Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Survey of laboratory practices for diagnosis of fungal infection in seven Asian countries: An Asia Fungal Working Group (AFWG) initiative

An online survey of mycology laboratories in seven Asian countries was conducted to assess the status, competence, and services available. Country representatives from the Asia Fungal Working Group (AFWG) contacted as many laboratories performing mycology diagnosis as possible in their respective countries, requesting that the laboratory heads complete the online survey. In total, 241 laboratories responded, including 71 in China, 104 in India, 11 in Indonesia, 26 in the Philippines, four in Singapore, 18 in Taiwan, and seven in Thailand. Overall, 129/241 (53.5%) surveyed mycology laboratories operate as separate designated mycology laboratories, 75/241 (31.1%) conduct regular formal staff training, 103/241 (42.7%) are accredited, and 88/157 (56.1%) participate in external quality assurance scheme (EQAS) programs. Microscopy and culture methods are available in nearly all laboratories, although few perform DNA sequencing (37/219; 16.9%) or use matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectroscopy (MALDI-TOF MS) (27/219; 12.3%) for isolate identification. Antifungal susceptibility testing is performed in 142/241 (58.9%) laboratories, mainly for yeasts. The most commonly performed nonculture diagnostic is cryptococcal antigen testing (66 laboratories), followed by galactomannan testing (55), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnosis (37), and beta-D-glucan testing (24). Therapeutic drug monitoring is conducted in 21 laboratories. There is almost no access to advanced diagnostic tests, like galactomannan, β-D-glucan, and PCR, in the surveyed laboratories in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. These results highlight the need for development of quality laboratories, accreditation and training of manpower in existing laboratories, and access to advanced non-culture-based diagnostic tests to facilitate the diagnosis of fungal infections in Asia.
THE SOURCES OF PRODUCTIVITY CHANGE IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTORS OF THE U.S. ECONOMY

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Biological stability of RNA isolated from RNAlater-treated brain tumor and neuroblastoma xenografts.

BACKGROUND Advances in molecular biological research have led to identification of prognostic factors such as Trk mRNA expression in primitive neuroectodermal tumors of the CNS and neuroblastoma. To study prospectively the importance of these prognostic factors in large groups of homogeneously treated patients, tumor specimens of good quality must be acquired, preserved, and stored at multiple institutions. Immediate freezing of tumor biopsy samples in liquid nitrogen and storage at -70 degrees C are the most commonly used method of tissue preservation for future RNA analysis. PROCEDURE To evaluate alternative methods of preserving tissue samples for subsequent RNA analysis, we tested a new RNA stabilization solution. Using tumor tissue of two CNS tumor and one neuroblastoma human xenografts, we compared total RNA isolated from tumor tissue stored for 7 days at room temperature in stabilization solution to that of snap-frozen tissue. The quality of the RNA was studied by spectrophotometry, gel electrophoresis, RT-PCR, and gene expression profiling. RESULTS No major differences were observed in the quality of RNA isolated from tumor samples stored at room temperature in the RNA stabilization solution compared to snap-frozen tumor samples stored at -70 degrees C. CONCLUSIONS High-quality RNA can be prepared from tumor tissue stored at room temperature. Whenever snap freezing is not feasible, pieces of tumor tissue can be treated with RNAlater for subsequent RNA analysis. Short-term storage and shipment of well-preserved tumor tissue are clearly feasible for all institutions, thereby facilitating large multiinstitutional studies of biological prognostic factors.
Smallholder adoption of soil and water conservation techniques in Ghana

At the onset of climate change, the adoption of soil and water conservation (SWC) techniques in Africa sub of the Sahara has become even more crucial. The study aimed at estimating the determinants and effects of SWC adoption. The data was obtained from the Ghana Agriculture Production Survey (GAPS), a national level survey conducted by Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture with technical and financial support from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). A total sample size of 1,530 farm households selected from 20 districts across Ghana was used. The Poisson model was employed to estimate the determinants of adoption of SWC technology while the stochastic frontier model was used to analyze the effects of SWC technology adoption on technical efficiency. The study found that SWC adoption significantly affected technical efficiency in maize production. Significant policy variables that were found to positively influence the adoption of SWC techniques included credit, farm size, group membership and proximity to input sale points. Also, credit, education and extension services significantly influenced farmers’ technical efficiency. There is the need for a holist approach to supporting farmers. In general, access to education, extension services and credit must be stepped up. Farmers must also be supported to form farm groups as a viable source of farm labour. Key words: Adoption, poisson model, technical efficiency, soil and water conservation.
Preoccupied but not dismissing attachment states of mind are associated with nonsuicidal self-injury

