Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis in Manila, Philippines, 1994 to 1996.

BACKGROUND Effective vaccines against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) have shown impressive results in decreasing Hib meningitis in developed countries. In the Philippines Hib vaccines are not part of the routine immunization given to children. Before a decision can be made to include Hib vaccines in immunization program, epidemiology of Hib meningitis in Manila, Philippines, should first be described. METHODOLOGY A cohort of 41,592 children <5 years of age in Central Manila was the study population. Confirmed cases between January, 1994, and December, 1996, were obtained from all hospitals in the region. Confirmation of cases was based on positive culture isolated from blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or Hib antigen identified in CSF with a clinical diagnosis of Hib meningitis. The progress of children with Hib meningitis postinfection was evaluated from hospital records. RESULTS There were 118 episodes of Hib meningitis identified in the population in the study period. Sequelae occurred in 15% of the total cases, and the case fatality rate was 11%. The annual incidence of Hib meningitis in Manila for children <5 years old was 95 per 100,000. CONCLUSIONS Hib meningitis in Central Manila is common. The incidence is particularly high in children <6 months old. Adverse neurologic outcomes and a high case fatality rate in children younger than 1 year suggest that a vaccination program would be useful.
INFORMAL LEARNING AT WORK CONTEXT: A META-STUDY OF BRAZILIAN SCIENTIFIC PRODUCTION

Purpose: This study aimed at analyzing Brazilian scientific production about informal learning at work context in journals of Administration. Originalityvalue: Especially in Brazil, research on informal learning is featured as shallow, scattered type. Therefore this is a latent topic in the field of organizational learning. The aim, thus, is providing contribution to the characterization of this subject, indicating gaps and research possibilities from national scientific production. Design/methodology/approach: a meta-study analyzing a set of 36 studies published in Business journals was developed for this purpose, with no initial time delimitation until 2016. Findings: Results obtained indicated a slow increase on publications about informal learning since 2010. It can be inferred that researches aiming specifically at informal learning still occupy a small backward space highlighted by the investigation of how learning processes take place, mostly by means of qualitative researches, in a clear attempt to comprehending such phenomenon.
Predicting fluid responsiveness in ICU patients: a critical analysis of the evidence.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To identify and critically review the published peer-reviewed, English-language studies investigating predictive factors of fluid responsiveness in ICU patients. DESIGN Studies were collected by doing a search in MEDLINE (from 1966) and scanning the reference lists of the articles. Studies were selected according to the following criteria: volume expansion performed in critically ill patients, patients classified in two groups (responders and nonresponders) according to the effects of volume expansion on stroke volume or on cardiac output, and comparison of responder and nonresponder patients' characteristics before volume expansion. RESULTS Twelve studies were analyzed in which the parameters tested were as follows: (1) static indicators of cardiac preload (right atrial pressure [RAP], pulmonary artery occlusion pressure [PAOP], right ventricular end-diastolic volume [RVEDV], and left ventricular end-diastolic area [LVEDA]); and (2) dynamic parameters (inspiratory decrease in RAP [Delta RAP], expiratory decrease in arterial systolic pressure [Delta down], respiratory changes in pulse pressure [Delta PP], and respiratory changes in aortic blood velocity [Delta Vpeak]). Before fluid infusion, RAP, PAOP, RVEDV, and LVEDA were not significantly lower in responders than in nonresponders in three of five studies, in seven of nine studies, in four of six studies, and in one of three studies, respectively. When a significant difference was found, no threshold value could discriminate responders and nonresponders. Before fluid infusion, Delta RAP, Delta down, Delta PP, and Delta Vpeak were significantly higher in responders, and a threshold value predicted fluid responsiveness with high positive (77 to 95%) and negative (81 to 100%) predictive values. CONCLUSION Dynamic parameters should be used preferentially to static parameters to predict fluid responsiveness in ICU patients.
Fractionation of Transformable Bacteria from Competent Cultures of Bacillus subtilis on Renografin Gradients

A population of Bacillus subtilis can be fractionated into at least two components on the basis of their buoyant densities on a Renografin gradient. In competent cultures, most, and perhaps all, of the competent bacteria appear in the lighter fraction which composes 2 to 10% of the bulk population. These “lighter” bacteria are the only bacteria capable of incorporating transforming deoxyribonucleic acid.
The impacts of independent director and CEO duality on performance in the Chinese post‐institutional‐transition era

