Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DETECTION OF CHLAMYDIA PNEUMONIAE IN LIVER TRANSPLANT PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC ALLOGRAFT REJECTION

Background. Chlamydia pneumoniae is one of the possible pathogenetic factors of atherosclerotic processes. Foam cell arteriopathy is a generally accepted pathologic feature of chronic liver allograft rejection and has several similarities to the early lesions of atherosclerosis. The aim of the authors' study was to show any existing correlation between the occurrence of Chlamydia pneumoniae and the presence of foam cell arteriopathy in transplanted livers with chronic rejection. Methods. Ten liver samples from patients with chronic liver rejection including foam cell arteriopathy and 10 liver samples from healthy individuals were analyzed for the presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae by specific immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Liver samples from two transplant patients with chronic liver rejection without any evidence of foam cell arteriopathy and nine patients with acute liver allograft rejection were also investigated by PCR. Results. In all 10 rejected liver samples, Chlamydia pneumoniae was detected by PCR, whereas only one of the healthy control samples and one of the samples with acute rejection were found to be positive. Immunohistochemistry showed similar results. The positive signals of Chlamydia pneumoniae were localized mainly in the hepatocytes, sinusoidal and perisinusoidal cells, and the cells of portal tracts, whereas most of the altered hepatic arteries showed no or very weak positivity. Conclusions. The results strongly suggest an association between the occurrence of Chlamydia pneumoniae and the presence of foam cell arteriopathy in transplanted livers.
Alcohol consumption, drinking patterns, and cognitive function in older Eastern European adults

Objective: To investigate associations of frequency, quantity, binge, and problem drinking with cognitive function in older Eastern European adults. Methods: The investigation included 14,575 participants, aged 47 to 78 years at cognitive assessment in 2006–2008 from Novosibirsk (Russia), Krakow (Poland), and 6 Czech towns participating in the HAPIEE (Health, Alcohol, and Psychosocial Factors in Eastern Europe) prospective cohort study. Average response rates were 59% at baseline (2002–2005) and 63% in 2006–2008. Alcohol consumption was assessed at baseline and in 2006–2008. Cognitive tests included immediate and delayed word recall, semantic fluency (animal naming), and letter cancellation. Associations between alcohol indices and cognitive scores were analyzed cross-sectionally (all measures from 2006 to 2008) and prospectively (alcohol and covariates from 2002 to 2005 and cognition from 2006 to 2008). Results: In cross-sectional analyses, nondrinkers had lower cognitive scores and female moderate drinkers had better cognitive performance than light drinkers. Heavy, binge, and problem drinking were not consistently associated with cognitive function. Few associations were replicated in prospective analyses. Participants who stopped drinking during follow-up had worse cognition than stable drinkers; in men, regression coefficients (95% confidence interval) ranged from −0.26 (−0.36, −0.16) for immediate recall to −0.14 (−0.24, −0.04) for fluency. Conclusion: Regular and episodic heavy drinking were not consistently associated with cognitive function. Worse cognition in participants who stopped drinking during follow-up suggests that inclusion of less healthy ex-drinkers may partly explain poorer cognition in nondrinkers.
Diaphragmatic Function before and after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

BackgroundDiaphragm dysfunction is a primary cause of ventilatory impairment after upper abdominal surgery. Laparoscopic procedures may result in less dysfunction. To test this, diaphragmatic function was studied in ten healthy adult patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy and in five undergoing laparoscopic hernia repair. MethodsRespiratory gas exchange, ventilation, and breathing pattern were measured before and 3 h after surgery. Respiratory drive was evaluated from the relationship of P0.1 to end-tidal carbon dioxide (Petco2) during tidal breathing. Diaphragm contractile function was assessed from maximal transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdimax), and Pdi during a maximal sniff maneuver (Pdisniff). ResultsOxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production did not change after surgery. Pdimax decreased by more than 50% in the laparoscopic cholecystectomy group, but Pdisniff did not change. Tidal volume and the ratio of inspiratory time over total cycle time decreased by 30% and 13%, respectively, Petco2 increased by 9%, and minute ventilation did not change. In contrast, there was no variation in ventilatory function in patients undergoing laparoscopic hernia repair. In both groups, P0.1 did not change, which excludes depressed respiratory drive as an explanation for the decreased Pdimax in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Contractile failure of the diaphragm was discounted as well, because Pdisniff did not change, even in the laparoscopic cholecystectomy group. ConclusionsAlthough laparoscopic cholecystectomy does not increase metabolic demands in the early postoperative period, it impairs diaphragm function. The internal site of surgical intervention appears to be the critical variable determining diaphragmatic inhibition after laparoscopic abdominal surgery.
Asthma in adults (acute): magnesium sulfate treatment.

