Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measuring the outputs of Australian nursing research published 1995-2000.

AIMS To analyse the research published in refereed nursing journals by Australian authors from 1995 to 2000. BACKGROUND Analysis of the research topics and types of methodologies used by Australian nurse researchers has not been recently undertaken. The study was similar to an analysis of United Kingdom (UK) nursing research between 1988 and 1995 to allow comparison between the two countries. DESIGN A quantitative approach analysed the research abstracts for the topic researched, source of data, location of data collection, paradigm and methodology used and funding source. RESULTS A total of 509 articles from 11 generalist Australian and UK nursing journals were analysed. The highest numbers of articles were published in Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing and Journal of Advanced Nursing. The most popular topics were education of nurses (18.7%, n=95) and practice issues relating to patient care (15.3%, n=78). However, scant attention was paid to major Australian health issues. Most research was undertaken in the hospital setting (55.8%, n=247). Data were most often drawn from nurses themselves (40.7%, n=206), followed by patients (25.5%, n=129). Both quantitative (41%, n=203) and qualitative approaches (47%, n=230) were employed. A minority of studies acknowledged any funding (14.9%, n=76). CONCLUSIONS Research findings need to be applied in practice to improve patient care. Nurse researchers need to publish their findings and align their research interests to meet national health priorities. They need to be involved in setting these health priorities to ensure that nursing has a place in health research.
Organic versus Conventional Cropping Sustainability: A Comparative System Analysis

We are at a pivotal time in human history, as the agricultural sector undergoes consolidation coupled with increasing energy costs in the context of declining resource availability. Although organic systems are often thought of as more sustainable than conventional operations, the lack of concise and widely accepted means to measure sustainability makes coming to an agreement on this issue quite challenging. However, an accurate assessment of sustainability can be reached by dissecting the scientific underpinnings of opposing production practices and crop output between cropping systems. The purpose of this review is to provide an in-depth and comprehensive evaluation of modern global production practices and economics of organic cropping systems, as well as assess the sustainability of organic production practices through the clarification of information and analysis of recent research. Additionally, this review addresses areas where improvements can be made to help meet the needs of future organic producers, including organic-focused breeding programs and necessity of coming to a unified global stance on plant breeding technologies. By identifying management strategies that utilize practices with long-term environmental and resource efficiencies, a concerted global effort could guide the adoption of organic agriculture as a sustainable food production system.
Regulation of secondary lymphoid organ development by the nuclear factor‐κB signal transduction pathway

Summary: In primary lymphoid organs, such as thymus and bone marrow, B and T lymphocytes differentiate from lymphoid stem cells into mature albeit naïve effector cells. In contrast, secondary lymphoid organs, such as the spleen, lymph nodes, and Peyer's patches (PPs), provide an environment that enable lymphocytes to interact with each other, with accessory cells, and with antigens, resulting in the initiation of antigen‐specific primary immune responses. Recently, the analysis of gene‐knockout mice has shed light on the signaling pathways, cellular requirements, and molecular mechanisms involved in secondary lymphoid organ development. In particular, signals that converge on the nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) pathway have been demonstrated to play an important role in both early developmental steps as well as maintenance of secondary lymphoid organ structures. Analysis of the histopathological changes in secondary lymphoid tissues of mice lacking individual Rel/NF‐κB family members, upstream kinases, and receptors strongly indicates that activation of the recently described alternative NF‐κB pathway by membrane‐bound lymphotoxin, via p52–RelB heterodimers, plays a major role during initiation steps of secondary lymphoid organ development. Induction of the classical p50–RelA NF‐κB activity, as exemplified by tumor necrosis factor receptor signaling, clearly also contributes, but seems to be involved primarily in later developmental step, such as the proper cellular and structural organization of B‐cell follicles.
An exploratory analysis of earnings management practices in Australia and New Zealand

This study aims to explore corporate earnings management practices in Australia and New Zealand before and after the regulatory changes and corporate governance reforms. The study argues that the effectiveness of regulatory reforms has to be reflected in constraining earnings management in post-reform period as compared to pre-reform period. ,Using a sample of 3,966 firm-year observations, including all ASX and NZX listed firms for the period 2001-2006, the study examines earnings management practices in both countries in pre- and post-reform periods with appropriate statistical methods. ,The results indicate some interesting phenomenon: the magnitude of earnings management did not decline after the governance reform as a positive time trend is observed in the entire sample as well as in Australian and New Zealand sub-samples, suggesting that earnings management has been growing over time. Additional test indicates no structural change has occurred before and after the new regulations. The shifting from decreasing earnings management to increasing earnings management can be interpreted as an evidence that earnings become more ‘informative’ in a more transparent disclosure regime to capture short-run benefits from regulator reforms. ,The shifting of earnings management behaviour from decreasing to increasing income can be interpreted as the outcome of more “informative”, rather than “deliberate”, earnings management in a more transparent disclosure regime to capture short-run benefits of regulatory reforms, which is worth further investigation. The findings of the study can lead regulatory authorities taking appropriate measures to promote earnings quality in corporate financial reporting from a long-run decision usefulness context. Any future reforms should be directed to protecting the interest of stakeholders as well as ensuring benefits outweighing costs for them. ,The findings of the study can lead regulatory authorities in taking appropriate measures to promote earnings quality in corporate financial reporting from a long-run decision usefulness context. ,The study adds value to the existing earnings management literature as well as effectiveness of regulations for the benefit of wider stakeholder groups.
The role of insulin resistance in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and liver disease development – a potential therapeutic target?

