Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validity, reliability, and responsiveness of the EQ‐5D in inflammatory bowel disease in Germany

Background: The EuroQol (EQ)‐5D questionnaire is a generic instrument measuring health‐related quality of life. Its validity, reliability, and responsiveness were assessed in a large sample of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. Methods: The EQ‐5D was completed initially (270 CD and 232 UC subjects) and after 4 weeks (447 subjects) with a transition question rating health change. Responsiveness of EQ visual analog scale (EQ‐VAS) and the United Kingdom (UK‐index) and German EQ‐5D index (EQ‐index) scores to reported changes in health was evaluated by standardized response means (SRM) and meaningful differences (MDs). Results: EQ‐VAS and EQ‐index scores correlated well with disease activity indices and differed significantly between active disease and remission groups. All scores were reliable in test–retest (ICC: EQ‐VAS: 0.89; UK‐index: 0.76; German EQ‐index: 0.72). According to SRM, EQ‐VAS was more responsive for deterioration in health than for improvement in health and was more responsive than index scores. Index scores were most responsive for deterioration in health in subjects in remission and for improved health in subjects with active disease. MDs for improved health (EQ‐VAS: 10.9; UK EQ‐index: 0.076; German EQ‐index: 0.050) and deteriorated health (EQ‐VAS: −14.4; UK EQ‐index: −0.109; German EQ‐index: −0.067) were significant, but MD of EQ‐VAS also differed significantly according to disease activity. Conclusions: The EQ‐5D generates valid, reliable, and responsive preference‐based valuations of health in CD and UC. EQ‐VAS scores were more responsive than EQ‐5D index scores. Thus, small health differences that are important from the patient's perspective may not be reflected in the EQ‐index. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2010
trans-Complementation of aStaphylococcus aureus agr Mutant by Staphylococcus lugdunensis agr RNAIII

ABSTRACT RNAIII from Staphylococcus lugdunensis (RNAIII-sl) in aStaphylococcus aureus agr mutant partially restored the Agr phenotype. A chimeric construct consisting of the 5′ end of RNAIII-sl and the 3′ end of RNAIII from S. aureus restored the Agr phenotype to a greater extent, suggesting the presence of independent regulatory domains.
Protective role of the antidiabetic drug metformin against chronic experimental pulmonary hypertension

Background and purpose: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is associated with increased contraction and proliferation of pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells. The anti‐diabetic drug metformin has been shown to have relaxant and anti‐proliferation properties. We thus examined the effect of metformin in PAH.
Reticular Infantile Hemangioma of the Limb Can Be Associated with Ventral‐Caudal Anomalies, Refractory Ulceration, and Cardiac Overload

Abstract: We describe six patients with an uncommon variant of infantile hemangioma that we have termed reticular, occurring in the extremity, which were associated with intractable ulceration, anogenito‐urinary‐sacral anomalies, and sometimes cardiac overload. The extreme end of the spectrum is exemplified by a male neonate who presented with a stained, enlarged, pulsatile lower extremity, and cardiac failure. He also had hepatic hemangiomas and ambiguous genitalia. Progressive soft tissue necrosis and bony destruction necessitated amputation. The histopathologic features differed from those of typical infantile hemangioma: infiltrative (not lobular) and involving fascia, muscle, and bone.
Hospital-Acquired Staphylococcus aureus Infections at Texas Children's Hospital, 2001–2007

