Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SOFT SKILLS LEVEL OF MALAYSIAN STUDENTS AT A TERTIARY INSTITUTION: A COMPARATIVE CASE STUDY BASED ON

The development of soft skills has been a major concern in the Malaysian higher education scene. In order to identify appropriate strategies in developing these skills among students, it is important for institutions to be aware of soft skill levels of students before they start a degree programme. This paper reports the findings of a study on the soft skill levels of students from the foundation and the diploma programmes of a private institution of higher learning. It includes comparative analyses of the results in terms of gender, area of residence and type of schools.
Educational attainment and transitions in functional status among older Taiwanese

Despite considerable research examining the influence of socioeconomic status on health, few studies have considered this relationship as it pertains to older adults in non-Western societies. We attempt to ascertain the influence of education on changes in physical functioning in a rapidly developing country. Data come from the 1989 Survey of Health and Living Status of the Elderly in Taiwan and a follow-up interview in 1993 (N = 4,049, age = 60+). Individuals are conceptualized to be in a state of functional independence or functional limitation at the time of origin, based on their ability to perform three physical functioning tasks. The outcome at the follow-up interview is categorized as functionally independent, limited, or dead, allowing for six probabilities, one from each state of origin to each outcome. These are calculated using a multinomial logit model, controlling for other factors often thought to be associated with health transitions. High levels of educational attainment result in a decreased incidence of functional limitation for those originating in a state of independence. Contrary to expectations, however, education has little influence on those who originate functionally limited. Thus, higher education plays a substantial role in primary prevention of morbidity, delaying the onset of disability, but other factors are more important once limitations begin. We speculate on the reasons behind these findings, including that the results may be culturally dependent.
Geriatric Care as an Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience

Objective. To describe the design, delivery, and impact of a geriatric introductory pharmacy practice experience (IPPE) to develop students’ skills related to consultant pharmacists’ roles and patient care responsibilities. Design. A required 2-unit geriatric IPPE, involving 40 hours in a geriatric-care facility, 5 reflection hours, and 12 classroom-discussion hours, was developed for first- and second-year pharmacy students. Students interviewed patients and caregivers, reviewed patient charts, triaged patient needs, prepared care plans, and performed quality-assurance functions. Assessment. After completing the IPPE, students’ geriatric- and patient-care abilities were enhanced, based on review of their interactions, care plans, reflections, and examinations, and they demonstrated cognitive, affective, and psychomotor-domain learning skills. Students’ care plans and quality assurance activities revealed positive patient outcomes, opportunities for measurable patient health improvement, and a positive impact on quality assurance activities. Student evaluations and feedback from health workers at the facilities also were positive. Conclusions. This geriatric IPPE in which students cared for a specific patient and interacted with other health care providers is an innovative approach to enhancing students’ abilities to serve the growing geriatric population.
Null Results in Brief No Association of Polymorphisms in CYP 17 , CYP 19 , and HSD 17B 1 with Plasma Estradiol Concentrations in 1 , 090 British Women

Cancer Research UK Epidemiology Unit and Cancer Research UK Genotyping Facility, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Cancer Research UK Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Biomedical Research Centre, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, United Kingdom; and Unit of Environmental Epidemiology, Department of Environmental Health, National Public Health Institute, Kuopio, Finland
MAX k-CUT and approximating the chromatic number of random graphs

We consider the MAX k-CUT problem on random graphs Gn,p. First, we bound the probable weight of a MAX k-CUT using probabilistic counting arguments and by analyzing a simple greedy heuristic. Then, we give an algorithm that approximates MAX k-CUT in expected polynomial time, with approximation ratio 1 + O((np)-1/2). Our main technical tool is a new bound on the probable value of Frieze and Jerrum's semidefinite programming (SDP)-relaxation of MAX k-CUT on random graphs. To obtain this bound, we show that the value of the SDP is tightly concentrated. As a further application of our bound on the probable value of the SDP, we obtain an algorithm for approximating the chromatic number of Gn,p, 1/n ≤ p ≤ 0.99, within a factor of O((np)1/2) in polynomial expected time, thereby answering a question of Krivelevich and Vu. We give similar algorithms for random regular graphs. The techniques for studying the SDP apply to a variety of SDP relaxations of further NP-hard problems on random structures and may therefore be of independent interest. For instance, to bound the SDP we estimate the eigenvalues of random graphs with given degree sequences. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg. , 2006An extended abstract version of this paper appeared in Proc. ICALP 2003, Springer LNCS 2719, pp. 200–211.
Simple and Efficient Decoupling of Compact Arrays With Parasitic Scatterers

