Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Purification and characterization of the external envelope glycoprotein from two human immunodeficiency virus type 1 variants, HTLV-IIIB and HTLV-IIIRF

External envelope glycoprotein from cell membranes and culture media of H9 cells infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) isolate HTLV-IIIRF was isolated by immunoaffinity chromatography and compared with similar materials isolated from another variant, HTLV-IIIB. Envelope glycoprotein from IIIB and IIIRF appears to be identical, whether isolated from infected cell membranes or culture media. The molecular size of the IIIRF external envelope glycoprotein was 110 kilodaltons, whereas the relative size of IIIB gp120 was 123 kilodaltons. Amino-terminal sequence analysis of purified external envelope glycoprotein isolated from infected cell membranes or culture fluids revealed identical single sequences for the first 20 amino acids for each variant. The sequences obtained for IIIB gp120 were identical to those reported for the BH10 clone of the IIIB isolate, and the sequences determined for IIIRF gp110 matched the amino acid sequence predicted for the HAT3 clone of the Haitian HIV isolate. The amino-terminal sequences of external envelope glycoproteins isolated from either HIV-1 variant corresponded to the sequence starting at the proposed proteolytic cleavage site for the processing of the signal peptide of gp160. Immunization with external envelope glycoprotein isolated from either of the two HIV-1 variants yielded goat antibodies that primarily precipitated the homologous antigen. Sequential immunization of a single goat with gp120 and then gp110 resulted in the generation of antibodies that precipitated external envelope glycoprotein from both variants.
Surgical Factors in Pediatric Cochlear Implantation and Their Early Effects on Electrode Activation and Functional Outcomes

Objective: To assess the impact of surgical factors on electrode status and early communication outcomes in young children in the first 2 years of cochlear implantation. Study Design: Prospective multicenter cohort study. Setting: Six tertiary referral centers. Patients: Children 5 years or younger before implantation with normal nonverbal intelligence. Intervention: Cochlear implant operations in 209 ears of 188 children. Main Outcome Measures: Percent active channels, auditory behavior as measured by the Infant Toddler Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale/Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale and Reynell receptive language scores. Results: Stable insertion of the full electrode array was accomplished in 96.2% of ears. At least 75% of electrode channels were active in 88% of ears. Electrode deactivation had a significant negative effect on Infant Toddler Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale/Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale scores at 24 months but no effect on receptive language scores. Significantly fewer active electrodes were associated with a history of meningitis. Surgical complications requiring additional hospitalization and/or revision surgery occurred in 6.7% of patients but had no measurable effect on the development of auditory behavior within the first 2 years. Negative, although insignificant, associations were observed between the need for perioperative revision of the device and 1) the percent of active electrodes and 2) the receptive language level at 2-year follow-up. Conclusion: Activation of the entire electrode array is associated with better early auditory outcomes. Decrements in the number of active electrodes and lower gains of receptive language after manipulation of the newly implanted device were not statistically significant but may be clinically relevant, underscoring the importance of surgical technique and the effective placement of the electrode array.
When saying no is not an option: Forced marriage in Australia and New Zealand

Australia is one of a small number of countries to criminalise forced marriage, introduced into the Criminal Code 1995 in 2013 as a slavery-like practice. However, unlike other nations where forced marriage is a criminal offence, there has been little formal examination of the nature and context of forced marriage in Australia and the consequences (positive and negative) of criminalising this practice. This report uses interviews with victim/survivors of forced marriage, community members and government and non-government stakeholders in Australia and New Zealand (where forced marriage is not criminalised) to describe the perceptions and realities of forced marriage, including the circumstances of the marriage, experiences of victim/survivors while married and their help-seeking behaviours, and post-marriage support and consequences. It also examines the course of intervention adopted in Australia to respond to forced marriage and the cultural challenges to these interventions.
Pulmonary haemosiderosis in a 13-year-old girl with coeliac disease after 3 months on a gluten-free diet: case report and review of the literature