Objective. To document the introduction of the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) USA300 clone into a children's hospital. Current molecular epidemiology of infections due to the USA300 strain of MRSA in the pediatric healthcare setting remains obscure. Design. Retrospective study of patients with hospital-acquired S. aureus infection during the period from August 1, 2001, through July 31, 2007, at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston. Methods. Patients with hospital-acquired S. aureus infection from whom an isolate was available for molecular analysis were included. Clinical information was obtained from patient medical records and the electronic hospital information system. S. aureus isolates underwent antimicrobial susceptibility testing, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, and polymerase chain reaction testing for staphylococcal cassette chromosome (SCC) mec, agr, the diamine N-acetyltransferase gene, and the Panton-Valentine leukocidin genes (pvl). Results. Of 242 patients with hospital-acquired S. aureus infection, 147 (61%) had methicillin-susceptible S. aureus infection. Of the 95 MRSA isolates causing hospital-acquired infection, 69 (73%) were USA300 isolates, and that rate did not increase over time. Skin and soft tissue infection (P < .001), onset of infection less than 10 days after admission (P = .007), and lack of comorbidities (P < .001) were associated with hospital-acquired MRSA infection caused by the USA300 strain, compared with other isolates (hereafter referred to as non-USA300 isolates). Nine of 10 patients with a S. aureus infection at the time of death were infected with a non-USA300 strain. USA300 carried SCCmec IV, agr I, the diamine N-acetyl transferase gene, and pvl. USA300 isolates were more susceptible to clindamycin, gentamicin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole than were other non-USA300 isolates (P < .01). Conclusions. In our patient population, the annual numbers of observed cases of hospital-acquired S. aureus infection have remained constant. USA300 was the most common clone and, compared with other non-USA300 MRSA isolates, was associated with skin and soft tissue infection, early onset of infection after admission, and greater susceptibility to antimicrobial agents.
Light‐harvesting complex II protein CP29 binds to photosystem I of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii under State 2 conditions

The State 1 to State 2 transition in the photosynthetic membranes of plants and green algae involves the functional coupling of phosphorylated light‐harvesting complexes of photosystem II (LHCII) to photosystem I (PSI). We present evidence suggesting that in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii this coupling may be aided by a hyper‐phosphorylated form of the LHCII‐like CP29 protein (Lhcbm4). MS analysis of CP29 showed that Thr6, Thr16 and Thr32, and Ser102 are phosphorylated in State 2, whereas in State 1‐exposed cells only phosphorylation of Thr6 and Thr32 could be detected. The LHCI–PSI supercomplex isolated from the alga in State 2 was found to contain strongly associated CP29 in phosphorylated form. Electron microscopy suggests that the binding site for this highly phosphorylated CP29 is close to the PsaH protein. It is therefore postulated that redox‐dependent multiple phosphorylation of CP29 in green algae is an integral part of the State transition process in which the structural changes of CP29, induced by reversible phosphorylation, determine the affinity of LHCII for either of the two photosystems.
Once Bitten, Twice Shy? The Lasting Impact of Enforcement on Tax Compliance

We examine the impact of enforcement on subsequent compliance behavior by taxpayers. Exploiting waves of randomized audits by the Internal Revenue Service from 2006 to 2009, we find three long-run responses by taxpayers. First, audits increase tax payments substantially in following years, but this effect is short-lived when third-party reporting is not available. Second, taxpayers with high income volatility revert to their preaudit behavior quickly. Third, sophisticated taxpayers are affected less by enforcement. These responses reveal how taxpayers perceive the enforcement risk and change their noncompliance according to the dynamics of the information barrier between them and the enforcement agency.
Chemical-Sensory Characterization of Dairy Manure Odor Using Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction and Multidimensional Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry-Olfactometry

Abstract Livestock operations are associated with emissions of odor, gases, and particulate matter. The majority of previous livestock odor studies focused on swine operations whereas relatively few relate to dairy cattle. Identifying the compounds responsible for the primary odor impact is a demanding analytical challenge because many critical odor components are frequently present at very low concentrations within a complex matrix of numerous insignificant volatiles. The objective of this study was to describe a chemical-sensory profile of dairy manure odor using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and multidimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry (MDGC-MS-O). Two analytical approaches were used: (1) HS-SPME time-series extractions (from seconds up to 20 hr) followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry (GC-MS-O) analyses, and (2) relatively short HS-SPME extractions (30 min) followed by MDGC-MS-O analyses on selected chromatogram heart-cuts. Dairy manure was collected at research dairy farms in the United States and Israel. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) resolved from multiple analyses included sulfur-containing compounds, volatile fatty acids, ketones, esters, and phenol/indole derivatives. A total of 86 potential odorants were identified. Of them, 17 compounds were detected by the human nose only. A greater number of VOCs and odorous compounds were detected, as well as higher mass loading, on solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibers observed for longer extractions with SPME. However, besides sulfur-containing compounds, other selected compounds showed no apparent competition and displacement on the SPME fiber. The use of MDGC-MS-O increased chromatographic resolution even at relatively short extractions and revealed 22 additional odorants in one of the regions of the chromatogram. The two analytical approaches were found to be parallel to some extent whereas MDGC-MS-O can also be considered as a complementary approach by resolving more detailed chemical-sensory odor profiles.
The enduring and evolving influence of Ball and Brown (1968)

