Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Five-year comparison of diabetic control between community diabetic center and primary health-care centers

Context: Hyperglycemia is the most important factor for development of complications. A high level of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is linked with such complications of diabetes. Aims: The aim of this study was to compare diabetic care between community diabetic center (CDC) and primary health centers. Settings and Design: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted at King Abdulaziz Medical City for National Guard Health Affairs at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Subjects and Methods: Data were retrieved from electronic medical records for diabetes mellitus Type 2 patients who were treated at two settings: CDCs and primary healthcare. Statistical Analysis Used: SPSS (V21) was used to analyze the univariate and bivariate analysis, Student′s t-test for continuous variables and Chi-square test for binary variables were used. P value was set as statistically significant if it is <0.05. Results: The mean difference for HbA1c from first to last visits increased significantly +0.2 ± 1.67 with P = 0.002 while the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) on the other way around improved by decrease of -0.159 ± 0.74 and P < 0.000. Body mass index (BMI) among the sample increased by +0.134 ± 1.57 with no significant, P = 0.078. Among the sample, 39.5% improved their HbA1c while 56.8% deteriorated and 3.6% of the samples′ readings remain the same. 55.3% of the sample improved in LDL and 52.4% in the high-density lipoprotein while 53.7% improved in triglycerides. The BMI was improved among 43.4% of diabetic patients. Conclusions: The 5-year management of diabetic patients failed to improve the A1c or BMI, at both CDC and primary health-care centers.
Astemizole Synergizes Calcitriol Antiproliferative Activity by Inhibiting CYP24A1 and Upregulating VDR: A Novel Approach for Breast Cancer Therapy

Background Calcitriol antiproliferative effects include inhibition of the oncogenic ether-à-go-go-1 potassium channel (Eag1) expression, which is necessary for cell cycle progression and tumorigenesis. Astemizole, a new promising antineoplastic drug, targets Eag1 by blocking ion currents. Herein, we characterized the interaction between calcitriol and astemizole as well as their conjoint antiproliferative action in SUM-229PE, T-47D and primary tumor-derived breast cancer cells. Methodology/Principal Findings Molecular markers were studied by immunocytochemistry, Western blot and real time PCR. Inhibitory concentrations were determined by dose-response curves and metabolic activity assays. At clinically achievable drug concentrations, synergistic antiproliferative interaction was observed between calcitriol and astemizole, as calculated by combination index analysis (CI <1). Astemizole significantly enhanced calcitriol’s growth-inhibitory effects (3–11 folds, P<0.01). Mean IC20 values were 1.82±2.41 nM and 1.62±0.75 µM; for calcitriol (in estrogen receptor negative cells) and astemizole, respectively. Real time PCR showed that both drugs alone downregulated, while simultaneous treatment further reduced Ki-67 and Eag1 gene expression (P<0.05). Astemizole inhibited basal and calcitriol-induced CYP24A1 and CYP3A4 mRNA expression (cytochromes involved in calcitriol and astemizole degradation) in breast and hepatoma cancer cells, respectively, while upregulated vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression. Conclusions/Significance Astemizole synergized calcitriol antiproliferative effects by downregulating CYP24A1, upregulating VDR and targeting Eag1. This study provides insight into the molecular mechanisms involved in astemizole-calcitriol combined antineoplastic effect, offering scientific support to test both compounds in combination in further preclinical and clinical studies of neoplasms expressing VDR and Eag1. VDR-negative tumors might also be sensitized to calcitriol antineoplastic effects by the use of astemizole. Herein we suggest a novel combined adjuvant therapy for the management of VDR/Eag1-expressing breast cancer tumors. Since astemizole improves calcitriol bioavailability and activity, decreased calcitriol dosing is advised for conjoint administration.
Characterization of Electrostriction Nonlinearity in a Standard Single-Mode Fiber Based on Coherent Detection and Cross-Phase Modulation

