Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Artesunate + amodiaquine versus artemether-lumefantrine for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in the Colombian Pacific region: a noninferiority trial.

INTRODUCTION In Colombia, there are no published studies for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria comparing artemisinin combination therapies. Hence, it is intended to demonstrate the non-inferior efficacy/safety profiles of artesunate + amodiaquine versus artemether-lumefantrine treatments. METHODS A randomized, controlled, open-label, noninferiority (Δ≤5%) clinical trial was performed in adults with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria using the 28-day World Health Organization validated design/definitions. Patients were randomized 1:1 to either oral artesunate + amodiaquine or artemether-lumefantrine. The primary efficacy endpoint: adequate clinical and parasitological response; secondary endpoints: - treatment failures defined per the World Health Organization. SAFETY assessed through adverse events. RESULTS A total of 105 patients was included in each group: zero censored observations. Mean (95%CI - Confidence interval) adequate clinical and parasitological response rates: 100% for artesunate + amodiaquine and 99% for artemether-lumefantrine; the noninferiority criteria was met (Δ=1.7%). There was one late parasitological therapeutic failure (1%; artemether-lumefantrine group), typified by polymerase chain reaction as the MAD20 MSP1 allele. The fever clearance time (artesunate + amodiaquine group) was significantly shorter (p=0.002). Respectively, abdominal pain for artesunate + amodiaquine and artemether-lumefantrine was 1.9% and 3.8% at baseline (p=0.68) and 1% and 13.3% after treatment (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria treatment with artesunate + amodiaquine is noninferior to the artemether-lumefantrine standard treatment. The efficacy/safety profiles grant further studies in this and similar populations.
Traditional vs. innovative uses of computers among mathematics pre-service teachers in Serbia

ABSTRACT This study examined pre-service teachers’ intentions to use computers in traditional and innovative teaching practices in primary mathematics classrooms. It extended the technology acceptance model (TAM) by adding as external variables pre-service teachers’ experience with computers and their technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPCK). Data collected from 226 participants revealed that the proposed model had a good fit for both traditional and innovative uses of computers. Structural equation modelling suggested that the established TAM variables, together with TPCK and experience, were significant determinants of pre-service teachers’ intentions to use computers in teaching mathematics at both levels. The most dominant determinant of behavioural intention was TPCK, followed by attitude. The proposed model explained 22.7% of the variance in the use of computers in traditional teaching practices and 27.6% of the variance in the use of computers in innovative teaching practices. The implications for mathematics teaching are discussed in the final section.
Hyperexcitability of Rat Thalamocortical Networks after Exposure to General Anesthesia during Brain Development

Prevailing literature supports the idea that common general anesthetics (GAs) cause long-term cognitive changes and neurodegeneration in the developing mammalian brain, especially in the thalamus. However, the possible role of GAs in modifying ion channels that control neuronal excitability has not been taken into consideration. Here we show that rats exposed to GAs at postnatal day 7 display a lasting reduction in inhibitory synaptic transmission, an increase in excitatory synaptic transmission, and concomitant increase in the amplitude of T-type calcium currents (T-currents) in neurons of the nucleus reticularis thalami (nRT). Collectively, this plasticity of ionic currents leads to increased action potential firing in vitro and increased strength of pharmacologically induced spike and wave discharges in vivo. Selective blockade of T-currents reversed neuronal hyperexcitability in vitro and in vivo. We conclude that drugs that regulate thalamic excitability may improve the safety of GAs used during early brain development.
Large Eddy Simulation of Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Wakes

In this study, large eddy simulation (LES) is combined with a turbine model to investigate the wake behind a vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT) in a three-dimensional turbulent flow. Two methods are used to model the subgrid-scale (SGS) stresses: (a) the Smagorinsky model; and (b) the modulated gradient model. To parameterize the effects of the VAWT on the flow, two VAWT models are developed: (a) the actuator swept-surface model (ASSM), in which the time-averaged turbine-induced forces are distributed on a surface swept by the turbine blades, i.e., the actuator swept surface; and (b) the actuator line model (ALM), in which the instantaneous blade forces are only spatially distributed on lines representing the blades, i.e., the actuator lines. This is the first time that LES has been applied and validated for the simulation of VAWT wakes by using either the ASSM or the ALM techniques. In both models, blade-element theory is used to calculate the lift and drag forces on the blades. The results are compared with flow measurements in the wake of a model straight-bladed VAWT, carried out in the Institute de Mechanique et Statistique de la Turbulence (IMST) water channel. Different combinations of SGS models with VAWT models are studied, and a fairly good overall agreement between simulation results and measurement data is observed. In general, the ALM is found to better capture the unsteady-periodic nature of the wake and shows a better agreement with the experimental data compared with the ASSM. The modulated gradient model is also found to be a more reliable SGS stress modeling technique, compared with the Smagorinsky model, and it yields reasonable predictions of the mean flow and turbulence characteristics of a VAWT wake using its theoretically-determined model coefficient.
Immunogenicity of the Plasmodium falciparum PfEMP1-VarO Adhesin: Induction of Surface-Reactive and Rosette-Disrupting Antibodies to VarO Infected Erythrocytes

