Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nest Building as an Indicator of Health and Welfare in Laboratory Mice

The minimization and alleviation of suffering has moral and scientific implications. In order to mitigate this negative experience one must be able to identify when an animal is actually in distress. Pain, illness, or distress cannot be managed if unrecognized. Evaluation of pain or illness typically involves the measurement of physiologic and behavioral indicators which are either invasive or not suitable for large scale assessment. The observation of nesting behavior shows promise as the basis of a species appropriate cage-side assessment tool for recognizing distress in mice. Here we demonstrate the utility of nest building behavior in laboratory mice as an ethologically relevant indicator of welfare. The methods presented can be successfully used to identify thermal stressors, aggressive cages, sickness, and pain. Observation of nest building behavior in mouse colonies provides a refinement to health and well-being assessment on a day to day basis.
Surgical checklist application and its impact on patient safety in pediatric surgery

Background: Surgical care is an essential component of health care of children worldwide. Incidences of congenital anomalies, trauma, cancers and acquired diseases continue to rise and along with that the impact of surgical intervention on public health system also increases. It then becomes essential that the surgical teams make the procedures safe and error proof. The World Health Organization (WHO) has instituted the surgical checklist as a global initiative to improve surgical safety. Aims: To assess the acceptance, application and adherence to the WHO Safe Surgery Checklist in Pediatric Surgery Practice at a university teaching hospital. Materials and Methods: In a prospective study, spanning 2 years, the checklist was implemented for all patients who underwent operative procedures under general anesthesia. The checklist identified three phases of an operation, each corresponding to a specific period in the normal flow of work: Before the induction of anesthesia ("sign in"), before the skin incision ("time out") and before the patient leaves the operating room ("sign out"). In each phase, an anesthesiologist,-"checklist coordinator," confirmed that the anesthesia, surgery and nursing teams have completed the listed tasks before proceeding with the operation and exit. The checklist was used for 3000 consecutive patients. Results: No major perioperative errors were noted. In 54 (1.8%) patients, children had the same names and identical surgical procedure posted on the same operation list. The patient identification tag was missing in four (0.1%) patients. Mention of the side of procedures was missing in 108 (3.6%) cases. In 0.1% (3) of patients there was mix up of the mention of side of operation in the case papers and consent forms. In 78 (2.6%) patients, the consent form was not signed by parents/guardians or the side of the procedure was not quoted. Antibiotic orders were missing in five (0.2%) patients. In 12 (0.4%) cases, immobilization of the patients was suboptimal, which led to displacement of diathermy grounding pad. In 54 (1.8%) patients, the checklist was not used at all. In 76 (2.5%) patients the checklist was found to be incompletely filled. Conclusions: Our study supports the use of the checklist as an essential safety tool and reinforcement of the same. The checklist may act as a valuable prompt to focus the team, to ensure that even the simple things have been cared for.
Quality of Life in Surgical Treatment of Metastatic Spine Disease

Study Design. Overall quality of life after surgical management of metastatic disease of the spine was prospectively assessed using a validated global health status quality-of-life instrument—the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale. Objectives. To prospectively evaluate the efficacy of surgery in patients with metastatic spinal disease with respect to quality of life. Summary of Background Data. Management of spinal metastases is palliative and is aimed at improving quality of life at an acceptable risk. Although previous studies have evaluated physical outcomes, improvements in pain, and neurologic function after surgery, a multidimensional assessment of quality of life is more relevant in the palliative patient. Methods. Twenty-five consecutive patients undergoing surgery for spinal metastases were prospectively evaluated. Pre- and postoperative assessments were performed using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale. The surgical procedure consisted of decompression and instrumented stabilization. Results. After surgery, the largest improvement was noted in the domain of pain (P < 0.00001). There were also significant improvements noted in the domains of tiredness (P = 0.004), nausea (P = 0.01), anxiety (P = 0.006), drowsiness (P = 0.044), appetite (P = 0.02), and well-being (P = 0.004). Conclusions. The current study demonstrates that in the appropriate patient, surgical management brings about a positive effect on the overall quality of life in patients with spinal metastases. The greatest benefit occurred in the reduction of a patient’s level of pain.
Apple, Alphabet or Microsoft: Which Is the Most Efficient Share?

