Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Self-medication and the advisory role of pharmacists in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Background: Self-medication with over-the-counter (OTC) remedies is a common practice in both developed and developing countries; however, inappropriate self-medication can have adverse effects and may contribute to the emergence of drug-resistant pathogens. A consultation with pharmacists plays a crucial role in providing efficient professional guidance advice for appropriate use of OTC medicines. Aims: This paper investigated the situations in which patients ask a pharmacist for advice and the factors that affect the patients' decisions for asking advice from a pharmacist in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A pre-tested structured questionnaire was administered to a sample of 680 patients on a voluntary basis who purchased OTC medicines at various five private pharmacies located in different areas of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Patients were asked to answer a set of closed-ended questionnaire about their practice regarding the purchase of medicines and the factors that influence their decisions to ask for consultation from pharmacists. Nonparametric statistical software (STATISTICA 12.0) was used to analyze the data. Results and Conclusions: The overall response rate was 78.9%. The majority of participants 67.2% were found to visit the pharmacy specifically to purchase OTC medication. Surprisingly, only 12.9% were asked the pharmacist for advice. According to the participants, the reasons that did not encourage them to ask advice from pharmacists were found - 58.2% felt shy and reluctant, 32.9% lack of confidentiality, 25.3% the pharmacist is impatient, 22.7% queues inside the pharmacy, and 14.2% did not trust the pharmacists. The current study revealed that the majority of patients tend to self-medicate and did not ask the pharmacist for advice when they purchased OTC medicines. Effort should be made to raise public awareness with regards to the advisory role of pharmacists and discrete facilities should be provided that encourage patients to ask for advice from the pharmacist.
Social network and private provision of public goods

Using a simple model with interdependent utilities, we study how social networks influence individual voluntary contributions to the provision of a public good. Departing from the standard model of public good provision, we assume that an agent’s utility has two terms: (a) ‘ego’-utility derived from the agent’s consumption of public and private goods, and (b) a social utility which is the sum of utility spillovers from other agents with whom the agent has social relationships. We establish conditions for the existence of a unique interior Nash equilibrium and describe the equilibrium in terms of network characteristics. We show that social network always has a positive effect on the provision of the public good. We also find that, in networks with “small world”-like modular structures, ‘bridging’ ties connecting distant parts of social network play an important role inducing an agent’s contribution to public good. Assumptions and results of the model are discussed in relation to the role of social capital in community-level development projects and to the effect of innovation networks on firms’ R&D investments.
CEO Power and Nonprofit Performance: Evidence from Chinese Philanthropic Foundations

CEO power and its implications have been largely neglected in research on nonprofit governance. This lack of attention is surprising considering the crucial role of CEOs and the importance of power analysis in understanding governance. This paper is an initial attempt to address this gap by developing a two-dimensional framework for conceptualizing CEOs structural power and strategic power in nonprofits and proposing several indicators to operationalize these two kinds of power. Drawing data from an original survey on 163 CEOs of Chinese foundations, this study is among the first to specifically assess how much power a CEO has and the relationship between a CEO’s power and nonprofit effectiveness. My findings suggest that CEOs structural power is positively associated with private donations while strategic power has a negative impact on nonprofits’ social performance.
An electromyographic study of the push-up for women.

Abstract The problem of this study was to examine, through electromyography, the muscular activity required to perform four types of push-up exercises and to determine the existence of patterns of muscular contractions among them. It involved the triceps brachii, deltoid, pectoralis major, trapezius, serratus anterior, rectus abdominis, and external oblique, and was limited to the full, bench, and knee push-ups, and the full let-down. Surface electrodes were used throughout. Ten women who were able to perform 10 or more full push-ups (Group I) and 10 who could perform no more than five knee push-ups (Group II) performed the full, bench, and knee push-ups, or the knee push-up and let-down respectively. The anterior deltoid followed by the triceps brachii, trapezius, and clavicular portion of the pectoralis major were most involved in the push-up exercises. A similar pattern of muscular involvement existed among the push-ups, with the subjects in Group II consistently showing greater muscular activity durin.
Determinants for the use of financial services in Tanzania : a study of behavioural factors

