Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Scheduled Intermittent Screening with Rapid Diagnostic Tests and Treatment with Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine versus Intermittent Preventive Therapy with Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine for Malaria in Pregnancy in Malawi: An Open-Label Randomized Controlled Trial

Background In Africa, most plasmodium infections during pregnancy remain asymptomatic, yet are associated with maternal anemia and low birthweight. WHO recommends intermittent preventive therapy in pregnancy with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP). However, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) efficacy is threatened by high-level parasite resistance. We conducted a trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of scheduled intermittent screening with malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and treatment of RDT-positive women with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) as an alternative strategy to IPTp-SP. Methods and Findings This was an open-label, two-arm individually randomized superiority trial among HIV-seronegative women at three sites in Malawi with high SP resistance. The intervention consisted of three or four scheduled visits in the second and third trimester, 4 to 6 wk apart. Women in the IPTp-SP arm received SP at each visit. Women in the intermittent screening and treatment in pregnancy with DP (ISTp-DP) arm were screened for malaria at every visit and treated with DP if RDT-positive. The primary outcomes were adverse live birth outcome (composite of small for gestational age, low birthweight [<2,500 g], or preterm birth [<37 wk]) in paucigravidae (first or second pregnancy) and maternal or placental plasmodium infection at delivery in multigravidae (third pregnancy or higher). Analysis was by intention to treat. Between 21 July 2011 and 18 March 2013, 1,873 women were recruited (1,155 paucigravidae and 718 multigravidae). The prevalence of adverse live birth outcome was similar in the ISTp-DP (29.9%) and IPTp-SP (28.8%) arms (risk difference = 1.08% [95% CI −3.25% to 5.41%]; all women: relative risk [RR] = 1.04 [95% CI 0.90–1.20], p = 0.625; paucigravidae: RR = 1.10 [95% CI 0.92–1.31], p = 0.282; multigravidae: RR = 0.92 [95% CI 0.71–1.20], p = 0.543). The prevalence of malaria at delivery was higher in the ISTp-DP arm (48.7% versus 40.8%; risk difference = 7.85%, [95% CI 3.07%–12.63%]; all women: RR = 1.19 [95% CI 1.07–1.33], p = 0.007; paucigravidae: RR = 1.16 [95% CI 1.04–1.31], p = 0.011; multigravidae: RR = 1.29 [95% CI 1.02–1.63], p = 0.037). Fetal loss was more common with ISTp-DP (2.6% versus 1.3%; RR = 2.06 [95% CI 1.01–4.21], p = 0.046) and highest among non-DP-recipients (3.1%) in the ISTp-DP arm. Limitations included the open-label design. Conclusions Scheduled screening for malaria parasites with the current generation of RDTs three to four times during pregnancy as part of focused antenatal care was not superior to IPTp-SP in this area with high malaria transmission and high SP resistance and was associated with higher fetal loss and more malaria at delivery. Trial Registration Pan African Clinical Trials Registry PACTR201103000280319; ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN69800930
Effects of Propranolol on the Left Ventricular Volume of Normal Subjects During CT Coronary Angiography

Objective The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of propranolol on the left ventricular (LV) volume during CT coronary angiography. Materials and Methods The LV volume of 252 normal Chinese subjects (126 subjects with propranolol medication and 126 age- and gender-matched Chinese subjects without medication) was estimated using 64 slices multi-detector CT (MDCT). The heart rate difference was analyzed by the logistic linear regression model with variables that included gender, age, body height, body weight, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and the dosage of propranolol. The following global LV functional parameters were calculated: the real-end diastolic volume (EDV), the real-end systolic volume (ESV) and the real-ejection fraction (EF). Results The female subjects had a greater decrease of heart rate after taking propranolol. The difference of heart rate was negatively correlated with the dosage of propranolol. The real-EDV, the real-ESV and the real-EF ranged from 48.1 to 109 mL/m2, 6.1 to 57.1 mL/m2 and 41% to 88%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the SBP and DBP between the groups without and with propranolol medication (123 ± 17 and 80 ± 10 mmHg; 120 ± 14 and 80 ± 11 mmHg, respectively). The real-EDV showed no significant difference between these two groups, but the real-ESV and real-EF showed significant differences between these two groups (69.4 ± 9.3 and 70.6 ± 8.9 mL/m2; 23.5 ± 5.7 and 25.6 ± 3.7 mL/m2, 66.5 ± 5.1% and 63.5 ± 4.6%, respectively). Conclusion The difference of heart rate is significantly influenced by gender and the dosage of propranolol. Propranolol will also increase the ESV, which contributes to a decreased EF, while the SBP, DBP and EDV are not statistically changed.
Multiple receptor tyrosine kinases are expressed in adult rat retinal ganglion cells as revealed by single-cell degenerate primer polymerase chain reaction

