Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Place of Spermatic Fascia Closure During Open Herniotomy in Male Children

Introduction: There is currently no consensus about closing or otherwise of the spermatic fascia at herniotomy in children. This stems from lack of evidence to justify either stand, and most literatures are silent on this. This study is an effort to evaluate the place of closure of the spermatic fascia at hernia repair. Aim: To determine if there is advantage in closing the spermatic fascia over leaving it open during herniotomy in children. Materials and Methods: Cases of inguinoscrotal hernia repaired by the same surgeon between July 2009 and June 2011 were randomly grouped into two; spermatic fascia closed (SC) and spermatic fascia open (SO) groups. They were assessed for operation duration, wound infection, scrotal hematoma, and scrotal edema post repair. The Data obtained was collated and analyzed using the SPSS 17.0. Results: Seventy-six male children with unilateral complete inguinoscrotal hernia were included in this study. The overall mean duration of operation was 32.9 min (SD = 5.7); range 21-52 min. There was hematoma formation in 7 (17.9%) of the SC group and 9 (24.3%) of the SO group (P = 0.5). Scrotal edema occurred in 24 (64.8%) of the SO and 18 (46.2%) of the SC group (P = 0.3). No other complications were recorded during the period of study. Conclusion: There is no demonstrable advantage or disadvantage in closing the spermatic fascia at herniotomy for children. We conclude that the choice to close or not to close the spermatic fascia at herniotomy for children should be at the discretion of the individual surgeon.
New ventures in an emerging industry: access to and use of international resources

This paper addresses the international activities of young companies in the emerging marine energy industry. Our study is constructed based on interviews with eight companies combined with scientific reports and publications. The primary challenges faced by the companies are related to financing and technology development. Our findings indicate that the companies may be divided into three groups: a) three technology- and funding-driven international ventures; b) one market-driven international venture; c) four companies with limited international involvement. The short time span between establishment and the first major international activity initiated to acquire funding or technology competence is a distinct characteristic of the firms in the first two groups. The last group with no or limited international activity reveals an alternative path. Our study provides insights on significant firm-level differences with respect to international involvement in the pre-commercial phases of development and discusses the implications for researchers, managers and public policy.
Genome-wide gene expression analysis in the amphioxus, Branchiostoma belcheri after poly (I: C) challenge using strand-specific RNA-seq

The gene expression associated with immune response to bacteria/bacterial mimic has been extensively analyzed in amphioxus, but remains largely unknown about how gene are involved in the immune response to viral invasion at expression level. Here, we analyze the rRNA-depleted transcriptomes of Branchiostoma belcheri using strand-specific RNA-seq in response to the viral mimic, poly (I:C) (pIC). A total of 5,317 differentially expressed genes were detected at treatment group by comparing with control. The gene with the most significant expression changes (top 15) after pIC challenge and 7 immune-related categories involving 58 differently expressed genes were scrutinized. By functional enrichment analysis of differently expressed genes, gene ontology terms involving response to stress and stimulus, apoptosis, catabolic and metabolic processes and enzyme activity were overrepresented, and several pathways related to immune signaling, immune response, cancer, apoptosis, viral disease, metabolism were activated after pIC injection. A positive correlation between the qRT-PCR and strand-specific RNA-seq data confirmed the accuracy of the RNA-seq results. Additionally, the expression of genes encoding NLRC5, CASP1, CASP6, CYP450, CAT, and MDA5 were induced in B. belcheri under pIC challenge. Our experiments provide insight into the immune response of amphioxus to pIC and valuable gene expression information for studying the evolution of antiviral immunity in vertebrates.
Ceftaroline fosamil for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia and acute bacterial skin and skin structure infection

Introduction: Bacterial resistance is increasing on a global basis, making treatment options more limited. The development of new agents to meet this threat is a matter of urgency. Ceftaroline fosamil, a member of an advanced cephalosporin class of antimicrobials, is currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in for acute bacterial skin and skin structure infection (ABSSSI) and community-acquired bacterial pneumonia. Ceftaroline displays activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including both methicillin-susceptible and resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Streptococcus pneumoniae (including penicillin- and ceftriaxone-resistant strains), respiratory pathogens (such as Moraxella catarrhalis and Haemophilus influenzae, including beta-lactamase-producing strains) and limited coverage against Enterobacteriaceae. Areas covered: Chemistry, mechanism of action, spectrum of activity, resistance, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, indications for use, safety and special populations are covered in this review. Expert opinion: Ceftaroline's unique activity against MRSA and penicillin- and ceftriaxone-resistant S. pneumoniae strains is due to its high affinity for penicillin binding protein (PBP)-2a and PBP-2x, respectively. In randomized, double-blinded, clinical trials, ceftaroline fosamil was found to be non-inferior to ceftriaxone for the treatment CABP and to vancomycin plus aztreonam for ABSSSI. Substantial differences between the cephalosporins exist. Ceftaroline has unique characteristics that may make it useful in specific clinical circumstances, especially against multi-drug-resistant Gram-positive organisms.
Uncertain Income, Uncertain Taxes and Ricardian Equivalence