The study of efficiency of financial assets remains important because the non-observation of this feature could mean that investors could have some capacity of predict the behavior of that asset. In this paper we use detrended fluctuation analysis to analyse the efficiency of the three most valuable American companies, curiously all from the same economic sector: Apple, Alphabet and Microsoft. Results point to efficiency of Apple’s shares and similar results for Alphabet. Just Microsoft has shares which show evidence of deviations from the efficiency. Our results also suggest that moments of crisis could have impact on changes in the efficiency patter of shares.
Characterization of the genes coding for two major cell wall proteins from protein-producing Bacillus brevis 47: complete nucleotide sequence of the outer wall protein gene

Bacillus brevis 47 contains two cell wall proteins termed the outer wall protein (OWP) and middle wall protein (MWP), each of which forms hexagonal arrays in the cell wall. A 6-kilobase BglII-BclI fragment of B. brevis 47 DNA cloned into Bacillus subtilis with a derivative of pHW1 as a vector directed the synthesis of a polypeptide, with almost the same molecular weight as the authentic OWP, as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, which was specifically recognized by the anti-OWP antibody. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the subfragment revealed that it contains two open reading frames in tandem. The upstream truncated open reading frame corresponds to the carboxy-terminal portion of the MWP, and the downstream open reading frame corresponds to the entire translational portion of the OWP. The latter encodes a secretory precursor of the OWP, consisting of a total of 1,004 amino acid residues with a signal peptide of 24 amino acid residues at its amino-terminal end. Futhermore, analysis of transcripts in B. brevis 47 suggests that the MWP and OWP genes, in that order, constitute a cotranscriptional unit and that the major promoter shared by the two genes is located upstream of the MWP gene.
Childhood Nutrition and Labor Market Outcomes: Evidence from a School Breakfast Program

While a growing literature documents the short-term effects of public programs providing children with nutritious food, there is scarce evidence of the long-term effects of such programs. This paper studies the long-term consequences of access to nutritious food using the rollout of a free school breakfast program in Norwegian cities. This program provided children with nutritious food and replaced a hot school meal at the end of the day with similar caloric value but less micronutrients. Our results indicate that access to a nutritious school breakfast increases education by 0.1 years and earnings by 2-4 percent.
Economic Theory in Retrospect.

