Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Further evidence for allergic pathophysiology in allergic fungal sinusitis

Controversy continues over whether allergic fungal sinusitis represents a true allergy, an infection, or a point somewhere along a spectrum between allergy and infection. The present study describes two experiments that add weight to the argument that allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS) is truly an immunologically mediated hypersensitivity and not a form of infection. In the first experiment, eight patients with Bipolaris culture‐positive AFS were prospectively evaluated with Bipolaris antigen skin testing and with inhibition radioallergosorbent (RAST) and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for Bipolaris‐specific IgE and IgG antibodies. The Bipolaris AFS cases were compared with 10 control patients with no history of AFS. All eight AFS cases demonstrated positive skin testing to Bipolaris and in addition, all tested positive by RAST and ELISA for IgE and IgG Bipolaris antibodies, respectively. In the control group one patient had a positive skin test, ELISA, and RAST and one additional patient had a positive ELISA only. Good correlation was noted between skin test, RAST, and ELISA results. In the second experiment, sinus mucosa from 14 AFS patients and 10 control patients with other forms of surgical sinus disease was analyzed by immunohistocytochemistry for the eosinophilic inflammatory mediators major basic protein (MBP) and eosinophil derived neurotoxin (EDN) and the neutrophil mediator neutrophil elastase. All AFS cases demonstrated evidence of eosinophilic mediator release, and MBP and EDN predominated over neutrophil elastase. In the control group eosinophil and neutrophil mediator release in sinus mucosa was equal. The two experiments support the concept that AFS is an antigen‐triggered, IgE‐ and IgG‐mediated hypersensitivity response with a late‐phase inflammatory reaction involving release of eosinophilic mediators. Laryngoscope, 108:1485–1496, 1998
Analysis of fundamental issued for retrieval in neural network memories of Hopfield type

The Hamming distance commonly used in digital computing as a measure of closeness among binary vectors of equal lengths and consisting of two logical states is discussed in the context of neural network computing. A measure of distance dependent on the contributory bits of +1's or -1's present in a pair of vectors of equal length defined over the field of real numbers is described. The threshold conditions suggested by J. J. Hopfield (1982) and many others are analyzed as related to the unipolar and bipolar binaries, and certain modifications to these functions are shown to be contradictory and nonunique. The conditions for the occurrence of a zero during the iterative process for retrieval as well as for improved retrieval of information when some bits are missing or are in error in the probe vectors are described
Binding of Nucleotide Triphosphates to Cardiotoxin Analogue II from the Taiwan Cobra Venom (Naja naja atra)

Snake venom cardiotoxins have been recently shown to block the enzymatic activity of phospholipid protein kinase and Na+,K+-ATPase. To understand the molecular basis for the inhibitory effects of cardiotoxin on the action of these enzymes, the nucleotide triphosphate binding ability of cardiotoxin analogue II (CTX II) from the Taiwan cobra (Naja naja atra) venom is investigated using a variety of spectroscopic techniques such as fluorescence, circular dichroism, and two-dimensional NMR. CTX II is found to bind to all the four nucleotide triphosphates (ATP, UTP, GTP, and CTP) with similar affinity. Detailed studies of the binding of dATP to CTX II indicated that the toxin molecule is significantly stabilized in the presence of the nucleotide. Molecular modeling, based on the NOEs observed for the dATP·CTX II complex, reveals that dATP binds to the CTX II molecule at the groove enclosed between the N- and C-terminal ends of the toxin molecule. Based on the results obtained in the present study, a molecular mechanism to account for the inhibition of the enzymatic activity of the phospholipid-sensitive protein kinase and Na+,K+-ATPase is also proposed.
Understanding emergency manager forecast use in severe weather events.

For Emergency Managers (EMs), preparations for severe weather have always relied on accurate, well-communicated National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts. As part of their constant work to improve these forecasts, the NWS has recently begun to develop impact-based products that share forecast uncertainty information with EMs, including the Probabilistic Hazard Information (PHI) tool. However, there is a lack of research investigating what forecast uncertainty information EMs understand, and what information needs exist in the current communication paradigm. This study used the Critical Incident Technique to identify themes from incidents involving weather forecast information that went well, or not so well, from the perspective of the EMs responding to them. In total, 11 EMs from a variety of locales east of the Rockies were interviewed—six of whom were county-level, two city, two state, and one from a school district. We found that EMs sought increased forecast detail as a potential event approached in time and built relational trust in the NWS through repeated interactions. EMs had difficulty preparing for events when they did not have details of the expected impacts, or the likelihood of those impacts, for their regions. In summary, EMs are already starting to work in an uncertainty-friendly frame and could be responsive to the impact details and increased forecaster relations proposed with the PHI tool.
Parental Perceptions of the Authority of Public Child Welfare Caseworkers

