Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IMPACT OF ROUTINE FLUCONAZOLE PROPHYLAXIS FOR PREMATURE INFANTS WITH BIRTH WEIGHTS OF LESS THAN 1250 GRAMS IN A DEVELOPING COUNTRY

Systemic fungal infections are associated with substantial case-morbidity and fatality rates in premature infants. Considerable evidence indicates that prophylaxis with fluconazole given to premature infants reduces the risk of invasive fungal infection. There is scant information from developing countries. A comparative study of 2 years, one with fluconazole prophylaxis and the other without was conducted in all premature babies weighing less than 1250 g at birth. Fluconazole was administered in 3 mg/kg doses, given every 48 hours, starting on day 3 of life, for a period of 6 weeks. Documented systemic Candida infection was the primary outcome. A total of 271 and 252 patients, respectively, were evaluated during the year before (control group) and after (treatment group) routine fluconazole prophylaxis. The control group developed 21 Candida infections (7.7%) while the treatment group had only 3 Candida infections (1.1%). This difference was statistically significant (P = 0.007; odds ratio, 0.13; 95% confidence interval, 0.03–0.47). The number needed to treat to prevent one case was 7. Although case-fatality rates for documented Candida infection were similar in both periods (76% vs. 67%), fewer deaths attributed to the fungal infection were noted in the prophylaxis year (6% vs. 1%, P = 0.003). Routine fluconazole prophylaxis given to premature infants of less than 1250 g at birth is associated with a significant impact on frequency of documented systemic Candida infections.
Rescue of the Epstein-Barr virus BZLF1 mutant, Z(S186A), early gene activation defect by the BRLF1 gene product.

Expression of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) immediate-early protein, BZLF1 (Z), is sufficient to disrupt viral latency. Z transcriptionally activates the EBV early genes by binding to upstream Z-responsive elements (ZREs). Recently, a serine-to-alanine mutation of Z residue 186 (within the basic DNA binding domain) was shown to inhibit the ability of Z to induce lytic infection in latently infected cells, although the Z(S186A) mutant could still bind several known ZREs and activated an early EBV promoter (BMRF1) in transient reporter gene assays (Francis, A. L., Gradoville, L., and Miller, G. (1997). J. Virol. 71, 3054-3061). We now show that a specific deficiency in the ability to bind to ZRE elements in the immediate-early BRLF1 promoter may account for the inability of Z(S186A) to activate BRLF1 expression. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the ability of Z(S186A) to induce early BMRF1 and BHRF1 gene expression is rescued by cotransfection with a BRLF1 expression vector. However, the Z(S186A)/BRLF1 (R) combination cannot induce full lytic replication, suggesting that Z(S186A) may also be deficient in a replication-specific function. These results suggest that in the context of the intact viral genome, both Z and R expression are required for activation of early gene transcription in latently infected cells.
Effects of glomerular filtration rate estimating equations derived from different reference methods on staging and long term mortality risks of chronic kidney disease in a Southeast Asian cohort

There are limited data on the risks of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Southeast Asian populations. Several GFR estimating equations have been developed in diverse Asian populations, but they produce markedly discrepant results. We investigated the impact of Asian equations on the mortality risk of CKD in a Thai cohort during long term follow‐up, and explored the differences between equations grouped according to the reference GFR methods used to develop them.
IMPLEMENTASI TEORI STRUKTUR MODAL DI PERUSAHAAN PUBLIK INDONESIA

The purpose of this study is to find empirical evidence on the factors that influence on indonesian public listed companies policy related to capital structure based pecking order theory and static trade-off theory. 51 firms or 102 observations were selected using cluster random sampling method as the sample of this study.The result of this study indicates that only pecking theory factor i.e. capital expenditure that influence to capital structure policy of indonesian public listed companies.
RNA sequencing of bipolar disorder lymphoblastoid cell lines implicates the neurotrophic factor HRP-3 in lithium’s clinical efficacy

