Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inter-organizational cooperation in regional innovation systems: A catalyst of transactive memory systems

Transactive memory systems(TMS), which is widely used to explain how members in the organization rely on each other in a knowledge network, and how they use their professional knowledge and skills to achieve mutual goals. Lewis (2003) provides a conceptual framework to draw a whole picture of TMS, comprising three parts: (1) specialized and differentiated team knowledge (specialization), (2) trust level between members and their reliance on each others' knowledge (credibility), and (3) smooth, organized, and coordinated task processes (coordination). However, past studies focused on the group level inside the organization, little work has been done on the organization level; this mechanism is applied to inter-organizational situation in this current study. We attempt to explore if TMS may exert an influence on the performance of inter-organizational cooperation in regional innovation systems (RIS), to capture how members' collaboration may work in RIS. Data is collected from the industries in central Taiwan, which is a developing RIS, including electronic, mechanical, and medical industries. The main purpose of the current study is to reveal the implicit mechanism of inter-organizational cooperation. The results show that TMS is indeed a catalyst of organizational level collaboration; in other words, TMS is positively related to the performance. This research provides a new perspective to evaluate industrial cooperation, and the difference between the effects of these three dimensions is further discussed as well.
Development of a multisegmental test body to calibrate and validate studies with spinal testing devices with follower load

Abstract Introduction: Spinal testing devices need a tool for calibration and comparison of accomplished studies. The objective of this study was the development of a polysegmental test body, which simulates several functional spinal motion units and provides a standard calibration. Materials and methods: The test body consists of aluminum moldings simulating the vertebral bodies, rubber discs simulating the intervertebral discs and cylindrical guide elements with ball joints simulating the vertebral joints. The test body was tested multidirectional with a moment of 7.5 Nm and follower loads up to 800 N. Results: The results showed sigmoid load-deformation curves of the test body similar to a human lumbar cadaver spine, but with a higher range of motion (ROM). The follower load had no influence during extension-flexion, but an increasing follower load during lateral bending and rotation caused increased friction and restoring forces with a decrea-sed ROM. Discussion: The polysegmental test body does not show the same mechanical behavior like a polysegmental human cadaver spine in all directions of motion, but it provides reproducible values without requiring preconditioning as proposed for human specimen. Conclusion: This test body could improve the comparability of cadaver studies performed with different spinal testing devices by standardization of the test set-ups.
Inactivation of Merlin in malignant mesothelioma cells and the Hippo signaling cascade dysregulation

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive tumor arising primarily from pleural or peritoneal cavities, which is caused by asbestos exposure after long latency. One of the most frequently mutated genes detected in MM cells is the neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) tumor suppressor gene which is located at chromosome 22q12. The NF2 gene encodes Merlin, an ERM (Ezrin/Radixin/Moesin) protein. The underphosphorylated form of Merlin is active and acts as a tumor suppressor by regulating several distinct cellular signaling pathways. One of the downstream pathways regulated by Merlin is the Hippo signaling pathway, which is conserved from Drosophila to mammalian cells and plays important roles in organ size control and cancer development. Recent studies have identified alterations of the components in the Hippo signaling cascade in MM cells, including overexpression of Yes‐associated protein (YAP) and inactivation of large tumor suppressor homolog 2 (LATS2). Dysregulation of the Merlin‐Hippo signaling cascade is one of the frequent and key events of MM cell development and/or progression. Thus, a strategy to normalize this signaling cascade may be the rationale for developing a new target therapy against MM.
Valuation Effects and External Adjustment

