Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and Safety of Avandamet or Uptitrated Metformin Treatment in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Inadequately Controlled with Metformin Alone: A Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Trial

Background: At present, China has listed the compound tablet containing a fixed dose of rosiglitazone and metformin, Avandamet, which may improve patient compliance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Avandamet or uptitrated metformin treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with metformin alone. Methods: This study was a 48-week, multicenter, randomized, open-labeled, active-controlled trial. Patients with inadequate glycaemic control (glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c] 7.5–9.5%) receiving a stable dose of metformin (≥1500 mg) were recruited from 21 centers in China (from 19 November, 2009 to 15 March, 2011). The primary objective was to compare the proportion of patients who reached the target of HbA1c ⩽7% between Avandamet and metformin treatment. Results: At week 48, 83.33% of patients reached the target of HbA1c ⩽7% in Avandamet treatment and 70.00% in uptitrated metformin treatment, with significantly difference between groups. The target of HbA1c ⩽6.5% was reached in 66.03% of patients in Avandamet treatment and 46.88% in uptitrated metformin treatment. The target of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ⩽6.1 mmol/L was reached in 26.97% of patients in Avandamet treatment and 19.33% in uptitrated metformin treatment. The target of FPG ⩽7.0 mmol/L was reached in 63.16% of patients in Avandamet treatment and 43.33% in uptitrated metformin treatment. Fasting insulin decreased 3.24 ± 0.98 &mgr;U/ml from baseline in Avandamet treatment and 0.72 ± 1.10 &mgr;U/ml in uptitrated metformin treatment. Overall adverse event (AE) rates and serious AE rates were similar between groups. Hypoglycaemia occurred rarely in both groups. Conclusions: Compared with uptitrated metformin, Avandamet treatment provided significant improvements in key parameters of glycemic control and was generally well tolerated. Registration number: ChiCTR-TRC-13003776.
Working memory in South Africa

Working memory allows for continual updating and maintenance of information for cognitive and behavioural guidance. It provides continuity of experience and is integral to complex and adaptive human functioning. This study investigated performance on a selection of computer-based neuropsychological tests of working memory in a sample of 105 South African adults. The central aim was to examine whether demographic and computer performance variables affected performance on the computer-administered tests. Another key research question was whether commonly used tests of working memory measured domain-specific components of working memory, or tapped into domain-free executive attention. In particular, the study examined the nBack Test, which had been used extensively in international research but was not sufficiently validated in the literature. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted to investigate the validity of this test. The study found that the ability to manipulate a computer mouse affected performance particularly on the timed computerised tests, and that computer ability was also related to prior experience using a computer, confidence using a computer, gender and home language. Computer mouse ability was subsequently partialed out of the analysis as a covariate. No significant main effects of computer experience, confidence, gender or home language were found when computer mouse ability was removed from the analysis. This suggested that the demographic differences in performance found on the tests may have been informed by experience and confidence using a computer rather than reflect true differences in performance between the groups. Once computer mouse ability had been partialed from the results the 2-Back condition of the n-Back Test correlated significantly with the backward condition of the Digit Span Test, the forward condition of the Spatial Span Test, and part B of the Trail Making Test around the use of complex executive attention, which provided some evidence for the n -Back Test as a measure of the executive component of working memory. However, the n-Back Test did not load onto the same factor as these tests, but it appeared that the n-Back and Digit Span Tests factored around the type of executive resource demanded by each test.
Ovarian Sertoli - Leydig cell tumors: A clinicopathological analysis of 207 cases

