Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Population-based active surveillance for neonatal group B streptococcal infections in Alberta, Canada: implications for vaccine formulation.

BACKGROUND Knowledge of circulating serotypes of group B Streptococcus (GBS) is important for formulation of vaccines. There are no Canadian data on the serotype distribution of neonatal GBS isolates. METHODS Using a retrospective laboratory and health record survey between 1993 and 1994 (before introduction of Canadian prevention guidelines) and prospective active laboratory-based surveillance from 1995 to 1999 of all laboratories in Alberta, we identified 168 cases of invasive neonatal GBS infections including stillbirths among 262,398 total births; 118 of 123 (96%) isolates from 1995 to 1999 were serotyped, and the corresponding neonatal health records were reviewed. RESULTS The average annual incidence was 0.64 of 1000 total births/year. Of these 95 (57%) had early onset disease (EOD), 15 (9%) were still births and 58 (34%) had late onset disease (LOD). Eighty-one percent of EOD cases were caused by serotypes Ia, Ia/c, Ia/c/R, III, III/R and V, V/R, whereas 81% of LOD cases were caused by serotypes III and III/R. GBS serotypes containing the C protein along with serotypes III and V as a group constituted 91% (107 of 118) of all GBS cases in our population. The most common clinical presentation was bacteremia without focus (74%) followed by meningitis (14%) and pneumonia (12%). During 1995 to 1999, in addition to 13 stillbirths, there were 6 of 64 (9%) neonatal deaths among EOD cases and 1 of 46 (2%) neonatal death among LOD cases. CONCLUSIONS In this population-based study stillbirths account for a proportion of cases that are not routinely counted and represent a group for which intrapartum antibiotics would likely not be effective, but potentially preventable by vaccination. Inclusion of serotypes Ia, III and V in a conjugate vaccine or serotypes III and V conjugated with the C protein in a GBS vaccine could theoretically provide protection against the majority of GBS invasive disease in Alberta neonates.
Paradigms and Theory Building in the Domain of Business Families

This article argues the bona fides of the study of family business as a standalone discipline. Using a widely accepted evolutionary process for the development of scientific disciplines and an established theory-building methodology, the author introduces a theoretically robust explanation of the domain of business families. Established theories widely acknowledged as having relevance to business families are meshed with the universally accepted three-circle Venn diagram-based paradigm to illustrate both the stage of the discipline in theory building terms and an evolutionary path to further develop a theory of the business family domain.
The association of elasticity indexes of ascending aorta and the presence and the severity of coronary artery disease

ObjectivesTo investigate the association between elasticity indexes of aorta and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with stable CAD. MethodsFifty-six patients with CAD (CAD group) and 40 patients without CAD [non CAD (NCAD group)] were included in the study. Ascending aorta (Ao) diameters (mm) and Ao elastic indexes namely, Ao strain (AS), Ao distensibility (AD) were calculated from the echocardiographically derived Ao diameters and hemodynamic pressure measurements in all patients. Coronary angiography was performed in both CAD and NCAD groups. Severity of CAD was evaluated by using Gensini score index. ResultsMean AD and AS measurements of CAD group were lower than that of NCAD group (P<0.001, for both). In CAD group, both AD and AS were associated with mean arterial blood pressure, presence of hypertension, Gensini score, left ventricle mass index, sex, and triglyceride levels in bivariate analysis (P<0.05, for all). CAD group's both AD (&bgr;=−0.577, P=0.003) and AS (&bgr;=−0.494, P=0.021) were independently correlated with Gensini score in multiple linear regression analysis. The AD values of ≥1.24 predict presence of low Gensini score (≤26 for this study) with sensitivity of 88.2% and specificity of 84.6% with area under the curve of 0.94; whereas the AS values of ≥3.36 predict presence of low Gensini score with sensitivity of 82.4% and specificity of 87.2% with area under the curve of 0.873. ConclusionFindings of this study have shown that AD and AS were independently associated with severity of CAD and that impaired elasticity indexes of the aorta might be independent predictors for the severity of coronary atherosclerosis.
Moderating Factors in Adopting Local e-Government in Spain