This paper investigates the influence of corporate governance on performance of modern Chinese firms. Prior studies reveal inconclusive results about the relationship between corporate governance and firm performance. Little research investigates the performance implications of board structure in the post-institutional-transition era in China. Based on agency and resource dependence theories, it examines the impacts of board composition and leadership structure on the performance of Chinese manufacturing firms that went public on the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges in 2010. The findings show that separating the posts of CEO and chairman promotes better performance. However, appointing a larger proportion of outside independent directors to the board insignificantly affects performance. This research provides partial support for agency theory and extended insights into corporate governance in emerging economy firms.
Non‐random chromosomal rearrangements in pancreatic cancer cell lines identified by spectral karyotyping

The molecular events involved in pancreatic cancer are becoming increasingly well characterized, with mutations in the dominant oncogene KRAS and the tumour suppressor genes TP53, CDKN2A and MADH4 being typically observed. However, other genetic abnormalities remain to be identified and molecular cytogenetics may be useful to detect chromosomal loci involved in recurrent rearrangements. We have used spectral karyotyping to characterize cytogenetic aberrations in a panel of 20 human pancreatic carcinoma cell lines and confirmed their identities by dual and triple color fluorescence in situ hybridization. The most common partial or whole‐arm gains involved 5p, 7q, 12p, 1q, 7p, 5q, 9p, 9q and 11p. The most common partial or whole‐arm losses affected 9p, 11q, 18q, 3p, 2q and 1p, as well as the short arms of the acrocentric chromosomes. Spectral karyotyping allowed us to identify a number of recurrent structural aberrations, all of them unbalanced: most frequently i(5)(p10), del(11)(q23), i(12)(p10), i(1)(q10), del(7)(q22) and del(10)(p11). Spectral karyotyping mapped the complex aberrations occurring in pancreatic cancer cell lines and identified non‐random patterns of chromosomal rearrangement. This comprehensive characterization should be useful to direct future investigation. The observation that loss at 11q and gains at 5p with i(5)(p10) and 12p with i(12)(p10) are more frequent changes than previously reported would justify more intensive investigation of these chromosomal regions. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Temporal-frequency tuning of direction selectivity in cat visual cortex

Abstract Responses of 71 cells in areas 17 and 18 of the cat visual cortex were recorded extracellularly while stimulating with gratings drifting in each direction across the receptive field at a series of temporal frequencies. Direction selectivity was most prominent at temporal frequencies of 1–2 Hz. In about 20% of the total population, the response in the nonpreferred direction increased at temporal frequencies of around 4 Hz and direction selectivity was diminished or lost. In a few cells the preferred direction reversed. One consequence of this behavior was a tendency for the preferred direction to have lower optimal temporal frequencies than the nonpreferred direction. Across the population, the preferred direction was tuned almost an octave lower. In spite of this, temporal resolution was similar in the two directions. It appeared that responses in the nonpreferred direction were suppressed at low frequencies, then recovered at higher frequencies. This phenomenon might reflect the convergence in visual cortex of lagged and nonlagged inputs from the lateral geniculate nucleus. These afferents fire about a quarter-cycle apart (i.e. are in temporal quadrature) at low temporal frequencies, but their phase difference increases to a half-cycle by about 4 Hz. Such timing differences could underlie the prevalence of direction-selective cortical responses at 1 and 2 Hz and the loss of direction selectivity in many cells by 4 or 8 Hz.
Perceived barriers and facilitators to positive therapeutic change for people with intellectual disabilities

Studies have highlighted successful outcomes of psychological therapies for people with intellectual disabilities. However, processes underlying these outcomes are uncertain. Thematic analysis was used to explore the perceptions of three clinical psychologists, six clients and six carers of barriers and facilitators to therapeutic change for people with intellectual disabilities. Six themes were identified relating to: what the client brings as an individual and with regard to their wider system; therapy factors, including the therapeutic relationship and adaptations; psychologists acting as a ‘mental health GP’ to coordinate care; systemic dependency; and the concept of the revolving door in intellectual disability services. The influence of barriers and facilitators to change is complex, with facilitators overcoming barriers and yet simultaneously creating more barriers. Given their potential impact on the psychologists’ roles and access to therapy for people with intellectual disabilities, findings suggest these factors should be formulated as part of the therapeutic process.
Assessment of left ventricular function by tissue Doppler echocardiography in pediatric chronic kidney disease

Abstract Background: Cardiovascular (CV) disease remains the most common cause of mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 43 pediatric patients with CKD were divided into two groups according to their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): groups 1 and 2 (eGR; 29–75 and 15–29 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively). M – mode, conventional pulsed wave Doppler (cPWD) echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) were performed in all patients and 16 healthy controls. Maximal early (E wave) and late (A wave) diastolic flow velocities were assessed by cPWD. Using TDI, the early (E′) and late (A′) diastolic filling velocities were recorded. Early and late diastoles were evaluated using E′ values and E/E′ ratios, respectively. Results: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was determined in 19/43 (44.2%) patients. The E/E′ ratio was significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1 and controls. E/E′ was found to be positively correlated with left ventricular mass (LVM) index, and negatively with hemoglobin (Hb) levels. Low Hb levels were only independent predictor of E/E′ (p = 0.001, β: −0.470, 95% CI: −0.764; −0.196). E′ ratio was significantly lower in both patient groups compared to the controls. Conclusions: LVH and diastolic dysfunction are already present in early stages of CKD. Treatment of risk factors, such as anemia, is important to improve the clinical outcome.
Effectiveness of needle/syringe programmes and opiate substitution therapy in preventing HCV transmission among people who inject drugs.

