Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Ribulose Bisphosphate Carboxylase Gene Expression in Natural Phytoplankton Communities by Group-Specific Gene Probing

To understand the composition and photosynthetic carbon fixing activities of natural phytoplankton communities, we employed group-specific ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase (RubisCO) large subunit gene probes (rbcL) to examine RubisCO gene expression. The rbcL genes from Synechococcus PCC6301 (cyano) and from Cylindrotheca sp. [chromo) were used as probes at select stations to examine levels of rbcL mRNA in speciflc size fractions (>5 pnl, 1-5 pm, c1 pm) in surface waters of the mouth of Tampa Bay (estuarine), West Florida Shelf (coastal), and from the offshore Gull of Mex~co. Using DNA purified from algal isolates, we demonstrated that the cyano probe was specific for the chlorophyte/cyanobacterial RubisCO evolutionary lineage and the chromo probe was specific for the chromophyte evolutionary lineage (dlatoms, prymnesiophytes, and other non-green microalgae). For coastal/estuarine environments, both cyano and chromo rbcL mRNA was predominately confined to the >5 pm size fraction, whereas in offshore oligotrophic environments, the cyano mRNA was associated with smaller cells ( 5 pm fraction in coastal/estuarine environments, while in offshore environments, a greater percentage was present In the < l pm fraction. In profiles through the euphotic zone, cyano rbcL rnRNA exhibited maximal values at depths above 65 m at all stations where the waters were dominated by Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus. In contrast, chromo rbcL mRNA increased wlth depth from undetectable levels in surface waters to its highest levels at or below the subsurface chlorophyll maximum (SCM. 67 m or deeper). Carbon fixation rates were generally elevated in both surface waters and around the SCM. The SCM was dominated by chromophytic picoeucaryotes, as detected by HPLC pigment analysis and flow cytometry. Such analyses are consistent with the rbcL gene probe patterns of euphotic zones of offshore oligotrophic environments. This study demonstrates the utility of group-specific gene probes for examining the expression of carbon fixing genes in phytoplankton and is a first approach to understanding the active phytoplankton community structure and its relationship to the fixation of inorganic carbon in marine environments.
A knowledge-based development model for primate cities of the developing world

This paper presents the conceptual development and piloting of a knowledge-based development model for primate cities. Using UNESCO's knowledge societies conceptual framework, the study extends this framework by substantiating relationships between the framework's components, intellectual capital, knowledge processes and macro-level sustainable development goals (economic, environmental, social as well as peace/security dimensions). An international Delphi panel of experts in the fields of knowledge management, knowledge cities and urban planning, validated the knowledge-based development model derived from the framework. Empirical field pilots were conducted with the model in primate cities in Ethiopia and Thailand to assess the relevance of the model and to explore what insights and guidance it could provide policy-makers. The model identified key resources and critical areas where policy interventions are needed. Feedback from respondents contributed to the model's improvement. A K-SWOT policy dialogue further demonstrated the model's potential for supporting decision-making.
Factors associated with suicide attempts in 648 patients with bipolar disorder in the Stanley Foundation Bipolar Network.

BACKGROUND Clinical factors related to suicide and suicide attempts have been studied much more extensively in unipolar depression compared with bipolar disorder. We investigated demographic and course-of-illness variables to better understand the incidence and potential clinical correlates of serious suicide attempts in 648 outpatients with bipolar disorder. METHOD Patients with bipolar I or II disorder (DSM-IV criteria) diagnosed with structured interviews were evaluated using self-rated and clinician-rated questionnaires to assess incidence and correlates of serious suicide attempts prior to study entry. Clinician prospective ratings of illness severity were compared for patients with and without a history of suicide attempt. RESULTS The 34% of patients with a history of suicide attempts, compared with those without such a history, had a greater positive family history of drug abuse and suicide (or attempts); a greater personal history of early traumatic stressors and more stressors both at illness onset and for the most recent episode; more hospitalizations for depression; a course of increasing severity of mania; more Axis I, II, and III comorbidities; and more time ill on prospective follow-up. In a hierarchical logistic regression, a history of sexual abuse, lack of confidant prior to illness onset, more prior hospitalizations for depression, suicidal thoughts when depressed, and cluster B personality disorder remained significantly associated with a serious suicide attempt. CONCLUSION Our retrospective findings, supplemented by prospective follow-up, indicate that a history of suicide attempts is associated with a more difficult course of bipolar disorder and the occurrence of more psychosocial stressors at many different time domains. Greater attention to recognizing those at highest risk for suicide attempts and therapeutic efforts aimed at some of the correlates identified here could have an impact on bipolar illness-related morbidity and mortality.
Development and Validation of the Korean Version of Hand-Foot Skin Reaction and Quality of Life Questionnaire (HF-QoL-K)