Abstract This study analyses the factors that influence citizens' intention to use e-government activities offered by municipalities in Spain. For this purpose, we developed a straightforward user behaviour model that considers the components of the TAM and DOI models simultaneously, harnessing their synergies and factoring in the role of citizens' trust. We also examined the moderating role that population size can play in the model's behaviour. Among the results we obtained, it is important to note that user trust not only improved the model's fit, but also showed a significant effect on intention of use for all the population sizes that we analysed. The other significant relationship for all the samples linked ease of use to perceived usefulness. For the other relationships between variables, we observed the moderating role of size for the populations we considered.
Precocity of Fine Motor Control and Task Context: Hitting a Ball While Stepping

To determine if children under 5 years were able to intercept a moving object while stepping, the authors had 9 3-year-olds hit a ball that the authors dropped from a ramp from 5 heights (1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, and 3.5 m). The statistical analysis showed that the hand movement times were similar regardless of ball rolling heights and that the hand initiation times were dependent on the ball rolling times. Children under 5 years were able to hit a moving ball, and they performed this hitting according to a temporal coupling between ball displacements and the hand contact with it. The participants' behavior of hitting while stepping supports the idea that the motor system implicitly knows what the cognitive system ignores.
Why Do Consumers Trust Online Travel Websites? Drivers and Outcomes of Consumer Trust toward Online Travel Websites

Egypt is currently one of the leading nations especially in the Middle East region with a well-established e-commerce environment and advanced IT infrastructure, but rapid growth of e-commerce will soon occur in other nations with similar consumption patterns. This study tests a model of antecedents (consumer experience, propensity to trust, reputation, perceived website size, ease of use, perceived usefulness, and website quality) and consequences of consumers’ trust toward online travel websites. Trust is expected to predict consumer attitude, perceived risk, and intention to purchase travel online. Data of 1,431 users of online travel websites were selected from the Supreme Council of Universities Database–Egypt (SCU) and analyzed through structural equation modeling. The findings show that all the aforementioned factors with the exception of consumer experience influence consumer trust toward online travel websites. Trust influences consumers’ attitude, perceived risk, and intention to purchase travel online.
Adhesion behavior of monocytes, macrophages, and foreign body giant cells on poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) temperature-responsive surfaces.

Monocyte and macrophage adhesion and foreign body giant cell (FBGC) formation has been observed on surfaces with a wide range of properties. In this study we have utilized novel, temperature-responsive surfaces (TRS) with dynamic surface properties to investigate inflammatory cell adhesion behavior. With temperature changes, grafted chains of poly-N-isopropylacrylamide pass through their lower critical solution temperature (LCST) and can either extend (hydrate), creating a hydrophilic surface at 20 degrees C, or contract (dehydrate), creating a hydrophobic surface at 37 degrees C. Isolated human monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages were able to adhere, spread, and form FBGC on the hydrophobic surface. Decreasing the temperature below the lower critical solution temperature induced a change in the surface wettability, creating a hydrophilic surface, that induced a differential detachment of adherent cells that decreased with time, ranging from 98% after 2 h of culture to 30% at day 10. These detached cells remained viable, and were recultured onto TCPS for 3, 7, and 10 days. These novel surfaces allow investigation of the adhesive behavior of adherent inflammatory cells in a temporal manner, and the effects of surface conformation and wettability changes on cell adhesion and detachment.
Comparative Evaluation of Two Different Artemisia dracunculus L. Cultivars for Blood Sugar Lowering Effects in Rats

