Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A comparison of the CD4 response to antiretroviral regimens in patients commencing therapy with low CD4 counts.

OBJECTIVE To compare the immunological response to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in treatment-naive patients with a baseline CD4 count of <200 cells/mm(3). DESIGN AND METHODS We identified treatment-naive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1)-infected individuals who had commenced HAART since 1996 and who had a starting CD4 count of <200 cells/mm(3). Immunological success was defined as achieving a CD4 count of >200 cells/mm(3) and treatments were compared using univariate and multivariate Cox's proportional hazards models in order to establish whether protease inhibitor (PI)-based regimens were significantly different to regimens based on non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). Both regimens utilize a nucleoside analogue (NA) backbone. RESULTS A total of 599 patients were identified. When the variables were entered into a multivariate analysis, no significant differences between HAART regimens were found. We showed that compared with efavirenz regimens a two NA plus one PI regimen was not significantly less likely to achieve immunological success (adjusted HR: 0.65, 95% CI 0.41-1.03, P=0.07). Two NA and boosted PI (adjusted HR: 1.33, 95% CI 0.81 to 2.16) or two NA and nevirapine (adjusted HR: 0.93, 95% CI 0.67-1.29) regimens were also not significantly different from efavirenz-based regimens, based on the endpoint of immunological success. CONCLUSION PI-, boosted PI- and NNRTI-based HAART regimens are not significantly different in achieving increased CD4 counts in individuals who commence therapy with a low CD4 count.
Multiobjective backtracking search algorithm for solving optimal power flow

Optimal Power Flow (OPF) using the Multi objective functions is becoming one of the most important issues in power system. This paper presents a new method to solve the highly constrained multi-objective optimization. In the proposed approach, Multi Objective Backtracking Search Algorithm (MOBSA) is used as the main optimizer for optimal adjustments of the power system control variables of the OPF problem. Considering several objectives such as fuel cost minimization, voltage improvement, and voltage stability enhancement. The proposed technique has been examined and tested for standard IEEE 30 bus system. The MOBSA method is demonstrated and compared with several intelligence heuristic algorithms.
Predictive Biomarkers and Personalized Medicine Functional Analysis of the ATM-p 53-p 21 Pathway in the LRF CLL 4 Trial : Blockade at the Level of p 21 Is Associated with Short Response Duration

Purpose:This study sought to establishwhether functional analysis of theATM-p53-p21pathway adds to the information provided by currently available prognostic factors in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) requiring frontline chemotherapy. Experimental Design:Cryopreserved bloodmononuclear cells from278 patients entering the LRFCLL4 trial comparing chlorambucil, fludarabine, and fludarabine plus cyclophosphamide were analyzed for ATM-p53-p21 pathway defects using an ex vivo functional assay that uses ionizing radiation to activate ATM and flow cytometry to measure upregulation of p53 and p21 proteins. Clinical endpoints were compared between groups of patients defined by their pathway status. Results: ATM-p53-p21 pathway defects of four different types (A, B, C, and D) were identified in 194 of 278 (70%) samples. The type A defect (high constitutive p53 expression combined with impaired p21 upregulation) and the type C defect (impaired p21 upregulation despite an intact p53 response) were each associated with short progression-free survival. The type A defect was associated with chemoresistance, whereas the type C defect was associated with early relapse. As expected, the type A defect was strongly associated with TP53 deletion/mutation. In contrast, the type C defect was not associated with any of the other prognostic factors examined, including TP53/ATM deletion, TP53 mutation, and IGHV mutational status. Detection of the type C defect added to the prognostic information provided by TP53/ATM deletion, TP53 mutation, and IGHV status. Conclusion: Our findings implicate blockade of the ATM-p53-p21 pathway at the level of p21 as a hitherto unrecognized determinant of early disease recurrence following successful cytoreduction. Clin Cancer Res; 18(15); 4191–200. 2012 AACR.
Renal disease in systemic lupus erythematosus with emphasis on classification of lupus glomerulonephritis: advances and implications.

