Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changing Professionals: Professionals’ Role in the Institutional Dynamics of German Health Care

With an empirical focus on the health care sector, this dissertation addresses the questions on when, how and why professionals influence institutional change and stability. Specifically, this dissertation focuses on the institutional work efforts of different groups of health care professionals, namely physicians and nurses, within German health care. Given the significant regulatory dynamics that German health care experienced during the last decades, this setting provides a particularly favorable background for the study on when, why, and how professionals seek to create, maintain and disrupt institutions. Elaborating on how professionals interact with the different contexts in which they are embedded, this thesis aims to provide a holistic picture of professionals’ engagement in institutional dynamics. In particular, this thesis contributes to the growing literature on the micro-processes of professionals’ institutional work within the diverse contexts in which these actors operate.
Ciguatoxin‐induced oscillations in membrane potential and action potential firing in rat parasympathetic neurons

The actions of ciguatoxins from the Pacific (P‐CTX‐1) and Caribbean (C‐CTX‐1) regions were investigated in isolated parasympathetic neurons from rat intracardiac ganglia using patch‐clamp recording techniques. Under current‐clamp conditions, bath application of P‐CTX‐1 (1–10 nm) or C‐CTX‐1 (10–30 nm) caused a gradual depolarization that was accompanied by oscillation of the membrane potential leading to tonic action potential firing. Membrane potential oscillations were observed between −45 and −60 mV and had an amplitude of 10–20 mV and a mean frequency of 10 Hz. Oscillation frequency was temperature‐dependent with a Q10 of 2.0. Membrane oscillations were temporarily inhibited by hyperpolarizing current pulses and potentiated by weak depolarizing current pulses. The amplitude of oscillations was reduced upon lowering the external Na+ concentration and inhibited by tetrodotoxin (TTX), tetracaine or Zn2+. Tetraethylammonium, 4‐aminopyridine, Cs+, Cd2+, Ba2+, 1,4,4′‐diothiocyanato‐2,2′‐stilbenedisulphonic acid (DIDS) and ouabain had no effect on the CTX‐1‐induced membrane depolarization and oscillations. Brevetoxin (PbTx‐3, 100 nm), in contrast to CTX‐1, caused a membrane depolarization that was not associated with oscillation of the membrane potential. Under voltage‐clamp conditions, P‐CTX‐1 inhibited the peak amplitude of the voltage‐dependent Na+ current and shifted the activation curve to more negative potentials, but membrane oscillations were not seen in this configuration. These results suggest that ciguatoxins cause oscillation of the membrane potential in mammalian autonomic neurons by modifying the activation and inactivation properties of a population of TTX‐sensitive Na+ channels.
INFLUENCE OF FINANCIAL SECTOR DEVELOPMENT ON ECONOMIC GROWTH

In the view of every country’s endeavors for sustainable economic development, the question of key factors influencing economic growth or recession is becoming more prominent. For several decades now, finance is being considered as one of such factors by some scholars and rejected by others. This article is aimed at analyzing the finance-growth nexus by considering the existing theoretical background, empirical studies, and real life cases. Research has shown that the influence of financial sector on economic growth, and as a result of real sector’s activity, is becoming more obvious, especially in the light of the recent global financial-economic crisis. What remains unknown is the extent to which finance can encourage economies to develop.
On the protection of “protected areas”

