Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy with radachlorin® on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli: an in vitro study.

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study is the evaluation of the effect of Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy with Radachlorin on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. New windows are open in the antimicrobial field so-call Photodynamic therapy that incorporates a nonpoisonous photosensitizer (PS) with innocuous special wavelength photons to excite the PS. METHODS Two strains of bacteria used in this study were Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 33591; PTCC 1764) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922; PTCC1399). Concentrations of 0.2 ml of Radachlorin® were applied on 0.2 ml of bacterial suspensions and placed in a 48-well microtiter plate. The following groups were used: (I) L- PS- (no laser, no photosensitizer), (II) L-PS+ (treated only with PS), (III) L+ PS- (treated only with laser) and (IV) L+ PS+ (treated with laser and PS: photodynamic therapy group). Aliquots of bacterial suspensions were sensitized with Radachlorin® for 15 minutes in the dark at room temperature and then bacterial suspensions in group III and IV were irradiated with 210 mW (power density) and 12 J/cm2 (energy density) on continuous mode. RESULTS This study showed that photodynamic therapy reduces 0.14 log 10 in E.Coli (group IV) and there were significant differences for group IV (P<0.01). Photodynamic therapy in S.Aureus showed 6.28 log 10 colony count reduction (group IV) and there were highly significant differences in Photodynamic therapy group (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION Radachlorin® have bactericidal effect on S.aureus (6.28 log 10) and bacteriostaticeffect on E.coli (0.14 log 10).
Forecasting Stock Market Volatility of Bse-30 Index Using Garch Models

Volatility forecasting is an important area of research in financial markets and immense effort has been made in improving volatility models since better forecasts translate themselves into better pricing of options and better risk management. In this direction, the present paper attempts to modelling and forecasting the volatility (conditional variance) of the SENSEX Index returns of Indian stock market, using daily data, covering a period from 1st January 1996 to 29th January 2010. The forecasting models that are considered in this study range from the relatively simple GARCH (1,1) model to relatively complex GARCH models (including Exponential GARCH (1,1) and Threshold GARCH (1,1) models). Based on out-of-sample forecasts and a majority of evaluation measures, our result shows that the symmetric GARCH model do perform better in forecasting conditional variance of the SENSEX Index return rather than the asymmetric GARCH models, despite the presence of leverage effect. Findings of the study are consistent with the evidence of Deb, Vuyyuri and Roy (2003) that parsimonious symmetric GARCH model is found superior in forecasting the conditional variance of SENSEX Index market returns rather than the asymmetric GARCH models.
Frequency of osteopenia in children and young adults with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE To determine the frequency of osteopenia in patients with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) compared with that in healthy matched controls, and to evaluate the relationship between disease-related variables and bone mineral mass. METHODS Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were measured in a cohort of 70 patients with childhood-onset SLE (mean +/- SD disease duration 10.8 +/- 8.3 years, mean +/- SD age 26.4 +/- 9.9 years) and 70 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. BMD and BMC of the femoral neck, lumbar spine, total body, and distal one-third of the radius were measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry. We investigated the relationship between BMC and the following disease variables: cumulative dose of corticosteroids, organ damage, current use of corticosteroids, use of cyclophosphamide, age at disease onset, and disease activity at the time of diagnosis. Biochemical markers of bone metabolism were also measured. RESULTS BMD values for the lumbar spine and femoral neck were significantly lower in patients than in healthy controls. The reduction in BMD of the lumbar spine was significantly greater than that of the total body. In multiple linear regression analyses, a higher cumulative corticosteroid dose was significantly associated with lower BMC of the lumbar spine and femoral neck. Decreased lumbar spine BMC was also related to male sex. CONCLUSION The frequency of osteopenia was higher in patients with childhood-onset SLE than in matched controls. The lumbar spine was the most seriously affected skeletal site, followed by the femoral neck. The cumulative dose of corticosteroids was shown to be an important explanatory variable for BMC values in the lumbar spine and femoral neck.
Adenovirus E1B 55-Kilodalton Protein Is Required for both Regulation of mRNA Export and Efficient Entry into the Late Phase of Infection in Normal Human Fibroblasts

