Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multiple Chronic Medical Conditions and Associated Driving Risk: A Systematic Review

Background: Numerous medical conditions can affect one's ability to operate a motor vehicle. The likelihood of having multiple medical conditions increases with advancing age; however, the interplay of the associated impairments has not been previously addressed in the literature. Objective: To identify the incremental risks for the effects of multiple chronic medical conditions on driving ability and crash risk. Methods: A comprehensive English-language literature search using the keywords driving, motor vehicle crashes, accidents, multiple medical conditions, and chronic medical conditions was completed. To be included, the article had to address the effects of the combination of multiple chronic medical conditions on driving and include a relevant outcome, such as crashes, driving violations, on-road driving assessment, driving simulator assessment, or driving cessation/avoidance patterns. Results: The overall trend was for increasing number of chronic medical conditions to be associated with higher crash risk and higher likelihood of driving cessation. Although there is some evidence that impaired functional abilities are associated with poorer driving outcome, most of the studies do not support this. No studies were identified that evaluated compensation techniques for drivers with multiple chronic medical conditions with the exception of driving avoidance or self-restriction. Conclusions: The evidence supports the view that drivers with more chronic medical conditions tend to cease driving or engage in driving avoidance. The myriad combinations of diseases and disease severity present a level of complexity that complicates making informed decisions about driving with multiple chronic medical conditions.
Comparison of Low- and Higher-Fidelity Simulation to Train and Assess Pharmacy Students’ Injection Technique

Objective. To evaluate 2 forms of simulation used to train and assess third-year pharmacy students’ subcutaneous and intramuscular injection techniques. Design. A cross-over comparison was used to evaluate an injection pad vs a patient simulator injection arm to train students in injection administration. Assessment. Students completed a survey instrument rating their proficiency, confidence, and anxiety before and after each form of simulated practice. All students demonstrated competence to administer an injection to a peer after using both forms of simulation. Students’ self-ratings of proficiency and confidence improved and anxiety decreased after practicing injections with both forms of simulation. The only significant difference in performance seen between students who used the 2 types of simulations was in students who first practiced with the injection pad followed by the injection arm. Conclusion. Student ability to administer an injection and their self-perceived levels of confidence, proficiency, and anxiety were not dependent on the type of simulation training used.
The Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells 2 Binds Apolipoprotein E*

Background: Mutations in the triggering receptor on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) are associated with several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer disease, but the relevant TREM2 ligand is unknown. Results: TREM2 binds to apolipoprotein E (ApoE). Conclusion: TREM2 is a cellular receptor for ApoE. Significance: Identification of ApoE as a TREM2 ligand helps explain the role of TREM2 role in neurodegenerative disorders. The triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) is an Ig-like V-type receptor expressed by populations of myeloid cells in the central nervous system and periphery. Loss-of-function mutations in TREM2 cause a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disorder called Nasu-Hakola disease. In addition, a TREM2 R47H coding variant was recently identified as a risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer disease. TREM2 binds various polyanionic molecules but no specific protein ligands have been identified. Here we show that TREM2 specifically binds apolipoprotein E, a well established participant in Alzheimer disease. TREM2-Ig fusions efficiently precipitate ApoE from cerebrospinal fluid and serum. TREM2 also binds recombinant ApoE in solution and immobilized ApoE as detected by ELISA. Furthermore, the Alzheimer disease-associated R47H mutation, and other artificial mutations introduced in the same location, markedly reduced the affinity of TREM2 for ApoE. These findings reveal a link between two Alzheimer disease risk factors and may provide important clues to the pathogenesis of Nasu-Hakola disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Effects of exercise intervention on patients with stroke with prior coronary artery disease: aerobic capacity, functional ability, and lipid profile: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE To assess the effects of exercise intervention on aerobic capacity, functional ability and lipid profile in patients after stroke with prior coronary artery disease. PATIENTS Fifteen patients after stroke with prior coronary artery disease. METHODS Patients were enrolled in a moderate-intensity exercise intervention using a graded treadmill for 12 weeks. Before and after the intervention, their aerobic capacity and functional ability were assessed by the exercise testing and Barthel index, respectively. The total cholesterol (TC), lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), triglyceride, and TC/HDL were also evaluated using an enzyme auto-analyser. RESULTS After training, the patients'absolute peak oxygen consumption (VO2) was increased (p < 0.01); their functional ability was significantly improved (p < 0.01); and their TC, LDL, triglyceride, and TC/HDL levels were significantly reduced (p < 0.01). However, HDL level did not change significantly. In addition, Pearson analysis demonstrated a strong correlation between the increase in peak VO2 and the decrease in TC/HDL (r = -0.72, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION These results suggest that exercise intervention is beneficial for aerobic capacity, functional ability, and some parts of the lipid profile in patients after stroke with prior coronary artery disease.
Induction and Maintenance of Synaptic Plasticity

