Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Examination of the Link Between Medication Adherence and Use of Mail-Order Pharmacies in Chronic Disease States

BACKGROUND: Higher medication adherence is associated with positive health outcomes, including reduction in hospitalizations and costs, and many interventions have been implemented to increase patient adherence. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether patients experience higher medication adherence by using mail-order or retail pharmacies. METHODS: Articles pertaining to retail and mail-order pharmacies and medication adherence were collected from 3 literature databases: MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (IPA). Searches were created for each database and articles were compiled. Articles were screened for exclusion factors, and final articles (n=15) comparing medication adherence in patients utilizing mail and retail pharmacies were analyzed. For each study, various factors were identified including days supply, patients’ out-of-pocket costs, prior adherence behavior, therapeutic class, measure of adherence, limitations, and results. Studies were then categorized by disease state, and relevant information from each study was compared and contrasted. RESULTS: The majority of studies—14 out of the 15 reviewed—supported higher adherence through the mail-order dispensing channel rather than through retail pharmacies. There are a number of reasons for the differences in adherence between the channels. Study patients who used mail-order pharmacies were more likely to have substantially higher prior adherence behavior, socioeconomic status, and days supply of medicines received and were likely to be offered financial incentives to use mail-order. The few studies that attempted to statistically control for these factors also found that patients using mail-order services were more adherent but the size of the differences was smaller. The extent to which these results indicate an inherent adherence advantage of mail-order pharmacy (as distinct from adherence benefits due to greater days supply, lower copays, or more adherent patients selecting mail-order pharmacies) depends on how well the statistical controls adjusted for the substantial differences between the mail and retail samples. CONCLUSIONS: While the research strongly indicates that consumers who use mail-order pharmacies are more likely to be adherent, more research is needed before it can be conclusively determined that use of mail-order pharmacies causes higher adherence.
Social capital and earnings distribution among female micro‐entrepreneurs in rural Nigeria

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the role that social capital plays in the determination and distribution of business earnings of female entrepreneurs in selected rural communities of Ogun State, Nigeria.Design/methodology/approach – The theoretical foundation of social capital and its relationship to informal finance was used in a modified Mincer's model to examine the distribution of earnings among a sample of members of informal self‐help groups. The study relied on a set of secondary data collected from a survey of 275 female micro‐entrepreneurs in five rural communities in Ogun State, Nigeria. The analysis of data was done with the use of SPSS computer software while the ordinary least squares regression technique was used in the models' estimation.Findings – The findings show that though human capital variables contribute to earnings in the usual Mincer's parlance, social capital as well as neighbourhood effect variables appear much more important determinants.Originality/value – Th.
Limitations of in situ hybridization with total genomic DNA in routine screening for alien introgressions in wheat

In situ hybridization with total genomic DNA (GISH) has become a powerful tool in characterization of alien introgressions in wheat. With recent simplification it can now be used in large scale screening for new chromosome constructs. Its level of resolution in routine applications was tested on sets of recombined wheat-rye chromosomes with genetically determined positions of the translocation breakpoints. The resolution level of GISH visualized by an enzymatic color reaction was much lower than that of GISH with fluorescent probes but both techniques failed to reveal the presence of some distally located breakpoints. The limits of resolution for the two methods were at least 9.8 and 3.5 cM of the relative genetic lengths of chromosome arms, respectively, in configurations with proximal rye and terminal wheat segments when rye DNA was used as a probe. When wheat DNA was used as a probe, a terminal wheat segment estimated to be ca. 1.6 cM in length could not be visualized. An example of induced recombination between a chromosome of Agropyron elongatum and wheat illustrates that these resolution limits of GISH may hamper isolation of critical translocation breakpoints in a chromosome engineering effort.
Prophylactic Administration of Curcumin Abates the Incidence of Hypobaric Hypoxia Induced Pulmonary Edema in Rats: A Molecular Approach