L. K. C. Chan (1983) and R. B. Barsky et al. (1986) have demonstrated that a tax cut financed by bonds to be repaid from proportional income taxes on uncertain future income, by reducing the latter's riskiness, stimulates current consumption--Ricardian equivalence does not hold. However, their two-period models exclude the possibility that future taxes are uncertain. In this paper a three-period model is developed that, by allowing the government two periods in which to collect taxes, introduces ex ante tax rate uncertainty. This renders the result concerning Ricardian equivalence ambiguous. By comparison, taxes levied as lump sums and via a 'lottery' respectively produce the 'usual' effects (zero and negative) on consumption. Copyright 1996 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd and the Board of Trustees of the Bulletin of Economic Research
Tests of the different variants of the monetary model in a developing economy: Malaysian experience in the pre- and post-crisis periods

This study examines the validity of four different variants of the monetary model of exchange rate determination for Malaysia covering both the pre- and post-crisis periods using the vector error-correction models. The findings demonstrate that for both periods, the variables used are cointegrated. Tests tend to suggest that of the four variants of monetary model, the sticky-price model holds in both periods and the flexible-price model holds only in the post-crisis period. The proportionality between the exchange rate and relative money does not hold in any period. The plotted actual and fitted exchange rates for both sub-samples show that the models are able to track the actual exchange rate trend quiet well.
Financial Stress, Monetary Policy, and Economic Activity

The recent global crisis was characterized by a remarkable intensity in the negative feedback process between financial sector developments and the real economy. Exceptional measures were required to break this process, and the crisis stimulated interest in the relationship between financial sector developments, the real economy, and monetary policy. The authors examine this relationship by reviewing the relevant literature and then estimating a model with Canadian data. Both theoretical models and empirical findings point to the possibility of non-linear relationships between monetary policy, financial stress, and the real economy. The research indicates that when the economy can move into different regimes of financial stress, monetary policy can influence the likelihood of moving from one regime to another. It also implies that monetary policy actions have stronger effects when financial stress is high and that the tightening of monetary policy appears to have more powerful effects than easing.
Intraday Trading Volume and Return Volatility of the Djia Stocks: A Note

We examine the contemporaneous correlation as well as the lead-lag relation between trading volume and return volatility in all stocks comprising the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA). We use 5-minute intraday data and measure return volatility by the EGARCH method. Contrary to the mixture of distribution hypothesis, the vast majority of the DJIA stock shows no contemporaneous correlation between volume and volatility. However, we find evidence of significant lead-lag relations between the two variables in a large number of the DJIA stocks in accordance with the sequential information arrival hypothesis.
The future of non-metropolitan areas

The recent literature is replete with studies of cities and city-regions, citing their various advantages in innovation, production, and consumption. So what sort of future can a non-metropolitan place expect? This paper argues that these places are surpris- ingly heterogeneous and, as such, their futures will be highly mixed. Those small communi- ties and rural areas blessed with ample land-based or energy resources, or easy access to bountiful natural amenities, should continue to enjoy bright prospects. Most micropolitan centres, especially those having substantial urban cores and enjoying nearness to larger cities, should continue to prosper. Some smaller centres might even benefit from innovation that happens to thrive on local knowledge or social proximity. But those small places and rural areas lacking in resources, amenities, and metropolitan proximity will likely continue to decline.
Speckle tracking for left ventricle performance in young athletes with bicuspid aortic valve and mild aortic regurgitation.

AIMS Longitudinal peak systolic strain (LPSS) quantifies regional and global heart function. Few data are available on left ventricle (LV) performance in young athletes with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), where a pattern of mild aortic insufficiency is relatively frequent, and the ejection fraction (EF) is often normal for a long time. We report the measurement of LV strain in young BAV athletes. METHODS AND RESULTS Three groups (20 athletes with BAV, 20 healthy athletes, and 20 sedentary healthy subjects, all aged 25 +/- 3 years) underwent standard echo examination to evaluate LPSS at the basal and medium-apical segments of the lateral wall (LW) and interventricular septum (IVS) of the LV. LPSS was within the normal range; however, in BAV athletes, the LPSS of the basal segments tended to be lower (S%IVS(basal), -17.7 +/- 2.7; S%LW(basal), -14.2 +/- 2.2; S%IVS(med-apic), -21 +/- 3.5; S%LW(med-apic), -18.8 +/- 4.2), producing a gradient from basal to apical regions. The EF was normal in all subjects. CONCLUSION Young trained BAV athletes have normal LV performance. Nevertheless, these athletes tend to have lower strain than healthy subjects in the LV basal segments. The clinical implications of this finding are uncertain and require further investigation.
Adjudication without Enforcement in GATT Disputes