Les modifications synaptiques a long terme induites par des activites neuronales sont supposees etre a l'origine de l'apprentissage et de la memoire a long terme. Des experiences suggerent que les modifications synaptiques a long terme sont des evenements tout-ou-rien de type interrupteur entre des etats distincts d'une synapse. Le reseau biochimique comprenant la proteine kinase II calcium-calmoduline dependante (CaMKII) et la cascade de signalisation de proteines associees ont ete supposees maintenir durablement des etats synaptiques sous la forme d'un interrupteur bistable. Des experiences ont montre que CaMKII et des proteines associees comme la proteine kinase A et la calcineurine sont indispensables pour l'induction d'augmentations a long terme (long-term potentiation, LTP) et/ou de diminutions a long terme (long-term depression, LTD) de l'efficacite synaptique. Cependant, les mecanismes biochimiques par lesquels des protocoles experimentaux de LTP/LTD conduisent a des transitions correspondantes entre les deux etats dans un modele realiste d'un tel reseau restent a clarifier. Nous presentons un modele detaille biochimique de l'autophosphorylation calcium-calmoduline dependante de CaMKII et de la cascade de signalisation de proteines qui controle la dephosphorylation de CaMKII. Comme il a ete montre precedemment, deux etats stables du niveau de phosphorylation de CaMKII existent a la concentration de calcium de base. Une transition de l'etat faiblement phosphoryle vers l'etat fortement phosphoryle est evoquee par une augmentation de concentration calcique suffisamment longue et importante (LTP). Nous montrons que la transition inverse (LTD) peut etre evoquee par une augmentation de l'activite de phosphatases a des concentrations calciques intermediaires. Ce modele peut reproduire qualitativement des resultats de plasticite en reponse au protocole de 'spike-timing dependent plasticity (STDP)' et au protocole de stimulation purement presynaptique. Un modele reduit est utilise afin de mieux comprendre les parametres qui controlent les modifications synaptiques provoquees par le protocole de STDP, et comment en particulier elles dependent de l'activation differentielle des voies de phosphatases et de kinases et du niveau de bruit dans les transients calciques. Ces resultats montrent que le reseau de proteines considere incluant CaMKII peut expliquer (i) l'induction - par des transitions LTP/LTD - et (ii) le maintien - du a la bistabilite - des changements synaptiques. Ils permettent de relier le proprietes biochimiques des synapses avec les 'regles d'apprentissage' phenomenologiques utilisees par les theoriciens dans des etudes de reseaux de neurones.
Prevalence of tic disorders and Tourette syndrome in a Swedish school population

The aim of the study was to find the epidemiological distribution of tic disorders and Tourette syndrome (TS) in Swedish school children aged 7 to 15 years. A total population of 4479 children and their parents were asked to fill in a questionnaire covering both motor and vocal tics. A three‐stage procedure was used: screening, interview, and clinical investigation. Two hundred and ninety‐seven children (190 males, 107 females) were found to have tics. TS, according to DSM‐IV criteria, was found in 0.6% of the total population, another 0.8% had chronic motor tics, and 0.5% had chronic vocal tics. Further, 4.8% of the children had transient tics. All together 6.6% of 7‐ to 15‐year‐old children currently had or had experienced some kind tic disorder during the last year. Prevalence of different tic disorders was higher among younger children and in males, and was highly associated with school dysfunction. The prevalence of TS was higher than was previously thought but other tic disorders were more common in this childhood population.
Hepatectomy With Portal Vein Resection for Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma: Audit of 52 Consecutive Cases

Objective: To better determine the role of portal vein resection and its effect on survival, as well as to appreciate the impact of portal vein invasion on prognosis in hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Summary Background Data: Hepatectomy with portal vein resection is sometimes performed for locally advanced hilar cholangiocarcinoma. However, the significance of microscopic invasion of the portal vein has not been determined. Methods: Medical records of 160 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma who underwent macroscopically curative hepatectomy with (n = 52) or without portal vein resection (n = 108) were reviewed. Invasion of the portal vein was assessed histologically on the surgical specimen, and results were correlated with clinicopathologic features and survival. Results: Surgical mortality, including all hospital deaths, was similar in patients who did and did not undergo portal vein resection (9.6% vs. 9.3%), but the primary tumor was more advanced in patients who underwent portal vein resection. Histologically, no invasion was found in 16 (30.8%) of resected portal veins. However, dense fibrosis adjacent to the portal vein was common, and the mean distance between the leading edge of cancer cells and the adventitia of the portal vein was 437 ± 431 &mgr;m. The prognosis was worse in patients with than without portal vein resection (5-year survival, 9.9% vs. 36.8%; P < 0.0001). The presence or absence of microscopic invasion of the resected portal vein did not influence survival (16.6 months in patients with microscopic invasion vs. 19.4 months in those without; P = 0.1506). Multivariate analysis identified histologic differentiation, lymph node metastasis, and macroscopic portal vein invasion as independent prognostic factors. Conclusions: Microscopic invasion of the portal vein may be misdiagnosed clinically in patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma. However, the distance between tumor and adventitia is so narrow that curative resection without portal vein resection is unlikely to be possible. Gross portal vein invasion has a negative impact on survival, and hepatectomy with portal vein resection can offer long-term survival in some patients with advanced hilar cholangiocarcinoma.
Taxation and Economic Growth in Nigeria

