Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Alcohol: signs of improvement. The 2nd national Emergency Department survey of alcohol identification and intervention activity

Objectives To conduct a survey of current alcohol identification and brief advice activity in English Emergency Departments, and to compare the results with the previous survey conducted in 2007. Methodology Cross-sectional survey of all 187 Emergency Departments in England. Results Significant increases (p<0.001) in the proportion of departments routinely asking about alcohol, using a screening questionnaire, offering help/advice for alcohol problems, and having access to Alcohol Health Workers or Clinical Nurse Specialists. More than half of all departments indicated that they had an ‘alcohol champion’, and this was significantly associated with access to training on both identification and provision of brief advice (p<0.001). Departments that routinely asked questions were the most likely to use a formal screening tool (p<0.05), and the Paddington Alcohol Test was the most frequently used measure (40.5%). Conclusions There have been significant improvements in ED alcohol identification and brief advice activity since 2007 in line with the recommendations of the Royal College of Physicians, Department of Health and NICE guidelines. English EDs are beginning to maximise the likelihood of identifying patients who may benefit from further help or advice about their alcohol consumption, and are able to offer access to specialist staff who can provide appropriate interventions.
Fisheries Management of San Salvador Island, Philippines: A Shared Responsibility

The authors discuss how the fisher community and the government shared responsibility over time for regenerating and conserving fishery resources in San Salvador Island, Philippines, and rose above the obstacles associated with a de facto open access fishery. The article highlights the creation, management, and impact on ecosystem health, both natural and human, of a marine reserve and sanctuary. It examines key events and arrangements during three distinct phases: pre-project (before 1989), project phase (1989-1993), and post-project (1994-1998).
Syme Amputation in Patients with Severe Diabetes Mellitus

Surgical results and functional outcome of 52 patients treated with Syme amputations for forefoot gangrene between 1986 and 1988 were retrospectively reviewed with reference to the predictive value of posterior tibial artery Doppler examination. Wound healing was correlated with the preoperative status of the posterior tibial artery. Functional outcome was assessed by the ability to wear a prosthesis, ambulatory capabilities, episodes of ulceration, and revision surgery. Follow-up averaged 27 months. Twenty-nine patients had a posterior tibial artery with either a triphasic waveform (N = 23) or a normal pulse (6). Twenty-six (90%) of these achieved a healed wound suit able for prosthetic wear. Twenty-three patients had mon-ophasic flow in the posterior tibial artery. Thirteen (57%) of these achieved a healed wound. Ninety percent of the patients who achieved healed wounds were fit with a prosthesis. Functional level of ambulation was assessed in 20 patients. Eighteen were community level ambulators, 11 could walk three or more blocks, and 16 could climb stairs. Eighteen wore their prosthesis all day. These findings indicate that posterior tibial artery Dop pler examination is predictive of healing in the Syme amputation performed on diabetics. Furthermore, dia betics can attain a functional level of ambulation with a Syme amputation.
Network Governance of the Commons

The survival of the commons is closely associated with the potential to find ways to strengthen contemporary management systems, making them more responsive to a number of complexities, like the dynamics of ecosystems and related, but often fragmented, institutions. A discussion on the desirability of finding ways to establish so-called cross-scale linkages has recently been vitalised in the literature. In the same vein, concepts like adaptive management, co-management and adaptive co-management have been discussed. In essence, these ways of organizing management incorporate an implicit assumption about the establishment of social networks and is more closely related to network governance and social network theory, than to political administrative hierarchy. However, so far, attempts to incorporate social network analysis (SNA) in this literature have been rather few, and not particularly elaborate. In this paper, a framework for such an approach will be presented. The framework provides an analytical skeleton for the understanding of joint management and the establishment of cross-scale linkages. The relationships between structural network properties - like density, centrality and heterogeneity - and innovation in adaptive co-management systems are highlighted as important to consider when crafting institutions for natural resource management. The paper makes a theoretical and methodological contribution to the understanding of co-management, and thereby to the survival of the commons.
Patterns of Methamphetamine Abuse and Their Consequences

