Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Widening Participation in Australian Higher Education: Report Submitted to HEFCE and OFFA

The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) commissioned the Centre for Enterprise (CFE) and Edge Hill University to produce a report on effective approaches to widening participation in six case study countries: the Netherlands, the US, Australia, South Africa, Norway and Ireland. The review was commissioned to inform the national strategy for access and student success which HEFCE and the Office for Fair Access are jointly developing. This report documents the current approach to widening participation in Australian higher education (as at May 2013). Widening participation policy has a long history in Australian higher education, arguably beginning with the establishment of the nation’s first university (the University of Sydney) in the mid-1800s, which enabled access to higher education for those unable to make the long journey to England in order to take up a university place. The report begins with broad accounts of the Australian education system as backdrop to its higher education sector, before elaborating on widening participation policy and practice. The report concludes with a brief critique of these and potential points of interest for the English context.
Investors’ sentiment and accruals anomaly: European evidence

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine whether investors’ sentiment affects accruals anomaly across European countries. Design/methodology/approach The authors estimate the model using Fama–MacBeth regressions. The sample includes 54,572 firm-year observations for 4,787 European firms during the period 1994–2014. Findings The authors find that investors’ sentiment influences accruals mispricing across European countries. The effect is pronounced for stocks whose valuations are highly subjective and difficult to arbitrage. The cross-country analysis provides evidence that sentiment influences accruals anomaly in countries with weaker outside shareholder rights, lower legal enforcement, lower equity market development, higher allowance of accrual accounting and in countries where herd-like behavior and overreaction behavior are strong. Research limitations/implications The findings suggest the generalizability of the sentiment-accruals anomaly relation in European countries characterized by different cultural values, levels of economic development and legal tradition. Practical implications The findings suggest to caution individuals investors. These investors would be wise to take into account the impact of sentiment on the performance of their portfolio. They must keep in mind that periods of high optimism are accompanied by a high level of accruals and followed by low future stock returns. Originality/value The research supplements previous American studies by showing the significance of the level of sentiment in understanding the accruals anomaly in Europe. Hence, it is important for future studies to consider investor sentiment as an important time-series determinant of the accruals anomaly, particularly for stocks that are hard to value and difficult to arbitrage.
Construction and Manipulation of a New Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Bacterial Artificial Chromosome Clone

ABSTRACT Efficient genetic modification of herpesviruses such as Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) has come to rely on bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) technology. In order to facilitate this approach, we generated a new KSHV BAC clone, called BAC16, derived from the rKSHV.219 virus, which stems from KSHV and Epstein-Barr virus-coinfected JSC1 primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) cells. Restriction enzyme and complete sequencing data demonstrate that the KSHV of JSC1 PEL cells showed a minimal level of sequence variation across the entire viral genome compared to the complete genomic sequence of other KSHV strains. BAC16 not only stably propagated in both Escherichia coli and mammalian cells without apparent genetic rearrangements, but also was capable of robustly producing infectious virions (∼5 × 107/ml). We also demonstrated the utility of BAC16 by generating deletion mutants of either the K3 or K5 genes, whose products are E3 ligases of the membrane-associated RING-CH (MARCH) family. While previous studies have shown that individual expression of either K3 or K5 results in efficient downregulation of the surface expression of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules, we found that K5, but not K3, was the primary factor critical for the downregulation of MHC-I surface expression during KSHV lytic reactivation or following de novo infection. The data presented here demonstrate the utility of BAC16 for the generation and characterization of KSHV knockout and mutant recombinants and further emphasize the importance of functional analysis of viral genes in the context of the KSHV genome besides the study of individual gene expression.
Diabetes, Intermittent Claudication, and Risk of Cardiovascular Events: The Framingham Study

The impact of diabetes on intermittent claudication was examined in 1813 men and 2504 women with 34-yr follow-up data in the Framingham study. For both sexes, diabetes was associated with a two- to threefold excess risk of intermittent claudication compared with its absence. A pronounced excess risk was also observed in subjects on oral hypoglycemic therapy and in women receiving insulin. Although diabetes was often associated with an atherogenic-risk profile, controlling for age and several concomitant risk factors failed to eliminate the association with intermittent claudication. Those who developed both intermittent claudication and diabetes were at an especially high risk of incident cardiovascular events. In women, the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and cardiac failure was increased 3–4 times when diabetes and intermittent claudication occurred together compared with when either condition existed alone. In diabetic men, the presence of intermittent claudication doubled the risk of stroke, and cardiac failure was ∼3 times more likely in subjects with both conditions compared with either alone. We conclude that diabetes is an important risk factor for intermittent claudication, which in turn confers a serious prognosis for subsequent cardiovascular outcomes in the patient with diabetes.
Association between hypertensive urgencies and subsequent cardiovascular events in patients with hypertension

