Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Institutional influence on HRM practices in equitised state owned enterprises in Vietnam

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Arabidopsis STAY-GREEN, Mendel’s Green Cotyledon Gene, Encodes Magnesium-Dechelatase

Arabidopsis STAY-GREEN is a functional Mg-dechelatase that extracts Mg from free chlorophyll and from chlorophyll in complexes, thus acting in chlorophyll degradation and photosystem degradation. Pheophytin a is an essential component of oxygenic photosynthetic organisms because the primary charge separation between chlorophyll a and pheophytin a is the first step in the conversion of light energy. In addition, conversion of chlorophyll a to pheophytin a is the first step of chlorophyll degradation. Pheophytin is synthesized by extracting magnesium (Mg) from chlorophyll; the enzyme Mg-dechelatase catalyzes this reaction. In this study, we report that Mendel’s green cotyledon gene, STAY-GREEN (SGR), encodes Mg-dechelatase. The Arabidopsis thaliana genome has three SGR genes, SGR1, SGR2, and STAY-GREEN LIKE (SGRL). Recombinant SGR1/2 extracted Mg from chlorophyll a but had very low or no activity against chlorophyllide a; by contrast, SGRL had higher dechelating activity against chlorophyllide a compared with chlorophyll a. All SGRs could not extract Mg from chlorophyll b. Enzymatic experiments using the photosystem and light-harvesting complexes showed that SGR extracts Mg not only from free chlorophyll but also from chlorophyll in the chlorophyll-protein complexes. Furthermore, most of the chlorophyll and chlorophyll binding proteins disappeared when SGR was transiently expressed by a chemical induction system. Thus, SGR is not only involved in chlorophyll degradation but also contributes to photosystem degradation.
Diagnosing Major Depressive Disorder Introduction: An Examination of the DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria

During the past 3 decades, more research has been conducted on depression than any other psychiatric disorder. While there are numerous studies on depression in the areas of epidemiology, biopsychosocial correlates, genetics, course, and treatment, remarkably little research has focused on the criteria used to diagnose major depressive disorder. Nearly 10 years ago, we began the Rhode Island Methods to Improve Diagnostic Assessment and Services (MIDAS) project, an integration of a comprehensive assessment protocol into a community-based psychiatry outpatient practice. As part of this clinical-research program, patients have been administered semistructured diagnostic interviews to assess the DSM-IV Axis I and Axis II disorders by well-trained interviewers. One of the goals of the MIDAS project has been to examine issues of nosology. While changes in the successive editions of the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM have been increasingly grounded on empirical research, many of the sets of diagnostic criteria have not been subject to empirical scrutiny. During the next 12 months, we will be publishing a series of papers examining varying aspects of the diagnostic criteria for major depression. This series represents the type of methodical psychometric and conceptual analysis that should be conducted when developing or revising diagnostic criteria. We will examine whether the assumptions underlying the DSM’s diagnostic rules have empirical support, and examine the impact of these rules on clinical practice. Our goal is not to develop a new definition of depression that would classify some individuals differently than how they are currently classified. That is, we are not seeking to develop a more valid definition of depression. However, our findings sometimes suggest changes that would simplify the criteria, improve their psychometric properties, and enhance their applicability in medical settings. Thus, the focus in the series is on clinical utility rather than validity.
Intracellular pH as a regulatory signal in astrocyte metabolism

An intracellular alkalinization is observed in mammalian astrocytes in response to repetitive neuronal activity in vivo. The alkalinizing effect of potassium released from electrically active neurons predominates over many other influences on the intracellular pH of astrocytes, including acid loads induced by glutamate and ammonium. There is evidence that this pH signal, elicited by neuronal activity, may facilitate glucose utilization and glutamine formation in astrocytes.
Geographic distribution of stroke mortality in the United States

I used data from the National Center for Health Statistics to map the geographic distribution of age-adjusted, race- and gender-specific stroke mortality rates in the United States from 1939-1941 to 1979-1981. Over this interval, stroke mortality rates declined dramatically with convergence of age-adjusted, state-specific stroke rates both within and between the various race-gender groups. For each race-gender group, high age-adjusted stroke mortality rates were significantly clustered in the southeastern United States, particularly in the South Atlantic census division, with persistent extreme rates in Georgia and the Carolinas. For whites, low-rate states were concentrated in the Mountain census division and along the northern Atlantic coast. The nonrandom distribution of stroke mortality across the United States, the large magnitude of the difference between high- and low-rate areas, the persistence of the pattern over more than four decades, the similarity of the distribution for different race-gender groups, the lack of delimitation by administrative or political boundaries, and results of national cooperative studies completed in the late 1960s and early 1970s together suggest that the pattern of excess stroke mortality is not an artifact of different diagnostic and reporting practices. Some of the observed geographic variation may be due to both the effects of selective migration and variations in the distributions of stroke risk factors.
Testosterone Supplemented Protection On Inhibition Of Testicular Function Induced By Copper Chloride