Background and purpose: High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) is a severe high altitude illness with serious pulmonary manifestations. The present study reports benefits of prophylactic administration of curcumin in prevention of hypoxia induced pulmonary edema. Experimental approach: Male Sprague Dawley rats (n=6 per group) were exposed to a stimulated hypobaric hypoxia at 7620 m for 6 h. The groups studied were (I) Normoxia, (II) Hypoxia (6 h), (III) Normoxia+curcumin (50 mg/kg BW) and (IV) Hypoxia+curcumin (50 mg/kg BW). Curcumin at 50 mg/kg BW, given orally 1 h prior to hypoxia exposure was considered from dose dependent studies as the optimum dose, due to significant reduction in the level of lung water content and lung transvascular leakage (p<0.001) as compared to control (6 h hypoxia). Biochemical analysis, vascular leakage studies, differential expression of proteins were determined by ELISA, Western Blotting and Immunohistochemistry. Changes in lung parenchyma were evaluated by histopathology. Results: Curcumin administration (50 mg/kg BW) to rats, 1 h prior to hypoxic exposure showed a significant decrease in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), albumin extravasation in broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, oxidative stress (ROS and MDA) levels along with concomitant increase in antioxidant status (GSH, GPx and SOD) in lungs of rats compared to control. Curcumin significantly attenuated the IKKαβ , IKBβ there by leading to down regulation of NFκB protein levels and their downstream regulatory genes (pro-inflammatory cytokines and cell adhesion molecules). Further, hypoxia enhanced HIF-1α and VEGF levels in lungs were significantly down regulated by curcumin leading to reduction in vascular leakage in lungs of rats under hypoxia over control (Hypoxia). The histopathological observations provide substantial evidence in reduction of edema and inflammation by curcumin treatment. Conclusion: These results indicate that, curcumin to be a potent drug against HAPE as it effectively attenuates inflammation as well as fluid influx in the lungs of rats under hypoxia.
A MEASUREMENT OF THE CORRELATION OF GALAXY SURVEYS WITH CMB LENSING CONVERGENCE MAPS FROM THE SOUTH POLE TELESCOPE

We compare cosmic microwave background lensing convergence maps derived from South Pole Telescope (SPT) data with galaxy survey data from the Blanco Cosmology Survey, WISE, and a new large Spitzer/IRAC field designed to overlap with the SPT survey. Using optical and infrared catalogs covering between 17 and 68 deg2 of sky, we detect a correlation between the SPT convergence maps and each of the galaxy density maps at >4σ, with zero correlation robustly ruled out in all cases. The amplitude and shape of the cross-power spectra are in good agreement with theoretical expectations and the measured galaxy bias is consistent with previous work. The detections reported here utilize a small fraction of the full 2500 deg2 SPT survey data and serve as both a proof of principle of the technique and an illustration of the potential of this emerging cosmological probe.
Hemodynamic Responses to Etomidate on Induction of Anesthesia in Pediatric Patients

Etomidate is often used for inducing anesthesia in patients who have limited hemodynamic reserve. Using invasive hemodynamic monitoring, we studied the acute effects of a bolus of etomidate during induction of anesthesia in children. Twelve children undergoing cardiac catheterization were studied (mean age, 9.2 ± 4.8 yr; mean weight, 33.4 ± 15.4 kg); catheterization procedures included device closure of secundum atrial septal defects (n = 7) and radiofrequency catheter ablation procedures for supraventricular tachycardia (n = 5). Using IV sedation, a balloon-tipped pulmonary artery catheter was placed to measure intracardiac and pulmonary artery pressures and oxygen saturations. Baseline measurements were recorded and then re-peated after a bolus of IV etomidate (0.3 mg/kg). For the entire group, no significant changes in right atrial, aortic, or pulmonary artery pressure, oxygen saturations, calculated Qp:Qs ratio or systemic or pulmonary vascular resistance were detected after the bolus dose of etomidate. The lack of clinically significant hemodynamic changes after etomidate administration supports the clinical impression that etomidate is safe in children. Further research is needed to determine the hemodynamic profile of etomidate in neonates and in pediatric patients with severe ventricular dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension.
Cognitive Processes of Opportunity Recognition: The Role of Structural Alignment

Substantial gains can be made by individuals and organizations adept at detecting new opportunities. But how do business leaders do that concretely? Organization research shows that managers are more inclined to identify threats than opportunities, but it is still not clear why this is the case. Likewise, research points to several factors that may facilitate the recognition of opportunities. Yet empirical observations have been limited by retrospective biases and other conceptual challenges. As a result, key questions remain not only about what factors facilitate the recognition of opportunities, but also about why these factors play such a role. To further understanding of these issues, we study the reasoning strategies that individuals mobilize for recognizing opportunities. We develop a model of opportunity recognition as a cognitive process of structural alignment, and analyze the think-aloud verbalizations of executive entrepreneurs as they try to recognize opportunities for new technologies. In contrast to prior research, the qualitative and quantitative data do not provide evidence that individuals use prototypes to recognize opportunities. Instead, we find that different kinds of mental connections play different roles in the process of recognizing opportunities, with different consequences. We also document why and how prior knowledge may facilitate this process. By drawing attention to the cognitive underpinnings of opportunity recognition, we cast light on why it constitutes such a challenging task for individuals and organizations. In turn, this provides a useful basis for exploring the factors that explain why some individuals/organizations are able to recognize opportunities that others simply fail to see.
Response to Comment on: Boronat et al. Differences in Cardiovascular Risk Profile of Diabetic Subjects Discordantly Classified by Diagnostic Criteria Based on Glycated Hemoglobin and Oral Glucose Tolerance Test. Diabetes Care 2010;33:2671–2673