Abstract Background. To achieve a better understanding of the repertoire of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) in adult retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) we performed polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using degenerate primers directed towards conserved sequences in the tyrosine kinase domain, on cDNA from isolated single RGCs univocally identified by retrograde tracing from the superior colliculi. Results. All the PCR-amplified fragments of the expected sizes were sequenced, and 25% of them contained a tyrosine kinase domain. These were: Axl, Csf-1R, Eph A4, Pdgfrβ, Ptk7, Ret, Ros, Sky, TrkB, TrkC, Vegfr-2, and Vegfr-3. Non-RTK sequences were Jak1 and 2. Retinal expression of Axl, Csf-1R, Pdgfrβ, Ret, Sky, TrkB, TrkC, Vegfr-2, and Vegfr-3, as well as Jak1 and 2, was confirmed by PCR on total retina cDNA. Immunodetection of Csf-1R, Pdgfrα/β, Ret, Sky, TrkB, and Vegfr-2 on retrogradely traced retinas demonstrated that they were expressed by RGCs. Co-localization of Vegfr-2 and Csf-1R, of Vegfr-2 and TrkB, and of Csf-1R and Ret in retrogradely labelled RGCs was shown. The effect of optic nerve transection on the mRNA level of Pdgfrβ, Csf-1R, Vegfr-2, Sky, and Axl, and of the Axl ligands Gas6 and ProteinS, was analysed. These analyses show transection-induced changes in Axl and ProteinS mRNA levels. Conclusions. The repertoire of RTKs expressed by RGCs is more extensive than previously anticipated. Several of the receptors found in this study, including Pdgfrβ, Csf-1R, Vegfr-2, Sky, and Axl, and their ligands, have not previously been primarily associated with retinal ganglion cells.
New Robust Tests for Reduced Rank with Application to Bond and Stock Markets

We test for reduced rank in the U.S. bond and stock markets, using a standard score method and a new generalized Wald method which is insensitive to the choice and ordering of reference equations. Both methods are easily modified to accommodate robustness to autocorrelation and heteroskedasticity. With the aid of these tests we find that bonds with different maturities differ due to differing market and industrial betas. Stocks sorted by firm size also differ, in this case due to differences in consumption, monetary and expected inflation betas. Diverse patterns of sensitivities are responsible for differences between the two markets. JEL CLASSIFICATION: G12, C3
Export Specialization and Competitiveness of the Malaysian Manufacturing : Trends , Challenges and Prospects By Dr

This study provides an in-depth analysis of shifting export specialisation at the SITC 3digit product category level and links this analysis to Malaysian export potential. The paper uses the revealed comparative advantage framework to analyse the extent of export competition between Malaysia and other ASEAN economies. It argues that the degree of competition among ASEAN countries will intensify with the implementation of ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and the emergence of other low cost producers in the region. It aims to explore how AFTA will influence Malaysian manufacturing. In the presence of growing trade liberalisation, competitive pressures, and the changing structure of world demand, this study calls for a reassessment of the factors that influence Malaysia's export competitiveness. Prepared For: Fifth Annual Conference on International Trade Education and Research Melbourne 26 – 27 October 2000
Irreflexive and Hierarchical Relations as Translations

We consider the problem of embedding entities and relations of knowledge bases in lowdimensional vector spaces. Unlike most existing approaches, which are primarily efficient for modeling equivalence relations, our approach is designed to explicitly model irreflexive relations, such as hierarchies, by interpreting them as translations operating on the low-dimensional embeddings of the entities. Preliminary experiments show that, despite its simplicity and a smaller number of parameters than previous approaches, our approach achieves state-of-the-art performance according to standard evaluation protocols on data from WordNet and Freebase.
Line profiles of water for the photon dominated region and embedded sources in the S140 region