Given the growing number of cancer patients and the resulting increase in the administration of chemotherapeutic agents, convenient and effective methods for measuring the symptoms and quality of life associated with the hand-foot syndrome (HFS) are needed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop and validate the Korean version of the hand-foot skin reaction and quality of life questionnaire (HF-QoL-K), comprising a 20-item symptom domain and an 18-item daily activity domain. After we developed the HF-QoL-K, 209 Korean patients with gynecologic cancer who were undergoing chemotherapeutic agents relating the HFS were asked to fill in the questionnaire. The content validity, internal consistency reliability, and test-retest reliability were evaluated. The internal validity index, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, and intra-class correlation coefficient of the HF-QoL-K were 0.90, 0.958, and 0.825 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.774–0.865), respectively. The scatter plot (Pearson correlation coefficient, 0.826) and the Bland-Altman plot for test-retest reliability were also acceptable. The HF-QoL-K instrument is a valid and reliable questionnaire for the measurement of the symptoms and quality of life in Korean cancer patients suffering HFS.
The role of audit quality and culture influence on earnings management in companies with excessive free cash flow: Evidence from the Asia-Pacific region

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of culture and audit quality on managers’ decisions regarding accounting accruals. It focuses on companies experiencing excessive free cash flow, as these companies have been associated with an agency problem. Design/methodology/approach This study measures the magnitude of discretionary accruals as a proxy for earnings management using the cross-sectional modified Jones model. Excessive free cash flow is scrutinized by the method used by Chung et al. (2005). Listed companies in nine countries in the Asia-Pacific region are represented in this study. The statistical analyses are used to examine the influence of cultural aspect, the role of external monitoring by high-quality auditors and the earnings management practice in the companies with excessive free-cash-flow. Findings The empirical results presented in this paper provide support for the proposition that managers of companies with excessive free-cash-flow will make investment decisions that are not always in the best interest of the shareholders and use accounting discretion to increase reported earnings. This study provides empirical evidence that these companies have been associated with an agency problem and the role of external auditor persists in a setting, where cultural differences prevail in across countries. Practical implications In cross-border trade and investment, the findings provide the opportunity to exploit a setting, where cultural differences prevail, whereas other potentially influential variables, including the role of external monitoring by high-quality auditors, are relatively constant across countries. Originality/value Previous studies (Leuz et al., 2003; and Enomoto et al., 2015) examine factors influencing earnings management internationally have concentrated on legal institutions and investor protection. Han et al. (2010) completed a cross-country study on the effects of national culture on earnings management. This study focuses on companies across countries experiencing with excessive free cash flow and examines the cultural aspect and the effectiveness of external monitoring by high-quality auditors operating in different countries in mitigating managerial opportunism.
Exercise and Physical Activity for the Post–Aortic Dissection Patient: The Clinician's Conundrum

Despite the paucity of evidence, it is often presumed, and is physiologically plausible, that sudden, acute elevations in blood pressure may transiently increase the risk of recurrent aortic dissection (AD) or rupture in patients with a prior AD, because a post‐dissection aorta is almost invariably dilated and may thus experience greater associated wall stress as compared with a nondilated aorta. Few data are available regarding the specific types and intensities of exercise that may be both safe and beneficial for this escalating patient population. The purpose of this editorial/commentary is to further explore this conundrum for clinicians caring for and counseling AD survivors. Moderate‐intensity cardiovascular activity may be cardioprotective in this patient cohort. It is likely that severe physical activity restrictions may reduce functional capacity and quality of life in post‐AD patients and thus be harmful, underscoring the importance of further exploring the role of physical activity and/or structured exercise in this at‐risk patient population.
Outpatient anesthesia.