Title of dissertation: VALUATION EFFECTS AND EXTERNAL ADJUSTMENT Ha Minh Nguyen, Doctor of Philosophy, 2009 Dissertation directed by: Professor Anton Korinek and Professor Carlos Végh Department of Economics In the past two decades, cross country portfolio holdings of a large variety of assets have risen sharply. This has created an important role for changes in asset prices, or “valuation effects”. This dissertation examines the role of valuation effects in a country’s external adjustment. The dissertation is organized as follows: Chapter 1 is a brief introduction. Chapter 2 presents some facts about the U.S.’s valuation effects from stocks and bonds during 1994-2007. In particular, total valuation effects from stocks and bonds during this period were $1295 billions, offsetting about 22.8% the size of the U.S.’s total current account deficits. Much of the positive, stabilizing effects arose after 2002. Before 2002 the valuation effects were often negative and reinforcing the current account deficits. Chapters 3, 4 and 5 present a two-country dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model to study valuation effects theoretically. Chapter 3 outlines the set up of the model, where output has a transitory and a trend component, both of which are subject to AR(1) shocks. Chapter 4 solves analytically a simplified version of the model that only considers transitory output shocks. It shows that valuation effects are stabilizing in response to transitory shocks. That is, valuation effects move in the opposite directions of the current account, and mitigate the impact of the current account on the NFA position. Chapter 4 also shows analytically that the size of valuation effects relative to the current account is positively related with the level of financial integration, which in turn increases with risk aversion, with output volatility, with output persistence, and decreases with the discount factor and with the cost of investing abroad. For the benchmark calibration, when domestic investors hold about 40% of their financial wealth in foreign equity, valuation effects will completely offset the current account. Chapter 5 solves numerically for the full version of the model, where both transitory and trend output shocks are considered. It shows that valuation effects are not always stabilizing. Following trend shocks on output, valuation effects are amplifying : they move in the same direction as the current account and reinforce the impact of the current account on net foreign assets. The results are illustrated by the external imbalances between the U.S. and other industrialized countries since the 1990s. Chapter 6 concludes. VALUATION EFFECTS AND EXTERNAL ADJUSTMENT
Ecological validity of the screening module and the Daily Living tests of the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery using the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory-4 in postacute brain injury rehabilitation.

PURPOSE The assessment of ecological validity of neuropsychological measures is an area of growing interest, particularly in the postacute brain injury rehabilitation (PABIR) setting, as there is an increasing demand for clinicians to address functional and real-world outcomes. In the current study, we assessed the predictive value of the Screening module and the Daily Living tests of the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (NAB) using clinician ratings from the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory-4 (MPAI-4) in patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury. METHOD Forty-seven individuals were each administered the NAB Screening module (NAB-SM) and the NAB Daily Living (NAB-DL) tests following admission to a residential PABIR program. MPAI-4 ratings were also obtained at admission. Linear regression analysis was used to examine the association between these functional and neuropsychological assessment measures. RESULTS We replicated prior work (Temple at al., 2009) and expanded evidence for the ecological validity of the NAB-SM. Furthermore, our findings support the ecological validity of the NAB-DL Bill Payment, Judgment, and Map Reading tests with regards to functional skills and real-world activities. CONCLUSIONS The current study supports prior work from our lab assessing the predictive value of the NAB-SM, as well as provides evidence for the ecological validity for select NAB-DL tests in patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury admitted to a residential PABIR program.
Survey of Current Physiotherapy Practice for Patients Undergoing Lumbar Spinal Fusion in the United Kingdom