Though being an importance trace element required for normal metabolic activities, copper has some adverse effects in various organ-systems including testis. Occupational exposure to copper in different industries may result in abnormal rise in plasma copper level which can bring about spermatogenic inhibition. Our findings on inhibition of spermatogenesis and decrease in testosterone production after copper chloride treatment in a dose and duration dependent manner, led us to investigate whether exogenous supplementation of testosterone can have any reversible effect on this reproductive inhibition by copper exposure in male rats. Treatment of copper chloride at the dose of treatment resulted in significant recovery of spermatogenesis (as evidenced by quantitative evaluation of spermatogenesis at stage VII), plasma testosterone level and weights of accessory sex organs. Conversely, testicular weight, plasma FSH & LH levels and testicular steroidogenic enzyme activities remained inhibited. Testicular copper content also found to remain elevated after testosterone supplementation. Though complete recovery of testicular dysfunction, elevated testicular copper content and reduced gonadotropin levels induced by copper could not be achieved, almost complete protection of spermatogenesis was observed after testosterone supplementation in copper treated rats. Thus it can be concluded that copper exposure affects hypothalmo-pituitary-testicular axis and thereby testosterone production rather than directly affecting testis. Further studies are required to elucidate the exact mechanism of this recovery after testosterone supplementation in copper exposed testis.
Electric loads characterization in an aircraft carrier with ring-bus distribution system

The increase in installed power onboard ships and the adoption of electric propulsion led to the need of a rather complex power system. The so-called Integrated Power System (IPS) feeds all the ship loads, integrating into a single entity the functions of generation, regulation, distribution and utilization of the electric power. The integration, thus being a powerful tool to increase vessel's performance, reliability and efficiency, permits also the propagation of disturbances to all the users fed by the IPS. Being Power Quality a primary need for the loads (and especially for some particular military ones) it is needed an assessment of the disturbances that can occur in the power system, both in terms of voltage and frequency transients and in terms of harmonic distortion. In this paper is presented a measurement campaign to assess disturbance levels and performance of a Naval vessel.
Somatic cell counts in relation to infection status of the goat udder

Summary Bacteriological analyses, cell counts using the Fossomatic method and California Mastitis Test were performed on 1523 goat milk samples taken aseptically at monthly intervals throughout lactation from three goat herds. Of the goat udders, 81·4% were infected, minor pathogens being the most frequent isolates (65·7%). Differences in the level of infection by minor pathogens were found betwccn herds. Cell counts were influenced by stage of lactation and intramammary infection. Cell counts < 106 cells/ml were found in 80% of milk samples infected by major pathogens and in 45% infected by minor pathogens. About 81% of udders infected with major pathogens gave California Mastitis Test scores of 2 and 3, compared with 20% for uninfected goats. A high proportion (65%) of udders infected with minor pathogens also produced scores of 2 and 3. A significant positive correlation was found between the California Mastitis Test and cell counts. The use of cell counts for the detection of abnormal goat milk is discussed.
A history of low birth weight alters recovery following a future head injury: A case series

Objective: Low birth weight (LBW; below 2500 grams) is a general risk factor for a variety of neurodevelopmental difficulties. However, these children may remain more vulnerable to neurologic and environmental insults occurring years later. This prospective case series reports on children who sustained a mild, moderate, or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in middle childhood but who had also been born with birth weights below 2500 grams. Participants: Participants were 14 children with mild, moderate, or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), 5 of whom had birth weights under 2500 grams (LBW) and 9 children with normal birth weight (NBW). All participants were drawn from a larger study on the long-term cognitive and behavioral impact of pediatric TBI and were matched on age, estimated socioeconomic status (SES), and severity of TBI (with NBW children actually having a slightly worse overall injury severity). Results: At baseline, both groups exhibited similar scores on WJ-R Letter Word Identification and Calculations, Tower of London number solved, and CVLT-C total correct. Baseline group differences were observed on the CELF-III Formulated Sentences (NBW > LBW) and on the VABS Adaptive Behavior Composite and Socialization subdomain (LBW > NBW). Over 2 years, relative to the NBW group, the LBW group evidenced declines on both WJ-R subtests, CVLT-C total correct, CELF-III Formulated Sentences, and VABS Adaptive Behavior Composite and Socialization. Conclusions: Although preliminary in nature due to small sample size, findings suggest a history of LBW influences the recovery trajectory following childhood TBI. Academic and adaptive functioning and verbal memory appeared particularly affected.
Reporting Concerns About Earnings Quality: An Examination of Corporate Managers

