Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pharmacodynamic characterization of efflux and topoisomerase IV-mediated fluoroquinolone resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae.

OBJECTIVES Most in vitro investigations of fluoroquinolone resistance involving Streptococcus pneumoniae have described genotypic changes in quinolone resistance-determining regions (QRDRs) that occur as the result of exposure to fluoroquinolones obtained with static antimicrobial concentrations. The objectives of this study were to determine whether differences exist between moxifloxacin, sparfloxacin and levofloxacin antimicrobial effect (AME) and their ability to select out stepwise mutations with wild-type, efflux-expressing and parC-mediated fluoroquinolone resistance while simulating the in vivo dosing and pharmacokinetics of the respective agents. METHODS A one-compartment pharmacodynamic model simulated fluoroquinolone dosing regimens. Duplicate 24 h experiments were carried out in Mueller-Hinton broth with 3% horse blood at 1 x 10(8) cfu/mL. Reserpine (10 mg/L) was added to select experiments conducted with efflux-expressing strains. AME was expressed as the area under the time-concentration kill curve (AUEC24). Strains expressing increased MIC post-time-concentration kill curve (TCKC) were evaluated for changes in QRDR. RESULTS Moxifloxacin exhibited a greater AME against all isolates. Efflux was generally associated with partial loss of AME for all fluoroquinolones, and levofloxacin retained no AME against parC-expressing S. pneumoniae. Increased fluoroquinolone MIC post-TCKC was more common with efflux expression. The addition of reserpine was associated with enhanced AME for levofloxacin and moxifloxacin, but was not associated with altered resistance selection. Isolates recovered post-TCKC from experiments involving efflux- or parC mutation-containing isolates generally exhibited a more than four-fold increase in MIC, which was associated with commonly reported substitutions in both parC and gyrA. CONCLUSION The results of this study generally indicate that resistance selection under pharmacodynamic conditions is similar to results reported with static fluoroquinolone concentrations. While moxifloxacin AME was greater than levofloxacin and sparfloxacin, the overall selection of resistant isolates did not differ.
Corporate Governance and Accounting Conservatism: The Moderating Role of Family Ownership

This study objective is to investigate the influence of board characteristics and audit committee characteristics on accounting conservatism with respect to the influence of family ownership in Turkey. The findings explained that clients’ demand for accounting conservatism improved because of board characteristics (e.g. board size, independence & women on board) and the audit committee characteristics (e.g. audit committee independence and audit committee expertise). Hence, the family ownership undermines the impact of board characteristics and the audit committee characteristics to demand accounting conservatism, which will be unfavorable outcome for the minority shareholders. Thus, this study suggests that regulators should increase law enforcement to improve corporate governance in Turkey to accommodate the unique characteristics of family ownership and offer a protected environment for minority shareholders.
Fumaric acid esters in the treatment of psoriasis: an Italian experience

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a common, chronic, cell‐mediated, inflammatory skin disease. Treatment limitations and a developing understanding of its pathogenesis on a molecular level have encouraged much interest in the field of immunomodulatory therapy. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of fumaric acid esters, in particular dimethylfumarate (DMF), in the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis intolerant and/or resistant to other conventional systemic therapies. METHODS: A total of 40 patients were enrolled in this study. DMF was orally administered at the daily dose of 30 mg up to 360 mg for a minimum of 6 months treatment. Patients were followed‐up with psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score assessment, and clinical and photographic documentation. RESULTS: A total of 33 (82.5%) patients achieved complete clinical remission with DMF treatment: eight after 3 months and 25 after 6 months. Adverse events, such as intolerable abdominal cramps and incoercible diarrhoea, occurred in four patients who, for this reason, interrupted therapy. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that DMF is a safe, effective and well‐tolerated long‐term oral treatment worthy of consideration for selective patients.
Determinants of Quality of Life and Return to Work Following Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome A Systematic Review

