Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gene heterogeneity for tetracycline resistance in Staphylococcus spp

Nucleotide sequences related to four tet genes were studied by hybridization in 183 clinical Staphylococcus isolates. tet(K) predominated in strains resistant only to tetracycline, while tet(M) was responsible for combined tetracycline and minocycline resistance. In strains harboring both genes, they contributed additively. tet(L) was detected in only five strains, and no hybridization was observed with tet(O).
Country image and service quality of the higher education industry - Chinese students' enrollment in an offshore program

The higher education industry is traditionally viewed as a service industry. Exporting higher education to emerging economies such as China is becoming increasingly important for traditional education-exporting countries such as Australia, the UK and the USA. This study examines the relationship between country image and perceptions of higher education quality as well as their effects on Chinese students' program evaluations and enrollment intentions.
Evaluation of Genetic Polymorphisms in Clusterin and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Genes in South Indian Individuals with Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome

Abstract Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the potential association of genetic variants across clusterin (CLU) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) genes in South Indian individuals with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEXS) and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG). Materials and Methods: A total of 523 individuals including 299 unrelated cases (150 PEXS and 149 PEXG) and 224 age- and ethnically-matched healthy controls were recruited for genetic analysis. Six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) including, five CLU SNPs (rs11136000, rs2279590, rs9331888, rs9331931, rs3087554) and one promoter SNP (rs1800629) of TNF-α were genotyped in all study subjects. Genotyping of CLU SNPs were performed using the TaqMan allelic discrimination assay while TNF-α SNP was genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Association analysis was performed by determining the distributions of genotype and allele frequencies, Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, and chi-square p values and odds ratios as implemented in the Golden Helix SNP & Variation Suite (SVS). Results: Five CLU SNPs did not show any significant differences in allele frequencies between patients and control subjects (rs3087554, p = 0.919, OR = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.77–1.33; rs2279590, p = 0.432, OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 0.84–1.51; rs9331931, p = 0.310, OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 0.81–1.89; rs11136000, p = 0.072, OR = 1.31, 95% CI: 0.97–1.76; rs9331888, p = 0.911, OR = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.78–1.31). The investigation of TNF-α SNP established a significant association with PEXS and PEXG (p = 0.042, OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.38–0.99). However, this association did not remain significant after Bonferroni correction. Conclusions: Our data suggest that genetic variants in CLU and TNF-α genes do not play a major role in the development of PEXS and PEXG in the South Indian population.
Implications of the crisis for US adjustment needs

The US economy is arguably following an unsustainable trajectory. The main indicators of this are a large current account deficit, a large federal budget deficit and trend-wise increasing costs of Social Security and Medicare. In this chapter, we will discuss these observations and to what extent the financial and economic crisis may have changed the outlook. Before this, we need to define what we mean by sustainability. An often used definition of sustainability is that the inter-temporal budget restriction is satisfied. In the context of fiscal sustainability, this means that the discounted sum of current and future government revenues (at least) covers the discounted sum of current and future outlays plus the value of current outstanding debt. Similarly, a sustainable path of current accounts must imply that the discounted value of income generated by exports of goods and services covers the cost of imports and other transfers to abroad plus the initial value of foreign debt. Sustainability implies that that the ratios of government debt to GDP and foreign debt to GDP do not follow an explosive path.1
The Sweet Smell of … Implicit Helping: Effects of Pleasant Ambient Fragrance on Spontaneous Help in Shopping Malls

ABSTRACT Some studies have shown that pleasant scent encourages the prosocial behavior of people requested for help. However, the effect of pleasant ambient odor on spontaneous helping has never been tested. Male and female confederates accidentally dropped a glove on the floor while walking in places with pleasant ambient odors (e.g., pastries) and in places with no odor. The confederate continued his/her walk, seemingly unaware of his/her loss. It was found that passers-by helped the confederates more favorably in the pleasant-smelling areas. Positive mood induced by ambient smell was used to explain such results.
'WELL, THEY'RE VERY GOOD CITIZENS': NEW ZEALANDERS' PERCEPTIONS OF ASIANS IN NEW ZEALAND

Drawing on the Asia New Zealand Foundation's tracking studies of New Zealander's perceptions of Asia, this article examines how these perceptions have changed over time and what the characteristics of these perceptions are, in terms of geography and age. Particular attention is given to changing perceptions vis-a-vis the diversifying ethnic composition of New Zealand's population, both during the tracking study, and through forward demographic projections. Inevitably, changes to New Zealand's population provoke questions about New Zealand's national identity and the place of Asians within that, and this article concludes by asking to what extent Asians will be involved in the 'making of New Zealand' in the twenty-first century.
Relationship Between the 4H-SiC/SiO2 Interface Structure and Electronic Properties Explored by Electrically Detected Magnetic Resonance

