Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using action research to develop new strategic directions in a not for profit learning organisation

This paper describes the use of action research to develop new strategic directions for a pan-Canadian educational standards agency. As a learning organization, Curriculum Services Canada has a history of partnering with university researchers to review and improve its service to the education community. Our research process included interviewing staff and stakeholders, synthesizing their views, and providing recommendations to enable the organization to revitalize and move forward as a team. We used action research in this study to engage all staff in a reflective and dynamic decision-making process. Our study supports action research as a means to facilitate organizational learning and change in a business setting.
Pathways to High-Lethality Suicide Attempts in Individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder

The purpose of this study was to develop and test a model of high-lethality suicide attempts (HLSA) in individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). An increased number of prior suicide attempts, substance use immediately prior to the attempt, and objective planning were proposed to lead directly to a HLSA, while aggression and impulsivity were hypothesized to lead indirectly to a HLSA through their associations with prior attempts. Path analysis revealed a revised model in which impulsivity was found to be significantly associated with both the lethality of the most recent attempt and the number of prior attempts. These results are discussed in terms of trait and crescendo models of suicidal behavior and their implications for suicide risk assessment among individuals with BPD.
Congener-specific organic carbon-normalized soil and sediment-water partitioning coefficients for the C1 through C8 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic and sulfonic acids

Organic carbon-normalized soil and sediment-water partitioning coefficients (Koc) were estimated for all C1 through C8 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic (PFCA) and sulfonic (PFSA) acid congeners. The limited experimental Koc data set for the straight chain C7 through C10 PFCAs and C8 and C10 PFSAs was correlated to SPARC and ALOGPS computationally estimated octanol-water partitioning/distribution constants and used to predict Koc values for both branched and linear C1 through C8 isomers. Branched and linear congeners in this homologue range are generally expected to have Koc values > 1, leading to their accumulation in organic matter on sediments and soils, retardation during ground and pore water flow, and the preferential association with dissolved organic matter in aquatic systems. Both increasing perfluoroalkyl chain length and linearity increase Koc values with substantial intra- and inter-homologue variation and interhomologue mixing. Variability in Koc values among the PFCA and PFSA congeners will likely lead to an enrichment of more linear and longer-chain isomers in organic matter fractions, resulting in aqueous phases fractionated towards shorter-chain branched congeners. The expected magnitude of fractionation will require inclusion in source apportionment models and risk assessments. A comparison of representative established quantitative structure property relationships for estimating Koc values from octanol-water partitioning constants suggests that these equilibrium partitioning frameworks may be applicable towards modeling PFCA and PFSA environmental fate processes.
Env-Expressing Autologous T Lymphocytes Induce Neutralizing Antibody and Afford Marked Protection against Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

ABSTRACT The envelope (Env) glycoproteins of HIV and other lentiviruses possess neutralization and other protective epitopes, yet all attempts to induce protective immunity using Env as the only immunogen have either failed or afforded minimal levels of protection. In a novel prime-boost approach, specific-pathogen-free cats were primed with a plasmid expressing Env of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and then boosted with their own T lymphocytes transduced ex vivo to produce the same Env and interleukin 15 (3 × 106 to 10 × 106 viable cells/cat). After the boost, the vaccinees developed elevated immune responses, including virus-neutralizing antibodies (NA). Challenge with an ex vivo preparation of FIV readily infected all eight control cats (four mock vaccinated and four naïve) and produced a marked decline in the proportion of peripheral CD4 T cells. In contrast, five of seven vaccinees showed little or no traces of infection, and the remaining two had reduced viral loads and underwent no changes in proportions of CD4 T cells. Interestingly, the viral loads of the vaccinees were inversely correlated to the titers of NA. The findings support the concept that Env is a valuable immunogen but needs to be administered in a way that permits the expression of its full protective potential.
A Randomized Phase II Trial of Single-Agent Gemcitabine, Vinorelbine, or Docetaxel in Patients with Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Who Have Poor Performance Status and/or Are Elderly