Abstract The abuse of methamphetamine (METH) continues to increase throughout all age groups in different regions of the United States. “Ice,” the popularized jargon for (+) methamphetamine hydrochloride, is the predominant drug form that is now consumed. “Ice” is effectively absorbed after either smoking or snorting and it is this rapid influx of drug that produces effects similar to those after intravenous administration. The intensity of METH actions in the central and peripheral nervous system shows tolerance after chronic administration, indicating that neuro-adaptations have occurred. Thus, the physiological processes and corresponding biochemical mechanisms that regulate neuronal function have been changed by METH exposure. These biological alterations contribute to the craving and dependence associated with METH abuse and the withdrawal syndrome upon abstinence. However, these changes in behavior may also result from METH-induced neurotoxicity. This article reviews aspects of METH pharmacokinetics and related molecular pharmacodynamics that represent METH pharmacology and then relates those actions to their potential to produce neurotoxicity in humans.
Substrate-Induced Change in the Quaternary Structure of Type 2 Isopentenyl Diphosphate Isomerase from Sulfolobus shibatae

ABSTRACT Type 2 isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase catalyzes the interconversion between two active units for isoprenoid biosynthesis, i.e., isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate, in almost all archaea and in some bacteria, including human pathogens. The enzyme is a good target for discovery of antibiotics because it is essential for the organisms that use only the mevalonate pathway to produce the active isoprene units and because humans possess a nonhomologous isozyme, type 1 isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase. However, type 2 enzymes were reportedly inhibited by mechanism-based drugs for the type 1 enzyme due to their surprisingly similar reaction mechanisms. Thus, a different approach is now required to develop new inhibitors specific to the type 2 enzyme. X-ray crystallography and gel filtration chromatography revealed that the enzyme from a thermoacidophilic archaeon, Sulfolobus shibatae, is in the octameric state at a high concentration. Interestingly, a part of the regions that are involved in the substrate binding in the previously reported tetrameric structures is integral to the formation of the tetramer-tetramer interface in the substrate-free octameric structure. Site-directed mutagenesis at such regions resulted in stabilization of the tetramer. Small-angle X-ray scattering, tryptophan fluorescence, and dynamic light scattering analyses showed that substrate binding causes the dissociation of an octamer into tetramers. This property, i.e., incompatibility between octamer formation and substrate binding, might provide clues to develop new specific inhibitors of the archaeal enzyme.
Botulinum toxin for inverse psoriasis?

© 2009 The Authors JEADV 2009, 23 , 954–982 Journal compilation © 2009 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology the literature, as well as pentoxifylline, cessation of oestrogen therapy, indometacin farnesyl, oral isotretinoin and intralesional interferon α 2a. 5 To date, patients undergoing laser treatment have experienced the most promising results. Pulsed dye laser with a 585-nm wavelength and a 450μ sec pulse duration causes more specific destruction of the abnormal vessels and less scarring. Its main advantage is its selectivity in causing coagulation necrosis of blood vessels without any damage to the overlying epidermis. 6,7 In conclusion, the long-pulsed tunable dye laser seems to be the most effective treatment for ALHE.
Tilting at Windmills? The Environmental Movement and the Emergence of the U.S. Wind Energy Sector

Through a study of the emergent U.S. wind energy sector, 1978–1992, this paper examines how large-scale social movements external to an industry can influence the creation of new market opportunities and hence encourage entrepreneurship. We theorize that through the construction and propagation of cognitive frameworks, norms, values, and regulatory structures, and by offering a preexisting social structure, social movement organizations influence whether entrepreneurs attempt to start ventures in emerging sectors. We find that the direct and indirect effects of social resources (e.g., environmental groups) had a larger impact on entrepreneurial activity in this sector than the availability of natural resources such as land with high-quality wind. Greater numbers of environmental movement organization members increased nascent entrepreneurial activity, and this effect was mediated by favorable state regulatory policy. Greater membership numbers also enhanced the effects of important natural resources, market conditions, and skilled human capital on entrepreneurial activity. Taken together, these results have important implications for the study of social movements, entrepreneurship, and institutional theory.
Momentum, Rational Agents and Efficient Markets

