Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of transcription of the exotoxin A gene of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Analysis of RNA isolated from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA103 and PAKS grown under Fe2+-limiting (0.08 microgram/ml) and Fe2+-sufficient (10 micrograms/ml) conditions demonstrated that exotoxin A (ETA) expression is regulated by Fe2+ at the level of transcription. S1 nuclease mapping revealed two 5' termini of the tox transcript, 89 base pairs (bp) (S1A) and 62 bp (S1B) 5' to the ETA initiation codon. There appeared to be no consensus promoter sequence for either tox transcript. An 8-bp direct repeat was found 5' to the start of transcript S1A. Transcript S1B mapped 8 bp upstream of a dodecamer sequence conserved between the ETA and phospholipase C genes of P. aeruginosa. Multicopy plasmids in which the expression of ETA is directed from the Escherichia coli trp promoter (ptrpETA-RSF1010) or the tox promoter (pCMtox) were constructed and mobilized into a Tox-P. aeruginosa strain, WR5. WR5 synthesized and secreted high levels of ETA when it was expressed from the E. coli trp promoter; however, the synthesis of ETA from its own promoter in this strain was very low. These and other data suggest that the expression of ETA is under a positive control mechanism. A fusion of the ETA promoter fragment to lacZ was constructed. Use of this fusion plasmid revealed that this DNA fragment directed the synthesis of beta-galactosidase in E. coli at very low levels and that the synthesis of beta-galactosidase from this fusion in E. coli was not regulated by Fe2+.
Are Modified Audit Opinions Related to the Availability of Credit? Evidence from Finnish SMEs

We study the association between credit availability and modified audit opinions using a sample of more than 50,000 observations for small- and medium-sized companies. Studies in finance suggest that companies use trade-credit as a source of financing when institutional debt is not available (e.g. Petersen and Rajan, 1994; Danielsson and Scott, 2004). Building on these studies, we study whether modified audit opinions are associated with an increased use of trade credit relative to bank debt. We find no association between modified audit opinions and our measure of credit rationing. Our archival evidence focusing on SMEs is contrary to much of the earlier research finding that modified audit opinions provide incremental information for lenders. Our study adds to the scarce literature on the role of audit reports as a source of information in SME finance.
The time course and magnitude of blood flow changes in the human quadriceps muscles following isometric contraction.

Blood velocities in the human femoral artery were measured using pulsed bidirectional Doppler‐ultrasound equipment before, during and after single isometric contractions of the quadriceps muscle group. After contraction periods lasting more than 20 s (long) and of tensions from 10% up to 75% of maximal voluntary contraction (m.v.c.), an increase in blood velocities of seven to eight times the resting level was observed. Estimated maximal volume flow to the whole leg during the post‐contraction hyperaemic phase calculated from these blood velocity measurements and vessel diameter (measured with echo‐ultrasound equipment) was in two of the subjects 2.4 l/min (female) and 4.4 l/min (male), respectively. In the latter, this estimate fitted very well with results obtained using a venous thermo‐dilution method. When using computer tomography to estimate the volume of the quadriceps muscle group, the calculated maximum flow to this muscle group in the post‐contraction hyperaemic phase was approximately 175 (female) and 185 (male) ml/min. 100 ml muscle, respectively. This was about forty times the estimated resting volume flow to this muscle of 4.7 (female) and 4.5 (male) ml/min. 100 ml muscle. The length of the post‐contraction hyperaemia after short (less than 10 s) contraction periods was 12‐13 s, by which time velocities had reached 25% above the precontraction level. After long contractions, the corresponding values were 23‐25 s. By contrast, previous plethysmographic observations by others indicate that postcontraction hyperaemias following long contractions last 10‐15 min. There was a marked difference between the times taken to reach maximal velocity in the hyperaemic phase when comparing short and long contractions. Maximal velocity was reached four to six cardiac cycles following short periods of contraction but during the very first heart beat after long periods of contractions. The present observations are compatible with the hypothesis that locally released metabolites or hormones play a dominant role in the regulation of the post‐contraction hyperaemia. Since during the short contraction periods maximal velocity was reached only after some seconds, whereas with the longer contraction periods it was reached during the first heart beat, it is suggested that these metabolites are released at some distance from the resistance vessels and that some time is needed for diffusion.
Circadian changes of influence of swallowing on heart rate variability with respiratory-phase domain analysis

Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) is known as an index of cardiac vagal activity and useful to evaluate the response of the cardiovascular system to external stimuli. As an external stimulation, swallowing is known to strongly affect the cardiovascular system. However, the influence of swallowing and its relation with the autonomic nervous system remain incompletely understood. In this study, since autonomic nervous control of the cardiovascular system has a circadian rhythm, we evaluated circadian changes of influence of swallowing on RSA. Measurements were conducted on healthy humans with periodic swallowing in the morning, afternoon, and evening. RSA waveforms were extracted from an instantaneous R-R Interval (RRI) as functions of the respiratory phase and the data were divided into three subsets with respiration with swallowing, one respiration after the swallowing, and normal respiration. As a result, the RSA amplitude during respiration with swallowing was larger in the morning than in the evening. In addition, the minimum RRI during respiration with swallowing was larger in the morning than in the afternoon and evening. Thus, circadian changes of influence of swallowing on the RSA amplitude are extracted and swallowing-induced tachycardia is different with different states of autonomic nervous activity. Therefore, vagal activity should largely contribute to tachycardia induced by swallowing and evaluation of circadian changes of influences of external stimuli would be useful to investigate the mechanisms of response of the cardiovascular system to external stimuli.
Conservative treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy of physical therapies for first-line use in the treatment and prevention of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women, using a systematic review of randomized clinical trials (RCTs). MATERIALS AND METHODS A computer-aided and manual search for published RCTs investigating treatment and prevention of SUI using physical therapies, e.g. pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercises, with or without other treatment modalities, were carried out. The methodological quality of the included trials was assessed using criteria based on generally accepted principles of interventional research. RESULTS Twenty-four RCTs (22 treatment and two prevention) were identified; the methodological quality of the studies included was moderate and 11 RCTs were of sufficient quality to be included in further analysis. Based on levels-of-evidence criteria, there is strong evidence to suggest that PFM exercises are effective in reducing the symptoms of SUI. There is limited evidence for the efficacy of high-intensity vs a low-intensity regimen of PFM exercises. Despite significant effects of biofeedback after testing as an adjunct to PFM exercises, there is no evidence that PFM exercises with biofeedback are more effective than PFM exercises alone. There is little consistency (of stimulation types and parameters) in the studies of electrical stimulation, but when the results are combined there is strong evidence to suggest that electrostimulation is superior to sham electrostimulation, and limited evidence that there is no difference between electrostimulation and other physical therapies. In the prevention of SUI the efficacy of PFM exercises, with or without other adjuncts, is uncertain.
Parts-of-speech systems and lexical subclasses