Methods: In this systematic review of the literature, we consider the deter minants of HRQoL and return to work (RtW). 24 observational studies showing a statistical association between one or more determinants and HRQoL or RtW were included. Because of the heterogeneity of these studies, no statistical aggregation of the individual effect estimates was carried out; instead, the results are summarized descriptively.
New Service Development and Digitalization: Synergies of Personal Interaction and IT Integration

ABSTRACT This study investigates the effects of personal interaction and information technology integration (IT integration) on new service development in business-to-business (B2B) service firms' relationships. Personal interaction, IT integration and new service development are latent variables in a structural model tested with LISREL (N = 138). The relationship between personal interaction and IT integration is strong and indicates that both these constructs are drivers for new service development. Although both these constructs represent diverse ways of interacting, they both positively impact new service development. Hence, managers should not expect IT to replace personal interaction to a great extent in B2B-service contexts.
The Relative Toxicity of Amitriptyline, Bupivacaine, and Levobupivacaine Administered as Rapid Infusions in Rats

Intravascular injection of local anesthetics carries the risk of cardiovascular (CV) and central nervous system (CNS) toxicity. Amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant, has local anesthetic potency that is more than that of bupivacaine. In this study, we compared the CV and CNS toxicity of the local anesthetics bupivacaine and levobupivacaine with that of amitriptyline. Twenty-nine Sprague-Dawley rats had their right external jugular vein and carotid artery cannulated under general anesthesia. On Day 2, rats were sedated with midazolam (0.375 mg/kg intraperitoneally) and received rapid infusions of either 1) bupivacaine, levobupivacaine, or amitriptyline at 2 mg · kg−1 · min−1 (5 mg/mL concentration) or 2) normal saline (400 &mgr;L · kg−1 · min−1) through an external jugular vein cannula. Electrocardiogram and arterial blood pressure were measured until the dose to cause impending death was reached (heart rate 50 bpm/asystole or apnea for >30 s). The mean dose required to cause apnea and impending death was significantly larger for amitriptyline (74.0 ± 21 mg/kg and 74.5 ± 21 mg/kg, respectively) than for levobupivacaine (32.2 ± 20 mg/kg and 33.9 ± 22 mg/kg, respectively) or bupivacaine (21.5 ± 7 mg/kg and 22.7 ± 7 mg/kg, respectively) (P < 0.05). A significantly larger dose of amitriptyline, given by rapid infusion, is required to cause CV and CNS toxicity in rats, when compared with bupivacaine and levobupivacaine.
Cytoplasmic retention and nuclear import of 5S ribosomal RNA containing RNPs.

Nuclear export of newly transcribed 5S ribosomal RNA in Xenopus oocytes occurs in the context of either a complex with the ribosomal protein L5 (5S RNP) or with the transcription factor IIIA (7S RNP). Here we examine nuclear import of 5S RNA, L5 and TFIIIA. The 5S RNP shuttles between nucleus and cytoplasm and only 5S RNA variants which can bind to L5 gain access to the nucleus. The 7S RNP is retained in the cytoplasm. Only TFIIIA which is not bound to 5S RNA is imported into the nucleus. As a novel mechanism for cytoplasmic retention, we propose that RNA binding masks a nuclear localization sequence in TFIIIA. In contrast to the nuclear import of L5, import of TFIIIA is sensitive towards the nuclear localization sequence (NLS) competitor p(lys)‐BSA, suggesting that these two proteins make use of different import pathways.
The relationships among learning transfer climate, transfer self-efficacy, goal commitment, and sales performance in an organization undergoing planned change /