INTRODUCTION About 10% of adults have suffered an attack of asthma, and up to 5% of these have severe disease that responds poorly to treatment. Patients with severe disease have an increased risk of death, but patients with mild to moderate disease are also at risk of exacerbations. Most guidelines about the management of asthma follow stepwise protocols. This overview does not endorse or follow any particular protocol, but presents the evidence about a specific intervention, magnesium sulfate. METHODS AND OUTCOMES We conducted a systematic overview, aiming to answer the following clinical question: What are the effects of magnesium sulfate for acute asthma? We searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and other important databases up to November 2014 (Clinical Evidence overviews are updated periodically; please check our website for the most up-to-date version of this overview). RESULTS At this update, searching of electronic databases retrieved 50 studies. After deduplication and removal of conference abstracts, 24 records were screened for inclusion in the overview. Appraisal of titles and abstracts led to the exclusion of 10 studies and the further review of 14 full publications. Of the 14 full articles evaluated, one systematic review was updated and one systematic review was added at this update. We performed a GRADE evaluation for five PICO combinations. CONCLUSIONS In this systematic overview, we categorised the efficacy for two comparisons based on information about the effectiveness and safety of magnesium sulfate (iv) versus placebo and magnesium sulfate (nebulised) plus short-acting beta2 agonists (inhaled) versus short-acting beta2 agonists (inhaled) alone.
The Satisfaction of Entrepreneurs in Terengganu Private Limited Companies toward the Concept of Corporate Entrepreneurship: A Descriptive Analysis

This study will determine the level of satisfaction among Terengganu private limited companies towards the concept of corporate entrepreneurship, in a context of; corporate venturing, strategic renewal, and internalization. The study was based on a survey carried out from the questionnaire that is administered involving 105 private limited companies which are operated their business in Terengganu. By using the descriptive analysis on the level of satisfaction among the Terengganu private limited companies towards the concept of corporate entrepreneurship are examined. The findings show that most of entrepreneurs in Terengganu private limited companies are satisfied toward the factors of corporate venturing, strategic renewal and internalization. Conversely, the interpretation of this results show that most of Terengganu private limited companies are satisfied and really practiced the concept of corporate venturing and strategic renewal. Furthermore, the findings of this study also will help the Terengganu state government to evaluate the quality standard of private limited companies toward the concept of corporate entrepreneurship.
An Evaluation of the “Reading the Mind in the Eyes-Test” With Seventh to Ninth Graders

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders are often considered to have difficulty with using facial cues (e.g., cues from the eye region) to understand others' mental states. One of the pioneering assessments to test competence in this skill is the “Reading the Mind in the Eyes-Test” (RMET). In order to find out more about the psychometric properties of the instrument and to provide reference data from typically developing individuals, the child version of the RMET (28 items) was conducted with 596 typically developing students attending grades 7 to 9. The score distribution was negatively skewed and correct answers ranged from 6 to 27 (M = 17.8, SD = 3.5). Given that the internal consistency of the RMET (α = .53) was low and item-total correlations were not satisfactory, gender and grade differences found in this sample should be interpreted cautiously. The findings are discussed in reference to previous studies using the RMET and their relevance for clinical practice.
Torture Assessment and Treatment: The Wraparound Approach

The paper explores the dimensions of torture trauma, its assessment and treatment. Simple PTSD does not account for the potential effects of torture. I propose a modified model of complex PTSD or cumulative trauma disorders that describes more the effects of torture. Most of the current evidence-based treatments for PTSD do not work with torture. A wraparound approach that proved its success with different kinds of cumulative traumas has been modified to fit torture treatment. Wraparound is multi-systemic and ecologically valid. It is conducted by community treatment teams that include community liaison and therapeutic case management teams. They provide community support and networking as well as direct treatment to the survivor and his family members. Social support is an important component of the wraparound process.
Conceptualizing and Testing Brand Personality in British Politics

This paper considers whether branding is an appropriate concept to be applied (and thus researched) in politics. It identifies the problems entailed in a managerial approach to branding in politics and forwards a consumer learning perspective as an alternative. The latter approach is then used to explain how and why brand personality forms in politics. Next, a conceptual model of party political personality (PPP) formation is developed. Key antecedent influences on political personality are discussed (namely, politicians, political parties, events, advertising, current users, and endorsers of the brand) and their likely effect on consumer learning of PPP developed. Having conceptualized PPP, the paper then focuses on whether the currently available brand personality scale is appropriate in the context of British politics. Empirical research reveals that a different personality structure operates in the context of British political parties than for brands generally. Using this modified measure, the effect of partisanship reveals a difference between high and low levels of allegiance and perceived PPP. The research also identifies unexpected differences between the personality profiles of the government and the main opposition party. The differences between politics and commercial markets are then used to help interpret the findings. The paper concludes by identifying its limitations and the main opportunities for future research in the area.
An Empirical Study of Factors Influencing Accounting Information Systems Adoption