This study focuses on exploring the determinants of the use of financial services in Tanzania with respect to the role of household behavioural factors. This is achieved by attempting three interrelated research questions: i) What are the financial experiences of households in Tanzania? ii) What are beliefs held by households in Tanzania about the use of financial services? iii) What are the effects of household behavioural characteristics for intention to use financial services and subsequent usage of financial services? Both quantitative and qualitative research methods are employed to achieve the research objective. The empirical findings suggest that behavioural factors matter for the use of financial services. Firstly, the examination of household financial experiences on a sample of 30 households through the application of financial diary methodology revealed a variety of household financial experiences that highlight the necessity of financial services to households. Secondly, despite the fact that most households do not use financial services, it is found that households hold positive beliefs about financial services for saving facilities, security, finance, money management and improving economic well-being. Thirdly, structural equations models indicate that attitudes towards financial services, perceived behavioural control and subjective norms significantly impact the intention to use financial services. Perceived behavioural control is observed to prominently influence the use of financial services. The study offers the following contributions: Firstly, it develops a behavioural conceptual framework that integrates financial and psychological perspectives. This framework facilitates a broader understanding of the determinants for the use of financial services from various perspectives. Secondly, it provides distinct insights into the influence of behavioural characteristics in the use of financial services. This adds to the limited empirical literature about the determinants for the use of financial services specifically the effects of behavioural factors. Based on the findings, implications for financial inclusion initiatives and relevant future research have been identified.
Ischemic diffusion lesion reversal is uncommon and rarely alters perfusion-diffusion mismatch

Objective: The use of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to define irreversibly damaged infarct core is challenged by data suggesting potential partial reversal of DWI abnormalities. However, previous studies have not considered infarct involution. We investigated the prevalence of DWI lesion reversal in the EPITHET Trial. Methods: EPITHET randomized patients 3–6 hours from onset of acute ischemic stroke to tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) or placebo. Pretreatment DWI and day 90 T2-weighted images were coregistered. Apparent reversal of the acute ischemic lesion was defined as DWI lesion not incorporated into the final infarct. Voxels of CSF at follow-up were subtracted from regions of apparent DWI lesion reversal to adjust for infarct atrophy. All cases were visually cross-checked to exclude volume loss and coregistration inaccuracies. Results: In 60 patients, apparent reversal involved a median 46% of the baseline DWI lesion (median volume 4.9 mL, interquartile range 2.6–9.5 mL) and was associated with less severe baseline hypoperfusion (p < 0.001). Apparent reversal was increased by reperfusion, regardless of the severity of baseline hypoperfusion (p = 0.02). However, the median volume of apparent reversal was reduced by 45% when CSF voxels were subtracted (2.7 mL, interquartile range 1.6–6.2 mL, p < 0.001). Perfusion–diffusion mismatch classification only rarely altered after adjusting the baseline DWI volume for apparent reversal. Visual comparison of acute DWI to subacute DWI or day 90 T2 identified minor regions of true DWI lesion reversal in only 6 of 93 patients. Conclusions: True DWI lesion reversal is uncommon in ischemic stroke patients. The volume of apparent lesion reversal is small and would rarely affect treatment decisions based on perfusion–diffusion mismatch.
A Call for Action (Research): Applying Science Education Research to Computer Science Instruction

