Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distribution of Human Rotaviruses, Especially G9 Strains, in Japan from 1996 to 2000

A 4‐year (1996–2000) survey of rotavirus infection involving 2,218 diarrheal fecal specimens of children collected from five regions of Japan was conducted. A total of 642 (28.9%) specimens were found to be rotavirus positive. A changed prevalence pattern of rotavirus G serotype was found with an increase of G9 and G2 and a decrease of G1, although G1 remained the prevailing serotype. Serotype G9 was unexpectedly determined to be the prevailing serotype in Sapporo (62.5%) and Tokyo (52.9%) in 1998–1999, and in Saga (78.4%) in 1999–2000. G9 strains isolated from 1998–1999 belonged to the P[8]‐NSP4‐Wa‐group with long RNA pattern, while, G9 strains isolated from 1999–2000 belonged to three groups, the P[8]‐NSP4‐Wa‐group with long RNA pattern, the P[4]‐NSP4‐KUN‐group with short RNA pattern and a mixed‐type group (P[4]/P[8]‐NSP4‐KUN/Wa‐group with long RNA pattern). Both sequence and immunological analysis of VP7 revealed that the G9 strains from 1999–2000 were much more closely related to the G9 strains isolated worldwide in the 1990s, including G9 strains found in Thailand in 1997. However, the G9 strains from 1998–1999 were distinct from these and more closely related to the G9 prototype strains F45, AU32 and WI61 discovered in Japan and the US in the 1980s. Thus the G9 strains isolated in 1998–1999 had progenitors common to the G9 prototype strains, while the strains isolated in 1999–2000 did not directly evolve from them but were related to global G9 strains that have emerged in recent years. These data supported our previous report that G9 rotavirus might exist as two or more subtypes with diverse RNA patterns, P‐genotype and NSP4 genogroup combinations (Y.M. Zhou et al., J. Med. Virol. 65: 619–628, 2001) and suggested that G9 rotavirus prevalent in Japan during two successive years belonged to different subtypes. The nucleotide sequences presented in this paper were submitted to DDBJ, EMBL and GenBank nucleotide sequence databases. The accession numbers are: 00‐Ad2863VP7 (AB091746), 00‐OS2986VP7 (AB091747), 00‐SG2509VP7 (AB091748), 00‐SG2518VP7 (AB091749), 00‐SG2541 (AB091750), 00‐SG2864 (AB091751), 00‐SP2737VP7 (AB091752), 99‐SP1542VP7 (AB091753), 99‐SP1904VP7 (AB091754), 99‐TK2082VP7 (AB091755) and 99‐TK2091VP7 (AB091756).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average in the Twentieth Century - Implications for Option Pricing

In this paper, the historical changes in the Dow Jones Industrial Average index are examined. The distributions of index changes over short to moderate length trading intervals are found to have tails that are heavier than can be accounted for by a normal process. This distribution is better represented by a mixture of normal distributions where the mixing is with respect to the index volatility. It is shown that differences in distributional assumptions are sufficient to explain poor performance of the Black-Scholes model and the existence of the volatility smile. The option pricing model presented here is simpler than autoregressive models and is better suited to practical applications.
Characteristics of ambulatory care clinics and pharmacists in Veterans Affairs medical centers. IMPROVE investigators. Impact of Managed Pharmaceutical Care on Resource Utilization and Outcomes in Veterans Affairs Medical Centers.