Recent concerns about the potential carcinogenicity of estragole and methyleugenol led a number of regulatory bodies to call for restrictions on the use of herbs that contain these constituents. A number of medicinal plants produce essential oils that contain estragole and methyleugenol, including Artemisia dracunculus L. (tarragon). Previous studies have proven the antidiabetic properties of tarragon. In order to address the safety concerns of estragole containing tarragon extracts, an extraction procedure was developed to minimize the estragole and methyleugenol content in tarragon extracts and the ethanol versus aqueous extracts from two Artemisia dracunculus cultivars (French and Russian tarragon) were tested for blood glucose lowering effects in rats. It could be demonstrated that aqueous extracts of both Artemisia cultivars did not contain detectable amounts of estragole and methyleugenol, whereas ethanol extracts (60% v/v) of the French cultivar contained higher levels of the aforementioned compounds than those of the Russian cultivar. Further testing revealed that Russian tarragon lowered blood glucose levels in rats after glucose challenge, with the ethanol extract being as active as the aqueous extract. The results suggest that by using adequate production procedures the amount of potentially harmful compounds in extracts can be limited without affecting the overall pharmacological activities of these preparations. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The importance of foregone options

Recent experimental evidence supports the influence of a player's unchosen alternatives in other agent's actions. This paper examines a tractable theoretical model of reference-dependent preferences in which individuals compare other players'chosen action with respect to their un- chosen alternatives. We analyze the equilibrium prediction in complete information sequential- move games, and compare it with that of standard games where players are not concerned about unchosen alternatives. We show that, without relying on interpersonal payo¤ comparisons (i.e., with strictly individualistic agents), our model predicts higher cooperation among the players than standard game-theoretic models. We apply our results in three economic contexts: the labor market gift exchange game, the ultimatum bargaining game, and the sequential public good game. Revised Feb. 2009
Accounting for Expenditure on Software Development for Internal Use

The methods accepted by Australian, International, U.S. and U.K. Accounting Standards for the treatment of expenditure on software development are inconsistent, and permissive. A host of methods for recording capitalized software in terms of those standards is identified by reference to an illustrative case study. It is questionable whether many in-house developed software applications satisfy the professionally endorsed definition of ‘asset’. Moreover, even if accounting standards significantly reduce the range of options for capitalizing expenditure on software development, there would still be many values which could be assigned to capitalized software. That suggests that those ‘measures’ are not reliable, so that it would be inappropriate initially to recognize software expenditure as an ‘asset’. It is contended that expensing all outlays on software development as they are incurred (accompanied by reporting that expenditure as a line item in statements of financial performance, and expanded disclosures in notes) is likely to provide a clearer and more useful report on business operations than the alternative of capitalization, amortization and subsequent assessments of whether or not recorded values should be adjusted for ‘impairment’.
Increase in branched-chain amino acids due to acidemia in neonatal calves with diarrhoea

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between acid-base status and plasma branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) concentration in calves with diarrhoea for intravenous nutrition, especially with amino acid solution in calves with diarrhoea. Thirty-four Holstein calves aged 11.0±5.9 days old were enrolled in this study. In 10 of 34 calves exhibiting clinical signs of diarrhoea, severe dehydration and acidemia were observed (severe group: pH: 7.04±0.11, base excess (BE): −17.4±4.5) based on blood gas analysis. In 7 of 34 calves exhibiting clinical signs of diarrhoea, mild dehydration and acidemia were observed (mild group: pH: 7.29±0.06, BE: 0.0±5.2). The other 17 calves did not exhibit dehydration or acidemia (pH: 7.41±0.02, BE: 11.2±3.5) based on clinical signs and blood gas analysis. The plasma concentration of BCAA was significantly higher in the severe group than in the other groups. In addition, the blood pH and plasma concentrations of BCAA (r=−0.41, P<0.05) were significantly and negatively correlated. As calves with metabolic acidosis have increased plasma BCAA concentrations due to hypermetabolic states of proteolysis, amino acid solutions containing low concentrations of BCAA may be useful to gradually correct the negative nitrogen balance.
Differences Social Isolation and Adult Mortality : The Role of Chronic Inflammation and Sex