Background: Patients with poor performance status and/or are elderly are frequently considered a compromised group at high risk of chemotherapy-related morbidities and less likely to benefit from treatment. We aimed to evaluate tolerability and efficacy of three single-agent regimens in these patients. Patients and Methods: Patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who had performance status 2/3 and/or were aged 70 and older were randomly assigned to receive gemcitabine, vinorelbine, or docetaxel. Objective response, toxicities, and quality of life were evaluated. Results: One hundred thirty-five patients were registered, of whom one was ineligible. Of the 134 patients, 43 received gemcitabine, 45 vinorelbine, and 46 docetaxel. The response rate was 16%, 20%, 22% for gemcitabine, vinorelbine, and docetaxel, respectively. The main grade 3/4 toxicities were fatigue (18%) and neutropenia (16%). There was improvement in global health scores, cough, and dyspnea for all treatment groups. The improvement in dyspnea was most marked in patients with performance status 3. Conclusion: There was no significant advantage of any of the treatment arms over the rest. There was benefit seen with improvement of quality of life in patients who were able to receive more cycles of chemotherapy.
PREDICTION OF MAXIMAL VO2 FROM A SUBMAXIMAL STAIRMASTER TEST IN YOUNG WOMEN

The StairMaster 4000 PT is a popular step ergometer which provides a submaximal test protocol (SM Predicted Vo2max) for the prediction of Vo2max (ml-kg-1min-1). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the SM Predicted Vo2max protocol by comparing it to results from a Vo2max treadmill test in 20 young healthy women aged 20–25 years. Subjects were 10 step-trained (ST) women who had performed aerobic activities and exercised on a step ergometer for 20–30 minutes at least 3 times per week for the past 3 months, and 10 non-step-trained (NST) women who had performed aerobic activities no more than twice a week during the past 3 months and had no previous experience on a step ergometer. The SM Predicted Vo2max protocol used 2 steady state heart rates between approximately 115–150 b-min-1 to estimate Vo2max. The Bruce maximal treadmill protocol (Actual Vo2max) was used to measure Vo2max by open circuit spirometry. Each subject performed both tests within a 7-day period. The means and standard deviations for the Actual Vo2max tests were 39.8 ± 6.1 ml-kg-1min-1 for the ST group, 37.6 ± 6.3 ml-kg-1min-1 for the NST group, and 38.7 ± 6.2 ml-kg-Lmin-1 for the Total group (N = 20); and for the SM Predicted Vo2max tests, means and standard deviations were 40.78 ± 14.0 ml-kg-1-min-1, 30.9 ± 4.8 ml-kg-1min-1 and 35.9 ± 11.4 ml-kg-1.min-1. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the means of the Actual Vo2max and SM Predicted Vo2max test for the Total group (N = 20) or the ST group (n = 10), but a significant difference (p < 0.05) was shown for the NST group. The coefficient of determination (R2) and standard error of estimate (SEE) for the SM Predicted Vo2max and Actual Vo2max tests were R2 = 0.18, SEE = 5.72 ml-kg-1-min-1 for the Total group; R2 = 0.00, SEE = 6.68 ml-kg-1.min-1 for the NST group; and R2 = 0.33, SEE = 5.32 ml-kg-1.min-1 for ST group. In conclusion, the SM Predicted Vo2max test has acceptable accuracy for the ST group, but significantly underpredicted the NST group by almost 7 ml; and, as demonstrated by the high SEEs, it has a low level of precision for both ST and NST subjects.
Changes in Pneumococcal Serotypes and Antimicrobial Resistance after Introduction of the 13-Valent Conjugate Vaccine in the United States