Objective To determine whether patients with hypertensive urgency have a higher risk for subsequent cardiovascular events compared with hypertensive patients without this event. Methods Overall, 384 patients with hypertensive urgency and 295 control patients were followed up for at least 2 years. Hypertensive urgency was defined as a systolic blood pressure above 220 mmHg and/or a diastolic blood pressure above 120 mmHg without any evidence of acute end-organ damage. The control group consisted of patients admitted to the emergency department with a systolic blood pressure between 135 to 180 mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure between 85–110 mmHg. The number of cardiovascular events defined as acute coronary syndrome, acute stroke, atrial fibrillation, acute left ventricular failure and aortic aneurysm were consecutively analyzed during follow-up. The median follow-up time was 4.2 years (interquartile range 2.9–5.7 years). Twenty-six patients of the urgency group and 23 patients of the control group were lost for follow-up. Results Overall, 117 (17%) patients had nonfatal clinical cardiovascular events and 13 had (2%) fatal cardiovascular events. The frequency of cardiovascular events was significantly higher in patients with hypertensive urgencies (88 vs. 42; P = 0.005). The Cox regression analysis identified age (P < 0.001) and hypertensive urgencies (P = 0.035) as independent predictors for subsequent cardiovascular events. Conclusions Hypertensive urgencies are associated with an increased risk for subsequent cardiovascular events in patients with arterial hypertension.
The Complex Relationship between Value of Invention, Prolific Inventor Productivity and Mobility: a Five Countries Analysis, 1975-2002

The aim of this paper is to provide new insights into (1) the determinants of the value of inventions and (2) the role that mobility plays in the behavior of prolific inventors, whom we identify based on the number of patents exceeding a threshold of productivity. We examine mobility in two dimensions: from firm to firm (inter-firm) and from one technical field to another. We exploit data on patents filed by inventors from five countries (France, uk, Germany, us and Japan) in the USPTO during the period from 1975 to 2002. From our regressions, we show that: (1) as predicted by evolutionary theory, inventor productivity is a positive determinant of invention value, (2) inter-firm mobility is a consistently positive determinant of productivity and (3) technological mobility is a negative determinant.
Secondary Alveolar Bone Grafting: Our Experience With Olecranon Bone Graft

Management of alveolar cleft has dramatically changed during the last century: secondary alveolar bone grafting is now an integral part of cleft palate and craniofacial center's protocols. The objectives of alveolar repair and bone grafting are as follows: providing a continuous and stable maxillary dental arch, closure of oronasal fistulae, adequate bone for tooth eruption or orthodontic movement, and nasal base support, improving facial aesthetic. Although cancellous iliac bone is the donor site selected more frequently, bone grafts harvested from different sites have been advocated to decrease donor site morbidity.The aim of this study was to propose and evaluate the use of olecranon as a donor site in 24 patients with secondary alveolar cleft. The graft is taken as a single piece to fit the alveolar cleft defect, and it includes periosteum and corticocancellous bone to improve early vascularization and greater volume maintenance.
Drug use, sexual risk behaviour and sexually transmitted infections among swingers: a cross-sectional study in The Netherlands

Objectives Recreational drug use has been found to be associated with high-risk sexual behaviour and with sexually transmitted infections (STI). This study is the first to assess the prevalence of drug use among swingers (heterosexuals who, as a couple, practise mate swapping or group sex, and/or visit sex clubs for couples), and its association with high-risk sexual behaviour and STI. Methods We recruited individuals who self-identified as swingers and visited our STI clinic (from 2009 to 2012, South Limburg, The Netherlands). Participants (n=289; median age 45 years; 49% female) filled in a self-administered questionnaire on their sexual and drug use behaviour while swinging, over the preceding 6 months. We assessed associations between sexual behaviour, drug use and STI diagnoses (Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B) using logistic regression analyses. Results Overall, the prevalence of CT and/or NG was 13%. No other STIs were observed. Seventy-nine percent of swingers reported recreational drug use (including alcohol and use of erectile dysfunction drugs); 46% of them reported multiple drug use. Recreational drug use excluding alcohol and erectile dysfunction drugs (reported by 48%) was associated with high-risk behaviours in men and women. Drug use was independently associated with STI in female swingers, especially those who practice group sex. Conclusions High rates of multiple drug use, as well as risky sexual behaviour and STIs among swingers, warrant paying more attention to this key population in prevention and care, as they are a risk group that is generally under-recognised and underserved in care.
Multicultural personality and posttraumatic stress in U.S. service members.