Descriptive behavioral models explain the momentum anomaly by assuming that financial agents are irrational. However, investors are not tested to be susceptible to the cognitive failures observed in psychological experiments. We consider an environment where financial agents are rational, markets are efficient as defined by the Grossman-Stiglitz [1980] efficiency, and there are market imperfections in the information market. Based on a simulation experiment, we find that returns on momentum strategies can exist in this environment because of the noise in expert information. We empirically find that even in a sample of large and liquid stocks, this noise is still observable and, hence, momentum can be empirically found for these samples even when agents are rational and markets are efficient.
A new approach to integrated horn antenna

As millimetre-wave systems are becoming increasingly important in many scientific and military applications, there is an increasing demand of various antennas for communications, radar or sensoring system. This is particular true for the research on short-range application such as local multipoint distribution system (LMDS), commercial airplane landing system used in low-visibility weather, automobile cruise control system and so on. Some recently developed integrated horn antennas showed attractive features in [1][2] for application mentioned above, nevertheless they are too expensive for widespread application.
Glucose-Dependent Activation of Bacillus anthracis Toxin Gene Expression and Virulence Requires the Carbon Catabolite Protein CcpA

ABSTRACT Sensing environmental conditions is an essential aspect of bacterial physiology and virulence. In Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, transcription of the two major virulence factors, toxin and capsule, is triggered by bicarbonate, a major compound in the mammalian body. Here it is shown that glucose is an additional signaling molecule recognized by B. anthracis for toxin synthesis. The presence of glucose increased the expression of the protective antigen toxin component-encoding gene (pagA) by stimulating induction of transcription of the AtxA virulence transcription factor. Induction of atxA transcription by glucose required the carbon catabolite protein CcpA via an indirect mechanism. CcpA did not bind specifically to any region of the extended atxA promoter. The virulence of a B. anthracis strain from which the ccpA gene was deleted was significantly attenuated in a mouse model of infection. The data demonstrated that glucose is an important host environment-derived signaling molecule and that CcpA is a molecular link between environmental sensing and B. anthracis pathogenesis.
Clonal Evolution of CD8+ T Cell Responses against Latent Viruses: Relationship among Phenotype, Localization, and Function

ABSTRACT Human cytomegalovirus (hCMV) infection is characterized by a vast expansion of resting effector-type virus-specific T cells in the circulation. In mice, interleukin-7 receptor α (IL-7Rα)-expressing cells contain the precursors for long-lived antigen-experienced CD8+ T cells, but it is unclear if similar mechanisms operate to maintain these pools in humans. Here, we studied whether IL-7Rα-expressing cells obtained from peripheral blood (PB) or lymph nodes (LNs) sustain the circulating effector-type hCMV-specific pool. Using flow cytometry and functional assays, we found that the IL-7Rα+ hCMV-specific T cell population comprises cells that have a memory phenotype and lack effector features. We used next-generation sequencing of the T cell receptor to compare the clonal repertoires of IL-7Rα+ and IL-7Rα− subsets. We observed limited overlap of clones between these subsets during acute infection and after 1 year. When we compared the hCMV-specific repertoire between PB and paired LNs, we found many identical clones but also clones that were exclusively found in either compartment. New clones that were found in PB during antigenic recall were only rarely identical to the unique LN clones. Thus, although PB IL-7Rα-expressing and LN hCMV-specific CD8+ T cells show typical traits of memory-type cells, these populations do not seem to contain the precursors for the novel hCMV-specific CD8+ T cell pool during latency or upon antigen recall. IL-7Rα+ PB and LN hCMV-specific memory cells form separate virus-specific compartments, and precursors for these novel PB hCMV-specific CD8+ effector-type T cells are possibly located in other secondary lymphoid tissues or are being recruited from the naive CD8+ T cell pool. IMPORTANCE Insight into the self-renewal properties of long-lived memory CD8+ T cells and their location is crucial for the development of both passive and active vaccination strategies. Human CMV infection is characterized by a vast expansion of resting effector-type cells. It is, however, not known how this population is maintained. We here investigated two possible compartments for effector-type cell precursors: circulating acute-phase IL-7Rα-expressing hCMV-specific CD8+ T cells and lymph node (LN)-residing hCMV-specific (central) memory cells. We show that new clones that appear after primary hCMV infection or during hCMV reactivation seldom originate from either compartment. Thus, although identical clones may be maintained by either memory population, the precursors of the novel clones are probably located in other (secondary) lymphoid tissues or are recruited from the naive CD8+ T cell pool.
Association of multiparametric MRI quantitative imaging features with prostate cancer gene expression in MRI-targeted prostate biopsies