ABSTRACT Insulin resistance (IR) is defined by the inability of insulin to exert its metabolic actions, due to impaired activation of intracellular insulin signaling. This condition is caused by genetic defects or by environmental conditions, among which the most common is obesity. Systemic IR determines the development of hepatic fat accumulation, which can progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, and is a major determinant of liver disease independently of coexisting factors. Therefore, insulin-sensitizing drugs are currently under evaluation to improve steatohepatitis. Indeed, manipulation of nuclear hormone receptors is already under scrutiny for liver disease prevention by amelioration of IR, whereas NOTCH signaling inhibition represents a novel approach. Nevertheless, further research is warranted to better understand the mechanism linking IR to progressive fibrogenesis in the absence of inflammation and to identify novel drug targets.
Foreign Direct Investment, Financial Development and Their Impact on the GDP Growth in Low-income Countries

ABSTRACT This essay empirically studies the effects and causal links between foreign direct investment (FDI), financial development (FD) and economic growth. The sample consists of the main economies of low-income countries and the study covers the period 1990–2015. The results of the estimate show that, under certain specific economic conditions, FDI affects positively the level of long-term economic growth; it thus makes it possible to improve the economic situation of these countries. Using Johansen’s cointegration technique, the results find that FD; FDI and GDP growth are cointegrated, that shows the pursuit of the long-term equilibrium relationship between them. The error correction model confirms the existence of a double causal relationship between FDI and GDP growth, and between FD and FDI and between GDP growth and FD.
Variants in DENND1A are associated with polycystic ovary syndrome in women of European ancestry.

CONTEXT A genome-wide association study has identified three loci (five independent signals) that confer risk for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in Han Chinese women. Replication is necessary to determine whether the same variants confer risk for PCOS in women of European ancestry. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to test whether these PCOS risk variants in Han Chinese women confer risk for PCOS in women of European ancestry. DESIGN This was a case-control study. SETTING The study was conducted at deCODE Genetics in Iceland and two academic medical centers in the United States. PATIENTS Cases were 376 Icelandic women and 565 and 203 women from Boston, MA, and Chicago, IL, respectively, all diagnosed with PCOS by the National Institutes of Health criteria. Controls were 16,947, 483, and 189 women not known to have PCOS from Iceland, Boston, and Chicago, respectively. INTERVENTION There were no interventions. MAIN OUTCOMES Main outcomes were allele frequencies for seven variants in PCOS cases and controls. RESULTS Two strongly correlated Han Chinese PCOS risk variants on chromosome 9q33.3, rs10986105[C], and rs10818854[A], were replicated in samples of European ancestry with odds ratio of 1.68 (P = 0.00033) and odds ratio of 1.53 (P = 0.0019), respectively. Other risk variants at 2p16.3 (rs13405728), 2p21 (rs12468394, rs12478601, and rs13429458), and 9q33.3 (rs2479106), or variants correlated with them, did not associate with PCOS. The same allele of rs10986105 that increased the risk of PCOS also increased the risk of hyperandrogenism in women without PCOS from Iceland and demonstrated a stronger risk for PCOS defined by the National Institutes of Health criteria than the Rotterdam criteria. CONCLUSIONS We replicated one of the five Chinese PCOS association signals, represented by rs10986105 and rs10818854 on 9q33, in individuals of European ancestry. Examination of the subjects meeting at least one of the Rotterdam criteria for PCOS suggests that the variant may be involved in the hyperandrogenism and possibly the irregular menses of PCOS.
Regulation of bradykinin receptor level by cholera toxin, pertussis toxin and forskolin in cultured human fibroblasts