H(2)O is a key ingredient in many interstellar environments, like photon dominated regions and star forming clouds. It plays an important role in the oxygen chemistry and can act as a coolant in dense interstellar clouds and shocks. Observations and modelling of water lines thus provide powerful diagnostics of the physical conditions in interstellar emission zones. A radiative transfer method for the treatment of molecular lines is presented. We apply this method to previous SWAS and ISO observations of water vapor in the source S140 in order to make models to plan for, and to interpret, HIFI data. Level populations are calculated with the use of a three-dimensional (multi-zone) escape probability method and with a long characteristic code that uses Monte-Carlo techniques with fixed directions. Homogeneous and inhomogeneous models are used to compute the differences between H(2)O line profiles across the S140 region. We find that when an outflow or infall velocity field with a gradient of a few km s(-1) is adopted, line profiles with a FWHM of 6 km s(-1) are found, in agreement with observations. Inhomogeneous models are favoured to produce a single-peaked line profile. When zooming in on smaller regions within the PDR, the shapes of the line profiles start to differ due to the different temperature and density distributions there. The embedded sources are traced by high excitation lines, e. g. , 3(21)-2(21),3(03)-2(12),2(12)-1(01) and 2(20)- 1(11). The computed intensities are roughly consistent with existing ISO observations. Water emission in a PDR source like S140 requires a combination of a pure PDR and an embedded source in order to match the observations. Because of its good angular resolution, HIFI will be able to distinguish between a dense star forming region or a more diffuse gas component. It is therefore important for future observing programs to consider both in their predictions of the emission characteristics of water in these environments.
Contextualizing Transformational Leadership Theories in China: A Confucian Perspective

Transformational leadership, though widely studied in the literature, lacks sufficient contextual analysis of its essential leadership process and differences in characteristic behaviors under different cultural settings, especially in the Asian context. This research, through qualitative data collected from eight Chinese organizations (four state-owned enterprises and four private-owned enterprises), empirically examines the Western transformational leadership theory in China. Moreover, by studying Chinese leaders’ daily behaviors, we develop a transformational leadership theory in the Chinese business context. This research contributes to contextualizing transformational leadership behaviors and providing deep insights into the Chinese transformational leadership process from a philosophical perspective. Findings can be applied to both Chinese and Western management studies as well as the World of business practice.
The Home Insulation Program: An Example of Australian Government Failure

The public concern surrounding the Australian Government Home Insulation Program (HIP) continues despite the abrupt termination of the program in the light of its deleterious safety consequences and fiscally wasteful management. This enduring unease has been reflected in a variety of official inquiries and reports including the Hawke Review (2010), an inquiry by the Senate Environment, Communications and the Arts References Committee (2010), a performance audit by the Commonwealth Auditor-General (2010) and two Departmental annual reports (DCCEE 2010; DEWHA 2010). Taking into account this body of evidence, we argue that the HIP represents an example of government failure, which, in turn, led to a range of unintended ‘human costs’ including the tragic deaths of four young installation workers. Moreover it is also argued that, in future, programs like the HIP are best administered by state/territory and local governments which are often best placed to deliver ‘on the ground’ services.
The response of the Fe Kα line to changes in the X-ray illumination of accretion discs

X-ray reflection spectra from photoionized accretion discs in active galaxies are presented for a wide range of illumination conditions. The energy, equivalent width (EW) and flux of the Fe Ka line are shown to depend strongly on the ratio of illuminating flux to disc flux, F x /F d i s c , the photon index of the irradiating power law, Γ, and the incidence angle of the radiation, i. When F x /F d i s c ≤ 2 a neutral Fe Ka line is prominent for all but the largest values of Γ. At higher illuminating fluxes an He-like Fe Ka line at 6.7 keV dominates the line complex. With a high-energy cut-off of 100 keV, the thermal ionization instability seems to suppress the ionized Fe Ka line when Γ ≤ 1.6. The Fe Ka line flux correlates with F x /F d i s c , but the dependence weakens as iron becomes fully ionized. The EW is roughly constant when F x /F d i s c is low and a neutral line dominates, but then declines as the line progresses through higher ionization stages. There is a strong positive correlation between the Fe Ka EW and Γ when the line energy is at 6.7 keV, and a slight negative one when it is at 6.4 keV. This is a potential observational diagnostic of the ionization state of the disc. Observations of the broad Fe Ka line, which take into account any narrow component, would be able to test these predictions. Ionized Fe Ka lines at 6.7 keV are predicted to be common in a simple magnetic flare geometry. A model that includes multiple ionization gradients on the disc is postulated to reconcile the results with observations.
Genetic Structure and Drug Susceptibility Patterns of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex Strains Responsible of Human Pulmonary Tuberculosis in the Major Rearing Region in Cameroon