In this paper, an exceptionally sensitive form of electron paramagnetic resonance called electrically detected magnetic resonance (EDMR) is utilized to investigate performance limiting imperfections at and very near the interface of 4H-silicon carbide MOSFETs. EDMR measurements are made over an extremely wide range of frequencies, 16 GHz-350 MHz. Multiple interface/near interface defects are identified and strong evidence for significant disorder at the interface region is presented.
Simultaneous Visual Detection of Multiple Viral Amplicons by Dipstick Assay

ABSTRACT A sensitive, simple, and instrument-independent method for the visual detection and identification of multiple nucleic acid amplicons by dipstick has been developed. This method is based on nucleic acid hybridization on the dipstick membrane and a signal amplification system to allow visual detection. With hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) as model analytes, it is demonstrated that the visual dipstick test combined with multiplex reverse transcription (RT)-PCR for the amplification of viral nucleic acid provides a specific and sensitive detection method. The RT-PCR products were detected by the dipstick with an efficiency similar to that of a complex, expensive, and instrument-dependent method based on fluorogenic oligonucleotide probes. The detection limits of the dipstick combined with multiplex RT-PCR were 50, 125, and 500 IU/ml for HBV DNA, HCV RNA, and HIV-1 RNA, respectively. The dipstick assay detected with similar efficiencies amplicons derived from strains of HBV genotypes A through F, HCV genotypes 1 to 6, and HIV-1 subtypes A through H as well as CRF02 circulating recombinant forms of HIV-1. Analysis of 295 clinical samples and 19 pools of 10 plasma specimens from blood donors revealed that multiplex dipstick detection was reproducible, sensitive, and specific. The visual dipstick detection of multiple amplicons thus provides an attractive alternative to complex, instrument-dependent detection methods currently in use for nucleic acid testing. This new and sensitive method for nucleic acid detection should increase the availability of genomic screening in resource-limited settings and its applicability to near-patient testing.
Therapeutic targeting of EGFR in malignant gliomas

Importance of the field: Despite the improved prognosis for many cancer patients, the survival of those with malignant gliomas (MGs) remains dismal. Even with aggressive intervention, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the overall 2-year survival rate is only 25% in the most optimistic series, and 5-year survival rates are consistently in the low single digits. Therefore, it is evident that novel therapeutic paradigms are necessary to overcome the inherent limitations of conventional treatments. EGFR gene overexpression can be found in 40 – 50% of patients with MGs, whereas its expression is very low in normal brain. Therapeutic targeting of EGFR has indicated clinical success in the treatment of MGs. Areas covered in this review: The purpose of this review is to discuss the current status of several EGFR-targeted therapies in MGs patients and address the efficacy of these drugs as monotherapy or in combination with other drugs and/or treatments. We also emphasize the lessons learned and the future perspectives in the development of EGFR-targeted therapies for MGs. What the reader will gain: A more comprehensive understanding of the molecular, structural and biological characteristics of EGFR and the mechanisms of action of EGFR-targeted antagonists will most likely contribute to the successful use of strategies of EGFR-targeted therapy in the clinic. Take home message: Therapeutic targeting of EGFR include anti-EGFR mAbs, small-molecule EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors, peptide vaccination therapy and other therapeutic strategies. Each EGFR antagonist has its own advantages and limitations in terms of BBB crossing, ease of delivery, combination therapies and potential toxicity. Therefore, a multiple approach combining different agents that target EGFR signaling at multiple levels seems to have potential as future therapeutics for MGs, once the technical and safety issues unique to each of the approaches are overcome.
Time effect of disconfirmation on online shopping

ABSTRACT To succeed in the rapidly growing and highly competitive e-commerce environment, it is important to understand the relationship between the cognition and continued usage behaviour of online shopping customers as they relate to enhancing customer conversion and retention. A longitudinal perspective is adopted in this study and expectation disconfirmation theory is applied to examine how disconfirmation influences the relationship between customer expectations and repurchase intentions when considering the effect of time. This work aims at (1) identifying the relationships between the pre-purchase expectations and post-purchase attitudes of online consumers; (2) elucidating how previous purchase experience influences subsequent purchase intention; and (3) examining the moderating role of disconfirmation in an online shopping context. The results provide useful implications for the management of customer expectations and future purchase behaviour in customers with different levels of disconfirmation.
The use of a polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stent graft for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS): long-term follow-up of 100 patients