Tropical moist forests contain the majority of terrestrial species. Human actions destroy between 1 and 2 million km2 of such forests per decade, with concomitant carbon release into the atmosphere. Within these forests, protected areas are the principle defense against forest loss and species extinctions. Four regions—the Amazon, Congo, South American Atlantic Coast, and West Africa—once constituted about half the world's tropical moist forest. We measure forest cover at progressively larger distances inside and outside of protected areas within these four regions, using datasets on protected areas and land-cover. We find important geographical differences. In the Amazon and Congo, protected areas are generally large and retain high levels of forest cover, as do their surroundings. These areas are protected de facto by being inaccessible and will likely remain protected if they continue to be so. Deciding whether they are also protected de jure—that is, whether effective laws also protect them—is statistically difficult, for there are few controls. In contrast, protected areas in the Atlantic Coast forest and West Africa show sharp boundaries in forest cover at their edges. This effective protection of forest cover is partially offset by their very small size: little area is deep inside protected area boundaries. Lands outside protected areas in the Atlantic Coast forest are unusually fragmented. Finally, we ask whether global databases on protected areas are biased toward highly protected areas and ignore “paper parks. ” Analysis of a Brazilian database does not support this presumption.
A rapid population expansion retains genetic diversity within European rabbits in Australia

The well documented historical translocations of the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) offer an excellent framework to test the genetic effects of reductions in effective population size. It has been proposed that rabbits went through an initial bottleneck at the time of their establishment in Australia, as well as multiple founder events during the rabbit's colonization process. To test these hypotheses, genetic variation at seven microsatellite loci was measured in 252 wild rabbits from five populations across Australia. These populations were compared to each other and to data from Europe. No evidence of a genetic bottleneck was observed with the movement of 13 rabbits from Europe to Australia when compared to French data. Within Australia the distribution of genetic diversity did not reflect the suggested pattern of sequential founder effects. In fact, the current pattern of genetic variation in Australia is most likely a result of multiple factors including mutation, genetic drift and geographical differentiation. The absence of reduced genetic diversity is almost certainly a result of the rabbit's rapid population expansion at the time of establishment in Australia. These results highlight the importance of population growth following a demographic bottleneck, which largely determines the severity of genetic loss.
Accounting conservatism, corporate governance and political influence.

Thesis (Ph.D.) - La Trobe University, 2011%%%%Submission note: "A thesis submitted in total fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy [to the] Department of Accounting, La Trobe Business School, Faculty of Business, Economics and Law, La Trobe University, Bundoora".
Effects of CO2 insensitivity and respiratory pattern on respiration in divers.

In a study of respiratory function under hyperbaric conditions one diver (TM) was found to have an extremely low ventilatory response to exercise with a postinspiratory pause typical of certain "carbon dioxide retaining divers. " The respiratory function of diver TM is compared with that of four other divers having a normal ventilatory response. In exercise at 4 ATA hypoventilation and hypercapnia were potentiated to a greater extent in TM than in the other divers. Diver TM maintained a ventilation 25%-50% lower than that of the other divers and whereas their end-tidal Pco2 remained within reasonable limits (Pco2 less than or equal to 55 mmHg), that of TM rose to levels considered hazardous (Pco2 less than or equal to 76 mmHg). Results suggest that when a diver exhibits a postinspiratory pause in the breathing cycle, mixing of alveolar and dead space gas takes place. As a result, physiological dead space calculated according to the Bohr formula is unusually small. As alveolar Pco2 will rise during postinspiratory pause, mean arterial Pco2 may be lower than end-tidal Pco2. Such a respiratory pattern has a greater ventilatory efficiency than normal and may afford the diver some protection, albeit incomplete, from hypercapnia.
TNF-Independent Development of Transient Anemia of Chronic Disease in a Mouse Model of Protracted Septic Peritonitis

TNF is considered one of the inflammatory cytokines and contributes mainly to the generation of anemia of chronic disease (ACD). In nude mice TNF has been reported to impair iron metabolism and erythropoiesis, leading to anemia with a low serum iron and preserved iron stores. In this work, we established a murine model for ACD based on sublethal cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) with ensuing protracted peritonitis. Starting on Day 3 after CLP, a severe protracted depression of erythropoiesis in the bone marrow was noted. Two weeks after CLP, we observed a moderate normochromic anemia, low serum iron concentration, and preserved iron stores consistent with transient ACD. To determine whether TNF contributes to the development of ACD in vivo, we neutralized TNF after CLP shortly before and during the phase of most severe bone marrow depression to prevent anemia. Additionally, we studied TNF-deficient mice undergoing CLP. Two weeks after CLP, we determined red blood count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, serum iron concentration, and iron stores in spleens of wild-type mice, TNF-deficient mice, and mice after neutralization of TNF. Neutralization of TNF after CLP could not prevent mice from contracting anemia. Accordingly, TNF-deficient mice developed anemia to the same extent as wild-type mice. Serum iron concentration was lowered and iron stores were overloaded in both TNF-deficient and wild-type mice after CLP. Our results clearly demonstrate that TNF is not a mediator of ACD in our model with transient anemia induced by protracted septic peritonitis.
1-cc Computer: Cross-Layer Integration With UWB-IR Communication and Locationing