The type and extent of ambulatory care clinical pharmaceutical services in selected Veterans Affairs medical centers (VAMCs) were studied as part of a larger project. Questionnaires were sent to the 174 VAMCs to determine the extent of clinical pharmacy activity in ambulatory care clinics, characteristics of outpatient pharmacies and clinics, and characteristics of ambulatory care pharmacists in VAMCs and to identify sites for the IMPROVE (Impact of Managed Pharmaceutical Care on Resource Utilization and Outcomes in Veterans Affairs Medical Centers) project. Fifty VAMCs responded to the survey. There were 512 ambulatory care clinics within these VAMCs. There was some pharmacist coverage in 75% of the clinics. The highest pharmacist coverage was in walk-in refill, therapeutic drug monitoring, and anticoagulation clinics. Clinical pharmacists at 68% of the VAMCs had prescribing privileges in ambulatory care clinics. Clinical pharmacists managed 29.9% of the clinics. The types of clinics most commonly managed by pharmacists were therapeutic drug monitoring, anticoagulation, walk-in refill, and lipid clinics. Nurse practitioners or physician assistants also were providing primary care in 41% of the clinics. There were 242 ambulatory care clinical pharmacy specialists practicing in the 50 VAMCs. Of these, 41.3% had three years or less of ambulatory care experience. Most pharmacists were in the clinic five days per week. A Pharm.D. degree was the highest degree obtained for 76.9%. Ambulatory care pharmaceutical services are common in VAMCs and are being provided by numerous clinical pharmacists.
On the Analysis of Firms' Cash Flows

This paper revisits the whys and hows of cash flows analysis. In a context of equity valuation, three aspects are considered. First, we consider why there is demand for an analysis of cash flows that complements GAAP’s income statement. The issues here pertain to the ambiguity inherent in accruals, primarily due to current and past non-recurring items, and how one assesses the quality of earnings. Second, we suggest how an analysis of cash flows should be done to assess the extent of biases in accruals. We propose a framework of Modified Cash Accounting (MCA) which satisfies a crucial property: It works just like a regular income statement except that it eschews all accruals. Because a MCA statement depends on consecutive balance sheets (like any standard accounting framework), the core of MCA hinges on what assets/liabilities have been qualified as cash, approximate cash, and the negative thereof. It differs from GAAP’s statement of cash flows because it relies on a broader concept of 'cash,' and MCA has a clear format like an income statement. The paper motivates and shows in some detail how one develops a MCA statement. A final issue deals with how one can assess the quality of (GAAP) earnings statement by comparing it to a MCA statement. We start from the observation that MCA earnings and GAAP earnings should be the same under the ideal condition when the firm is in a steady state. We then discuss how one can estimate a firm’s current-period growth and use this to estimate a normal accrual; this number can then be added to MCA’s earnings to obtain a bottom-line that compares to GAAP’s earnings.
POLICY‐COMPARING SIMULATION EXPERIMENTS: DESIGN AND ANALYSIS

One of the principal uses of simulation in business and industry is to compare alternative policies or decision rules for the operation and control of complex systems. The immediate objective of such simulation studies is usually quite simple: to discover the best of the several policies under consideration. The measure of effectiveness used is also usually straightforward, often dollars of cost or profit. The basic experimental design that will produce the best comparison of alternatives is generally agreed upon: all policies should be compared under, to the extent possible, identical experimental conditions, i.e., when randomness is involved, all alternatives in a simulation experiment should be simulated using a common sequence of randomly-generated events.
Simultaneous Equations Bias in Disaggregated Econometric Models

with the language of econometrics, agents may be said to take prices as "exogenously given", which suggests that prices are econometrically exogenous in individual behavioural equations. This involves semantic confusion between different meanings of the word "exogenous". Simultaneity problems cannot generally be dispelled by working with disaggregated data. In particular, nothing is gained by disaggregating the dependent variable in a regression equation if the "micro" and "macro" equations use the same regressors. However, there may be substantial gains from disaggregation of the regressors. In the theory of competitive markets agents act as if they do not affect equilibrium market prices. By analogy with the language of econometrics, agents may be said to take prices as "exogenously given". Having thus stated the price-taking assumption, it may seem that prices are econometrically exogenous in behavioural equations for individual agents, such as labour demand curves. ' This involves semantic confusion between two different meanings of the word "exogenous". For example, even if each buyer has a negligible influence on the market price, there may still be an important correlation between the price and the disturbance in an individual demand equation, so that treating price as econometrically exogenous gives biased coefficient estimates. The price-taking assumption has been used to justify OLS estimates of import demand functions for small countries. Leamer and Stern (1970) pointed out that the estimated slope in an import demand function is generally an average of the slopes of the demand and supply functions for imports, but
Tailoring Antibody Testing and How to Use it in the Calculated Panel Reactive Antibody Era: The Northwestern University Experience