This study investigates the factors that influence accounting information systems (AIS) adoption among accountants. Drawing on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), the task–technology fit (TTF) model and the institutional theory, we developed a research model for AIS adoption by accountants. Data was collected from 216 accountants and multiple linear regression was employed to test the research model. The results showed that five key factors, namely effort expectancy, perceived technology fit, facilitating conditions, self-efficacy and coercive pressure are able to influence the likelihood that accountants would adopt the AIS. This research confirms the need to integrate UTAUT, TTF and institutional theory when studying AIS adoption factors. The findings from this study are useful for senior management, technology consultants, software vendors and accounting professional bodies in promoting the adoption of AIS.
Simulation of Long-Term Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics in Grassland-Based Dairy Farming Systems to Evaluate Mitigation Strategies for Nutrient Losses

Many measures have been proposed to mitigate gaseous emissions and other nutrient losses from agroecosystems, which can have large detrimental effects for the quality of soils, water and air, and contribute to eutrophication and global warming. Due to complexities in farm management, biological interactions and emission measurements, most experiments focus on analysis of short-term effects of isolated mitigation practices. Here we present a model that allows simulating long-term effects at the whole-farm level of combined measures related to grassland management, animal housing and manure handling after excretion, during storage and after field application. The model describes the dynamics of pools of organic carbon and nitrogen (N), and of inorganic N, as affected by farm management in grassland-based dairy systems. We assessed the long-term effects of delayed grass mowing, housing type (cubicle and sloping floor barns, resulting in production of slurry and solid cattle manure, respectively), manure additives, contrasting manure storage methods and irrigation after application of covered manure. Simulations demonstrated that individually applied practices often result in compensatory loss pathways. For instance, methods to reduce ammonia emissions during storage like roofing or covering of manure led to larger losses through ammonia volatilization, nitrate leaching or denitrification after application, unless extra measures like irrigation were used. A strategy of combined management practices of delayed mowing and fertilization with solid cattle manure that is treated with zeolite, stored under an impermeable sheet and irrigated after application was effective to increase soil carbon stocks, increase feed self-sufficiency and reduce losses by ammonia volatilization and soil N losses. Although long-term datasets (>25 years) of farm nutrient dynamics and loss flows are not available to validate the model, the model is firmly based on knowledge of processes and measured effects of individual practices, and allows the integrated exploration of effective emission mitigation strategies.
Clinical significance of insulin-like growth factor gene polymorphisms with survival in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Purpose Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) regulate a wide range of biological functions including cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis through paracrine and autocrine mechanisms. Accordingly, the present study analyzed polymorphisms of IGF genes and their impact on the prognosis for patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Methods Two hundred-thirteen consecutive patients with GISTs who underwent curative surgery from 5 medical centers were enrolled in the present study. The genomic DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded tumor tissue, and four IGF-1 (+2995C/A, +533C/T, IVS2-16540A/G, Ex4-177G/C) and one IGF-2 (IVS1+1280A/G) gene polymorphisms were determined using a Sequenom MassARRAY system. Results With a median follow-up of 18.4 months, the estimated 5-year relapse-free survival and overall survival rates were 69.9% and 86.7%, respectively. In a multivariate analysis including age, gender, primary site of disease, pathology, and risk stratification, no significant association was observed between the polymorphism of the IGF-1 and IGF-2 genes and survival. Conclusion None of the five IGF-1 and IGF-2 gene polymorphisms investigated in this study was found to be an independent prognostic marker for Korean patients with surgically resected GIST. However, further studies on a larger scale are warranted to clarify the role of IGF-1 and IGF-2 gene polymorphisms as a prognostic biomarker for GIST patients.
Simultaneous Nitrification and Denitrification of Municipal Wastewater in Aerobic Membrane Bioreactors

Simultaneous nitrification–denitrification (SND) of municipal wastewater was investigated in a laboratory‐scale membrane bioreactor (MBR) operated at two different hydraulic retention times (HRTs), 0.5 and 1 day, dissolved oxygen 3.0 to 0.5 mg/L, and solids retention time (SRT) between 28 and 120 days. The organic loading rate (OLR) (0.11 to 0.64 kg chemical oxygen demand [COD]/m 3/d) and influent soluble COD (SCOD)/total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) ratio (5 to 19) were varied by the addition of glucose. The ammonia‐nitrogen and TKN removals were over 97%, and total nitrogen removal was approximately 89% in the MBR. The maximum specific nitrification rates (98 mg N/d/g VSS) and specific denitrification rates (81 mg N/d/g VSS) occurred at an SCOD/TKN ratio of 9.1. The optimum conditions for maximum total nitrogen removal by SND in a single reactor MBR have been found to be low dissolved oxygen (<0.6 mg/L) and high OLR (approximately 0.64 kg COD/m 3/d) at an HRT of 0.5 day and SRT of approximately 85 days.
Computer Self-Efficacy and Motivation to Learn in a Self-Directed Online Course