Study Design. Descriptive survey methodology employed a SurveyMonkey online questionnaire. Objective. To evaluate UK National Health Service physiotherapy practice for lumbar spinal fusion surgery. Summary of Background Data. An increasing rate of surgery and high level of patient dis-satisfaction focus attention to rehabilitation of patients undergoing lumbar spinal fusion. Inconclusive, very low-quality evidence for the effectiveness of physiotherapy management after lumbar spinal fusion exists. Best practice, therefore, remains unclear. Limited comparability of outcomes and retrieval of only 2 trials reflected a lack of research and considerable heterogeneity. An evaluation of current practice is required, to inform a future trial to evaluate a best practice physiotherapy intervention. Methods. Eligible participants were all physiotherapists working with patients undergoing spinal fusion. A previous survey and recent systematic review informed questions. Statistical analyses included responder characteristics and preplanned descriptive analyses. Thematic analysis was conducted on open-ended question data. Results. The 83.5% response rate was good. Findings illustrated varied provision relating to assessment and management of patients pre- and postoperatively. Physiotherapists employed limited use of protocols or guidelines, partly attributed to the poor evidence base for this surgery. Scope of practice included exercise, advice, listing for surgery, and ordering investigations. Patient education played an important role. Patient-centered practice was important, although constraints owing to limited resources (staffing, poor evidence, base/lack of protocols) were evident. Conclusion. Current UK pre- and postoperative physiotherapy practice for lumbar spinal fusion is described. It is not clear whether patients who are seen by physiotherapists have improved outcomes, owing to variability of practice, physiotherapy being delivered in a range of locations at a range of times postoperatively, and limited use of outcome measures. The findings support the need for a randomized clinical trial evaluating effectiveness of a best practice physiotherapy management intervention. Level of Evidence: 3
Sumoylation of eukaryotic elongation factor 2 is vital for protein stability and anti‐apoptotic activity in lung adenocarcinoma cells

By screening mouse monoclonal antibody libraries for Kelch repeats, we serendipitously identified monoclonal antibodies to eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2). Interestingly, eEF2 was highly expressed in lung adenocarcinoma (LADC), but not in the neighboring non‐tumor lung tissue. Normally, eEF2 is involved in the peptidyl‐tRNA translocation during protein synthesis. Overexpression of eEF2 would implicate an association with disease progression of LADC. In the present study, we investigated the prognostic significance of eEF2 in patients with LADC. Expression of eEF2 was detected by immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry and confocal immunofluorescence microscopy. Our results show that patients with high eEF2 expression had a significantly higher incidence of early tumor recurrence (67.8%vs 18.2%, P = 0.016), and a significantly worse prognosis (P < 0.001). In an in vitro study, silencing of eEF2 expression increased mitochondrial elongation, cellular autophagy and cisplatin sensitivity. Moreover, eEF2 was sumoylated in LADC cells, and eEF2 sumoylation correlated with drug resistance. These results suggest that eEF2 is an anti‐apoptotic marker in LADC. However, biological function and involvement of eEF2 in the disease progression of LADC require further studies. (Cancer Sci 2011; 102: 1582–1589)
Incidence and Prevalence of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Infection in Persons Seeking Repeat HIV Counseling and Testing

Background Voluntary HIV testing sites provide an opportunity to identify and counsel persons with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection, thereby enhancing the prevention of HSV-2 and HIV infections. Goal and Study Design Using serologic specimens left over from HIV testing, we measured HSV-2 prevalence and incidence among persons who had repeatedly tested for HIV at anonymous counseling and testing sites in San Francisco during the period October 1997 through March 2000. Results The prevalence of HSV-2 infection was 23.5% (n = 987) overall, 28.7% among women, and 24.1% among men who have sex with men (MSM). In relation to race/ethnicity, HSV-2 prevalence was highest among African Americans (34.4%). The incidence of HSV-2 infection (n = 457 person-years [PY] of follow-up) was 2.6 per 100 PY overall and 3.1 per 100 PY among MSM. All but one of the HSV-2 seroconversions occurred among MSM. In multivariate subanalysis of MSM, a self-reported sexually transmitted disease (hazards ratio [HR], 4.3; 95% CI, 1.2–16.1) and HIV seroconversion (HR, 19.4; 95% CI 3.8–99.9) during the interval between tests were correlated with HSV-2 incident infection. Conclusion Offering HSV-2 serologic counseling and testing at HIV counseling and testing sites might help prevent the spread of both infectious diseases.
Safety and efficacy of transdermal buprenorphine versus oral tramadol for the treatment of post-operative pain following surgery for fracture neck of femur: A prospective, randomised clinical study