Background. Patients with human leukocyte antigen antibodies constitute a significantly disadvantaged population among those awaiting renal transplantation. We speculated that more understanding of the patients’ antibody makeup would allow a more “immunologic” evaluation of crossmatch data, facilitate the use of virtual crossmatch (XM), and lead to more transplantability of these patients. Methods. We retrospectively compared the transplantability and transplant outcome of two consecutive patient populations transplanted in our center. Group I (n=374) was evaluated using solid-phase base testing for determination of percentage panel reactive antibody (“PRA screen”) with limited antibody identification testing. Group II (n=333) was tested in a more comprehensive manner with major emphasis on antibody identification, antibody strength assignment, and the use of pronase for crossmatch. Results. Given this approach, 49% (166/333) of the transplanted patients in group II were sensitized compared with 40% (150/374) of the recipients in group I; P=0.012. Transplant outcome at 1-year posttransplant was similar in both groups. Conclusions. We conclude that comprehensive evaluation of human leukocyte antigen sensitization and application of immunologic in analyzing compatibility between donor and recipient can increase the transplantability of sensitized patients while maintaining similar outcome. Our approach is in line with United Network for Organ Sharing new guidelines for calculated panel reactive antibody and virtual XM analysis. We hope this report will prompt additional transplant programs to consider how they will use the new United Network for Organ Sharing algorithms.
Introgression and selection shaped the evolutionary history of sympatric sister‐species of coral reef fishes (genus: Haemulon)

Closely related marine species with large overlapping ranges provide opportunities to study mechanisms of speciation, particularly when there is evidence of gene flow between such lineages. Here, we focus on a case of hybridization between the sympatric sister‐species Haemulon maculicauda and H. flaviguttatum, using Sanger sequencing of mitochondrial and nuclear loci, as well as 2422 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) obtained via restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing (RADSeq). Mitochondrial markers revealed a shared haplotype for COI and low divergence for CytB and CR between the sister‐species. On the other hand, complete lineage sorting was observed at the nuclear loci and most of the SNPs. Under neutral expectations, the smaller effective population size of mtDNA should lead to fixation of mutations faster than nDNA. Thus, these results suggest that hybridization in the recent past (0.174–0.263 Ma) led to introgression of the mtDNA, with little effect on the nuclear genome. Analyses of the SNP data revealed 28 loci potentially under divergent selection between the two species. The combination of mtDNA introgression and limited nuclear DNA introgression provides a mechanism for the evolution of independent lineages despite recurrent hybridization events. This study adds to the growing body of research that exemplifies how genetic divergence can be maintained in the presence of gene flow between closely related species.
Liquid State Machine Learning for Resource Allocation in a Network of Cache-Enabled LTE-U UAVs

In this paper, the problem of joint caching and resource allocation is investigated for a network of cache-enabled unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that service wireless ground users over the LTE licensed and unlicensed (LTE-U) bands. The considered model focuses on users that can access both licensed and unlicensed bands while receiving contents through UAV cache-user links and content server- UAV-user links. This problem is formulated as an optimization problem which jointly incorporates user association, spectrum allocation, and content caching. To solve this problem, a distributed algorithm based on the machine learning framework of \emph{liquid state machine} (LSM) is proposed. Using the proposed LSM algorithm, the cloud can predict the users' content request distribution while having only limited information on the network's and users' states. The proposed algorithm also enables the UAVs to autonomously choose the optimal resource allocation strategies depending on the network states. Simulation results using real datasets show that the proposed approach yields up to 33.3% and 50.3% gains, respectively, in terms of the number of users that have stable queues compared to two baseline algorithms: Q-learning with cache and Q- learning without cache. The results also show that LSM significantly improves the convergence time of up to 33.3% compared to Q-learning.
Neonatal Intensive-Care Unit Graduates Show Persistent Difficulties in an Intradimensional Shift Card Sort