In this virtual special issue (VSI) we acknowledge the contribution of Ball and Brown (1968) [BB68] and select some key papers from the Australian Journal of Management (AJM), published since its inception in 1976, that demonstrate how Ball and Brown influenced, and in many cases inspired, the research agendas of Australian and New Zealand researchers. AJM is particularly proud to acknowledge the connection with Ray Ball and Philip Brown. Not only did these scholars strongly influence the research agenda of AJM authors but Ray and Philip were both instrumental in the establishment and development of the Journal. The Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM), Sydney, launched AJM in 1976 with the aim to publish scholarly articles in the interdisciplinary field of management. Philip Brown was the first Director of AGSM and Ray Ball was one of the foundation faculty of AGSM and the founding editor of AJM. Ray Ball and Philip Brown have had an ongoing influence in Australian universities through leadership positions, mentoring and co-authoring with Australian academics and, of course, through their publications. Ball and Brown have published a total of twenty-three papers in AJM either together, individually or with other coauthors. We celebrate their contribution to the discipline in this golden anniversary year of BB68 through this VSI. The biography of Philip Brown, published by the Australian Accounting Hall of Fame, quotes Brown in his comments on the BB68 seminal paper:
Essential role of Drosophila black‐pearl is mediated by its effects on mitochondrial respiration

Black‐pearl (Blp) is a highly conserved, essential inner‐mitochondrial membrane protein. The yeast Blp homologue, Magmas/Pam16, is required for mitochondrial protein transport, growth, and survival. Our purpose was to determine the role of Drosophila Blp in mitochondrial function, cell survival, and proliferation. To this end, we performed mitotic recombination in Drosophila melanogaster, RNAi‐mediated knockdown, MitoTracker staining, measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS), flow cytometry, electron transport chain complex assays, and hemocyte isolation from Drosophila larvae. Proliferation‐defective, Blp‐deficient Drosophila Schneider cells exhibited mitochondrial membrane depolarization, a 60% decrease in ATP levels, increased amounts of ROS (3.5‐fold), cell cycle arrest, and activation of autophagy that were associated with a selective 65% reduction of cytochrome c oxidase activity. N‐acetyl cysteine (NAC) rescued Blp‐RNAi‐treated cells from cell cycle arrest, indicating that increased production of ROS is the primary cause of the proliferation and survival defects in Blp‐depleted cells. blp hypomorph larvae had a 35% decreased number of plasmatocytes with a 45% reduced active mitochondrial staining and their viability was increased 2‐fold by administration of NAC, which blocked melanotic lesions. Loss of Blp decreases cytochrome c oxidase activity and uncouples oxidative phosphorylation, causing ROS production, which selectively affects mitochondria‐rich plasmatocyte survival and function, leading to melanotic lesions in Blp‐deficient flies. —Roy, S. , Short, M. K. , Stanley, E. R. , Jubinsky, P. T. Essential role of Drosophila black‐pearl is mediated by its effects on mitochondrial respiration. FASEB J. 26, 3822–3833 (2012). www.fasebj. org
Chemical Composition, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Essential Oils from Two Avicennia schaueriana Stapf & Leechm. Ex Moldenke (Acanthaceae) Populations