The health and survival benefits of social embeddedness have been widely documented across social species, but the underlying biophysiological mechanisms have not been elucidated in the general population. We assessed the process by which social isolation increases the risk for all-cause and chronic disease mortality through proinflammatory mechanisms. Using the 18-year mortality follow-up data (n = 6,729) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988–2006) on Social Network Index and multiple markers of chronic inflammation, we conducted survival analyses and found evidence that supports the mediation role of chronic inflammation in the link between social isolation and mortality. A high-risk fibrinogen level and cumulative inflammation burden may be particularly important in this link. There are notable sex differences in the mortality effects of social isolation in that they are greater for men and can be attributed in part to their heightened inflammatory responses.
Graft Options in Posterolateral and Posterior Interbody Lumbar Fusion

Study Design. Review article, review of literature. Objective. To review the bone graft options that exist for posterolateral and posterior interbody lumbar fusion. Summary of Background Data. As the number of lumbar fusion surgeries has increased over the last decade, alternative methods of grafting have been developed. Iliac crest autograft bone has traditionally been used for lumbar fusion. The downside to this graft option, however, is donor site morbidity. Methods. The current literature on alternatives to iliac crest autograft bone for obtaining lumbar fusion was reviewed. Results. Platelet gels, demineralized bone matrix, synthetic bone graft, and bone morphogenetic protein are potential options for bone graft supplementation or substitution. In preclinical studies, platelet gels have been beneficial to bone growth when combined with autograft, but clinical studies do not support the use of platelet gel in posterolateral lumbar fusion. Preclinical studies of demineralized bone matrix have shown significant variability in the osteoinductive properties of the available products, and clinical data showing efficacy is limited. The use of synthetic bone graft material (ceramics) in lumbar fusion surgery is increasing. Calcium phosphate compounds (i.e., &bgr;-tricalcium phosphate and hydroxyapetite) are most commonly used and are often combined with type I collagen to form a matrix. These materials provide an osteoconductive scaffold for bony ingrowth and can be combined with bone marrow aspirate or used as a carrier for osteogenic factors. Bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP-2) has been shown to provide similar or even increased fusion rates over autograft iliac crest bone. There are, however, potential safety concerns associated with the use of bone morphogenetic protein that are not fully understood. Conclusion. Several alternatives to iliac crest autograft bone provide promising early clinical results in achieving posterolateral and posterior interbody lumbar fusion.
Cointegration, causality and Wagner's Law in 19th century Europe

The long-run tendency for government expenditure to grow relative to GNP, Wagner's law, is tested for six European countries using data from around the mid-19th century to 1913. With few exceptions the results suggest that: nominal and real GNP, nominal and real government expenditure, and population were nonstationary in their levels but stationary in first differences; either nominal GNP and nominal government expenditure and/or real GNP and real government expenditure were cointegrated in five of the six countries, and that these variables were cointegrated with population in the remaining country; and Granger-causality was mainly unidirectional from income to government expenditure. Thus, there is considerable support for Wagner's law in 19th century Europe.
Universal Plant DNA Barcode Loci May Not Work in Complex Groups: A Case Study with Indian Berberis Species