Few efforts have been made to understand the experiences of “involuntary clients” who become involved in child protective services. Qualitative research interviews were conducted with 13 parents receiving mandated protective services from a public child welfare agency. Parental perceptions of the authority and “power” of child welfare caseworkers and the agency are documented. Caseworkers must realize the consequences of any use or abuse of their authority, respect parental rights, and not undervalue or disregard legitimate client dissent if families are to be fairly treated and children effectively protected when left in, or returned to, their own homes.
Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity of human intestinal defensin 5

Defensins are antibiotic peptides expressed in human and animal myeloid and epithelial cells. Due to the limited availability of natural peptides, the properties of human epithelial defensins have not been studied. We assayed the microbicidal activity of recombinant human intestinal defensin 5 (rHD-5) in the presence of salt (O to 150 mM NaCl) with varied pH (pH 5.5 to pH 8.5) and trypsin (25 and 250 microg/ml). rHD-5 exhibits microbicidal activity against Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. In contrast to cryptdins, the mouse intestinal defensins, rHD-5 is active against both mouse-virulent wild-type Salmonella typhimurium and its isogenic, mouse-avirulent phoP mutant. In the presence of salt, rHD-5 activity was reduced, and at 100 mM NaCl, activity against S. typhimurium was abolished. However, at all salt concentrations tested, rHD-5 remained bactericidal to L. monocytogenes. Activity against L. monocytogenes was not pH dependent but was diminished at pH 5.5 against wild-type S. typhimurium. This acid-induced resistance may have been mediated by the virulence gene regulator phoP, since the phoP mutant was equally sensitive at pH 5.5 and pH 7.4. In the presence of trypsin, rHD-5 was partially cleaved, but even then, rHD-5 at 100 microg/ml decreased the number of CFU of wild-type S. typhimurium by more than 99%. The persistence of microbicidal activity of rHD-5 under these conditions supports the notion that naturally occurring human intestinal defensin is an effective arm of mucosal host defense.
Understanding Social Support Burden Among Family Caregivers

Despite the abundance of research on social support, both as a variable in larger studies and as a central focus of examination, there is little consensus about the relationship between social support and health outcomes. Current social support measures typically account only for frequency and size of network, and a paucity of research exists that has explained social support burden, defined as the burden associated with accessing and receiving support from others. We analyzed audio-recorded discussions by hospice family caregivers about their caregiving problems and potential solutions to examine social relationships within networks and identify the processes that influence social support seeking and receiving. Using qualitative thematic analysis, we found that caregivers providing hospice care experience social support burden resulting from perceived relational barriers between friends and family, the inclination to remain in control, recognition of the loss of the patient as a source of social support and guidance in decision making, family dynamics, and decreased availability of emotional support. Social support researchers should consider how the quality of communication and relationships within social networks impacts the provision and subsequent outcomes of social support in varying contexts. Findings from this study suggest that hospice social support resources should be tailored to the caregiver’s support needs and include assessment on the type of support to be offered.
Product knowledge and information processing of organic foods

Purpose This paper aims to examine how product knowledge influences consumers to consider available information before choosing between organic and non-organic options. As “certified organic” is based on a complex standard in the USA, many consumers have only partial understanding of the term. This research shows how that knowledge influences consumer evaluation of the options presented in the market. Design/methodology/approach A two-study experimental survey that offers respondents a choice between two canned soups, one organic and one not, along with front- and back-of-label information which they can decide to use is utilized. The two studies differ in inclusion of national brand. Findings Consumer behavior with respect to information significantly affects rationale for product choice, and higher levels of knowledge are associated with choice rationale. Objective and subjective knowledge influence information processing differently. Inaccurate knowledge displayed by consumers influences their information processing behavior. Research limitations/implications While the survey stimuli are a realistic representation of two products, the online survey abstracts from in-store distractors that might influence behavior. The product chosen, while familiar and commonly consumed, is a low-involvement product which may reduce consumer effort. Practical/implications Marketers of organic foods must understand the level of knowledge held by consumers, as well as the information that most influences their choices if the industry is to grow further. Originality/value This study contrasts subjective and objective knowledge about organic foods and calculates the degree to which consumers under- versus over-estimate “organic” in their ignorance. As such, the research offers insight into a well-established label claim that has yet to achieve significant market share.
Peeping into the Learning World of Secondary Teacher Trainees: Can their Academic Success be Predicted?

