit the prospective short-circuit currents to lower levels, so that the underrated switchgears can operate safely. Besides, RSFCLs can enhance the power system transient stability if they are accompanied by appropriate shunt resistances. This paper presents a method of optimum shunt resistance determination for transient stability improvement. The method is based on minimization of rotor kinetic energy oscillations. Meanwhile to make it more comprehensible, the method is utilized to determine the shunt resistances of three RSFCLs installed in a 9-bus 3-generator sample network. All of the simulations have been carried out by EMTP/ATP.The paper begins by modeling an RSFCL. Then RSFCL critical current determination is discussed in a model system. Finally, a method of optimum shunt resistance determination for transient stability improvement is presented.
A New Antisense Phosphoryl Guanidine Oligo-2′-O-Methylribonucleotide Penetrates Into Intracellular Mycobacteria and Suppresses Target Gene Expression

The worldwide spread of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains prompted the development of new strategies to combat tuberculosis, one of which is antisense therapy based on targeting bacterial mRNA by oligonucleotide derivatives. However, the main limitation of antisense antibacterials is poor cellular uptake because of electrostatic charge. Phosphoryl guanidine oligo-2′-O-methylribonucleotides (2′-OMe PGOs) are a novel type of uncharged RNA analogues with high RNA affinity, which penetrate through the bacterial cell wall more efficiently. In this study, we investigated the uptake and biological effects of 2′-OMe PGO in mycobacteria. The results indicated that 2′-OMe PGO specific for the alanine dehydrogenase-encoding ald gene inhibited the growth of Mycobacterium smegmatis and downregulated ald expression at both the transcriptional and translational levels through an RNase H-independent mechanism, showing higher biological activity than its phosphorothioate oligonucleotide counterpart. Confocal microscopy revealed that the anti-ald 2′-OMe PGO was taken up by intracellular mycobacteria residing in RAW 264.7 macrophages without exerting toxic effects on eukaryotic cells, indicating that 2′-OMe PGO was able to efficiently cross two cellular membranes. In addition, 2′-OMe PGO inhibited the transcription of the target ald gene in M. smegmatis-infected macrophages. Thus, we demonstrated, for the first time, a possibility of targeting gene expression and inhibiting growth of intracellular mycobacteria by antisense oligonucleotide derivatives. Strong antisense activity and efficient uptake of the new RNA analogue, 2′-OMe PGO, by intracellular microorganisms revealed here may promote the development of novel therapeutic strategies to treat TB and prevent the emergence of drug-resistant mycobacterial strains.
A systematic review of quality of randomized controlled trials of glycyrrhizin acid to treat hepatitis in China

To assess the quality of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) for variety of preparations made from Glycyrrhizin Acid (GA), an ingredient found in Chinese herb Glycyrrhiza that is widely used in the treatment of hepatitis in clinical practice in China. From electronic searches of PubMed, CNKI, TCMDS, CBMdisc and Chongqing VIP database, we identified 93 reported RCTs between 1991 and 2007 that GA was the subject of the trial. The quality of each trial was assessed using the number of Consolidated Standards for Reporting of Trials (CONSORT) checklist items included, the frequency of allocation concealment and a 5-point quality assessment instrument (Jadad scale). 72.22% (26/36) of the CONSORT checklist items was included in the RCTs. Only 3 (3.22%) of 93 RCTs reported allocation concealment by sealed envelopes. 59 (63.44%) trials described baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of each group, but only 7 (7.52%) reported statistical results of baseline data. Although 77 (82.79%) trials described the number of participants in each group included in each analysis, none of the trials adopted intention-to-treat analysis. Information regarding adverse events was reported in 36 (38.70%) of the RCTs. The quantity of RCTs increased from 1 in 1993 to 15 in 2007, but the average points assessed by CONSORT in each year didn’t elevate. At the same time, the overall quality of the trials was low as assessed by the Jadad scale. Although the quantity of RCTs related to GA mainly against hepatitis increased in recent years, the methodological quality of these reports was low. Therefore, the efficacy and safety of GA being used in clinical practice need to be further confirmed by carefully designed clinical research.
Associational Resistance and Competition in the Asphondylia - Borrichia - Iva System