Compact arrays such as multiple antennas on a mobile terminal suffer from low efficiency and high correlation between antenna signals. In the present paper, a simple and rigorous procedure for decoupling two closely coupled antennas with a parasitic scatterer is proposed. The parasitic scatterer, which can be an additional antenna, acts as a shield between two active antenna elements. In contrast to previous studies involving the use of parasitic scatterer for decoupling antennas, we demonstrate using antenna impedances the underlying decoupling mechanism for two arbitrary antennas. By a proper choice of parameters, perfect matching and decoupling can be obtained for a given antenna spacing without extending the overall area used, and without introducing additional decoupling networks. The price to pay is a reduction of bandwidth relative to that of widely spaced antennas, which is the case for other decoupling methods as well. Simulation and experimental results are used to substantiate the effectiveness of the proposed design approach on a two-monopole array with an antenna spacing of 0.1 wavelength. Finally, several practical considerations of the proposal are also presented, including the extension of the approach for more than two active antennas and its implementation in mobile terminals.
Defective killing of Candida albicans hyphae by neutrophils from beige mice.

The candidacidal activity of neutrophils from BALB/c, C.B-17 +/+, C.B-17 scid/scid, scid/scid-bg/bg, C57BL/6 bg/+, C57BL/6 bg/bg, NIH III bg/bg-nu/+, and bg/bg-nu/nu mice was assessed. Killing of blastoconidia was moderately deficient with neutrophils from 2 strains of homozygous beige mice; however, neutrophils from all homozygous beige strains had a significantly decreased capacity to kill Candida albicans hyphae. This is the first demonstration of a decreased capacity of beige mouse neutrophils to kill C. albicans hyphae. The latter defect could be related to the enhanced susceptibility of beige mice to candidiasis.
Upper beak truncation in chicken embryos with the cleft primary palate mutation is due to an epithelial defect in the frontonasal mass

In this study, we used the chicken mutant strain known as cleft primary palate (cpp) to study the mechanisms of beak outgrowth. cpp mutants have complete truncation of the upper beak with normal development of the lower beak. Based on structural analysis and grafts of facial prominences, we localized the defect to the frontonasal mass and its derivatives. Several explanations that would account for the outgrowth defect were investigated, including abnormal expression of genes in the frontonasal epithelium, intrinsic defects in epithelium and/or mesenchyme defects in epithelial–mesenchymal signalling, a localized decrease in cell proliferation or a localized increase in programmed cell death. One of the genes expressed in the frontonasal epithelial growth zone, Fgf8, failed to down‐regulate and was maintained for at least 48 hr beyond the time when down‐regulation normally occurs. Recombination experiments further illustrated that the frontonasal mass epithelium was abnormal in the cpp mutants, whereas mutant mesenchyme was capable of normal outgrowth when combined with wild‐type epithelium. Cell proliferation was not decreased in mutant embryos nor was cell death initially increased. Later, at stages 31–32, when the prenasal cartilage begins directed outgrowth, there was an increase in cell death within the mutant upper but not lower beak cartilage. The cpp beak truncation, therefore, is due to an epithelial defect in the frontonasal mass that is coincident with a failure to down‐regulate expression of Fgf8. Developmental Dynamics 230:335–349, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Immunology. Gut microbes keep rare immune cells in line.

