Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Indications and Types of Antibiotic Agents Used in 6 Acute Care Hospitals, 2009–2010: A Pragmatic Retrospective Observational Study

BACKGROUND To design better antimicrobial stewardship programs, detailed data on the primary drivers and patterns of antibiotic use are needed. OBJECTIVE To characterize the indications for antibiotic therapy, agents used, duration, combinations, and microbiological justification in 6 acute-care US facilities with varied location, size, and type of antimicrobial stewardship programs. DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS, AND SETTING Retrospective medical chart review was performed on a random cross-sectional sample of 1,200 adult inpatients, hospitalized (>24 hrs) in 6 hospitals, and receiving at least 1 antibiotic dose on 4 index dates chosen at equal intervals through a 1-year study period (October 1, 2009–September 30, 2010). METHODS Infectious disease specialists recorded patient demographic characteristics, comorbidities, microbiological and radiological testing, and agents used, dose, duration, and indication for antibiotic prescriptions. RESULTS On the index dates 4,119 (60.5%) of 6,812 inpatients were receiving antibiotics. The random sample of 1,200 case patients was receiving 2,527 antibiotics (average: 2.1 per patient); 540 (21.4%) were prophylactic and 1,987 (78.6%) were therapeutic, of which 372 (18.7%) were pathogen-directed at start. Of the 1,615 empirical starts, 382 (23.7%) were subsequently pathogen-directed and 1,231 (76.2%) remained empirical. Use was primarily for respiratory (27.6% of prescriptions) followed by gastrointestinal (13.1%) infections. Fluoroquinolones, vancomycin, and antipseudomonal penicillins together accounted for 47.1% of therapy-days. CONCLUSIONS Use of broad-spectrum empirical therapy was prevalent in 6 US acute care facilities and in most instances was not subsequently pathogen directed. Fluoroquinolones, vancomycin, and antipseudomonal penicillins were the most frequently used antibiotics, particularly for respiratory indications. Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2015;37(1):70–79
Electronic brachytherapy for superficial and nodular basal cell carcinoma: a report of two prospective pilot trials using different doses

Purpose Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a very common cancer in the Caucasian population. Treatment aims to eradicate the tumor with the lowest possible functional and aesthetic impact. Electronic brachytherapy (EBT) is a treatment technique currently emerging. This study aims to show the outcomes of two consecutive prospective pilot clinical trials using different radiation doses of EBT with Esteya® EB system for the treatment of superficial and nodular basal cell carcinoma. Material and methods Two prospective, single-center, non-randomized, pilot studies were conducted. Twenty patients were treated in each study with different doses. The first group (1) was treated with 36.6 Gy in 6 fractions of 6.1 Gy, and the second group (2) with 42 Gy in 6 fractions of 7 Gy. Cure rate, acute toxicity, and late toxicity related to cosmesis were analyzed in the two treatment groups. Results In group 1, a complete response in 90% of cases was observed at the first year of follow-up, whereas in group 2, the complete response was 95%. The differences with reference to acute toxicity and the cosmetic results between the two treatment groups were not statistically significant. Conclusions Our initial experience with Esteya® EB system to treat superficial and nodular BCC shows that a dose of 36.6 Gy and 42 Gy delivered in 6 fraction of 7 Gy achieves a 90% and 95% clinical cure rate at 1 year, respectively. Both groups had a tolerable toxicity and a very good cosmesis. The role of EBT in the treatment of BCC is still to be defined. It will probably become an established option for selected patients in the near future.
GISP: a novel brain‐specific protein that promotes surface expression and function of GABAB receptors