This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows: To assess the impact of needle/syringe programmes with and without opiate substitution therapy (OST) on the incidence of HCV infection among people who inject drugs (PWID). To assess the effect of OST alone on the incidence of HCV infection among PWID. RESEARCH QUESTIONS How effective are needle/syringe programmes (NSP) with and without the use of OST for reducing HCV incidence among PWID? How effective is OST alone for reducing HCV incidence among PWID? How does the effect of NSP and OST vary according to duration of treatment (i.e. for NSPs weekly attendance versus monthly)? How does the effect of NSP vary according to the type of service (fixed site versus mobile; high coverage versus low coverage)? How does the effect of OST vary according to the dosage of OST, type of substitution used and adherence to treatment?
13C and 15N isotopic fractionation in trees, soils and fungi in a natural forest stand and a Norway spruce plantation

Abstract15N and 13C natural abundances of foliage, branches, trunks, litter, soil, fungal sporophores, mycorrhizas and mycelium were determined in two forest stands, a natural forest and a Norway spruce plantation, to obtain some insights into the role of the functional diversity of saprotrophic and ectomycorrhizal fungi in carbon and nitrogen cycles. Almost all saprotrophic fungi sporophores were enriched in 13C relative to their substrate. In contrast, they exhibited no or very little shift of δ15N. Judging from the amount of C discrimination, ectomycorrhizal fungi seem to acquire carbon from their host or from dead organic matter. Some ectomycorrhizal species seem able to acquire nitrogen from dead organic matter and could be able to transfer it to their host without nitrogen fractionation, while others supply their host with 15N-depleted nitrogen. Moreover ectomycorrhizal species displayed a significant N fractionation during sporophore differentiation, while saprotrophic fungi did not. RésuméLes abondances naturelles du 15N et du 13C de la masse foliaire, des branches, des troncs, de la litière, du sol, des carpophores, des mycorhizes et du mycélium, ont été déterminées dans deux peuplements forestiers, une forêt naturelle et une plantation d’épicéas, afin d’obtenir quelques précisions sur le rôle de la diversité fonctionnelle des champignons saprophytes et ectomycorhiziens dans le cycle du carbone et de l’azote. Presque tous les champignons saprophytes présentent un enrichissement en 13C relativement à leur substrat. Par contre, ils ne présentent pas ou ne présentent que très peu de modifications du δ15N. En fonction de leur taux de discrimination du carbone, les champignons ectomycorhiziens semblent pouvoir acquérir du carbone à la fois à partir de leur hôte et de la matière organique morte. Quelques espèces semblent capables d’acquérir de l’azote organique du sol et de le transférer sans fractionnement à leur hôte alors que d’autres fournissent leur hôte en azote appauvri en 15N. De plus, les espèces ectomycorhiziennes présentent un fractionnement significatif de l’azote pendant la différentiation des carpophores, alors que les champignons saprophytes n’en présentent pas.
Tax smoothing with immigration in an overlapping generations economy

ABSTRACT Immigration policy in an overlapping generations economy is politically determined in response to government spending shocks, where the government finances its spending with proportional income taxes and is subject to a balanced budget. The young cohort is always the majority and dictates policy. The equilibrium Markovian strategy allows immigrants when the spending shock is above some threshold and this implies a particular form of tax smoothing.
Avian Influenza Virus Surveillance in Hunter-Harvested Waterfowl, Texas Coast, September 2009–January 2010

SUMMARY. Wild waterfowl are considered the natural reservoir of type A influenza viruses, and the migratory nature of many waterfowl species presents a possible vehicle for global dissemination of these infectious agents. In order to fully understand the ecology of influenza viruses, multiyear surveillance efforts are critical, particularly in understudied areas, such as waterfowl wintering areas. Herein we report results obtained during the fifth year of a 5-yr avian influenza virus (AIV) surveillance project conducted on waterfowl wintering grounds of the Texas Coast. During year 5, the 2009–2010 hunting season (September, November–January), 655 cloacal swabs were collected from hunter-harvested waterfowl and screened for AIV by real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR) followed by virus isolation on all positive samples. Molecular methods were used for subtyping all AIV isolates. Sixty-five (9.5%) samples were positive for AIV by rRT-PCR, and 24 (3.7%) AIVs were isolated. Eight different hemagglutinin (H3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, and 11) and seven different neuraminidase (N1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 9) subtypes were identified. This was the first year H8 and H9 were isolated throughout the 5-yr survey. Our results support the fact that continued multiyear surveillance of natural reservoirs, particularly in understudied areas, is needed in order to better understand the ecology of AIVs in nature.
GRP78 Interacting Partner Bag5 Responds to ER Stress and Protects Cardiomyocytes From ER Stress‐Induced Apoptosis