ABSTRACT The human adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) E1B 55-kDa protein is required for selective nuclear export of viral late mRNAs from the nucleus and concomitant inhibition of export of cellular mRNAs in HeLa cells and some other human cell lines, but its contributions(s) to replication in normal human cells is not well understood. We have therefore examined the phenotypes exhibited by viruses carrying mutations in the E1B 55-kDa protein coding sequence in normal human fibroblast (HFFs). Ad5 replicated significantly more slowly in HFFs than it does in tumor cells, a difference that is the result of delayed entry into the late phase of infection. The A143 mutation, which specifically impaired export of viral late mRNAs from the nucleus in infected HeLa cells (R. A. Gonzalez and S. J. Flint, J. Virol. 76:4507-4519, 2002), induced a more severe defect in viral mRNA export in HFFs. This observation indicates that the E1B 55-kDa protein regulates mRNA export during the late phase of infection of normal human cells. Other mutants exhibited phenotypes not observed in HeLa cells. In HFFs infected by the null mutant Hr6, synthesis of viral late mRNAs and proteins was severely impaired. Such defects in late gene expression were the result of inefficient progression into the late phase of infection, for viral DNA synthesis was 10-fold less efficient in Hr6-infected HFFs than in cells infected by Ad5. Similar, but less severe, defects in viral DNA synthesis were induced by the insertion mutation H224, which has been reported to inhibit binding of the E1B 55-kDa protein to p53 (C. C. Kao, P. R. Yew, and A. J. Berk, Virology 179:806-814, 1990).
Population Pharmacokinetics of Hydroxychloroquine in Japanese Patients With Cutaneous or Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Background: Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is an effective treatment for patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and has been used for these patients in more than 70 nations. However, in Japan, HCQ has not been approved for CLE or SLE. To establish an appropriate therapeutic regimen and to clarify the pharmacokinetics (PK) of HCQ in Japanese patients with CLE with or without SLE (CLE/SLE), a population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) analysis was performed. Methods: In a clinical study of Japanese patients with a diagnosis of CLE irrespective of the presence of SLE, blood and plasma drug concentration–time data receiving multiple oral doses of HCQ sulfate (200–400 mg daily) were analyzed using nonlinear mixed-effects model software. The blood and plasma concentrations of HCQ were analyzed using a high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method. Model evaluation and validation were performed using goodness-of-fit (GOF) plots, visual predictive check, and a bootstrap. Results: The PopPKs of HCQ in the blood and plasma of 90 Japanese patients with CLE/SLE were well described by a 1-compartment model with first-order absorption and absorption lag time. Body weight was a significant (P < 0.001) covariate of oral clearance of HCQ. The final model was assessed using GOF plots, a bootstrap, and visual predictive check, and this model was appropriate. Simulations based on the final model suggested that the recommended daily doses of HCQ sulfate (200–400 mg) based on the ideal body weight in Japanese patients with CLE/SLE were in the similar concentration ranges. Conclusions: The PopPK models derived from both blood and plasma HCQ concentrations of Japanese patients with CLE/SLE were developed and validated. Based on this study, the dosage regimens of HCQ sulfate for Japanese patients with CLE/SLE should be calculated using the individual ideal body weight.
Coinciding crises and tourism in contemporary Thailand

Although tourism crises have received increased attention in recent years, there has been a lack of research into coinciding crises and their effects on tourism. Correspondingly, there has been little theoretical work done on their nature, interaction and dynamics. In this article, we seek to redress this, and extend the study of tourism crises by looking at antecedent crises of different orders that interact and escalate in ways that damage tourism. As a case of this, we discuss the situation in Thailand from 2007 to 2009, and explain how two different orders of antecedent crises – an economic meltdown, and an escalating political crisis – interacted to form an acute and complex mega-crisis, which ultimately facilitated the spectacular occupation of Bangkok's two main airports by the opposition to the government in November 2008; this in turn completely disrupted, and provoked a sharp and prolonged drop in, tourist arrivals to the country. Through a discussion of this case, we raise some important theoretical issues regarding the development of tourism crises generally, most notably the analytical importance of human agency within unfurling antecedent crises.
Fuzzy Networked Control Systems Design Considering Scheduling Restrictions

Nowadays network control systems present a common approximation when connectivity is the issue to be solved based on time delays coupling from external factors. However, this approach tends to be complex in terms of time delays. Therefore, it is necessary to study the behavior of the delays as well as the integration into differential equations of these bounded delays. The related time delays needs to be known a priory but from a dynamic real-time behavior. To do so, the use of priority dynamic Priority exchange scheduling is performed. The objective of this paper is to show a way to tackle multiple time delays that are bounded and the dynamic response from real-time scheduling approximation. The related control law is designed considering fuzzy logic approximation for nonlinear time delays coupling, where the main advantage is the integration of this behavior through extended state space representation keeping certain linear and bounded behavior and leading to a stable situation during events presentation by guaranteeing stability through Lyapunov.
Firm Size and National Profiles of IFRS Policy Choice

