Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Integrative Decision Space Model for Simulation of Cultural Differences in Human Decision-Making

An Integrative Decision Space Model has been developed to model and simulate a culturally based decision-making process. The organizational component describes the billets and reporting structure of the organization. The process component has parameters that represent the nodes, interconnections, and process outcomes. The cultural component identifies specific cultural dimensions and their influence on organizational and decision-maker parameters. The decision-maker component parameters capture the influence of a decision-maker's previous training and experience on different task types. The decision space is the intersection of the four component models that occurs when a decision-maker executes the task at a process node and thus influences the process outcomes. The decision space algorithm computes incremental values for each node in a decision process, cumulating in output values for the complete process that can be compared to baseline processes as variables are manipulated in the component models.
Drug Experience Epigenetically Primes Fosb Gene Inducibility in Rat Nucleus Accumbens

ΔFosB, a Fosb gene product, is induced in nucleus accumbens (NAc) and caudate–putamen (CPu) by repeated exposure to drugs of abuse such as cocaine. This induction contributes to aberrant patterns of gene expression and behavioral abnormalities seen with repeated drug exposure. Here, we assessed whether a remote history of cocaine exposure in rats might alter inducibility of the Fosb gene elicited by subsequent drug exposure. We show that prior chronic cocaine administration, followed by extended withdrawal, increases inducibility of Fosb in NAc, as evidenced by greater acute induction of ΔFosB mRNA and faster accumulation of ΔFosB protein after repeated cocaine reexposure. No such primed Fosb induction was observed in CPu; in fact, subsequent acute induction of ΔFosB mRNA was suppressed in CPu. These abnormal patterns of Fosb expression are associated with chromatin modifications at the Fosb gene promoter. Prior chronic cocaine administration induces a long-lasting increase in RNA polymerase II (Pol II) binding at the Fosb promoter in NAc only, suggesting that Pol II “stalling” primes Fosb for induction in this region upon reexposure to cocaine. A cocaine challenge then triggers the release of Pol II from the gene promoter, allowing for more rapid Fosb transcription. A cocaine challenge also decreases repressive histone modifications at the Fosb promoter in NAc, but increases such repressive marks and decreases activating marks in CPu. These results provide new insight into the chromatin dynamics at the Fosb promoter and reveal a novel mechanism for primed Fosb induction in NAc upon reexposure to cocaine.
Procalcitonin in patients with acute coronary syndrome: correlation with high-sensitive C-reactive protein, prognosis and severity of coronary artery disease

Objectives — The aim of this study is to determine the relation of high-sensitive serum C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and procalcitonin with presence and severity of coronary artery disease and early prognosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods and results — Procalcitonin and hsCRP levels were measured at admission and after 48 hours in 50patients (41men, 9 women) with ACS. The patients were assigned to three groups according to their clinical diagnosis: unstable angina pectoris (UAP) (Braunwald III-B), non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Incidences of adverse cardiac events were recorded in a 3-month follow-up. Coronary angiography was performed to evaluate presence and severity of coronary artery disease. In the groups of STEMI, NSTEMI and UAP, procalcitonin (P=0.013, P=0.045 and P=0.0001, respectively) and hsCRP (P=0.0001, P=0.01 and P=0.001, respectively) levels were significantly increased. No significant correlation was found between these markers and the presence and severity of coronary artery disease.There was no correlation between procalcitonin and hsCRP levels at admission and after 48hours and primary end points after 3months except in the group of UAP with revascularization procedure. In the group of UAP, hsCRP levels at 48hours were found higher in the patients with a revascularization procedure (P=0.04). Conclusions — In conclusion, levels of hsCRP and procalcitonin are increased in patients with ACS but failed to correlate with severity of coronary disease and early prognosis.
Experimental lung silicosis. Evolution of functional, biochemical, and morphological changes in the rat.