Synaptic transmission depends on the regulated surface expression of neurotransmitter receptors, but many of the cellular processes required to achieve this remain poorly understood. To better define specific mechanisms for the GABAB receptor (GABABR) trafficking, we screened for proteins that bind to the carboxy‐terminus of the GABAB1 subunit. We report the identification and characterization of a novel 130‐kDa protein, GPCR interacting scaffolding protein (GISP), that interacts directly with the GABAB1 subunit via a coiled‐coil domain. GISP co‐fractionates with GABABR and with the postsynaptic density and co‐immunoprecipitates with GABAB1 and GABAB2 from rat brain. In cultured hippocampal neurons, GISP displays a punctate dendritic distribution and has an overlapping localization with GABABRs. When co‐expressed with GABABRs in human embryonic kidney cells, GISP promotes GABABR surface expression and enhances both baclofen‐evoked extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation and G‐protein inwardly rectifying potassium channel (GIRK) currents. These results suggest that GISP is involved in the forward trafficking and stabilization of functional GABABRs.
Practitioner review: the assessment of language pragmatics.

BACKGROUND The assessment of pragmatics expressed in spoken language is a central issue in the evaluation of children with communication impairments and related disorders. A developmental approach to assessment has remained problematic due to the complex interaction of social, linguistic, cognitive and cultural influences on pragmatics. METHOD A selective review and critique of current formal and informal testing methods and pragmatic analytic procedures. RESULTS Formal testing of pragmatics has limited potential to reveal the typical pragmatic abnormalities in interaction but has a significant role to play in the assessment of comprehension of pragmatic intent. Clinical assessment of pragmatics with the pre-school child should focus on elicitation of communicative intent via naturalistic methods as part of an overall assessment of social communication skills. Assessments for older children should include a comprehensive investigation of speech acts, conversational and narrative abilities, the understanding of implicature and intent as well as the child's ability to employ contextual cues to understanding. Practical recommendations are made regarding the choice of a core set of pragmatic assessments and elicitation techniques. The practitioner's attention is drawn to the lack of the usual safeguards of reliability and validity that have persisted in some language pragmatics assessments. CONCLUSIONS A core set of pragmatic assessment tools can be identified from the proliferation of instruments in current use. Further research is required to establish clearer norms and ranges in the development of pragmatic ability, particularly with respect to the understanding of inference, topic management and coherence.
A regression and comparative study of United States and South African yield curves using principal component analysis

Volatile markets and economic environments can significantly distort the shape and smoothness of yield curve movements. This study explores the influence of movements in United States interest rates on South African interest rates. This study aims to identify the main underlying movements present in the United States and South African yield curves and to further determine the dominant factors that are responsible for driving South African interest rate movements. The principal settings for the study were the United States and South African markets representing, respectively, a developed and developing market. Principal component analysis was used to discern the major drivers of developing and developed market interest rates. The findings show that the principal component analysis technique is able to effectively classify and quantify the movements of yield curves across both markets in terms of three main factors, namely level, slope and curvature shifts. During certain periods, South African yield curve changes were largely driven by variations in United States interest rates and the rand/dollar exchange rate. Results also demonstrated that a volatile market and economic environment can significantly distort the shape and smoothness of yield curve movements.
L‐NAME co‐treatment prevent oxidative damage in the lung of adult Wistar rats treated with vitamin A supplementation

Based on the fact that vitamin A in clinical doses is a potent pro‐oxidant agent to the lungs, we investigated here the role of nitric oxide (NO•) in the disturbances affecting the lung redox environment in vitamin A‐treated rats (retinol palmitate, doses of 1000–9000 IU·kg−1·day−1) for 28 days. Lung mitochondrial function and redox parameters, such as lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation and the level of 3‐nytrotyrosine, were quantified. We observed, for the first time, that vitamin A supplementation increases the levels of 3‐nytrotyrosine in rat lung mitochondria. To determine whether nitric oxide (NO •) or its derivatives such as peroxynitrite (ONOO‐) was involved in this damage, animals were co‐treated with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L‐NAME (30 mg·kg−1, four times a week), and we analysed if this treatment prevented (or minimized) the biochemical disturbances resulting from vitamin A supplementation. We observed that L‐NAME inhibited some effects caused by vitamin A supplementation. Nonetheless, L‐NAME was not able to reverse completely the negative effects triggered by vitamin A supplementation, indicating that other factors rather than only NO• or ONOO‐ exert a prominent role in mediating the redox effects in the lung of rats that received vitamin A supplementation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Public values: citizens’ perspective

