Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Subtotal Colectomy on Bacterial Translocation During Experimental Acute Pancreatitis

Objectives: The colon is considered a major source of bacteria causing infection of pancreatic necrosis in acute pancreatitis (AP). Subtotal colectomy before AP in rats reduces mortality, but its role in affecting small bowel flora, bacterial translocation, and infection of pancreatic necrosis is unknown. Our aim was to study these phenomena in rats with AP. Methods: Fifty rats, allocated in 4 groups, underwent 2 laparotomies: group 1, sham laparotomy and saline biliopancreatic duct infusion; group 2, subtotal colectomy and saline infusion; group 3, sham laparotomy and AP (ductal infusion of glycodeoxycholic acid and intravenous cerulein); group 4, subtotal colectomy and AP. Seventy-two hours later, samples were collected for microbiological analysis. Results: Subtotal colectomy caused small bowel bacterial overgrowth with gram-positive cocci (group 1 versus group 2, duodenum: P = 0.030, ileum: P = 0.029). Bacterial counts of gram-negative rods/anaerobes in the duodenum and ileum and pancreatic bacterial counts of rats with colectomy and AP were significantly higher than in rats with AP only (group 3 versus group 4, duodenum: P = 0.040, ileum: P = 0.029, pancreas: P = 0.017). Duodenal bacterial overgrowth and pancreatic infection correlate significantly (r = 0.45, P = 0.004). Conclusions: Subtotal colectomy induces small bowel bacterial overgrowth, which is associated with increased bacterial translocation to the pancreas.
Organ-function preservation in advanced oropharynx cancer: results with induction chemotherapy and radiation.

PURPOSE To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a strategy using induction chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy (RT) as a means of organ-function preservation in patients with advanced oropharynx cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS From January 1983 to December 1990, 33 patients with advanced squamous cell oropharynx cancer whose appropriate surgical management would have required a tongue procedure and potential total laryngectomy were treated with one to three cycles of cisplatin (CDDP)-based induction chemotherapy. Patients with a complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) at the primary site then received definitive external-beam RT with or without interstitial implant with or without neck dissection with surgery to the primary tumor site reserved for disease persistence or relapse; patients with less than a PR after chemotherapy had appropriate surgery and postoperative RT recommended. RESULTS With a median follow-up period of 6.2 years, actuarial overall and failure-free survival rates at 5 years are 41% and 42%, respectively. Chemotherapy toxicity contributed to the death of two patients and was possibly a factor in two others. Local control was achieved in 14 patients (42%) without any surgery to the larynx or tongue. Among 13 patients currently alive, all had a preserved larynx and only one required tongue surgery; 12 of 13 have speech subjectively described as always understandable; and nine of 13 have no significant restrictions in their diet. CONCLUSION This treatment program is feasible and effective in patients with advanced oropharynx cancer and produces an excellent functional outcome in most long-term survivors. Modifications to optimize patient selection, minimize toxicity, and improve local control are indicated. The relative toxicity, efficacy, and functional outcome provided by this and other chemotherapy and RT programs versus either standard surgery and/or RT options can only be addressed in a randomized comparison of these therapies.
Fair Work Australia’s Influence in the Enterprise Bargaining Process

This report examines the influence of the Fair Work Commission (FWC) - formally Fair Work Australia - through its supervisory role in the enterprise bargaining process, and the consequences of FWC's involvement for the way that employers, employees and unions manage industrial relations at the workplace level. The study focuses on FWC's handling and determination of bargaining-related cases under Part 2-4 of the Fair Work Act 2009 between 1 July 2009 and 30 June 2012, and draws on a review of FWC decisions, case statistics, and interviews with employer and union representatives. The research findings will also enable FWC to determine the effectiveness of its interventions in collective bargaining under Part 2-4 of the Fair Work Act. It will inform FWC’s 2015 report into developments in enterprise agreement-making in Australia. Authors: authored by Centre for Employment and Labour Relations Law member Associate Professor John Howe and Research Fellow Ingrid Landau, along with Centre Associate Members, Associate Professor Anthony Forsyth (RMIT University) and Professor Peter Gahan (Department of Management, University of Melbourne).
Self-perceived teacher efficacy around the world