Neonatal intensive-care unit (NICU) graduates, a group at risk for attention problems and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, performed an intradimensional shift card sort at 34, 42, 51, and 60 months to assess executive function and to examine effects of individual risk factors. In the “silly” game, children sorted cards (airplanes and dogs) so they were not the same as targets. In the “same” game, they did the opposite. Performance on the “silly” game was poor, especially when it was presented first. Success in following “silly” game rules improved with age and was significantly linked to maternal education and birth weight for gestational age, a measure of intrauterine stress. Degree of central nervous system injury differentiated children who completed the task from children who did not, and it also affected the need to repeat instructions in the “same” game. These results confirm an increased likelihood of impairments in executive function during preschool years in NICU graduates.
IQ (2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline)-induced aberrant crypt foci and colorectal tumour development in rats fed two different carbohydrate diets

In most aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and colorectal tumour studies, chemical carcinogens not normally found in food have been used as initiators. In the present study the food-related compound, IQ (2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline), has been used. A diet high in refined carbohydrates has been associated with enhanced development of ACF and colorectal cancer in humans. The present study was designed as an integrated part of our earlier published ACF study and follows the animals until tumour development. The aim of the study was to investigate (1) the effect of a refined carbohydrate-rich diet on the development of IQ-induced ACF over time and (2) possible correlation between early and late ACF and/or colorectal tumour development. The study showed that a feeding regimen with continuous doses of 0.03% IQ in the diet for 14 weeks, followed by 32 weeks without IQ was able to induce tumours in the rat colon, liver, skin and Zymbal gland. The data demonstrate that a sucrose-rich diet enhance ACF development. A correlation between the outcome of early and late ACF was seen. However, as the tumour incidence of this study was very low it was not possible to obtain a meaningful correlation between ACF development and colorectal tumour incidence.
Novel design of compact low-profile multi-band microstrip antennas for medical applications

This paper proposes two novel compact designs of low-profile multi-band microstrip antennas. The first one can operate in ISM bands (2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz), which makes it suitable for Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) medical applications. On the other hand, the second design implements stacking of antenna such that the resulting novel design operates optimally at 3.5GHz and 7.5GHz, which makes it suitable for Ultra-Wide-Band (UWB) applications. The two antenna designs are compact in size, that is, the overall size of the first antenna is only 11.54 mm3, whereas the second is 25.16 mm3. The two antenna designs are simulated on skin radiation box, in order to allow more accurate prediction of the antenna performance when used in medical implantable devices. Apart from the compact size, both antenna designs produce a minimum Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) which complies with IEEE standard safety guidelines, which is necessary for protecting patients from electromagnetic damage.
Reliability study of fault-tolerant multiwavelength nonblocking optical cross connect based on InGaAsP/InP laser-amplifier gate-switch arrays

Reliability studies for a multiwavelength nonblocking optical cross connect (OXC) are presented. Calculations are based on available reliability data for commercial components as well as expected life lengths for new components and systems developed for application in the OXC. Reliability of the electronic control system is not considered here. Average OXC downtime below 2 min/year can be obtained. In general for switching systems it is required that average downtime is held below 3 min/year. As the OXC is proposed to be utilized in telecommunication in optical transport networks it is extremely important to know if this OXC exhibits reliability properties acceptable for this purpose. <<ETX>>
Country-of-origin, localization, or dominance effect? An empirical investigation of HRM practices in foreign subsidiaries