In educational research, investigators in one field are often ignorant of similar research in other fields. Physics education in particular has undergone dramatic reforms in recent years, all based on insights gained from conducting educational research. Often, pedagogical methods resulting from research in one field can be revised and transferred to another. This paper demonstrates that many methods used in physics and other science programmes<fnr rid="b"> <fn id="b">Throughout this paper, programme will refer to the curricular concept and program will refer to computer programs. </fn> can be adapted to teaching computer science. The author has pursued action research in computer science and implemented ideas from science education, especially from physics education, in teaching computer science classes at a small religious secondary school in the southwestern United States. This paper presents ideas and teaching strategies with the hope of building bridges between computer science education research and other science education research.
Competencies Needed by Agricultural Communication Graduates: An Industry Perspective

Competencies needed by agricultural comunication graduates to meet industry needs are dynamic, with new technohnologies being integrated into the communication industry annually. Over the past 35 years, several studies have reviewed agricultural communication curriculum by inquiring of students, graduates, faculty, and industry to determine what coursework, competencies, and objectives should be included to prepare undergraduates. Yet, the literature recommends reviewing curriculum every 2 to 5 years. This Delphi study was conducted to determine what competencies are desired by industry for bachelor of science graduates so existing curricullm at [university name] could be revised. Thirty-seven participants from industry came to consensus on 85 statements. Statements were categorized using curriculum categories from Terry et al. (1995). The ten statements receiving the highest level of agreement were “Conduct activities in an ethical manner,” “Ability to meet deadlines,” “Dependability,” “Strong work ethic,” “Reliable,” “Organizational skills,” “Demonstrate professional/business etiquette in workplace,” “Ability to multi-task,” “ Time management skills,” and “Ability to be a productive member of a team. ” This study sought to address a portion of Agricultural Communications National Research Priority Area 4: “What are the skills, competencies, and resources necessary to prepare professional agricultural communicators for success in various aspects of agricultural knowledge management. ”
Active and Passive Smoking in Breast Cancer: Prospective Results from the Nurses’ Health Study

Background. The role of active and passive smoking in breast cancer remains controversial. Methods. Using data collected in the prospective Nurses’ Health Study, we examined the influence of active and passive smoking on the incidence of invasive breast cancer. The analysis was based on women responding to the 1982 questionnaire, which included questions on passive smoking exposure. Information on active smoking was collected in biennial questionnaires. A total of 78,206 women were followed prospectively from 1982 until June 1996. Results. Of these women, 3,140 reported a diagnosis of invasive breast cancer during follow-up. Compared with never active smoking, relative risks (RR) of breast cancer were 1.04 (95% CI = 0.94–1.15) for current active smoking and 1.09 (95% CI = 1.00–1.18) for past active smoking. The RR for regular passive exposure at work and at home was 0.90 (95% CI = 0.67–1.22). For active smoking, a modest increase in risk was confined to women who began smoking before the age of 17 (RR = 1.19; 95% CI = 1.03–1.37). Conclusion. Results suggest that passive smoking is unrelated to breast cancer. However, results for active smoking are compatible with a small increase in risk when smoking is initiated at young ages.
Predictors of Depression Three Months After Cardiac Hospitalization

Objective: Depression occurs comorbidly in patients hospitalized for a range of cardiac conditions and procedures. This study examines the fluctuations in depressive symptomatology from index hospitalization to 3 months after hospitalization and determines predictors of depression 3 months after hospital admission for a cardiac condition or procedure. Methods: Baseline clinical and demographic variables collected from a prospective study of the natural history of depression in 833 hospitalized cardiac patients were entered into a multinomial regression analysis. Results: Similar proportions of participants were found to have no, mild, or moderate to severe depression at baseline and at 3 months, although 35.8% of participants had moved from one depression level to another during that period. Baseline characteristics predicting depression at 3 months after hospitalization were: a mild or moderate to severe level of depressive symptoms at hospitalization; younger age; smoking; self-reported previous diagnosis of a cardiac condition; and self-reported history of depression, anxiety, or stress. Conclusions: The five clinically accessible variables identified as predictors in this study may assist physicians in identification of cardiac patients who are at risk of persistent depression and who may require active intervention. Given that depression in cardiac patients is related to increased mortality and morbidity and that it is currently poorly diagnosed, these findings may have implications for preventing adverse outcomes.
Sea level changes forced by Southern Ocean winds