The electrostriction nonlinearity in a standard single mode fiber is measured by cross-phase modulation (XPM) between pump and probe. Novel use of a coherent homodyne receiver allows measurement of in-phase and quadrature components of the probe field, eliminating the need for an optical interferometer. The Kerr effect (γ<sub>k</sub>) and frequency-dependent electrostriction (γ<sub>e</sub>) nonlinear parameters are characterized experimentally, and γ<sub>e</sub> is found to be approximately one third of γ<sub>k</sub> at the highest peak resonance frequency. The joint action of γ<sub>k</sub> and γ<sub>e</sub> also introduces a polarization dependence of the electrostrictive signal when the pump and the probe are not copolarized.
How to Market to Generation M(obile)

For many teenagers and young adults, cell phones, personal digital assistants and other handheld devices have become a necessity of everyday life. That fact has not escaped the attention of companies that have had great difficulty reaching young consumers through traditional marketing approaches. In theory, the mobile platform provides the perfect mechanism for reaching young consumers. A large retailer might, for example, send a group of teenagers who are at a shopping mall various electronic coupons on their phones to promote special discounts. Many global corporations, including Burger King, MTV, Procter & Gamble and Ford, have initiated programs that enable consumers to search for the nearest restaurant location using their cell phones, receive electronic coupons or participate in other mobile marketing activities. Such campaigns have generated click-through rates up to 10 times those of traditional Internet banner ads, and recent forecasts for global mobile marketing spending range from $9 billion to $19 billion by 2011. That said, several brands, including Budweiser, ESPN, Sprite and adidas, have launched mobile marketing efforts only to see some successes amidst an equal number of disappointments. To investigate what truly influences whether young consumers will participate in mobile marketing activities, the authors recently conducted a survey in the United States and Pakistan. The study looked at the relative importance of a number of factors, including consumers' personal attachment to their cell phones, their concerns for privacy and their willingness to "opt in" and accept permission-based marketing. An analysis of the results uncovered important insights in consumer behavior. For instance, people who are personally attached to their cell phones are neither more nor less inclined to participate in mobile marketing activities. And the data also revealed differences between markets: In general, young Pakistanis are more amenable to receiving � and even may desire � mobile marketing communications, whereas their American counterparts' willingness depends on a greater number of factors. Such results hold a number of important implications for companies developing mobile advertising campaigns across global markets.
Targeting NEDD8-Activated Cullin-RING Ligases for the Treatment of Cancer

E3 ubiquitin ligases regulate many dynamic cellular processes important for cancer cell survival. Together with ubiquitin-activating enzyme (E1) and ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes (E2s), E3s catalyze the ubiquitination of numerous protein substrates that are subsequently targeted to the 26S proteasome for degradation. The clinical success of the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib has encouraged the evaluation of other components of the ubiquitin proteasome system for pharmaceutical intervention. Targeting specific E3s is particularly attractive because there is the potential to selectively block the degradation of certain cellular proteins and possibly avoid unwanted effects on other proteins. The cullin-RING ubiquitin E3 ligases (CRLs) represent the largest subfamily of E3s. The requirement that CRLs be activated by NEDD8 modification on the cullin protein offers an “achilles heel” for modulating this entire subfamily. NEDD8-activating enzyme (NAE) catalyzes the first step in the NEDD8 pathway and as such controls the activity of CRLs. In this article, we describe the role of the NEDD8 pathway in activating CRLs and discuss the preclinical findings with a first-in-class NAE inhibitor that is currently in phase I clinical trials for both solid tumor and hematological malignancies. In addition, we speculate where NAE inhibitors may find clinical utility.
Lesekompetenz im Französisch als 1. und 2. Fremdsprache in einer mehrsprachigen Perspektive bei Primarschüler/innen am Ende der 6. Klasse