The clinical and pathological features of 207 ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors from our consultation and hospital files were reviewed. The patients ranged in age from 2 to 75 (average 25) years. Seventy-five percent of them were 30 years of age or younger and less than 10% were over 50 years of age. One-third of the patients presented because of unequivocal evidence of androgen excess, and an additional 10% had a history suggesting androgen excess; most of the remaining patients complained of abdominal swelling or pain. At operation, 97.5% of the tumors were Stage I, 1.5% were Stage II, and 1% were Stage III. Both ovaries were involved in 1.5% of the cases. The tumors ranged from microscopic to 51 cm in diameter (average 13.5 cm); 15% of them were ruptured. Thirty-eight percent of the tumors were solid, 58% were solid and cystic, and 4% were cystic. The solid tissue was typically lobulated and yellow. On microscopic examination, 11% of the tumors were well differentiated, 54% were of intermediate differentiation, 13% were poorly differentiated, and 22% contained heterologous elements according to the criteria of the World Health Organization; a prominent retiform pattern was present in 15% of them. Follow-up was obtained for 164 patients. The tumor was clinically malignant in 18% of them. The prognosis correlated most meaningfully with the stage and degree of differentiation of the tumor. The high-stage tumors were all clinically malignant. All the well-differentiated tumors were benign, but 11% of those of intermediate differentiation, 59% of the poorly differentiated tumors, and 19% of those with heterologous elements were malignant. In a few cases radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of the two, in addition to surgical excision, was of benefit in the management of the malignant tumors
Memory of Lenin Ltd. : Reindeer-herding brigades on the Kola Peninsula

L'A. retrace les modalites de la continuite de l'elevage des rennes chez les Sami (ou Sames) de la peninsule de Kola (Russie) malgre les mesures economiques de la politique sovietique et le contexte cahotique contemporain. L'A. analyse les mesures de privatisation economique version sovhoism, la production et le marche de la viande de rennes, la gestion de l'elevage et l'avenir economique des Sami. Cette etude s'inscrit dans un projet de recherche sur les societes traditionnelles peripheriques au regime post-sovietique et sur leurs strategies de resistance culturelle et economique et d'adaptation aux changements sociaux contemporains.
Catecholamine Metabolism in Experimental Hypertension in the Rat

The role of catecholamines was investigated in uninephrectomized Sprague-Dawley male rats made hypertensive by administration of desoxycorticosterone and a high salt diet. The accumulation of tritiated norepinephrine and the endogenous norepinephrine levels were measured in the various organs. The content of endogenous norepinephrine and the accumulation of 3H-norepinephrine 1 hour after its injection were reduced in the heart, spleen, intestine, skeletal muscle, and kidney of hypertensive rats as compared to controls. Simultaneously, an increase in total 3H-metabolites was also found in the hypertensive animals. A highly significant inverse relation was established between the level of blood pressure and the accumulation of 3H-norepinephrine or endogenous norepinephrine levels in the heart. The abnormalities observed in the disposition of exogenously administered and endogenous norepinephrine do not appear to be secondary to a change in the distribution of cardiac output to the various organs. Since the initial uptake was normal in the hypertensive rats, the reduced capacity to accumulate norepinephrine seems to be related to a defect in the storage of norepinephrine.
Morphological and Bactericidal Effects of Amikacin, Meropenem and Imipenem on Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa might be converted to coccoid bacteria under antibiotic stress. Bacterial conversion would increase resistance to antibiotics due to changes in cell wall crosslink or decreased metabolic activity. Morphology of P. aeruginosa under stress conditions (presence of antibiotics) can be changed to elongated bacilli, U shape and finally coccoid bacteria. Results of several researches showed that coccoid bacteria are one of the most important aspects of drug resistance. It would be the major reason for treatment failure. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine in vitro morphological and bactericidal effects of amikacin, meropenem and imipenem on P. aeruginosa isolated from clinical specimens. Materials and Methods: Eight P. aeruginosa isolates obtained from clinical samples of burned patients and standard strain ATCC 27853 were used in this study. Isolates were identified by biochemical tests and confirmed by PCR method using ITS specific primer. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of three antibiotics were determined by E-test method. Bacteria were exposed to antibiotics at different concentrations. Bacterial morphology in different days was examined by specific microscope and viability of isolates was examined by flow cytometry Results: All used antibiotics at sub MIC concentration had capability to induce coccoid bacteria. The highest rate of induced coccoid bacteria was 98.2% after 8 days, with contribution of imipenem and meropenem at 2 μg/mL concentration. Amikacin at 4 μg/mL concentration induced lower rate of coccoid bacteria (55.05%). Amikacin had a strong bactericidal effect on coccoid bacteria at 8 μg/mL concentration. Imipenem and meropenem showed very weak bactericidal effect on coccoid bacteria. Conclusions: Induction of coccoid form of P. aeruginosa may be one of the important reasons for antibiotic treatment failure; therefore, prescribed dose of antibiotics should be carefully managed to prevent increasing antibiotic resistance and coccoid bacteria induction.
Anxiety: its role in the history of psychiatric epidemiology