Abstract Objectives: Lithium remains the oldest and most effective treatment for mood stabilisation in bipolar disorder (BD), even though at least half of patients are only partially responsive or do not respond. This study aimed to identify biomarkers associated with lithium response in BD, based on comparing RNA sequencing information derived from lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) of lithium-responsive (LR) versus lithium non-responsive (LNR) BD patients, to assess gene expression variations that might bear on treatment outcome. Methods: RNA sequencing was carried out on 24 LCLs from female BD patients (12 LR and 12 LNR) followed by qPCR validation in two additional independent cohorts (41 and 17 BD patients, respectively). Results: Fifty-six genes showed nominal differential expression comparing LR and LNR (FC ≥ |1.3|, P ≤ 0.01). The differential expression of HDGFRP3 and ID2 was validated by qPCR in the independent cohorts. Conclusions: We observed higher expression levels of HDGFRP3 and ID2 in BD patients who favourably respond to lithium. Both of these genes are involved in neurogenesis, and HDGFRP3 has been suggested to be a neurotrophic factor. Additional studies in larger BD cohorts are needed to confirm the potential of HDGFRP3 and ID2 expression levels in blood cells as tentative favourable lithium response biomarkers.
Evaluation of Traffic Density Parameters as an Indicator of Vehicle Emission-Related Near-Road Air Pollution: A Case Study with NEXUS Measurement Data on Black Carbon

An important factor in evaluating health risk of near-road air pollution is to accurately estimate the traffic-related vehicle emission of air pollutants. Inclusion of traffic parameters such as road length/area, distance to roads, and traffic volume/intensity into models such as land use regression (LUR) models has improved exposure estimation. To better understand the relationship between vehicle emissions and near-road air pollution, we evaluated three traffic density-based indices: Major-Road Density (MRD), All-Traffic Density (ATD) and Heavy-Traffic Density (HTD) which represent the proportions of major roads, major road with annual average daily traffic (AADT), and major road with commercial annual average daily traffic (CAADT) in a buffered area, respectively. We evaluated the potential of these indices as vehicle emission-specific near-road air pollutant indicators by analyzing their correlation with black carbon (BC), a marker for mobile source air pollutants, using measurement data obtained from the Near-road Exposures and Effects of Urban Air Pollutants Study (NEXUS). The average BC concentrations during a day showed variations consistent with changes in traffic volume which were classified into high, medium, and low for the morning rush hours, the evening rush hours, and the rest of the day, respectively. The average correlation coefficients between BC concentrations and MRD, ATD, and HTD, were 0.26, 0.18, and 0.48, respectively, as compared with −0.31 and 0.25 for two commonly used traffic indicators: nearest distance to a major road and total length of the major road. HTD, which includes only heavy-duty diesel vehicles in its traffic count, gives statistically significant correlation coefficients for all near-road distances (50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 m) that were analyzed. Generalized linear model (GLM) analyses show that season, traffic volume, HTD, and distance from major roads are highly related to BC measurements. Our analyses indicate that traffic density parameters may be more specific indicators of near-road BC concentrations for health risk studies. HTD is the best index for reflecting near-road BC concentrations which are influenced mainly by the emissions of heavy-duty diesel engines.
The Calcineurin-Binding, Activity-Dependent Splice Variant Dynamin1xb Is Highly Enriched in Synapses in Various Regions of the Central Nervous System

In the present study, we generated and characterized a splice site-specific monoclonal antibody that selectively detects the calcineurin-binding dynamin1 splice variant dynamin1xb. Calcineurin is a Ca2+-regulated phosphatase that enhances dynamin1 activity and is an important Ca2+-sensing mediator of homeostatic synaptic plasticity in neurons. Using this dynamin1xb-specific antibody, we found dynamin1xb highly enriched in synapses of all analyzed brain regions. In photoreceptor ribbon synapses, dynamin1xb was enriched in close vicinity to the synaptic ribbon in a manner indicative of a peri-active zone immunolabeling. Interestingly, in dark-adapted mice we observed an enhanced and selective enrichment of dynamin1xb in both synaptic layers of the retina in comparison to light-adapted mice. This could be due to an illumination-dependent recruitment of dynamin1xb to retinal synapses and/or due to a darkness-induced increase of dynamin1xb biosynthesis. These latter findings indicate that dynamin1xb is part of a versatile and highly adjustable, activity-regulated endocytic synaptic machinery.
Standards-Based Worldwide Semantic Interoperability for IoT