Im Beitrag werden Resultate eines laufenden Forschungsprojekts vorgestellt, das die Lesekompetenz im Franzosisch als 1. und 2. Fremdsprache (Umkehrung der bisherigen Reihenfolge durch die Fremdsprachenreform in der Schweiz) unter Berucksichtigung der Schulsprache Deutsch in einer mehrsprachigen Perspektive am Ende der Primarstufe (6. Klasse) untersucht. Die zentrale Fragestellung ist, ob die Schuler/innen mit Franzosisch als 1. Fremdsprache uber eine bessere Lesekompetenz verfugen als mit Franzosisch als 2. Fremdsprache (jeweiliger Beginn: 5. Klasse). Des Weiteren wird der Zusammenhang zwischen der Franzosischlesekompetenz und der Schulsprache untersucht. Fur die Uberprufung dieser Fragestellungen liegt ein quasi-experimentelles Design vor, bei dem beide Gruppen zeitverschoben gemessen wurden. In this article we will present some results of an ongoing project which studies the reading comprehension in French at the end of primary school (6th grade) as first and as second foreign language (reversal of the previous order in the current reform of the foreign languages in Switzerland) by also considering the school language (German) within a multilingual approach. The focus of this article is whether learners with French as second foreign language reach a higher proficiency than learners with French as first foreign language (French being still taught from grade 5 on). Furthermore we will study the correlation between the reading comprehension proficiency in French and in German. The quasi-experimental research design is given by the fact that classes in the old and new system could be recorded at different times.
A Web-Based Remote Visualization System in Network Computing Service

Remote visualization service is an indispensable part for super computing center and network computing services. We present a web-based remote visualization system architecture - ScVisGrid. It provides a web-based interface for end users to access visualization resources in SCCAS by launching visualization tasks in interactive mode. With component-based visualization framework, the existing standalone software or new functions could be easily and flexibly integrated into remote visualization system, which makes the system convenient, flexible and scalable. Two application examples are also provided to demonstrate the usefulness of the system.
Monitoring of Heart and Breathing Rates Using Dual Cameras on a Smartphone

Some smartphones have the capability to process video streams from both the front- and rear-facing cameras simultaneously. This paper proposes a new monitoring method for simultaneous estimation of heart and breathing rates using dual cameras of a smartphone. The proposed approach estimates heart rates using a rear-facing camera, while at the same time breathing rates are estimated using a non-contact front-facing camera. For heart rate estimation, a simple application protocol is used to analyze the varying color signals of a fingertip placed in contact with the rear camera. The breathing rate is estimated from non-contact video recordings from both chest and abdominal motions. Reference breathing rates were measured by a respiration belt placed around the chest and abdomen of a subject; reference heart rates (HR) were determined using the standard electrocardiogram. An automated selection of either the chest or abdominal video signal was determined by choosing the signal with a greater autocorrelation value. The breathing rate was then determined by selecting the dominant peak in the power spectrum. To evaluate the performance of the proposed methods, data were collected from 11 healthy subjects. The breathing ranges spanned both low and high frequencies (6–60 breaths/min), and the results show that the average median errors from the reflectance imaging on the chest and the abdominal walls based on choosing the maximum spectral peak were 1.43% and 1.62%, respectively. Similarly, HR estimates were also found to be accurate.
Human Cytomegalovirus Infects Caco-2 Intestinal Epithelial Cells Basolaterally Regardless of the Differentiation State

ABSTRACT Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) causes severe disease in immunosuppressed patients and notably infects the gastrointestinal tract. To understand the interaction of CMV with intestinal epithelial cells, which are highly susceptible to CMV infection in vivo, we used the intestinal epithelial cell line Caco-2 and demonstrated that CMV enters predominantly through the basolateral surface of polarized Caco-2 cells. As shown by expression of all three classes of CMV proteins and by visualization of nucleocapsids by transmission electron microscopy, both poorly and fully differentiated Caco-2 cells were permissive to CMV replication. However, infection failed to produce infectious particles in Caco-2 cells, irrespective of the state of differentiation.
The Association of Mindfulness and Racial Socialization Messages on Approach-Oriented Coping Strategies Among African Americans