This study raises questions about organizational and personal factors that may influence the institutionalization o f planned change outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among learning transfer climate, transfer self-efficacy, goal commitment, and employee performance in an organization undergoing planned change. All one hundred and twenty four quota-carrying sales employees from a large sales organization, who attended a sales training program intended to aid them in meeting new job expectations, were targeted for participation in this study. Surveys were administered eight months after subjects participated in the training program. A total of 51 out of the 124 sales staff members consented to participate and returned instruments used in this study. The questionnaire was used to assess the learning transfer climate, transfer self-efficacy, and goal commitment. Reliability coefficients calculated for this study were . 82 for the goal commitment scale, . 91 for the transfer self-efficacy instrument, and ranged from . 52 to . 96 for the learning transfer climate sub-scales. Performance data was collected for three performance periods including the one preceding the training program (July-September, 2000), the one during and after the training period (October -December, 2000) and an additional performance period following the training program (January-March, 2001). Correlational and multiple
Blind identification of MIMO channels with periodic modulation

We propose a method for blind identification of MIMO FIR channels with periodic modulation. The method exploits the linear relation between the covariance matrix of the received data and the "product matrices" of the channel. The proposed algorithm requires solving linear equations and computing eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a Hermitian matrix. We show that the identifiability condition depends on the modulating sequences alone and the method is robust with respect to channel order overestimation. A method for optimal selection of modulating sequences is proposed, which takes into account the effect of noise and the numerical error in estimating the covariance matrix of the received data. Simulations are used to demonstrate the performance of the proposed algorithm.
Demographic models of birth outcomes and infant mortality: An alternative measurement approach

Most demographic studies use 2,500 grams of birth weight and 37 weeks of gestation as cutpoints for evaluating the effects of adverse birth outcomes on infant mortality. We propose an alternative strategy, which relies on continuous measures of birth outcomes, identifies an optimal combination of birth weight and gestational age for infant survival, and estimates the effects of adverse birth outcomes in terms of their departure from this “optimal point. ” We illustrate the advantages of this approach by estimating a logistic model using data from the 1989–1991 NCHS linked birth/infant death files. Finally, we discuss future applications and methodological issues to be resolved in subsequent research.
Protective Effects of Neurotrophic Factors on Tumor Necrosis Factor-related Apoptosis-inducing Ligand (TRAIL)-mediated Apoptosis of Murine Adrenal Chromaffin Cell Line tsAM5D*

We previously established the murine adrenal chromaffin cell line tsAM5D, which was immortalized with the temperature-sensitive simian virus 40 large T-antigen. tsAM5D cells have the capacity to differentiate into neuron-like cells in response to neurotrophic factors when the culture temperature is shifted from 33 to 39 °C. In this model system, the temperature shift in the absence of neurotrophic factors led to cell death. Hoechst staining analysis revealed that typical apoptotic nuclei appeared in a time-dependent manner after the temperature shift. Upon shifting to 39 °C, the degradation of T-antigen was accompanied by the transcriptional activation of p53 protein. Among the p53 target genes, death receptor 5 (DR5), which is the receptor for tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), showed the highest level of induction. Interestingly, TRAIL-neutralizing antibody protected tsAM5D cells from the temperature shift-induced apoptotic cell death by blocking the activation of caspase-8 and -3, indicating the involvement of TRAIL-mediated death signaling in the temperature shift-induced apoptosis. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) inhibited the TRAIL-mediated activation of caspase-8 in tsAM5D cells exposed to 39 °C and cooperated with basic fibroblast growth factor and ciliary neurotrophic factor. Interestingly, the temperature shift induced oligomerization of DR5, which is the earliest process necessary for transduction of the death signal. This oligomerization was inhibited by treatment with GDNF plus ciliary neurotrophic factor but not by that with GDNF alone or GDNF plus basic fibroblast growth factor. These results are discussed with respect to the intracellular mechanism underlying the protective function of neurotrophic factors against TRAIL-mediated death signaling.
Intra-arterial Tissue Plasminogen Activator: An Effective Adjunct Following Microsurgical Venous Thrombosis