Global IoT services (GIoTS) are combining locally available IoT resources with cloud-based services. They are targeting worldwide services. GIoTS require interoperability between the locally installed heterogeneous IoT systems. Semantic processing is an important technology to enable data mediation as well as knowledge-based processing. This article explains a system architecture for achieving worldwide semantic interoperability using international standards such as oneM2M and the OMA NGSI-9/10 context interfaces (as used in the European Future Internet Platform FIWARE). Semantics also enables the use of knowledge-based semantic processing agents. Furthermore, we explain how semantic verification enables the testing of such complex systems.
Virus vs. virus: adenovirus vectored vaccine to defeat respiratory syncytial virus.

RSV is the single most important vaccine-preventable pediatric disease without a vaccine program. Fears of recurrence of the clinical experience with a formalin-inactivated RSV (FI-RSV) vaccine candidate in the 1960s, which led to enhanced respiratory disease (ERD) and death following natural infection (1), continue to cast a shadow on the development of RSV vaccines for use in infants.
Ultrasonic flaw detection using sparse representation for failure analysis of next generation microelectronic packages

In this paper, a sparse Bayesian learning-based ultrasonic signal processing method is designed to detect and characterize flaws in thin multilayer structures, where the reflectivity is sparse. Sparse Bayesian learning is first used to decompose an ultrasonic signal into sparse signal representations over an overcomplete dictionary that is learnt from a training data set in advance. Ultrasonic flaw detection is then carried out on the basis of the sparse signal representations. The performance of the proposed method is experimentally verified using ultrasonic traces acquired from microelectronic packages by a scanning acoustic microscope.
On the Optimality of Open and Closed Loop Experiments in System Identification

In this paper we analyse the strong optimality of open and closed loop experiments. In particular, we establish that when there is a constraint on the system input, then open loop experiments are optimal for a wide class of design criteria. Conversely, we show that when there is a constraint on the output power, then closed loop experiments are optimal for a class of systems and for a wide class of design criteria. Our analysis uses the non-asymptotic (in model order) variance expressions for dynamic systems
Role of Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy for the Detection of Early Gastrointestinal Malignancy

Presently, detecting early gastrointestinal (GI) malignancy is a challenging strategy. Many new technologies have been developed to detect and characterize tiny mucosal lesion. The advantage of these techniques is not only benefit as an in vivo confirmation on the presence of early cancer but also as the assistance for a targeted biopsy. Recently a confocal laser endoscopy (CLE) has been added as an adjunctive reading tool for precancerous lesion and early GI malignancy.
Physical limitations and perceived quality of care among family medicine patients

Objective: To assess how physical limitations relate to patient satisfaction with the quality of medical care among family medicine patients, after adjustment for self-rated overall health and other patient characteristics. Design: A telephone survey of family medicine patients, linked with information extracted from medical records. Setting: A large family medicine department in Rochester, Minnesota. Subjects: Patient ratings of quality were linked to medical records for 674 adult patients. Results: Adjusting for self-rated overall health status and other confounders using multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that having physical limitations was inversely and independently related to excellent perceived quality (adjusted odds ratio = 0.56, P= 0.035). Conclusions: In our sample of family medicine patients, people with physical limitations experience a disparity in perceived quality of care.
THREE‐YEAR FOLLOW‐UP AT AGE 10 OF CHILDREN WITH MINOR NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS. I: BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS

Sixty‐one children selected from a total population study of six‐year‐old children in Gothenburg and diagnosed as suffering from minimal brain dysfunction (MBD), motor perception dysfunction (MPD) or attention deficit disorder (ADD), and 51 normal control children were followed up at age 10 for behavioural problems. According to teachers', parents' and self‐rating questionnaires, the index children, especially those with MBD, showed extremely high rates of severe behavioural/experiential problems at follow‐up. None had been treated with stimulants or other drugs directed at alleviating the symptoms of the neurodevelopmental disorder. It is argued that the high rates of disturbances according to the questionnaire ratings are a true reflection of the psychiatric ill‐health in these children.
Managing Hotels Effectively: Lessons from Outstanding General Managers

The Environment of the Hotel Business. Service, People, and Profits in the Hotel Business. An Overview of Strategic Planning. Planning in Hotels. Hotel Organization. Coordinating the Activities of a Hotel. Hotel Staffing. Motivation. Communication in Hotels. Leading People. Leading Organizations. An Overview of Controlling Hotel Operations. Controlling Results: Hotel Revenues and Costs. Control: Getting Employees to Do Things Right and to Do the Right Things. The GMs' Background and Personal Characteristics. The Day-to-Day Activities of Outstanding Hotel Managers. Appendix. Index.
The College Wage Premium and the Expansion of Higher Education in the UK

This paper reports estimates of the UK “college premium” for young graduates across successive cohorts from large cross-section datasets for the UK pooled from 1994 to 2006—a period when the higher education participation rate increased dramatically. The growth in relative labour demand suggests that graduate supply considerably outstripped demand which ought to imply a fall in the premium. We find no significant fall for men and even a large, but insignificant, rise for women. Quantile regression results reveal a fall in the premium only for men in the bottom quartile of the distribution of unobserved skills.
World business : globalization, analysis and strategy

PART I. THE GLOBALIZATION PROCESS: BACKGROUND, CAUSES, AND EFFECTS 1. The World Business Challenge 2. Globalization and Worldwide Infrastructure Development 3. Globalization, Technology Transfers, Economic Development, and Cultural Change PART II. WORLD BUSINESS ANALYSIS 4. Geopolitical Analyses of Regional Markets 5. Analyses of National Markets 6. Analyzing Global Industries and Competitors 7. International Strategic Planning and Market Screening PART III. WORLD BUSINESS STRATEGY 8. Internationalization and Globalization Processes 9. Market Entry and Servicing Strategies 10. Global and Multi-Market Strategies 11. Global and Multi-Market Supply Chain Management 12. Managing Cultural Differences 13. Localization Strategies: Managing Stakeholders and Supply Chains
Preclinical Profile of VX-950, a Potent, Selective, and Orally Bioavailable Inhibitor of Hepatitis C Virus NS3-4A Serine Protease

ABSTRACT VX-950 is a potent, selective, peptidomimetic inhibitor of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3-4A serine protease, and it demonstrated excellent antiviral activity both in genotype 1b HCV replicon cells (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50] = 354 nM) and in human fetal hepatocytes infected with genotype 1a HCV-positive patient sera (IC50 = 280 nM). VX-950 forms a covalent but reversible complex with the genotype 1a HCV NS3-4A protease in a slow-on, slow-off process with a steady-state inhibition constant (Ki*) of 7 nM. Dissociation of the covalent enzyme-inhibitor complex of VX-950 and genotype 1a HCV protease has a half-life of almost an hour. A >4-log10 reduction in the HCV RNA levels was observed after a 2-week incubation of replicon cells with VX-950, with no rebound of viral RNA observed after withdrawal of the inhibitor. In several animal species, VX-950 exhibits a favorable pharmacokinetic profile with high exposure in the liver. In a recently developed HCV protease mouse model, VX-950 showed excellent inhibition of HCV NS3-4A protease activity in the liver. Therefore, the overall preclinical profile of VX-950 supports its candidacy as a novel oral therapy against hepatitis C.
Performance pay for teachers: linking individual and organisational level targets