This study investigated the association of mindfulness and racial socialization messages on approach-oriented coping strategies among African Americans. Three hundred African American college students completed measures of mindfulness, racial socialization, and coping strategy preference. The results revealed that a higher degree of mindfulness and culturally based racial socialization messages are positively associated with both planning and active coping strategies. The study also found that mindful observation was positively related to all of the minority and culturally based racial socialization messages. This research has discovered that racial socialization messages are related to mindfulness, suggesting that these two metacognitive self-regulatory strategies promote adaptive coping strategy selection and potentially buffer the negative consequences of stressors for African Americans. Stress-reduction programs that promote “cultural pride and reinforcement” as well as mindfulness techniques may be ideal for African Americans grappling with race-related stressors.
The role of entrepreneurship education in shaping entrepreneurial action of disabled students in Nigeria

This study adopted a cross sectional descriptive research design to examine the role of entrepreneurship education in shaping entrepreneurial action (EA) of disabled students of the Nigerian tertiary institutions. Also, an analytical survey with mixed methods and triangulation focus constituted the study's research design. A sample size of 286 disabled students was determined using Krejcie and Morgan sample size selection model. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, zero-order correlation and hierarchical regression. The findings revealed that pedagogy, course content and entrepreneurship education are significant predictors of EA. Entrepreneurship education that exposes students to life applicable issues is capable of boosting their confidence/capacity to risk into venture start-up. Second, the more lecturers' characteristics such as inspiring students, method of teaching, being approachable and displaying enthusiasm are applied in the teaching of entrepreneurship the better the EA of the students. This study indicates a number of implications for the tertiary institutions and policy-makers. Specifically, entrepreneurship education, pedagogy and course content make a significant contribution to EA for disabled students. This is a critical factor that tertiary institutions in Nigeria should consider in transmitting entrepreneurship knowledge to students. Policy-makers and other stakeholders need to develop keen interest in designing entrepreneurship curriculum to cater/accommodate the specific needs of students with disabilities. Originality/value: This study is the first in Nigeria (Africa) to test empirically the relationship between pedagogy, course content, entrepreneurship education and EA among tertiary institutions’ disabled students.
Effects of Gasoline Inhalation on Menstrual Characteristics and the Hormonal Profile of Female Petrol Pump Workers

Increasing numbers of young women are employed as gasoline station attendants in most developing countries despite the lack of empirical data on the adverse reproductive health effect of this solvent. This study therefore sought to assess the effects of gasoline inhalation on the serum sex hormone profile and menstrual characteristics of female gasoline station attendants in Nigeria, given the global increase in the rate of infertility and the existing evidence on the reproductive toxicity of gasoline constituents. A site-by-site cross-sectional study of 117 female gasoline pump attendants and 118 age-matched controls was carried out between September 2011 and November 2012. The following 3 instruments were used for data collection: a semi-structured questionnaire, a female sex hormone profile assay and exposure status measures. The prevalence of menstrual disorders among the exposed and unexposed women was 37.2% and 28.5% respectively. Exposure to gasoline was significantly associated with disorders in both menstrual cycle length and quantity of flow. Specifically, exposed women had a greater than threefold increased risk of a menstrual disorder, with an odds ratio (OR) of 3.25 for abnormal cycle length and OR of 4.16 for abnormal quantity of flow. In addition, longer duration of exposure (>1 year) was significantly associated with higher likelihood of menstrual disorders. There were also persistent low serum levels of estradiol, and fluctuating levels of other reproductive hormones. Gasoline inhalation may interfere with ovarian functions leading to disordered menstrual characteristics and female sex hormone profiles, as well as future reproductive impairment.
Does a self-help online psycho-educational program on cyber bullying lead to increased confidence and help-seeking behaviours amongst adolescents?