Abstract In this investigation the factor structure of the Adult Attachment Interview was studied in a partially at-risk sample of 120 young adults. More specifically, 60 participants had engaged in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI; 53 females, M age = 20.38 years), and 60 were non-self-injuring controls matched by age and sex. Theoretically anticipated differential associations between preoccupied (but not dismissing) states of mind and NSSI were then examined. Exploratory factor analyses identified evidence for two weakly correlated state of mind dimensions (i.e., dismissing and preoccupied) consistently identified in factor analyses of normative-risk samples. As hypothesized, results further showed that preoccupied (but not dismissing) states of mind were associated with NSSI behavior. Findings support existing arguments suggesting that the regulatory strategy adults adopt when discussing attachment-related experiences with primary caregivers, particularly passive, angry, or unresolved discourse patterns, is uniquely correlated with NSSI.
The Impact of Boundary Spanning on the Turnover Intention of State Information Systems Employees

Boundary spanning activities are a major component of information systems (IS) professionals’ job tasks. To date, little research in the IS field has explored the influence of these activities on individual level outcomes and none within the public sector context. This study explores the influence of boundary spanning on state IS employees perceptions of their workload, work exhaustion and turnover intention. While boundary spanning activities did not influence workload perceptions, they were found to alleviate state IS employees work exhaustion. In addition, work exhaustion mediated the effect of perceived workload and boundary spanning activities on turnover intention. A post hoc analysis indicated significant gender differences. These findings pave the way for future researchers to explore the influence of other key job characteristics on work exhaustion and turnover intention within the public sector.
Do people rely on the self-interested maximization of others?: an experimental test

The assumption that agents engage in maximizing behavior, while ubiquitous in economic theory, differs from the assumption that agents are willing to rely on the maximizing behavior of others. This paper offers an empirical examination of this distinction using experimental methods. Utilizing a series of experimental treatments based on a simple, two player extensive form game of perfect information, we find strong evidence that apparently rational people are often unwilling to rely on the self-interested behavior of others, despite the observed near universality of maximizing play.
Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting Quality, Board Characteristics and Corporate Social Reputation: Evidence from China

– This paper aims to examine the influence of corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting quality and board characteristics on corporate social reputation of Chinese listed firms. , – Firms chosen for this study are drawn from a social responsibility ranking list of Chinese listed firms. The social responsibility rating scores identified by this ranking list are used to measure the social reputation of firms studied. The model-testing method is used to examine hypothesised relationships between CSR reporting quality, board characteristics and corporate social reputation. , – The results indicate that CSR reporting quality positively influences corporate social reputation but chief executive officer/chairman duality as a measure of board characteristics has a negative impact on corporate social reputation. Firm’s financial performance and firm size also positively influence corporate social reputation. , – The relatively small sample of firms for a cross-sectional study, and the proxies constructed for various concepts to empirically test hypotheses can limit generalising findings to firms outside the social responsibility ranking list. Future studies can undertake longitudinal analysis and compare socially responsible firms with others to expand empirical findings about corporate social reputation. , – This paper investigates the influences of CSR reporting quality and board characteristics on corporate social reputation in the context of a developing country, China.
Trade Liberalization and Growth: Plant-Level Evidence from Switzerland

This paper estimates the effect of trade liberalization on growth, using plant-level data from Switzerland. We employ a natural experiment framework to quantify the effect of a bundle of treaties liberalizing trade between Switzerland and the EU enacted in June 2002 ("Bilateral Agreements I") on the growth of Swiss plants. Using both a semi-parametric difference-indifferences and a matching approach, we find that the liberalization of trade increased the growth of affected plants by 1-2 percent during the first six years after liberalization. Our results suggest that trade liberalization has a relevant effect on growth.
What have we learned? Themes from the literature on necessity driven entrepreneurship

The aim of this paper is to review the important themes in the literature on necessity driven entrepreneurship and to assess the main contributions to knowledge. Five themes from the literature are highlighted: nature of the necessity driven entrepreneurship; creation and management of a necessity driven venture; contextualising the necessity entrepreneurship; performance of a necessity driven venture; and the criticism of necessity driven entrepreneurship. The author argues that the extant literature on necessity entrepreneurship is largely focused on the conception stage of the entrepreneurial process and our understanding of how push factors affect a necessity driven venture during subsequent phases remains limited. Some of the concepts which have received considerable attention in the literature include push/pull dichotomy, types of push factors, necessity driven entrepreneurship studies in the Western context, push factors largely associated with women entrepreneurs, relationship between necessity entrepreneurship and the economic development, and a need to clearly delineate the concept of necessity entrepreneurship. In order to demonstrate push factors enactment, a conceptual model of necessity driven entrepreneurship is proposed which highlights the dynamics of push factors during different phases of entrepreneurial process. The author also includes pointers for future research to improve theoretical understanding of necessity driven entrepreneurship.
Tolerability and pharmacokinetics of metformin and the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor sitagliptin when co-administered in patients with type 2 diabetes

