Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Runaway Bureaucracy? Exploring the Role of Nordic Regulatory Agencies in the European Union

This article reports a comparative study of the Environmental Regulatory Agencies in Norway, Denmark and Finland. Increasingly and relatively independently these agencies are taking part in transnational networks in the European Union involving the European Commission. An informal penetration, fuelled by faster electronic technology, is taking place between the European Commission and the regulatory agencies, largely outside the control of the domestic politico-administrative leadership. Changes in the character of the states’ public administrations serve as an important background for these developments, a distinctive feature being the ‘agencification’ of the administrative apparatus during the last decades. Due to their relative autonomy, the national regulatory agencies are well placed to work ‘double-hatted’ in the sense that they interact directly with the European Commission at the same time as they perform traditional tasks as agents of national ministries. This development may challenge the image of integrated administrative apparatus and the notion of transparent and democratic governance.
What do I need to know about aminoglycoside antibiotics?

The aminoglycosides are broad-spectrum, bactericidal antibiotics that are commonly prescribed for children, primarily for infections caused by Gram-negative pathogens. The aminoglycosides include gentamicin, amikacin, tobramycin, neomycin, and streptomycin. Gentamicin is the most commonly used antibiotic in UK neonatal units. Aminoglycosides are polar drugs, with poor gastrointestinal absorption, so intravenous or intramuscular administration is needed. They are excreted renally. Aminoglycosides are concentration-dependent antibiotics, meaning that the ratio of the peak concentration to the minimum inhibitory concentration of the pathogen is the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic index best linked to their antimicrobial activity and clinical efficacy. However, due to their narrow therapeutic index, the patient’s renal function should be monitored to avoid toxicity, and therapeutic drug monitoring is often required. Here we provide a review of aminoglycosides, with a particular focus on gentamicin, considering their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and also practical issues associated with prescribing these drugs in a paediatric clinical setting.
Intrahospital transfers and adverse patient outcomes: An analysis of administrative health data

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To determine whether there was an association between intra-hospital transfers and adverse outcomes. BACKGROUND Transfers between clinical units and between beds on the same unit are routine aspects of an episode of care in acute hospitals. The rate of these transfers per episode has increased in response to high occupancy levels, a decline in bed numbers, and increased demand for hospital services. The impact of the number of transfers between both wards and beds on patient outcomes is not widely explored. DESIGN Retrospective cross sectional design using hospital administrative data. METHOD Data were extracted from existing hospital administrative datasets for one large metropolitan hospital for the financial year 2008-09 in Australia (n = 14,133). Descriptive analyses and logistic regression models were developed for each of 3 selected patient outcomes. RESULTS Nearly one-tenth of patients (9.2%) experienced a fall with injury, 3.8% of surgical patients a wound infection and 0.1% a complication from medication errors. For each bed or ward transfer, the odds of falls and wound infections increased. Medication errors were not associated with either bed or ward moves. CONCLUSION Hospitals should minimise the number of bed and ward transfers per episode of care in order to reduce the likelihood of adverse patient outcomes. Current bed management policies and practices should be evaluated and further refined to address this need. Additional strategies include improving coordination and communication during and after transfer. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Nurses must consider the potential cost of intrahospital transfers on patients, length of stay and bed availability.
Processing determinants required for in vitro cleavage of the poliovirus P1 precursor to capsid proteins

We generated defined alterations in poliovirus protein-processing substrates and assayed the effects of these alterations with an in vitro expression system. A complete cDNA copy of the poliovirus genome was inserted into a bacteriophage T7 transcription vector. Using this expression template, we produced RNA transcripts containing defined regions of the poliovirus capsid precursor polypeptide (P1) and RNA transcripts containing mutations in the P1 and P2 regions. In vitro translation of P1-derived transcripts allowed us to characterize the 3C-mediated cleavage of P1 to capsid proteins. We demonstrated that, for either posttranslational or cotranslational cleavage at any of the Q-G amino acid pairs within P1, almost the entire P1 precursor is required. We also demonstrated that minimal sequences 3' to the 2A coding sequence are required to generate active 2A proteinase in vitro and that two specific four-amino-acid insertions in protein 2C do not alter 2A- or 3C-mediated processing of the poliovirus polyprotein. In addition, we demonstrated that substantial deletion of P1 sequences does not alter 2A-mediated cleavage of the Y-G site at the P1-P2 junction. These results allowed us to compare the P1 sequences required for 2A- versus 3C-mediated processing of the capsid precursor, and we discuss these results in the context of the three-dimensional structure of the capsid proteins.
Photovoltaic parameter extraction using Shuffled Complex Evolution