Background. Cameroon this last decade continues to present a low contribution of M. africanum and M. bovis in human tuberculosis (TB), while M. bovis was prevalent in cattle but all these pieces of information only concerned West and Center regions. Methods. We carried out the first study in Adamaoua, one of the most rearing regions of Cameroon, on the genetic structure and drug susceptibility of the MTBC strains isolated from newly diagnosed sputum smear-positive patients aged 15 years and above. For that purpose, spoligotyping, a modified 15 standard MIRU/VNTR loci typing, and the proportion method were used. Results. Four hundred and thirty-seven MTBC isolates were analyzed by spoligotyping. Of these, 423 were identified as M. tuberculosis, within the Cameroon family being dominant with 278 (65.7%) isolates; twelve (2.75%) isolates were classified as M. africanum and two as M. bovis. MIRU/VNTR typing of the most prevalent sublineage (SIT 61) suggested that this lineage is not a unique clone as thought earlier but could constitute a group of strains implicated to different pocket of TB transmission. Only M. tuberculosis sublineages were associated with antituberculosis drug resistance. Conclusion. These results showed the weak contribution of M. africanum and M. bovis to human active pulmonary tuberculosis in Cameroon even in the rearing region.
Creating a Common Polity: Religion, Economy, and Politics in the Making of the Greek Koinon

Preface Abbreviations Maps Introduction Strategies Old and New Institutions An Example A Road Map Part I. Cooperation, Competition, and Coercion: A Narrative History 1. The Archaic Period and the Fifth Century Boiotia Achaia Aitolia 2. The Fourth Century Common Wars, Common Peaces, Common Polities, 404--371 Theban Hegemony and the Hegemony of the Koinon, 371--346 A New Macedonian Order, 346--323 3. The Hellenistic Period Mainland Greece and the Wars of the Successors, 323--285 Independence and Expansion, 284--245 Shifting Alliances, 245--229 The Roman Entrance and the War against Kleomenes, 229--222 The Rise of Philip V and the Social War, 221--217 The First and Second Macedonian Wars: Rome, Aitolia, and Philip V, 215--196 The Freedom of the Greeks and the Dismantling of Regional Cooperation, 196--167 Bargaining with Rome, the Struggle for Sparta, and the End of the Achaian Koinon, 167--146 Part II. Interactions and Institutions 4. Cultic Communities Building Regional Communities Politicizing Regional Communities Legitimating and Celebrating the Power of the Koinon Reproducing the Power of the Koinon 5. Economic Communities Cooperative Coinage and Early Forms of Economic Cooperation Protecting and Promoting Economic Mobility Resource Complementarity and Economic Interdependence Winning the Battle for Resources Taxation and Regional State Revenues Managing Economic Crises and Disputes 6. Political Communities Coercion and Cooperation in the Formation of the Koinon The Terms of the Federal Compromise Enforcement, Negotiation, and Institutional Stability Conclusion Appendix: Epigraphic Dossier I. Boiotia: T1--T33 II. Achaia: T34--T46 III. Aitolia: T47--T61 Bibliography Index
The First Symbiont-Free Genome Sequence of Marine Red Alga, Susabi-nori (Pyropia yezoensis)

Nori, a marine red alga, is one of the most profitable mariculture crops in the world. However, the biological properties of this macroalga are poorly understood at the molecular level. In this study, we determined the draft genome sequence of susabi-nori (Pyropia yezoensis) using next-generation sequencing platforms. For sequencing, thalli of P. yezoensis were washed to remove bacteria attached on the cell surface and enzymatically prepared as purified protoplasts. The assembled contig size of the P. yezoensis nuclear genome was approximately 43 megabases (Mb), which is an order of magnitude smaller than the previously estimated genome size. A total of 10,327 gene models were predicted and about 60% of the genes validated lack introns and the other genes have shorter introns compared to large-genome algae, which is consistent with the compact size of the P. yezoensis genome. A sequence homology search showed that 3,611 genes (35%) are functionally unknown and only 2,069 gene groups are in common with those of the unicellular red alga, Cyanidioschyzon merolae. As color trait determinants of red algae, light-harvesting genes involved in the phycobilisome were predicted from the P. yezoensis nuclear genome. In particular, we found a second homolog of phycobilisome-degradation gene, which is usually chloroplast-encoded, possibly providing a novel target for color fading of susabi-nori in aquaculture. These findings shed light on unexplained features of macroalgal genes and genomes, and suggest that the genome of P. yezoensis is a promising model genome of marine red algae.
Panel Based MALDI-TOF Tumour Profiling Is a Sensitive Method for Detecting Mutations in Clinical Non Small Cell Lung Cancer Tumour

