Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Effectiveness of Empiric Aantibiotic Treatments: The Use of an Antibiogram Based Methodology in the Case of Selected Public Hospitals in Lesotho

Background: Antibiotics prescribed in the presumptuous treatment of infections may be ineffective if causative pathogens acquire resistance to prescribed antibiotics. In the absence of patient follow ups for treatment outcome assessments, healthcare providers may be unaware of the effectiveness of antibiotic treatments they provide. In the empiric treatment of infections particularly, such situations may compromise appropriate selection of antibiotics. The study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of antibiotics prescribed in the empiric treatment of infections using a methodology based on information derived from antibiograms. Method: Culture sensitivity test results and relevant data on antibiotic treatment among inpatients from selected hospitals were used to construct an antibiogram and also determine pathogen associations with infections and antibiotics most frequently prescribed in their empiric treatment. Parameters describing levels of antibiotic activities against pathogens associated with given infections were defined and used to evaluate the effectiveness of prescribed antibiotics. Clinical validity of results was assessed by comparing results of a simultaneous treatment outcome evaluation of antibiotic treatments of selected infections carried out. Results: The methodology was used to successfully evaluate the effectiveness of commonly prescribed antibiotics. Ampicillin and co-trimoxazole, two of the antibiotics most prescribed in the empiric treatment of infections, were predicted to be grossly ineffective in treating staphylococcal and Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) infections for which they were observed to be prescribed. Conclusion: Polymicrobial causes of infections attributable mainly to gram-positive cocci and gram-negative bacilli were established as an etiological feature of most infections. Multiple antibiotic treatments were shown, in effect, to be more effective than single use of the agents in treating most infections. jpc.tums. ac.ir
Recent discovery of small naturalised populations of Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) S.T. Blake in South Africa

The discovery of a naturalised population of Melaleuca quinquenervia in South Africa in 2009 prompted an evaluation of the species’ distribution across South Africa. We found records at seven localities in two of the nine provinces of South Africa, with naturalised populations at two sites — ~300 plants were discovered over 0.3ha in a confined-seep on a mountain slope, while at an old arboretum 12 large, planted trees and 9 naturalised trees were found. An additional herbarium record from Mozambique suggests that this global invader is present at other sites within the sub-region, and so while the extirpation of populations in South Africa is recommended and looks feasible, further work is required to determine the status and evaluate whether eradication from the sub-region as a whole is possible.
Divergence in Variety Seeking: An Exploratory Study Among International Travelers in Asia

ABSTRACT Variety seeking is a tendency in consumer behavior in which the consumer alternates between different makes of the same item in the quest for diversity. Variety seeking and exploratory behaviors help explain tourists’ consumption behavior and choice-making methods. Some studies have focused on the choice of food, restaurants, theme parks, travel activities, or destinations, but only a few have taken place within an international context. In this study, the influence of variety seeking and exploratory buying on travelers’ consumption behavior within an international context is analyzed. In essence, Asian travelers are compared with Western travelers. Several factors, which help explain divergence in variety seeking, are included in the analysis. The results demonstrate that variety seeking and an exploratory tendency have a significant relationship with travelers’ consumption behavior (for both Asian and Western travelers). In general, customers who have a high tendency for variety seeking are less loyal; however, there is no discernible difference between Asian and Western tourists in this regard.
Anti-sunward high-speed jets in the subsolar magnetosheath