The idea that exposure to microbes can be good for us—by tuning up our immune systems and preventing overreactions like asthma and autoimmune diseases—is catching. Now, a new study of this provocative notion, known as the hygiene hypothesis, suggests that microbes furnish some of their benefits in an unexpected way. Researchers have found that the typical intestinal bacteria in mice rein in a rare type of immune cell, curtailing asthma and colitis in the rodents. Scientists following the long-running discussion over the hygiene hypothesis give the new work, [reported online in Science this week][1], top marks. [1]: http://scim.ag/Olszak
A phase 2 study of bortezomib in combination with ifosfamide/vinorelbine in paediatric patients and young adults with refractory/recurrent Hodgkin lymphoma: a Children's Oncology Group study

A Children's Oncology Group clinical trial aimed to determine if bortezomib (B) increased the efficacy of ifosfamide and vinorelbine (IV) in paediatric Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). This study enrolled 26 relapsed HL patients (<30 years) treated with two to four cycles of IVB. The primary endpoint was anatomic complete response (CR) after two cycles. Secondary endpoints included overall response (OR: CR + partial response) at study completion compared to historical controls [72%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 59–83%]. Although few patients achieved the primary objective, OR with IVB improved to 83% (95% CI: 61–95%; p = 0·32). Although not statistically different, results suggest IVB may be a promising combination.
Antibiotic sensitivity pattern and cost-effectiveness analysis of antibiotic therapy in an Indian tertiary care teaching hospital

Objective: The purpose of this study is to analyze the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of microorganisms, to study the antibiotic usage pattern, and to conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) for the antibiotics prescribed in a tertiary care teaching hospital in south India. Methods: This prospective study was carried out in the General Medicine and Pulmonology departments of the hospital for a period of 6 months. The study was carried out in three phases: A prospective analysis to check the sensitivity pattern of microorganisms to various antibiotics, data extraction and determining the cost of antibiotics and finally evaluation of the sensitivity pattern of microorganisms and the antibiotic usage. A total of 796 documented records were analyzed. Findings: It was found that Escherichia coli was the major organism identified in 36.4% of the isolated specimens, followed by Klebsiella sp. (18.9%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (15.8%), Staphylococcus aureus (12.4%), and Pseudomonas (9.3%). The sensitivity pattern data of the prospective study revealed that E. coli was highly sensitive to Amikacin (99.3%), Klebsiella to Amikacin (93.8%), Pseudomonas to Meropenem (97.6%), and S. pneumoniae to Ofloxacin (93.8%). In the prescribing pattern study, it was found that the most common disease (21.2%) was found to be lower respiratory tract infection in 51 patients. Cephalosporins (73%), in particular Ceftriaxone (63.5%) was highly prescribed, followed by fluoroquinolones (53.9%). In the CEA, it was revealed that Ceftriaxone was the cost-effective antibiotic with a cost-effectiveness ratio (CER) of 78.27 compared to Levofloxacin, which had a CER of 95.13. Conclusion: Continuous surveillance of susceptibility testing is necessary for cost-effective customization of empiric antibiotic therapy. Furthermore, reliable statistics on antibiotic resistance and policies should be made available.
Influences of frequency-dispersive guided waves on contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging

When emission waves (EWs) of imaging scanner hit bone, especially at an oblique incidence, guided waves (GWs) are generated from the bone cortex. GWs are multimodal and frequency-dispersive due to their non-linear propagation. Meanwhile, GWs leak to surrounding tissues and disturb SNR of acoustic signals. When microbubbles (MBs) flow through microvessels near a bone cortex, GWs can interact with MBs. The vibration and nonlinear scattering of MBs are unavoidably affected by GWs, which may disturb the image quality of ultrasound contrast imaging (UCI) near the bone surface. However, such disturbances on UCI with sub-harmonic (SH), fundamental (F), and ultra-harmonic (UH) have not been adequately addressed. This study aimed to elucidate the influences of frequency-dispersive GWs on UCI, especially with pulse inversion (PI) mode. The effects of GWs on UCI with B and PI modes were first elucidated through simulated comparison based on the modified Herring equation derived by GWs coupled EWs together and EWs alone, respectively. The GWs were reconstructed by the single-mode GWs, which were detected by using a transmitted-air gap-received (TAR) method and identified by using a smoothed pseudo-Wigner-Ville (SPWV) energy distribution superimposed with theoretical dispersion curves. Such effects were further verified by UCI in a vessel-plate flow phantom at incidence angles 0° and 22°. The influences of GWs on contrast and resolution of UCI were finally quantified by the differences in peak value (DPV) and half peak width (DHPW) of MB echoes, respectively. Based on TAR combined with SPWV methods, the coupling disturbances of EWs were removed; and the GWs with four single-modes (A0, A1, S0, and S2) and double-frequencies (3.35 and 1.62 MHz) were detected and identified. Due to the changes in MB echoes caused by GWs, the echo aliasing and gray changing occurred in all UCI methods. And DPV of MB echoes of PI SH was 4.0 times greater than that of SH, and DHPW of SH was 3.9 and 11.4 times higher than these of F and UH. Contrast of UCI was enhanced by GWs, but corresponding resolution was decreased, especially for SH and PI mode. So as a double-edged sword, the effects of GWs should be further explored to benefit UCI near the cortex.
Spin-dependent electronic structure of transition-metal atomic chains adsorbed on single-wall carbon nanotubes