Previous research on the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) policy choices of large listed companies found a very strong association between policy choice and country. Nationally based pre-IFRS practices largely explain IFRS policy choices. Nevertheless, some of the policy choices appear to be influenced from abroad, perhaps chosen in order to increase comparability. It has been suggested that smaller companies might be less influenced from abroad, and therefore might display even clearer national profiles of IFRS practice. This paper examines the accounting policy choices made within IFRS financial statements by small listed companies in five major countries. We find highly significant differences between the policies of small and large companies. We also find that small companies make more homogeneous choices, within a country, than large companies do. As a result, the previously published national profiles of the IFRS practices of large companies are misleading in the context of smaller ones.
Simple Purification of a Foreign Protein Using Polyhedrin Fusion in a Baculovirus Expression System

Previously, we found that expression by translational fusion of the polyhedrin (Polh)-green fluorescence protein (GFP) led to the formation of granular structures, and that these fluorescent granules were easily precipitated by high-speed centrifugation. Here, we developed an easy, fast, mass purification system using this baculovirus expression system (BES). An enhanced GFP (EGFP) fused with the Polh gene at the N-terminus, including a linker and enterokinase (EK) site between Polh and EGFP, was expressed in Sf9 cells. The cells infected by AcPolhEKA-EGFP produced fluorescent granules. The EGFP fusion protein was purified from granule-containing cells in three steps: cell harvest, sonication, and EK digestion. Through final enterokinase digestion, EGFP presented mainly in the supernatant, and this supernatant fraction also showed a pure EGFP band. These results suggest that a combined procedure of Polh fusion expression and enterokinase digestion can be used for rapid and easy purification of other proteins.
Higher Learning, Greater Good: The Private and Social Benefits of Higher Education

A college education has long been acknowledged as essential for both personal success and economic growth. But the measurable value of its nonmonetary benefits has until now been poorly understood. Walter W. McMahon, a leading education economist, carefully describes these benefits and suggests that higher education accrues significant social and private benefits. McMahon's research uncovers a major skill deficit in the United States and other OECD countries owing to technical change and globalization. Yet a college degree brings better job opportunities, higher earnings, and even improved health. Higher education also promotes democracy and sustainable growth and contributes to reduced crime and lower state welfare and prison costs. These social benefits are substantial in relation to the costs of a college education. Offering a human capital perspective on these and other higher education policy issues, McMahon suggests that poor understanding of the value of nonmarket benefits leads to private underinvestment. He offers policy options that can enable state and federal governments to increase investment in higher education.
Assessing running economy during field running with changes of direction: application to 20 m shuttle runs.

PURPOSE To examine physiological responses to submaximal field running with changes of direction (COD), and to compare two approaches to assess running economy (RE) with COD, ie, during square-wave (SW) and incremental (INC) exercises. METHODS Ten male team-sport athletes performed, in straight-line or over 20 m shuttles, one maximal INC and four submaximal SW (45, 60, 75 and 90% of the velocity associated with maximal pulmonary O2 uptake [vVO2pmax]). Pulmonary (VO2p) and gastrocnemius (VO2m) O2 uptake were computed for all tests. For both running mode, RE was estimated as the O2 cost per kilogram of bodyweight, per meter of running during all SW and INC. RESULTS Compared with straight-line runs, shuttle runs were associated with higher VO2p (eg, 33 ± 6 vs 37 ± 5 mL O2·min-1·kg-1 at 60%, P < .01) and VO2m (eg, 1.1 ± 0.5 vs 1.3 ± 0.8 mL O2·min-1·100 g-1 at 60%, P = .18, Cohen's d = 0.32). With COD, RE was impaired during SW (0.26 ± 0.02 vs 0.24 ± 0.03 mL O2·kg-1·m-1, P < .01) and INC (0.23 ± 0.04 vs 0.16 ± 0.03 mL O2·kg-1·m-1, P < .001). For both SW and INC tests, the changes in RE with COD were related to height (eg, r = .56 [90%CL, 0.01;0.85] for SW) and weekly training/competitive volume (eg, r = -0.58 [-0.86;-0.04] for SW). For both running modes, RE calculated from INC was better than that from SW (both P < .001). CONCLUSION Although RE is impaired during field running with COD, team-sport players of shorter stature and/or presenting greater training/competitive volumes may present a lower RE deterioration with COD. Present results do not support the use of INC to assess RE in the field, irrespective of running mode.
Two Views of Corruption and Democracy