Abstract. Using 2008–2011 data from the five Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) spacecraft in Earth's subsolar magnetosheath, we study high-speed jets identified as intervals when the anti-sunward component of the dynamic pressure in the subsolar magnetosheath exceeds half of its upstream solar wind value. Based on our comprehensive data set of 2859 high-speed jets, we obtain the following statistical results on jet properties and favorable conditions: high-speed jets occur predominantly downstream of the quasi-parallel bow shock, i.e., when interplanetary magnetic field cone angles are low. Apart from that, jet occurrence is only very weakly dependent (if at all) on other upstream conditions or solar wind variability. Typical durations and recurrence times of high-speed jets are on the order of tens of seconds and a few minutes, respectively. Relative to the ambient magnetosheath, high-speed jets exhibit higher speed, density and magnetic field intensity, but lower and more isotropic temperatures. They are almost always super-Alfvenic, often even super-magnetosonic, and typically feature 6.5 times as much dynamic pressure and twice as much total pressure in anti-sunward direction as the surrounding plasma does. Consequently, they are likely to have significant effects on the magnetosphere and ionosphere if they impinge on the magnetopause.
Development of an intermittent drying process of onion

Abstract This study was carried out to develop an intermittent energy-saving drying process that best preserves the quality attributes of the onion. Onion slices, 5 mm thick were dried at 45, 55 and 65°C under air flow rates of 20, 24 and 28 dm3/s. The first critical drying time determined was between 0.75 and 3.5 h while the second was between 3.25 and 14 h. The most energy-efficient couple (temperature; air flow) was (65°C; 24 dm3/s). An intermittent drying process (step-down) was developed and these critical drying times and the most energy-efficient couple were put into consideration. This step-down process was compared to the most energy saving continuous drying at 65°C under the air flow of 24 dm3/s. The results showed an improvement on the energy efficiency of 12.70% of the intermittent process compared with continuous drying and the nutritional quality, particularly the fat content (166.04%), the vitamin C (53.85%) and proteins (2.50%) were significantly maintained. The modeling of drying kinetics (by ten empirical models) showed that the model Two term exponential and the model of Midilli described both the continuous drying and the developed intermittent process.
Effect of age and gender on children’s reading performance: The possible neural underpinnings

Abstract The present study aimed to assess the effect of age and gender on second-grade children’s reading performance. Two hundred and eighty-seven children aged 7.1–8.2 years were divided into two age subgroups (the younger, 85–91 months and the older, 92–98 months) and were examined in reading accuracy, fluency, and comprehension tasks. Results showed a significant effect of age in reading performance, with the older children having better scores than younger ones for reading fluency, reading comprehension, and the total reading performance. Gender was not found to play an important role in reading performance. The findings are discussed on the ground of functional brain development and the different rates of cerebral maturation.
A Primer for Analyzing Nested Data: Multilevel Modeling in SPSS Using an Example from a REL Study. REL 2015-046.

Summary Analyzing data that possess some form of nesting is often challenging for applied researchers or district staff involved in data analysis. This primer for using multilevel regression modeling to resolve some of the challenges includes a research situation with nested data to illustrate how and why to use a multilevel approach, specifically the Advanced Statistics module of SPSS IBM Statistics.
New molecular data for parasites Hammerschmidtiella indicus and Thelandros scleratus (Nematoda: Oxyurida) to infer phylogenetic position

A phylogenetic study of nematode species belonging to Nematoda: Oxyurida from India has been conducted using molecular characters. Molecular marker 18S rRNA (18S) from the nuclear gene was tested and analyses were conducted using the minimum evolution, maximum parsimony, and maximum likelihood methods. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that both of the species Hammerschmidtiella indicus and Thelandros scleratus clustered as sister species with species of Thelastoma and Leidynema, and Parapharyngodon, respectively. Interestingly, the results confirm the taxonomic status of H. indicus and T. scleratus from India.
Review paper Toll-like receptor 4 polymorphisms and susceptibility to multiple autoimmune diseases: evidence based on pooled analysis