This is a history of economic thought from Adam Smith to John Maynard Keynes - but it is a history with a difference. Firstly, it is a history of economic theory, not of economic doctrines, that is, it is consistently focused on theoretical analysis, undiluted by entertaining historical digressions or biological colouring. Secondly, it includes detailed Reader's Guides to nine of the major texts of economics, namely the works of Smith, Ricardo, Mill, Marx, Marshall, Wickstead, Wicksell, Walras and Keynes, in the effort to encourage students to become acquainted at first hand with the writings of all the great economists. This fifth edition, first published in 1997, adds new Reader's Guides to Walras's Elements of Pure Economics (1871â€“74) and Keynes' General Theory to the previous seven Reader's Guides of other great books in economics. There are significant and major additions to six chapters.
Comparison of ondansetron with metoclopramide in prevention of acute emesis associated with low dose & high dose cisplatin chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES Nausea and vomiting remain the most distressing side effects of cancer chemotherapy. The present study aimed to study the efficacy and tolerability of ondansetron versus (vs) metoclopramide in different dose related grades of cisplatin induced acute emesis. METHODS A total of 137 patients were enrolled and 80 completed the study. Cisplatin 60 mg/m2 was given intravenously (iv) either as a single dose on day 1 (high dose regimen) or in three doses of 20 mg/m2 each on days 1-3 (low dose regimen) along with bleomycin +5-flurouracil in 40 patients each. Patients were randomized in each cisplatin regimen to receive either 20 mg metoclopramide (20 patients) or 8 mg ondansetron (20 patients) iv 30 min prior to cisplatin administration followed by 20 mg metoclopramide or 8 mg ondansetron orally 8 h respectively for 24 h after the last cisplatin administration. Ten patients receiving high dose cisplatin in each group were also given dexamethasone 8 mg iv with the primary antiemetic. Patients were assessed for 24 h after the last cisplatin injection. RESULTS In low dose cisplatin regimen, complete suppression of acute emesis occurred in 65 per cent patients receiving ondansetron versus 30 per cent receiving metoclopramide, while in high dose regimen, complete response rate was 20 per cent with ondansetron versus 0 per cent with metoclopramide. Dexamethasone significantly augmented the antiemetic efficacy of metoclopramide but not that of ondansetron. Protection from nausea in the acute phase was seen in 95 per cent patients receiving ondansetron vs 70 per cent receiving metoclopramide in low dose regimen. With high dose the protection rates were 90 vs 0 per cent respectively. Combination of dexamethasone + metoclopramide achieved 70 per cent protection while dexamethasone + ondansetron was effective in 90 per cent. Dropouts and withdrawals were more among patients receiving high dose cisplatin and antiemetic regimens without dexamethasone. Thirty nine adverse events were reported by 20 out of 80 patients. All adverse events were mild. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION The results demonstrate dose related emetogenicity of cisplatin and superior antiemetic efficacy of ondansetron, especially against high dose cisplatin regimen. Dexamethasone potentiated efficacy of metoclopramide but not that of ondansetron. The combination of metoclopramide plus dexamethasone was found to be as efficacious as ondansetron monotherapy.
Body ram, not suction, is the primary axis of suction-feeding diversity in spiny-rayed fishes

ABSTRACT Suction-feeding fishes exhibit diverse prey-capture strategies that vary in their relative use of suction and predator approach (ram), which is often referred to as the ram–suction continuum. Previous research has found that ram varies more than suction distance among species, such that ram accounts for most differences in prey-capture behaviors. To determine whether these findings hold at broad evolutionary scales, we collected high-speed videos of 40 species of spiny-rayed fishes (Acanthomorpha) feeding on live prey. For each strike, we calculated the contributions of suction, body ram (swimming) and jaw ram (mouth movement relative to the body) to closing the distance between predator and prey. We confirm that the contribution of suction distance is limited even in this phylogenetically and ecologically broad sample of species, with the extreme suction area of prey-capture space conspicuously unoccupied. Instead of a continuum from suction to ram, we find that variation in body ram is the major factor underlying the diversity of prey-capture strategies among suction-feeding fishes. Independent measurement of the contribution of jaw ram revealed that it is an important component of diversity among spiny-rayed fishes, with a number of ecomorphologies relying heavily on jaw ram, including pivot feeding in syngnathiforms, extreme jaw protruders and benthic sit-and-wait ambush predators. A combination of morphological and behavioral innovations has allowed fish to invade the extreme jaw ram area of prey-capture space. We caution that while two-species comparisons may support a ram–suction trade-off, these patterns do not speak to broader patterns across spiny-rayed fishes. Summary: Acanthomorph fishes exhibit a large diversity of suction-feeding behaviors, which is driven by variation in the contribution of body ram. Suction distances are constrained even at broad evolutionary scales.
A magnetoencephalography investigation of neural correlates for social exclusion and self-control