This study evaluates the efficacy of our protocol using intra-arterial infusion of tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) on free flap salvage following venous thrombosis. A retrospective review was conducted of every free flap performed by a single surgeon since the beginning of his practice. Free flap salvage rates were documented following flap exploration, intra-arterial infusion of TPA, and revision of the venous anastomosis, with or without vein grafting. One hundred twenty-two free tissue transfers were performed from July 2003 through April 2006. Twelve anastomotic complications occurred in 11 flaps (1 arterial thrombosis, 11 venous thromboses). One free muscle flap failed due to arterial thrombosis. All venous thromboses were salvaged using the TPA protocol, although one revision thrombosed on postoperative day 1 and required a second venous revision, leading to its ultimate salvage. We believe that intra-arterial TPA is an effective adjunct in the treatment of microsurgical venous thrombosis and may increase salvage rates following anastomotic complications.
Is there relationship between board structures anddividend policy: Evidence from Nigeria

Dividends are considered useful in reducing agency conflicts.The board of directors is the topmost organ of an organisation and directors on board play a major role in addressing agency problems. They also ratify the decisions taken by management prior to execution of the decisions.Studies have reported that corporate governance characteristics influence dividend payout.However, little is known about the influence of board structures that include board size, outside directors, and gender on the decision to pay dividends.This paper is aimed at exploring how board characteristics affect the decision to pay dividends.Using 267 firm-year observations (2013-2015) and random effect logit regression, the study finds board size, outside directors on board, as well as the number of female directors to have great influence on the decision to pay dividends.
Further Studies on Urinary Aldosterone in Human Arterial Hypertension.∗

Conclusion Our results indicate 1) increased aldosterone excretion in about 55% of patients, 2) a very significant difference between mean aldosterone excretion of patients with essential, renal or malignant hypertension as compared with normal subjects, 3) a much greater degree of fluctuation in serial daily aldosterone determinations in 2 early asymptomatic hypertensive patients as compared to a normal subject. These observations bring additional and direct evidence for an adrenal cortical disturbance in hypertensive cardio-vascular disease. Although the evidence is suggestive, it cannot be established at the present time if these findings play an etiological role in pathogenesis of arterial hypertension. They may provide the explanation for the successful use of salt depletion by chlorothiazide and mercurials as essential adjunct to the “effectiveness” of the present anti-hypertensive therapy.
Implementing Government Policy in Supply Chains: An International Coproduction Study of Public Procurement

Public procurement is the commercial arm of governments, contracting for goods, and services to feed public sector service provision. However, mainstream operations and supply chain management journals have published little on supply chains to governments, public procurement, and the significance of engaging small businesses in government supply chains. Policy feedback theory and thirteen coproduced international case studies of public procurement and small business agency dyadic relationships are used to explore this space. The research highlights the importance of both public procurement and small business as areas of policy and supply chain management research. Policy feedback theory is introduced as a means to understand relationships and is applied to a coproduction study to understand how supply chain management research can both explore and change policy.
How Consumers Respond to Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative: Cause Related Marketing vs Philantrophy

Increasing in demand of CSR from various stakeholders has caused company’s CSR motives to be more complex. CSR activities are not only founded on the benevolence of corporate agents but also as part of a corporate strategy formulated in pursuit of stakeholder interest. This study investigate whether CSR motives could enhance customer trust and satisfaction. Focus on two CSR initiatives conducted by GrabTaxi (transportation industry) and Alfamart (retail industry), the purposes is to demonstrate how two type CSR initiative could delivered perceived motives and create loyalty. Cross-sectional offline and on - line survey was conducted on 175 respondents of GrabTaxi and 192 respondents of Alfamart. Structural Equation Interestingly, even though respondent perceived firm-serving motives (as strategic objectives) and reactive motives (as expected by stakeholder), CSR initiative could create trust and satisfaction.Struc - tural Equation Modelling as data analysis to test 5 hypotheses. The results show slightly different in the context of cause-related marketing (GrabTaxi), and philanthropy (Alfamart). Even though all respondents perceived that CSR is motivated by mix motives (benevolent and strategic), how these motives influence trust, satisfaction, and further loyalty are different. Two-type of CSR initiative ie Cause Related Market - ing (CrM) and philanthropy can provide firm-serving motive, public serving motive and reactive motive. These motives could encourage trust and satisfaction through path motive-trust-satisfaction (directly or indirectly through trust)-customer loyalty. Interestingly, even though respondent perceived firm-serving motives (as strategic objectives) and reactive motives (as expected by stakeholder), CSR initiative could create trust and satisfaction.
Significance of perioperative goal-directed hemodynamic approach in preventing postoperative complications in patients after cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis and systematic review