In 57 silicotic and 44 control rats, functional, biochemical, and histological measurements of the lungs were performed during four months of developing silicosis. Pulmonary silicosis was produced by a single intratracheal injection of 50 mg of quartz dust. Among the earliest changes were a significant decrease in arterial oxygen partial pressure, a decrease in lung compliance, and an increase of thoracic gas volume one month after dusting. These were accompanied by corresponding changes in lung weight, in hydroxyprolfne content, and in the histological appearance of the lungs. Four months after dusting the silicotic rate differed significantly in all measured factors from the controls. The picture of fully developed functional, biochemical, and morphological changes In rat silicosis was identical with that described earlier.
Important themes in postgraduate research supervision and examination for communities of practice

This paper analyses the themes arising from two Community of Practice (CoP) projects focused on supporting postgraduate research supervisors. One project was undertaken in New Zealand and the other in Queensland, Australia. The aim of the analysis is to provide interested readers with advice on important aspects of Postgraduate Supervision and Examination. The motivation for these CoP projects comes from increased demand for postgraduate supervision and also the notion that academic support is needed for all students and not just the traditional academic elite. This paper describes the background which prompted the projects, then details the activities undertaken. Following this discussion, the themes identified by two similar postgraduate supervision and examination CoPs are reported and compared. The analysis of these results suggests that there are core themes that might be common to all institutes and also unique themes specific to the context of the university or group where the CoP has been established. We call for further universities to set up a CoP and share their results in order to add to our comparison of the two universities and form a framework of themes significant in Postgraduate Supervision and Examination.
Cutting Edge: Dissociation Between Autoimmune Response and Clinical Disease After Vaccination with Dendritic Cells

Autoimmunity represents a caveat to the use of dendritic cells (DCs) as adjuvant for human vaccines. We derived DCs from normal BALB/c mice or from mice prone to autoimmunity (NZB × NZW) F1. We allowed DCs to phagocytose apoptotic thymocytes and vaccinated syngeneic animals. All mice developed anti-nuclear and anti-dsDNA Abs. Autoantibodies in normal mice were transient, without clinical or histological features of autoimmunity or tissue involvement. In contrast, autoimmunity was maintained in susceptible mice, which underwent renal failure and precociously died. The data suggest that DC vaccination consistently triggers autoimmune responses. However, clinical autoimmunity develops in susceptible subjects only.
Safety, Tolerance, and Pharmacokinetics of High-Dose Liposomal Amphotericin B (AmBisome) in Patients Infected withAspergillus Species and Other Filamentous Fungi: Maximum Tolerated Dose Study

ABSTRACT We conducted a phase I-II study of the safety, tolerance, and plasma pharmacokinetics of liposomal amphotericin B (L-AMB; AmBisome) in order to determine its maximally tolerated dosage (MTD) in patients with infections due to Aspergillus spp. and other filamentous fungi. Dosage cohorts consisted of 7.5, 10.0, 12.5, and 15.0 mg/kg of body weight/day; a total of 44 patients were enrolled, of which 21 had a proven or probable infection (13 aspergillosis, 5 zygomycosis, 3 fusariosis). The MTD of L-AMB was at least 15 mg/kg/day. Infusion-related reactions of fever occurred in 8 (19%) and chills and/or rigors occurred in 5 (12%) of 43 patients. Three patients developed a syndrome of substernal chest tightness, dyspnea, and flank pain, which was relieved by diphenhydramine. Serum creatinine increased two times above baseline in 32% of the patients, but this was not dose related. Hepatotoxicity developed in one patient. Steady-state plasma pharmacokinetics were achieved by day 7. The maximum concentration of drug in plasma (Cmax) of L-AMB in the dosage cohorts of 7.5, 10.0, 12.5, and 15.0 mg/kg/day changed to 76, 120, 116, and 105 μg/ml, respectively, and the mean area under the concentration-time curve at 24 h (AUC24) changed to 692, 1,062, 860, and 554 μg · h/ml, respectively, while mean CL changed to 23, 18, 16, and 25 ml/h/kg, respectively. These data indicate that L-AMB follows dose-related changes in disposition processing (e.g., clearance) at dosages of ≥7.5 mg/kg/day. Because several extremely ill patients had early death, success was determined for both the modified intent-to-treat and evaluable (7 days of therapy) populations. Response rates (defined as complete response and partial response) were similar for proven and probable infections. Response and stabilization, respectively, were achieved in 36 and 16% of the patients in the modified intent-to-treat population (n = 43) and in 52 and 13% of the patients in the 7-day evaluable population (n = 31). These findings indicate that L-AMB at dosages as high as 15 mg/kg/day follows nonlinear saturation-like kinetics, is well tolerated, and can provide effective therapy for aspergillosis and other filamentous fungal infections.
Long-Term Acclimation to Iron Limitation Reveals New Insights in Metabolism Regulation of Synechococcus sp. PCC7002

