Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The ‘Only Child’ as an Issue in Adoption Policy: Myth & Evidence

Neither State nor private adoption agencies in Australia give preference to childless applicants over applicants who already have one child. This policy is presumed to be in ‘the best interest of the child’, and is based on the belief that being an only child leads to maladjustment. Empirical evidence indicates, however, that in general only children are in fact better adjusted than children from larger families. Consequently, not only has the existing policy no substance but also it denies natural justice to the childless couples who have to wait to start their adoptive family. In the past two decades there has been a complete reversal of the supply/demand situation in the area of child adoption in Australia. At present, the number of children available for adoption is so small relative to the number of potential adopters, that approved applicants have to wait for up to eight years in N.S. W. before they can expect to have a child allotted to them. The length of this waiting period seems excessive not only in terms of the applicants’ expectations but also in terms of ordinary common sense values of the general community. If the situation is to be remedied, there is a need for a more flexible adoption policy suited to the prevailing social circumstances. A facet of this policy, which could shorten the waiting period possibly by half if adapted to the existing situation, is the proviso that all other things being equal childless applicants are given no preference over applicants who already have a natural or adopted child.
Effects of endoscopic papillary balloon dilation and endoscopic sphincterotomy on bacterial contamination of the biliary tract

Background and study aims Although endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD) has appeared with the expectation of better preserving sphincter of Oddi function than endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST), whether it can more effectively prevent bacterial contamination of the biliary tract than EST is controversial. To address this issue, we investigated the bacterial flora in the bile after the two procedures. Patients and methods Eighty-six patients were alternately allocated to EPBD or EST. Blood–liver function tests, ultrasonography, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were performed 6 months and 2 years after EPBD or EST, and the bile was sampled for bacterial culture during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Bactobilia and late complications were prospectively compared between the two procedures. Results Overall, no significant difference was found in the incidence of bactobilia between EPBD and EST at the two examination points. Limiting stone diameter to 8 mm or less, there was a trend toward lower rate of bactobilia in the EPBD group 2 years later although the statistical significance disappeared after correction for multiple comparisons. The absence rate of late complications after EPBD was higher than that after EST, but there was no significant difference between the two procedures, both for the overall patients and for the patients with small stones. Conclusion EPBD has a possibility of suppressing bacterial contamination of the biliary tract compared with EST in patients with small stones. A large, long-term follow-up, randomized, controlled trial is necessary to clarify whether this benefit of EPBD reduces late complications.
High-Throughput Cytochrome P450 Cocktail Inhibition Assay for Assessing Drug-Drug and Drug-Botanical Interactions

Detection of drug-drug interactions is essential during the early stages of drug discovery and development, and the understanding of drug-botanical interactions is important for the safe use of botanical dietary supplements. Among the different forms of drug interactions that are known, inhibition of cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes is the most common cause of drug-drug or drug-botanical interactions. Therefore, a rapid and comprehensive mass spectrometry–based in vitro high-throughput P450 cocktail inhibition assay was developed that uses 10 substrates simultaneously against nine CYP isoforms. Including probe substrates for CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, and two probes targeting different binding sites of CYP3A4/5, this cocktail simultaneously assesses at least as many P450 enzymes as previous assays while remaining among the fastest due to short incubation times and rapid analysis using ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The method was validated using known inhibitors of each P450 enzyme and then shown to be useful not only for single-compound testing but also for the evaluation of potential drug-botanical interactions using the botanical dietary supplement licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) as an example.
In vivo genotoxicity of estragole in male F344 rats

