Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The q-Gradient Method for Continuous Global Optimization

Here, we present an extension of the classical steepest descent method for solving global continuous optimization problems. To this end, we apply the concept of Jackson’s derivative to compute the negative of the q-gradient of the objective function, used as the search direction. The use of Jackson’s derivative has shown to be an effective mechanism for escaping from local minima. The q-gradient algorithm is complemented with strategies for selecting the parameter q and to compute the step length. These strategies are implemented in a way such that the search process gradually shifts from global in the beginning to local as the algorithm converges. For testing this new approach, we considered a set of multimodal test functions and compared our results with those obtained by Evolutionary Algorithms (EAs) widely used in optimizing multidimensional and multimodal functions. Overall, the q-gradient method performs well against the EAs arriving in forth position in a direct comparison with them, for the dimensions 10 and 30.
Sevelamer Hydrochloride (Renagel®), a Phosphate‐Binding Polymer, Does Not Alter the Pharmacokinetics of Two Commonly Used Antihypertensives in Healthy Volunteers

Sevelamer hydrochloride (Renagel®) is a nonabsorbed phosphate‐binding polymer approved for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in adult hemodialysis patients. The authors studied the potential effect of sevelamer on the pharmacokinetics of two antihypertensive drugs, enalapril (20 mg) and metoprolol (100 mg), commonly used in end‐stage renal disease patients. Two studies were conducted. Both were single dose, crossover design with or without a 2.4 g dose of sevelamer in healthy volunteers. Within each study, there was a 7‐day washout interval between the two dose administrations. There were 28 volunteers in the enalapril study and 32 in the metoprolol study. The mean plasma concentrations versus time profiles of enalapril, enalaprilat, and metoprolol were not altered by the simultaneous administration of sevelamer. Values for the ratio of ln[AUC(0‐∞)], ln[AUC(0‐t)], and ln[Cmax] with and without sevelamer were approximately 100%, and the 90% confidence intervals for the ratios of these parameters with and without sevelamer were within the 80% to 125% range in all cases except for the ln[Cmax] of enalapril, which had an upper confidence bound of 125.4%. The authors conclude that sevelamer does not interfere with the absorption and elimination of enalapril and metoprolol.
Combined inhibition of neutral endopeptidase and angiotensin converting enzyme in cardiomyopathic hamsters with compensated heart failure.

Inhibition of the metallopeptidase neutral endopeptidase 3.4. 24.11 (NEP) protects endogenous natriuretic peptides and potentiates their vasodepressor effects. Inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) attenuates the formation of angiotensin II and enhances the vasodepressor effect of endogenous kinins. A combination of NEP inhibition and ACE inhibition can potentially interact to shift the balance of vasoactive peptides toward vasodilation. This potential interaction was examined in conscious cardiomyopathic hamsters with low cardiac output and compensated heart failure. Neither the selective NEP inhibitor SQ 28,603 nor the selective ACE inhibitor enalaprilat (each at 30 mumol/kg, i.v.) caused significant changes in left ventricular end diastolic pressure or left ventricular systolic pressure when administered separately. However, the combination of these inhibitors, each at that dose, caused significant peak decreases in left ventricular end diastolic pressure and left ventricular systolic pressure of -12 +/- 1 and -18 +/- 4 mm Hg, respectively. In separate cardiomyopathic hamsters, this same combination of treatments resulted in significant decreases in mean arterial pressure (-13%) and total peripheral resistance (-37%) and an increase in cardiac output (36%) as compared with vehicle effects (P < .05). At 90 min after administration of SQ 28,603 alone, plasma atrial natriuretic peptide concentration was double that in the vehicle group. In the group receiving the combination of inhibitors, plasma atrial natriuretic peptide at 90 min was maintained at the high basal levels associated with this model despite the decrease in cardiac filling pressure. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Understanding the Role of Blogger Recommendations on Consumer Purchasing Behavior

This study examines the influence of the perceived usefulness of bloggerrecommendations, the blog reader’s confidence in them, and the reputation ofbloggers on consumers’ purchasing attitudes and intentions. A model is proposed,based on the theory of reasoned action (TRA) and the technology acceptance model(TAM) empirically examined with a primary dataset of 439 blog readers in Kuwait.Perceived usefulness of blogger recommendations, confidence, and reputation hadinfluential effects on blog users’ purchasing attitudes and intentions. Confidence inbloggers significantly influences perceived usefulness of bloggerrecommendations. The reputation of bloggers had a significant positive directeffect on confidence in bloggers.
The etiology of community-acquired pneumonia among children under 5 years of age in mainland China, 2001–2015: A systematic review