Background: Transdermal buprenorphine, which is used in chronic pain management, has rarely been studied for use in acute pain management. The aim of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of transdermal buprenorphine patch to oral tramadol for post-operative analgesia, following proximal femur surgeries. Methodology: Fifty adult patients undergoing surgery for hip fracture under spinal anaesthesia were included in this study. One group (Group TDB) received transdermal buprenorphine 10 mcg/h patch applied a day before the surgery and other group received oral tramadol 50 mg three times a day for analgesia (Group OT). They were allowed to take diclofenac and paracetamol tablets for rescue analgesia. Pain scores at rest, on movement, rescue analgesic requirement and side effects were compared between the groups over 7 days. Chi-square and independent sample t-test were used for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Results: Resting pain scores and pain on movement were significantly lower in TDB Group on all 7 days starting from 24 h post-operatively. Rescue analgesic requirement was significantly lower in TDB Group compared to OT Group. All the patients needed rescue analgesic in OT Group whereas 68% of the patients needed the same in TDB Group. Incidence of vomiting was less and satisfaction scores were much higher in TDB Group as compared to OT Group (79% vs. 66%, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Transdermal buprenorphine can be safely used for post-operative analgesia and is more efficacious in reducing post-operative pain after 24 hours, with fewer side effects when compared to oral tramadol.
RpiR Homologues May Link Staphylococcus aureus RNAIII Synthesis and Pentose Phosphate Pathway Regulation

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus is a medically important pathogen that synthesizes a wide range of virulence determinants. The synthesis of many staphylococcal virulence determinants is regulated in part by stress-induced changes in the activity of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. One metabolic change associated with TCA cycle stress is an increased concentration of ribose, leading us to hypothesize that a pentose phosphate pathway (PPP)-responsive regulator mediates some of the TCA cycle-dependent regulatory effects. Using bioinformatics, we identified three potential ribose-responsive regulators that belong to the RpiR family of transcriptional regulators. To determine whether these RpiR homologues affect PPP activity and virulence determinant synthesis, the rpiR homologues were inactivated, and the effects on PPP activity and virulence factor synthesis were assessed. Two of the three homologues (RpiRB and RpiRC) positively influence the transcription of the PPP genes rpiA and zwf, while the third homologue (RpiRA) is slightly antagonistic to the other homologues. In addition, inactivation of RpiRC altered the temporal transcription of RNAIII, the effector molecule of the agr quorum-sensing system. These data confirm the close linkage of central metabolism and virulence determinant synthesis, and they establish a metabolic override for quorum-sensing-dependent regulation of RNAIII transcription.
Impact of sirolimus treatment in kidney allograft recipients with prolonged cold ischemia times: 5-year outcomes.

OBJECTIVES Sirolimus, an effective and non-nephrotoxic immunosuppressant, may have an antiproliferative effect on renal tubular cells and increase their apoptosis, thus hindering the recovery of an injured kidney. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of combined sirolimus and cyclosporine therapy on the incidence and duration of delayed graft function and long-term graft function. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study group consisted of 23 renal transplant recipients treated with a sirolimus-cyclosporine-prednisone regimen (sirolimus group). The reference group was composed of 23 patients treated with azathioprine-cyclosporine-prednisone. Because of a long cold ischemia time, all the patients were at high risk of developing delayed graft function. RESULTS There was an equal frequency of delayed graft function in the sirolimus group compared with the reference group (39% vs 34.8%). The duration of delayed graft function was longer in sirolimus group compared with the reference group (21.2 +/- 12.2 days vs 6.8 +/- 2.5 days) (P < .004). The serum creatinine level at the 12th month was higher in patients with delayed graft function than it was in the remaining patients, independent of the immunosuppression protocol. One and 5-year graft survival rates were 100% and 87% in the sirolimus group, and 95% and 74% in the reference group. The 5-year patient survival rate was 100% in both groups. CONCLUSIONS Sirolimus significantly retards the recovery from posttransplant renal failure, but it does not increase the incidence of delayed graft function. Sirolimus therapy should be initiated after recovery from posttransplant renal failure. Sirolimus treatment is beneficial for long-term graft survival.
Vaginal cleansing and postoperative infectious morbidity in vaginal hysterectomy. A register study from the Swedish National Register for Gynecological Surgery