Abstract A 13-year-old girl with controlled coeliac disease who had been on a gluten-free diet for the past 3 months was admitted with respiratory distress and hypoxia for the past week. Chest radiograph and CT scan showed bilateral widespread alveolar shadowing suggestive of a hypersensitive pneumonitis. There was a dramatic radiological and clinical response to oral corticosteroids. Bronchial lavage was suggestive of recurrent aspiration and histology of a transbronchial biopsy showed pulmonary haemosiderosis. We conclude that pulmonary haemosiderosis may occur in children with coeliac disease who are on a gluten-free diet.
Prognostic factors in breast cancer: Immunohistochemical staining for SP1 and NCRC 11 related to survival, tumour epidermal growth factor receptor and oestrogen receptor status

It has been proposed that intense immunohistochemical staining using the monoclonal antibody NCRC 11 is indicative of a better prognosis in breast cancer, and that expression of pregnancy specific glycoprotein (SP1) and epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) are poor prognosis indicators. In order to evaluate the significance of staining for NCRC 1 1 to prognosis and to these other variables, we studied two series of breast cancer patients. In one series (n = 93), staining with NCRC 11 and for SP1 was correlated with prognosis: in neither case was there any overall relationship between staining and survival. However, when the patients were stratified by tumour histological (Bloom's) grade, SP1 expression was associated with a poorer prognosis in grade II tumours (p <0·025). In a further series (n = 94), NCRC 11 staining was carried out and fresh tumour samples were assayed biochemically for oestrogen receptor (OER) and EGFR. NCRC 11 showed a negative correlation with EGFR status (p = < 0·05) but no significant association with OER status. Thus despite our demonstration of a negative correlation with an indicator of poorer prognosis, we were unable to demonstrate any direct relationship between staining with NCRC 11 and survival.
Effect of Aminoguanidine Intervention on Neutrophils in Diabetes Inflammatory Cells Wound Healing

Abstract To explore aminoguanidine (AG) effect on neutrophil functions and associated signal transduction way in diabetic rats wound healing. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into 3 groups, Group A (control+burns), Group B (diabetes+burns), Group C (diabetes+burns+AG). Wound skin tissue was harvested at 6h, 24h and 36h after trauma, and then immunohistochemistry was used to detect AGE (advanced glycation end products) contents and RAGE (receptor of AGE) expression. Western blotting was applied to detect RAGE and NF-κB. Oxidative stress changes were detected by colorimetry. Inflammatory cytokines were determined by ELIASA and cell apoptosis by TUNEL. Pathological changes were analyzed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. In the wound tissue of Group C, compared to that in Group B, AGE content, RAGE expression level, NF-κB level declined, and MPO (myeloperoxidase) decreased at 36h; TNFα, IL-8, H2O2, GSH-Px (Glutathione peroxidse), and MDA (malondialdehyde) levels increased; dense post-traumatic inflammation belt formed obviously. AG for prophylactic use can promote the migration and respiratory burst of neutrophils markedly, and help to restore the functions of neutrophil; and the abnormal secretion of inflammation cytokines can be corrected partly. Blocking AGE deposition and promoting microenvironment were effective ways for diabetic wound healing.
Auditory and phonetic perception of vowels in children with apraxic speech disorders

The aim of this study was to assess auditory and phonetic perceptual processing of vowels in children with apraxic disorders, who demonstrated clinically with only a speech output deficit. Two experiments were conducted. In the preparatory Experiment 1 series of vowels were constructed by moving formant frequencies away from the extreme values in the vowel space in the direction of a ‘neutral‐vowel position’. These were presented to adults and children with no speech‐language involvement. Based on identification performance low‐redundancy vowels were selected, which served as the end‐points of two vowel continua: /i/‐/I/ and /a/‐/α/. In Experiment 2 these continua were used in identification and discrimination tasks, presented to 11 children with apraxic speech problems (aged 6:11 to 9:6 years) and 12 normally developing children. The results showed poorer perception of vowels for the children with apraxic speech problems than for the control children for both continua. Identification functions indicated poorer phonetic processing; discrimination functions indicated poorer auditory processing. Furthermore, a combination of perception measures (identification and discrimination) proved to have a high differential and clinical value for the assessment of children with apraxic speech problems. The results support the view that subtle (subclinical) auditory processing deficits make part of speech output disorders.
A Prospective, Randomized Comparison of Adrenaline Injection in Combination with Detachable Snare Versus Adrenaline Injection Alone in the Prevention of Postpolypectomy Bleeding in Large Colonic Polyps