ABSTRACT Background: The aim of this systematic review was to examine the etiology of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) among Chinese children younger than 5 y and provide evidence for further cost-effectiveness analyses for vaccine development, diagnostic strategies and empirical treatments. Methods: The literature review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Data were obtained by searching PubMed, Embase, Web-of Science, and the Chinese databases Wanfang Data and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. All CAP etiological studies on children under 5 y of age from China published in Chinese and English between the years of 2001 and 2015 were included. A total of 48 studies were included in the final review, comprising 100 151 hospitalized children with CAP episodes. Heterogeneity and the percentage of variation between studies was analyzed based on Q statistic and I2 indices, respectively. Random effect models were used to calculate the weighted average rate in all analyses. Results: The most frequently detected bacterial agents were Klebsiella pneumoniae (5.4%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (5.2%), Escherichia coli (5.2%), Staphylococcus aureus (3.9%), Haemophilus influenza (3.6%) and Haemophilus parainfluenzae (3.3%). The most frequently detected viruses were human rhinovirus (20.3%, in just 2 studies), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV, 17.3%), human bocavirus (9.9%), parainfluenza virus (5.8%), human metapneumovirus (3.9%) and influenza (3.5%). Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydophila pneumoniae were identified in 9.5% and 2.9%, respectively, of children under 5 y of age with CAP. Conclusion: This article provides the most comprehensive analysis to date of the factors contributing to CAP in children under 5 y of age. S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae and influenza were the most common vaccine-preventable diseases in children. Corresponding, vaccines should be introduced into Chinese immunization programs, and further economic evaluations should be conducted. RSV is common in Chinese children and preventative measures could have a substantial impact on public health. These data also have major implications for diagnostic strategies and empirical treatments.
Correction and Management of Total Uterine Prolapse in A Crossbred Cow

Uterine prolapse is a common obstetrical problem, which adversely affects productive and reproductive performance of cattle by affecting postpartum return to estrus, conception rate and calving interval and the incidence of uterine prolapse as 42.9% among various obstetrical problems in cattle. In this study total uterine prolapse, replacement of everted organ of uterine proplase was done manually following proper precautionary measures. In this case of uterine prolapse was completely recovered.
Impact of participation in TimeSlips, a creative group-based storytelling program, on medical student attitudes toward persons with dementia: a qualitative study.

PURPOSE To evaluate whether medical student participation in TimeSlips (TS), a creative group-based storytelling program, with persons affected by dementia would improve student attitudes toward this patient population. DESIGN AND METHODS Fifteen fourth-year medical students from Penn State College of Medicine participated in a month-long regimen of TS sessions at a retirement community. Student course evaluations were analyzed at the conclusion of the program to examine perceived qualitative changes in attitude. FINDINGS Qualitative data revealed insights into the manner in which student attitudes toward a geriatric patient population became more positive. IMPLICATIONS This is the first known pilot study to suggest that participation in a creative group-based storytelling program might improve medical student attitudes toward persons with dementia.
Human skeletal remains from Tomb 1, Sipán (Lambayeque river valley, Peru); and their social implications

The Moche tombs at Sipán, on the north Peruvian coast, are a major addition to our knowledge of high-status élite burial rituals. Its Tomb 1 contains the remains of nine individuals — three adult males, one adult female, three adolescent females and one child — besides the principal burial. Who are these people, as their biological remains instruct us?
CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF TREE SWALLOW (TACHYCINETA BICOLOR) DISPERSAL IN SASKATCHEWAN

Abstract Poor breeding success often increases dispersal, but there is conflicting evidence about the putative adaptive benefits of dispersal behavior. Thus, observational and experimental data were analyzed to test whether breeding success (number of young fledging) influenced breeding and natal dispersal by Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor), using information from 1,302 nests over 12 years. Success was experimentally altered at 291 randomly selected nest boxes by adding or removing three eggs (representing ±50% of modal clutch size). Finally, we tested whether dispersal distance, controlling for antecedent breeding success, had consequences for subsequent breeding success. Contrary to predictions, (1) adult and natal dispersal distances were not significantly influenced by breeding success, and (2) manipulating success had no effect on either breeding or natal dispersal. Moreover, after controlling for antecedent breeding success, dispersal distance had no influence on subsequent breeding success. In most years of our study, >85% of nest initiations produced at least one fledgling, and individual boxes did not consistently have low or high fledgling production. Hence, swallows may have little to gain by dispersing out of our nest-box grid, and box-specific success did not provide a reliable cue about where to disperse within the grid. Thus, remaining in the grid for subsequent breeding attempts, regardless of fledgling production, could be interpreted as adaptive. Nonetheless, most adults remained close to the nest they had used in previous years, which suggests that some unmeasured influence, such as social interactions among neighbors, led to nonrandom dispersal.
Organizational Restructuring, Government Control and Loss of Legitimacy following An Organizational Crisis: The Case of Israel's Nonprofit Human Services