The study investigated the styles of learning and thinking, study habits, achievement motivation of teacher trainees along with their attitude towards teaching and perception for B.Ed. course. It also explored the predictors that may determine the academic success of these pre-service teachers. The data were analyzed by employing product moment correlation, factor analysis and multiple regression. Findings showed that a total of 29.7% variance in marks in theory papers may be explained a total of 29.7% variance was explained by eight measures whereas five measures contributed towards the explanation of 29.5% variance in skills in teaching. But only three predictors emerged that accounted for 13.1% variance in their aggregate marks in B.Ed. The major predictor for overall academic success was participation of these trainees in dramatics in their colleges. Attitudinal variables were ineffectual in determining the overall academic success of pre-service teachers.
Customer Intention to Save for Retirement Using a Professional Financial Services Planner

This paper presents the results of an investigation into the factors that determine the intention to save for retirement using a professional financial services planner. The sample of 289 individuals aged between 30-65 years in Australia revealed that self-efficacy and attitudes are the main factors that cause a consumer to save for retirement, using the services of a financial planner and/or accountant. Structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis indicated that subjective knowledge and goal clarity have a negligible effect on behavioural intentions in this context. Furthermore, it was found that goal clarity, subjective knowledge and perceived risk did not have a direct impact on behavioural intentions. With 57 per cent of the variance explained, these results are considered robust. Finally, a number of opportunities for further research are outlined.
Interval estimation for the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve when data are subject to error

The area (A) under the receiver operating characteristic curve is commonly used to quantify the ability of a biomarker to correctly classify individuals into two populations. However, many markers are subject to measurement error, which must be accounted for to prevent understating their effectiveness. In this paper, we develop a new confidence interval procedure for A which is adjusted for measurement error using either external or internal replicated measurements. Based on the observation that A is a function of normal means and variances, we develop the procedure by recovering variance estimates needed from confidence limits for normal means and variances. Simulation results show that the procedure performs better than the previous ones based on the delta‐method in terms of coverage percentage, balance of tail errors and interval width. Two examples are presented. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Among People With Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection and a History of Injecting Drug Use in New South Wales, Australia.

OBJECTIVE The aims of this study were to assess symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress and associated sociodemographic factors among people living with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with a history of injecting drug use and to assess the association between symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress and HCV treatment intent, specialist assessment, or treatment uptake. METHODS The Enhancing Treatment for Hepatitis C in Opioid Substitution Settings was an observational cohort study evaluating the provision of HCV assessment and treatment among people with chronic HCV and a history of injecting drug use, recruited from 9 community health centers and opioid substitution therapy (OST) clinics (New South Wales, Australia). Symptoms were assessed using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21). Analyses were performed using logistic regression. RESULTS Among 415 participants (mean age 41 years, 71% male), 47%, 52%, and 36% demonstrated moderate to extremely severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. In adjusted analyses, depression symptoms were associated with recent injecting drug use [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.63, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07-2.49), whereas stress symptoms were associated with unemployment (aOR 2.99, 95% CI 1.09-8.15) and not living with a spouse or other relatives/friends (aOR 1.55, 95% CI 1.01-2.39). Symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress or having a history of treated mental illness were not independently associated with HCV treatment intent, specialist assessment, or treatment uptake. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest a need for improved interventions and care regarding mental health among people living with chronic HCV with a history of injecting drug use, but suggest that symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress should not be immediate contraindications to HCV assessment and treatment.
Mutations in RIT1 cause Noonan syndrome – additional functional evidence and expanding the clinical phenotype

RASopathies are a clinically heterogeneous group of conditions caused by mutations in 1 of 16 proteins in the RAS‐mitogen activated protein kinase (RAS‐MAPK) pathway. Recently, mutations in RIT1 were identified as a novel cause for Noonan syndrome. Here we provide additional functional evidence for a causal role of RIT1 mutations and expand the associated phenotypic spectrum. We identified two de novo missense variants p.Met90Ile and p.Ala57Gly. Both variants resulted in increased MEK‐ERK signaling compared to wild‐type, underscoring gain‐of‐function as the primary functional mechanism. Introduction of p.Met90Ile and p.Ala57Gly into zebrafish embryos reproduced not only aspects of the human phenotype but also revealed abnormalities of eye development, emphasizing the importance of RIT1 for spatial and temporal organization of the growing organism. In addition, we observed severe lymphedema of the lower extremity and genitalia in one patient. We provide additional evidence for a causal relationship between pathogenic mutations in RIT1, increased RAS‐MAPK/MEK‐ERK signaling and the clinical phenotype. The mutant RIT1 protein may possess reduced GTPase activity or a diminished ability to interact with cellular GTPase activating proteins; however the precise mechanism remains unknown. The phenotypic spectrum is likely to expand and includes lymphedema of the lower extremities in addition to nuchal hygroma.
Urban First Nations Men: Narratives of Positive Identity and Implications for Culturally Safe Care