The first one-cc or one-cubic-centimeter computer (OCCC) that integrates a sensor, ultra-wideband impulse radio (UWB-IR) transmitter, computing engine, and battery is demonstrated. Cross-layer integration includes SPIKE control, which achieves a record low power communication of 3.4-nW/bps with reduced operating time. Miniaturization techniques, such as wafer-level chip-size packaging and flip-chip packaging, were used to shrink the module to a volume of 1 cc. The fabricated OCCC is shown to operate as designed, communicating at distances of 10 and 30 m and at transmission rates of 10.7 Mbps and 258 kbps, respectively. The life of a 150-mAh battery in an OCCC that operates once every five minutes is estimated to be longer than 10 years. The communication-location integration (CLI) technique, which achieves 22-cm location accuracy with only a 1.3% chip area overhead, is also proposed.
Reducing mortality in cardiac surgery with levosimendan: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVES The authors performed a meta-analysis to evaluate whether levosimendan is associated with improved survival in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. DESIGN A meta-analysis. SETTING Hospitals. PARTICIPANTS A total of 440 patients from 10 randomized controlled studies were included in the analysis. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASURMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Four investigators independently searched BioMedCentral and PubMed. Inclusion criteria were random allocation to treatment, comparison of levosimendan versus control, and cardiac surgery patients. Exclusion criteria were duplicate publications, nonhuman experimental studies, and no mortality data. The primary endpoint was postoperative mortality. Levosimendan was associated with a significant reduction in postoperative mortality (11/235 [4.7%] in the levosimendan group v 26/205 [12.7%] in the control arm, odds ratio = 0.35 [0.18-0.71], p for effect = 0.003, p for heterogeneity = 0.22, I(2) = 27.4% with 440 patients included), cardiac troponin release, and atrial fibrillation. No difference was found in terms of myocardial infarction, acute renal failure, time on mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit, and hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS Levosimendan has cardioprotective effects that could result in a reduced postoperative mortality. A large randomized controlled study is warranted in this setting.
Building Strengths Awareness and Hope in Students’ Transition to Higher Education

Despite the continued growth of strengths-based approaches within colleges and universities, scholarship regarding the benefits of strengths initiatives in higher education is scarce. This study explores a hypothesized relationship between first-year college students’ strengths awareness and their levels of hope. Utilizing data from a survey administered to first-year students who took the Clifton StrengthsFinder® and engaged in strengths-related programming (n = 1,072), the results of an analysis suggest positive and significant relationships between students’ strengths awareness, hope pathways, and hope agency controlling for other factors. Recommendations for higher education practitioners and educators are discussed.
A new perspective on team leadership: the role of the leader’s social capital, perceived power, and team commitment in enhancing team-level perceived support, efficacy, and cohesion

OF THE DISSERTATION····························································· ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS··············································································· iv TABLE OF CONTENTS················································································ vii LIST OF TABLES······················································································· x LIST OF FIGURES······················································································ x
Folate pathway gene MTHFR C677T polymorphism and risk of lung cancer in Asian populations.