Over several decades, taxation has been taken as a veritable medium of engineering the growth or performance of an economy. However, empirical literature is not conclusive, as several studies have indicated mixed effects of tax on economic growth. Arising from this, the study investigated the cointegration relationship between tax revenue and Economic growth in Nigeria from 1980 to 2013. Various preliminary tests including descriptive statistics, trend analysis, and stationary tests using Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) test were conducted. The Engle-Granger Cointegration test was employed to determine whether a long run relationship existed between the variables. The Vector Error correction model was employed to confirm the long run relationship and determine the short run dynamics between the variables. Two post estimation diagnostics tests (autocorrelation, and Heteroscedasticity) were also conducted in order to confirm the robustness of the model. Findings indicated that a long run (but no short run) relationship existed between taxation and economic growth in Nigeria. The result also, revealed a significant positive relationship at 5% level of significance between Petroleum profit tax, Company Income tax and economic growth, but a negative relationship between economic growth and customs and Excise Duties. However, the tax components are jointly insignificant in impacting the Nigerian economic growth. This study recommends strong institutional reforms in the Department of Customs in order to plug the manifest leakages. The tax collection mechanism used by tax officials must be free from corruption and embezzlement. If this is not done, the revenue collected many not reach the desired point. The Federal Government, state governments and local governments should urgently modernize and automate all its tax system.
Earnings Management and Financial Crisis: Evidence from India

This paper attempts to examine the earnings management behavior of Indian firms during the global financial crisis in 2008 and compare with the period before and after. It uses the financial data of S&amp;P CNX 500 companies for the period of 2007-2012. GICS, the best industry classification system among competing alternatives, has been used for computing discretionary accruals (DA). The study finds a high level of earnings management in firms during the pre-crisis period, a significant decrease during the crisis period, and an increase again in the post-crisis period. The study further examines the earnings management behavior isolating the firms into two categories – firms with positive DA and firms with negative DA. We found that earnings management in both these categories of firms decreased during the crisis period and increased in the post-crisis period for firms with negative DA. However, for firms with positive DA, our results are inconclusive.
The Effects of Environmental Orientation on Firm Performance and a Mediating Role of Employee-Based Brand Equity: A Comparative study

The studies striving to investigate the interrelationships between environmental orientation-company’s performance, and its mediator constructs remain fragmented. This study provides insights to illuminate the process through which environmental orientation transfers into business results. It proposes hypotheses based on Social Identity Theory and the Theory of Reasoned Action and empirically test it in a comparative, cross-cultural study. The findings observe that employee-specific idiosyncrasies influence business performance through employee-based brand equity. Thus, the study suggests an increased role for management-induced practices to effectively transform brand values into a higher level of employee engagement and better business results.
Ankle Sprains: Getting Off on the Wrong Foot

In research on the role of reflexes in ankle sprains, most attention has traditionally gone toward perturbed standing and toward spindle afferents from the peroneal muscles. It is argued that other paradigms are needed that are more closely related to sports. In addition, the role of other afferents (e.g., from skin) and other muscles (from upper leg) should be considered.
Carbapenem-resistant strains from the family Enterobacteriaceae isolated in the period 2006-2011 from clinical specimens of patients treated at the university hospital in northeastern Poland.