OBJECTIVE Modern military missions place numerous demands on service members, including tactical, personal, and cultural challenges. The purpose of this study was to explore how domains of multicultural personality (cultural empathy, open-mindedness, social initiative, emotional stability, and flexibility) and combat exposure relate to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in service members. METHOD Participants (N = 163) completed the Multicultural Personality Questionnaire, Combat Exposure Scale, and PTSD Checklist-Military as part of an online survey. The majority of participants were Caucasian (87%), mean age was 33 years, and all were deployed at least once to Iraq or Afghanistan RESULTS Regression results indicated that higher levels of combat exposure and open-mindedness and lower levels of flexibility and emotional stability were significant predictors of higher PTSD severity. The interactions between combat exposure and flexibility and combat exposure and openness were also significant. CONCLUSION Higher levels of flexibility and emotional stability seem particularly important in their association with lower PTSD severity for service members.
Job satisfaction among deputy head teachers of public secondary schools in Nairobi province

The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of job satisfaction among deputy headteachers of Nairobi Province public secondary schools. The study attempted to establish the job factors that cause job satisfaction in deputy headteachers in the province. It also investigated whether there is any relationship between job satisfaction and the independent variables o f age, gender, marital status, academic qualification, job experience, and category of school. The research instrument used was a questionnaire, which was personally administered by the researcher to the target population of all the forty-seven deputy headteachers of Nairobi Province public secondary schools. The instrument contained thirty-one items. The questionnaires were collected after having been filled by the respondents. UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI EAST AFRICANA COUECTJO* The data was analyzed to test the null hypotheses. The t-test method was used to analyze null hypotheses Hoi Ho2 and Ho3 which were concerned with determining whether there is any significant difference between job satisfaction of deputy headteachers of Nairobi Province public secondary schools and their gender or marital status respectively. One-way ANOVA technique was used to test hypotheses, Ho4, Ho5 and Ho6. These hypotheses were used to test whether there is any significant difference between job satisfaction of the deputy head teachers and their age, academic qualifications, job experience or category of
Private pharmacies and tuberculosis control: a survey of case detection skills and reported anti-tuberculosis drug dispensing in private pharmacies in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

SETTING Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam. OBJECTIVES To assess knowledge about tuberculosis, to describe self-reported dispensing practices and to estimate the magnitude of anti-tuberculosis drug dispensing in private pharmacies. DESIGN Survey of a random sample of 147 private pharmacies out of a total of 1814 registered pharmacies. Interviews were carried out based on a structured questionnaire. RESULTS Eighteen per cent of interviewees identified TB as a possible diagnosis for a fictitious case with fever and cough for 4 weeks. Fifty-eight per cent reported selling anti-tuberculosis drugs often or sometimes. Interviewees estimated that 1.3 persons on average (95%CI 0.6-1.9) had bought anti-tuberculosis drugs during the last 4-week period, and that 24% of them had bought anti-tuberculosis drugs without a prescription. CONCLUSION We have estimated that between 1100 and 3400 persons buy anti-tuberculosis drugs each month in the 1814 registered private pharmacies in HCMC, that about a quarter of them do so without a prescription, and that at least 40% of all anti-tuberculosis drug dispensing in HCMC occurs in the private sector. Regulations need to be put in place urgently and collaboration strengthened between the strong National Tuberculosis Programme and the unorganised private sector in HCMC.
Hyaluronan in serum as an indicator of progressive disease in hyaluronan‐producing malignant mesothelioma