number of d electrons of the TM atom. We also show that specific chains of transition-metal atoms adsorbed on a SWNT can lead to semiconducting properties for the minority spin bands, but semimetallic for the majority spin bands. Spin polarization is maintained even when the underlying SWNT is subjected to high radial strain. Spin-dependent electronic structure becomes discretized when TM atoms are adsorbed on finite segments of SWNTs. Once coupled with nonmagnetic metal electrodes, these magnetic needles or nanomagnets can perform as spin-dependent resonant tunneling devices. The electronic and magnetic properties of these nanomagnets can be engineered depending on the type and decoration of adsorbed TM atom as well as the size and symmetry of the tube. Our study is performed by using first-principles pseudopotential plane wave method within spin-polarized density functional method.
The Relationship Between Work–Family Conflict and Job Satisfaction Among Hospital Nurses

AIMS This study aimed to explore the incidence of work-family conflict and the association between work-family conflict and satisfaction level among Jordanian nurses. METHODS Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from a convenience sample of 333 Jordanian nurses using a descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational design. RESULTS The results revealed that nurses were exposed to both subtypes of work and family conflict, but they experienced the work-to-family conflict more than the family-to-work conflict. Both subtypes of work and family conflict were correlated negatively with age and positively with the number of children. Being female and absence of child care facilities at workplace had positive effects on the occurrence of work-to-family conflict. Finally, the negative and significant relationship between the work and family conflict and the job satisfaction level was supported. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Those findings imply that nurse administrators and policy makers should establish different strategies to support the balance between the nurses' family life and nurses' work life such as child care and elder care services and other fringe benefits. Hospitals have to promote themselves as work environments that support job satisfaction to attract nurses, hence increasing patients' satisfaction and quality of nursing care.
AEROBIC AND RESISTANCE EXERCISE SEQUENCE AFFECTS EXCESS POSTEXERCISE OXYGEN CONSUMPTION

Excess postexercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) may describe the impact of previous exercise on energy metabolism. Ten males completed Resistance Only, Run Only, Resistance-Run, and Run-Resistance experimental conditions. Resistance exercise consisted of 7 lifts. Running consisted of 25 minutes of treadmill exercise. VO2 was determined during tread-mill exercise and after each exercise treatment. Our findings indicated that treadmill exercise VO2 was significantly higher for Resistance-Run compared with Run-Resistance and Resistance Only at all time intervals. At 10 minutes postexercise, VO2 was greater for Resistance Only and Run-Resistance than for Resistance-Run. At 20 and 30 minutes, VO2 following Resistance Only was significantly greater than following Run Only. In conclusion, EPOC is greatest following Run-Resistance; however, treadmill exercise is more physiologically difficult following resistance exercise. Furthermore, the sequence of resistance and treadmill exercise influences EPOC, primarily because of the effects of resistance exercise rather than the exercise combination. We recommend performing aerobic exercise before resistance exercise when combining them into 1 exercise session.
The Prevalence of Sexual Revictimization: A Meta-Analytic Review