In large areas of the ocean phytoplankton growth is limited by the scarcity of iron (Fe), an essential co-factor for multiple enzymes. Phytoplankton has hence developed strategies to survive under Fe limitation. Here, we characterize the response to Fe limitation of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC7002 acclimated to different Fe concentrations in chemically characterized synthetic seawater. The inorganic Fe concentrations used represent levels of Fe limitation relevant for different domains of the contemporary ocean. Combining physiological and transcriptomic approaches, we provide evidence of the progression of the physiological responses to increasing levels of Fe limitation. Our results showed a rising number of significantly regulated genes and the complexity of the response to increasing Fe limitation. Mild Fe limitation induced up-regulation of genes involved in Fe uptake, while genes involved in photosynthesis and respiration were down-regulated. Strong Fe limitation induced up-regulation of genes involved in energy metabolism and concomitant down-regulation of macronutrients uptake. Severe Fe limitation affected fine metabolic regulation of co-factors expression and activation of anti-oxidative stress responses. Our results suggest that homeostasis under long-term Fe limitation put at play dramatically different mechanisms for oxidative stress mitigation and carbon metabolism than those previously reported under Fe stress. Hence, evidence the importance of acclimation processes on the performance of cyanobacteria under Fe limitation conditions.
Motivational Interviewing Intervention on Health-Seeking Behaviors of Pregnant Women in Western Kenya

We studied the effect of using Motivational Interviewing Intervention (MII) on health facility delivery and newborn care practices among pregnant women receiving Care of the Mother and Newborn at Home (CNH) visits by Community Health Workers (CHWs). Near-Term women who had received at least one CHW home visit, were randomly assigned to one session of MII (intervention) or no MII (Control). Fifty five (55%) of intervention women, compared to 35% of control women delivered in health facilities. Intervention women also understood the need to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months better than controls (P = 0.000), and had a p-value of 0.07 for breastfeeding within one hour after birth. We concluded in the context of CHW Home visit program, adding may improve perinatal care.
Is using work–life interface benefits a career‐limiting move? An examination of women, men, lone parents, and parents with partners

Summary Using a large national sample based on Workplace and Employee Survey data collected by Statistics Canada in 2001 and 2002, we examined the effects of employee usage of seven organizational work–life interface benefits on promotions. Analysis predicted promotions in 2002 when number of promotions received by 2001 were controlled. The main effect of using work–life interface benefits on promotions was positive, indicating that using these benefits is not a career-limiting move. Gender, presence of young children, and marital status interacted with the use of work–life interface benefits. Single parents benefitted less than other employees from using work–life interface options. Altogether, these findings suggest that the ongoing positive effects of conservation of time and energy resources for employees outweigh the initial short-term negative effects of signaling and stigmatization. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prevention of amlodipine absorption by activated charcoal: effect of delay in charcoal administration.