CONTEXT Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease with protean clinical and pathologic manifestations involving almost all organs in the body. There is a high incidence of renal involvement during the course of the disease, with varied renal pathologic lesions and diverse clinical features. A renal biopsy examined by routine light microscopy, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy contributes toward diagnosis, prognostic information, and appropriate management. OBJECTIVES (1) To review the clinical and various pathologic features of renal lesions in systemic lupus erythematosus patients. (2) To introduce the International Society of Nephrology and Renal Pathology Society Classification of Lupus Glomerulonephritis. DATA SOURCES A literature review, illustrations with original artwork, and tabulation of clinical and pathologic data of cases obtained from the authors' renal biopsy files examined during the last 8 years were used. CONCLUSIONS The International Society of Nephrology/ Renal Pathology Society-sponsored Classification of Lupus Glomerulonephritis proposes standardized definitions of the various pathologic findings, describes clinically relevant lesions, incorporates prognostic parameters, and recommends a uniform way of reporting the renal biopsy findings. Lupus glomerulonephritis is divided into 6 classes primarily based on the morphologic lesions, extent and severity of the involvement, immune complex deposition, and activity and chronicity. Special emphasis is laid on describing qualitative as well as quantitative morphologic data and to include the accompanying tubulointerstitial disease and different vascular lesions, which have prognostic and therapeutic significance. This classification is intended to facilitate a higher degree of reproducibility, resulting in better patient care and more effective future clinical and translational research. Renal biopsy findings in systemic lupus erythematosus add new and independent parameters of prognostic significance to established clinical and genetic factors.
Acute Kidney Injury and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Acute Severe Hypertension

Background— Little is known about the association of kidney dysfunction and outcome in acute severe hypertension. This study aimed to measure the association between baseline chronic kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate), acute kidney injury (AKI, decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥25% from baseline) and outcome in patients hospitalized with acute severe hypertension. Methods and Results— The Studying the Treatment of Acute Hypertension (STAT) registry enrolled patients with acute severe hypertension, defined as ≥1 blood pressure measurement >180 mm Hg systolic and/or >110 mm Hg diastolic and treated with intravenous antihypertensive therapy. Data were compared across groups categorized by admission estimated glomerular filtration rate and AKI during admission. On admission, 79% of the cohort (n=1566) had at least mild chronic kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min in 46%, <30 mL/min in 22%). Chronic kidney disease patients were more likely to develop heart failure (P<0.0001), non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction (P=0.003), and AKI (P<0.007). AKI patients were at greater risk of heart failure and cardiac arrest (P≤0.0001 for both). Subjects with AKI experienced higher mortality at 90 days (P=0.003). Any acute loss of estimated glomerular filtration rate during hospitalization was independently associated with an increased risk of death (odds ratio, 1.05; P=0.03 per 10-mL/min decline). Other independent predictors of mortality included increasing age (P<0.0001), male gender (P=0.016), white versus black race (P=0.003), and worse baseline kidney function (P=0.003). Conclusions— Chronic kidney disease is a common comorbidity among patients admitted with acute severe hypertension, and AKI is a frequent form of acute target organ dysfunction, particularly in those with baseline chronic kidney disease. Any degree of AKI is associated with a greater risk of morbidity and mortality.
Inflammatory and Neurochemical Changes Associated with 3-Nitropropionic Acid Neurotoxicity