Estragole, a naturally occurring constituent of various herbs and spices, is a rodent liver carcinogen which requires bio‐activation. To further understand the mechanisms underlying its carcinogenicity, genotoxicity was assessed in F344 rats using the comet, micronucleus (MN), and DNA adduct assays together with histopathological analysis. Oxidative damage was measured using human 8‐oxoguanine‐DNA‐N‐glycosylase (hOGG1) and EndonucleaseIII (EndoIII)‐modified comet assays. Results with estragole were compared with the structurally related genotoxic carcinogen, safrole. Groups of seven‐week‐old male F344 rats received corn oil or corn oil containing 300, 600, or 1,000 mg/kg bw estragole and 125, 250, or 450 mg/kg bw safrole by gavage at 0, 24, and 45 hr and terminated at 48 hr. Estragole‐induced dose‐dependent increases in DNA damage following EndoIII or hOGG1 digestion and without enzyme treatment in liver, the cancer target organ. No DNA damage was detected in stomach, the non‐target tissue for cancer. No elevation of MN was observed in reticulocytes sampled from peripheral blood. Comet assays, both without digestion or with either EndoIII or hOGG1 digestion, also detected DNA damage in the liver of safrole‐dosed rats. No DNA damage was detected in stomach, nor was MN elevated in peripheral blood following dosing with safrole suggesting that, as far both safrole and estragole, oxidative damage may contribute to genotoxicity. Taken together, these results implicate multiple mechanisms of estragole genotoxicity. DNA damage arises from chemical‐specific interaction and is also mediated by oxidative species. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 56:356–365, 2015. © 2014 Crown copyright.
Structural Analysis of the Murine Cell Adhesion Molecule L1 by Electron Microscopy and Computer‐assisted Modelling

In the present study we have analysed the morphology of two fragments with apparent molecular weights of 180 and 140 kDa (L1‐180 and L1‐140) derived from the extracellular region of the murine neural cell adhesion molecule L1. The fragment L1‐180 consists of almost the entire extracellular part of the molecule, and is built up of six immunoglobulin‐like and five fibronectin type III‐like domains. Fragment L1‐140 lacks one‐half of the third, the fourth and the fifth fibronectin type III‐like domains. By electron microscopic analysis of rotary‐shadowed molecules, L1‐140 and L1‐180 revealed fibrillar structures 31‐43 nm long and 7‐12 nm wide with one pronounced globular terminal domain. As determined by complex formation with an L1 antibody, this terminal part of the molecule is formed by the fibronectin type III‐like domains. The individual structures showed variation and complexity, and four distinct aspects were identified. These different forms probably represent two‐dimensional projections of the same three‐dimensional helical structure. Computer‐assisted modelling of the L1 molecule, i.e. the protein backbone, showed no strong intramolecular interaction between the different fibronectin type III‐ or Ig‐like domains, suggesting that the formation of the globular part of the molecule is probably achieved by protein‐carbohydrate and/or carbohydrate‐carbohydrate rather than protein‐protein interactions. In addition, our model proposes that interactions occur within the interfaces between the different domains. The highly conserved amino acid residues in these regions point to the necessity of maintaining the orientation between the different domains.
Influence of Mechanical Vibration and Losses Under AC Operating in Bi-2223 Tapes With Ionic Liquid Impregnation

Mechanical loss in superconducting coils is one of the important parameters for the stability of high temperature superconducting coils (HTS coil). We prepared three kinds of impregnations (no impregnation, ionic liquid grease), measured the AC loss of the Bi-2223 tape under DC magnetic field in liquid nitrogen and quantitatively estimated the relation between the impregnation and losses. As a result, the loss can be reduced about 40% by using ionic liquid compared with no impregnation. We consider that the tape impregnated with ionic liquid is effective to reduce the AC loss. The results become fundamental data to reduce the AC loss of conduction-cooled HTS coils.
Why Has Growth Not Been Pro-Poor in the Philippines, and What to Do About it?: Revisiting Pro-Poor Growth Agenda

Despite the large and expanding literature on pro-poor growth, quantitative studies identifying policy levers leading to pro-poor growth remain scarce, and this paper addresses this lacuna in the literature. The main driver of rural poverty reduction shifted from agricultural to non-agricultural growth in the Philippines, but agricultural investments can be still effective in the areas with underdeveloped infrastructure. Non-agricultural income growth, on the other hand, can be made more pro-poor by lowering child mortality, facilitating international labor migration, investing in road and lowering income inequality. In terms of the relative magnitude, however, none of the initial conditions is particularly dominant.
Risk factors for community-onset urinary tract infections due to Escherichia coli harbouring extended-spectrum beta-lactamases.