This paper shows that the potential presence of lexical subclasses in a language can be predicted from its parts-of-speech system. The classification of parts-of-speech systems presented in Hengeveld (1992a) is used as a starting point, and the notion of lexical subclass is restricted to those instances that are morphologically based. The investigation of a 50-language sample reveals that the functional flexibility of a lexical class that may occur in various syntactic slots prevents it from manifesting morphologically based subclasses. Lexical classes specialized for certain syntactic positions, on the other hand, do allow morphological subclassification.
The use of prostate-specific antigen in staging patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE To assess the need for obtaining radionuclide bone scans in the staging evaluation of patients with newly diagnosed, untreated prostate cancer. This determination was made on the basis of presenting prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. DESIGN Retrospective review. PARTICIPANTS The medical records of 2064 consecutive patients with prostate cancer who were evaluated at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn, from January 1989 through December 1990 were reviewed. Eight hundred fifty-two patients with newly diagnosed, untreated disease and a serum PSA concentration less than 20.0 micrograms/L at presentation comprised the study population. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The rate of false-negative results associated with using the serum PSA concentration to predict bone scan findings. RESULTS Five hundred sixty-one patients had a serum PSA concentration of 10.0 micrograms/L or less; only three had an abnormal bone scan result, and one had an indeterminate scan result. Of the 467 men whose PSA value was 8.0 micrograms/L or less (two times the upper limit of the reference range), none had bone scan results that were either abnormal or indeterminate. The rate of false-negative results for an abnormal bone scan result was 0% with a serum PSA value of 8.0 micrograms/L or less and 0.5% with a cutoff level of 10.0 micrograms/L. The 95% upper confidence limit for the rate of false-negative results for all PSA cutoff levels less than 20.0 micrograms/L was less than 2%. CONCLUSIONS For patients with newly diagnosed, untreated prostate cancer, a serum PSA concentration of 10.0 micrograms/L or less, and no skeletal symptoms, a staging radionuclide bone scan does not appear to be necessary. This clinical situation applies to 39% of all patients presenting with newly diagnosed prostate cancer. Since more than 130,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, approximately 50,000 patients are affected annually. If the $600 staging bone scan were eliminated for these patients, a significant economic savings to the health care system in this country would be effected.
Destination Brand Equity for Australia

The study of destination brand performance measurement has only emerged in earnest as a field in the tourism literature since 2007. The concept of consumer-based brand equity (CBBE) is gaining favor from services marketing researchers as an alternative to the traditional “net-present-value of future earnings”’ method of measuring brand equity. The perceptions-based CBBE model also appears suitable for examining destination brand performance, where a financial brand equity valuation on a destination marketing organization’s balance sheet is largely irrelevant. This is the first study to test and compare the model in both short- and long-haul markets. The article reports the results of tests of a CBBE model for Australia in a traditional short-haul market (New Zealand) and an emerging long-haul market (Chile). The data from both samples indicated destination brand salience, brand image, and brand value are positively related to purchase intent for Australia in these two disparate markets.
Sanctioning Iran

Since the early 2000s considerable attention has been focused on Iran’s nuclear ambition. While the US and the West claim that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapons capability, Iran categorically denies these accusations and asserts that its nuclear programme is only for peaceful purposes, especially generating electricity to meet future energy demands. For an amicable solution to the current crisis, it is necessary that both Iran and the West must make concessions to address the legitimate concerns of the other. Iran must address the concerns about the true nature of its nuclear programme, and the West must offer Iran a deal that respects its dignity and guarantees its national security. Iran must be ready to answer all of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA’s) outstanding questions about the country’s nuclear programme and should offer for any intrusive inspections and monitoring of its facilities. Diplomacy and dialogue should always be preferred over any other means of dispute resolution and they must be resolutely pursued. Sanctions and coercion have never worked and are unlikely to work in the case of Iran. Military action would be counterproductive and dangerous and must be avoided.
Tuberculosis Infection in the United States: Prevalence Estimates from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011-2012

