Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of dissolution rate and subsequent ion release on cytocompatibility properties of borophosphate glasses

Abstract Present work explores the relationship between the composition, dissolution rate, ion release and cytocompatibility of a series of borophosphate glasses. While, the base glass was selected to be 40mol%P2O5-16mol%CaO-24mol%MgO-20mol%Na2O, three B2O3 modified glass compositions were formulated by replacing Na2O with 1, 5 and 10 mol% B2O3. Ion release study was conducted using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The thermal scans of the glasses as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed an increment in the thermal properties with increasing B2O3 content in the glasses. On the other hand, the dissolution rate of the glasses decreased with increasing B2O3 content. To identify the effect of boron ion release on the cytocompatibility properties of the glasses, MG63 cells were cultured on the surface of the glass discs. The in vitro cell culture study suggested that glasses with 5 mol% B2O3 (P40B5) showed better cell proliferation and metabolic activity as compares to the glasses with 10 mol% (P40B10) or with no B2O3 (P40B0). The confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) images of live/dead stained MG63 cells attached to the surface of the glasses also revealed that the number of dead cells attached to P40B5 glasses were significantly lower than both P40B0 and P40B10 glasses.
Character in Kant’s Moral Psychology: Responding to the Situationist Challenge

Abstract In recent years, several philosophers have used “situationist” findings in social psychology to criticize character-based ethical theories. After showing how these criticisms apply, prima facie, to Kant’s moral theory, I lay out a Kantian response to them. Kant admits the empirical reality of situation-dependence in human actions but articulates a conception of “ought implies can” that vindicates his character-based moral theory in the face of rarity of character. Moreover, he provides an interpretive framework for the situation-dependence of human motivation in terms of humans’ “propensity to evil. ” He also provides a framework for highlighting empirical bases for moral hope, a framework that makes it possible to see lack of character as something human beings can overcome. And he outlines a “moral anthropology” that develops something akin to what Mark Alfano calls “moral technologies,” but in Kant’s case, these technologies focus on cultivating character as such rather than merely good behavioral outcomes.
Novel process for the upgrading of model torrefaction bio-oils using ammonia

Bio-oils produced from torrefaction or pyrolysis of biomass constitute an under-utilized product that generally requires complicated processing. The high acidity and water content pose storage and transportation issues, and the complex nature of the organic species makes utilization as a chemical feedstock troublesome. Most methodologies to separate and upgrade bio-oils involve multiple distinct steps and solvent-based extractions, complicating the process and adding cost. In this work, we demonstrate a simple one-step solution using ammonia to separate the aqueous and organic phases of a model bio-oil. This process produces an aqueous phase that contains ammonium species that could be utilized as a fertilizer and an organic phase that can be used as an additive for transportation fuels or could be burned to produce electricity.
Parental Health, Households, Communities and Fetal Health in India

Fetal health is an important determinant of subsequent health or later life outcomes. In this paper, we examine whether parental human capital can substitute for low provision of quality health infrastructure in the areas of India, suffering from adverse disease environment. We use the second and third waves of the National Family Health Survey and restrict sample to first birth and born within last five year from the survey to minimize recall bias. Along with the common measures of fetal health such as birth weight and neonatal mortality, we examine two less frequent measures - likelihood of a male birth as a measure of fetal survival to term, based on the medical evidence of male fragility in utero and birth size which reflects fetal health and nutrition. For the rural areas in high infant mortality states which have low provision of quality health infrastructure and are suffering from adverse disease environment, a 10 centimeter increase in mother height is associated with more than 2% increase in likelihood of having a male child at first birth. Maternal education and stature are positively associated with other fetal health outcomes as well in this area. These associations are weaker in the areas of India where either low provision of health quality or adverse disease environment are less of a concern. Our results suggest gender specific selection in live birth can also occur purely due to biological reasons and gender of the first child may not be random in India. Moreover, intergenerational persistence in poor health status of women can arise due to biological reasons, along with son preference, given the cultural and economic context of the country. Income, access to information and other community characteristics are also associated with various dimensions of fetal health, although the relationships are not always strong or consistent.
A phase I study of the toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) agonist, entolimod in patients (pts) with advanced cancers.