More complex methods of outpatient anesthesia, including I.V. sedation and general anesthesia, have become commonplace. Patient selection and preoperative evaluation are discussed, as well as the choice of who will deliver anesthesia. Appropriate outpatient facilities and monitoring are reviewed. The authors' favorite methods of anesthesia, caveats, and suggestions are presented, as well as prevention and treatment of anesthesia problems and emergencies.
Red blood cell transfusion-dependency implies a poor survival in primary myelofibrosis irrespective of IPSS and DIPSS

Risk stratification in primary myelofibrosis is currently based on two international prognostic scoring systems, neither of which takes into consideration red blood cell transfusion-dependency. In 288 consecutive patients with primary myelofibrosis, red blood cell transfusion-dependency at diagnosis affects survival independently of the International Prognostic Scoring System (P<0.001). To evaluate the dynamic impact on survival of red blood cell transfusion-dependency, we performed a Cox’s regression analysis with transfusion status as time-dependent covariate in 220 regularly followed patients with primary myelofibrosis. Patients who begin red blood cell transfusions anytime (n=80, 36%) have a significantly worse survival compared to those who continue follow up without transfusions (HR: 7.8, 95%CI: 5.1–11.9; P<0.001). Adjusting for Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System in a multivariate analysis, red blood cell transfusion-dependency retained an independent prognostic impact on survival. This study suggests that red blood cell transfusion-dependency should be considered to improve risk stratification of primary myelofibrosis during follow up.
Mutation analysis of the paraplegin gene (SPG7) in patients with hereditary spastic paraplegia

Background: Mutations in the SPG7 gene, which encodes paraplegin, are responsible for an autosomal recessive hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP). Objective: To screen the SPG7 gene in a large population of HSP families compatible with autosomal recessive transmission. Methods: The authors analyzed 136 probands with pure or complex HSP for mutations in the SPG7 using denaturation high-performance liquid chromatography and direct sequencing. Results: The authors identified 47 variants including 6 mutations, 27 polymorphisms, and 14 changes with unknown effects. In one family from Morocco, compound c. 850_851delTTinsC and c. 1742_1744delTGG heterozygous mutations were shown to be causative. This family had complex HSP with cerebellar impairment. Progression of the disease was rapid, resulting in a severe disease after 8 years of duration. Also detected were 20 families with one heterozygous mutation that was not found in a large control population. The mutations produced highly defective proteins in four of these families, suggesting that they were probably causative. Direct sequencing of all exons and reverse transcription PCR experiments demonstrated the absence of a second mutation. However, the p.Ala510Val missense substitution previously described as a polymorphism was shown to be significantly associated with HSP, suggesting that it had a functional effect. Conclusion: SPG7 mutations account for less than 5% of hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) families compatible with autosomal recessive inheritance. Cerebellar signs or cerebellar atrophy on brain imaging were the most frequent additional features in patients with SPG7 HSP. Rare nucleotide variants in SPG7 are frequent, complicating routine diagnosis.
Corporate governance and corporate social responsibility disclosure: evidence from Saudi Arabia

Purpose - This study aims to discover the corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure practices and the potential influence of corporate governance (CG), ownership structure and corporate characteristics in an emerging Arab country, Saudi Arabia. This study extends the extant literature by investigating the drivers of CSR disclosure in a country that lacks research in this area. Design/methodology/approach - This study examines 267 annual reports of Saudi Arabian non-financial listed firms during 2007-2011 using manual content and multiple regression analyses and a checklist of 17 CSR disclosure items based on ISO 26000. Findings - The analysis finds that the CSR disclosure average is 24 per cent, higher than 14.61 and 16 per cent found by Al-Janadi Originality/value - This study is important because it uses the agency theory to ascertain the influence of specific board characteristics and ownership structures on disclosure. As a result, it provides important implications for CG regulators and different stakeholders and provides an evaluation of the recently applied Saudi CG code from the CSR disclosure perspective.
All-active tapered 1.55-μm InGaAsP BH-DFB laser with continuously chirped grating