BACKGROUND Previous studies concerning the association between the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T gene polymorphism with lung cancer in Asian populations have provided inconclusive findings. AIM A meta-analysis was performed to investigate a more reliable association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and lung cancer in Asians. MATERIALS AND METHODS A comprehensive search was conducted to identify all case-control studies of MTHFR polymorphisms and lung cancer in Asia, using odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the strength of any association. RESULTS Meta-analysis results suggested that the MTHFR C677T polymorphism contributed to an increased lung cancer risk in Asian populations (for T vs C: OR=1.11, 95%CI=1.0-1.23; for CT vs CC: OR= 1.1, 95%CI= 0.95-1.2 ; for TT+CT vs CC: OR=1.13, 95%CI=1.0-1.30; for TT vs CC: OR=1.25, 95%CI=1.01-1.30; for TT vs CT+CC: OR=1.16, 95%CI=1.0-1.36). CONCLUSIONS MTHFR C677T polymorphism is significantly associated with lung cancer in Asians.
BglR protein, which belongs to the BglG family of transcriptional antiterminators, is involved in beta-glucoside utilization in Lactococcus lactis

A fragment of the Lactococcus lactis chromosome containing an open reading frame of 265 codons, denoted bglR, has been characterized. The polypeptide encoded by bglR shares 36 to 30% sequence identity with a family of regulatory proteins including ArbG from Erwinia chrysanthemi, BglG from Escherichia coli, and SacT and SacY from Bacillus subtilis. These regulatory proteins are involved in positive control of the utilization of different sugars by transcription antitermination. For some of these regulatory proteins it has been demonstrated that antitermination is exerted by binding to a conserved RNA sequence, partially overlapping the transcription terminator and thus preventing transcription termination. Upstream of bglR, we identified a transcription terminator whose 5' end was overlapped by a 32-bp sequence, highly homologous to the RNA-binding site that is conserved in other regulatory systems. Constitutive expression of bglR in E. coli increased the expression of a bglG::lacZ transcriptional fusion. The fact that that the expression of BglG is autoregulated in E. coli suggests that BglG and BglR are functionally equivalent. In L. lactis, we observed that (i) the expression of a bglR::lacZ fusion is increased by beta-glucoside sugars, (ii) disruption of bglR impairs growth on some beta-glucosides, and (iii) the expression of bglR is positively autoregulated. Because of these structural and functional similarities between BglR and the transcription antiterminators of the BglG family, we propose that BglR may be the lactococcal counterpart of the E. coli BglG regulator of beta-glucoside utilization.
Characterizations of Long-term Anxiolytic Benzodiazepine Prescriptions in Veteran Patients

Abstract: To characterize long-term prescriptions for commonly prescribed anxiolytic benzodiazepines to veteran patients and to identify factors associated with high daily doses, we analyzed the linked pharmacy and administrative databases from New England Veterans Healthcare System (VISN 1). We analyzed treatment episodes of 3 months or longer with the 4 most commonly prescribed agents: alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam, and lorazepam. Descriptive statistics and univariate and multivariate analyses described the sample and tested associations of pharmacological and clinical variables for patients prescribed the top 5% of average daily doses ("high-dose" prescriptions). From 16,630 full or partial treatment episodes for all 4 agents analyzed within a 42-month window, average daily doses were predominantly moderate, age-sensitive, and stable; refill lag intervals were short. Patients on "high-dose" prescriptions for the 4 agents combined, compared with "middle quartile" dose prescriptions, in adjusted analyses, were younger, more likely to have posttraumatic stress disorder (odds ratio [OR], 2.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.17-3.13), substance abuse (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.25-1.80), and anxiety (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.11-1.60) and were more likely to be receiving concurrent oxycodone/acetaminophen (OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.64-2.56), anxiolytic benzodiazepine (OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.12-2.03), antidepressant (OR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.80-2.58), and neuroleptic (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.69-2.44) prescriptions. These results indicate that veteran patients prescribed anxiolytic benzodiazepines typically receive modest, nonincreasing doses over long-term treatment episodes. However, those on the highest average daily doses, typically more than recommended guidelines, are more likely to have clinical diagnoses and concurrent prescriptions for psychoactive medications indicative of more complex and, perhaps, problematic management.
Inequality, Financialisation and Economic Crises: An Agent-Based Macro Model