OBJECTIVES Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli have been increasingly recognized in the community. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, types of ESBLs and risk factors for community-onset ESBL-producing E. coli in urinary tract infections (UTIs). METHODS Adults with community-onset UTIs due to ESBL-producing E. coli (cases) and non-ESBL-producing E. coli (controls) were identified through records of the clinical microbiology laboratory of the hospital. Two different periods were studied: from January 2000 to January 2001 and from October to December 2003. Controls were matched in a 3:1 ratio to case patients according to age, sex, date of isolation and residence in a long-term care facility. Potential risk factors were recorded. Isoelectric focusing as well as PCR and DNA sequencing were used to characterize the bla(TEM), bla(SHV) and bla(CTX-M) genes. A possible clonal relationship among the strains was determined by repetitive extragenic palindromic sequence PCR. RESULTS The prevalence of infection due to ESBL-producing E. coli increased from 0.47% in 2000 to 1.7% in 2003 (P < 0.001). Community-onset ESBL-producing E. coli infection shifted from 50% in the first period to 79.5% in 2003 (P < 0.001). Nineteen cases and 55 matched controls of community-onset ESBL-producing E. coli UTI were included. ESBL-producing E. coli strains were clonally unrelated. On univariate analysis, genitourinary pathology (P < 0.03), previous bacterial infection (P = 0.01), intravenous antibiotic treatment (P = 0.01), hospitalization in the previous 12 months (P = 0.04) and previous exposure to oral second-generation cephalosporins (P < 0.05) were associated with community-onset infection due to ESBL-producing E. coli. In our regression model, only previous exposure to second-generation cephalosporins was strongly associated with E. coli harbouring ESBLs (OR, 21.42; CI 95%, 5.38-85.22; P < 0.05). In the first period, only TEM- and SHV-derived ESBLs were identified. The enzymes were characterized as members of the TEM group (60%), SHV group (16%) and CTX-M group (24%). CONCLUSIONS We detected a marked increase in infections due to ESBL-producing E. coli, especially in the community, in the periods studied. Only previous exposure to the oxyimino cephalosporin cefuroxime, and not to ciprofloxacin, aminoglycosides or third-generation cephalosporins, was predictive of an ESBL-producing E. coli community-onset infection in our area. The emergence of the CTX-M type of beta-lactamase in E. coli follows closely the spread of ESBLs in community isolates.
Source of Underestimation of the Monetary Policy Effect: Re‐Examination of the Policy Effectiveness in Japan's 1990s

This paper re-examines the empirical evidence on the potency of Japanese monetary policy in the 1990s by comparing the estimated impacts of various proxies of monetary policy shocks on the macro economy. My empirical results demonstrate that the surprise target changes as a proxy of monetary policy shocks had impacts on real output and financial variables over the period 1990–2001. I also show that the estimated effects of identified monetary policy shocks depend on whether the shocks are anticipated or not; The monetary policy effects on the economy are underestimated when the empirical models fail to control for the market expectation for monetary policy stance.
Nosocomial Infections Among Pediatric Hematology Patients: Results of a Retrospective Incidence Study at a Pediatric Hospital in China

The occurrence of nosocomial infections (NIs) differs in different patient populations and different hospitals, and information on NI in Chinese children patients is scarce. This study fills these research gaps by evaluating the frequency of NIs, main infection sites, and common microorganisms found in pediatric hematology patients in a general children's hospital. A retrospective study was performed by analyzing the medical records of patients with NIs. The rates of NIs were calculated on the basis of cases identified during surveillance and the number of discharges annually. One thousand six hundred and four NIs were detected in 21,456 subjects (overall rate: 7.0 episodes/100 discharges). The most commonly observed infections were respiratory tract infections (1079 cases, 67.3%), followed by gastrointestinal infections (198 cases, 12.3%), skin and soft tissue infections (161 cases, 10.0%), bloodstream infections (97 cases, 6%), and urinary tract infections (16 cases, 1%). Gram-negative bacteria were the most common pathogens, followed by Gram-positive bacteria, virus, and fungal organisms. Respiratory and gastrointestinal infections were the common NIs in pediatric hematology/oncology patients. Gram-negative bacteria were responsible for most pathogens of NIs. In future studies, the prospective use of incidence density rates and postdischarge surveillance in children patient populations would be an interesting research direction.
N-(4-Chlorophenylsulfonyl)-2,2,2-trimethylacetamide