AIMS The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of activated charcoal on the absorption of amlodipine, with special reference to delayed charcoal administration. METHODS Thirty-two healthy volunteers, eight subjects in four parallel groups, ingested 10 mg of amlodipine on an empty stomach. Activated charcoal (25 g in 300 ml of water) was ingested either immediately afterwards or 2 h or 6 h after amlodipine, or amlodipine was ingested with 300 ml of water only (control). Plasma concentrations and the cumulative excretion of amlodipine into urine were measured by GC-MS for 96 h and 72 h, respectively. In addition, adsorption of amlodipine to charcoal was studied in vitro. RESULTS Activated charcoal administered immediately after amlodipine reduced the amlodipine AUC(0.96 h) and the 72-h urinary excretion by 99% (P < 0.0005). After a delay of 2 h in charcoal administration the AUC(0.96 h) was reduced by 49% (P = 0.001), but after a delay of 6 h the reduction was 15% only (P = NS). At a charcoal:drug ratio of 5:1, about 90% of amlodipine was adsorbed by charcoal in vitro; at ratios of 10:1 and 20:1, adsorption was practically complete. CONCLUSIONS Activated charcoal almost completely prevented amlodipine absorption when administered immediately after amlodipine ingestion. Charcoal also markedly reduced amlodipine absorption when given 2 h after amlodipine; in amlodipine overdose, administration of charcoal may be beneficial even later. We conclude that administration of activated charcoal is the method of choice to prevent absorption of amlodipine in amlodipine overdose.
Pharmacy Student Self-Testing as a Predictor of Examination Performance

Objectives. To determine if student self-testing improves performance during a doctor of pharmacy course. Methods. Students were given access to online quizzes with a large pool of randomly selected questions specific to upcoming examination content. Quizzes were electronically scored immediately upon completion and students were provided corrective feedback. Results. Examination scores following implementation of the practice quizzes were significantly higher in all but the last testing period. The upper fiftieth percentile of students scored higher on both the practice quizzes and subsequent examinations in all but the fourth testing period. Conclusions. Providing pharmacy students with self-testing opportunities could increase their retention of course material and provide feedback to both students and educators regarding learning, as well as provide students with a measure of their metacognition.
Antioxidant enzyme activity in the maturing rat testis.

Developmental profiles of the activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione transferase (GSH-Tr), and hexose monophosphate shunt (HMS) were measured in the rat testis and liver. The level of SOD in the testis was high at the age of 6 to 10 days, after which it dropped to approximately one third of that level by 20 days of age, and remained there up to 8 months of age. In the liver, SOD activity steadily increased from the neonatal to adult stage of life, reaching the same level as detected in the testis. The testicular activity of catalase was only 2% to 7% of that found in liver at all ages. It increased in both organs up to 6 weeks of age, whereafter the hepatic activity gradually decreased and no further changes were seen in the testis. The GSH-Px activity was low in the testis and declined slightly with age, whereas activity in the liver increased four-fold between birth and adulthood. The activity of GSH-Tr was similar in both organs studied: it increased after birth, showing a maximum in the liver at 1.5 months (ten-fold increase) and in the testis at 5 months of age (four-fold increase). The HMS activity was two to three times higher in the liver than in the testis, and decreased slightly with age in both organs. Thus, the basal levels and developmental profiles of antioxidant enzymes in the testis differ greatly from those in the liver. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Mixing events in a stratified jet subject to surface wind and buoyancy forcing