Background: Avicennia schaueriana Stapf & Leechm. ex Moldenke (Acanthaceae) is a native species from the Brazilian mangroves presenting ecological and economic significance. This study compared the composition and the biological activities from the essential oils obtained from two A. schaueriana populations collected at Jureia-Itatins and Ilha do Cardoso. Methods: Essential oils were obtained by conventional means, and their compositions were analyzed by GC-MS. Screening assays for antimicrobial activity were carried out by the microdilution method and the antioxidant potential was assessed by the DPPH scavenging method. Results: The GC-MS analysis indicated that the Jureia oil (1) was composed mostly of the fatty acids palmitic (46.5%) and myristic (11.6%) acids, while the main components for the Ilha do Cardoso oil (2) were eugenol (19.7%), eugenol acetate (12.9%) and palmitic acid (15.1%). The oils showed an IC50 of 0.9 ± 0.011 mg/mL for 1 and 1.13 ± 0.028 mg/mL for 2 in the DPPH assay. The antimicrobial assay indicated MIC > 217 µg/mL for all tested microorganisms. Conclusions: The different essential oil composition may indicate the presence of chemotypes for A. schaueriana. The antioxidant activity of the oils was weak if compared with flavonoids. Despite the high MIC values, these oils presented some antibacterial potential against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Utilization of nitrogen and energy from diets containing protein and fat derived from either goat milk or cow milk

Consumption of whole milk and related dairy products has decreased considerably as a result of negative aspects associated with the consumption of saturated fats. The main difference between the composition of goat milk and cow milk concerns the composition of the fat, that of goat milk containing a larger proportion of medium-chain triglycerides. The metabolic utilization of these compounds is fundamentally oriented towards their use as sources of energy, and they may even contribute to the synthesis of proteins. This study was carried out, using 40 rats at weaning, in order to determine whether, on the basis of their fat and protein composition, there is any difference between the nutritional utilization of the N and the energy from goat and cow milk. Eight animals were killed on arrival at the laboratory, and the rest were divided into four groups of eight animals and killed at the end of the experiment. Each group was given a different diet: diet 1 contained fat and protein from goat milk; diet 2 had fat from cow milk and protein from goat milk; diet 3 had fat from goat milk and protein from cow milk; diet 4 had fat and protein from cow milk. The animals were allowed to feed ad libitum for 30 d and a balance assay was performed during the final 7 d to determine N and energy utilization. At the same time and by the comparative slaughter method, the protein and fat deposition for each group was established. It was concluded that goat milk protein is more digestible than that of cow milk. Moreover, the metabolic utilization of digestible N was found to be dependent on the sources of both the protein and the fat in the diet; a higher degree of utilization was recorded for the digestible N obtained using diets with protein or fat from goat milk. Consumption of diets with goat milk fat led to a lower level of thermogenesis associated with protein oxidation and a higher one for that associated with fat oxidation, which in turn implied a protein-sparing effect of the goat milk fat. These results should be taken into account when deciding upon the type of goat milk to be used (whole, skim or semi-skim), in accordance with the dairy product to be produced from this milk.
Does Institutional Blockholder Short‐Termism Lead to Managerial Myopia? Evidence from Income Smoothing

We examine institutional blockholders&#8217; influence on income&#8208;smoothing practices in the Korean market, which provides an interesting setting where family&#8208;oriented chaebols dictate the corporate landscape and impede shareholder activism. The empirical results reveal that institutional shareholders with a short&#8208;term (long&#8208;term) investment horizon facilitate (constrain) managerial myopia. This positive (negative) association is most evident among firms with domestic institutional investors. Therefore, we argue that the presence of domestic institutional investors with transient investment goals incentivizes firms&#8217; management to smooth out earnings.
On Doppler measurements for tracking

This paper provides an investigation of the fundamental and practical distinctions between state estimates obtained by using the positional components of a phased array radar (PAR) measurements versus the estimate obtained by using the additional Doppler component. By employing the Doppler component of PAR measurements several significant improvements in tracking system performance are practically achievable including: lower state estimate uncertainty, increased measurement origin certainty, increased identifiability of target maneuvers and increased tracking system robustness.
Combined protocol for treatment of secondary effects from facial nerve palsy