Abstract Past research indicates that social exclusion leads to self-control failure. The present research examined the neural substrates of this effect. Participants were randomly assigned to either a social exclusion (n=15) or control (n=15) condition. Self-control was assessed by having participants solve 180 moderately difficult math problems while measuring how quickly they identified a supplied answer as correct or incorrect. Magnetoencephalography (MEG) was used to assess neural activity during this task. Socially excluded participants showed lesser activity in occipital and parietal cortex from 100–350 ms after the presentation of the math problems. When presented with the answers, socially excluded participants showed lesser activity in several regions, including occipital, parietal, and right prefrontal cortex from 100–300 ms post-stimulus. Furthermore, activation in the parietal and right prefrontal cortex mediated exclusion-control performance differences on math problems. The findings suggest that social exclusion interferes with the executive control of attention, and this effect is manifest in specific aspects of cognitive performance and brain function.
Determinants of exit from paid employment

Although the average retirement age is rising, still many workers leave the workforce via different pathways before the official retirement age. To facilitate longer working lives, the aim of this thesis is to gain insight into determinants of leaving paid employment, the possibility to identify high risk groups for displacement from work, and the possible consequences of decreased work ability. The primary objectives of this thesis are: 1. To study determinants of exit from paid employment via disability, unemployment, and early retirement. 2. To explore the predictive value of work ability to identify persons at high risk of longterm sickness absence. 3. To determine the consequences of decreased work ability for health care use.
Usefulness of 3′-Deoxy-3′-18F-Fluorothymidine PET for Predicting Early Response to Chemoradiotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer

This study compared the utility of 3′-deoxy-3′-18F-fluorothymidine PET (18F-FLT PET) with that of 18F-FDG PET for assessment of the early locoregional clinical outcomes of chemoradiotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Methods: From May 2006 to September 2010, 28 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas underwent 18F-FLT and 18F-FDG PET before radiation therapy (RT), 4 wk after the initiation of RT, and 5 wk after completion of RT. PET images were evaluated qualitatively for regions of focally increased metabolism and were analyzed in relation to residual accumulation and local disease control. Results: During RT, 18F-FLT uptake decreased more significantly than 18F-FDG uptake. 18F-FLT accumulations disappeared in 34 of 54 lesions (63%), and negative predictive value was 97%. 18F-FDG PET during RT also had a high negative predictive value (100%), but only 9 lesions (16%) showed complete absence of accumulation. The specificity and overall accuracy of 18F-FLT PET were significantly higher than those of 18F-FDG PET both during and after RT. In particular, high significance was attributable to the results of the evaluations of primary lesions. There were significant differences in 3-y local control between the residual-accumulation and no-accumulation groups on both posttreatment 18F-FLT PET (P < 0.0001) and posttreatment 18F-FDG PET (P = 0.0081). Conclusion: 18F-FLT PET during RT and early follow-up facilitates the selection of optimal further therapy and the prediction of outcomes.
In vitro and in vivo properties of usnic acid encapsulated into PLGA-microspheres

Microparticles will probably play a promising role in the future of chemotherapy. These polymeric delivery systems are capable of maximizing the therapeutic activity while reducing side effects of anti-cancer agents. Usnic acid (UA) is a secondary metabolite produced by lichens, which exhibits an anti-tumour activity. In this study, PLGA-microspheres containing usnic acid from Cladonia substellata were prepared by the double emulsion method, with or without PEG as stabilizer. The morphology of the microspheres was examined by optical and scanning electron microscopy. The in vitro kinetic profile of usnic acid loaded-microspheres was carried out by dissolution testing. The usnic acid content was analysed by HPLC. The cytotoxicity of free and encapsulated usnic acid was evaluated against HEp-2 cells using the MTT method. The anti-tumour assay was performed in mice against Sarcoma-180 tumour (UA 15 mg kg−1 weight body/day) during 7 days. Animals were then sacrificed and tumour and organs were excised for histopathological analysis. Microspheres presented a smooth spherical surface with a mean diameter of 7.02 ± 2.72 µm. The usnic acid encapsulation efficiency was ∼100% (UA 10 mg 460 mg−1 microspheres). A maximum release of 92% was achieved at the fifth day. The IC50 values for free and encapsulated usnic acid were 12 and 14 µg ml−1, respectively. The encapsulation of usnic acid into microspheres promoted an increase of 21% in the tumour inhibition as compared with the free usnic acid treatment. In summary, usnic acid was efficiently encapsulated into PLGA-microspheres and the microencapsulation improved its anti-tumour activity.
Chemical and Antimicrobial Profiling of Propolis from Different Regions within Libya