Despite the increased use of new learning technologies, there is still much to be learned about the role of learner characteristics in online learning. The purpose of this study was to examine how subjects' characteristics normally associated with effective training (i.e., initial motivation to learn and self-efficacy) related to learning in a self-directed online course. From an analysis of 190 respondents, computer and Internet usage prior to the start of class were positively related to individuals' computer self-efficacy and computer self-efficacy was positively related to learning. However, contrary to expectations, computer self-efficacy was not related to initial motivation to learn and motivation to learn was not related to learning in the class. Post hoc analysis of qualitative data enabled a rich explanation of the findings, including an evaluation of the unexpected relationships among the variables of interest and the nature of self-directed courses in virtual learning environments.
The Dynamic Assessment Approach

Frisby and Braden (this issue) have criticized dynamic assessment (DA), especially Feuerstein's theory and methods. The basic arguments of this reply are that (a) Frisby and Braden have tried to impose a different theoretical paradigm on Feuerstein's approach; (b) in spite of their claim, they in fact did not provide a historical context for the development of the DA approach; (c) they have neglected the philosophical assumptions behind both their approach and Feuerstein's approach; (d) they misinterpreted the structural nature of DA tasks by considering them to represent “social intelligence”; (e) they ignored recent research that supports the reliability and validity of the DA approach; and (f) they interpreted cognitive processes as personality-motivational factors and implied that static tests actually are measuring those processes. Throughout this reply, examples from recent research are given to support the DA approach, and each of the critical points raised is analyzed and discussed.
Spiritual development in church schools—a survey of Welsh head teachers’ perceptions

A questionnaire to assess views about spiritual development was completed by 112 of the 174 head teachers of church primary schools in Wales. The findings indicated that despite the seemingly ambiguous nature of the term ‘spiritual development’, head teachers had clear views about its meaning. While most head teachers emphasised the need for pupils to engage in their own personal spiritual search, their views differed in the extent to which they felt that promoting spiritual development meant encouraging pupils to adopt Christian beliefs. While the age and sex of head teachers was found to have no significant impact on their views; and the location and category of the school for which head teachers were responsible had only a limited impact on their view, the language of the school and the religiosity of the head teacher had a considerable impact on views regarding these matters.
Working for a better world

Taking the work of Amartya Sen as a point of departure, a case is made that there may be no single policy with as many potential benefits as a guaranteed job at a living wage–benefits package for every person ready and willing to work. The case is outlined in 4 arguments. Along the way, numerous social and economic costs of unemployment and underemployment and benefits of full employment are catalogued. Reference is also made to how the right to employment is supported by a variety of arguments for social justice, an area in which Sen has made important contributions.
Identifying Demographic and Attitudinal Correlates of Young Adults’ Safer-Sex Self-Efficacy

ABSTRACT Objectives: Using data from young-adult college students (N = 207), we identified demographic and attitudinal correlates of safer-sex self-efficacy. Female respondents reported higher levels of safer-sex self-efficacy than males. Methods: Participants completed a self-report survey about their sexual attitudes, values, and experiences. Results: In regression analyses only, the importance of safer-sex practices was related to safer sex self-efficacy in both men and women. Women's safersex self-efficacy was associated with additional demographic factors and sexual beliefs. Conclusions: The factors identified in this study may serve as intervention targets for young-adult sexual health programs. Reinforcing the importance of safer-sex practices may be particularly effective in increasing young adults’ safer-sex self-efficacy.
Mature age job seekers: the role of proactivity

Purpose – In the context of demographic and economic changes, helping mature age job seekers find employment is imperative. The purpose of this paper is to examine mature age job seekers’ proactive personality as a moderator of the relationship between age and job search intensity; and to examine job search self-efficacy as a mediator of this moderation effect. It was hypothesized that the generally negative relationships between age and job search self-efficacy and intensity are weaker among job seekers with a more proactive personality. Design/methodology/approach – In total, 188 job seekers between 40 and 64 years completed an online questionnaire. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Findings – Consistent with previous research, age was negatively related to job search intensity. Proactive personality was positively related to job search intensity and moderated the relationship between age and job search intensity. Extending previous research, proactive personality also positively pr.