ABSTRACT Administration of 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP), a hemotoxin of fungal origin, is associated with a rare neurodegenerative disease, Huntington disease. The present study was carried out to investigate the inflammatory and neurochemical changes associated with the subchronic administration of 3-nitropropionic acid in rats. The administration of 3-nitropropionic acid (20 mg/kg SC and 15 mg/kg IP for 7 days) resulted in a significant increase in inflammatory mediators such as tissue necrosis factor (TNF)-α, total nitric oxide, and nitrite levels in brain homogenate. It also resulted in a significant decrease in catecholamine neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin (5-HT) and an increase in turnover of these neurotransmitters as compared to the control group, estimated by HPLC with ECD detector. Inflammatory and neurochemical changes were in accordance to the behavioral and biochemical changes induced by 3-NP. The present study suggests the involvement of inflammatory changes as an important causal factor for neurodegeneration associated with 3-NP.
A Kinetic Theory Model for Type II Core Collapse Supernovae

Motivated by the success of kinetic theory in the description of observables in intermediate and high energy heavy ion collisions, we use kinetic theory to model the dynamics of core collapse supernovae. The specific way that we employ kinetic theory to solve the relevant transport equations allows us to explicitly model the propagation of neutrinos and a full ensemble of nuclei and treat neutrino-matter interactions in a very general way. With these abilities, our preliminary calculations have observed dynamics that may prove to be an entirely new neutrino capture induced supernova explosion mechanism.
Factors Influencing Individual Investor Behavior (The Case ofthe Karachi Stock Exchange)

The study of theinvestment decision process consists of economic perspectives derived from the relationship between the lifestyle, demographic variable and behavioral. Through thisexamination it has been analyzed that the behavioral variables and utility maximization are taken together for a complete study. This study incorporated this concept by taking 30 variables from diverse decision criteria including contemporary concerns. The findings suggest that an individual considers on the wealth maximization criteria on making their stock purchase.
The effectiveness of teaching methodologies in audit education : a student perspective

Literature supports the fact that the approach followed in audit education is in need of improvement. This study highlighted the fact that current teaching methodologies employed by audit lecturers are not assisting audit students to master the various inherent requirements of their field of work. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate whether the current teaching methods followed in audit education at universities accredited with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) enables students to master the auditing and assurance competencies stipulated by the SAICA in their competency framework. This was achieved through statistical analysis of data gathered from undergraduate chartered accountancy audit students at two SAICA-accredited South African universities, using a questionnaire that was developed for this purpose. The results showed that there is room for improvement in the methods applied by audit lecturers in the audit classroom. The article concludes with recommendations for improvement and future research, followed by a statement on the limitations of the study.
Global Invasions of Marine and Estuarine Habitats by Non-Indigenous Species: Mechanisms, Extent, and Consequences'

SYNOPSIS. Non-indigenous species (NIS) are increasingly conspicuous in marine and estuarine habitats throughout the world, as the number, variety, and effects of these species continue to accrue. Most of these NIS invasions result from anthropogenic dispersal. Although the relative importance of different dispersal mechanisms varies both spatially and temporally, the global movement of ballast water by ships appears to be the largest single vector for NIS transfer today, and many recent invasions have resulted from this transfer. The rate of new invasions may have increased in recent decades, perhaps due to changes in ballast water transport. Estuaries have been especially common sites of invasions, accumulating from tens to hundreds of NIS per estuary that include most major taxonomic and trophic groups. We now know of approximately 400 NIS along the Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the U.S., and hundreds of marine and estuarine NIS are reported from other regions of the world. Although available information about invasions is limited to a few regions and underestimates the actual number of NIS invasions, there are apparent differences in the frequency of NIS among sites. Mechanisms responsible for observed patterns among sites likely include variation in supply of NIS, and perhaps variation in properties of recipient or donor communities, but the role of these mechanisms has not been tested. Although our present knowledge about the extent, patterns and mechanisms of marine invasions is still in its infancy, it is clear that NIS are a significant force of change in marine and especially estuarine communities globally. Taxonomically diverse NIS are having significant effects on many, if not most, estuaries that fundamentally alter population, community, and ecosystems processes. The impacts of most NIS remain unknown, and the predictability of their direct and indirect effects remains uncertain. Nonetheless, based upon the documented extent of NIS invasions and scope of then* effects, studies of marine communities that do not include NIS are increasingly incomplete.
Structure of P-Glycoprotein Reveals a Molecular Basis for Poly-Specific Drug Binding