The study explores organizational restructuring following the occurrence of a crisis. Restructuring activities following an intervention are considered here to be indicators of an organization's loss of legitimacy because they have lost their independent status, a basic characteristic of nonprofit human settings. the study shows that according to the Resource Based View of organization restructuring – experienced as downsizing, neglecting and abandoning of projects – organizations are affected by (a) government intervention in decision making; (b) higher demands for accountability; and (c) higher evaluations of performance gaps. On the basis of the study of a sample of 138 Nonprofit Human Services in Israel, the results show that the higher the level of restructuring, the higher the level of legitimacy. However, organization location in metropolitan areas moderates the link between restructuring and legitimacy loss. We conclude that Israel's nonprofit human services being overly dependent on government funding are more prone to restructuring and losing legitimacy following organizational crisis.
Neutrophil CD64 Index as a superior biomarker for early diagnosis of infection in febrile patients in the hematology department

Abstract Background: In the hematology department, the availability of biomarkers for early detection of infection is difficult to obtain. The present study aimed to compare the diagnostic values of neutrophil CD64 Index, procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) and to determine whether the combined analysis of these biomarkers offer stronger predictive power in the diagnosis for the infection of febrile patients. Methods: Neutrophil CD64 Index, PCT, IL-6 and CRP levels were determined in 356 febrile patients in the hematology ward from May 2013 to May 2015. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, positive and negative predictive values, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) areas under the curve (AUC), and logistic regression analysis were determined to evaluate the diagnostic values of these biomarkers. Results: The levels of the four biomarkers were higher in the infection patients (p<0.001), and the PCT and IL-6 were higher in the patients with positive microbial blood culture (p<0.01). The neutrophil CD64 Index, PCT, IL-6, CRP had AUCs of 0.95, 0.83, 0.75 and 0.73, respectively. The best cut-off value of the neutrophil CD64 Index to detect infections was 5.06, with high specificity (87.5%) and sensitivity (88.4%). Furthermore, neutrophil CD64 Index, PCT and IL-6 offered the best combination of diagnosis with sensitivity of 93.9% and an AUC of 0.95. In addition, the neutrophil CD64 Index may have a special value to assist the physician to diagnose infection in the neutropenic patients with fever. Conclusions: The neutrophil CD64 Index is useful for early identification of infections in febrile patients in the hematology department. The combined analysis of the CD64 Index, PCT and IL-6 could further improve its sensitivity.
Effect of Taurine-Conjugated Ursodeoxycholic Acid on Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Apoptosis Induced by Advanced Glycation End Products in Cultured Mouse Podocytes

BACKGROUND Activations of death receptors and mitochondrial damage are well-described common apoptotic pathways. Recently, a novel pathway via endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been reported. METHODS We assessed the role of tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) in inhibition of ER stress and its protective effect on advanced glycation end products (AGEs)-induced apoptosis in murine podocytes. Podocytes were incubated with increasing doses of AGEs for variable time periods. Apoptosis was quantitatively determined by flow cytometry detecting propidium iodide expression and annexin V binding simultaneously. Level of glucose-regulated protein 78 (ER stress marker) expression was determined by Western blot. Intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) was recorded by a laser confocal microscope and the Ca(2+) indicator Fluo-3 labeling. RESULTS AGEs induced podocyte apoptosis and increased the expression of glucose-regulated protein 78 in a dose- and time-dependent manner as compared with bovine serum albumin. These changes were accompanied by a rapid rise in [Ca(2+)](i) of podocytes. TUDCA was capable of abolishing AGEs-induced expression of glucose-regulated protein 78 and subsequently inhibited apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION We propose that ER stress plays an important role in AGEs-induced apoptosis and that TUDCA prevents apoptosis by blocking an ER stress-mediated apoptotic pathway. This novel mechanism of TUDCA action suggests new intervention methods for AGEs-induced apoptosis of mouse podocytes in diabetic nephropathy.
Compared therapeutic efficacy between intralesional bleomycin and cryotherapy for common warts: a randomized clinical trial.

UNLABELLED In spite of many available studies on bleomycin and cryotherapy in treating warts, little head to head research is done to compare efficacy of these treatments. Our aim was to compare the therapeutic effects of intralesional bleomycin and cryotherapy on common warts of the hands and feet. In this clinical trial 44 patients above 12 years of age referred to the dermatology clinic of Bouali University Hospital were enrolled. The patients were required to have warts on at least two symmetric limbs (hands or feet). The warts located on right and left limbs of each patient were examined and counted. Each patient received both cryotherapy and intralesional bleomycin on his or her warts. The two treatment types were randomly allocated to either right sided or left sided warts. Each patient was evaluated at 2 week intervals and retreated if necessary up to three times. Data were analyzed by SPSS 11 and EPI Info 2002 statistical packages. The mean number of warts was 5.2 on upper limbs and 4.6 on lower limbs. In 86.4 percent of the cases all warts on the limb side treated by intralesional bleomycin were cleared compared with 68.2 % for cryotherapy (P<0.05). Relative risk for the effect of bleomycin compared to cryotherapy in this regard was 1.27 (1<RR<1.6). We found bleomycin to have a clearance rate equal to 87.6 percent of warts, compared to 72.3 percent by cryotherapy. Relative risk for therapeutic effect of bleomycin compared to cryotherapy in this regard was 1.23 (1.11<RR<1.33). CONCLUSION Intralesional bleomycin is more effective than cryotherapy in treating warts on hands and feet.
PB2 Residue 271 Plays a Key Role in Enhanced Polymerase Activity of Influenza A Viruses in Mammalian Host Cells