Disputes under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) exhibit a puzzling selection effect. Defendants concede more prior to GATT judgments than afterward, despite GATT's lack of enforcement power. Yet, why would states plea-bargain if they know they can spurn contrary rulings? To find out, the article develops an incomplete information model of trade bargaining with the option of adjudication. The plaintiff has greater resolve prior to a ruling, believing that the defendant might be compelled to concede to an adverse judgment—even if that belief later proves false. Surprisingly, this resolve induces more generous settlements even from defendants who intend not to comply with any ruling. After a ruling, however, this anticipatory effect is irrelevant: adjudication works best when threatened but not realized. The prospect of adjudication thus conditions the behavior of states even when enforcement is not forthcoming but not through mechanisms identified by previous studies.
Homeobox Transcription Factor VentX Regulates Differentiation and Maturation of Human Dendritic Cells*

Background: The transcriptional regulation of human dendritic cells (DCs) differentiation and maturation remains incompletely understood. Results: VentX knockdown impaired DCs differentiation and maturation whereas VentX overexpression counteracted the inhibitory effects of corticosteroid on DC activation. Conclusion: VentX is critical for DCs differentiation and maturation. Significance: VentX may be a novel target to modulate DCs functions and manage inflammatory diseases. Dendritic cells (DCs) are specialized antigen presentation cells that play critical roles in the initiation and regulation of immune responses. The molecular determinants of DC differentiation and maturation are target of extensive investigation. VentX is a human homeobox transcriptional factor that regulates proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic cells. In the current study, we report that ablation of VentX expression in monocytes significantly impaired their differentiation into DCs. Conversely, overexpression of VentX in monocytic THP1 cells accelerated their differentiation toward DCs. We showed that VentX regulates DC differentiation, in part, through modulating IL6 expression. Clinically, we found that VentX expression was elevated in intestinal lamina propria DCs (LPDCs) of inflamed mucosa from inflammatory bowel disease patients. Knockdown experiments suggested that VentX is essential for the maturation of LPDCs. In addition, corticosteroid treatment markedly decreased VentX expression in LPDCs and enforced expression of VentX counteracted the effects of corticosteroid on DCs maturation. Our data suggest that VentX is a critical transcriptional regulator of DC differentiation and maturation, and a potential target of immune regulation and therapy.
Profile and outcome of unilateral tuberculous lung destruction in Ilorin, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND Unilateral tuberculous lung destruction is a serious chronically disabling and often fatal complication of pulmonary tuberculosis. A few previous studies have dealt with some aspects of this entity among Nigerians with pulmonary tuberculosis but these studies may not truly reflect its current trends. OBJECTIVE To describe the presenting profiles and outcome of unilateral tuberculous lung destruction among patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. METHODS The study was a chart review of the medical records of adult patients with pulmonary tuberculosis complicated by unilateral lung destruction seen between January 1999- December 2008. Data extracted included demographic, and outcome of treatment. The clinical features, sputum results and illustrative cases are presented. RESULTS Unilateral lung destruction complicated 74(1.3%) of 5,926 pulmonary tuberculosis cases seen over the review period. Most cases occurred in males [45(60.8%)] and they were predominantly [51(68.9%)] below 40 years of age. Most of them [52(70.2%)] presented after six months of symptoms. Forty-seven (63.5%) of them had had previous exposure to antituberculosis drugs. The left lung was affected in 49 (66.2%) patients. Only 25 (33.8%) of them were cured while the adjusted mortality rate was 25.5%. Male gender, presence of dyspnoea on mild exertion and right ventricular failure were significantly associated with increased mortality. CONCLUSION Unilateral tuberculous lung destruction has unacceptably high mortality rate which can be prevented by patient presenting early to the hospital, prompt diagnosis and strict adherence to the standard treatment.
Motivating Foodservice Employees to Follow Safe Food Handling Practices: Perspectives From a Multigenerational Workforce