Extracts from twelve samples of propolis collected from different regions of Libya were tested for their activity against Trypanosoma brucei, Leishmania donovani, Plasmodium falciparum, Crithidia fasciculata and Mycobacterium marinum and the cytotoxicity of the extracts was tested against mammalian cells. All the extracts were active to some degree against all of the protozoa and the mycobacterium, exhibiting a range of EC50 values between 1.65 and 53.6 μg/ml. The toxicity against mammalian cell lines was only moderate; the most active extract against the protozoan species, P2, displayed an IC50 value of 53.2 μg/ml. The extracts were profiled by using liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry. The data sets were extracted using m/z Mine and the accurate masses of the features extracted were searched against the Dictionary of Natural Products (DNP). A principal component analysis (PCA) model was constructed which, in combination with hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), divided the samples into five groups. The outlying groups had different sets of dominant compounds in the extracts, which could be characterised by their elemental composition. Orthogonal partial least squares (OPLS) analysis was used to link the activity of each extract against the different micro-organisms to particular components in the extracts.
Elevation of platelet count in patients with colorectal cancer predicts tendency to metastases and poor prognosis.

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS Thrombocytosis had been found to be associated with tumor metastasis and poor prognosis in malignant tumors including colorectal cancer (CRC). In the present study, we investigated the relationship between the platelet and the biological features in patients with CRC in China. METHODOLOGY The correlation of platelet counts of 150 cases with CRC with their clinicopathological characteristics was explored. Furthermore, the survival impact of preoperative platelet count was also investigated. RESULTS Statistically significant correlations between the platelet count and the lymph node and distance metastasis (p=0.016 and 0.014), vascular and perinural invasion (p=0.025 and 0.016) as well as TNM clinical stages (p=0.014) except for the age, gender and grades (p=0.245, 0.276 and 0.324, respectively) were found. In addition, 5-year survival of patients with high platelet count and normal platelet count were 13.30% and 56.30%, respectively (p=0.000). Meanwhile, concurrent with lymph node and distance metastasis, perinural invasion and clinical stages (p=0.000, 0.022, 0.034 and 0.000), platelet count (p=0.010) was also found to be an independent prognostic factor in CRC in our study through multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS Elevated platelet might play some role in the progress of CRC and preoperative platelet count might be a prognostic indicator in the CRC patients.
National culture as a fundamental determinant of management’s decisions leading to overinvestment in capital expenditures

Two behavioral motivations have been identified for overinvestment: agency conflict (Jensen, 1986) and overconfidence (Heaton, 2002). While the literature on overconfidence and overinvestment studies one of these motivations, with regards to agency related overinvestment, extant literature tends to focus on financial characteristics and control mechanisms to explain the phenomenon. However, such factors influence the act of overinvestment only indirectly through affecting the opportunity to overinvest. Based on literature we can establish that culture influences the opportunity to overinvest through the institutional environment in which the company operates, and the cultural influence on some of the techniques used to mitigate overinvestment at the company level. We posit that culture exerts a more direct influence on overinvestment in affecting management’s decisions to move from the opportunity to the act of overinvestment in capital expenditures. To empirically verify our assertion we construct a sample of 1,550 quoted, non-financial, potential overinvestor firms from 36 countries for the period between 2001 and 2011. We find that higher masculinity and uncertainty avoidance in a culture leads to more overinvestment. We believe that our findings, besides advancing understanding of the behavioral drivers of overinvestment, lend support to those who question the cross-cultural transferability of agency theory.