Abstract Conclusion: Rehabilitation was significantly efficient in both groups of patients with synkinesis, especially in those in whom treatment with botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) preceded physical rehabilitation. Objective: To determine the influence of preventive treatment with BTX-A on synkinesis when physical rehabilitation is planned. Methods: Twenty patients, who recovered from facial palsy with final House-Brackmann (HB) grade II and III, were randomized to assess the efficacy of preventive BTX-A treatment on final synkinesis score after physical rehabilitation. Synkinesis was graded according to the four-point scale derived from the SunnyBrook Facial Grading System (FGS). Physical rehabilitation was carried out using NeuroMuscular Retraining Therapy (NMRT). In the randomized groups, NMRT was administered with (group a) or without pre-BTX-A treatment (group b). Results: Patients who were preliminarily treated with BTX-A in the affected area showed a 2.1 improvement of score on the SunnyBrook scale (p < 0.001), with significantly better results in comparison to the non-BTX-A group.
Collaborative marketing for the sustainable development of community-based tourism enterprises: a reconciliation of diverse perspectives

ABSTRACT Collaborative marketing for the sustainable development of community-based tourism enterprises (CBTEs) is subject to diverse stakeholder perspectives and a complex mix of factors determining collaboration success. This research investigates a framework supporting stakeholder collaborations in marketing CBTEs for sustainable development. The proposed framework is an outcome of the process of reconciling divergent perspectives in CBTE collaborative marketing using a knowledge co-production approach. Particularly, knowledge interactions between researchers and research participants to achieve a synthesis of perspectives in developing a collaborative marketing approach for the sustainable development of CBTEs in Vietnam were investigated. The knowledge interaction occurred in the form of a workshop that included 15 CBTE stakeholders and the first author and was undertaken in the village of Triem Tay (Vietnam). Through the workshop, a collaborative marketing framework for CBTE sustainability was identified. The framework stated the reasons for the divergence of perspectives on CBTE collaborative marketing for sustainable development: limited understanding of involved stakeholders; individuality in collective efforts; stakeholder self-righteousness; and contextual factors. Accordingly, the framework identified four attributes supporting stakeholders collaborations in marketing CBTEs for sustainable development: improved and right-directed perspectives of CBTE stakeholders; a set of rules governing stakeholder interventions; government involvement in CBTE collaborative marketing in the roles of an inspirer and an arbitrator; and the transformation from successful tour operators to social entrepreneurship to facilitate CBTE collaborative marketing. The contribution of this study lies in the potential of a knowledge co-production approach to be utilised in collaborative works involving multiple perspectives. Additionally, the study provides insights into the discussion of community-based tourism collaboration.
Rosuvastatin Is Effective to Decrease CD8 T-Cell Activation Only in HIV-Infected Patients With High Residual T-Cell Activation Under Antiretroviral Therapy

Objective:The aim of the trial was to evaluate in patients under antiretroviral therapy (ART) the effect of rosuvastatin on cellular and soluble markers of immune activation/inflammation, as well as to identify patients who better benefit from statin administration. Methods:IMEA-043-CESAR was a phase II open-label pilot trial that enrolled patients under suppressive ART and CD4 <500/mm3. Patients received rosuvastatin (20 mg/d) for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the variation at week 12 (W12) in the proportion of CD38+HLA-DR+CD8+ T lymphocytes. Secondary outcomes included evolution of other markers of T-cell activation and of inflammatory biomarkers between baseline, W12, and W24. Results:Fifty patients were enrolled; end points were available for 43 patients. When considering all patients, the proportion of CD38+HLA-DR+CD8+ T cells did not significantly decline throughout the follow-up. However, the proportion of CD38+CD8+T cells significantly decreased at W12 [median percentage change of −22.2% (−32.3; +1.4)]. Principal component analysis allowed identification of 3 groups of patients based on their baseline activation/inflammation profiles, 1 group with elevated levels of CD8 T-cell activation, and a small group with high levels of systemic inflammation and low levels of T-cell activation. Half of the patients exhibited relatively low levels of inflammation and activation. The proportion of activated CD8 T cells significantly decreased only in the particular group of patients with high baseline CD8 T-cell activation. Conclusions:This study shows that combining rosuvastatin with effective ART can result in a sustained decrease in CD8 T-cell activation and highlights the importance of identifying patients who can benefit from specific immunotherapeutic strategies.