INTRODUCTION In recent years an alarming increase of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae has been noticed, which creates frequent therapeutic problems, especially for patients residing in intensive care units (ICU). The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of carbapenem-resistant strains of Enterobacteriaceae isolated in the years 2006-2011 at the University Hospital in Bialystok (UHB). METHODS Based on microbiological analysis reports we conducted a retrospective study of strains resistant to carbapenems. We assigned strains to three carbapenem-resistance phenotypes, and analyzed susceptibility to antibiotics and prevalence of these strains in hospital wards and in clinical specimens collected from hospitalized patients. During a six-year period, 216 strains resistant to carbapenems were tested, which represents 0.96% of all Enterobacteriaceae (n = 22.391) isolated during this period. RESULTS The greatest number of carbapenem-resistant strains was identified in 2011 (96 strains, 44.44%). Antibiotics that showed the highest activity against strains occurring most frequently (Klebsiella pneumoniae [n = 103] and Enterobacter cloacae [n = 85]) were tigecycline (102 [99.03%] of K. pneumoniae tested strains and 61 [100%] of E. cloacae strains were susceptible), colistin (33 [86.84%] of K. pneumoniae tested strains and 84 [100%] of E. cloacae were susceptible), and amikacin (86 [83.49%] of K. pneumoniae tested strains and 26 [30.58%] of E. cloacae strains were susceptible). CONCLUSIONS Carbapenem resistance among Enterobacteriaceae isolates showed a trend to increase during the six-year period of study. Because infections caused by carbapenem-resistant strains are frequently life-threatening, the effective strategies to control the spreading of antibiotic resistance are necessary.
Managing CSR projects and programmes in the UAE

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is an increasingly influential concept, which is usually claimed to be implemented more in the West than in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and MENA region, where it is portrayed as less developed and philanthropic. This research investigates developments of CSR in the UAE revealing different levels of awareness, engagement, and implementation. The study consists of data analysed from 29 interviews with CSR representatives of UAE-based organisations from 2011 to 2016, and a case study of a strategic youth engagement CSR programme. The varying degrees of sophistication and programmification of CSR activities in the UAE reveals a more developed stage of maturity than is implied in the literature. The use of project management to organise, implement, align and monitor CSR activity provides knowledge relevant to the UAE but also other countries. The study shows organisations with project management skills and governmental links are in a better position and under more pressure to undertake strategic CSR activity that is sustainable. Organisations linked to governmental organisations or leadership seem more aligned to national goals and so are more influenced to undertake strategic CSR activity that will contribute to these goals. CSR activity that is strategic seems to be projectised to achieve these goals as well. The research addresses a lack of knowledge on developments of CSR in the UAE, including the use of project management as a means to implement strategic CSR activity. Strategic CSR itself has not been associated with the region before, however the examination of CSR projects and programmes in the UAE has revealed that there are cases of CSR being strategically managed to achieve and contribute to organisational and not only social goals. Implications for project management theory drawn from the study include the application of project management to CSR activity, the CSR and PM theories are somewhat linked in the available literature, however not to the degree of which is presented in this study. The study provides an example of CSR and PM directly integrated to maximize success and achievement of organizational goals. Pellegrinelli (2002, p. 229) states that “Emergent thinking on programme management best practice has focused on the internal context, namely the marshalling of projects and resources to achieve the desired strategic and/or synergy benefits. ” Most importantly, this research demonstrates the positive influence project management can have on implementation of CSR. The study sheds light on the institutional factors such as government pressure and peer pressure that influence the way CSR is perceived and managed in organisations in the UAE. Studying these factors in more depth will allow us to understand more on the way CSR in the UAE is developing and how it might be expedited further towards sustainable development. This area is recommended for future research; to produce more specific theory on institutional drivers that could further develop the CSR landscape.
Cosmic rays: are air crew at risk?

This article reviews the current knowledge about cosmic rays and their possible effects on health of air crew, discusses research directions necessary for establishing and measuring the risks, and highlights the need for physicians and air crew to be informed, despite the inconclusiveness of the evidence. A literature review of computerised medical and scientific databases was carried out. Recent reports highlighting increased incidence of cancer among airline pilots and cabin crew have renewed concerns about possible exposure to harmful levels of cosmic radiation at altitude. Such low energy ionising radiation has been shown to cause double stranded DNA deletions and induce genomic instability in human chromosomes. In the field of microelectronics, cosmic rays have been shown to cause “hard” and “soft” errors in computer microchips, in a dose-response fashion with increasing altitude. Pregnant cabin crew members are of special concern. Although the epidemiological evidence is still inconclusive, we know enough to warrant a cautionary stance. The European Union (EU) leads the way in legislation.
Study on the association between earnings management and value relevance based on the reporting method used for operating cash flows

This paper analyses the association between earnings management and value relevance of accounting information, for a number of 556 observations from a sample of 65 companies listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange during a 10 year period: 2006-2015. Sampled companies are classified according to the method used for the reporting of operating cash flows. Findings confirm that entities using the indirect method have a higher level of discretionary accruals and are more tempted to opportunistically increase their earnings. As far as value relevance is concerned, results show that participants on the Romanian capital market place more weight on the information reported by entities experiencing higher levels of discretionary accruals.
A Simple Portable Reflectometer for Field Use

A small, portable, battery-powered field reflectometer, which utilized an integrating sphere, was developed for measuring reflectance from soils and intact leaves. Its light source was a flashlight bulb; its wavelength selection within the range of 0.4 P to 1.1 04 was achieved with interference filters. Comparison with laboratory instruments was favorable.