ABSTRACT Ongoing surveillance for Streptococcus pneumoniae is needed to assess the impact of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine introduced in 2010 (PCV13). Forty-two U.S. centers submitted S. pneumoniae isolates between 1 October 2012 and 31 March 2013. Susceptibility testing was performed by use of a broth dilution method as recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Serotyping was performed by multiplex PCR and the Quellung reaction. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was defined as nonsusceptibility to penicillin (PNSP; MIC ≥ 0.12 μg/ml) combined with resistance to ≥2 non-β-lactam antimicrobials. Penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae (PRSP) was defined as a penicillin MIC of ≥2 μg/ml. For the 1,498 isolates collected during 2012-13, the PRSP and MDR rates were 14.2 and 21.0%, respectively. These percentages were lower than rates obtained in a surveillance study conducted 4 years earlier in 2008-09 (17.0 and 26.6%, respectively). The most common serotypes identified in 2012-13 were 3, 35B, and 19A, each representing 9 to 10% of all isolates. The largest percentage of PNSP in 2012-13 were found in serotypes 35B (24.8%), 19A (23.5%), and 15A (10.3%). Predominant PRSP serotypes were 19A (54.5%), 35B (28.2%), and 19F (7.0%). Major MDR serotypes were 19A (38.5%), 15A (16.9%), 6C (8.3%), and 35B (6.4%). The change in prevalence of PCV13 serotypes (43.4 to 27.1%) was primarily due to a decrease in serotype 19A strains, i.e., 22% of all strains in 2008-09 to 10% of all strains in 2012-13. Among the PNSP subset, serotypes showing a proportional increase were 35B, 15B, and 23B. Among MDR strains, the largest proportional increases were observed in serotypes 35B, 15B, and 23A.
The Macroeconomics Outcome of Oil Shocks in the Small Eurozone Economies

In this work we provide an analysis over the period 1999 - 2015 of the effects of oil shocks on prices and GDP in a group of small Euro-area economies. The group includes Austria, Belgium, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. We use the structural near-VAR methodology and are thus able to model the joint interaction of area-wide macroeconomic variables and national variables. We find that under the EMU oil price shocks have been important drivers of business cycle fluctuations in almost all these countries. Moreover, an increase in oil prices produces significant recessionary effects in all the countries included in the investigation. Thus, although there are different sizes in the responses of output in the investigated countries, our main conclusion is that oil prices (still) matter for European economies
Chimeric Molecules between Keratinocyte Growth Factor and Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor Define Domains That Confer Receptor Binding Specificities (*)

Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) are structurally related fibroblast growth factors, yet they exhibit distinct receptor binding specificity. Basic FGF binds with high affinity to FGFR1, FGFR2, and FGFR4, whereas KGF does not interact with these receptors and can only bind an isoform of FGFR2 known as the KGFR. Basic FGF binds KGFR but with lower affinity than KGF. In order to identify domains that confer this specificity, four reciprocal chimeras were generated between the two growth factors and were analyzed for receptor recognition and biological activity. The chimeras are designated BK1 (bFGF:KGF), BK2 (bFGF:KGF), KB1 (KGF:bFGF), and KB2 (KGF:bFGF). The two BK chimera similarly interacted with FGFR1 and FGFR4 but differed from each other with respect to KGFR recognition. BK1 displayed a slightly better affinity for KGFR than BK2 and induced a higher level of DNA synthesis in keratinocytes compared with bFGF and BK2. A neutralizing monoclonal antibody directed against bFGF specifically neutralized the biological activity of the BK chimeras. The reciprocal chimeras, KB1 and KB2, exhibited KGF-like receptor binding and activation properties. However, KB2 displayed higher affinity for KGFR and was significantly more potent mitogen than KB1. Altogether, our results suggest that the amino-terminal part of KGF and bFGF plays an important role in determining their receptor binding specificity. In addition, the results point to the contribution of a segment from the middle part of KGF (residues 91-110) for recognition and activation of the KGFR, as the two chimeras containing these residues (BK1 and KB2) displayed an enhanced interaction with the KGFR.
Toward a Product System Modularity Construct: Literature Review and Reconceptualization