Standard clinicopathological variables are inadequate for optimal management of prostate cancer patients. While genomic classifiers have improved patient risk classification, the multifocality and heterogeneity of prostate cancer can confound pre-treatment assessment. The objective was to investigate the association of multiparametric (mp)MRI quantitative features with prostate cancer risk gene expression profiles in mpMRI-guided biopsies tissues. Global gene expression profiles were generated from 17 mpMRI-directed diagnostic prostate biopsies using an Affimetrix platform. Spatially distinct imaging areas (‘habitats’) were identified on MRI/3D-Ultrasound fusion. Radiomic features were extracted from biopsy regions and normal appearing tissues. We correlated 49 radiomic features with three clinically available gene signatures associated with adverse outcome. The signatures contain genes that are over-expressed in aggressive prostate cancers and genes that are under-expressed in aggressive prostate cancers. There were significant correlations between these genes and quantitative imaging features, indicating the presence of prostate cancer prognostic signal in the radiomic features. Strong associations were also found between the radiomic features and significantly expressed genes. Gene ontology analysis identified specific radiomic features associated with immune/inflammatory response, metabolism, cell and biological adhesion. To our knowledge, this is the first study to correlate radiogenomic parameters with prostate cancer in men with MRI-guided biopsy.
Metabolic activation of dibenzo(a,h)anthracene and its dihydrodiols to bacterial mutagens.

Dibenzo(a,n)anthracene and the three metabolically possible frans-dihydrodiols of dibenzo(a,/>)anthracene were tested for mutagenicity toward Salmonella typhimurium strain TA 100 in the presence of hepatic microsomesfromAroclor1254-pretreatedrats or the cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenase system isolated and purifiedto near homogeneityfrom these microsomes.With either enzyme system frans-3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydrodibenzo(a,h)anthracenewas activated to productsthat were more mutagenicto the bacteria than were the metabolites of dibenzo(a,/))anthracene or the metabolites of the 1,2and 5,6-dihydrodiolsof dibenzo(a,/>)anthracene.With mi crosomes but not with the purified monooxygenase sys tem, trans-5,6-dihydroxy-5,6-dihydrodibenzo(a,/))anthracene was also activated to products that were highly mutagenicto the bacteria. However, significantactivation was seen only when high concentrations of frans-5,6-dihydroxy-5,6-dihydrodibenzo(a,/i)anthracene were incu bated with relatively high amounts of enzyme. Saturation of the double bond at position 1,2 of trans-3,4-dihydroxy3,4-dihydrodibenzo(a,h)anthracene produced a tetrahydrodiol that was poorly activated in the presence of either microsomes or the purified monooxygenase sys tem. The high activity of trans-3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydrodibenzo(a,/i)anthracene in both metabolic activation sys tems and the importance of the double bond in 1,2-position of the dihydrodiol strongly suggest that a bay-region 3,4-diol-1,2-epoxide is a biologically important active metabolite of dibenzo(a,/i)anthracene, thereby providing support for the bay region theory.
An Interview Study to Understand the Reasons Clients Change Audit Firms and the Client's Perceived Value of the Audit Service

SUMMARY: Audit firms are concerned that clients perceive the audit service as a commodity, with little value added, resulting in clients switching to firms that offer lower fees. However, the auditing literature lacks qualitative insight from clients on the reasons that they change audit firms and their perceptions of the value of audit services. To better understand the client's perspective, we conducted interviews with 20 financial managers who participate in audit firm appointment decisions. Our results suggest that the quality of the auditor-client relationship is the key determinant of auditor switching and audit value. Interestingly, price becomes an important factor only when the auditor-client relationship is mismanaged (e.g., when clients perceive that their auditor is not available to them).
Are Korean consumers willing to pay a tax for a mandatory BSE testing programme?