Background The role played by anxiety in the history of psychiatric epidemiology has not been well recognized. Such lack of understanding retarded the incremental growth of psychiatric research in general populations. It seems useful to look back on this history while deliberations are being carried out about how anxiety will be presented in DSM-V. Method Drawing on the literature and our own research, we examined work that was carried out during and after the Second World War by a Research Branch of the United States War Department, by the Stirling County Study, and by the Midtown Manhattan Study. The differential influences of Meyerian psychobiology and Freudian psychoanalysis are noted. Results The instruments developed in the early epidemiologic endeavors used questions about nervousness, palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, upset stomach, etc. These symptoms are important features of what the clinical literature called ‘manifest’, ‘free-floating’ or ‘chronic anxiety’. A useful descriptive name is ‘autonomic anxiety’. Conclusions Although not focusing on specific circumstances as in Panic and Phobic disorders, a non-specific form of autonomic anxiety is a common, disabling and usually chronic disorder that received empirical verification in studies of several community populations. It is suggested that two types of general anxiety may need to be recognized, one dominated by excessive worry and feelings of stress, as in the current DSM-IV definition of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), and another emphasizing frequent unexplainable autonomic fearfulness, as in the early epidemiologic studies.
Application of Multi-Attribute Utility Theory to Measure Social Preferences for Health States

A four-attribute health state classification system designed to uniquely categorize the health status of all individuals two years of age and over is presented. A social preference function defined over the health state classification system is required. Standard multi-attribute utility theory is investigated for the task, problems are identified and modifications to the standard method are proposed. The modified methods is field tested in a survey research project involving 112 home interviews. Results are presented and discussed in detail for both the social preference function and the performance of the modified method. A recommended social preference function is presented, complete with a range of uncertainty. The modified method is found to be applicable to the task--no insurmountable difficulties are encountered. Recommendations are presented, based on our experience, for other investigators who may be interested in reapplying the method in other studies.
Factors associated with self-compassion in clinical psychologists

At present, two dominant conceptualisations of self-compassion exist. However, a unifying consensus includes self-compassion as a basic kindness and an understanding, non-judgemental attitude towards ones inadequacies and failures (Neff, 2003a), coupled with the wish and effort to relieve ones suffering (Gilbert, 2010a). A review of the literature reveals elevated stress levels within clinical psychologists (CP’s) and a disproportionate amount of research exploring effective self-care strategies. Given the well-evidenced benefits of self-compassion for good psychological wellbeing, it seemed valuable to understand what the levels of self-compassion were within CP’s and establish what factors may relate to them. The factors explored in the present research were: 1) current levels of stress, 2) current level of psychological distress, 3) age of clinician, 4) years of clinical experience, 5) level of social connectedness, 6) fear of giving compassion to others, 7) fear of receiving compassion from others and 8) fear of self-compassion. Furthermore, no research had demonstrated UK community normative data for the Self-Compassion Scale (Neff, 2003b). Therefore this research adopted a quantitative, cross sectional design, using both online and paper methods to access a community sample and an online survey to access trainee and qualified CP’s. Analyses revealed that qualified CP’s reported significantly higher self-compassion than trainees, themselves significantly higher than a community sample. A multiple regression analyses revealed that fear of self-compassion, perceived stress and social connectedness, significantly related to self-compassion scores in trainee CP’s. Within the qualified CP, fear of self-compassion and perceived stress again were found to significantly relate to self-compassion. Results also demonstrated that in the UK, 1/3rd of trainee CP’s and 1/5th of qualified CP’s reported psychological distress significant enough to meet the clinical criteria for an anxiety or depressive disorder. These findings are therefore discussed and clinical implications are presented.
“No Time for Messin’ Around!” Understanding Black Educator Urgency: Implications for the Preparation of Urban Educators