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate results and clinical outcome of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) after implantation of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-covered stent graft. Material and Methods: The stent graft was used in 112 patients with higher risk of primary (i.e. patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome) or secondary shunt failure (patients with occlusion of a previous uncovered stent), or a complicated TIPS procedure with an imminent technical complication requiring covered stent. Patients were scheduled at 3- to 6-month intervals for duplex-sonographic control of shunt function. Radiological revision was performed in patients with a decrease in shunt function by >25%, primary non-response, or relapse of the index symptom. Results: Twelve patients were lost to follow-up, and 100 patients were followed for 22±15 months. The actuarial rates of shunt patency were 90, 84, and 74% at 1, 2, and 3 years of follow-up, respectively. Two patients developed early (within 1 month) and 14 patients late shunt failure. Except for one transient rise in liver enzymes due to outflow obstruction by the stent graft, no technical complications were seen. Primary response to treatment was seen in 97% of patients treated for variceal bleeding and 84% of patients treated for refractory ascites. A relapse of the index symptom was seen in 13% of bleeders and 9% of patients treated for refractory ascites. Conclusion: TIPS created with a PTFE-covered stent graft showed favorable long-term results.
Outcomes of nulliparous women with spontaneous labor onset admitted to hospitals in preactive versus active labor.

INTRODUCTION The timing of when a woman is admitted to the hospital for labor care following spontaneous contraction onset may be among the most important decisions that labor attendants make because it can influence care patterns and birth outcomes. The aims of this study were to estimate the percentage of low-risk, nulliparous women at term who are admitted to labor units prior to active labor and to evaluate the effects of the timing of admission (ie, preactive vs active labor) on labor interventions and mode of birth. METHODS Data from low-risk, nulliparous women with spontaneous labor onset at term gestation were merged from 2 prospective studies conducted at 3 large Midwestern hospitals. Baseline characteristics, labor interventions, and outcomes were compared between groups using Fisher's exact and Mann-Whitney U tests, as appropriate. Likelihoods for oxytocin augmentation, amniotomy, and cesarean birth were assessed by logistic regression. RESULTS Of the sample of 216 low-risk nulliparous women, 114 (52.8%) were admitted in preactive labor and 102 (47.2%) were admitted in active labor. Women who were admitted in preactive labor were more likely to undergo oxytocin augmentation (84.2% and 45.1%, respectively; odds ratio [OR], 6.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.43-12.27) but not amniotomy (55.3% and 61.8%, respectively; OR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.44-1.32) when compared to women admitted in active labor. The likelihood of cesarean birth was higher for women admitted before active labor onset (15.8% and 6.9%, respectively; OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.02-6.37). DISCUSSION Many low-risk nulliparous women with regular, spontaneous uterine contractions are admitted to labor units before active labor onset, which increases their likelihood of receiving oxytocin and giving birth via cesarean. An evidence-based, standardized approach for labor admission decision making is recommended to decrease inadvertent admissions of women in preactive labor. When active labor cannot be diagnosed with relative certainty, observation before admission to the birthing unit is warranted.
Diagnostic Accuracy of the Chinese Version of the Trail‐Making Test for Screening Cognitive Impairment

The Trail‐Making Test (TMT), which is commonly used to measure executive function, consists of two components (TMT‐A and TMTB). There is a lack of normative TMT data for Chinese elderly adults. This study aimed to evaluate the validity of the TMT in screening for cognitive impairment.
Robust multiple-input matched filtering: Frequency and time-domain results

Robust matched filtering is considered for multiple-input systems, with problems formulated in both frequency and time domains being given specific treatment. Robust solutions are found for bounded classes containing well-defined but not exactly specified input characteristics. Several properties for some special cases of interest are examined, and an example is given to illustrate the usefulness of the results. Finally, the results are applied to a narrowband spatial array system, for which the robust scheme has an interesting and useful characteristic.
Analyse comparative des caractéristiques de l’agression sexuelle et des conséquences associées en fonction du sexe

Cette etude explore les caracteristiques de l’agression sexuelle (AS) et les consequences associees en fonction du sexe de l’enfant victime. Les enfants (âges de 6 a 12 ans) et leur parent non agresseur (n = 118) ont ete evalues en parallele avec un groupe de comparaison d’enfants non victimes d’AS. Les analyses identifient peu de differences quant aux symptomes en fonction du sexe. Ainsi, une interaction Groupe x Sexe est apparente seulement pour les symptomes d’anxiete et de stress post-traumatique (marginale), indiquant que les filles victimes manifesteraient davantage ces symptomes que les garcons victimes. Les resultats revelent par ailleurs que les victimes presentent plus de symptomes que les enfants sans histoire d’AS sur l’ensemble des variables considerees. Bien que certaines caracteristiques des AS soient differentes selon le sexe de l’enfant, elles ne contribuent pas a la prediction des symptomes chez les enfants victimes.
Canine renal preservation following hypothermic perfusion and subsequent function

The importance of recognizing the possibility of intracranial penetration following an orbital penetrating injury is stressed with particular regard to later infective complications. I t is recommended that all orbital penetrating injuries should have skull radiographs taken to show the orbital plate and that if this shows a fracture, craniotomy to perform wound toilet and fascia1 repair should be undertaken. If skull radiographs show no defect the possibility of later infection should still be borne in mind.
The Effect of Water Temperature during Cold-Water Immersion on Recovery from Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage

Abstract This study investigated the effects of 5 and 15°C cold-water immersion on recovery from exercise resulting in exercise-induced muscle damage. 42 college-aged men performed 5×20 drop-jumps and were randomly allocated into one of 3 groups: (1) 5°C; (2) 15°C; or (3) control. After exercise, individuals from the cold-water immersion groups had their lower limbs immerged in iced water for 20 min. Isometric knee extensor torque, countermovement jump, muscle soreness, and creatine kinase were measured before, immediately after, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 168 h post-exercise. There was no between-group difference in isometric strength recovery (p=0.73). However, countermovement jump recovered quicker in cold-water immersion groups compared to control group (p<0.05). Countermovement jump returned to baseline after 72 h in 15°C, 5°C group recovered after 96 h and control did not recovered at any time point measured. Also, creatine kinase returned to baseline at 72 h and remained stable for all remaining measurements for 15°C group, whereas remained elevated past 168 h in both 5°C and control groups. There was a trend toward lower muscle soreness (p=0.06) in 15°C group compared to control at 24 h post-exercise. The result suggests that cold-water immersion promote recovery of stretch-shortening cycle performance, but not influence the recovery of maximal contractile force. Immersion at warmer temperature may be more effective than colder temperatures promoting recovery from strenuous exercise.
Spatial and temporal expression of short, long/medium, or both opsins in human fetal cones

Human cone photoreceptors are characterized by long (L), medium (M), or short (S) wavelength‐specific opsin. No reports have described the developmental pattern of human cone opsin expression, nor has the existence of human cones containing more than one opsin been tested. Single‐and double‐label immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization have been used to determine the developmental pattern of opsin appearance and to investigate the presence of double‐labeled cones in sections and wholemounts of human fetal, neonatal, infant, and adult retina. S opsin protein appears in and around the fovea at fetal week (Fwk) 10.9, whereas L/M opsin first appears in the fovea at Fwk 14–15. S opsin mRNA and protein are consistently detected much farther into peripheral retina than L/M opsin, indicating that S appears before L/M opsin. S cones cover 90% of the retina by Fwk 19. L/M cones appear outside the central retina by Fwk 21.5 and reach the retinal edge by Fwk 34–37. The spatial pattern of mRNA expression closely matches that for protein, but mRNA appears slightly earlier than protein at a given retinal point, indicating that only short delays occur between mRNA expression and translation into protein. Cones containing both S and L/M opsin (S+L/M) appear around the fovea shortly after L/M opsin is expressed, are found in more peripheral retina at older ages, and decrease in number after birth. Some S+L/M cones are still detected in adult retina. Both S opsin protein and mRNA appear significantly earlier than L/M mRNA or protein across the human retina, suggesting that the two cone types differentiate under independent controlling factors. However, the presence of single cones containing both S and L/M opsin during development suggests that human cones can respond to the factors controlling expression of each opsin. J. Comp. Neurol. 425:545–559, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Efficacy and tolerability of intravenous iron dextran and oral iron in inflammatory bowel disease: a case-matched study in clinical practice

Objectives Iron deficiency anaemia is common in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, the optimum route of administration of iron replacement therapy is unclear. As inflammation may limit the absorption and efficacy of oral iron, we hypothesized that in routine clinical practice IV iron would be more effective than oral iron in patients with IBD matched for disease type, extent and activity. Methods Thirty-three IBD patients who had received IV iron dextran (Cosmofer) in 2008–2010 were identified and matched for age, sex, diagnosis and baseline disease activity, extent and behaviour to IBD patients given oral iron. Results Patients given IV iron dextran were more anaemic at baseline than those receiving oral iron. Although haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations were normalized in about a third of patients, and increased significantly in both groups, the mean increase in Hb after 8 weeks was greater in the iron dextran group [2.0 g/dl (0.3) vs. 0.6 g/dl (0.1), P<0.0001]. Response to oral or IV iron was unrelated to age, sex, ethnicity, disease duration, extent or activity. Fifteen percent (five out of 33) patients discontinued oral iron because of gastrointestinal side-effects and a further two out of 35 had anaphylactoid reactions to the IV iron dextran test doses. Neither of the iron formulations worsened disease activity. Conclusion In routine clinical practice, in anaemic patients with IBD of similar type, extent and activity, IV Cosmofer is more efficacious in increasing Hb concentration than oral iron. Active disease does not impair the response to either IV or oral iron in patients with IBD, and neither product itself worsens disease activity.
Variable effect of angiotensin infusion on left ventricular function.

The relation between left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and stroke work index was inconsistent during increases in afterload with intravenous angiotensin in six conscious dogs and on several determinations in individual dogs. Left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters increased and stroke excursion (EDD-ESD) decreased during angiotensin infusion.