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is associated in up to 70% of cases with an elevated content of hyaluronan (HYA) in the pleural fluid. Increased levels of circulating HYA have also been described. The clinical course of the disease can be followed by computed tomography (CT), although there are disadvantages with serial CT scans. An easily analyzed blood test, such as HYA in serum, would be of value for clinical follow‐up. The purpose of this study was to relate changes in serum HYA to changes in quantitative estimations of tumor volume in cases of mesothelioma.
[Abnormal expression of fragile histidine triad (FHIT) and Mut S homolog 2 (MSH2) proteins in human sporadic colorectal carcinoma and their clinical significance].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE Frequent loss of fragile histidine triad (FHIT) expression in human gastrointestinal tract carcinomas has been reported; however, there were divergent opinions regarding FHIT expression in colorectal carcinoma. Recent studies have suggested that FHIT inactivation can be a consequence of defects in mismatch repair proteins, particularly mut S homolog 2 (MSH2). This study was designed to investigate the expression and clinical significance of FHIT and MSH2 proteins in human sporadic colorectal carcinoma (SCC). METHODS Immunohistochemistry SP method was used to determine the expression of FHIT and MSH2 in surgically resected specimens of 84 SCC and its corresponding paratumor normal colorectal tissues, and 23 cases of colonic adenomas. RESULTS The positive expression rates of FHIT protein were 48.81%, 73.91%, and 100% in SCC, colonic adenomas, and adjacent normal colorectal tissues, respectively. The positive expression rates of FHIT protein showed increasing trend from SCC, colonic adenomas, to paratumor normal colorectal tissues; and the difference was statistically significant (P< 0.05). The expression levels of FHIT were not associated with age, gender, tumor site, and histological type (P >0.05), but were correlated with tumor invasive depth, differentiation degree, Dukes,stage, and lymph node metastasis (P< 0.05). The tumor tissues of deeper invade depth, lower differentiation degree, later Ducks,stage and with lymph node metastasis showed more reduction of FHIT protein expression. The expression level of MSH2 was only related to Dukes, stage (P< 0.05). FHIT expression was closely associated with MSH2 expression in SCC (r=0.3728,P< 0.01). CONCLUSION (1) Loss or reduction of FHIT protein expression plays an important role in the development and progression of SCC. The expression levels of FHIT protein are related to the malignant degree of SCC and may be a valuable biological indicator for predicting the potent invasion and metastasis of SCC. (2) FHIT protein expression is in a positive correlation fashion with MSH2 protein expression in SCC.
Functional Langerinhigh-Expressing Langerhans-like Cells Can Arise from CD14highCD16− Human Blood Monocytes in Serum-Free Condition

Langerhans cells (LCs) are epithelial APCs that sense danger signals and in turn trigger specific immune responses. In steady-state, they participate in the maintenance of peripheral tolerance to self-antigens whereas under inflammation LCs efficiently trigger immune responses in secondary lymphoid organs. It has been demonstrated in mice that LC-deprived epithelia are rapidly replenished by short half-life langerin-expressing monocyte-derived LCs (MDLCs). These surrogate LCs are thought to be progressively replaced by langerinhigh LCs arising from self-renewing epithelial precursors of hematopoietic origin. How LCs arise from blood monocytes is not fully understood. Hence, we sought to characterize key factors that induce differentiation of langerinhigh-expressing monocyte-derived Langerhans-like cells. We identified GM-CSF and TGF-β1 as key cytokines to generate langerinhigh-expressing cells but only in serum-free conditions. These cells were shown to express the LC-specific TROP-2 and Axl surface markers and contained Birbeck granules. Surprisingly, E-cadherin was not spontaneously expressed by these cells but required a direct contact with keratinocytes to be stably induced. MDLCs induced stronger allogeneic T cell proliferations but released low amounts of inflammatory cytokines upon TLR stimulation compared with donor-paired monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Immature langerinhigh MDLCs were responsive to MIP-3β/CCL20 and CTAC/CCL27 chemokine stimulations. Finally, we demonstrated that those cells behaved as bona fide LCs when inserted in a three-dimensional rebuilt epithelium by becoming activated upon TLR or UV light stimulations. Collectively, these results prompt us to propose these langerinhigh MDLCs as a relevant model to address LC biology–related questions.
Identification of strategies to facilitate organ donation among African Americans using the nominal group technique.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES African Americans are disproportionately affected by ESRD, but few receive a living donor kidney transplant. Surveys assessing attitudes toward donation have shown that African Americans are less likely to express a willingness to donate their own organs. Studies aimed at understanding factors that may facilitate the willingness of African Americans to become organ donors are needed. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS A novel formative research method was used (the nominal group technique) to identify and prioritize strategies for facilitating increases in organ donation among church-attending African Americans. Four nominal group technique panel interviews were convened (three community and one clergy). Each community panel represented a distinct local church; the clergy panel represented five distinct faith-based denominations. Before nominal group technique interviews, participants completed a questionnaire that assessed willingness to become a donor; 28 African-American adults (≥19 years old) participated in the study. RESULTS In total, 66.7% of participants identified knowledge- or education-related strategies as most important strategies in facilitating willingness to become an organ donor, a view that was even more pronounced among clergy. Three of four nominal group technique panels rated a knowledge-based strategy as the most important and included strategies, such as information on donor involvement and donation-related risks; 29.6% of participants indicated that they disagreed with deceased donation, and 37% of participants disagreed with living donation. Community participants' reservations about becoming an organ donor were similar for living (38.1%) and deceased (33.4%) donation; in contrast, clergy participants were more likely to express reservations about living donation (33.3% versus 16.7%). CONCLUSIONS These data indicate a greater opposition to living donation compared with donation after one's death among African Americans and suggest that improving knowledge about organ donation, particularly with regard to donor involvement and donation-related risks, may facilitate increases in organ donation. Existing educational campaigns may fall short of meeting information needs of African Americans.