ABSTRACT The direct infection of humans with highly pathogenic avian H5N1 influenza viruses has suggested viral mutation as one mechanism for the emergence of novel human influenza A viruses. Although the polymerase complex is known to be a key component in host adaptation, mutations that enhance the polymerase activity of avian viruses in mammalian hosts are not fully characterized. The genomic comparison of influenza A virus isolates has identified highly conserved residues in influenza proteins that are specific to either human or avian viruses, including 10 residues in PB2. We characterized the activity of avian polymerase complexes containing avian-to-human mutations at these conserved PB2 residues and found that, in addition to the E627K mutation, the PB2 mutation T271A enhances polymerase activity in human cells. We confirmed the effects of the T271A mutation using recombinant WSN viruses containing avian NP and polymerase genes with wild-type (WT) or mutant PB2. The 271A virus showed enhanced growth compared to that of the WT in mammalian cells in vitro. The 271A mutant did not increase viral pathogenicity significantly in mice compared to that of the 627K mutant, but it did enhance the lung virus titer. Also, cell infiltration was more evident in lungs of 271A-infected mice than in those of the WT. Interestingly, the avian-derived PB2 of the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus has 271A. The characterization of the polymerase activity of A/California/04/2009 (H1N1) and corresponding PB2 mutants indicates that the high polymerase activity of the pandemic strain in mammalian cells is, in part, dependent on 271A. Our results clearly indicate the contribution of PB2 amino acid 271 to enhanced polymerase activity and viral growth in mammalian hosts.
Sclerostin and its association with physical activity, age, gender, body composition, and bone mineral content in healthy adults.

CONTEXT Sclerostin is produced by osteocytes and inhibits bone formation through the Wnt/β-catenin-signaling pathway. Only limited data are available on circulating sclerostin levels in healthy subjects. OBJECTIVE We aimed to evaluate the correlation between sclerostin and physical activity, anthropometric, and biochemical variables. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS We conducted a cross-sectional observational study in 161 healthy adult men and premenopausal women aged 19 to 64 yr (mean age, 44 ± 10). INTERVENTION(S) There were no interventions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Serum sclerostin levels were associated with body composition, bone mineral density, physical activity, and various biochemical parameters. RESULTS A positive correlation between age and sclerostin in both men (r = 0.37; P < 0.001) and premenopausal women (r = 0.66; P < 0.001) was found. Men had significantly higher sclerostin levels than women (49.8 ± 17.6 vs. 37.2 ± 15.2 pmol/liter; P < 0.001). However, after adjustment for age, bone mineral content (BMC), physical activity, body mass index (BMI), and renal function, sclerostin levels did not differ (P = 0.543). Partial correlation analysis adjusted for age, gender, and kidney function revealed a significant positive correlation between sclerostin levels and BMC, bone mineral density, BMI, and android/gynoid fat and a significant negative correlation with serum osteocalcin and calcium. The most physically active quartile had significantly lower sclerostin levels compared to the least active quartile in a univariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS In healthy adults, sclerostin serum levels correlate positively with age, BMI, and BMC and negatively with osteocalcin and calcium. Further studies in larger populations are needed to confirm our findings and to better understand their clinical implications.
Training and Fidelity Monitoring of Alcohol Treatment Interventions Integrated Into Routine Tuberculosis Care in Tomsk, Russia: the IMPACT Effectiveness Trial

IMPACT (Integrated Management of Physician-Delivered Alcohol Care for Tuberculosis patients) is a randomized, controlled effectiveness trial based in Tomsk, Russia, that assesses the effect of oral naltrexone and brief behavioral counseling on tuberculosis outcomes and alcohol use in 200 patients. Tuberculosis physicians without addiction experience delivered interventions as part of routine care over a 6-month period, focusing on alcohol intake reduction to support successful tuberculosis treatment. We describe design, training, and fidelity monitoring using a Russian and American team of physicians, bilingual coders, and supervisors. Culturally appropriate adaptations, limitations, and implications for future trials are discussed. The clinical trial identification number is NCT00675961. Funding came from the National Institutes of Health and National Institute on Drug Abuse.