Associational resistance (AR) occurs when a plant species experiences less herbivory when growing in the presence of other plant species than when growing in monoculture. Densities of the gall midge Asphondylia borrichiae on the coastal plant Iva frutescens are depressed in the presence of a second coastal plant species, Borrichia frutescens. Previous studies suggested that hymenopteran parasitoids from B. frutescens galls spill over onto I. frutescens galls and reduce gall densities through increased parasitoid mortality of the immature stages of A. borrichiae, thereby effecting AR. This study employs large–scale addition or near–complete removal of B. frutescens from a series of spoil islands near the west central Florida coast. Densities of galls on I. frutescens decreased where B. frutescens was added, increased where B. frutescens was removed and remained unchanged on islands where B. frutescens abundance was not manipulated, consistent with the hypothesis of associational resistance. Relative to unmanipulated islands, total parasitism rate on Iva galls declined greatly on islands where B. frutescens was removed and increased on islands where B. frutescens was added. The species–specific parasitism rate on Iva galls of Torymus
ASSESSMENT OF FARMERS’ PRONE STATE TO NATURAL DISASTERS: A CASE OF MAINSTREAM HYDROPOWER DEVELOPMENT IN THE LOWER MEKONG DELTA, VIETNAM

The study provides a comprehensive view at the prone state of the Mekong Delta under baseline conditions of hydropower development. Communities in Vietnam Mekong Delta have main income sources from rice farming, fishing and aquaculture, so changes in floods pattern or salinity can directly affect people’s livelihoods. Among 13 provinces in Mekong River Delta, there are 9 provinces that have moderate Potential Impact Sub-Index (PII). Tra Vinh has the PII since its population is affected by both floods and salinity more heavily than other provinces. The provinces that have higher PII also have higher Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) to impacts. All provinces except Long An have moderate vulnerability to impacts because Long An not only has low PII but also high Adaptive Capacity Sub-Index (ACI) which makes it less vulnerable. Tra Vinh has highest SVI because of its exposed state to floods and salinity and high poverty rate. The results show that majority of Mekong River Delta are vulnerable to floods and salinity.
Maximum-likelihood-based filtering for attitude determination via GPS carrier phase

A maximum-likelihood-based (ML-based) filter is proposed for attitude determination via the GPS carrier phase observables. The quaternion representation is adopted here to describe the attitude. Hence, the norm constraint on the quaternion should be considered. The ML estimation with Lagrange multipliers can be used to consider simultaneously the evolution equation and the constraint, and to minimize the error covariance matrix. The attitude determination via GPS carrier phase observables is fulfilled in two steps. The first step is the GPS carrier phase ambiguity resolution. After the integer ambiguities being fixed, the ML-based filter is used to determine the optimal attitude. The advantage of adopting the quaternion as the state vector to describe the kinematic behavior is that no singular problems arise. To verify our algorithm, the simulation has been conducted. In the simulation, the white noises are added on the carrier phase observables to assess the performance of the proposed method. The body frame is formed by three non-colinear GPS antennae which are mounted on a platform with two aluminum bars representing the baseline vectors. According to the simulation, our method is sound and effective.
THE EFFECT OF GOVERNANCE CHARACTERISTICS ON INFORMATION CONTENT OF DISCRETIONARY ACCRUALS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN FRANCE AND THE USA

The aim of this paper is to examine the relationship between strong governance structure and the information content of discretionary accruals in countries, which present differences in their legal system (USA and France). To approach the concept of corporate governance which recovers several dimensions: the board of directors, its committees, and ownership structure we used the method of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). The findings indicate that the association between stock return and discretionary accruals is greater for firms having a good corporate governance structure independently of the context of study. Further, discretionary accruals of firms having good corporate governance have a greater association with future profitability future only for American context.
Digital Skills and the Influence of Students’ Socio-Economic Background. An Exploratory Study in German Elementary Schools