Using an experiment with corporate financial managers (e.g., CFOs, controllers), we find that when red flags are present in the financial statements under their review, managers identify those red flags and, in turn, have greater concerns over earnings quality. In addition, when pressure to meet a financial target is high, managers are more concerned about earnings quality when red flags are present. We also document that when red flags are present, managers are more likely to report both internally to their CEO and, if their concerns are not resolved internally, externally to their auditor. Pressure to meet a financial target increases the likelihood managers report internally, but decreases their likelihood of reporting externally when red flags are present. Additional analyses document reporting differences between CFOs and controllers, and examine the important roles that short-term personal costs, job tenure, and a non-accounting background play in the ethical dilemma managers face when deciding whether to report externally.
Measuring average alcohol consumption: the impact of including binge drinks in quantity-frequency calculations.

AIMS Average daily alcohol consumption is usually calculated based on self-reports of the quantity (number of drinks consumed per drinking-day) and frequency (number of drinking-days) of alcohol consumption within a given time period. However, this method may underestimate average daily alcohol consumption (and in turn, the prevalence of heavy drinking), because studies demonstrate that respondents do not typically include binge drinking occasions in estimates of their 'usual' or 'average' daily alcohol consumption. DESIGN We used the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), an annual random-digit telephone survey of US adults aged 18 years or older, to estimate average daily alcohol consumption using standard quantity-frequency questions, and then recalculated this measure by including self-reports of binge drinking. The proportion of respondents who met a standard, sex-specific definition of heavy drinking based on average daily alcohol consumption was then assessed nationally and for each state. FINDINGS Compared to standard quantity-frequency methods, including binge drinks in calculations of average daily alcohol consumption increased the relative prevalence of heavy drinking among all adults by 19% to 42% (depending on the method used to estimate the number of drinks per binge). Among binge drinkers, the overall prevalence of heavy drinking increased 53% relative to standard quantity-frequency methods. As a result, half of women binge drinkers and half of binge drinkers aged 55 or older met criteria for heavy drinking. CONCLUSIONS Including binge drinks (especially the application of age- and sex-specific estimates of binge drinks) in the calculation of average daily alcohol consumption can improve the accuracy of prevalence estimates for heavy drinking among US adults, and should be considered to increase the usefulness of this measure for alcohol surveillance.
Endogenous IGF1 enhances cell survival in the postnatal dentate gyrus

The dentate gyrus is selectively reduced in size in the insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF1) null mouse brain. The purpose of this study was to determine whether this defect is due to reduced granule cell numbers, and if so, to determine whether altered cell proliferation, survival, or both contribute to attenuation of dentate gyrus size. At postnatal day 10 (P10), granule cell numbers were not significantly different in IGF1 null and littermate wildtype (WT) dentate gyri. The subgranular zone cell population, however, was relatively increased, and the granule cell layer population relatively decreased in the IGF1 null dentate gyrus. By P50, total dentate cell numbers were decreased by 20% (P = 0.01) in the IGF1 null mouse, although IGF1 null subgranular zone progenitor cells remained relatively increased compared with WT (38%, P < 0.05). IGF1 null dentate cell proliferation, assessed by thymidine analogue incorporation, was actually increased at P10 (33%, P < 0.05) and P50 (167%, P = 0.001). Dentate granule cell death, assessed by the appearance of pycnotic cells and DNA fragmentation, was also significantly increased in the IGF1 null dentate (61%, P < 0.05 and 101%, P = 0.03). These data suggest that endogenous IGF1 serves an important role in dentate granule cell survival during the course of postnatal brain development. In addition, this work suggests the potential of a compensatory mechanism promoting increased dentate cell proliferation in the face of impaired cell survival during postnatal neurogenesis. J. Neurosci. Res. 64:341–347, 2001. Published 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Performance indicators : a logic of escalation?