Adhesion of Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells (iRBC) to human erythrocytes (i.e. rosetting) is associated with severe malaria. Rosetting results from interactions between a subset of variant PfEMP1 (Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1) adhesins and specific erythrocyte receptors. Interfering with such interactions is considered a promising intervention against severe malaria. To evaluate the feasibility of a vaccine strategy targetting rosetting, we have used here the Palo Alto 89F5 VarO rosetting model. PfEMP1-VarO consists of five Duffy-Binding Like domains (DBL1-5) and one Cysteine-rich Interdomain Region (CIDR1). The binding domain has been mapped to DBL1 and the ABO blood group was identified as the erythrocyte receptor. Here, we study the immunogenicity of all six recombinant PfEMP1-VarO domains and the DBL1- CIDR1 Head domain in BALB/c and outbred OF1 mice. Five readouts of antibody responses are explored: ELISA titres on the recombinant antigen, VarO-iRBC immunoblot reactivity, VarO-iRBC surface-reactivity, capacity to disrupt VarO rosettes and the capacity to prevent VarO rosette formation. For three domains, we explore influence of the expression system on antigenicity and immunogenicity. We show that correctly folded PfEMP1 domains elicit high antibody titres and induce a homogeneous response in outbred and BALB/c mice after three injections. High levels of rosette-disrupting and rosette-preventing antibodies are induced by DBL1 and the Head domain. Reduced-alkylated or denatured proteins fail to induce surface-reacting and rosette-disrupting antibodies, indicating that surface epitopes are conformational. We also report limited cross-reactivity between some PfEMP1 VarO domains. These results highlight the high immunogenicity of the individual domains in outbred animals and provide a strong basis for a rational vaccination strategy targeting rosetting.
Slow-sound photoacoustic microscopy.

We propose to enhance the axial resolution of photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) by reducing the speed of sound within the imaging region of interest. With silicone oil immersion, we have achieved a finest axial resolution of 5.8 μm for PAM, as validated by phantom experiments. The axial resolution was also enhanced in vivo when mouse ears injected with silicone oil were imaged. When tissue-compatible low-speed liquid becomes available, this approach may find broad applications in PAM as well as in other imaging modalities, such as photoacoustic computed tomography and ultrasound imaging.
Asthma and migration

Abstract The dramatic influx of immigrants from South‐East Asian countries into Australia over the past 20 years was associated with an increase in asthma and allergic disease amongst these immigrants. Epidemiological data showed that the prevalence rates of asthma and allergic disease increased with the duration of residence in Australia so that after 10 years in Australia, up to 60% of South‐East Asian immigrants developed hayfever while 15% had symptoms of asthma. Many immigrants developed these conditions for the first time after arrival in Australia suggesting that the environment plays an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma and allergy. While sensitization to inhalant allergens such as house dust mite and grass pollen are apparently important in some, other yet undefined local factors are likely to contribute significantly to the overall increase in prevalence. A prospective study designed to follow a group of migrants in areas where asthma and allergic disease are common such as Australia, may reveal the pathogenic role of the environment and provide valuable information that may explain the global distribution and increasing trend of asthma and allergies.
THE LINKAGE RELATIONS OF HEMOPHILIA A AND HEMOPHILIA B (CHRISTMAS DISEASE) TO THE XG BLOOD GROUP SYSTEM.

SOON AFTER THE RECOGNITION of the X-linked blood group system called Xg (Mann et al., 1962) some of us reported that in the first seven hemophilia A families to be tested the number of recombinants suggested that the Xg groups were very unlikely to be of use in detecting carriers of the hemophilia A gene (O'Brien et al., 1962). The present paper reports progress in anl attempt to establish the recombination fraction between the Xg genes and the genes for hemophilia A (factor VIII deficiency) and for hemophilia B (Christmas disease, factor IX deficiency). The genes for hemophilia A and for hemophilia B occupy separate loci which are not close to each other: the argument for this by Whittaker,
Linking demographic diversity to organisational outcomes : The moderating role of transformational leadership