On regional scales, changes in sea level are significantly affected by local dynamical changes. Westerly winds over the Southern Ocean have been strengthening and shifting southward in recent decades, and this change is projected to continue in the future. This study applies wind forcing anomalies to an eddy‐permitting ocean model to study the dynamical response to a Southern Hemisphere westerly wind increase and/or southward shift. It is shown that the applied wind anomalies result in a change in sea surface slope across the Antarctic Circumpolar Current such that a fall in sea level occurs around the Antarctic continental margin. The Antarctic Circumpolar Current transport and regional sea level are particularly sensitive to latitudinal shifts in the wind, with a much more muted response found when only wind strengthening is applied. In addition to the local sea level changes, Southern Ocean winds also have a global effect through changing ocean heat content and the global overturning circulation.
Integrated reporting by South African companies: a case study

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report on the long-term effect of integrated reporting on the quality of information. Investors and stakeholders rely on high-quality integrated reports to obtain social, environmental and ethical information for decision-making. A striking weakness found in recent research on integrated reports is the way certain items of social, environmental and ethical information are excluded while other items are repeated. There is accordingly much confusion, clutter and fragmentation in the integrated reporting landscape. Design/methodology/approach Through a detailed content review of the information companies report on, more insight can be gained into this question five years after the mandatory implementation of King III, which requires companies to provide integrated reports. This study used a similar approach to that of Solomon and Maroun (2012), reviewing the integrated reports of four companies with high social and environmental impact, over a period of three years (2012 to 2014). Findings The companies’ integrated reports were reviewed in terms of social, environmental and ethical items. The results indicate that there has been a distinct decrease in the amount of information provided in integrated reports but, more importantly, there still exists significant uncertainty as to the amount of reporting that is required. Originality/value The results of this study prove that regulators may have to provide more detailed guidelines as to the reporting duties of companies. It also indicates to managers that their approach to integrated reporting may have to be revised to ensure useful information is provided to stakeholders.
Cyclic AMP Induction of the Myelin Enzyme 2′,3′‐Cyclic Nucleotide 3′‐Phosphohydrolase in Rat Oligodendrocytes

Abstract: Cyclic AMP (cAMP) is known to induce the activity of the myelin enzyme 2′,3′‐cyclic nucleotide 3′‐phosphohydrolase (CNP; EC 3.1.4.37) in C6 rat glioma cells. This report shows that CNP is also inducible in oligodendrocytes explanted from 1‐day‐old rat cerebrum and grown in tissue culture. Induction was observed after a 1‐day treatment with 1 mM N6, O2′ ‐dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP) and was maximal after 5 days, reaching 200–240% of control. Induction was observed both in mixed cerebral cell cultures containing oligodendrocytes and astrocytes, and in purified cultures of oligodendrocytes prepared by a differential shakeoff procedure. Addition of dbcAMP to the cultures 3–9 days after the cells were explanted from rat brain induced CNP activity, but no induction was observed when dbcAMP treatment was begun 13 or more days after explantation. These results demonstrate that one component of myelin, CNP, is inducible in oligodendrocytes by a cAMP‐mediated mechanism, and suggest a role for cAMP in the regulation of the myelin‐associated functions of oligodendrocytes.
The Atypical Receptor CCRL2 (C-C Chemokine Receptor-Like 2) Does Not Act As a Decoy Receptor in Endothelial Cells