ABSTRACT Drawing data from more than 2,000 US citizens, the current article focuses on empirically derived citizens’ public values. Objectives include: (1) to provide and analyse empirical data on citizens’ specific views about what does and does not constitute a public value, (2) to distinguish between ‘Contested’ and ‘Consensus’ public values; (3) to suggest some implications of citizens’ public value assessment in terms of their theoretical meaning; (4) to compare expressed vs. enacted public values (based on decision vignettes). Findings show widespread agreement about a handful of putative public values, but when enacted in vignettes responses are inconsistent.
Communicating a social agenda within HEIs: the role of the social enterprise mark

Purpose By using the lens of the social enterprise mark (SEM) accreditation which enables social enterprises to “prove” that the interests of people and planet are put before shareholder gain, this study aims to enhance the knowledge of how effectively the social agenda is communicated by higher education institutions (HEIs). Design/methodology/approach By using a qualitative research design, this exploratory study uses a combination of both a focus group and in-depth interviews with HEI holders of the SEM. Findings With a particular focus on University A, this study advances the knowledge around how social agendas and the role of the SEM in particular are used to communicate to HEI employees as a key stakeholder group. Research limitations/implications At the time of this study, fewer SEM accredited HEIs existed, and therefore, the following conclusions are based upon a small select sample of HEIs that held the SEM. Further studies are needed to provide a more representative view of each university’s use of and commitment to the SEM/ Social Enterprise Gold Mark. Practical implications Building on Powell and Osborne’s (2015) observations regarding the role of marketing in social enterprises, the findings of this study offer practical insight into current and or prospective HEI SEM holders as to the role of “social” accreditations, stakeholder perceptions of such marketing initiatives and how they can be used as a vehicle to improve social communications in the future. Originality/value The area of social enterprise and social impact has been evolving in recent decades, but literature in relation to its promotion and communication in the higher education sector remains scant. This study responds to this gap in the literature by providing greater insight into how social agendas and engagement with the SEM, specifically, are communicated by HEIs.
Crossed spinal soleus muscle communication demonstrated by H‐reflex conditioning

Introduction: A conditioning volley to the ipsilateral tibial nerve (iTN) inhibits contralateral soleus (cSOL) electromyographic activity at latencies of 37–41 ms. This is evidence for spinal muscular communication in opposing limbs. The aim of our study was to determine whether the cSOL H‐reflex would be inhibited in a similar manner. Methods: Thirteen subjects participated in two experiments: (1) stimuli delivered to the iTN at 85% of the maximal peak‐to‐peak M‐wave (85% M‐max) with a pre‐contracted cSOL; (2) 510 stimuli delivered at 85% M‐max to the iTN with a test volley delivered to the contralateral tibial nerve at interstimulus intervals of −6 to 100 ms. Results: Significant inhibition was observed in the cSOL H‐reflex when conditioning stimuli were delivered 3–33 ms before the test H‐reflex. Conclusions: The activity of this spinal pathway can be quantified using H‐reflex conditioning to provide a controlled model for further studies of this response. Muscle Nerve, 2011
Supporting Public Health Policy Decision-making through Economic Evaluation: Applications and Methods