ABSTRACT Objective: As part of the clinical development of sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, the potential for pharmacokinetic interactions with other antihyperglycemic agents used in managing patients with type 2 diabetes are being carefully evaluated. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the tolerability of co-administered sitagliptin and metformin and effects of sitagliptin on metformin pharmacokinetics as well as metformin on sitagliptin pharmacokinetics under steady-state conditions. Methods: This placebo-controlled, multiple-dose, crossover study in patients with type 2 diabetes assessed the tolerability of co-administered sitagliptin (50 mg b.i.d.) with metformin (1000 mg b.i.d.). Patients received, in a randomized crossover manner, three treatments (each of 7 days duration): 50 mg sitagliptin twice daily and placebo to metformin twice daily; 1000 mg of metformin twice daily and placebo to sitagliptin twice daily; concomitant administration of 50 mg of sitagliptin twice daily and 1000 mg of metformin twice daily. Following dosing on Day 7 of each treatment period, these pharmacokinetic parameters were determined for plasma sitagliptin and metformin: area under the plasma concentrations–time curve over the dosing interval (AUC0–12 h), maximum observed plasma concentrations (Cmax), and time of occurrence of maximum observed plasma concentrations (Tmax). Renal clearance was also determined for sitagliptin. Results: In this study, no adverse experiences were reported by 11 of 13 patients. Two patients had adverse experiences, which were not related to study drugs as determined by the investigators. The mean metformin plasma concentration–time profiles were nearly identical with or without sitagliptin co-administration [metformin AUC0–12 h geometric mean ratio (GMR; [metformin + sitagliptin]/metformin)] was 1.02 (90% CI 0.95, 1.09). Similarly metformin administration did not alter the plasma sitagliptin pharmacokinetics [sitagliptin AUC0–12 h GMR ([sitagliptin + metformin]/sitagliptin)] was 1.02 (90% CI 0.97, 1.08) or renal clearance of sitagliptin. No efficacy measurements (glycosylated hemoglobin or fasting plasma glucose) were obtained during this study. Urinary pharmacokinetics for metformin were not determined due to the lack of effect of sitagliptin on plasma metformin pharmacokinetics. Conclusions: In this study, co-administration of sitagliptin and metformin was generally well tolerated in patients with type 2 diabetes and did not meaningfully alter the steady-state pharmacokinetics of either agent.
Pancreatic cancer patients with lymph node involvement by direct tumor extension have similar survival to those with node‐negative disease

Lymph node (LN) involvement is a well‐known poor prognostic factor in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, there have been conflicting results on the significance of the mechanism of LN involvement, “direct” tumor invasion versus “metastatic,” disease on patient survival.
Impact of processing on the bioavailability and vascular effects of blueberry (poly)phenols.

SCOPE Blueberries are a rich source of flavonoids and phenolic acids. Currently, little information is available regarding the impact of processing on the bioavailability and the bioactivity of blueberry (poly)phenols. METHODS AND RESULTS In a randomized, controlled crossover trial, ten healthy volunteers consumed (a) blueberry-containing baked products, (b) an unprocessed blueberry drink containing the same amount of freeze-dried blueberry powder as used in the baked products, and (c) matched control baked products. Endothelial function was measured as flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and plasma samples taken at baseline and at 1, 2, 4, and 6 h postconsumption. Although processing did not significantly change the total (poly)phenolic amount, the processed products contained significantly less anthocyanins (-42%), more chlorogenic acid (23%), no flavanol nonamers or decamers, and significantly more flavanol dimers and trimers (36% and 28%, respectively). FMD increased after 1, 2, and 6 h consumption of the baked products to a similar degree as the unprocessed blueberries, despite significant differences in the levels of individual plasma metabolites. No changes were observed after the consumption of the control product. CONCLUSION Careful processing can preserve important biological activities of blueberries despite changing the blueberry (poly)phenol composition and plasma metabolite profile.
trkC may be an inducible transcription factor target gene.

Mechanical injury to hippocampus by needle insertion induces N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-dependent expression of neurotrophin receptor mRNAs (trkB, trkC) and inducible transcription factors (ITFs, i.e. Fos, c-Jun, Krox-24) in dentate gyrus neurones. To examine the possibility that de novo synthesis of ITFs was necessary for increased expression of trk mRNA we prevented protein synthesis for 5 h using the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide (4 x 10 mg kg-1, i.p., 1 h before and 1, 2 and 3 h after injury). Cycloheximide abolished expression of ITFs 4 h after injury. Cycloheximide had no effect on trkB mRNA expression but attenuated the injury-induced increase in trkC mRNA expression in dentate gyrus at 4 h by 75%. These results suggest that trkC may be an ITF target gene in vivo.
Low carbon supply chain configuration for a new product – a goal programming approach