This paper proposes a method of extracting the intrinsic parameters of a Photovoltaic (PV) generator by using Shuffled Complex Evolution (SCE) technique for a single-diode PV model. The characteristic equation of a single-diode PV generator presents a nonlinear behavior, which its solution to obtain the intrinsic parameters from an I × V experimental curve requires to use nonlinear optimization methods. To evaluate the effectiveness of the usage of SCE in extracting the intrinsic parameters of a PV generator, it is presented a comparison with Genetic Algorithms (GA) nonlinear optimization method. This evaluation uses statistic analysis as comparison criteria for an unknown PV module and relative error for each parameter in a known PV cell. The proposed SCE and AG are consider evolutionary optimization methods, so this paper shows that SCE needs less iterations/generations to converge than the other. Results show that the proposed method is feasible, faster and presents better results than the conventional technique.
Cultural Competency : A Systematic Review of Health Care Provider Educational Interventions

*Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology, and Clinical Research, Johns Hopkins University †Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine ‡Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health §Phoebe R. Berman Bioethics Institute, Johns Hopkins University ¶Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health ‖Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
Marketing Third World Countries to the Western Traveler: The Case of India

International tourism can provide third world countries with much needed foreign exchange and increased employment opportunities. Too many countries, however, have concentrated their efforts on the economic aspects of tourism at the expense of developing marketing programs to attract the Western traveler. This study focuses on the case of India to determine what factors attract Western travelers and what repels them. We conclude that, like India, other third world countries must promote their positive attributes as perceived by prospective tourists, while also working to overcome their negative image among prospective travelers abroad. Only in this way can they increase the flow of Western tourists to their countries.
AMP-activated protein kinase: greater AMP dependence, and preferential nuclear localization, of complexes containing the alpha2 isoform.

Mammalian AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is the downstream component of a cascade that is activated by cellular stresses associated with ATP depletion. AMPK exists as heterotrimeric alphabetagamma complexes, where the catalytic subunit has two isoforms (alpha1 and alpha2) with different tissue distributions. The budding yeast homologue is the SNF1 kinase complex, which is essential for derepression of glucose-repressed genes, and seems to act by the direct phosphorylation of transcription factors in the nucleus. AMPK complexes containing the alpha2 rather than the alpha1 isoform have a greater dependence on AMP (approx. 5-fold stimulation compared with approx. 2-fold) both in direct allosteric activation and in reactivation by the upstream kinase. We have also examined their subcellular localization by using Western blotting of nuclear preparations, and by using two detection methods in the confocal microscope, i.e. indirect immunofluorescence of endogenous proteins and transfection of DNA species encoding green fluorescent protein-alpha-subunit fusions. By all three methods a significant proportion of alpha2, but not alpha1, is localized in the nucleus. Like SNF1, AMPK-alpha2 complexes could therefore be involved in the direct regulation of gene expression. The observed differences in the regulation of alpha1 and alpha2 complexes by AMP might result in differential responses to ATP depletion in distinct cellular and subcellular locations.
SLC9A3R1 stimulates autophagy via BECN1 stabilization in breast cancer cells

Autophagy, a self-catabolic process, has been found to be involved in abrogating the proliferation and metastasis of breast cancer. SLC9A3R1 (solute carrier family 9, subfamily A [NHE3, cation proton antiporter 3], member 3 regulator 1), a multifunctional scaffold protein, is involved in suppressing breast cancer cells proliferation and the SLC9A3R1-related signaling pathway regulates the activation of autophagy processes. However, the precise regulatory mechanism and signaling pathway of SLC9A3R1 in the regulation of autophagy processes in breast cancer cells remains unknown. Here, we report that the stability of BECN1, the major component of the autophagic core lipid kinase complex, is augmented in SLC9A3R1-overexpressing breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells, subsequently stimulating autophagy by attenuating the interaction between BECN1 and BCL2. Initially, we found that SLC9A3R1 partially stimulated autophagy through the PTEN-PI3K-AKT1 signaling cascade in MDA-MB-231 cells. SLC9A3R1 then attenuated the interaction between BECN1 and BCL2 to stimulate the autophagic core lipid kinase complex. Further findings revealed that SLC9A3R1 bound to BECN1 and subsequently blocked ubiquitin-dependent BECN1 degradation. And the deletion of the C-terminal domain of SLC9A3R1 resulted in significantly reduced binding to BECN1. Moreover, the lack of C-terminal of SLC9A3R1 neither reduced the ubiquitination of BECN1 nor induced autophagy in breast cancer cells. The decrease in BECN1 degradation induced by SLC9A3R1 resulted in the activity of autophagy stimulation in breast cancer cells. These findings indicate that the SLC9A3R1-BECN1 signaling pathway participates in the activation of autophagy processes in breast cancer cells.
Financial Sector-Output Dynamics in the Euro Area: Non-Linearities Reconsidered