Product modularity has been discussed in engineering and management literature for over forty years. During this time span, definitions and views on the meaning of product modularity proliferated to the extent that it is difficult to understand the essential traits of the concept. While definitional ambiguity is often a byproduct of academic debate, it hinders the advancement of scientific knowledge as well. This paper aims to move a step forward toward a more precise definition of product modularity, by articulating a product system modularity construct in the domain of tangible, assembled artifacts. More precisely, the paper constitutively defines product modularity in terms of component separability and component combinability. An indirect operational definition for product modularity is then proposed by operationalizing component separability and component combinability. The proposed definition is finally related to other definitional perspectives synthesized by a literature review: component commonality, function binding, interface standardization, and loose coupling. In this way, the nomological network of the product modularity construct is laid out. Construct validation activities are left to further research
[Management of recurrent trigeminal neuralgia after failed microvascular decompression].

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the surgical management of patients with trigeminal neuralgia after failed microvascular decompression. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between 1993 and 2002, exploration of the posterior fossa was performed in 60 patients with trigeminal neuralgia. Records were analyzed retrospectively for those patients who needed another surgical procedure due to recurrence of pain, describing which procedure was performed, postoperative results and complications, and also the intraoperative findings when posterior fossa reexploration was realized. RESULTS Eighteen patients had trigeminal neuralgia recurrence requiring a new surgical intervention, that consisted in a fossa posterior reexploration in nine patients and percutaneous radiofrequency termal rhizotomy in the other nine patients. Among the repeat operations, there was negative exploration in 7 patients (77%), and a partial sensory rhizotomy was performed. Most of thermocoagulations (5/9) were performed in old patients or patients with anestesic contraindication for the fossa posterior reexploration. CONCLUSION Fossa posterior reexploration is an effective and safe surgical attitude in the treatment of recurrent trigeminal neuralgia after failed microvascular decompression. Partial sensory rhizotomy is recommended when the reexploration is negative.
Corporate Governance and Capital Structure in Brazil: Stock, Bonds and Substitution

Purpose: To study the Brazilian bond and stock markets for testing the stock market development theory of Demirguc-Kunt and Maksimovic (1996). Originality/gap/relevance/implications: This paper tests the substitution hypothesis of stock market development, from debt to stocks, in a context of improved corporate governance, by analyzing the data with cointegration techniques. The findings show that the rejection of substitution hypothesis, as the bond market has a positive and significant association with stock market improvements. The findings also show that improving the quality of corporate governance could lead equity capital and borrower capital sources to be complementary and not substitutes, suggesting that Brazilian stock market reform has created a virtuous development cycle.Key methodological aspects: Positivist research using quantitative methodology. Data from a sample of 171 firms during 20 years, analyzed with cointegration. The null was a negative association between bond and stock markets.Summary of key results: Null rejection, non-consistent to theoretical framework. The results have shown a positive and significant association between stock and debt in an improved corporate governance context.Key considerations/conclusions: Improving the quality of corporate governance could lead equity capital and borrower capital sources to be complementary, and not substitutes, suggesting that Brazilian stock market reform has created a virtuous development cycle.
Theorizing the Dual Role of Information Technology in Technostress Research

While recent research has studied Information Technology (IT) as a job stressor, others have proposed IT to be a means to reduce the impacts of job stressors by facilitating communication and coordination, by providing information for better decision making, and by encouraging faithful appropriation. This research proposes both the stress inducing and stress relieving roles that IT might play on employee burnout, job satisfaction, and turnover. Following the job demands-resources model, this research posit that job resources such as IT communication, IT information and IT appropriation support may play a role in mitigating employees’ job stress. We further theorize the moderating role of these job resources on the relationships between other job stressors and burnout. The proposed model provides researchers a holistic view to understand the net effect IT can have on employees by considering simultaneously both the stress inducing and stress relieving component of IT.
Clinical Evidence of Myocardial Stunning in Patients Undergoing CABG Surgery