We demonstrate the first realization of all-active tapered index coupled 1.55-/spl mu/m InGaAsP buried-heterostructure distributed feedback lasers involving chirped gratings. The variation of the effective refractive index along the tapered active stripe is compensated using an optimized continuously chirped grating. The grating has been formed using a novel direct-write electron-beam lithography technique. Lasers with an antireflection/cleaved cavity show stable single-mode operation and high optical output power up to 60 mW. The yield of lasers with a sidemode suppression ration > 40 dB is more than 70%. The -3-dB farfield angles (full-width at half-maximum) amount to 14/spl deg/ and 20/spl deg/ in lateral and vertical direction, respectively.
Dynamic Spatial Panel Estimates of War Contagion

We estimate the temporal, spatial and â€œspatioâ€ temporalâ€ effects of war using a dynamic spatial panel model. Our argument is that it is important to account for both the space and temporal lags concurrently, while instead the existing literature largely tends to focus on one or the other. Key findings are as follows: first, there is evidence that both temporal and spatial effects significantly impact upon the duration of war. Second, we also find that the combined â€œspatioâ€ temporalâ€ interaction effect is significant only when excluding contemporaneous spatial lag effect. Third, while stronger for highâ€ intensity conflict, spatial and temporal effects remain significant also for lowâ€ intensity conflict. Fourth, the spatial effect is stronger in magnitude for interstate wars. Our results point to the importance of regional coâ€ operation for conflict prevention and peace stabilisation.
Direct comparison of cerebrovascular effects of norepinephrine and dopamine in head-injured patients

ObjectiveTo directly compare the cerebrovascular effects of norepinephrine and dopamine in patients with acute traumatic brain injury. DesignProspective randomized crossover trial. SettingNeurosciences critical care unit of a university hospital. PatientsTen acutely head-injured patients requiring vasoactive drugs to maintain a cerebral perfusion pressure of 65 mm Hg. InterventionsPatients were randomized to start the protocol with either norepinephrine or dopamine. Using an infusion of the allocated drug, cerebral perfusion pressure was adjusted to 65 mm Hg. After 20 mins of data collection, cerebral perfusion pressure was increased to 75 mm Hg by increasing the infusion rate of the vasoactive agent. After 20 mins of data collection, cerebral perfusion pressure was increased to 85 mm Hg and again data were collected for 20 mins. Subsequently, the infusion rate of the vasoactive drug was reduced until a cerebral perfusion pressure of 65 mm Hg was reached and the drug was exchanged against the other agent. The protocol was then repeated. Measurements and Main ResultsMean arterial pressure and intracranial pressure were monitored and cerebral blood flow was estimated with transcranial Doppler. Norepinephrine led to predictable and significant increases in flow velocity for each step increase in cerebral perfusion pressure (57.5 ± 19.9 cm·sec−1, 61.3 ± 22.3 cm·sec−1, and 68.4 ± 24.8 cm·sec−1 at 65, 75, and 85 mm Hg, respectively; p < .05 for all three comparisons), but changes with dopamine were variable and inconsistent. There were no differences between absolute values of flow velocity or intracranial pressure between the two drugs at any cerebral perfusion pressure level. ConclusionsNorepinephrine may be more predictable and efficient to augment cerebral perfusion in patients with traumatic brain injury.
Doctor shopping before and after a visit to a paediatric emergency department.