We appreciate the efforts of Kramer and Araneta (1) to investigate whether our findings are reproducible in the Rancho Bernardo cohort. In apparent contrast to our results (2), they observed that subjects with diabetic oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) but A1C <6.5% displayed a more unfavorable cardiovascular risk profile than subjects with A1C ≥6.5% (1). However, as noted by the authors, groups used for comparison in both studies were not homogeneous. All analyzed …
Explicit Characterization of Inclusions in Electrical Impedance Tomography

In electrical impedance tomography one seeks to recover the spatial conductivity distribution inside a body from knowledge of the Neumann--Dirichlet map. In many practically relevant situations the conductivity is smooth apart from some inhomogeneities where the conductivity jumps to a higher or lower value. An explicit characterization of these inclusions is developed in this paper. To this end a class of dipole-like indicator functions is introduced, for which one has to check whether their boundary values are contained in the range of an operator determined by the measured Neumann--Dirichlet map. It is shown that this holds true if and only if the dipole singularity lies inside the inhomogeneity. This procedure is conceptually similar to a recent method proposed by Kirsch in inverse scattering theory.
A Qualitative Analysis of Engineering Students ’ Interactions with an Online Learning Object in the Context of their Learning Styles

This is last in a series of three papers reporting on the results of a research project looking into differences in interactions of engineering students with a learning object. The object in question was a set of interactive online tutorials in introductory Process Control. The research project investigated the effectiveness of this learning tool and identified behavior patterns of engineering students with different learning styles that may affect their learning. The first paper in the series described a collaborative effort involved in developing the award-winning set of online tutorials. The second paper focused on the quantitative analysis of the volunteers’ results, including distributions of learning styles, preand post-test scores, and the breakdown of learning gains according to Bloom’s Taxonomy. This concluding paper focuses on the analysis of individual sessions where screen activity was videotaped and the volunteers commented aloud on their thought processes and choices as they navigated their way through the tutorials.
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of HIV-Protease Inhibitors to Assess Noncompliance

Objective To determine plasma concentration ratio limits (CORALS) for HIV-protease inhibitors outside of which random plasma concentrations reflect partial compliance or noncompliance. In the absence of a gold standard for measuring compliance and to avoid complex techniques, measuring plasma concentrations may be an objective and easy way to check noncompliance. Methods Pharmacokinetic curves after observed ingestion were recorded in patients on steady-state indinavir 800 mg TID (n = 22), ritonavir 400 mg/saquinavir 400 mg BID (n = 22, ritonavir; n = 17, saquinavir hard-gel capsules), or nelfinavir 750 mg TID (n = 4) or 1250 mg BID (n = 4). Concentration ratios were calculated by dividing the measured concentration by the median population value at the corresponding sampling time. Limits were based on the minimum P05 (5th percentile) and maximum P95 of these ratios found during the sampling interval. With these limits the authors determined (1) the proportion of patients falsely judged as noncompliers after observed ingestion, (2) discrimination between compliers and noncompliers, and (3) the absolute percentage of noncompliers. To judge the last two elements, two sets of random plasma samples were included: (1) samples sent in by the physician on suspicion of noncompliance (indinavir, n = 42; nelfinavir, n = 22;) or from a study population stating imperfect compliance in a questionnaire (ritonavir/saquinavir, n = 11); (2) control samples sent in routinely for monitoring therapeutic levels (indinavir, n = 41; nelfinavir, n = 201) or drawn from patients who stated perfect compliance in the questionnaire (ritonavir/saquinavir, n = 35). Results The following CORALS were found: indinavir <0.23 or >3.3; nelfinavir <0.36 or >2.1; ritonavir <0.18 or >1.9; saquinavir <0.28 or >2.3. In 31% to 55% of the patients suspected of noncompliance a plasma concentration ratio outside these limits was found. If a ratio was outside the limits, there was a 68% to 88% chance that that plasma sample belonged to a patient suspected of noncompliance, compared with the controls (all Chi-squared tests P < 0.05). Compared with observed ingestion, these chances ranged from 87% to 92%. Conclusion By using concentration ratio limits (CORALS), plasma samples of protease inhibitors with values outside these limits are highly indicative of partial or noncompliance.
Relations between plasma non-esterified fatty acid metabolism and body fat mobilization in primiparous lactating goats

During early lactation ruminants can mobilize considerable amounts of body fat to maintain milk production. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of tritiated water (TOH) and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) kinetics as means of monitoring adipose tissue fat mobilization in lactating goats. Body fat, as estimated by a two-pool model of TOH kinetics, and NEFA entry rate were measured in four primiparous goats at days 11, 37 and 72 post partum. Estimated body fat decreased by an average of 64 g/d between days 11 and 37 of lactation, tending to increase between days 37 and 72. Plasma NEFA concentrations and NEFA entry rate decreased as lactation advanced, being significantly lower at day 72 than at day 11 of lactation. Both plasma concentrations of NEFA and NEFA entry rate were negatively correlated with calculated energy balance. Plasma NEFA concentrations and NEFA entry rate at days 11 and 37 of lactation were positively related to average body fat losses over the subsequent stage of lactation. These results demonstrate that NEFA kinetics reflect fat mobilization in primiparous lactating goats, particularly during negative energy balance.
Review: low caloric intake and gall‐bladder motor function