Hospitality managers deal with a very diverse workforce, employing workers from up to four different generations, which poses a challenge for managers as they attempt to train and motivate employees. Food safety is of particular concern in foodservice organizations. This study assessed the generational differences related to foodservice employees’ perceptions of their supervisors’ roles in food safety and how supervisors could improve their effectiveness. A mixed methods approach (survey and focus groups) was used. Qualitative data analysis revealed four themes: Consistency, training, managers’ behaviors, and employees’ behaviors. Based on these, best practices are suggested for motivating a multigenerational workforce.
The role of XRCC1 polymorphisms in base excision repair of etheno-DNA adducts in French vinyl chloride workers.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to examine whether polymorphisms in the XRCC1 DNA-repair protein can affect the base excision repair capacity to remove etheno-DNA adducts induced by vinyl chloride exposure that account for the occurrence of mutant biomarkers of effect seen in exposed workers. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and fluorescence polarization techniques, we examined the effect of three x-ray cross complementing-1 protein polymorphisms, at codons 194, 280 and 399, on the occurrence of mutant biomarkers in ras-p21 and p53 induced by vinyl chloride exposure in a cohort of 211 French vinyl chloride workers to correlate differences in genotype with differences in the presence of these biomarkers. Also, cell cultures of lymphoblast lines from a pair of individuals, one homozygous wild-type and one homozygous variant for the codon 399 polymorphism, were exposed to the reactive intermediate of vinyl chloride, and, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, levels of etheno-DNA adducts generated and repaired were measured and compared. RESULTS After adjusting for age, smoking, alcohol drinking and cumulative vinyl chloride exposure, compared to workers who were homozygous wild-type for all alleles, the odds ratio for the presence of either biomarker increased to 2.0 (95% CI: 1.0-3.9) for workers with any one variant allele and to 2.4 (95% CI: 1.1-5.2) for workers with more than one variant allele. Data from the cell culture experiments indicating that repair of etheno-DNA adducts is considerably better in wild-type cells compared to polymorphic cells were supportive of the epidemiologic results. CONCLUSIONS This study provides further evidence that polymorphisms in XRCC1 can be an important biomarker of susceptibility in populations exposed to agents that produce damage removed by base excision repair.
First Demonstration of Athermal Silicon Optical Interposers With Quantum Dot Lasers Operating up to 125 °C

We previously proposed a photonics-electronics convergence system to solve bandwidth bottleneck problems among large-scale integrations (LSIs) and demonstrated a high bandwidth density with silicon optical interposers at room temperature. For practical applications, the interposers should be usable under high-temperature conditions or rapid temperature changes so that they can cope with the heat generated by the mounted LSIs. We designed and fabricated athermal silicon optical interposers integrated with temperature-insensitive components on a silicon substrate. An arrayed laser diode (LD) chip was a flip-chip bonded to the substrate. Each LD had multiple quantum dot layers with a 1.3-μm lasing wavelength. The output power was higher than 10 mW per channel up to 100 °C. Silicon optical modulator and germanium photodetector (PD) arrays were monolithically integrated on the substrate. The modulators were structured as symmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometers, which were inherently insensitive to temperature and wavelength. The phase shifters composed of p-i-n diodes were stable against temperature change under a constant bias-current condition. The PD photocurrent was also temperature insensitive, and the photo-to-dark current ratio was higher than 30 dB up to 100 °C. We achieved error-free data links at 20 Gbps and a high bandwidth density of 19 Tbps/cm2 operating up to 125 °C without adjusting the LDs, modulators, or PDs. The interposers are tolerant of the heat generated by the mounted LSIs and usable over the extended industrial temperature range without complex monitoring or feedback controls. The bandwidth density is sufficient for the needs of the late 2010s.
Community ambulation: Environmental impacts and assessment inadequacies

Background. Community ambulation is an important goal for both clients and health professionals yet it is an outcome only variously achieved by clients discharged from rehabilitation settings back into their community. Objective. To review the available literature about the assessment tools that are currently used to determine community ambulation status and to determine from an evaluation of these tools the effectiveness of the evaluation when compared to known environmental dimensions that impact on ambulation in the community. Method. A review of published papers from English language literature using CINAHL, ProQuest, Medline and other databases was conducted. Results. Only eight papers were found in the literature to inform health professionals about the impact of the environment on community ambulation. No current mobility assessment tools were identified that assess all the environmental demands that can impact on the activity of community ambulation. From the tools reviewed the most frequently evaluated environmental mobility dimensions were walking distance and time constraints. Conclusions. Health professionals need assessment tools that evaluate the impact of the environment on an individual's mobility in order to determine community ambulation status. The literature to date provides little guidance about the impact of the environment and current evaluation tools are limited in clinical usefulness with respect to the depth and breadth of information gained.
Ranking suitable sites for Soil Aquifer Treatment in Jerba Island (Tunisia) using remote sensing, GIS and AHP-multicriteria decision analysis

The present study aims to locate and rank suitable sites for Soil Aquifer Treatment (SAT) in Jerba Island (South Tunisia) by integrating a single-objective AHP method into a GIS model. The methodology represents a first step in SAT basin construction projects before field investigations. It considers several criteria related to technical, environmental and cost aspects. The result showed that a large area, covering 1489 ha, is suitable for SAT, which exceeds the required area to infiltrate the total treated wastewater produced by all the island wastewater plants. Being situated inside agricultural areas and near coastlines, potential sites for SAT could increase groundwater availability for irrigation and also mitigate existing marine intrusion problem facing Jerba aquifer. The best sites are found closer to Aghir plant than the rest of island WWTPs.