The topic of teacher efficacy has always been an important area to research on. Different studies have shown the advantages of teachers having high efficacy; for example, they tend to stay in the career longer and students will achieve more when their teachers have high efficacy. This special issue investigates different antecedents that allow teachers to build this special efficacy, the level of teacher efficacy in different cultural settings, and will shed light on teacher efficacy using both quantitative and qualitative methods for investigation. One of the studies in the special issue compared teachers with high efficacy and teachers with low efficacy in China and found that high teacher efficacy was related to better working memory (J. Tao, 2012). Furthermore,W. -H. Lam (2012) investigated the efficacy of teachers in Hong Kong who taught in the subdegree sector. A subdegree is a degree which students study after secondary school and before they enter university. Results found that it was important for teachers to increase their efficacy in the subdegree sector. L. Zunders-Fraser and J. Lancaster (2012) focused on the efficacy of preservice teachers before and after taking an inclusive education course in Australia. Results showed that when the courses had applied the embedded design principles, preservice teachers’ efficacy improved significantly. There was also one study by W. Jiayi and C. Ling (2012) that scrutinized the evaluation of teachers in China and how a better teacher evaluation could help teachers in implementing improvements in the school context—which would ultimately enhance their efficacy. Finally, Y. Bouchamma (2012) applied different strategies in investigating leadership practices in Canadian schools. They found that with effective leadership practices, teachers were motivated and their confidence and efficacy were increased. In a nutshell, the studies document the current search for effective tools for the enhancement of teacher efficacy. Across the studies included in this special issue, multiple areas were identified that allow for an enhancement of teacher efficacy. On top of that it becomes apparent that, while an actual comparative theoretical approach and empirical studies are missing in the field, teacher efficacy is a topic relevant across multiple cultural settings, as evidenced in the papers collected here. In other words, this special issue strives to promote the importance of teacher efficacy around the world and to increase the awareness of educators about different ways of enhancing the level of teacher efficacy in their countries. By comparing our teacher efficacy with other cultural contexts, we hope to open an avenue for future research to develop insights that will help us understand more clearly how we can benefit from diversity and harness differences for the advancement of teacher efficacy.
Building Tourism Networks through Tourist Mobility

This article aims to define tourism networks analyzing tourist mobility between destinations. The study adopts network analysis methods, testing a data processing strategy that combines descriptive measurements and clustering tools. A segmentation approach has been employed to investigate differences or similarities between the trip-related attributes of tourists within networks. Data are from a sampling survey carried out on tourists’ visit in Sicily. The results show that the tourist choice defined the role of a destination as “central” or “peripheral” within a network. Tourists build their own networks around nodal destinations, even if they are geographically distant. Thus, tourist mobility affects the shape, the dimension, and the structure of the networks, where tourists are different for characteristics, trip-related behaviors, and type of holiday chosen. The study provides some evidence that can be useful for planning tourism facilities, managing tourism routes, and defining destination management strategies.
The Effects of Different Contractual Arrangements: The Case of Retail Gasoline Markets

The change in the contractual arrangement at a gasoline station from a refiner-controlled to a franchise operation implies different incentives for the individual who sets prices and determines hours, but reflects no change in the product nor the market environment. The outcome can lead to higher prices and reduced hours at the station affected. The divorcement experience in Maryland illustrates how change can be imposed by the legal system. Average self-service and full-serve prices rose, and hours of operation fell relative to those of competitors even though refiner operations that were forced to franchise had previously had prices below the competition. The evidence of an effect on the prices and hours of competitors is less convincing. 16 references, 2 tables.
Toward a Definition of Entry-Level Job Competencies

ABSTRACT This article reports the findings of a study conducted in the central Florida metropolitan statistical area (MSA) to determine practising managers' perceptions of expected entry-level hospitality worker competencies. Preliminary phases of the study yielded the construction of an instrument used to determine the importance of certain knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes of newly hired workers. The information provided by the respondents is used to draw conclusions and provide implications for a more comprehensive understanding of hospitality worker competencies. Finally, the article considers future investigations in the areas of composite employee profiles, motivational preferences, and benchmarking.
The Tumor-sensitive Calmodulin-like Protein Is a Specific Light Chain of Human Unconventional Myosin X*

Human calmodulin-like protein (CLP) is an epithelial-specific Ca2+-binding protein whose expression is strongly down-regulated in cancers. Like calmodulin, CLP is thought to regulate cellular processes via Ca2+-dependent interactions with specific target proteins. Using gel overlays, we identified a ∼210-kDa protein binding specifically and in a Ca2+-dependent manner to CLP, but not to calmodulin. Yeast two-hybrid screening yielded a CLP-interacting clone encoding the three light chain binding IQ motifs of human “unconventional” myosin X. Pull-down experiments showed CLP binding to the IQ domain to be direct and Ca2+-dependent. CLP interacted strongly with IQ motif 3 (K d ∼0.5 nm) as determined by surface plasmon resonance. Epitope-tagged myosin X was localized preferentially at the cell periphery in MCF-7 cells, and CLP colocalized with myosin X in these cells. Myosin X was able to coprecipitate CLP and, to a lesser extent, calmodulin from transfected COS-1 cells, indicating that CLP is a specific light chain of myosin Xin vivo. Because unconventional myosins participate in cellular processes ranging from membrane trafficking to signaling and cell motility, myosin X is an attractive CLP target. Altered myosin X regulation in (tumor) cells lacking CLP may have as yet unknown consequences for cell growth and differentiation.
An in vitro model of chlorhexidine-induced tooth staining.