We analyze the feedback mechanisms between economic downturns and financial stress for several euro area countries. Our study employs newly constructed financial condition indices that incorporate banking variables extensively. We apply a non-linear Logistic Vector Smooth Transition Autoregressive (LVSTAR) model for investigating instabilities in the link between the financial sector and economic activity. The LVSTAR model allows for non-linear dynamics and regime changes between low and high stress regimes. It can also replicate the regime-specific amplification effects shown by our theoretical model. The amplification effects, however, change over time. Specifically after the Lehman collapse, we observe the presence of strong non-linearities and amplification mechanisms for some euro area countries. Thus, these strong amplification effects appear to be related to rare but large events, and to a low-frequency financial cycle. Prior to the financial crisis outbreak we find corridor stability even if the financial sector shock takes place in a high stress regime. More important seems to be the shock propagation over time in the economy. Only with the occurrence of rare but large events we find strong endogenous feedback loops and a loss of stability as described by the high stress regime of our theoretical model. The economy leaves the corridor of stability and is prone to adverse feedback loops.
Taxes and Corporate Capital Structure in an Incomplete Market

This paper extends Merton Miller's 1977 analysis of corporate capital structure decisions to the incomplete capital markets case. As in Miller's model, aggregate demand for corporate leverage is curtailed as interest rates on taxable bonds rise. Unlike Miller's model, however, capital structure is not a matter of indifference to all equilibrium shareholders. Market incompleteness and tax arbitrage restrictions combine to prevent marginal rates of substitution from being equalized for all investors and hence their preferences are not unanimous. In addition, costs associated with debt induce a tendency for lower cost firms to issue a larger proportion of total corporate debt.
Uterine Morcellation at the Time of Hysterectomy: Techniques, Risks, and Recommendations

Importance Uterine leiomyomata or fibroids are the most common pelvic tumor experienced in women. A minimally invasive approach to hysterectomy has proven benefits of cosmesis, lower blood loss, less pain, decreased hospital stay, and faster recovery. The incidence of uterine morcellation, the process of making a uterine specimen smaller for purposes of removal via a minimally invasive approach, has increased for this reason. Objective We review the history, techniques, and direct and indirect risks described in the literature, recommendations for appropriate use, and how to counsel patients regarding this procedure. Evidence Acquisition A thorough search of PubMed for all current literature was performed. Techniques for morcellation were reviewed. We included studies that addressed the type and incidence of morcellator-associated risks including those addressing the incidence of leiomyosarcoma in patients with presumed uterine fibroids. Results We have summarized several techniques to aid the practitioner in performing morcellation procedures and the risks involved. We have summarized all of the current consensus statements regarding the recommendations for use of morcellation and the approach to proper counseling. Conclusions and Relevance Morcellation is an effective method of specimen removal that can decrease the need for laparotomy in both benign and malignant conditions. Upon analysis of current data and consensus statements, when possible, morcellation should be performed within a contained environment to minimize any potential tumor spread in the event of an undiagnosed malignancy. Patients should be adequately counseled to make an informed decision regarding undergoing a morcellation procedure. Future methods for enclosed specimen extraction will hopefully change the future of morcellation. Target Audience Obstetricians and Gynecologists Learning Objectives After completing this CME activity, physicians should be better able to describe the techniques of uterine morcellation in minimally invasive procedures, identify the direct and indirect risks associated with morcellation procedures, compare the recommendations for appropriate use including the current consensus guidelines, and counsel patients regarding morcellation.
The Impact of Financial and Nonfinancial Rewards on Employee Motivation