Purpose – This paper aimed to explore the direct and indirect effects of demographic diversity variables on citizenship behaviours, affective commitment, collective efficacy and general productivity.Design/methodology/approach – A self‐report questionnaire was used to gather data from employees in the public sector (local government) of Australia.Findings – Results of the hierarchical regression analyses showed direct and significant relationships between certain demographic diversity variables and several criterion variables. Moving from non‐management to management level was predictive of an increase in organisational citizenship behaviours and affective commitment. Additionally, an increase in tenure within a work unit was predictive of general productivity. Conversely, an increase in organisational tenure was predictive of a decrease in general productivity. Also, an increase in women in a work unit was predictive of a decrease in organisational citizenship behaviours, collective efficacy beliefs and .
Haplotype sharing transmission/disequilibrium tests that allow for genotyping errors

The present study introduces new Haplotype Sharing Transmission/Disequilibrium Tests (HS‐TDTs) that allow for random genotyping errors. We evaluate the type I error rate and power of the new proposed tests under a variety of scenarios and perform a power comparison among the proposed tests, the HS‐TDT and the single‐marker TDT. The results indicate that the HS‐TDT shows a significant increase in type I error when applied to data in which either Mendelian inconsistent trios are removed or Mendelian inconsistent markers are treated as missing genotypes, and the magnitude of the type I error increases both with an increase in sample size and with an increase in genotyping error rate. The results also show that a simple strategy, that is, merging each rare haplotype to a most similar common haplotype, can control the type I error inflation for a wide range of genotyping error rates, and after merging rare haplotypes, the power of the test is very similar to that without merging the rare haplotypes. Therefore, we conclude that a simple strategy may make the HS‐TDT robust to genotyping errors. Our simulation results also show that this strategy may also be applicable to other haplotype‐based TDTs. Genet. Epidemiol. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
More Is Better, But Fair Is Fair: Tipping in Dictator and Ultimatum Games

Abstract This paper examines Allocators' willingness to reward and punish their paired Recipients. Recipients only compete in a skill-testing contest, the outcome of which determines the size of the surplus. In the dictator game, Allocators reward skillful Recipients, but punish unskillful ones only modestly. The punishment effect is mitigated by the belief held by some Allocators that effort is the appropriate measure of deservingness. The ultimatum game extension reveals offerers' ability to adapt to the strategic environment. Offers to skillful Recipients in the ultimatum game, however, are shown to be motivated by a taste for fairness, and not strategic considerations. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: C70, C91, D63.
Health-related quality of life among African Americans with multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE Identify factors associated with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among African Americans with multiple sclerosis (MS). DESIGN A survey cohort was recruited from the Registry of the North American Research Committee On Multiple Sclerosis (NARCOMS) Project. Data were collected from 131 African Americans with MS, with 111 participants providing all data needed for analyses of physical domains and 103 participants providing all data needed for analyses of mental health domains of HRQOL using multiple linear regression models. RESULTS Worsening MS symptoms and greater interference of MS symptoms with daily life were associated with significantly lower physical domains of HRQOL. Respondents reporting that their principal care physician who had a greater understanding of how MS symptoms affected their daily lives tended to have significantly higher physical dimensions of HRQOL. A previous diagnosis of depression and agreement that participants were sometimes embarrassed in public due to their MS were associated with significantly lower mental health aspects of HRQOL. CONCLUSION Findings highlight the importance of the positive association between the level of understanding by the principal care physician of how MS symptoms affect the lives of African Americans and their physical dimensions of HRQOL. Physicians treating African Americans with MS need to understand how MS symptoms impact the life of these patients as a key component to providing culturally competent care.
Sub-band decomposed multiscale retinex with space varying gain

In this paper, we propose a novel image enhancement algorithm by improving the standard multiscale retinex (MSR) algorithm. A modified retinex output using a combination of two logarithmic functions enhances the details in highlights as well as the details in shadows. Sub-band decomposition of the modified retinex output makes the individual gain control of spectral bands possible, so that we can enhance image details according to band characteristics. Due to the effective sub-band based gain control, the final enhanced image can be automatically obtained without a user-assisted "canonical" gain/offset control. Experimental results clearly demonstrate that the proposed algorithm effectively distinguishes the details in both highlights and shadows and greatly enhances the overall contrast while maintaining a natural scene.
Non-linear evolution of cosmological power spectra

Hamilton et al. have suggested an invaluable scaling formula which describes how the power spectra of density fluctuations evolve into the non-linear regime of hierarchical clustering. This paper presents an extension of their method to low­ density universes and universes with non-zero cosmological constant. We pay particular attention to models with large negative spectral indices, and give a spectrum-dependent fitting formula which is of significantly improved accuracy by comparison with an earlier version of this work. The tendency of non-linear effects to increase power on small scales is stronger for spectra with more negative spectral indices, and for lower densities. However, for low-density models with a cosmological constant, the non-linear effects are less strong than for an open universe of the same O.
The MARINER trial of rivaroxaban after hospital discharge for medical patients at high risk of VTE