BACKGROUND Tooth staining is a common feature of chlorhexidine treatment for periodontal disease and there is a large variation between patients as to the degree of their tooth staining. Although the mechanism of tooth staining is uncertain, diet, smoking and oral hygiene appear probable factors. OBJECTIVES This study investigated the role of saliva in chlorhexidine-induced tooth staining and used tea as the staining agent in an in vitro model with hydroxyapatite mimicking teeth. METHODS Saliva has been used to create an acquired pellicle and in solution to mimic its effects in vivo. Using different combinations of tea, chlorhexidine and parotid saliva, substances binding to hydroxyapatite were analysed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Using this system, tea, chlorhexidine and salivary proteins were clearly identifiable following staining by Coomassie Brilliant Blue. RESULTS The results indicated that tea interacted with many salivary proteins, in particular proline-rich proteins and histatins. Chlorhexidine did not appear to complex with or precipitate salivary proteins nor prevent the formation of an acquired pellicle on the hydroxyapatite. In isolation, tea and chlorhexidine bound in small amounts to hydroxyapatite, but when added in combination, binding of both to hydroxyapatite was greatly increased. The acquired pellicle reduced chlorhexidine and tea binding, but conversely increased the binding of either tea or chlorhexidine alone to hydroxyapatite. CONCLUSION In conclusion, salivary proteins play an important role in the staining process and the combination of tea and chlorhexidine appears to be a very potent staining factor.
Ultra‐short‐course booster is effective in recurrent grass pollen‐induced allergic rhinoconjunctivitis

A relevant proportion of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC) patients experience recurrent symptoms after successfully completing allergen immunotherapy (AIT). This prospective, controlled, noninterventional study used internationally standardized instruments to determine the clinical effects of a preseasonal, ultra‐short‐course booster AIT on clinical outcome parameters.
Bidding for WIC Infant Formula Contracts: Do Non‐WIC Customers Subsidize WIC Customers?

Although the WIC food assistance program purchases over one-half of all US infant formula, I find the program has little impact on the prices paid by non-WIC customers. I estimate infant-formula marginal cost and find that it is low compared to price, implying large price-cost markups. But, the WIC program is not to blame. Instead large price-cost markups are likely due to customer’s price insensitivity. WIC’s impact on non-WIC customers comes through an increase in sales owing to a WIC ―spill-over‖ effect. The WIC approved brand attains a prominence in the market that makes it a natural choice for non-WIC customers, which makes attaining WIC approval valuable to firms. Firms bid with rebates to attain exclusive WIC approved status which results in significant reductions in the cost of infant formula to the US government.
Manufacturing Flexibility and Operational Performance of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Companies in Jordan

This study explores the effect of manufacturing flexibility on the operational performance of Pharmaceutical manufacturing firms in Jordan, variables such as of machine, volume, material handling, mix, and routing flexibilities are selected to represent the manufacturing flexibility dimension while quality, cost, speed and reliability are chosen to represent operational performance. A survey questionnaire was distributed for that purpose to the subjects who belong to different departments or divisions in the production function. The study revealed that manufacturing flexibility is being adopted to a moderate extent, while the operational performance is impressively high. Testing hypothesis indicated that the manufacturing flexibility dimensions have a significant effect on the operational hypothesis performance of the pharmaceutical manufacturing companies, hence, the null hypothesis is rejected and the alternative hypothesis is accepted.
What do Networks do? The Role of Networks on Migration and 'Coyote' Use

While a large literature has established that migration experience among an individual's family and community networks tends to encourage migration, there is little research investigating the mechanism by which networks exert such effects. This paper aims to determine the relative importance of three potential benefits provided by networks: information on border crossing, information on jobs, and credit. We develop empirical tests of these effects based on a simple model that allows individuals to choose between migrating alone or with the help of a border smuggler. Using a dataset of undocumented Mexican migrants to the United States, we find that larger family networks encourage both migration and coyote use, consistent with the job information hypothesis. In contrast, community networks appear to provide crossing information. The finding that family networks have a smaller impact for asset holders indicates that some of the benefit the family network provides is a source of credit.
Democratization as Deliberative Capacity Building

Effective deliberation is central to democracy and so should enter any definition of democratization. However, the deliberative aspect now ubiquitous in the theory, practice, and promotion of democracy is generally missing in comparative studies of democratization. Deliberation capacity can be distributed in variable ways in the deliberative systems of states and other polities. A framework is described for locating and analyzing the contributions of its components and so evaluating the degree to which a polity’s deliberative system is authentic, inclusive, and consequential. An emphasis on deliberation reveals important determinants of democratic transition and consolidation, thereby providing substantial explanatory as well as evaluative and normative purchase.
Estimation of the Depreciation Rate of Physical and R&D Capital in the U.S. Total Manufacturing Sector