Studies of effective Black educators describe the teacher’s sense of urgency as the guiding perspective that manifests in their authoritative, insistent manner. Although the bulk of this work offers snapshots of insistence in practice, less is known about the perspectives that undergird Black educator urgency. Using collaborative inquiry methodology framed within an emancipatory theoretical perspective, this article describes the sociocultural factors that give rise to the sense of urgency perceived by Black educators. Findings revealed that the factors that contributed to Black educator urgency were rooted in the educators’ culture-specific perspectives. Discussion and implications for teacher educators conclude the article.
Age has no influence on mobilization of peripheral blood stem cells in acute myeloid leukemia

The upper age limit for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is increasing and peripheral blood (PB) represents the standard source of stem cell (SC). However, no data are available on the impact of age on SC mobilization in AML. We analyzed a cohort of 150 consecutive AML patients in first complete remission in order to make a comparison between patients up to 60 years and above 60 years, by evaluating CD34+ cells mobilization into PB and the number of leukapheresis needed to collect at least one single SC graft. The successful mobilization rate (>2 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg) was comparable between the two groups (87% vs. 80%, p = 0.29). In addition, no statistically significant difference was found in terms of either median number of CD34+ cells collected (p = 0.54) or CD34+ cells peak in PB (p = 0.70). Both groups of patients needed a median of two apheresis and no difference was found in the median number of CD34+ cells collected per single apheresis (p = 0.67). Finally, no correlation was found between age and total number of CD34+ cells collected (r = 0.003, p = 0.58). We conclude that age has no impact on mobilization of PBSCs in AML. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The FimH A27V Mutation Is Pathoadaptive for Urovirulence in Escherichia coli B2 Phylogenetic Group Isolates

ABSTRACT Correlations between FimH mutations and virulence were established by studying a collection of human commensal and extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli natural isolates. Pathoadaptive (A27V and, to a lesser extent, A119V) and “commensal-adaptive” (A202V) mutations were evidenced in B2 phylogenetic group strains. fimH phylogenetic analysis indicates that these pathoadaptive mutations occurred several times.
Social structure, belief, attitude, intention, and behavior: a partial test of Liska's revisions

Allen Liska a critique le modele de Fishbein/Ajzen rendant compte des relations entre croyances, attitudes et comportement. Le modele dit «du Wisconsin» est utilise pour tester l'idee de Liska selon laquelle le statut social ne peserait pas de tout son poids sur le comportement via les attitudes, les normes subjectives et finalement les intentions de comportement-contrairement a ce que soutient le modele de Fishbein/Ajzen
Liquid and solid carbohydrate foods: comparative effects on glycemic and insulin responses, and satiety