Abstract The pessimistic view of corruption and democracy sees democracy as either corrupt or unlikely to deter corruption. This view can be traced to the writings of Plato and Aristotle. The modern neoclassical and public choice literatures advance a modern version of the pessimistic view. They suggest that democracy is not likely, in itself, to deter corruption. Shleifer and Vishny go further and suggest that the egalitarian tendencies in democracies produce conditions conducive to corruption. Sen's work, in contrast, supports the optimistic view that democracy can act as a powerful corruption deterrent. Sen takes a broader view of democracy, relaxes the self-interest assumption, allows for the influence of democracy on value formation and stresses the importance of democratic practice. However, a constitutive relationship also holds between corruption and democracy because certain forms of corruption are undemocratic in their very nature. This also involves an optimistic view since, on this view, democratization and corruption-deterrence go hand in hand.
The contribution of retrospective memory, attention and executive functions to the prospective and retrospective components of prospective memory following TBI

Primary objective: Despite the prevalence of prospective memory (PM) problems, relatively little is known about the processes underlying impairment following TBI. This study sought to examine PM performance, using a multiple-task, multiple-response video-based paradigm in which initial encoding of the cue-action associations was ensured (Video-Assessment of Prospective Memory; VAPM). Research design: VAPM was designed to allow easy identification of reasons for failure (i.e. cue detection and/or specific action retrieval). Patients with moderate/severe TBI (n = 32) and matched controls (n = 16) also completed standardized neuropsychological assessment including evaluation of episodic retrospective memory (RM), attention, information processing, executive functions and mood. Main outcomes and results: As a group, those with TBI were impaired on PM tasks with 50% failing to complete at least 2/6 required tasks despite near perfect performance by controls. Individual profile analyses revealed different reasons for impairment, with RM contributing significantly to both the prospective and retrospective components. This was supported by correlational analyses illustrating a significant relationship between cue detection and RM measures, in addition to measures of executive functions and attention. Conclusions: The contribution of RM to both components of PM, along with the finding of heterogeneity in performance among participants have important implications for theoretical understanding and clinical practice.
Molecular Epidemiology of Tuberculosis in Malaysia

ABSTRACT Molecular typing with IS6110 was applied toMycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from all parts of Malaysia. The degree of clustering increased with patient age, suggesting that reactivation may contribute to clustering. Identical banding patterns were also obtained for isolates from widely separate regions. Therefore, the use of clustering as a measure of recent transmission must be treated with caution. Strains related to the Beijing family were common in Peninsular Malaysia but were less common in Sabah and Sarawak, while a distinct group of strains comprised nearly 40% of isolates from East Malaysia but such strains were rare in Peninsular Malaysia. Single-copy strains, common in South and Southeastern Asia, constituted nearly 20% of isolates from the peninsula but were virtually absent in East Malaysia. The marked geographical difference in the prevailing strains indicates not only a restricted dissemination of M. tuberculosis but also a considerable degree of stability in the banding patterns.
Sunk costs and trade liberalisation

A model of vertical product differentiation is applied to the study of trade between two countries of differing sizes. Firms in the small country choose lower-quality products in autarky. Unlike A. Shaked and J. Sutton (1984), welfare effects of trade are fully analyzed and shown to depend on the degree of sunkness of costs. If firms have not sunk costs, losses from trade may arise for the small country in the short run (when quality is fixed) and for the large country in the long run (when quality is variable). If costs are sunk, both countries always gain from trade. Copyright 1992 by Royal Economic Society.
Beyond Liabilities: Survival Skills for the Young, Small, and Not-for-profit

BEYOND LIABILITIES: SURVIVAL SKILLS FOR THE YOUNG, SMALL, AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT By ELIZABETH ANNE MURDOCK SEARING MAY 19, 2015 Committee Chair: Dr. Dennis Young Major Department: Public Management and Policy This dissertation offers insight into the organizational lives of small and new notfor-profits. The first essay used three different estimation strategies to model the role of revenue type in the growth in young and small not-for-profits. We find that increases in the percentage of a not-for-profit’s revenue portfolio going to dues, indirect support, or non-mission income will suppress growth and that there is no “optimal” model across subsectors. The second essay uses over twenty years of panel data to predict which factors indicate the impending recovery of a financially vulnerable small and young nonprofit. Support for hypotheses based in the literature is mixed, but the key insight is that nonprofits need to save if they want to get healthy: bringing in revenues is not enough. Finally, the third essay uses a qualitative approach on young and new mental health not-for-profits in the state of New York. Using comparative case studies, this study analyzes the internal and external factors surrounding the demise of small and young mental health nonprofits. This study finds support for several of the potential causes of nonprofit demise in a newly proposed typology. BEYOND LIABILITIES: SURVIVAL SKILLS FOR THE YOUNG, SMALL, AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT BY ELIZABETH ANNE MURDOCK SEARING A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies of Georgia State University GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY 2015 Copyright by Elizabeth A.M. Searing