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) detoxifies cells by exporting hundreds of chemically unrelated toxins but has been implicated in multidrug resistance (MDR) in the treatment of cancers. Substrate promiscuity is a hallmark of P-gp activity, thus a structural description of poly-specific drug-binding is important for the rational design of anticancer drugs and MDR inhibitors. The x-ray structure of apo P-gp at 3.8 angstroms reveals an internal cavity of ∼6000 angstroms cubed with a 30 angstrom separation of the two nucleotide-binding domains. Two additional P-gp structures with cyclic peptide inhibitors demonstrate distinct drug-binding sites in the internal cavity capable of stereoselectivity that is based on hydrophobic and aromatic interactions. Apo and drug-bound P-gp structures have portals open to the cytoplasm and the inner leaflet of the lipid bilayer for drug entry. The inward-facing conformation represents an initial stage of the transport cycle that is competent for drug binding.
MODES OF INNOVATION & UNCERTAINTIES IN THE CAPITAL GOODS INDUSTRY

Product innovation is a subtle process, frequently leading to shifts in the competitiveness of firms. Developing products in an environment undergoing technological change is given to frequent failure, even in well-established and sophisticated organizations. In order to tackle competitiveness and to deal with innovation uncertainty, firms develop diverse innovation processes. Two modes of innovation are suggested in recent literature: 1) Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) mode, which is based on the production and use of codified scientific and technical knowledge; and 2) Doing, Using and Interacting (DUI) mode, which relies on informal processes of learning and experience-based know-how. In this paper we analyse product innovation at firm level. We perform an exploratory analysis in four leading equipment and machinery producers from the Aveiro region, in Portugal. Doing so, we explore the main features of the capital goods’ industry with implications for innovation, and analyse the dominant uncertainties associated to the innovation process. and modes of innovation. Key findings include the complete absence of DUI mode in the cases studied, and even a low learning characteristic in one company. The paper concludes by considering the implications for firms’ competitiveness and for innovation policy.
The Impact of Litigiousness on Earnings Conservatism's Negative Association with the Price-to-Book Ratio

We hypothesize and find that litigiousness (the economy wide propensity of shareholders to file class action lawsuits) enhances earnings conservatism's previously documented negative cross-sectional association with the beginning-of-year price-to-book ratio (P/B). The basis for the hypothesis is as follows. Given the level of litigiousness at any time, investors are more likely to successfully sue managers and auditors of low-P/B firms to recoup losses in the value of their investments following stock price declines and less likely to sue managers and auditors of high-P/B firms to recoup such losses. To mitigate expected litigation costs stemming from allegations of overvalued earnings and assets, managers and auditors of low-P/B firms tend to use more conservative accounting than do managers and auditors of high-P/B firms. We call the absolute value of earnings conservatism's negative cross sectional association with P/B reactive conservatism, consistent with FASB Statement No. 2's (1980) view of conservatism as . a prudent reaction to . business situations, . because exposure of low-P/B firms to high litigation costs is a business situation that is likely to breed a high degree of conservatism. We hypothesize that reactive conservatism is positively associated with the level of litigiousness over time because greater litigiousness increases companies' expected litigation costs, thereby increasing the likely benefit of applying additional conservatism as P/B decreases. To test the hypothesis, we compare reactive conservatism before and after the 1995 Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. After showing that the Act greatly reduces litigiousness we hypothesize and find that reactive conservatism decreases significantly following the Act. Our results are robust to different measures of low-P/B and different sample construction methods. We also find that reactive conservatism increases and decreases following two later legal developments that increase and decrease litigiousness, respectively. Generally, accruals (not cash flows) drive our results.
Survey response as organisational behaviour: An analysis of the annual enterprise survey, 2003-2007