Background: Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is known to activate the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and subsequent gene expression such as cytokines and adhesion molecules. That may subsequently reduce the risk of autoimmune diseases (ADs). However, the results of molecular epidemiological studies remain inconsistent. Material and methods: The PubMed, Embase, CNKI databases were searched for all articles available. The OR corresponding to the 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was used to assess the association between TLR4 polymorphisms and the risk of ADs. Results: The TLR4 Asp299Gly and TLR4 Thr399Ile polymorphisms were not associated significantly with a risk of ADs (Asp299Gly: OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.74-1.00 for G vs. A and OR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.74-1.01 for AG/GG vs. AA, respectively; Thr399Ile: OR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.57-1.05 for T vs. C and OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.58-1.09 for TT/CT vs. CC, respectively). Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggested that TLR4 Asp299Gly and TLR4 Thr399Ile polymorphisms were not involved in the development of ADs. However, well-designed studies with a larger sample size should be conducted to confirm this result.
Toxicity of soursop extracts to diamondback moth

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of three solvent extractors (water, ethanol and hexane) of grounded seeds of soursop, Annona muricata L. (Annonaceae), in the mortality, biology and oviposition of Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). The results showed that the LC50 and LC99 were 0.0133 and 0.084%, 0.025% and 0.196%, 2.33 and 35.22% for the ethanolic, hexanic and aqueous extracts, respectively. The organic extracts affected only the larval phase and reduced viability in more than 60%, but did not affect pupal stage of the remaining larvae. Furthermore, the ethanolic extract at lethal concentraction also affected negatively the embryonic phase. The results lead to the conclusion that the ethanolic extract of soursop grounded seeds is a viable alternative to control diamondback moth on
The intraday determination of liquidity in the NYSE LIFFE equity option markets

We exploit an extensive high-frequency data set of all individual equity options trading at New York Stock Exchange London International Financial Futures and Options Exchange (Amsterdam, London and Paris) in order to study the determination of liquidity during the trading day. In particular, we focus on two main aspects of option liquidity: (i) the intraday behaviour of equity option liquidity and its determinants and (ii) the influence of macroeconomic events and commonality on intraday equity option liquidity. Inventory management models cannot explain the intraday variation in option spreads and depths. Instead, we show that the option liquidity measures are strongly correlated with option volatility. Increases in volatility are associated with decreases in liquidity, a finding that is in line with information asymmetry models and the derivatives hedging theory. However, the relationship between spreads and volume varies across the three markets. Option liquidity reacts strongly to macroeconomic news announcements, especially US events. The average systematic liquidity component is 12% for Amsterdam, 14% for London and 16% for Paris.
EXPLORING THE BEHAVIOURS OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECT PARTICIPANTS THROUGH SOCIAL COGNITIVE THEORY

It has been theorised that human functioning is governed by a triadic reciprocal causal interaction between the cognitive, behavioural and environmental contexts within which people operate. Applying this theory to the construction project context, it can be hypothesised that if the internal dispositions of project participants can be determined and the situational context in which they operate is known, then the behaviours of project participants can be predicted. This hypothesis if valid has significant implications for behaviour management on construction projects, especially in respect of behaviours relating to aspects such as health and safety and collaborative working which are considered priorities on many modern projects. This study thus explores the application and validity of this theory within the construction project context by examining empirical evidence from a number construction projects in the UK to establish if it is possible to predict the behaviour of project participants by examining their perceptions and attitudes on these construction projects and the environmental context under which these projects were undertaken. Although the results generally confirm the hypothesis, it is argued from the lack of overwhelming evidence that efforts to manage behaviours on construction projects must go beyond the cognitive and the situational context set out in the theory. Group dynamics and project outcomes must also be taken into account.
Key Determinants of SMEs in Vietnam. Combining Quantitative and Qualitative Studies