In the crystal structure of the title compound (N4CPSTMAA), C11H14ClNO3S, the conformations of the N—H and C=O bonds in the amide group are anti to each other, similar to those observed in N-phenylsulfonyl-2,2,2-trimethylacetamide (NPSTMAA) and 2,2,2-trimethyl-N-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)acetamide (N4MPSTMAA). The bond parameters in N4CPSTMAA are similar to those in NPSTMAA, N4MPSTMAA, N-aryl-2,2,2-trimethylacetamides and 4-chlorobenzenesulfonamide. The –SNHCOC– unit including the amide group is essentially planar and makes a dihedral angle of 82.2 (1)° with the benzene ring, comparable to the values of 79.1 (1) and 71.2 (1)° in NPSTMAA and N4MPSTMAA, respectively. The molecules in N4CPSTMAA are linked into a chain by intermolecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds.
The Unusual 23S rRNA Gene of Coxiella burnetii: Two Self-Splicing Group I Introns Flank a 34-Base-Pair Exon, and One Element Lacks the Canonical ΩG

ABSTRACT We describe the presence and characteristics of two self-splicing group I introns in the sole 23S rRNA gene of Coxiella burnetii. The two group I introns, Cbu.L1917 and Cbu.L1951, are inserted at sites 1917 and 1951 (Escherichia coli numbering), respectively, in the 23S rRNA gene of C. burnetii. Both introns were found to be self-splicing in vivo and in vitro even though the terminal nucleotide of Cbu.L1917 is adenine and not the canonical conserved guanine, termed ΩG, found in Cbu.L1951 and all other group I introns described to date. Predicted secondary structures for both introns were constructed and revealed that Cbu.L1917 and Cbu.L1951 were group IB2 and group IA3 introns, respectively. We analyzed strains belonging to eight genomic groups of C. burnetii to determine sequence variation and the presence or absence of the elements and found both introns to be highly conserved (≥99%) among them. Although phylogenetic analysis did not identify the specific identities of donors, it indicates that the introns were likely acquired independently; Cbu.L1917 was acquired from other bacteria like Thermotoga subterranea and Cbu.L1951 from lower eukaryotes like Acanthamoeba castellanii. We also confirmed the fragmented nature of mature 23S rRNA in C. burnetii due to the presence of an intervening sequence. The presence of three selfish elements in C. burnetii's 23S rRNA gene is very unusual for an obligate intracellular bacterium and suggests a recent shift to its current lifestyle from a previous niche with greater opportunities for lateral gene transfer.
Firm Dynamics in Transition

This paper analyzes the firm dynamics during the process of transition. We show how firm size distribution has transformed over the course of transition and relate this evolution to theoretical contributions of different models. We find that the model of firm dynamics by Cooley and Quadrini (2003) is consistent with many empirical regularities observed during transformation. In particular, dynamics is affected by financing constraints and the speed of adjustment of productivity of large firms.
Essays on smart customization : Towards a better understanding of the customer´s perspective on smart customization offers

In the last decade, our products have been more and more equipped with information and communication technology (ICT), which has modified the nature of their applications greatly. Notably, firms find finally a mean to empower customers to customize their products after purchase. One talks about “Smart Customization”. For such “smart” customization to happen, the idea is to embed directly smart user toolkits for co-design (smart UTCD) into our consumer products. That said, while in the business press, they largely view smart customization as an opportunity to be tapped, in contrast, research is hardly focused on it. Notably, it appears essential to identify factors of customer - based success of such novel customization offers. Thereby, in paper I, I adapt and test a technology acceptance model to smart UTCD. In paper II, I realize a choice based conjoint analysis on smart UTCD. In article III, I expose a theoretical framework for use generation and apply it one the two existing types of smart UTCD. With my findings, I contribute to theory by adding to our limited understanding of the smart UTCD acceptance, providing in-depth knowledge on the customer´s choice process on the smart UTCD´ design features and by opening the black box on the co-design mechanisms that occur between customers - smart UTCD. Additionally, the findings of my three article that compose my dissertation permit firms to be provided with some measures on how to design smart customization offers that fit better the target customers.
Bayesian Asymmetric Regression as a Means to Estimate and Evaluate Oral Reading Fluency Slopes