Abstract Purpose: Goal-directed hemodynamic therapy (GDT) is used to prevent hypoperfusion resulting from surgery. The objective of this study was to analyze the efficacy and importance of perioperative GDT. Methods: PUBMED, MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and Google Scholar databases were searched until 17 June 2016 using the search terms: cardiac output, cardiac surgical procedures, hemodynamics, goal-directed therapy, and intraoperative. Randomized-controlled trials with pre-emptive hemodynamic intervention for cardiac surgical population versus standard hemodynamic therapy were included. Results: Nine studies were included with a total of 1148 patients. The overall analysis revealed no significant difference in the all-cause mortality (pooled peto OR =0.58, 95%CI =0.27–1.525, p = 0.164), duration of mechanical ventilation (pooled difference in mean= −1.48, 95%CI= −3.24 to 0.28, p = 0.099), or length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay (pooled difference in mean= −9.10, 95%CI= −20.14 to 1.93, p = 0.106) between patients in the GDT and control groups. Patients in the GDP group were associated with shorter hospital stay than those in the control group (pooled difference in mean= −1.52, 95%CI= −2.31 to −0.73, p < 0.001). Conclusion: GDT reduces the length of hospital stay compared with the standard of care. Further studies are necessary to continually assess the benefit of GDT following major surgery. Key Messages The results of this analysis revealed no significant difference between cardiac surgery patients receiving goal-directed hemodynamic therapy (GDT) or conventional fluid therapy in terms of the all-cause mortality, duration of mechanical intervention, and length of ICU-stay. The length of hospital stay was significantly reduced in patients treated with GDT compare to conventional fluid therapy. GDT may have limited benefit in reducing mortality; however, the association to shorter length of hospital stay may suggest that better hemodynamic balance can facilitate postoperative recovery.
Determinants of academic performance of student-workers in higher education

Although in recent years access to higher education in Portugal has expanded, there are still some people who interrupt their academic careers and enter the labour market not because of lack of skills but because of monetary constraints. Thus, returning to school is considered of great importance to mitigate this discrimination and reinforce workers’ qualification. Even though the determinants of academic success have been deeply studied, the different characteristics, the lack of time and the multiple motivations of student-workers justify them to receive an independent treatment. Therefore, based on an extended set of observed attributes, which account for sociodemographic, course and student indicators and, for the first time to our knowledge, job characteristics, we develop, in this paper, two regression models to find the main determinants of the academic performance (measured by the final grade and the completion time) of student-workers in higher education. We use a longitudinal dataset constituted by 332 student-workers that have enrolled in an undergraduate program at Leiria Polytechnic Institute (IPLeiria) in the years 2008 or 2009 and have completed it until 2015. The data was obtained by matching an internal dataset of IPLeiria with data from the Ministry of Education and Science, Portugal. The results show that student-workers who finish their courses behave similarly to the non-worker students in their academic performance, but with different determinants explaining it. Parents’ education has a negative effect on final grade whereas higher previous qualifications, peer effects, better integration and lower variability of grades within-course increase academic success. The access system and field of study are also relevant, as well as self-employment, job skills, the match course/job and the private/public nature of the employer. We expect that our work contributes to develop policies that improve the success of student-workers and therefore increase the participation of workers in higher education.