Cholelithiasis is the primary expression of obesity in the hepatobiliary system. In obese subjects the risk of developing gallstones is increased due to a higher cholesterol saturation of gall‐bladder bile. During weight reduction with very low calorie diets (VLCD) the incidence of gallstones increases, but the mechanism for gallstone formation is not completely understood and several pathogenetic mechanisms have been suggested: increased saturation of bile, increased gall‐bladder secretion of mucin and calcium, increased presence of prostaglandins and arachidonic acid. Alterations in gall‐bladder motility may contribute to gallstone formation, but few studies have addressed the issue of gall‐bladder motility during rapid weight loss and its possible role in gallstone formation. VLCD have been associated with a gall‐bladder stasis, as a consequence of reduced gall‐bladder stimulation by low fat content of the diets. A threshold quantity of fat (10 g) has been documented to obtain efficient gall‐bladder emptying. Ursodeoxycholic acid administered during VLCD seems to have a protective role in developing a biliary cholesterol crystals. Gall‐bladder emptying was lower in response to low fat meals with respect to relative higher fat meals, before as well as during the VLCD. This may account the possibility of an adaptative response of the gall‐bladder motility to a given diet regimen. Adequate fat content of the VLCD may prevent gallstone formation, maintaining adequate gall‐bladder motility and may be more economic and physiologically acceptable than administration of a pharmacological agent.
Safety and Pharmacokinetics of Second-line Ramucirumab plus FOLFIRI in Japanese Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND This phase Ib study evaluated the pharmacokinetic profile and safety of ramucirumab, a recombinant human IgG1 neutralizing monoclonal antibody specific for vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, in combination with irinotecan, levofolinate and 5-fluorouracil (FOLFIRI) in Japanese patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma (mCRC). PATIENTS AND METHODS Eligible patients had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-1, and disease progression during or within 6 months following first-line therapy with bevacizumab, oxaliplatin and a fluoropyrimidine. Six enrolled patients received 8 mg/kg ramucirumab plus FOLFIRI every 2 weeks. RESULTS One out of six patients experienced a dose-limiting toxicity (grade 2 proteinuria and grade 4 neutropenia, resulting in a dose delay >2 weeks). All patients experienced at least one grade 3 or higher adverse event: neutropenia (five patients, 83%), proteinuria (two patients; 33%) and anemia, thrombocytopenia and hypertension (one patient each, 17%). There were no serious adverse events or deaths. CONCLUSION Ramucirumab plus FOLFIRI was well-tolerated in Japanese patients with mCRC, warranting further investigation of this combination therapy.
Genotype × environment interaction for male attractiveness in an acoustic moth: evidence for plasticity and canalization

The lek paradox arises when choosy females deplete the genetic variance for male display traits from a population, yet substantial additive genetic variation (VA) in male traits persists. Thus, the lek paradox can be more generally stated as one of the most fundamental evolutionary questions: What maintains genetic variation in natural populations? One solution to this problem may be found in the condition‐dependent nature of many sexually selected traits. Genotype × environment (G × E) interactions can maintain VA under conditions of environmental heterogeneity provided certain restrictions are met, although antagonistic pleiotropy has also been proposed as a mechanism. Here, we provide evidence for G × E interactions and against the role of antagonistic pleiotropy in the maintenance of VA for sexually selected traits. Using inbred lines of the lesser waxmoth Achroia grisella, we measured VA for song attractiveness, condition and development rate under different competitive environments and found that genotypes differed in their plasticity. We argue that variation persists in natural populations because G × E interactions prevent any one variant from producing the optimal phenotype across all environments.
Belief network models of land manager decisions and land use change.

A two-stage model of land use change is described, which is driven by the types of decisions that land managers make when changing their broad styles of use. The first stage uses decision modelling techniques to assess if a manager is currently satisfied with the present situation, when compared to various potential alternatives. If this evaluation indicates satisfaction, it is assumed that the present land use will continue. However, if it indicates dissatisfaction, Belief Network techniques are used to estimate, in more detail, both how dissatisfied the manager is and whether the costs of changing, from the present use to a potentially better one, will be out-weighed by the anticipated benefits. The proposed models can use a variety of cost and benefit criteria (e.g. financial, social and ecological). The approach is illustrated with a case-study of the factors that might influence changes from farming to forestry in marginal upland areas of the UK.