Numerous studies on production and cost, the sources of productivity and studies on endogenous growth have recognized the pivotal role of the physical capital stock. Also there is a clear recognition by economists and policy makers that knowledge capital approximated by R&D capital is crucial for productivity growth and the transformation of the industrial structure of an economy. Critical to these contributions of physical and R&D capital is the measurement of the stocks of physical and R&D capital, which in turn requires measuring their depreciation rates. In this paper we have specified a model of factor demand that allows for estimating the depreciation rate of both physical and R&D capital jointly with the other model parameters. The model was estimated for the U.S. total manufacturing sector. Our estimate for the depreciation rate of physical capital is 0.059 and that for R&D capital is 0.12. Only gross investment data are needed to estimate the model parameters and the depreciation rates, and to generate consistent series for the stocks of physical and R&D capital.
An open trial of adjunctive escitalopram in bipolar depression.

OBJECTIVE This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a highly potent and selective serotonergic antidepressant, escitalopram, in the treatment of bipolar depression. METHOD Twenty outpatients with DSM-IV bipolar depression types I and II were enrolled in a 12-week open trial of escitalopram, 10 mg daily, adjunctive to their ongoing mood stabilizer. Assessments were carried out using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), and the Clinical Global Impressions for Severity (CGI-S) and Improvement (CGI-I) scales. The study was conducted from August 2003 to February 2004. RESULTS Escitalopram was associated with significant improvement as measured by the HAM-D total score, which showed a mean reduction from baseline (mean = 20.9, SD = 4.2) to endpoint (mean = 8.9, SD = 3.6; p < .001) of 12 points. The mean CGI-S score decreased by 3.3 points (baseline: mean = 4.8, SD = 0.7; week 12: mean = 1.5, SD = 0.6; p < .001). Adverse events emerged in 75% of the patients (N = 15), usually of mild-to-moderate severity. Four dropouts took place due to manic switch (N = 1), hypomanic symptoms (N = 2), and hospitalization due to the emergence of suicidal ideation and psychosis (N = 1). CONCLUSION These findings suggest that escitalopram in association with mood stabilizers may be an effective and reasonably well-tolerated treatment for patients with moderate-to-severe bipolar depression. The switch rate was similar to what is described in the literature for the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Randomized controlled trials of escitalopram in bipolar depression are warranted.
A Reexamination of the Over- (or Under-) Pricing of Deposit Insurance

This study shows how fair deposit insurance premia can be calculated using data on bank stock prices, interest rate movements, and income and balance sheet accounts. Fair insurance premia are estimat ed under the alternative assumptions that the FDIC provides either a "limited-term" (variable rate) or "unlimited-term" insurance cont ract to banks. The paper's results suggest that for nearly all of the large commerical banks in the sample, the actual insurance premium c harged by the FDIC falls between the bounds of fair limited-term and unlimited-term insurance premia. Copyright 1987 by Ohio State University Press.
Strategic Consequences Of Executive Succession Within Diversified Firms

Systematic investigation of leaders and their influence on organizations has been a major area of research interest. In examining the upper echelon-organizational outcome linkage, researchers have come to focus on the issue of executive succession. This focus has been due in large part to an emerging theoretical perspective that managerial differences may explain much of the variance in organizational outcomes. The purpose of this study is to ascertain whether or not top management succession affects subsequent corporate strategy. This article extends previous research efforts by longitudinally examining the linkage between executive succession and the extent of corporate strategic change across a sample of Fortune 1000 diversified firms. The findings confirm that the nature of executive succession has substantial consequences for corporate strategy. Firms have a greater likelihood of experiencing significant changes in strategy when they choose successors from outside the organization; firms that select their key executives by promoting from within are more likely to experience significantly less change in their corporate strategy. The results of this longitudinal investigation of the strategic outcomes of succession have significant implications for those in a position to select successors to the executive ranks.
Networks, Conflict and Collaborative Communities

This paper develops critical understandings of the theoretical and practical implications of local tourism policy networks on collaborative planning. Application of the network concept in tourism has increased in recent years but has largely been focused on the competitive advantages of network organisation for small and medium size tourism enterprises. Critical discussion and development of the theoretical and operational dimensions of networks as a management approach beyond economic development has been limited. It is argued that network theory provides a useful lens for understanding the structures and social interrelations between government, tourism producers and civil society and, as such, has the potential to inform collaborative destination management policy and practice. This paper examines the contributions that networks can make in understanding collaborative planning, and how this knowledge may be able to improve collaborative planning practice.