OBJECTIVES:Our study sought to compare the efficacy of adrenaline injection in combination with detachable snare versus adrenaline injection alone in the prevention of postpolypectomy bleeding in large colonic polyps.METHODS:At the time of colonoscopy, patients with at least one colonic polyp ≥2 cm were randomized to receive treatment either by the injection of a 1:10.000 solution of adrenaline and the position of a detachable snare followed by a conventional snare polypectomy (group A) or injection of adrenaline followed by a conventional snare polypectomy (group B). A total of 159 consecutive patients were randomly assigned to one of the above groups. Out of them, 84 patients (47 men, 37 women, mean age 61 yr) were assigned to group A and 75 (37 men, 38 women, mean age 64 yr) to group B. Early (<24 h) and late (>24 h–30 days) bleeding complications were assessed.RESULTS:Overall bleeding complications occurred in 10/159 (6.2%) of the patients. There were two cases of bleeding in group A (2.3%), and eight in group B (10.6%) (P = 0.04). The number of early bleeding episodes was significantly reduced in group A patients (1 case) compared to that of group B (7 cases) (P = 0.02). In contrast, there was no significant difference between group A and B as far as late bleeding is concerned.CONCLUSIONS:Our data suggest that the use of adrenaline injection in combination with detachable snare may significantly decrease the number of early postpolypectomy bleeding episodes in patients with large colonic polyps.
Does the Pecking Order Theory Apply to Chinese Publicly Traded Companies? Evidence from Manufacturing Sector

The pecking order theory is one of the most crucial theories in corporate finance field. Empirical test on this theory is very common in western countries while domestic empirical study is still relatively limited in China. The majority of previous studies mainly concentrate in the whole capital market. Over the last decade, manufacturing sector experienced incrementally rapid development in China. The manufacturing sector not only makes critical contributions to China’s economy and society development, but also becomes key force in supporting the world economy. Thus, this article tests pecking order theory on Chinese publicly traded firms in manufacturing sector. Using a panel of 1212 observations during the period between 2013 and 2015, we draw the conclusion that there is no evidence to back up the pecking order theory. Further subsample analysis indicates that pecking order does not apply to Chinese manufacturing listed firms with both high float shares ratio and low float shares ratio.
Does Corporate Social Responsibility Mediate the Relation between Boardroom Gender Diversity and Firm Performance of Chinese Listed Companies?

Although the relationship between board gender diversity and a firm’s financial performance has been investigated before, the current study provides a valuable contribution by exploring the complex phenomenon of the mediating impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance on a firm’s financial performance. The current study aims to explore whether corporate social responsibility (represented by the proxy variable of CSR reporting) mediates the relationship between boardroom gender diversity and firm performance. We use the pooled ordinary least square (OLS) regression to examine the above relationship by using data from 2008 to 2015. To control the likelihood of endogeneity we also use one-year lagged and two-stage least square (2SLS) regression models. Our results show that boardroom gender diversity is significant, positively correlated with firm performance, and CSR fully mediates the relationship between boardroom gender diversity and firm performance. In addition, four control variables (independent director, Chief executive officer (CEO power), board member meeting frequency, Big4, and leverage) have some influence on firm performance. These findings hold for a set of robustness tests. Our findings have the implication for the investors and regulators. For investors, our results show that the existence of female directors on the board can improve the firm performance. For regulators, our results advise the worldwide policy maker to give the importance to boardroom gender diversity. The paper contributes to the existing studies, by pioneering the investigations of the mediating role of CSR in the relation between boardroom gender diversity and firm performance in Chinese context.
Pharmacokinetics and Tolerability of Once Daily Double Dose Tobramycin Inhalation in Cystic Fibrosis Using Controlled and Conventional Nebulization.