A literature review of prevention and intervention strategies for cyber bullying revealed the limited scholarly research available on empiricallyvalidated interventions specifically designed to facilitate coping with an experience of cyber bullying. The main aim of this research was to develop and evaluate the ‘Increasing Resilience to Cyber Bullying’ program (IRCB). The IRCB program is an online, self-guided Cognitive Behavioural Therapy-based psycho-educational intervention that aims to increase adolescents’ likelihood of employing coping skills that may be helpful for a victim of cyber bullying and increase confidence in their ability to cope and/or help a friend cope with an experience of cyber bullying. The IRCB program was developed in response to the clear need for adolescents to have access to a psychological intervention program that promotes effective coping in response to cyber bullying and encourages help-seeking behaviours. The current research employed a quantitative and qualitative methodology to examine the effectiveness of the IRCB program. Using an uncontrolled pilot study design, online questionnaires were administered to participants at baseline (pre-program, n = 54) after program completion (postprogram, n = 54) and three months after program completion (follow-up, n =10). Participants’ use of coping strategies (self-compassion, challenging unhelpful thinking and seeking help) and self-confidence were measured by single-item responses that were developed by the author to directly question adolescent participants about whether they were likely to employ such skills in the event of cyber bullying. In addition, validated measures of help seeking were used. All participants were Year 9 or 10 students from Australian secondary schools (M = 14.70 years, SD = 0.57). Despite the small sample size (n = 54), the current research displayed promising results, with significant increases in adolescents’ likelihood of using the coping skills of self-compassion and challenging unhelpful thinking in the event of cyber bullying. Contrary to predictions, the current study did not find evidence to suggest that the IRCB program significantly increased adolescents’ likelihood of using the coping skill of seeking support from a trusted friend or
CMOS implementation of a programmable attenuation amplifier based on switched capacitors for an optical encoder system

Optical encoders are sensors used to measure linear or rotational displacements in industrial and scientific equipment, such as radars, plotters, microscopes, etc. In previous papers our group presented the design of a customized photodetector array for a non-diffractive beam (NDB) optical encoder and the associated electronics. In those works the displacement was sensed by means of a generated photocurrent. In this work we propose a new scheme that uses voltages instead of currents based on a programable gain switched capacitor amplifier. The design was implemented in a standard 0. 5μm CMOS process and was characterized using an optical set up.
Blind estimation of the coherent-to-diffuse energy ratio from noisy speech signals

A novel dual-channel algorithm is proposed which estimates the coherent-to-diffuse energy ratio (CDR) of background noise in mixed noise fields. The algorithm is based on an estimate of the noise field coherence from a noisy speech signal and a subsequent minima tracking in order to increase the estimation accuracy even in the presence of speech. The obtained CDR estimate can be used, e.g., for the acoustic environment classification in hearing aids or to control speech enhancement algorithms such as noise reduction or speech dereverberation. Besides, the approach can be used to calculate an estimate of the direct-to-reverberant energy ratio (DRR) blindly from reverberant speech signals.
Allelopathic Potential of Acacia mearnsii De Wild

3 Abstract: The allelopathic potential of the leaves (Lv), leaves + stem (LvS), bark and root of Acacia mearnsii was studied. This was done by examining The effect of aqueous extract and the plant debris on seed germination and emergence of cabbage (Brassica oleracea), African love-grass (Eragrostis curvula) and maize (Zea mays). Germination of cabbage and African love-grass were significantly (P Lv >Root > Bark. Germination index was lower in all the extract treatments compared to the control for both cabbage and African love-grass. This implies that extracts of all the plant parts exhibited varying degree of inhibition to seed germination. The application of debris from various parts of A. mearnsil resulted in 6.7 - 46.7%, 50 - 70% and 0 -33% suppression in the emergence of cabbage, African love-grass and maize seeds respectively. This study lends scientific evidence to the allelopathic potentials of A. mearnsii and the variation in effect among different parts of the plant. We, therefore, conclude that A. mearnsii may be further explored in the biological control of weeds. Key word: Acacia mearnsii Allelopathy Seed germination Seedling emergence and debris bioassay