Green supply chain management and product innovation both have become sources of competitive advantage for companies from different industries. However, research on the configuration of green supply chains for new products represents a comparably new trend. In this paper, a goal programming approach is suggested to optimise the supply chain (SC) configuration for a new consumer product under consideration of economic and environmental criteria. The approach is illustrated by the case example of a fast moving consumer goods manufacturer. In this context, trade-offs between the ecologic factor of carbon emission, on the one hand, and financial value creation and customer service level on the other hand, are assessed in the deterministic analyses. The influence of long-term demand uncertainties is modelled in a scenario approach. It is observed that decentralised SC configurations enable carbon emission reduction without deteriorating the economic SC performance. Furthermore, it is detected that a focused economic optimisation strongly amplifies negative environmental impacts of demand uncertainties.
E‐Participation and Environmental Protection: Are Local Governments Really Committed?

There is widespread acceptance that current institutions are inadequate to address the challenges of sustainable development. At the same time, there is an urgent need to build awareness and increase capacity for promoting action with respect to environmental protection at the local level. This article analyzes the Web sites of the environment departments of European local governments that signed the Aalborg Commitments to determine the extent to which they are using the Internet to promote e-participation in environmental topics and to identify the drivers of these developments. Potential drivers are public administration style, urban vulnerability, external pressures, and local government environmental culture. Findings confirm that e-participation is a multifaceted concept. External pressures influence the transparency of environmental Web sites, while public administration style and local government environmental culture influence their interactivity.
Intraoperative hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy after cytoreductive surgery for peritoneal carcinomatosis in an experimental model

The combination of cytoreductive surgery (CS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is the treatment of choice for selected patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) of colorectal origin. However, it remains to be proven whether the addition of HIPEC to CS is essential for the reported survival benefit.
[Clinical features of Wegener granulomatosis and microscopic polyangiitis in Chilean patients].

BACKGROUND Systemic vasculitis are a group of heterogeneous diseases characterized by inflammation and necrosis of blood vessel walls. The etiology is not known, but geographic and environmental factors are implicated. AIM To describe the clinical features of microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) in a Chilean cohort of patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS Retrospective review of the medical records of 123 patients with the diagnosis of systemic vasculitis (65 MPA and 58 WG), seen from 1990 to 2001. The diagnosis were made based on the American College of Rheumatology and Chapel Hill criteria. RESULTS The mean follow-up for MPA was 15 months (1-120) and for WG, 20 months (1-120). The median age (years) at diagnosis for MPA was 61 (19-82) and WG 50 (20-82). Gender distribution was similar in both groups (male: 68% and 57% respectively). The main clinical features in the MPA group were renal involvement (68%), peripheral nervous system involvement (57%), pulmonary hemorrhage (28%), and skin disease (32%). In the WG group were alveolar hemorrhage (62%), renal involvement (78%), paranasal sinus involvement (57%), and ocular disease (26%). In both, creatinine levels above 2.0 mg/dl were associated with a higher mortality (p< 0.01). ANCA by immunofluorescence was performed in 56 MPA patients (75% had pANCA, 4% had cANCA and 21% were ANCA negative) and in 55 WG patients (17% had pANCA, 79% had cANCA and 4% were ANCA negative). Global mortality was 18% and 17% respectively, and the most common causes of death were infections. CONCLUSIONS The clinical features of our patients are similar to other published data. In our WG and MPA patients the main predictor for death was a serum creatinine above 2 mg/dl.
Microvasculature of the Urinary Bladder of the Dog: A Study Using Vascular Corrosion Casting

The urinary bladder is an unusual organ in that its normal function includes filling and emptying with alternating changes in internal pressure. Although fluctuations in blood flow to the bladder wall are known to accompany these changes, detailed descriptions of the bladder microvasculature are sparse. The present study uses vascular corrosion casting and scanning electron microscopy to describe the three-dimensional anatomy of the microvasculature of the urinary bladder of the dog. Specialized features of that microvasculature, including collateral circulation, vessel folding, vessel orientation, the presence of valves and sphincters, and mucosal capillary density, that may enhance and control blood flow during normal bladder function, are described and discussed.
R&D policy in a vertically related industry

In this paper, we analyze the effectiveness of public policy aimed to stimulate business-performed R&D in a vertically related market. We examine the role of an R&D active upstream supplier in a four-stage R&D model, where we incorporate public funding. The considered policy instrument is direct funding of firms’ R&D efforts. We calculate the optimal policies and show that they have a positive impact on firms’ R&D investments. From a welfare point of view, it is optimal to differentiate the subsidy rates between the upstream and the downstream markets. Competition in the product market leads to a higher subsidy rate to the upstream supplier than to the downstream firms. When concentration is high in the downstream market, the optimal solution is an R&D subsidy for these firms, otherwise the optimal solution is an R&D tax for the downstream firms.