BACKGROUND Better treatment outcomes in cystic fibrosis (CF) may be expected by changing standard twice daily (BID) tobramycin inhalation with the conventional nebulizer to once daily (OD) inhalation at double the standard BID dose with a controlled-inhalation nebulizer. We aimed to determine the pharmacokinetics and tolerability of inhaled double-dose tobramycin with the controlled-inhalation AKITA(®) and conventional PARI-LC(®) Plus nebulizer in patients with CF. METHODS Randomized, open label, crossover study. Pharmacokinetics were assessed in 10 adult CF patients following inhalation of tobramycin (Bramitob(®)) at double the recommended BID dose with the AKITA (300 mg fill dose) and PARI-LC Plus (600 mg fill dose). RESULTS No significant differences were found in pharmacokinetic parameters between the two nebulizers. Median maximum serum levels were 3.44 (2.25-5.49) and 2.84 (0.82-6.63) mg/L for AKITA and PARI-LC Plus, respectively. Trough serum levels were very low for both nebulizers: 0.03 (0.00-0.09) and 0.02 (0.00-0.06) mg/L for AKITA and PARI-LC Plus, respectively. Time to maximum level was comparable: 0.44 (0.08-0.96) and 0.40 (0.08-0.96) hours for AKITA and PARI-LC Plus, respectively. Serum levels were well below the toxic limit. Inhalations were well tolerated and no serious adverse events occurred. Nebulization time was 33% shorter with the AKITA. CONCLUSIONS OD tobramycin inhalation of the double standard BID dose with a controlled-inhalation and conventional nebulizer resulted in similar pharmacokinetics in the doses given, with serum levels below the toxic limit. Further research demonstrating clinical efficacy and safety of this treatment approach is required. Dutch trial register number NTR4525.
SENSITIVITIES OF ASIAN OPTIONS IN THE BLACK–SCHOLES MODEL

We propose analytical approximations for the sensitivities (Greeks) of the Asian options in the Black–Scholes model, following from a small maturity/volatility approximation for the option prices which has the exact short maturity limit, obtained using large deviations theory. Numerical tests demonstrate good agreement of the proposed approximation with alternative numerical simulation results for cases of practical interest. We also study the qualitative properties of Asian Greeks, including new results for Rho, the sensitivity with respect to changes in the risk-free rate, and Psi, the sensitivity with respect to the dividend yield. In particular, we show that the Rho of a fixed-strike Asian option and the Psi of a floating-strike Asian option can change sign.
Korean version of the Revised Caregiving Appraisal Scale: a translation and validation study.

AIM This paper is a report of a study to examine the reliability and validity of a Korean version of the Revised Caregiving Appraisal Scale with Korean caregivers of older stroke survivors. BACKGROUND The Revised Caregiving Appraisal Scale was developed in the United States of America for an American English-speaking population to measure primary caregivers' appraisals of potential stressors and the efficacy of their coping efforts related to caregiving experiences. METHODS Using the back-translation method, the instrument was translated into Korean. The Korean version of the Revised Caregiving Appraisal Scale was self-administered by 147 primary family caregivers recruited from three outpatient clinics and two home health agencies in Korea. The study was conducted in 2005. RESULTS In this sample, Cronbach's alpha for the total scale was 0.86. Reliability coefficients for each of the five subscales ranged from 0.40 to 0.85. Two subscales, burden and satisfaction, showed good reliability; one subscale, impact, showed marginally acceptable reliability; two subscales, mastery and demand, had low reliability. Principal components factor analysis of the Korean version of the Revised Caregiving Appraisal Scale yielded six factors. Except for the mastery domain, which was divided into two factors, the other factors were similar to those in the original scale. CONCLUSION The Korean version of the Revised Caregiving Appraisal Scale had adequate reliability and validity in a sample of Korean caregivers of stroke survivors. It can be used to assess the impact of caregiving and interventions on Korean caregiver attitudes. Further studies are needed with different categories of caregiver.
Increased use of thrombolytic therapy and shortening of in-hospital delays following acute ischemic stroke: experience on the establishment of a primary stroke center at a community hospital.