BACKGROUND Use of multiple care providers is known to be associated with poor continuity of care. OBJECTIVES To estimate the prevalence of and identify risk factors for doctor shopping by parents of children with common acute illnesses seen in the emergency department (ED) of a children's hospital. SETTING ED at the Montreal Children's Hospital (MCH), Montreal, Quebec. METHODS Doctor shopping was defined as visiting three or more different care sites (the MCH ED, other EDs, outpatient clinics or private offices) for a single illness episode, including all visits occurring within successive 72 h periods up to a maximum of 15 days before and after an ED visit from April 1995 to March 1996. Logistic regression was used to compare characteristics of illness episodes with doctor shopping versus those without. RESULTS Of the total 40,150 visits during the study period, doctor shopping was observed in 18% of the visits. The risk of doctor shopping was positively associated with an initial visit at other EDs (odds ratio [OR] 9.08, 95% CI 7.16 to 11.52), outpatient clinics (OR 4.47, 95% CI 3.71 to 5.37) or private offices (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.48 to 1.96) versus those who visited the MCH ED first. The risk did not differ according to whether a paediatrician versus a general practitioner saw the child during the initial visit (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.15). Some diagnoses (the reference category was upper respiratory infection), including urinary tract infection (OR 3.31, 95% CI 2.58 to 4.23) and gastroenteritis (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.35 to 1.88), were associated with an increased risk of doctor shopping, while asthma was associated with a reduced risk (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.86). CONCLUSION Doctor shopping is common among parents of children with acute illnesses. Parents of children who were seen in the MCH ED first were less likely to doctor shop, perhaps because the parents were more confident about the advice and treatment received. Further research should investigate the underlying reasons for doctor shopping, eg, services other than an ED were not available and parents' perceptions of the quality of health services.
Comparison of Different Microprocessor Controlled Knee Joints on the Energy Consumption during Walking in Trans-Femoral Amputees: Intelligent Knee Prosthesis (IP) Versus C-Leg

The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristic differences between the IP and C-Leg by making a comparative study of energy consumption and walking speeds in trans-femoral amputees. The subjects consisted of four persons with traumatic trans-femoral amputations aged 17 – 33 years who had been using the IP and were active in society. Fourteen able-bodied persons served as controls. First the energy consumption at walking speeds of 30, 50, 70, and 90 m/min was measured when using the IP. Then the knee joint was switched to the C-Leg. The same energy consumption measurement was taken once the subjects were accustomed to using the C-Leg. The most metabolically efficient walking speed was also determined. At a walking speed of 30 m/min using the IP and C-Leg, the oxygen rate (ml/kg/min) was, on average, 42.5% and 33.3% higher (P<0.05) than for the able-bodied group. At 50 m/min, the equivalent figures were 56.6% and 49.5% (P<0.05), while at 70 m/min the figures were 57.8% and 51.2% (P<0.05), and at 90 m/min the figures were 61.9% and 55.2% (P<0.05%). Comparing the oxygen rates for the subjects using the IP and C-Leg at walking speeds of 30 m/min and 90 m/min it was found that subjects who used C-Leg walked somewhat more efficiently than those who used IP. However, there was no significant difference between the two types at each walking speed. It was also determined that the most energy-efficient walking speed for subjects using the IP and C-Leg was the same as for the controls. Although the subjects in this study walked with comparable speed and efficiency whether they used the IP or C-Leg, the subjects' energy consumption while walking with the IP and C-Leg at normal speeds were much lower than previously reported. This study suggested that the microprocessor controlled knee joints appeared to be valid alternative for improving walking performance of trans-femoral amputees.
Prospective evaluation of angiogenic, hypoxic and EGFR‐related biomarkers in recurrent glioblastoma multiforme treated with cetuximab, bevacizumab and irinotecan

Hasselbalch B, Eriksen JG, Broholm H, Christensen IJ, Grunnet K, Horsman MR, Poulsen HS, Stockhausen M‐T, Lassen U. Prospective evaluation of angiogenic, hypoxic and EGFR‐related biomarkers in recurrent glioblastoma multiforme treated with cetuximab, bevacizumab and irinotecan. APMIS 2010; 118: 585–94.