The extent to which economic evaluations of public health programs in Ontario are conducted and used by decision makers is currently very limited. This thesis supports public health decision-making through applied and methodological work. The applied work demonstrates different methods to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of public health interventions using the examples of seasonal and pandemic influenza immunization programs. The methodological component explores whether time horizon choice, one methodological consideration in economic evaluations, introduces bias. The economic evaluation of Ontario‟s universal influenza immunization program (UIIP) uses primarily provincial health administrative databases to assess the impact of UIIP on health outcomes (quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), mortality), health care resource use (physician office visits, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations), and costs due to seasonal influenza. Ontario‟s UIIP was found to be cost-effective compared to a targeted program. The economic evaluation of Ontario‟s H1N1 (2009) mass immunization program uses a mathematical modeling approach to describe the pandemic as observed in Ontario. By removing immunization from the simulation, the impact of the program was evaluated. Outcome measures iii include health outcomes (attack rate, deaths, QALYs), resource use, and cost (physician office visits, emergency department visits, hospitalizations). The analysis found Ontario‟s mass immunization program to be highly cost-effective despite high program cost. The methodological component investigates whether time horizon choice, a major methodological choice, introduces bias to economic evaluations. The existence, magnitude and direction of time horizon bias are demonstrated using a formal model. This work supports current guidelines in recommending a lifetime time horizon and provides a framework to discuss bias in economic evaluations. This thesis demonstrates different approaches to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of public health interventions, informs decision-making, and establishes the groundwork to guide future economic evaluations of public health interventions.
Serum interleukin‐8 as a serologic marker of activity in Behçet's disease

Background Immune dysregulation has been shown to be one of the major aspects of the yet unknown pathogenesis of Behçet's disease. Interleukin‐8 (IL‐8), a major chemokine with pivotal effects concerning leukocytes and endothelial cells, has been found to be elevated in patients with Behçet's disease.
Monitoring of dissolved oxygen and cellular bioenergetics within a pancreatic substitute

This work investigated the use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in combination with a mathematical model of an encapsulated cell system as a method for rapidly assessing the status of a pancreatic substitute. To validate this method, an in vitro experiment was performed in which the encapsulated cells were perfused in an NMR‐compatible system and the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration of the perfusing medium was lowered from 0.20 to 0.05 mM, then returned to 0.20 mM in a stepwise fashion. The cellular metabolic activity and bioenergetics were evaluated by measuring the oxygen consumption rate (via DO sensors) and nucleotide triphosphate levels (via 31P NMR). By incorporating a perfluorocarbon emulsion into the alginate beads, the cellular oxygenation state was monitored by measuring the average intrabead DO (AIDO) concentration by 19F NMR. The in vitro measurements were then compared with model predictions based on the measured external DO concentration and time. Model‐predicted cell growth and AIDO closely matched the experimentally acquired data. As the DO concentrations both external to and within the pancreatic substitute are needed to apply this methodology in vivo, the feasibility of measuring the DO concentration from two distinct bead populations implanted in the peritoneal cavity of mice was established. It is concluded that PFC incorporation and 19F NMR measurements, in combination with a mechanistic model of the encapsulated system, allow the tracking of the state of a pancreatic substitute in vitro and potentially in vivo. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007; 98: 261–270. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sustainable Growth of Nonfinancial Firms: Microeconometric Evidence from Pakistan

This research has investigated the sustainability of growth of nonfinancial firms in case of Pakistan. For this purpose, explanatory variable of earnings per share and total assets turnover were used as controlling factors and liquidity, size and cash flows were used as independent variables. Balanced panel of 27 firms with 24 annual time dimensions has been used from 1988 to 2011. Model specification criteria were in favour of pooled least squares but due to heterogeneity of firms, fixed effect model was opted for. The results of research were robust against internal growth but not robust to sustainable growth indicating that, in case of Pakistan, the leverage impact, which is the key difference between internal growth and sustainable growth might be playing some unexplained role for the growth of nonfinancial firms. For steady, regular and internal growth, liquidity and cash generation ability are playing a significant role but fail to support growth in the long run and in a sustainable way.
White matter hyperintensities on T2-weighted MRI images among DNA-verified older familial hypercholesterolemia patients

Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disorder, causing an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) if untreated. Silent brain infarctions and white matter hyperintensities (WMHIs) observed on T2-weighted magnetic resonance images (MRI) are associated with increased risk for stroke and myocardial infarction. Age is a strong predictor of WMHIs. Purpose: To use MRI to assess the presence of clinically silent brain lesions in older FH patients, and to compare the occurrence and size of these lesions in older FH patients with middle-aged FH patients and healthy controls. Material and Methods: A total of 43 older (age ≥ 65 years) FH patients with the same FH North Karelia mutation, living in Finland, were identified. In this comprehensive cohort, 1.5T brain MRI was available for 33 individuals (age 65–84 years, M/F 9/24, mean duration of statin treatment 15.3 years). This group was divided into two age categories: 65–74 years (FHe1 group, n=23) and 75–84 years (FHe2 group, n=10). Infarcts, including lacunas, and WMHIs on T2-weighted images were recorded. Data from brain MRI were compared to those of a group of middle-aged FH patients with CHD (n=19, age 48–64 years) and with middle-aged healthy controls (n=29, age 49–63 years). Results: Only two (6%) of the older FH patients had clinically silent brain infarcts detected by MRI. The amount of large WMHIs (>5 mm in diameter) was similar in the FHe1 group compared with the groups of middle-aged FH patients and healthy controls, even though the FHe1 group was 13 years older. The total amount of WMHIs and the amount of large WMHIs were greatest in the FHe2 group. Conclusion: FH patients aged 65 to 74 years receiving long-term statin treatment (15 years) did not have more WMHIs on brain MRI compared to middle-aged FH patients and healthy controls.
Biodegradation of Azo Dye Disperse Orange S‐RL by a Newly Isolated Strain Acinetobacter sp. SRL8

The strain SRL8, which could decolorize the azo dye disperse orange S‐RL (S‐RL), was first isolated from sludge and identified as Acinetobacter sp. through physiobiochemical identification and 16S rRNA gene sequences. The effects of temperature, pH, dye concentration, O2, and glucose concentration on S‐RL decolorization by the strain SRL8 were studied. The optimal conditions were 30 °C, pH 7.0, 4g·L−1 of inoculation (wet cells), and microaerophilic incubation. The decolorization percentage for S‐RL by the strain SRL8 could reach 90.2% under optimal conditions. The strain SRL8 was highly tolerant to the azo dye SRL up to 300 mg·L−1 and it had a broad decolorizing spectrum. According to the Monod equation, kinetic parameters of decolorization by SRL8 were calculated. The vmax and Km were 5.57 × 10−3 h−1 and 14.53 mg·L−1, respectively.
Indigenous Entrepreneurial Orientation: Exploring Entrepreneurial Orientation with Māori Entrepreneurs

1 Paper related to thesis . 2 Acknowledgements . 3 Table of contents . 4 List of table . 7 List of figure . 9 Glossary . 10 CHAPTER 1: Introduction . 11 1.1 Why Māori . 11 1.2 Theoretical framework . 13 1.2.1Indigenousentrepreneurship . 13 1.2.2 Entrepreneurial orientation . 14 1.2.3 Antecedents . 16 1.3 Why an Indigenous view of EO? 20 1.4 Research Methodology . 22 1.5 Potential contributions of the research . 26 1.6 Structure of thesis . 28 CHAPTER 2: The context . 29 2.1 Māori in New Zealand . 29 2.2 Māori worldview . 30 2.2.1 Mātauranga Māori . 33 2.2.2 Māori cultural values . 34 2.2.3 Māori Identity . 37 2.3 Māori economy . 38 2.5 Summary . 42 CHAPTER 3:Indigenous and Māori entrepreneurship . 43 3.1Indigenous entrepreneurship . 43 3.1.1 Definitions and characteristics of Indigenous entrepreneurship . 43 3.1.2Indigenous entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship . 47 3.1.3 Forms of Indigenous entrepreneurship . 49 3.2 Māori entrepreneurship . 54 3.3 Types of Māori business . 57