C-C chemokine receptor-like 2 (CCRL2) is a non-signaling seven-transmembrane domain (7-TMD) receptor related to the atypical chemokine receptor (ACKR) family. ACKRs bind chemokines but do not activate G protein-dependent signaling or cell functions. ACKRs were shown to regulate immune functions in vivo by their ability to scavenge chemokines from the local environment. This study was performed to investigate whether CCRL2 shares two of the main characteristics of ACKRs, namely the ability to internalize and scavenge the ligands. Cell membrane analysis of CCRL2-transfected cells revealed a weak, constitutive, ligand-independent internalization, and recycling of CCRL2, with a kinetics that was slower than those observed with ACKR3, a prototypic ACKR, or other chemotactic signaling receptors [i.e., chemokine-like receptor 1 and C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 2]. Intracellularly, CCRL2 colocalized with early endosome antigen 1-positive and Rab5-positive vesicles and with recycling compartments mainly characterized by Rab11-positive vesicles. CCRL2-transfected cells and activated mouse blood endothelial cells, that endogenously express CCRL2, were used to investigate the scavenging ability of CCRL2. These experiments confirmed the ability of CCRL2 to bind chemerin, the only recognized ligand, but excluded the ability of CCRL2 to perform scavenging. Collectively, these results identify unique functional properties for this member of the non-signaling 7-TMD receptor family.
Comparative survival in patients with brain metastases from non-small-cell lung cancer treated before and after implementation of radiosurgery.

INTRODUCTION Survival after a diagnosis of brain metastasis in non-small-cell lung cancer (nsclc) is generally poor. We previously reported a median survival of approximately 4 months in a cohort of patients treated with whole-brain radiotherapy (wbrt). Since that time, we implemented a program of stereotactic radiosurgery (srs). In the present study, we examined survival and prognostic factors in a consecutive cohort of patients after the introduction of the srs program. METHODS Data from a retrospective review of 167 nsclc patients with brain metastasis referred to a tertiary cancer centre during 2010-2012 were compared with data from a prior cohort of 91 patients treated during 2005-2007 ("pre-srs cohort"). RESULTS Median overall survival from the date of diagnosis of brain metastasis (4.3 months in the srs cohort vs. 3.9 months in the pre-srs cohort, p = 0.74) was not significantly different in the cohorts. The result was similar when the no-treatment group was excluded from the srs cohort. Within the srs cohort only, significant differences is overall survival were observed between treatment groups (srs, wbrt plus srs, wbrt, and no treatment), with improved survival being observed on univariate and multivariate analysis for patients receiving srs compared with patients receiving wbrt alone (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS No improvement in survival was observed for nsclc patients with brain metastases after the implementation of srs. Selected patients (younger age, female sex, good performance status, fewer brain metastases) treated with srs appeared to demonstrate improved survival. However, those observations might also reflect better patient selection for srs or a greater tendency to offer those patients systemic therapy in addition to srs.
Statistics of Avalanche Current Buildup Time in Single-Photon Avalanche Diodes

The effects of avalanche region width, ionization coefficient ratio, and dead space on the breakdown time and timing jitter of a single-photon avalanche diode are investigated. Using a random ionization path length model, the breakdown time and the timing jitter are shown to decrease with breakdown probability, but increase with avalanche region width, decreasing ionization coefficient ratio, and ionization dead space. The model is used to compare the dependence of avalanche timing performance in Si and InP on avalanche region width.
Methyl jasmonate leads to necrosis and apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells via inhibition of glycolysis and represses tumor growth in mice

Methyl jasmonate has recently been found to have anti-cancer activity. Methyl jasmonate detached hexokinase 2 from a voltage dependent anion channel causing a reduction in mitochondrial transmembrane potential that led to the release of cytochrome C and apoptosis inducing factor resulting in intrinsic apoptosis. Blocked adenosine triphosphate synthesis caused by mitochondrial injury hampered oxidative phosphorylation and led to cell necrosis. The results were applied to the in vivo treatment of nude mice with a satisfactory effect. Collectively, our results suggest that methyl jasmonate may be an adjuvant therapy for liver tumors due to its mechanism in cancer cells compared to that in normal cells: The major function is to inhibit glycolysis instead of changing aerobic metabolism.