The literature consistently demonstrates evidence that child sexual abuse survivors are at greater risk of victimization later in life than the general population. This phenomenon is called sexual revictimization. Although this finding is robust, there is a large amount of variability in the prevalence rates of revictimization demonstrated in the literature. The purpose of the present meta-analysis was to calculate an average prevalence rate of revictimization across the literature and to examine moderators that may potentially account for the observed variability. Based on a review of PsycINFO and PILOTS, 1,412 articles were identified and reviewed for inclusion. This process resulted in the inclusion of 80 studies, which contained 12,252 survivors of child sexual abuse. The mean prevalence of sexual revictimization across studies was 47.9% (95% confidence intervals [43.6%, 52.3%]), suggesting that almost half of child sexual abuse survivors are sexually victimized in the future. The present study failed to find support for any of the examined moderators. Potential explanations of and implications for the results are offered, including suggestions for therapists.
A New Liquid Homogeneous Assay for the Determination of HDL-Cholesterol

Abstract We evaluated a new ready to use liquid assay for the homogeneous determination of HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C; Merck, Darmstadt, Germany) in comparison to phosphotungstic acid precipitation and a homogeneous assay, based on sulfated α-cyclodextrin and polyethylene glycol-modified enzymes (Roche Diagnostics/Boehringer Mannheim, Germany). The new liquid homogeneous HDL-C assay had inter-assay coefficients' of variation of less than 2.1 %. The method is linear up to at least 3.11 mmol/l HDL-C, but even at 4.40 mmol/l the deviation from the expected value is less than 5%. Spinking experiments with low density lipoproteins and very low density lipoproteins proved that the new assay was specific for high density lipoproteins up to cholesterol associated with low density lipoproteins (LDL-C) and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL)-triglyceride concentrations of 18.13 and 22.60 mmol/l, respectively. Free fatty acids above 2 mmol/l did not interfere. Icteric samples with bilirubin concentrations between 170 and 400 μmol/l did not show any systematic deviation compared to the precipitation procedure. In addition, serum hemoglobin concentrations up to 7.0 mmol/l and ascorbic acid up to 3000 μmol/l did not interfere with the HDL-C assay. An intermethod comparison including 120 samples revealed good agreement of the liquid HDL-C assay and the precipitation procedure (y = 0.943x + 0.074 mmol/l; r = 0.992). The new homogeneous HDL-C assay is thus precise, comparable and robust. Due to its ease of handling this assay will significantly facilitate attempts to include the differentiation between HDL-C and LDL-C in the routine screening for cardiovascular risk factors and in the monitoring of lipid lowering therapy.
Lipid response to pioglitazone in diabetic patients: clinical observations from a retrospective chart review.

The objective of this study was to determine whether improvements in the lipid profile observed in controlled clinical trials with pioglitazone are seen in the clinical practice setting, and to ascertain the influence of concurrent statin treatment. Charts of 100 consecutive patients with type 2 diabetes (mean age 56.8 years) treated with pioglitazone (45 mg/day) for 2-4 months were retrospectively analyzed for changes in serum lipids, glycemic parameters, and body weight. Subanalyses were performed on the relationship of lipid changes to baseline lipid values and to concurrent statin therapy. Pioglitazone was associated with statistically significant (p < 0.001) changes from baseline in HbA(1C) (mean decrease 1.09%), body weight (mean increase 1.76 kg), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (mean increase 15.6%), and triglycerides (mean decrease 9.9%). There was an increase (+ 1.09%) in mean individual LDL-C levels from baseline values, but this change was not statistically significant. The greatest absolute and percentage improvements in HDL-C and triglycerides were observed in patients who had the greatest lipid abnormalities at baseline: in patients with baseline HDL-C < 35 mg/dL, mean individual HDL-C values increased by 31% (p < 0.001); in those with baseline triglycerides >399 mg/dL, triglyceride levels decreased by 46% (p < 0.001); and in patients with baseline LDL-C > 129 mg/dL, mean individual LDL-C values decreased by 10.6% (p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed similar beneficial changes in HDL-C and triglycerides in patients who were not receiving concurrent statin therapy (n = 48) as in those who were receiving statins (n = 49). This observational study demonstrated that significant improvements in HDL-C and triglyceride levels can be achieved with pioglitazone in the clinical practice setting. The greatest improvements occurred in patients with the worst baseline lipid levels, and benefits were seen regardless of whether patients were receiving concurrent statin therapy.