Objective. To evaluate whether preoperative vaginal preparation routines influence postoperative infectious morbidity in vaginal hysterectomy and to analyze risk factors for postoperative infectious morbidity. Design. Retrospective, longitudinal cohort study. Setting. Forty ‐three hospitals in Sweden, participating in the Swedish National Register for Gynecological Surgery. Population. All 6,496 women who were enrolled in the Register and underwent vaginal or laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy between 1 January 2000 and 1 February 2008. Methods. Register data were collected prospectively using doctors' forms and patient questionnaires. Information about vaginal preparation routines in the clinics were achieved retrospectively by an e‐mail survey. Multiple logistic regression analyses models were used to determine associations and risk factors. Main outcome measures. Infectious morbidity within 6–8 weeks postoperatively. Results. No significant differences were seen in postoperative infectious morbidity in long term between vaginal preparation using saline or chlorhexidine solution or no cleansing. At discharge from hospital, those who had had vaginal cleansing using saline solution had a significantly higher risk of postoperative infections. Risk factors for infectious morbidity were young age, obesity, peroperative injury of the urinary bladder, operative time and duration of hospital stay. Protective were prophylactic antibiotics and concomitant prolapse surgery. Conclusions. Saline solution should not be used for vaginal cleansing due to a higher risk of infectious morbidity in the immediate postoperative period. Infectious morbidity may be reduced further by employing preventive measures such as meticulous surgical technique, preoperative weight reduction in obese women and minimizing time in hospital.
Polysomnographic features of REM sleep behavior disorder

REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is characterized by the intermittent absence of REM sleep EMG atonia and the appearance of elaborate motor activity associated with dream mentation. There are no specific diagnostic criteria for RBD based upon polysomnographic findings. We describe a new scoring method and show its sensitivity to treatment with clonazepam. An increased phasic submental EMG density occurs in RBD patients, but REM density is similar to that of controls. Clonazepam selectively decreases REM sleep phasic activity but exerts no effect on REM sleep atonia. Periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS) occur equally in both REM and NREM sleep in RBD patients, suggesting that normal suppression of PLMS in REM sleep is due to motor inhibition.
Role of the NSs Protein in the Zoonotic Capacity of Orthobunyaviruses

The family Bunyaviridae contains over 350 named isolates, classified into five genera: Orthobunyavirus, Hantavirus, Nairovirus, Phlebovirus and Tospovirus. The Orthobunyavirus genus contains some 170 isolates that are mainly transmitted by mosquitoes and are responsible for a range of disease syndromes in humans including self‐limiting febrile illness, encephalitis and haemorrhagic fever. The viruses have a tripartite, negative‐sense RNA genome. Analyses of viruses in four serogroups (Bunyamwera, California, Group C and Simbu) showed that the smallest (S) RNA segment encodes the nucleocapsid protein (N) and a non‐structural protein called (NSs). The NSs protein of Bunyamwera virus (BUNV) has been shown to play a role in shut‐off of host cell protein synthesis in mammalian cells, but no protein shut‐off is observed in BUNV‐infected mosquito cells (Aedes albopictus C6/36 cells). Protein shut‐off in infected mammalian cells is achieved by global inhibition of RNA polymerase II‐mediated transcription and enables the virus to overcome the host innate immune response. As innate defence mechanisms constitute a significant barrier to virus infection of different hosts, NSs would appear to play a key role in determining the zoonotic capacity of orthobunyaviruses.