This article examines the implementation of ICT in German elementary schools, as Germany appears to be behind from an international perspective. The main foci are how teachers align their instruction with students’ prior digital knowledge, and how students’ socio-economic backgrounds influence their motivation to work with ICT and their level of digital competence. This qualitative study is based on semi-standardized expert-interviews with 15 teachers, principals, experts and representatives of educational policy and administration in Germany. The interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis supported by MAXQDA. The results indicate that teachers design ICT-based instruction that is aligned with students’ informal knowledge of digital media, interests, class and ethnic background as well as with school-specific curricula. Students’ socioeconomic backgrounds influence their access to ICT devices and social media at home as well as their motivation to engage in ICT-based learning opportunities in schools. Gaining digital competencies, however, is greatly influenced by other competencies and learning strategies, in particular literacy. The results indicate that while low achieving students seem to benefit from digital learning programmes that can be adapted to their individual prior knowledge, in many ICT-based learning environments they need extra support and guidance. Furthermore, teachers need support for employing ICT in their classrooms and to meet the needs of their students’ heterogeneous prior digital knowledge.
Research and Implementation of Robot Path Planning Based onVSLAM

In order to solve the problem of warehouse logistics robots planpath in different scenes, this paper proposes a method based on visual simultaneous localization and mapping (VSLAM) to build grid map of different scenes and use A* algorithm to plan path on the grid map. Firstly, we use VSLAMto reconstruct the environment in three-dimensionally. Secondly, based on the three-dimensional environment data, we calculate the accessibility of each grid to prepare occupied grid map (OGM) for terrain description. Rely on the terrain information, we use the A* algorithm to solve path planning problem. We also optimize the A* algorithm and improve algorithm efficiency. Lastly, we verify the effectiveness and reliability of the proposed method by simulation and experimental results.
High Statistics Testing of Radiation Hardness and Reliability of Lasers and Photodiodes

A series of high statistics advance validation tests of lasers and photodiodes have been carried out to validate wafers intended for final production of optical transmitters and receivers for use in CMS optical links. A large data set has been collected which allowed a unique opportunity to characterise radiation damage and wearout in lasers and photodiodes with high statistics.
Bioactive Flavonoid Glycosides and Antidiabetic Activity of Jatropha curcas on Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

The current research sheds light on the antidiabetic action of different extracts of Jatropha curcas leaves in the management of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 2 diabetes in rats. Active compounds isolated from the most bioactive extract were characterized and identified. Petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, successive and crude methanolic extracts were comparatively tested for their antidiabetic potential. Diabetes was induced in female Wistar rats using STZ (45 mg/kg body weight). Throughout the experimental period (30 days), diabetic rats showed significant elevation in glucose, liver function enzymes; aspartate and alanine transaminase (AST and ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), total lipids (TL), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) while, significant decrease was found in the levels of serum α-amylase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and glutathione reduced (GSH) as compared to normal control rats. However, the level of total protein did not change. Oral administration of successive and crude extracts of J. curcas (250 mg/kg body weight) to diabetic rats returned the levels of AST, ALT, ALP, TL, NO, and MDA to the normal levels. While, different extracts of J. curcas fluctuated significant improvement in the levels of glucose, α-amylase, TG, TC, and GSH as compared to normal control rats. However, administration of J. curcas extracts did not reveal change in total protein levels and LDH activity. Moreover, diabetic rats-treated with antidiabetic Glibenclamide drug (10 mg/kg body weight) showed insignificant change for glucose, ALT, ALP, LDH, protein, TG, NO and MDA while, significant increase for α-amylase and TC was noticed. However, significant decrease for AST, TL and GSH was noticed as compared to normal control rats. Histopathological investigation of pancreas of diabetic rats showed perivascular inflammatory cells infiltration, necrosis of Langerhan’s islets and apoptosis of acinar epithelium. Morover, liver of diabetic rats revealed focal hepatic necrosis associated with inflammatory cells infiltration and portal infiltration with inflammatory cells. The current histopathological investigation revealed the regenerative and protective effect of extracts on β-cells and liver in diabetic rats and apparent normal. Active compounds isolated from ethyl acetate extract of J. curcas were characterized and identified. Three flavonoid glycosides; apigenin-7-O-βrhamnoglucoside (rhiofolin), luteolin 6-C--D-glucopyranoside (isoorientin) and quercetin 3-O--D-glucopyranoside (isoquercetrin) were isolated from ethyl acetate extract for the first time from this specie. So, it could be concluded that, the antioxidant and antihyperglycemic properties of plant extracts may offer a potential therapeutic source for the treatment of diabetes. In addition, the present results proved that the ethyl acetate extract had bioactive compounds that protect against aberrations caused by diabetes in rats.