This article contributes to two recurring and very central debates in the international management literature: the convergence vs. divergence debate and the standardization vs. localization debate. Using a large-scale sample of multinationals headquartered in the United States, Japan, and Germany, as well as subsidiaries of multinationals from these three countries in the two other respective countries, we test the extent to which HRM practices in subsidiaries are characterized by country-of-origin, localization, and dominance effects. Our results show that overall the dominance effect is most important (i.e., subsidiary practices appear to converge to the dominant U.S. practices). Hence, our results lead to the rather surprising conclusion for what might be considered to be the most localized of functions—HRM—that convergence to a worldwide best practices model is clearly present. The lack of country-of-origin effects for Japanese and German multinationals leads us to a conclusion that is of significant theoretical as well as practical relevance. Multinationals might limit the export of country-of-origin practices to their core competences and converge to best practices in other areas. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Determinants of long-run labor productivity growth: a selective survey with some new empirical results

Using cross-country data, we review the empirical evidence concerning long-term labor and total factor productivity growth. We find that the conclusions one can draw from cross-country data are surprisingly modest. Nevertheless, we confirm the crucial role for physical capital accumulation in enhancing labor productivity growth and develop a role for human capital in an endogenous growth framework. We also find that the performances of so-called "ancillary variables" are rather insignificant in the presence of proxies for physical and human capital stocks.
In-school labour force status and post-school wage rates of young men

This empirical study includes four models of early post-school wage determinants of white and black young men in the National Longitudinal Survey (NLS) Panel in the 1966 to 1971 period. Within each model, the focus is on in-school labour force status as a determinant of post-school wage rates. As such, the results are related to the joint employment and schooling legislative goals expressed in Title IV of the 1978 Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) reauthorization as a way to mitigate school to work transition problems of youth. The major result, found with ordinary least squares (OLS) multiple regression techniques, is as follows: in-school job holding, significantly and positively increases post-school wage rates relative to the youth who neither worked nor looked for work as a student (Model 1). For a white youth, this basic conclusion is similar even when the white sample is divided into poor and non-poor youths (Model 4) and by education level (Model 2). For a black youth, in-school job.
Hepatitis c virus genotypes and viremia and hepatocellular carcinoma in the united states

ObjectiveHepatitis C virus (HCV) is a well recognized cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The pathogenic significance of HCV genotypes in hepatocarcinogenesis is undefined. The aim of this study was to investigate the genotypic distribution and viremic level of HCV in patients with HCV-associated cirrhosis with or without HCC.MethodsA total of 28 HCV-infected patients with HCC (HCC+) and 38 patients with HCV-associated cirrhosis without HCC (HCC−) were studied. HCV genotype was assessed by the genotype-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method of Okamoto and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the 5′ untranslated region (5′ UTR). Hepatitis C viremia was quantitated with the branched-chain DNA (bDNA) assay.ResultsUsing the Okamoto method, we found genotype 1b in 64% of the HCC+ group and 74% of the HCC− group, 36% of the HCC+ group and 16% of the HCC− group were coinfected with a combination of genotype 1b and another genotype. Using the RFLP method, we found genotype 1b in 41% of the HCC+ group and in 24% of the HCC− group. Other genotypes accounted for 18% of the HCC+ group and 55% of the HCC− group; no combination genotypes were identified. Poor concordance occurred between the two genotyping methods. Mean bDNA levels were not significantly different between the two groups.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that no particular HCV genotypes were associated with HCC and genotype did not appear to influence the development of HCV-associated HCC.
Toys ”R” Us Fuels Changes in Japan's Toy-Distribution System

Toys "R" Us is one of the first foreign retail chains to target the mass market in Japan. It introduces its successful formula that includes self-service, everyday low prices, high volume, a large scale and a vast selection of merchandise. Referred to as a category killer store format, this is an approach new to Japan. It has also brought a method of dealing directly with manufacturers as a means of cutting costs in support of its discount strategy. These characteristics are revolutionary to Japan, especially to the toy-distribution system's traditional characterisics. For foreign manufacturers, Toys "R" Us has also provided a new channel to sidestep Japan's complicated distribution system. / As such, its arrival has introduced fierce competition destined to accelerate changes in the Japanese toy-distribution system.