The outbreaks of mad cow disease (BSE) have significantly increased the demand for food safety programs in the Korean beef market. Two issues that are getting much attention are about whether Korea should implement mandatory testing of slaughtered domestic cattle for BSE and whether consumers are willing to pay a tax for the programme. No study, however, has examined consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) a tax for a BSE testing programme. We conducted a contingent valuation (CV) study using a double-bounded dichotomous choice approach to estimate Korean consumers’ valuation for a mandatory BSE testing programme on slaughtered domestic cattle that are 21 months or older. Our results show that the sample-population adjusted mean estimate of WTP a tax per year is 4482 KRW (US $4.01) per household. This suggests that Korean consumers have a strong preference for a mandatory testing of domestic cattle for BSE. This study also found that Korean consumers’ WTP for the programme is greater than estimated implementation costs of the programme. These results imply that implementing a mandatory BSE testing programme in Korea could confer positive consumer welfare.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteremia in a university hospital.

SETTING Patients with blood cultures positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis between 1988 and 1999. OBJECTIVE To study the clinical and microbiological characteristics of patients with tuberculous bacteremia, including data about evolution and management. DESIGN Retrospective review of the clinical charts and microbiological records of patients with culture-proven tuberculous bacteremia between 1988-1999. RESULTS During the study period, 19 patients with culture-proven M. tuberculosis bacteremia were detected (1.42 isolates/patient, 4.7% of all patients with blood cultures for mycobacteria). Four patients were non-infected with the human immunodeficiency virus and 15 were HIV-infected. In four patients blood was the only positive sample. Five patients were diagnosed simultaneously with tuberculosis and HIV infection. Only 13 had a temperature higher than 37.5 degrees C. Most patients had symptoms or signs of respiratory tract involvement, and 11 patients died (10 from tuberculosis). The average time for detection of positive blood cultures was 33.25 days for lysis-centrifugation cultures and 26.46 days for BACTEC cultures. The incidence of M. tuberculosis bacteremia remained stable during the study period. CONCLUSIONS Although blood cultures are useful for definitive diagnosis of disseminated tuberculosis, the long incubation times made them of limited usefulness in the clinical management of patients. Mortality remains high in these patients.
Development of β Type Ti23Mo-45S5 Bioglass Nanocomposites for Dental Applications

Titanium β-type alloys attract attention as biomaterials for dental applications. The aim of this work was the synthesis of nanostructured β type Ti23Mo-x wt % 45S5 Bioglass (x = 0, 3 and 10) composites by mechanical alloying and powder metallurgy methods and their characterization. The crystallization of the amorphous material upon annealing led to the formation of a nanostructured β type Ti23Mo alloy with a grain size of approximately 40 nm. With the increase of the 45S5 Bioglass contents in Ti23Mo, nanocomposite increase of the α-phase is noticeable. The electrochemical treatment in phosphoric acid electrolyte resulted in a porous surface, followed by bioactive ceramic Ca-P deposition. Corrosion resistance potentiodynamic testing in Ringer solution at 37 °C showed a positive effect of porosity and Ca-P deposition on nanostructured Ti23Mo 3 wt % 45S5 Bioglass nanocomposite. The contact angles of glycerol on the nanostructured Ti23Mo alloy were determined and show visible decrease for bulk Ti23Mo 3 wt % 45S5 Bioglass and etched Ti23Mo 3 wt % 45S5 Bioglass nanocomposites. In vitro tests culture of normal human osteoblast cells showed very good cell proliferation, colonization, and multilayering. The present study demonstrated that porous Ti23Mo 3 wt % 45S5 Bioglass nanocomposite is a promising biomaterial for bone tissue engineering.