Bag5 is a member of the BAG family of molecular chaperone regulators and is unusual in that it consists of five BAG domains, which function as modulators of chaperone activity. Bag family proteins play a key role in cellular as well as in cardiac function and their differential expression is reported in heart failure. In this study, we examined the importance of a Bag family member protein, Bag5, in cardiomyocytes during endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. We found that expression of Bag5 in cardiomyocytes is significantly increased with the induction of ER stress in a time dependent manner. We have taken gain‐in and loss‐of functional approaches to characterize Bag5 protein function in cardiomyocytes. Adenoviral mediated expression of Bag5 significantly decreased cell death as well as improved cellular viability in ER stress. Along with this, ER stress‐induced CHOP protein expression is significantly decreased in cells that overexpress Bag5. Conversely, we found that siRNA‐mediated knockdown of Bag5 caused cell death, increased cytotoxicity, and decreased cellular viability in cardiomyocytes. Mechanistically, we found that Bag5 protein expression is significantly increased in the ER during ER stress and that this in turn modulates GRP78 protein stability and reduces ER stress. This study suggests that Bag5 is an important regulator of ER function and so could be exploited as a tool to improve cardiomyocyte function under stress conditions. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 1813–1821, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Holy Quran Digitization: Challenges and Concerns

Quran is the sacred, the most authentic, and unchanged book of the God since its revelation over 14 centuries. People usually read Quran using the traditional printed version on paperback format called Mushaf. The recent advent of smart technologies like smart phones, digital devices and tablets has collected the daily life routines under a single touch and Muslims are adopting these new tools with an exponential growth. In this paper, we highlight the challenges and concerns Muslim community has relevant to the digitization of the Holy Quran. A survey was conducted to explore the trends and adoption of technology using digital and smart devices for reading and learning Quran in the Muslim community. In addition, it was also endeavored to identify that how Muslims feel important or mandatory to have an Islamic body to monitor and endorse the digital versions and copies of the Holy Quran available in the digital format. The paper is supported by tactful survey results and analysis extracted from 17 questions and 668 responses from different parts of the world. [Muhammad Khurram Khan, Yasser M. Alginahi. The Holy Quran Digitization: Challenges and Concerns, Life Sci J 2013;10(2):156-164]. (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite. com. 24
Multidrug resistance 1 gene polymorphism and susceptibility to inflammatory bowel disease

Background Several studies have evaluated the role of the multidrug resistance 1 gene (MDR1) polymorphism, which encodes the membrane‐bound efflux transporter P‐glycoprotein 170, in determining susceptibility to and disease behavior in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but with conflicting results. Methods A total of 211 patients with Crohn's disease (CD), 97 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), and 212 control subjects were investigated for the presence of MDR1 G2677T/A and C3435T polymorphisms. Genotype frequencies of CD and UC patients were compared to those observed in a control population. Genotype–phenotype correlations with major clinical features were also established and estimated risks (odds ratio [OR] with 95% confidence interval [CI]) for the mutations were calculated by a logistic regression analysis and multiple correspondent analysis. Results No significant difference was observed for genotype frequencies for both MDR1 G2677T/A and C3435T polymorphisms on overall disease susceptibility for either CD or UC patients compared with control subjects. A significant association was found between the MDR1 C3435T polymorphism and patients with ileo‐colonic CD (OR = 3.34; 95% CI: 1.34–8.27). Interestingly, a negative association was found between MDR1 C3435T polymorphism in patients with a positive family history for IBD (OR = 0.44; 95% CI: 0.20–0.95) and articular manifestations (OR = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.13–0.68). Both susceptible and protective effects were identified. No significant association between G2677T/A polymorphism and any specific subphenotypes was found, nor was there any association with subphenotypic categories of UC and both single nucleotide polymorphisms. Conclusions The results of our study suggest that MDR1 gene polymorphism could have a role in determining susceptibility to IBD. The variability of this possible effect in the several studies reported so far may be the indirect expression of the complex role played by the MDR1 gene and its product, P‐glycoprotein 170, in the regulation of host–bacteria interactions and in the pathogenesis of IBD. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2007)