This paper aims to identify key determinants impacting on a firm performance of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Viet Nam. SMEs have contributed significantly to the overall Vietnamese economy. However, in the context of emerging market in Viet Nam nowadays, SMEs have to deal with a tough competitive market. Hence, an awareness what factors enhancing firm performance enables them to achieve sustainable development. Based on the survey of 2551 Viet Nam SMEs, which was conducted by Science & Social Association, Viet Nam Ministry of Labor- Invalids and Social Affairs, the paper provides the holistic view of several perspectives’ impacts on the performance of SMEs. We find out that three main factors, including human resource, education level of entrepreneurs and training cost have significant effects on the performance. As considering in the field of international trade, the results illustrate the more SMEs conduct export activities, the better enterprises’ performance. Specifically, we point out that other factors such as formalization, credit access, informal loan and firm location are strongly associated with the performance. Furthermore, we also conducted in-depth interviews with 6 entrepreneurs and top managers to explore current challenges of Vietnamese SMEs and suggest appropriate solutions to overcome them.
A Clinical and Epidemiological Profile of Seropositive Cases of Leptospirosis in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Ludhiana City, India

Materials and methods: It is a prospective study conducted over a period of 1 year from April 2015 to March 2016. Febrile patients with clinical suspicion of leptospirosis admitted in the hospital were included in the study. Leptospira immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies in the serum samples were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to confirm the diagnosis. Serologically confirmed patients of leptospirosis were studied for their clinical presentation and laboratory parameters.
The Pension Scheme in Vietnam: Current Status and Challenges in an Aging Society

The publicly-managed Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) defined-benefit pension scheme in Vietnam is described, with an analysis of its financial sustainability in the context of an aging society in a dynamically efficient economy. By using actuarial models developed by the International Labor Organization (ILO), the paper finds that the implicit pension debt (IPD) of the scheme is high in comparison with GDP of the year 2000, which is the base year for projections. Regarding the social aspect, a high IPD implies that the burden of maintaining this scheme is borne by the current and future participants. For this reason, the pension scheme in Vietnam will cause not only financial instability but also inter-generational inequity. In order to avoid this situation, the current scheme needs to be reformed. In particular, Vietnam should move to a partially-funded defined-contribution scheme with careful considerations of social and economic impacts so as to avoid both financial instability and inter-generational inequity.
Morphological traits of S598A sweetpotato as an industrial starch crop

Sweetpotato is one of the important starch crops, current more considered as an industrial crop rather than food because it has higher starch content (over 80% of biomass), it is used for bio resources for industrial area. In this study, we generated S598A (a mutant gene of oat phytochrome A) sweetpotato plant using Agrobacteriumtransformation method. Morphological characteristics of S598A plant were compared with the wild type sweetpotato, S598A had darker green leaves, increased chlorophyll content higher than to two-fold, delayed leaf senescence, shorter plant height (60% shorter than that of the wild type), more number of leaves and petioles about 1.8-fold, shorter petiole length (30% shorter), 1.2-fold more branches and 1.6-fold thicker stem diameters. From this study, S598A plants with such phenotypic characteristics might be able to use the solar energy efficiently, to have increased tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses and finally to increase productivity (not only starch yield but also root biomass yield). S598A sweetpotato lines are under field trials.
La evaluación psicológica en infertilidad:El "dera" una prueba creada en España

espanolEl objetivo principal de este articulo es presentar un area novedosa dentro de la psicologia de la salud, como es el campo de la infertilidad. Abordamos esta nueva posibilidad profesional en lo que hemos denominado �Psicologia de la Reproduccion�. Ofrecemos ademas una vision historica de las principales variables que han sido objeto de evaluacion en estas parejas con problemas de infertilidad y de las tecnicas de evaluacion psicologica que se han venido utilizando para valoracion. Finalmente, presentamos el DERA, herramienta novedosa de screening para detectar un posible desajuste emocional, asi como los recursos adaptativos, individuales e interpersonales, con los que la pareja puede contar para hacer frente al proceso de tratamiento de reproduccion asistida y a los resultados. Exponemos tambien las ventajas principales de esta herramienta y detallamos sus caracteristicas y potenciales usos adicionales. EnglishThe main goal of this paper is to introduce an innovative field in health psychology, namely that of infertility, and present the new professional opportunity represented by what we have called �Reproductive Psychology�. In addition, we offer a historical view of the main variables that have been included in the assessment of couples with infertility issues and the psychological techniques that have been used for such assessment. Finally, we present the DERA, an innovative screening tool for detecting emotional maladjustment, as well as individual and interpersonal adaptive resources couples may have for coping with assisted reproduction treatments and their results. The main advantages of this tool, its characteristics and its potential additional uses are also discussed.
Behavior Differences Seven Months Later: Effects of a Rape Prevention Program