Non-response is a matter of great concern to national statistical offices and a key issue for any survey because it can introduce bias to survey estimation. However, in this presentation, we focus on a business's decision to participate in a survey as an example of organisational behaviour and draw on basic organisational theory to explain why businesses may not respond to surveys (eg Tomaskovic-Devey et al 1994). The data are drawn from the Statistics New Zealand Respondent Management System, which links the response history of individual businesses in all Statistics NZ surveys with information from the Statistics NZ Business Frame. We apply cross-sectional and longitudinal logistic regression random effects models to investigate the ways that business characteristics, business dynamics, previous business response behaviour, and Statistics NZ practices affect the likelihood of a business responding. The Annual Enterprise Survey is used as a test case and the model is fitted across the response history from 2003 to 2007. The analysis presented here is the first phase of a larger scheduled project to assess the impact of non-response bias in Statistics NZ business surveys.
Characterization of the Transcription Profile of Adeno-Associated Virus Type 5 Reveals a Number of Unique Features Compared to Previously Characterized Adeno-Associated Viruses

ABSTRACT We report the initial characterization of adeno-associated virus type 5 (AAV5) RNAs generated following viral infection and the construction of a replicating infectious clone of AAV5. While the basic transcription profile of AAV5 was similar to that of AAV2, there were also significant differences. Mapping of the AAV5 transcripts demonstrated an efficient transcription initiation site within the AAV5 inverted terminal repeat (ITR), and mapping of the AAV5 intron revealed that it is considerably smaller than that of AAV2. Furthermore, in contrast to the case for AAV2, neither the Rep protein nor additional adenovirus gene products were required to achieve efficient promoter activity and pre-mRNA splicing following transfection of an AAV5 rep/cap plasmid clone lacking the ITRs into 293 cells. Perhaps most surprisingly, RNAs generated from both the AAV5 P7 and P19 promoters were efficiently polyadenylated at a site lying within the intronic region in the center of the genome. Because P7- and P19-generated transcripts are polyadenylated at this site and not spliced, Rep78 and Rep52 were the only Rep proteins detected during AAV5 infection.
Missense mutations in the catalase‐peroxidase gene, katG, are associated with isoniazid resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The toxicity of the powerful anti‐tuberculosis drug isoniazid (INH) is believed to be mediated by the haem‐containing enzyme catalase‐peroxidase, encoded by the katG gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Compelling evidence for this was obtained by studying a panel of INH‐resistant clinical isolates using a novel strategy based on the polymerase chain reaction and single‐strand‐conformation polymorphism analysis (PCR‐SSCP) to detect mutations in katG. In most cases INH resistance was associated with missense mutations while in a small number of strains the gene had been completely, or partially, deleted. The missense mutations fell into two groups, the larger of which contained several independent mutations that affected the N‐terminal peroxidase domain of the protein, resulting in the production of a catalase peroxidase with strongly reduced enzyme activity and increased heat lability. The effects of these substitutions could be interpreted by means of molecular modelling using the crystal structure of the related enzyme cytochrome c peroxidase from yeast as a template. The second group comprises a frequently occurring amino acid substitution and a single mutation that are both located in the C‐terminal domain but do not noticeably alter either enzyme activity or heat stability.
Extent and Quality of Environmental Reporting in Tanzania

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the level and quality of environmental reporting among the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE) listed manufacturing companies. A content analysis on the number of sentences reported was used to determine the extent of Environmental Reporting (ER) in annual reports. The quality of ER was determined based on the disclosure quality index reviewed from previous studies. ANOVA was used to ascertain any variations in reporting in terms of both extent and quality among the investigated companies. The study covered annual reports from 2006 to 2013. Findings revealed that the level of ER in Tanzania has been increasing but also there is a significant difference in terms of both extent and quality of ER among the companies. Since ER in Tanzania is under voluntary regime and there is no reporting framework, the study recommends development of Environmental Reporting Framework (ERF) for Tanzania. Keywords : Environmental reporting, disclosure, Tanzania