By means of a macroeconomic model with an agent-based house- hold sector and a stock-flow consistent structure, we analyse the impact of rising income inequality on the likelihood of a crisis for different institutional settings. In particular, we study how economic crises emerge in the presence of different credit conditions and policy reactions to rising income disparities. Our simulations show the relevance of the degree of financialisation of an economy. In fact, when inequality grows, a Scylla and Charybdis kind of dilemma seems to arise: on the one hand, low credit availability implies a drop in aggregate demand and output; on the other hand, relaxed credit constraints and a higher willingness to lend result in greater financial instability and a debt-driven boom and bust cycle. We also point out that policy reactions play a key role: a real structural reform that tackles inequality, by means of a more progressive tax system, actually compensates for the rise in income disparities thereby stabilising the economy. Results also show that this is a better solution compared to a stronger fiscal policy reaction, which, instead, only leads to a larger duration of the boom and bust cycle.
A growth stimulus is needed for IGF-1 to induce skeletal muscle hypertrophy in vivo

Here, we characterise new strains of normal and dystrophic (mdx) mice that overexpress Class 2 IGF-1 Ea in skeletal myofibres. We show that transgenic mice have increased muscle levels of IGF-1 (~13-26 fold) and show striking muscle hypertrophy (~24-56% increase in mass). Adult normal muscles were resistant to elevated IGF-1; they reached adult steady state and maintained the same mass from 3 to 12 months. By contrast, dystrophic muscles from mdx/IGF-1(C2:Ea) mice continued to increase in mass during adulthood. IGF-1 signalling was evident only in muscles that were growing as a result of normal postnatal development (23-day-old mice) or regenerating in response to endogenous necrosis (adult mdx mice). Increased phosphorylation of Akt at Ser473 was not evident in fasted normal adult transgenic muscles, but was 1.9-fold higher in fasted normal young transgenic muscles compared with age-matched wild-type controls and fourfold higher in fasted adult mdx/IGF-1(C2:Ea) compared with mdx muscles. Muscles of adult mdx/IGF-1(C2:Ea) mice showed higher p70S6K(Thr421/Ser424) phosphorylation and both young transgenic and adult mdx/IGF-1(C2:Ea) mice had higher phosphorylation of rpS6(Ser235/236). The level of mRNA encoding myogenin was increased in normal young (but not adult) transgenic muscles, indicating enhanced myogenic differentiation. These data demonstrate that elevated IGF-1 has a hypertrophic effect on skeletal muscle only in growth situations.
Breastfeeding knowledge and attitude among Saudi women in Central Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE To study the knowledge and attitude of Saudi women towards breastfeeding. METHODS A cross-sectional study conducted in 3 major hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia during the period 7 July--22 July 2009. Eight hundred and forty-eight women in the post-natal and post-cesarean section wards were included in the study along with women attending antenatal clinics. An Arabic questionnaire was generated and completed by women. RESULTS Of the 848 participating women, 61.5% fell within the age groups between 21-30 years. Most women (49.8%) have a college or higher education. Only 55.8% of women have previously received breastfeeding education, and approximately 54.2% of women received breastfeeding education when they were in the hospital for delivery. Approximately 48.5% preferred mixed feeding, followed by exclusive breastfeeding (36.8%). The most important reasons for discontinuing breastfeeding were: baby was ill (38.2%), a health professional asked mother not to breastfeed for medical reasons (61.1%), mother was sick or needed to take medicine (71.8%), and finally the use of contraception that interferes with milk supply (32.8%). CONCLUSION We found that breastfeeding during the first few months of life was not optimal. The percentage of exclusive breastfeeding was low despite high level of their education. Mixed feeding was the predominant mode of feeding, which raised the need for targeted breastfeeding education. Health care providers should be encouraged to continuously educate women on the benefits of breastfeeding.