Employees lacking motivation can present a problem for all types of organizations, and there can be far-reaching impacts when employee performance is down. The ability to foster a motivating work environment is essential, and strategies must focus on how employee satisfaction and performance levels are tied to motivation. There are several ways that organizations can engage their workforce, and this study allows for an examination of the impacts of financial and non-financial rewards with respect to overall levels of employee motivation. To further examine this topic, prior literature was reviewed and a survey was emailed to graduate students enrolled in the Master of Science in Management degree program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide. Of those surveyed, 186 responses were collected and analyzed to gain additional insight into workplace motivation. The survey results indicated that non-financial rewards are valued as more important than financial rewards from nearly all individuals surveyed. Although non-financial rewards were rated higher, the survey results concluded that both financial and non-financial reward elements impact employee motivation levels, which are ultimately linked to higher levels of satisfaction and performance.
OpenInnovation:rentDebates,andFutureDirections

byUlrichLichtenthaler ExecutiveOverview The concept of open innovation has recently gained widespread attention. It is particularly relevant now because many firms are required to implement open innovation, despite the difficulties associated with managing these activities. After providing a definition of open innovation delimiting it from open source, an overview of prior research is given, which identifies the following important topics of earlier open innovation research: technology transactions, user innovation, business models, and innovation markets. In light of current controversial debates about the value of the open innovation framework, we evaluate the literature and assess whether open innovation is a sustainable trend rather than a management fashion. On this basis, we present a conceptual framework that provides the foundation for discussing critical open innovation processes and their implications for managing open innovation at the organizational, project, and individual level. Thus, we assess the multilevel determinants of the make-or-buy, integrate-or-relate, and keep-or-sell decisions in opening up the innovation process. Then, we propose a research agenda based on this conceptual framework with particular emphasis on the organizational antecedents and performance consequences of open innovation and on important research design issues. Finally, we discuss implications for management education and practice, and we provide a conclusion and outlook.
Datalog vs. first-order logic

The relation between the expressive power of datalog and that of first-order languages, is clarified. It is then proved that every first-order expressible datalog query is bounded. A form of compactness theorem for finite structure implied by this result is examined, and counterexamples to natural generalizations of the above result are given. <<ETX>>
Factor analysis of the trust structure between owners and contractors of construction projects based on structural equation modeling (SEM): A case study in China

The trust crisis among stakeholders is very serious in construction projects, and this has affected the smooth implementation and benefit of projects. The existing literature has identified many types of trust. An important framework to understand the variety of trust is provided by Hartman, who distinguishes three types of trust: Competence-based trust, integrity-based trust and intuitive-based trust. In this paper, while considering China’s national conditions and cultural differences, by adopting questionnaire survey, vis-a-vis interview, structural equation modeling and a case study in China, we readjusted integrity-based trust into Guanxi-based trust. We also conducted exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses by using SPSS 17.0 and AMOS 17.0. The result suggest that both scale and model had good reliability and validity, consolidating the theoretical foundation and providing a new perspective for further research on the interaction mechanism between trust and control among stakeholders of construction projects. Key words: Construction project, trust, dimension, structural equation model (SEM), China.
Improved field emission algorithms for modeling field emission devices using a conformal finite-difference time-domain particle-in-cell method

This work introduces a conformal finite difference time domain (CFDTD) particle-in-cell (PIC) method with an improved field emission algorithm to accurately and efficiently study field emission devices. The CFDTD method is based on the Dey-Mittra algorithm or cut-cell algorithm, as implemented in the Vorpal code. For the field emission algorithm, we employ the elliptic function v(y) found by Forbes and a new fitting function t(y)2 for the Fowler-Nordheim (FN) equation. With these improved correction factors, field emission of electrons from a cathode surface is much closer to the prediction of the exact FN formula derived by Murphy and Good.
The political economy of theme development in small urban places: The case of Roswell, New Mexico

Not unlike metropolitan settings, small towns and cities are increasingly employing themes to encourage the realization of capital through the attraction of visitors and the redevelop ment of their ailing business districts. This research investigates the process through which theme development can be incorporated into the downtown revitalization strategies of small cities in the United States. In a qualitative case study of Roswell, New Mexico, this paper applies the political economy perspective of urban growth coalitions to understand how the UFO/alien theme came to materialize within Roswell's commercial landscape and promo tional materials. While the growth coalition concept was found to be useful here for under standing redevelopment processes in small urban places, the implications of theme development and tourism promotion in smaller business districts may contrast sharply with their metropolitan counterparts. In Roswell, a strong community sense of place for down town led to a local debate surrounding the appropriateness of the UFO theme, primarily in the context of local heritage, place identities and authenticity.