Abstract Although patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery frequently present with symptoms suggesting that myocardial stunning has occurred, measurements of regional myocardial function and perfusion are difficult in clinical settings. Several studies have used left ventricular function indices (i.e., cardiac index, left ventricular stroke work index, ejection fraction) to assess myocardial stunning immediately following CABG surgery. These changes in ventricular function have been found to be reversible and the clinical data are consistent with the occurrence of myocardial stunning. Myocardial metabolism is also reportedly depressed following CABG surgery. Decreases in myocardial oxygen extraction, consumption, and lactate utilization all point to the presence of myocardial stunning, as do abnormalities in regional wall‐motion and electrocardiographic changes (i.e., transient Q waves) described in patients who have undergone CABG surgery. New approaches to differentiating viable from nonviable myocardial tissue will likely include stress echocardiography using new stress agents, ultrasound contrast agents, and high frequency ultrasound.
Detection of artificial changes in mole size by skin self-examination.

BACKGROUND The efficacy of the skin self-examination (SSE) to detect artificial changes in the size of nevi has not been evaluated in a controlled setting. OBJECTIVE Our purpose was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the SSE in detecting artificial changes in mole size in patients at high risk for melanoma. METHODS In a single-center, single-blinded cross-over study, patients who had been performing the SSE confidently for at least 1 year examined their backs after the diameter of an existing mole was increased artificially in random order by 0, 2, or 4 mm. RESULTS The specificity of the SSE was 62% (95% confidence interval [CI], 53%-72%) (N = 103). The sensitivity of the 2 mm change was 58% (95% CI, 49%-68%) and that of the 4 mm change was 75% (95% CI, 66%-83%). SSE performance was not related to perceived risk, number of moles, gender, age, or frequency of self-examination. CONCLUSION Even in our highly motivated and selected group of high-risk patients, 25% could not detect an obvious increase in the diameter of an existing nevus, whereas 38% incorrectly identified a change when none was made. The SSE is only a moderately effective tool for the detection of acute, large, changes in mole size. The usefulness of the SSE in detection of new lesions or changes in existing lesions is likely due to a combination of factors or due to factors other than size, such as color, border irregularity, and texture, among others.
Interferon gamma administration increases monocyte HLA-DR antigen expression but not endogenous interferon production.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of the adjuvant administration of interferon gamma on monocyte HLA-DR antigen expression and mitogen-stimulated interferon gamma production following injury. DESIGN Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING University Hospital, Newark, NJ, a level I trauma center. PATIENTS Persons older than 16 years with an Injury Severity Score greater than 20 and documented bacterial contamination at the time of injury (N = 98). INTERVENTIONS Recombinant human interferon gamma (n = 46; 0.1 mg subcutaneously) or placebo (n = 52) was given for 10 days following injury. OUTCOMES Incidence of major infection, monocyte and lymphocyte cell surface antigen expression, and interferon gamma production at multiple time points following injury. RESULTS Peripheral monocyte HLA-DR was measured as percent of cells staining positive and as mean channel fluorescence. Both values were significantly increased in the interferon gamma group compared with the placebo group on days 3, 5, 8, and 11. The incidence of major infection was unaffected by interferon gamma administration. Infection decreased percent of HLA-DR-positive monocytes and mean channel fluorescence as compared with noninfected patients on postinjury days 8 and 11 in the placebo group but not in the interferon gamma group. Interferon gamma production improved from 3 +/- 3 U/mL on day 1 to 15 +/- 10 U/mL by day 30 but was always significantly lower than normal (25 +/- 3 [mean +/- SD] U/mL). Interferon gamma production was unaffected by either infection or interferon gamma administration. CONCLUSIONS Interferon gamma administration after injury stimulated monocyte HLA-DR antigen expression and density but failed to improve interferon gamma production, a T-cell-mediated function. The incidence of infection was not decreased by the administration of interferon gamma for 10 days. Improvement in monocyte HLA-DR antigen expression did not correlate with a global restoration of immune function, and other interventions will be necessary to decrease infection after injury.