It is speculated that the physical form (liquid or solid) of the food substrate has an independent effect on the body's satiety mechanisms. Using a balanced and controlled design, the objective of the present study was to determine the glycemic response (GR), insulin response (IR) and subjective feelings of satiety to two solid (rice [BR] and spaghetti) and two liquid (orange juice and a sugar-sweetened fruit drink [SSD]) foods. Ten healthy participants consumed volume (576 ml) and carbohydrate (50 g) matched portions of the above test foods following a 12-h fast. Blood samples were obtained for the ensuing 120 min for glucose and insulin determination. The subjects also completed visual analog scales (VAS) providing data on subjective feelings of hunger, fullness and satiety. Although there were some significant differences in the total incremental areas under the curve for the GR and IR to liquids and solids, there were notable distinctions in the pattern of the response curves. The BR and SSD elicited significantly different levels of subjective hunger, fullness and satiety. The VAS ratings for all four treatments were at or below baseline by 30 min post-consumption. There were no associations between the GR/IR and VAS ratings. Although the GR and IR were not different between liquids and solids, their differential response patterns could have an impact on satiety and merits further investigation.
The Idea of Collaboration in the Academy: Its Epistemic and Social Potentials and Risks for Knowledge Generation

This conceptual article explores the idea of academic collaboration from a perspective that places knowledge in the centre of the inquiry. It considers the extent to which collaboration maintains its intrinsic salience for the academy, despite the proliferation of external incentives and injunctions. As scientific and socio-economic progress has been associated with collaboration, this has come to be viewed as a carrier of scientific and social returns, thus worthy of policy and institutional support. At the same time, though, the value of collaboration has been questioned. What are the dangers and the potentials attributed to collaborative arrangements? Why is collaboration a well-embraced but also a contested notion? Despite various degrees of adherence to the idea of collaboration, a progressive shift from the lone scholar to collaborative formations can be traced, making collaborations an embedded feature of the changing face of higher education and research. Although the role of research funding and institutional governance in this development is undisputed, the argument put forth here is that knowledge-related rationales continue to underpin collaborative pursuits with a research component, but that often these influences tend to remain underemphasised and unexplored.
Evolving Morphologies of Simulated 3d Organisms Based on Differential Gene Expression

Most simulations of biological evolu tion depend on a rather restricted set of properties In this paper a richer model based on di erential gene expres sion is introduced to control develop mental processes in an arti cial evolu tionary system Di erential gene expres sion is used to get di erent cell types and to modulate cell division and cell death One of the advantages using developmental processes in evolutionary systems is the reduction of the informa tion needed in the genome to encode e g shapes or cell types which results in bet ter scaling behavior of the system My result showed that the shaping of multi cellular organisms in d is possible with the proposed system
Conversion factor for comparison of data from Humphrey and Medmont automated perimeters

Background: Clinical experience has shown that the sensitivity indices reported by the Humphrey Field Analyser (HFA) are generally higher than those given by the Medmont Automated Perimeter (M600). It is the purpose of this paper to determine a conversion factor for the two perimeters and to confirm this prediction using clinical data. Theory predicted that HFAsensitivity − 5 dB = M600sensitivity.
PAQCS: Physical Design-Aware Fault-Tolerant Quantum Circuit Synthesis

Quantum circuits consist of a cascade of quantum gates. In a physical design-unaware quantum logic circuit, a gate is assumed to operate on an arbitrary set of quantum bits (qubits), without considering the physical location of the qubits. However, in reality, physical qubits have to be placed on a grid. Each node of the grid represents a qubit. The grid implements the architecture of the quantum computer. A physical constraint often imposed is that quantum gates can only operate on adjacent qubits on the grid. Hence, a communication channel needs to be built if the qubits in the logical circuit are not adjacent. In this paper, we introduce a tool called the physical design-aware fault-tolerant quantum circuit synthesis (PAQCS). It contains two algorithms: one for physical qubit placement and another for routing of communications. With the help of these two algorithms, the overhead of converting a logical to a physical circuit is reduced by 30.1%, on an average, relative to previous work. The optimization algorithms in PAQCS are evaluated on circuits implemented using quantum operations supported by two different quantum physical machine descriptions and three quantum error-correcting codes. They reduce the number of primitive operations by 11.5%-68.6%, and the number of execution cycles by 16.9%-59.4%.