Background Reexamining the prevalence of persons infected with tuberculosis (TB) is important to determine trends over time. In 2011–2012 a TB component was included in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to estimate the reservoir of persons infected with TB. Methods Civilian, noninstitutionalized U.S. population survey participants aged 6 years and older were interviewed regarding their TB history and eligibility for the tuberculin skin test (TST) and interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) blood test. Once eligibility was confirmed, both tests were conducted. Prevalence and numbers of TST positive (10 mm or greater), IGRA positive, and both TST and IGRA positive were calculated by adjusting for the complex survey design after applying corrections for item nonresponse and digit preference in TST induration measurements. To examine TST positivity over time, data from NHANES 1999–2000 were reanalyzed using the same statistical methods. The TST was performed using Tubersol, a commercially available purified protein derivative (PPD), rather than PPD-S, which was the antigen used in NHANES 1999–2000. Prior patient history of TB vaccination was not collected in this study nor were patients examined for the presence of a Bacillus of Calmette and Guerin (BCG) vaccine scar. Results For NHANES 2011–2012, TST and IGRA results were available for 6,128 (78.4%) and 7,107 (90.9%) eligible participants, respectively. There was no significant difference between the percentage of the U.S. population that was TST positive in 2011–2012 (4.7% [95% CI 3.4–6.3]; 13,276,000 persons) compared with 1999–2000 (4.3%; 3.5–5.3). In 2011–2012 the percentage that was IGRA positive was 5.0% (4.2–5.8) and double TST and IGRA positivity was 2.1% (1.5–2.8). The point estimate of IGRA positivity prevalence in foreign-born persons (15.9%; 13.5–18.7) was lower than for TST (20.5%; 16.1–25.8) in 2011–2012. The point estimate of IGRA positivity prevalence in U.S.-born persons (2.8%; 2.0–3.8) was higher than for TST (1.5%; 0.9–2.6). Conclusions No statistically significant decline in the overall estimated prevalence of TST positivity was detected from 1999–2000 to 2011–2012. The prevalence of TB infection, whether measured by TST or IGRA, remains lower among persons born in the United States compared with foreign-born persons.
Effects of horticultural therapy on mood and heart rate in patients participating in an inpatient cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program.

PURPOSE To assess the effects of horticultural therapy (HT) on mood state and heart rate (HR) in patients participating in an inpatient cardiac rehabilitation program. METHODS Cardiac rehabilitation inpatients (n = 107) participated in the study. The HT group consisted of 59 subjects (34 males, 25 females). The control group, which participated in patient education classes (PECs), consisted of 48 subjects (31 males, 17 females). Both HT sessions and PEC are components of the inpatient rehabilitation program. Each group was evaluated before and after a class in their respective modality. Evaluation consisted of the completion of a Profile of Mood States (POMS) inventory, and an HR obtained by pulse oximetry. RESULTS Changes in the POMS total mood disturbance (TMD) score and HR between preintervention and postintervention were compared between groups. There was no presession difference in either TMD score (16 +/- 3.6 and 19.0 +/- 3.2, PEC and HT, respectively) or HR (73.5 +/- 2.5 and 79 +/- 1.8, PEC and HT, respectively). Immediately following the intervention, the HT TMD was significantly reduced (post-TMD = 1.6 +/- 3.2, P < .001), while PEC TMD was not significantly changed (TMD = 17.0 +/- 28.5). After intervention, HR fell in HT by 4 +/- 9.6 bpm (P < .001) but was unchanged in PEC. CONCLUSION These findings indicate that HT improves mood state, suggesting that it may be a useful tool in reducing stress. Therefore, to the extent that stress contributes to coronary heart disease, these findings support the role of HT as an effective component of cardiac rehabilitation.
Involvement of the Cytoskeleton in Controlling Leading-Edge Function during Chemotaxis

Cells activate signaling pathways at the site closest to the chemoattractant source that lead to pseudopod formation and directional movement up the gradient. We demonstrate that cytoskeletal components required for cortical tension, including MyoII and IQGAP/cortexillins help regulate the level and timing of leading-edge pathways.
Impact of spinal anaesthesia vs. general anaesthesia on peri‐operative outcome in lumbar spine surgery: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomised, controlled trials