Abstract The fine-scale response of a subsurface stable stratified jet subject to the forcing of surface wind stress and surface cooling is investigated using direct numerical simulation. The initial velocity profile consists of a symmetric jet located below a surface layer driven by a constant wind stress. The initial density profile is well-mixed in the surface layer and linearly stratified in both upper and lower flanks of the jet. The minimum value of the gradient Richardson number in the upper flank of the jet exceeds the critical value of 0.25 for linear shear instability. Broadband finite-amplitude fluctuations are introduced to the surface layer to initiate the simulation. Turbulence is generated in the surface layer and deepens into the jet upper flank. Internal waves generated by the turbulent surface layer are observed to propagate downward across the jet. The momentum flux carried by the waves is significantly smaller than the Reynolds shear stress extracted from the background velocity. The wave energy flux is also smaller than the turbulence production by mean shear. Ejections of fluid parcels by horseshoe-like vortices cause intermittent patches of intense dissipation inside the jet upper flank where the background gradient Richardson number is larger than 0.25. Drag due to the wind stress is smaller than the drag caused by turbulent stress in the flow. Analysis of the mean and turbulent kinetic energy budgets suggests that the energy input by surface forcing is considerably smaller than the energy extracted from the initially imposed background shear in the surface layer.
Improving sexual rehabilitation services: the patient's perspective.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to examine, from the perspective of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI), the efficacy of sexual rehabilitation services. This input was sought to provide relevant information for enhancing services and for purposes of curricular planning. METHOD Data from 12 persons with SCI were gathered through interviews. Qualitative methodology was used to analyze interview transcripts. The results were categorized into the following themes: descriptions of sexual rehabilitation services received, evaluation of services received, and recommendations for improving services. RESULTS The majority of participants reported receiving some type of sexual rehabilitation services, but many reported dissatisfaction with the quality and quantity of sexuality-related services received. A complex interplay of factors such as age, gender, severity of injury, time since injury, mood, sexual experience before injury, and marital status seemed to influence the participants' needs, preferences, and readiness for these services. CONCLUSION The results provide information about how future services can be improved and what benefits and limitations exist in the role of occupational therapy in sexual rehabilitation.
Bacteriophages May Bias Outcome of Bacterial Enrichment Cultures

ABSTRACT Enrichment cultures are widely used for the isolation of bacteria in clinical, biotechnological, and environmental studies. However, competition, relative growth rates, or inhibitory effects may alter the outcome of enrichment cultures, causing the phenomenon known as enrichment bias. Bacteriophages are a major component in many microbial systems, and it abounds in natural settings. This abundance means that bacteriophages are likely to be present in many laboratory enrichment cultures. Our hypothesis was that bacteriophages present in the sample might bias the enriched subpopulation, since it can infect and lyse the target bacteria during the enrichment step once the bacteria reach a given density. Here we show that the presence of bacteriophages in Salmonella and Shigella enrichment cultures produced a significant reduction (more than 1 log unit) in the number of these bacteria compared with samples in which bacteriophages had been reduced by filtration through 0.45-μm non-protein-binding membranes. Furthermore, our data indicate that the Salmonella biotypes isolated after the enrichment culture change if bacteriophages are present, thus distorting the results of the analysis.
Thirteen type I loci from HSA4q, HSA6p, HSA7q and HSA12q were comparatively FISH-mapped in four river buffalo and sheep chromosomes

Thirteen goat BAC clones containing coding sequences from HSA7, HSA12q, HSA4 and HSA6p were fluorescence in situ mapped to river buffalo (Bubalus bubalis, BBU) and sheep (Ovis aries, OAR) R-banded chromosomes. The following type I loci were mapped: BCP to BBU8q32 and OAR4q32, CLCN1 to BBU8q34 and OAR4q34, IGFBP3 to BBU8q24 and OAR4q27, KRT to BBU4q21 and OAR 3q21, IFNG to BBU4q23 and OAR3q23, IGF1 to BBU4q31 and OAR3q31, GNRHR to BBU7q32 and OAR6q32, MTP to BBU7q21 and OAR6q15, PDE6B to BBU7q36 and OAR6q36, BF to BBU2p22 and OAR20q22, EDN1 to BBU2p24 and OAR20q24, GSTA1 to BBU2p22 and OAR20q22, OLADRB (MHC) to BBU2p22 and OAR20q22. All mapped loci appeared to be located on homologous chromosomes and chromosome bands in both bovids. Comparison between gene orders in bovid (BBU and OAR) and human (HSA) chromosomes revealed complex rearrangements, especially between BBU7/OAR6 and HSA4, as well as between BBU2p/OAR20 and HSA6p.