The Netherlands and England are near neighbours that share many fundamental health care challenges (ageing societies, rapidly changing medical technologies, rising demand, constrained health and welfare budgets, etc). The relevant policy communities have also usually been well aware of what is going on in the other country. Nevertheless, for two decades the development (or non-development) of their performance indicator systems was strikingly different. England went overboard for national healthcare PIs, and the Netherlands virtually shunned them. A now–standard explanation for difference is that England possesses what is, by Western European standards, an unusually centralized, majoritarian and adversarial political system, which frees it from many of the constraints and compromises which most continental, consociational governments must engage with. Our examination of the evidence of performance indicator development since the early 1980s in part confirms this image, but also indicates that, in parallel, there are other structures and processes at work. These additional processes have produced both similarities and further differences between the two systems – not least the ‘late’ appearance of a Dutch national system of healthcare PIs from 2003. Our analysis thus supports the ‘new institutionalism’ in so far as it shows that broad institutional patterns do indeed have a significant influence on policy development. But it also suggests that there is a need for at least two complementary strands of analysis and explanation. First, while the institutional patterns may help us understand why things remain on the same, or different, paths, they do not work so well as explanations for the periodic departures from those paths. These ‘punctuations’ to ‘business as usual’ require more specific attention. Also, second, we argue that there are technical and political factors which are endogenous to PI systems, and which, once these systems are in place, appear to exert a logic of their own. We therefore conclude that, in order to explain the existence and characteristics of these (and other? ) PI systems, a broad institutional analysis needs to be complemented both by particular attention to major changes in course and by a more detailed consideration of the internal logics (and external political effects) of particular policy technologies. To some extent PI systems have their own ways of life, as can be seen in both England and the Netherlands.
Nurse staffing levels and adverse events following surgery in U.S. hospitals.

PURPOSE To examine the relationship between nurse staffing and selected adverse events hypothesized to be sensitive to nursing care, while controlling for related hospital characteristics. Efforts in the United States to reduce hospital costs, resulting in strategies to use fewer nurses, have stimulated extensive debate but little evaluation. DESIGN Survey using data from a 20% stratified probability sample to approximate U.S. community hospitals. The sample included 589 acute-care hospitals in 10 states. METHODS Discharge data from 1993 for patients aged 18 years and over were used to create hospital-level adverse event indicators. These hospital-level data were matched to American Hospital Association data on community hospital characteristics, including nurse staffing, to examine the relationship between nurse staffing and adverse events. RESULTS A large and significant inverse relationship was found between full-time-equivalent RNs per adjusted inpatient day (RNAPD) and urinary tract infections after major surgery (p < .0001) as well as pneumonia after major surgery (p < .001). A significant but less robust inverse relationship was found between RNAPD and thrombosis after major surgery (p < .01), as well as pulmonary compromise after major surgery (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS Inverse relationships between nurse staffing and these adverse events provide information for managers to use when redesigning and restructuring the clinical workforce employed in providing inpatient care.
Surgical Wound Infection in Clean-Contaminated and Contaminated Laparotomy Wounds at Muhimbili National Hospital.

Background : Surgical wound (site) infection is the commonest complication following laparotomy for clean-contaminated and contaminated abdominal operations. Good surgical technique and perioperative prophylactic antibiotics in clean-contaminated and contaminated abdominal operations contribute to the low rate of surgical wound infection and its complications. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence and complications of surgical wound infection following laparotomy for clean-contaminated and contaminated abdominal operations at Muhimbili National Hospital. Methods : This was a prospective descriptive study done over a period of nine months from January 2001. The study population included patients assessed to have clean-contaminated and contaminated laparotomy wounds Results : The study revealed that surgical wound infection was the commonest complication accounting for 15.6%. Other complications include mortality rate of 8.9% and wound dehiscence (1.1%). Conclusion : It was concluded that another study is required in order to determine the cost of surgical wound infection in this hospital that is in transition towards cost-sharing and health management reform. Also, a long follow up study is required to determine the prevalence of incisional hernia in these wounds.
The Evidence of Cooperative Binding of a Ligand to G4 DNA

Intrinsic constants of the ligand binding with G4 DNA (guanine-rich DNA sequence) using quantitative standards can be convenient providing the assessment for elucidating the possibility of such structures participation in biochemical processes. In the present communication, the hard + soft modelling approach to calculate intrinsic constants of a ligand binding with short DNA molecule, particularly such as G4 DNA, has been proposed. The suggested approach has focused upon the quantitative evaluating of a mutual influence between sites and between bound ligands. The cross-validation between a new hard + soft modelling and conventional stepwise complex formation algorithm has been conducted. A number of simulated examples will illustrate the methodology. The experimental mole-ratio titration of TMPyP4 by G4 DNA [(CG3)2CGC(AG3)2G] has been reexamined. The [(CG3)2CGC(AG3)2G] that folds from a G-rich sequence found in the promoter region of c-kit oncogene can be considered as a molecule with two equivalent mutually influence binding sites.