Lumbar spinal surgery is most commonly performed under general anaesthesia. However, spinal anaesthesia has also been used. We aimed to systematically review the comparative evidence. We only included randomised, controlled trials in this meta‐analysis and calculated the risk ratio or standardised mean difference for haemodynamics, blood loss, surgical time, analgesic requirement, nausea and/or vomiting, and length of hospital stay. Eight studies with a total of 625 patients were included. These were considered to be at high risk of bias. Compared with general anaesthesia, the risk ratio (95% CI) with spinal anaesthesia for intra‐operative hypertension was 0.31 (0.15–0.64), I2 = 0% (p = 0.002); for intra‐operative tachycardia 0.51 (0.30–0.84), I2 = 0% (p = 0.009); for analgesic requirement in the postanaesthesia care unit 0.32 (0.24–0.43), I2 = 0% (p < 0.0001); and for nausea/vomiting within 24 h postoperatively 0.29 (0.18–0.46), I2 = 12% (p < 0.00001). The standardised mean difference (95% CI) for hospital stay was −1.15 (−1.98 to −0.31), I2 = 89% (p = 0.007). There was no evidence of a difference in intra‐operative hypotension and bradycardia, blood loss, surgical time, analgesic requirement within 24 h postoperatively, and nausea/vomiting in the postanaesthesia care unit. We conclude that spinal anaesthesia appears to offer advantages over general anaesthesia for lumbar spine surgery.
The performance effect of innovation in shipping companies

The aim of this study is to investigate how innovation contributes to company performance in Norwegian shipping and to extend our knowledge concerning what organizational and inter-organizational factors influence innovation in shipping firms. The study is based on a survey of 46 Norwegian shipping companies. We find that innovation contributes to firm performance. We also find that a conscious strategy, strategy involvement, external relationships, especially market relationships, and productivity slack have a significant positive effect on the degree of innovation. The results are dependent upon the companies’ degree of differentiation and the type of innovation.
How Formalization Hinders Different Firm Innovativeness Types: Opening the Black Box with Evidence from a Service Industry

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effects of organizational formalization on the behavioral, market, product, and process types of firm innovativeness as well as the interplay between these different innovativeness types. Based on data collected through a survey of the financial services industry in Turkey, the analyses show that formalization directly hinders both behavioral and market innovativeness. Moreover, as behavioral innovativeness influences product and process innovativeness, formalization's effect on these types of innovativeness are indirect. As expected, the study also finds that process innovativeness facilitates both product and market innovativeness and that product innovativeness foster market innovativeness. This study makes a contribution to the literature by examining the linkages between formalization in firms and the various firm innovativeness types, which have previously been studied only separately. The study thus provides a richer understanding of the relationship between formalization and firm innovativeness types.
Using fusion of iris code and periocular biometric for matching visible spectrum iris images captured by smart phone cameras

This paper describes iris biometric matching performed using the iris pictures captured by the standard visible spectrum smart phone cameras from the MICHE II database. Our method uses a combination of a popular iris code approach and a periocular biometric based on the Multi-Block Transitional Local Binary Patterns. The authentication scores are calculated separately, and the results are combined to improve the system performance.
Representation of Non-transferable Utility Games by Coalition Production Economies

We prove that every compactly generated non-transferable utility (NTU) game can be generated by a coalition production economy. The set of Walrasian payoff vectors for our induced coalition production economy coincides with the inner core of the balanced cover of the original game. This equivalence depends heavily on our representation. We exemplify that this equivalence need not hold in other representations. We also give a sufficient condition for the existence of a Walrasian equilibrium for our induced coalition production economy.
Trade unions, works councils and staff involvement in the modernising Czech Republic

Citizen associations, trade unions and “tripartism” are the major mediators and interest‐representing bodies in the Czech Republic outside political parties. A system of corporatism at the national policy making level has existed since 1990. Since 1998 trade unions have demonstrated efforts to rely less on “tripartite” arrangements and to utilise the legal provision on collective bargaining. Within the public sector there are only a very limited range of issues that can be bargained collectively. The major issue being the most sensitive area of remuneration. Public sector trade unions, unified in the Czech‐Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions, have established a system of regular negotiations with the government aimed at achieving agreements in pay increases and the extension of the pay scale. Post‐communist Czech society is becoming more pluralistic and trade unions are playing an important role in introducing more elements of democracy.