PURPOSE To improve and standardize stroke care, the establishment of primary stroke centers (PSCs) has been advised. Thrombolytic therapy has been proved to improve the outcome of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We assessed the use of thrombolytic therapy before and after setting up a PSC at a community hospital. METHODS In November 2007, a PSC was established at our hospital. Following guidelines based on national recommendations, we administered intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) to patients who met the criteria. To study the effects of the establishment of the PSC on tPA treatment rates, we examined our database of stroke patients dating back to January 2004. RESULTS Before the establishment of the PSC, there have been 2,420 patients admitted to our hospital diagnosed with AIS. Only 1.2% of these patients were treated with intravenous tPA. Following the establishment of the PSC, 2.8% of 1151 AIS patients were treated with tPA. Time of patient arrival to patient treatment was also diminished. CONCLUSION The establishment of the PSC significantly increases the usage of tPA treatment. Furthermore, response time to patient cases was also quicker. However, for maximum effectiveness, the public still needs to be made more aware of the risks of stroke and the importance of seeking medical care at the first signs of stroke.
Knowledge Mobilization Through E-Learning Systems: Understanding the Mediating Roles of Self-Efficacy and Anxiety on Perceptions of Ease of Use

Knowledge mobilization is about translating new knowledge into practice. Virtual learning processes play an important role in diffusing knowledge. This study addresses the personal and cognitive dimensions of virtual learning. A survey (n = 403) was conducted to understand how individual characteritics influence perceptions of ease of use of e-learning systems. Our findings show that e-learning system self-efficacy and computer anxiety mediate the effects of personal innovativeness with IT and computer playfulness on perceived ease of use.
Defining and assessing the transformational nature of smart city governance: insights from four European cases

Smart cities are a new approach to urban development based on the extensive use of information and communication technologies and on the promotion of environmental sustainability, economic development and innovation. The article is aimed at discussing whether the adoption of a smart city approach entails the transformation of existing institutional structures and administrative practices. To this end, four cases of European smart cities are analysed: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Turin and Vienna. The article describes their models of governance, investigates the level of transformation that occurred in their governmental structures, outlines the main drawbacks and identifies possible connections with the emergent paradigm of the New Public Governance. Points for practitioners The article offers in-depth insights about how smart governance is implemented in practice. It outlines the smart city model of urban governance as the result of specific goals, relationships among stakeholders, policy styles and policy tools. Smart governance entails the adoption of a new approach based on experimentation, collaboration with all local stakeholders and the reorganisation of existing government structures. This process should be driven by public actors and should be supported by appropriate tools to manage interactions, to foster coordination, to enhance democratic legitimacy and accountability, and to ensure tangible results for citizens.
Bark stripping of hinoki cypress by sika deer in relation to snow cover and food availability on Mt Takahara, central Japan

Bark stripping of hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa (Sieb. et Zucc.) Endl. ) by sika deer (Cervus nippon Temminck) was monitored for 4 years on approximately 300 trees at three sites on Mt Takahara, central Japan. We investigated the effects of snow cover and food availability on seasonal and yearly changes in bark stripping. Bark stripping occurred during snowy periods (January and February) when less food was available because of the snow cover. The most serious bark stripping was observed in 1996 when the snow was the deepest and food resources were the poorest among the 4 years of the study. In contrast, bark stripping did not occur in 1999 when the snow was thin and, consequently, more food was available. These results suggest that snow cover and food avail-ability influence the occurrence and intensity of bark stripping both seasonally and annually.