1 The effect of bacterial toxins on bradykinin‐triggered release of arachidonic acid was studied in serum‐deprived human foreskin (HSWP) fibroblasts prelabelled with [3H]‐arachidonic acid. An 18‐h exposure of HSWP cells to cholera toxin, pertussis toxin, or forskolin enhanced the bradykinin‐stimulated release of arachidonic acid and metabolites. 2 Prolonged treatment of HSWP cells with these agents also caused a 3 to 4 fold rise in cell surface [3H]‐bradykinin binding. The rise was inhibited by concurrent incubation with cycloheximide or actinomycin D. In addition, cholera toxin and foreskolin increased [3H]‐bradykinin binding in wildtype PC12 cells, but not in mutant PC12 cells with reduced cyclic AMP‐dependent protein kinase type II activity. 3 In conclusion, cholera toxin, pertussis toxin and forskolin enhanced arachidonic acid release in response to bradykinin, and increased the number of bradykinin receptors in HSWP fibroblasts. A cyclic AMP‐dependent mechanism appears to mediate the actions of the toxins and forskolin.
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Postoperative Surveillance Protocols Following Radical Surgery for Colorectal Cancer

Abstract Introduction : Up to 30–50% of patients who undergo radical surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC) develop tumor relapse. The aim of this study was to assess various surveillance protocols utilized in a tertiary referral hospital in Northern italy. Methods : Data concerning 373 consecutive patients who underwent radical surgery for CRC between 1990 and 2006 and whose data had been entered into a prospective database were considered eligible for this study. the overall costs and the percentages of recurrence following the various surveillance protocols were calculated. Results : one hundred two (27.35%) of the patients suffered a recurrence after a mean of 17.6 (95% Ci 13.9–21.1) months. the combination of physical examination, colonoscopy, thorax-abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan, and serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) dosage was found to be the most cost/effective one to monitor stages i and ii colon cancer; while physical examination, rigid sigmoidoscopy, thorax-abdominal CT scan, and serum Cea dosage were found to be the most cost/effective surveillance to monitor stages iii and iV of colon cancer and rectal cancer. Conclusions : Adherence to follow-up guidelines and early detection are vital factors affecting the curability of relapsed cancer in CRC patients who undergo surgery. the first five years after surgery was found to be the most risky period for recurrence. Cost/effectiveness analysis indicate that follow-up protocols should be tailored to the risk of recurrence with the aim of identifying relapse when the disease is at an asymptomatic, presumably more curable stage.
Modified Seromuscular Patch Flap for Reinforcing an Anastomosis Site in Hypopharyngeal Reconstruction Using Free Jejunal Transfer: An Anatomical and Clinical Study

IntroductionFree jejunal transfer is commonly used as a reliable reconstructive method after total pharyngolaryngectomy. An anastomotic fistula is the most common complication in the early postoperative period, occurring in 5% to 35% of cases. There have been several studies regarding surgical techniques for minimizing fistula formation. Specifically, the vascularized seromuscular patch flap has been used for reinforcing the anastomosis site; however, this flap does not yield a sufficient range of motion because of traction on the vascular pedicle. MethodsBetween 2004 and 2011, 4 patients underwent vascularized seromuscular patch flaps with free jejunal transfer. A short segment of jejunum on a mesenteric pedicle is usually opened longitudinally along the antimesenteric border to make a patch flap; however, we made a longitudinal incision along 1 side of the mesenteric border. To investigate the vascular anatomy of the flap, a lead oxide–gelatin mixture was injected into the arterial system of 4 fresh cadavers. ResultsThe flap had increased mobility without traction on the vascular pedicle and adequate circulation. In the injection study, it was shown that the modification guaranteed adequate circulation across the antimesenteric border and from the proximal to the distal end of the flap. ConclusionIn conclusion, an incision along 1 side of the mesenteric border produces increased mobility of the jejunal seromuscular patch flap. Angiography can demonstrate clear evidence of a reliable circulation.
Mitigation potential of green structures on local urban microclimate using ENVI-met model

ABSTRACT Establishing green roofs has been used as a method to mitigate urban environmental quality problems. In this study, the effect of Tehran Nature Bridge green roof as a sustainable structure on its surrounding microclimate is investigated using urban microclimate model, ENVI-met, on a hot summer day in July 2015. For this purpose, two simulation scenarios were generated to assess the impact of extensive and intensive green roofs on some climate variables. A comparison was made between the scenarios at two different heights, 1.5 and 40.5 m and two times including 10 am and 4 pm. Based on the predicted results, the second scenario showed a 10.47% increase in relative humidity (RH) compared to the first scenario on bridge level at 10 am. In the second scenario, air temperature dropped by 0.8°C at 10 am compared with the first scenario, which is equivalent to 2.87%. The presence of intensive green roof caused a decrease in wind velocity on bridge level by 1.75 m/s and changed its direction. Furthermore, green roof also influenced velocity and direction of the wind, RH, and air temperature in different ways at ground level. Overall, green roof altered climatic parameters such as air temperature, RH, and wind velocity and direction at both bridge and ground level.
Recent advances in the diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis

Children account for a major proportion of the global tuberculosis disease burden, especially in endemic areas. However, the accurate diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis remains a major challenge. This review provides an overview of the most important recent advances in the diagnosis of intrathoracic childhood tuberculosis: (1) symptom-based approaches, including symptom-based screening of exposed children and symptom-based diagnosis of active disease; (2) novel immune-based approaches, including T cell assays and novel antigen-based tests; and (3) bacteriological and molecular methods that are more rapid and/or less expensive than conventional culture techniques for tuberculosis diagnosis and/or drug-resistance testing. Recent advances have improved our ability to diagnose latent infection and active tuberculosis in children, but establishing a diagnosis of either latent infection or active disease in HIV-infected children remains a major challenge, particularly in high-burden settings. Although improved access to diagnosis and treatment is essential, ultimately the burden of childhood tuberculosis is determined by the level of epidemic control achieved in a particular community. Several recent initiatives, in particular the United Nations Millennium Developmental Goals, deal with the problem of poverty and disease in a holistic fashion, but global political commitment is required to support these key initiatives.
An Empirical study of Technostress among Indian Academicians

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is becoming a fast changing and renewing technology in education sector. The use of these fast changing and renewing technologies create a source of pressure among academicians. This study analyzes the factors affecting the technostress among Indian academicians. This research is conducted on 116 academicians in India using an online questionnaire. The study concluded that technostress has significant effect on gender, age, technology awareness and tenure of academicians.
Should I stay or should I go? The association between upward socio-economic neighbourhood change and moving propensities

Previous research on gentrification almost exclusively focussed on either the gentrifiers or those who are displaced. Those who manage to avoid displacement remain understudied. To shed new light on these original inhabitants, we link upward change in low-income neighbourhoods, measured by the changing socio-economic composition of the neighbourhood, to the propensity to move based on dissatisfaction with the neighbourhood or the home of both lower- or middle-educated people and higher-educated people living in these neighbourhoods. We perform binary logistic multi-level analyses on the Liveability Monitor of Ghent (N = 1037), a midsized city in Belgium. We find that upward neighbourhood change is associated with a higher propensity to move based on dissatisfaction with the home for both the lower- and higher-educated original inhabitants. Focusing on dissatisfaction with the neighbourhood, we find no association between moving propensities and the neighbourhood someone lives in. We therefore conclude that it is not the evaluation of the neighbourhood but the evaluation of one's own house in an improving neighbourhood that is associated with higher moving propensities, for both higher and lower educated respondents. Displacement pressures based on rising housing prices might lead to these moving propensities, but it seems likely that there are other factors at play too, like, e.g. life cycle mobility. We therefore also conclude that both lower- and higher-educated inhabitants of improving neighbourhoods deserve academic attention.
The effect of ad blocking on website traffic and quality

Ad blocking software allows Internet users to obtain information without generating ad revenue for site owners, potentially undermining investments in content. We explore the impact of siteâ€ level ad blocker usage on website quality, as inferred from traffic. We find that each additional percentage point of site visitors blocking ads reduces its traffic by 0.67% over 35 months. Impacted sites provide less content over time, providing corroboration for the mechanism. Effects on revenue are compounded; ad blocking reduces visits, and remaining visitors blocking ads do not generate revenue. We conclude that ad blocking poses a threat to the adâ€ supported web.
Effect of tuberculosis on the survival of HIV-infected men in a country with low tuberculosis incidence

Evidence regarding the effect of tuberculosis (TB) on HIV disease progression at the population level remains inconclusive. We estimated the effect of incident TB on time to AIDS-related death, using a marginal structural Cox model. Between 1984 and 2005, 2882 HIV-infected men in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study contributed 21 914 person-years while followed for a median of 5.4 years. At study entry, the median CD4 cell count and HIV-1 RNA viral load were 533 cells/μl (interquartile range: 365–737) and 12 953 copies/ml (interquartile range: 2453–48 540), respectively. This study was performed in a setting with a modest exposure to HAART; 8295 of 23 801 (35%) person-years were followed during the HAART era. Fifteen men incurred incident TB, yielding a TB incidence of 7 (95% confidence interval: 4–14) per 10 000 person-years and 1072 died of AIDS-related causes. Accounting for potential confounders, including CD4 cell count and viral load, the hazard of AIDS-related death was 2.4 times more for the person-time with TB compared to the person-time without TB (95% confidence interval: 1.2–4.7). Results underscore the importance of avoiding TB by using preventive interventions such as treatment of latent TB infection, particularly in populations with a large prevalence of HIV/TB co-infected individuals.