Background The concept of DNA barcoding for species identification has gained considerable momentum in animals because of fairly successful species identification using cytochrome oxidase I (COI). In plants, matK and rbcL have been proposed as standard barcodes. However, barcoding in complex genera is a challenging task. Methodology and Principal Findings We investigated the species discriminatory power of four reportedly most promising plant DNA barcoding loci (one from nuclear genome- ITS, and three from plastid genome- trnH-psbA, rbcL and matK) in species of Indian Berberis L. (Berberidaceae) and two other genera, Ficus L. (Moraceae) and Gossypium L. (Malvaceae). Berberis species were delineated using morphological characters. These characters resulted in a well resolved species tree. Applying both nucleotide distance and nucleotide character-based approaches, we found that none of the loci, either singly or in combinations, could discriminate the species of Berberis. ITS resolved all the tested species of Ficus and Gossypium and trnH-psbA resolved 82% of the tested species in Ficus. The highly regarded matK and rbcL could not resolve all the species. Finally, we employed amplified fragment length polymorphism test in species of Berberis to determine their relationships. Using ten primer pair combinations in AFLP, the data demonstrated incomplete species resolution. Further, AFLP analysis showed that there was a tendency of the Berberis accessions to cluster according to their geographic origin rather than species affiliation. Conclusions/Significance We reconfirm the earlier reports that the concept of universal barcode in plants may not work in a number of genera. Our results also suggest that the matK and rbcL, recommended as universal barcode loci for plants, may not work in all the genera of land plants. Morphological, geographical and molecular data analyses of Indian species of Berberis suggest probable reticulate evolution and thus barcode markers may not work in this case.
Research productivity-visibility-accessibility and scholarly communication in Southern African universities

The project for the revitalisation of Southern Africa’s higher education sector is dependent on, among other things, the capacity of the region’s universities to produce research, to communicate that research to a broad public audience and to use the research output in the process of educating future generations of graduates. Given this context, research output in the great majority of Southern African universities is barely visible. While the introduction of new digital media may offer greater accessibility and expanded opportunities for the visibility of scholarly communication, this may be insufficient to meet the needs of the many scholars and other actors who seek to build on existing bodies of knowledge, whether to advance society or in order to create knowledge for its own sake. This article reports the findings of two 2008 studies – The state of public science in the SADC region and Opening access to knowledge in Southern African universities. Working within a frame which understands knowledge produced in universities as a public good, this article examines the issues at play in terms of the productivity-visibilityaccessibility of scholarly communications in regional higher education. The conclusion discusses a possible approach to improve such productivity-visibility-accessibility, through the adoption of a strategic vision of open access to knowledge and through consideration of two breakthroughs pertinent to achieving a vision of revitalised higher education in the region. 1 A partnership constituted by the Association of Commonwealth Universities, the Association of African Universities and the South African University Vice Chancellors Association, now Higher Education South Africa.
Patterns of accumulation of miRNAs encoded by herpes simplex virus during productive infection, latency, and on reactivation

Significance The mechanism by which HSV enters into a silent, latent state in neurons remains a major problem in virology. The only manifestations of viral gene expression during latency are the accumulation of a noncoding transcript and a set of microRNAs (miRNAs). Available data support the hypothesis that these play a role in the maintenance of the latent state and predict the accumulation of a different set of miRNAs during latency and reactivation. This report (i) supports the hypothesis that miRNAs arise during latency from multiple transcriptional events on the basis of location and differences in transcriptional regulation in productively infected cells and (ii) specifically identifies miRNAs that arise during reactivation and that differ from those accumulating in productively infected cells. The key events in herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections are (i) replication at a portal of entry into the body modeled by infection of cultured cells; (ii) establishment of a latent state characterized by a sole latency-associated transcript and microRNAs (miRNAs) modeled in murine peripheral ganglia 30 d after inoculation; and (iii) reactivation from the latent state modeled by excision and incubation of ganglia in medium containing anti-NGF antibody for a timespan of a single viral replicative cycle. In this report, we examine the pattern of synthesis and accumulation of 18 HSV-1 miRNAs in the three models. We report the following: (i) H2-3P, H3-3P, H4-3P, H5-3P, H6-3P, and H7-5P accumulated in ganglia harboring latent virus. All but H4-3P were readily detected in productively infected cells, and most likely they originate from three transcriptional units. (ii) H8-5P, H15, H17, H18, H26, and H27 accumulated during reactivation. Of this group, only H26 and H27 could be detected in productively infected cells. (iii) Of the 18 we have examined, only 10 miRNAs were found to accumulate above background levels in productively infected cells. The disparity in the accumulation of miRNAs in cell culture and during reactivation may reflect differences in the patterns of regulation of viral gene expression during productive infection and during reactivation from the latent state.