The introduction of performance-related pay and performance management schemes in the maintained, state, school sector represents a considerable change in the school management system. This paper combines the results of opinion surveys of classroom and head teachers with Department for Education and Skills school performance data to consider the operation and impact of the new system in England since 2000. We find that teachers’ response to the new system closely resembles that of other groups of public service workers to similar schemes. In particular, teachers appear not to be greatly motivated by the financial-incentive element of the system. However, the goal-setting and appraisal aspect of the system is steadily establishing itself in schools, and seems to be giving rise to a better alignment of teacher and school objectives and with those of nationallevel policy objectives. We present tentative evidence that improvements in goal setting within schools are positively related to rising pupil academic performance.
PENGARUH EKSPEKTASI CORPORATE SOCIALRESPONSIBILITY TERHADAP DUKUNGANCORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY(Studi Pada Mahasiswa Jurusan Akuntansi Fakultas Ekonomika dan BisnisUniversitas Diponegoro)

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is often considered the core of business ethics, which means that companies not only have economic obligations and legal (meaning to a shareholder), but also the obligations of other parties concerned (stakeholders) that its reach beyond economic and legal obligation. This study aims to determine and analyze the expectations of economic dimension, legal dimension and ethical dimension of CSR toward CSR Support in faculty of economics and business Diponegoro University. Sample of this study is accounting student at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Diponegoro University Semarang obtained as many as 125 respondents. This research uses multiple regression analysis to determine the effect of expectations economic, legal and ethical-philanthropic dimension of CSR to support CSR. Survey results revealed economic expectation, legal and ethical expectation expectation is partially positive and significant effect on CSR support
Antibiotic Resistance of Pathogens Causing Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Abstract Community-acquired pneumonia remains an important cause of disease and death in both developed and developing countries and therefore continues to have a major medical impact. The mortality remains high despite the ready availability of potent antimicrobial agents to which the organisms are susceptible. However, management of these infections is potentially complicated by the emerging resistance of many of the common pathogens to the different classes of antibiotics that are usually prescribed. Furthermore, it is also being recognized that antibiotic resistance or treatment failures may occur not only through traditional microbial antibiotic resistance mechanisms but also through less well defined mechanisms, particularly those developed by the microbes in relation to their quorum sensing/biofilm machinery. Much recent research in this field has been focused on evaluating the clinical impact of antibiotic resistance on optimal antibiotic treatment and antimicrobial choices, as well as alternative strategies to deal with antibiotic resistance and treatment failures.
FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE LOW RATE OF STRUCTURAL FUNDS ABSORBTION IN ROMANIA

In the Strategic report for 2010 concerning the application of the programmes for the period 2007 – 2013, it can be observed that Romania is situated on the penult place regarding the allocation of the amounts for the selected projects, with a percent of 14% comparing to the EU average of 27,1%. This low rate generates a series of questions: “why? ”, “who is responsible? ” This considerable gap is sustained by several internal and external factors, which block us from having encouraging results: internal factors, at the beneficiary’s level and external factors, at the level of the institutions responsible with supervising and implementing the projects. With this essay, by identifying the factors which influence the absorption rate of the Structural Funds in Romania, we intended to make a first step in solving this problem, which requires a special attention.
Does bribery in the home country promote or dampen firm exports

This study examines the impact of bribery within the home country on firm exports by developing two contrasting hypotheses. On the one hand, preferential treatment resulting from government officials in exchange for bribes may promote exports by enhancing efficiency and enabling bribing firms to better compete in foreign markets. On the other hand, preferential treatment resulting from bribes may decrease exports by providing firms with more established positions within the domestic market diminishing the incentive to explore foreign markets. Adopting the three-stage least squares method, we test these competing arguments using a sample of firms operating within transition economies. We find that bribery within the home country decreases rather than increases firm exports. The implications of our findings are discussed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.