Purpose: Dominant discourse contains negative stereotypical images of First Nations males that are steeped in colonialism. These racialized images can influence First Nations men’s sense of self as well as the care that nurses deliver. The objective was to (a) explore practices that support positive First Nations identity and (b) provide suggestions for practicing culturally safe care. Design: The theory of Two-Eyed Seeing guided this study. Data were collected via two semistructured interviews and Anishnaabe Symbol–Based Reflection from three First Nations men living in Toronto, Canada. Findings: Having mentors, knowing family histories, and connecting with healthy Aboriginal communities fostered positive First Nations identities for participants. Implications: There is potential to advance nursing practice by enacting creative means that may support client’s positive First Nations identity and well-being. Nursing education that focuses on strength-based and decolonizing frameworks, as well as reflexive practices that promote culturally safe care, is needed.
Entrepreneurship Education in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects

Entrepreneurship education which is the type of education that equips its recipients with the necessary competencies with which to discover and exploit markets or ideas in order to become job creators, has been incorporated into the tertiary institutions in Nigeria following the upsurge of unemployment especially of the literates. The extent to which entrepreneurship education has achieved its objectives is not well known. Hence, the need to examine its roles and barriers to effective entrepreneurship activities and proffer some strategies that could enhance entrepreneurship education and its activities so that its objectives could be achieved. Keywords: Entrepreneurship Education, Challenges, Prospects, Nigeria.
The Analysis of Market Orientation and Company Resources in the Business Strategy Preparation for Performance Improvement of Automotive Lubricant's Companies in Indonesia

Automotive lubricant production capacity in Indonesia continues to grow, where in the year 2014 its growth reaches 7% compared to the production capacity of previous year, which in the volume reaches 1.9 million kilolitres. However, despite the fact, the actual production achieved by the automotive lubricant industry is still under 50% of the production capacity. In terms of market share, PT Pertamina Lubricant dominates market share of automotive lubricant in Indonesia with achievement of market share ranging from 49-51% while the rest of automotive lubricant companies only able to control market share with the percentage is far below 20%. Such condition shows the not yet optimum performance of automotive lubricant company in Indonesia. It was allegedly related to the weaknesses in the implementation of business strategy and weakness in the development of market orientation and development of company resources. The research was conducted through an explanatory survey method. Primary data were obtained based on the results of the census to 32 national automotive lubricant companies. The hypothesis was examined by using Partial Least Squares Path Modelling (PLS-PM). The results show that business strategy has greater influence than market orientation and company resources in improving company performance. Market orientation has a greater influence rather than company resources in formulating more precise business strategy. The results of this study have implications for national automotive lubricant companies that to improve the performance of the company, then business strategy needs to be formulated more precisely through the development of market orientation supported by the development of company resources.
Site impact on colorectal cancer biological behavior in terms of clinicopathological and molecular features.

PURPOSE We investigated the biological behavior of proximal and distal colorectal adenocarcinomas (CRC), intending to determine specific segmental differences, possibly arising from the distinct genetic pathways involved in their development. METHODS Thirty-six proximal and 83 distal cancers were comparatively and retrospectively analyzed, regarding tumor stage, grade and Ki-67, p53 and Bcl-2 immunohistochemical expression. RESULTS Proximal tumors were more likely to be poorly differentiated (p=0.005) and to exhibit low Ki-67 and p53 expression (<20% and ≤ 30% stained nuclei respectively; p=0.026 and 0.0014, respectively). Distal lesions were more likely to be moderately differentiated (p=0.001), to display moderate Ki-67 expression (20-50% stained nuclei, p= 0.013) and p53 staining higher than 30% stained nuclei (p= 0.0014). Such segmental variations regarding mainly p53 and to a lesser extent Ki-67 were seen within most of the specific sub-groups of patients (stratified by stage, grade, gender and age). An association between Bcl-2 expression and distal site was also observed among females (p=0.008). CONCLUSION Proximal and distal cancers displayed different clinicopathological and molecular patterns, reinforcing the proposal that they are genetically and biologically different entities. Potential clinical applications of these findings should be investigated.
The Prevalence of Insomnia, Its Demographic Correlates, and Treatment in Nurses Working in Chinese Psychiatric and General Hospitals.

PURPOSE To determine the prevalence of insomnia and its socio-demographic correlates in Chinese nurses. DESIGN AND METHODS Up to 799 nurses were examined. Demographic data, total sleep time (TST), and insomnia were collected. FINDINGS The mean expected and actual TST were 8.3 ± 1.5 and 6.1 ± 1.1 hr, respectively. The prevalence of at least one type of reported sleep disturbance was 69.7%; the rates of difficulty initiating sleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, and early morning awakening were 54.6%, 54.7%, and 55.9%, respectively. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS There is a large discrepancy of actual and expected sleep duration, and insomnia is common among nurses in China.