First-year men at a midsized public university either saw a rape prevention program or were in a control group and were asked to complete attitude and behavior surveys at the beginning and end of an academic year. Participants were also asked whether they joined fraternities during that year. With 90% of first-year men participating throughout the duration of the study, results showed that men who joined fraternities during the year and had seen a rape prevention program at the beginning of the academic year were significantly less likely to commit a sexually coercive act during the year than control group men who joined fraternities. Long-term attitude change was also associated with program participation. Results are discussed regarding effective program strategies for educating fraternity men about rape on college campuses.
Genotype 4 Hepatitis C Virus Responds Worse than Genotype 1 to 48-Week Combination Treatment with Pegylated Interferon Alpha Plus Ribavirin: a Greek Multi-Centered Study

Background: Prevalence of genotype 4 chronic hepatitis C is increasing in western countries, where response to current combination treatment is still in debate; reports from endemic areas of Middle East show favourable treatment outcomes, while European reports show the contrary. Aim of this retrospective study was to estimate sustained virological response (SVR) of genotype 4 HCV patients in Greece, and to examine possible differences in SVR determinants between genotypes 1 and 4, the two most difficult genotypes to treat. Methods: Demographic, virological and histological data from 467 consecutive HCV patients from five centers of follow-up were recorded. All patients completed standard combination therapy with pegylated interferon alpha plus weight-based ribavirin, according to current guidelines. Results: Genotype distribution was: 192(44.8%), 29(6.8%), 130(30.4%), 63(14.7%) and 14(3.3%) for 1, 2, 3, 4 and undefined genotypes, respectively. Baseline characteristics were: 245(57.2%) male, aged 44.8 ± 13.8 years-old, 422(98.6%) white Caucasians, 124(29%) former intravenous drug users, 49(12%) past alcohol abusers, 240(51.5%) overweight and 357(87.7%) naive. Liver biopsy revealed advanced fibrosis in 58(15.1%) and hepatic steatosis in 133(35.6%) patients. Age (OR 2.1, p=0.007), genotype (OR 3.4, p<0.001), advanced fibrosis (OR 2.9, p=0.003) and naive status (OR 0.3, p<0.001) were independent prognostic factors for non-response. Comparison between genotype 4 and 1 revealed significant differences in SVR (39.7% vs. 62%, Fisher’s exact test, p=0.002). No difference related to any of the demographic, virological or histological variable was able to explain the difference in treatment response. Conclusion: Genotype 4 chronic hepatitis C in Greece has the worst prognosis in achieving SVR using current combination treatment for 48 weeks. These results challenge the notion, mainly from non-european studies, of a favorable response of genotype 4 compared to genotype 1. Further studies addressing the efficacy of the newer antivirals on the “difficult to treat” genotype 4 should be investigated in the future.
Grievances, Claims, and Disputes: Assessing the Adversary Culture

The existence of a dispute has typically been the starting point for inquiries into dispute processing and resolution. This paper explores the origins of disputes in grievances and claims. It reports on a survey of households estimating the rates of grievances, claims, and disputes which could have been processed by a civil court of general jurisdiction. The paper also explores multivariate models of the probabilities that households experience substantial grievances, that claims for redress are made, and that disputes result. The models assess the contributions of household and problem characteristics to these transitions. By treating disputes as problematic outcomes of injurious experiences, the paper contributes to an assessment of the adversariness of American society.