Summary Hospital-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a leading cause of premature death and disability worldwide. Evidence-based guidelines recommend that anticoagulant thromboprophylaxis be given to hospitalised medical patients at risk of VTE, but suggest against routine use of thromboprophylaxis beyond the hospital stay. The MARINER study is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of thromboprophylaxis using rivaroxaban, begun at hospital discharge and continued for 45 days, for preventing symptomatic VTE in high-risk medical patients. Eligible patients are identified using the International Medical Prevention Registry on Venous Thromboembolism (IMPROVE VTE) risk score, combined with a laboratory test, D-dimer. The rivaroxaban regimen is 10 mg once daily for patients with CrCl ≥ 50 ml/min, or 7.5 mg once daily for patients with CrCl ≥ 30 ml/min and < 50 ml/ min. The primary efficacy outcome is the composite of symptomatic VTE (lower extremity deep-vein thrombosis and non-fatal pulmonary embolism) and VTE-related death. The principal safety outcome is major bleeding. A blinded clinical events committee adjudicates all suspected outcome events. The sample size is event-driven with an estimated total of 8,000 patients to acquire 161 primary outcome events. Study design features that distinguish MARINER from previous and ongoing thromboprophylaxis trials in medically ill patients are: (i) use of a validated risk assessment model (IMPROVE VTE) and D-dimer determination for identifying eligible patients at high risk of VTE, (ii) randomisation at the time of hospital discharge, (iii) a 45-day treatment period and (iv) restriction of the primary efficacy outcome to symptomatic VTE events.
The Global Agglomeration of Multinational Firms

The explosion of multinational activities in recent decades is rapidly transforming the global landscape of industrial production. But are the emerging clusters of multinational production the rule or the exception? What drives the offshore agglomeration of multinational firms in comparison to the agglomeration of domestic firms? Using a unique worldwide plant-level dataset that reports detailed location, ownership, and operation information for plants in over 100 countries, we construct a spatially continuous index of pairwise-industry agglomeration and investigate the patterns and determinants underlying the global economic geography of multinational firms. Our analysis presents new stylized facts that suggest the emerging offshore clusters of multinationals are not a simple reflection of domestic industrial clusters. Agglomeration economies including capital-good market externality and technology diffusion play a more important role in the offshore agglomeration of multinationals than the agglomeration of domestic firms. These findings remain robust when we address potential reverse causality by exploring the regional pattern and process of agglomeration.
Family Environment Characteristics and Dependent Personality Disorder

This etiological investigation examined the family environment of persons diagnosed with dependent personality disorder in contrast to a clinical control group and a normal control group. Three groups of subjects participated in the study. Two groups of outpatients were included: those diagnosed with dependent personality disorder and an equivalent clinical control group with an absence of dependent personality disorder symptoms. A normal control group was composed of volunteers screened for personality disorders and other psychopathology. The Family Environment Scale was used to compare characteristics of the family of origin among the three groups. The results showed that a unique dysfunctional family background was associated with dependent personality disorder. The distinguishing features of this family environment were low expressiveness and high control in the families of the dependent personality group. The results are discussed with regard to Millon's biosocial learning theory of personality.
Oncolytic reovirus against ovarian and colon cancer.

Reovirus selectively replicates in and destroys cancer cells with an activated Ras signaling pathway. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of using reovirus (serotype 3, strain Dearing) as an antihuman colon and ovarian cancer agent. In in vitro studies, reovirus infection in human colon and ovarian cell lines was assessed by cytopathic effect as detected by light microscopy, [(35)S]Methionine labeling of infected cells for viral protein synthesis and progeny virus production by plaque assay. We observed that reovirus efficiently infected all five human colon cancer cell lines (Caco-2, DLD-1, HCT-116, HT-29, and SW48) and four human ovarian cancer cell lines (MDAH2774, PA-1, SKOV3, and SW626) which were tested, but not a normal colon cell line (CCD-18Co) or a normal ovarian cell line (NOV-31). We also observed that the Ras activity in the human colon and ovarian cancer cell lines was elevated compared with that in normal colon and ovarian cell lines. In animal models, intraneoplastic as well as i.v. inoculation of reovirus resulted in significant regression of established s.c. human colon and ovarian tumors implanted at the hind flank. Histological studies revealed that reovirus infection in vivo was restricted to tumor cells, whereas the surrounding normal tissue remained uninfected. Additionally, in an i.p. human ovarian cancer xenograft model, inhibition of ascites tumor formation and the survival of animals treated with live reovirus was significantly greater than of control mice treated with UV-inactivated reovirus. Reovirus infection in ex vivo primary human ovarian tumor surgical samples was also confirmed, further demonstrating the potential of reovirus therapy. These results suggest that reovirus holds promise as a novel agent for human colon and ovarian cancer therapy.