Bayesian techniques have become increasingly present in the social sciences, fueled by advances in computer speed and the development of user-friendly software. In this paper, we forward the use of Bayesian Asymmetric Regression (BAR) to monitor intervention responsiveness when using Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM) to assess oral reading fluency (ORF). An overview of Bayesian methods and their application to the problem-solving model is first presented, which is further illustrated by a case example. We conclude the paper with a Monte Carlo simulation study demonstrating the validity of BAR, as compared to the current standard of practice for CBM decision-making, ordinary least squares (OLS) regression. Results suggest that BAR is most advantageous with studies using small-to-moderate sample sizes, and when distributional information (such as the probability of intervention success) is of interest.
Dose optimization for spinal treatment effectiveness: a randomized controlled trial investigating the effects of high and low mobilization forces in patients with neck pain.

STUDY DESIGN Randomized controlled trial. Objective To determine if force magnitude during posterior-to-anterior mobilization affects immediate and short-term outcomes in patients with chronic, nonspecific neck pain. BACKGROUND The optimal dose of mobilization to effectively treat patients with neck pain is not known. METHODS Patients with neck pain of at least 3 months in duration (n = 64) were randomized to receive a single treatment of posterior-to-anterior mobilization applied with 30 N or 90 N of mean peak force (3 sets of 30 seconds) or a placebo (detuned laser) on the spinous process at the painful spinal level. Pressure pain threshold, pain measured with a visual analog scale (range, 0-100 mm), cervical range of motion, and spinal stiffness at the painful spinal level (measured with a custom device and normalized as a percentage of C7 stiffness) were assessed before, immediately after, and at a mean ± SD follow-up of 4.0 ± 1.8 days following treatment. Repeated-measures analysis of covariance and Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc tests determined group differences for each outcome measure after treatment and at follow-up. RESULTS At follow-up, the 90-N group had less pain than the 30-N group (mean difference, 11.3 mm; 95% confidence interval: 0.1, 22.6 mm; P = .048) and lower stiffness than the placebo group (mean difference, 17.5%; 95% confidence interval: 4.2%, 30.9%; P = .006). These differences were not present immediately after treatment. There were no significant between-group differences in pressure pain threshold or range of motion after treatment or at follow-up. CONCLUSION A specific dose of mobilization, in terms of applied force, appears necessary for reducing stiffness and potentially pain in patients with chronic neck pain. Changes were not observed immediately after mobilization, suggesting that its effects are not directly mechanical. TRIAL REGISTRATION Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ( http://www.anzctr.org.au/): ACTRN12611000374965. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapy, level 1b-.
Dyspnoea at rest and at the end of different exercises in patients with near-fatal asthma

Blunted perception of dyspnoea under resistive loading has been observed in patients with a history of near-fatal asthma (NFA). The perception of dyspnoea at rest and at the end point of various exercises was assessed in such patients. Respiratory function and exercise capacity (6‐min walking distance, incremental cycloergometry and inspiratory threshold loading) were assessed in seven NFA and eight non-NFA patients. Dyspnoea (Borg scale) was measured at rest and at the end point of the various exercises. Dyspnoea at rest was significantly lower in NFA patients. Although exercise tolerance was similarly reduced in both the NFA and non-NFA groups, dyspnoea at peak cycle exercise was significantly lower in the former (2.6±2 versus 6.1±3.8 (Borg scale; mean±sd)), who mainly (86%) stopped because of leg discomfort. A similar trend was observed in the 6‐min walking distance and inspiratory threshold loading tests. Dyspnoea at peak exercise was the best indicator of the NFA condition, with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 63% for a Borg scale score of ≤6. Perception of dyspnoea is blunted in near-fatal asthma patients at both rest and the end point of various forms of exercise. Dyspnoea at peak exercise is the best indicator of the near-fatal asthma condition.