Background Analysis of tumour samples for mutations is becoming increasingly important in driving personalised therapy in cancer. As more targeted therapies are developed, options to survey mutations in multiple genes in a single tumour sample will become ever more attractive and are expected to become the mainstay of molecular diagnosis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the future. Materials and Methods 238 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumour samples were analysed using a custom panel of 82 mutation assays across 14 oncogenes including KRAS and EGFR using Sequenom iPlex Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionisation Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF). We compared the data generated for KRAS mutations to those detected by Amplification Refractory Mutation System (ARMS) based DxS TheraScreen K-RAS Mutation Kit. Results The ARMS detected mutations in 46/238 tumour samples. For samples with mutations detected by both approaches, 99.1% overall agreement was observed. The MALDI-TOF method detected an additional 6 samples as KRAS mutation positive and also provided data on concomitant mutations including PIK3CA and TP53. Conclusions The Sequenom MALDI-TOF method provides a sensitive panel-based approach which makes efficient use of patient diagnostic samples. This technology could provide an opportunity to deliver comprehensive screening of relevant biomarkers to the clinic earlier in disease management, without the need for repeat biopsy and allow for additional downstream analysis in NSCLC where available tissue may have been exhausted.
FIRST VIEWS OF A NEARBY LIRG: STAR FORMATION AND MOLECULAR GAS IN IRAS 04296+2923

We present a first look at the local luminous infrared galaxy (LIRG) IRAS 04296+2923. This barred spiral galaxy, overlooked because of its location behind the Taurus molecular cloud, is among the half dozen closest (D = 29 Mpc) LIRGs. More IR-luminous than either M82 or the Antennae, it may be the best local example of a nuclear starburst caused by bar-mediated secular evolution. We present Palomar J and Pa β images, Very Large Array continuum maps from λ= 20–1.3 cm, a subarcsecond Keck Long Wavelength Spectrometer image at 11.7 μm and Owens Valley Millimeter Array CO(1–0), 13CO(1–0), and 2.7 mm continuum images. The J-band image reveals a symmetric barred spiral galaxy. Two bright, compact mid-infrared and radio sources in the nucleus mark a starburst that is energetically equivalent to ∼105 O7 stars, separated by ≲50 pc. This is probably a pair of young super star clusters, with estimated stellar masses of ∼107 M☉ each. The nuclear starburst is forming stars at the rate of ∼12 ± 6 M☉ yr−1, or about half of the total star formation rate for the galaxy of ∼25 ± 10 M☉ yr−1. IRAS 04296+2923 is very bright in CO, and among the most gas-rich galaxies in the local universe. The 12CO luminosity of the inner half kpc is equivalent to that of the entire Milky Way. While the most intense CO emission is extended over a 15″ (2 kpc) diameter region, the nuclear starburst is confined to within 1″–2″ (150–250 pc) of the dynamical center. Based on masses obtained with 13CO, we find that the CO conversion factor in the nucleus is lower than the Galactic value, XGalCO by a factor of three to four, typical of gas-rich spiral nuclei. The nuclear star formation efficiency (SFE) is nucMgas/SFRnuc = 2.7 × 10−8yr−1, corresponding to a gas consumption timescale, τnucSF ∼ 4 × 107 yr. The SFE is 10 times lower in the disk, with τdiskSF ∼ 3.3 × 108 yr. The low absolute SFE in the disk implies that the molecular gas is not completely consumed before it drifts into the nucleus, and is capable of fueling a sustained nuclear starburst. IRAS 04296+2923 appears to be beginning a 100 Myr period as an LIRG, during which it will turn much of its 6 × 109 M☉ of molecular gas into a nuclear cluster of stars.