3063 Background: Entolimod is a specific, TLR5 agonist derived from salmonella flagellin, with immunotherapeutic effects in preclinical cancer models. Entolimod activates innate and adaptive immune responses and mobilizes immunocytes to organs such as liver and bladder, with functional TLR5. A phase 1 trial was undertaken to evaluate entolimod’s safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, immunoactivity, and preliminary antitumor activity. Methods: Pts with advanced cancers and ECOG PS of 0-1 were treated at 5 subcutaneous doses (5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40 µg/day) over a 2-week period. PK/PD samples were obtained pre, and 2, 4, 6, 8, 24 hrs post-dose. Immune function samples were obtained pre and 24 hrs post-dose on days1, 8, 11 and 22. Results: 26 pts (38.4% colorectal cancer [CRC] and 19% NSCLC) were enrolled. Common toxicities were transient hypotension (9 grade 1/4, 7 grade 2/4), hyperglycemia (8 grade 1/4, 6 grade 2/4), and fever (10 grade 1/4, 3 grade 2/4). Three DLTs were observed at 40 µg/day. One pt devel.
The Determinants of Risk Aversion: The Role of Intergenerational Transmission

Abstract This article studies the relationship between risk attitudes and individual characteristics focusing on the intergenerational transmission of risk preferences. We use a dataset of a sample of Italyn students which allows us to build different measures of risk aversion based, respectively, on a survey asking students about their willingness to invest in a risky asset and about their preferences for job security and on the results of an entry test using explicit penalty points in the case of incorrect answers. In line with the findings highlighted by the existing literature, we find that women are more risk averse than men, more patient subjects are more risk averse, while high-ability students are less risk averse. As far as intergenerational transmission of preferences is concerned, it emerges that students whose fathers are entrepreneurs have a higher propensity to take risks, while students whose fathers are employed in the public sector are more risk averse. Only fathers matter with regards to their children’s risk attitudes. These results are robust to different measures of risk aversion and to different specifications of our model.
Fertility, Female Labor Supply, and Family Policy‡

Abstract The present paper develops an overlapping generations general equilibrium model for Germany in order to study the impact of public policy on household labor supply and fertility decisions. Starting from a benchmark equilibrium which reflects the current German family policy regime we introduce various reforms of the tax and child benefit system and quantify the consequences for birth rates and female labor supply. Our simulations indicate three central results: First, higher transfers to families (either direct, in-kind or via family splitting) may increase birth rates significantly, but they may come at the cost of lower female employment. Second, the introduction of individual taxation (instead of joint taxation of couples) would increase female employment but might further reduce current birth rates in Germany. Third, it is possible to increase birth rates and female employment rates simultaneously if the government invests in child care facilities for children of all ages.
Multistate coherent systems

The vast majority of reliability analyses assume that components and system are in either of two states: functioning or failed. The present paper develops basic theory for the study of systems of components in which any of a finite number of states may occur, representing at one extreme perfect functioning and at the other extreme complete failure. We lay down axioms extending the standard notion of a coherent system to the new notion of a multistate coherent system. For such systems we obtain deterministic and probabilistic properties for system performance which are analogous to well-known results for coherent system reliability.
Macroeconomic Synchronization Between G3 Countries

Abstract This paper studies the existence of a world business cycle by examining quarterly and annual comovements in production, prices and interest rates in the three main world economies: Germany, Japan and the US. In accordance with earlier studies, contemporaneous relationships clearly dominate short-term dynamics. The evidence indicates the existence of strong comovements in prices and long-term interest rates, and, to a lesser degree, in GDP and short-term interest rates. They are, however, rather unstable over time.
Experimental Determination of the Belt Transmission Slip

Abstract The presented paper provides the alternative options for determining the condition of belt gear based on the testing and monitoring. In order to carry out experimental measurements, a newly developed device for testing, monitoring and diagnostics of belt drives was designed, as well as the possibility of determination of limit states by extreme loads. The designed measuring stand allows to determine the point of destruction of the belt for an extreme load. The main objective of the experimental measurement was to determine the slip of the wedge-shaped belt. The slip was evaluated by the coefficient of belt creeping and the specific belt slip by means of the measuring stand. The measurements on the proposed device can be made when the input speed from the electric motor and the transmitted torque of the belt gear are constant while the tensioning force of the belt drive is changing or the measurements can be made when the tensioning force and input speed of the belt drive are constant and the torsional moment changes. The monitoring of specified parameters for determining the belt gear slip is made by means of sensors located at predetermined locations from which data is processed by a PC. In the paper, the analytical calculation is processed, from which the values are compared with the values measured on the proposed device.
Could the literature on the economic determinants of sanctions be biased?

Abstract The economic theory on economic sanctions gives strong indications that success depends positively on pre-sanction trade linkage and prior relations and negatively on sanction duration. However, the empirical literature has not arrived at consensus regarding these factors. Our research puzzle is the observation that despite more than three decades of empirical research on economic sanctions no consensus has yet emerged on the sign and significance of the impact of the key variables that theoretically determine the success of economic sanctions. In our research we explore reasons for the heterogeneity of the findings in the literature and the persistence nature of the debate.
Suicidal Death from Pseudoephedrine Sulfate Overdose: A Case Report

Background: Upper respiratory tract infections are common in the community and pseudoephedrine preparations are widely used in the treatment as a decongestant drug. However, pseudoephedrine has serious side effects on the central nervous system and the cardiovascular system. Although cases of infant death due to overdose have been reported in literature, pseudoephedrine toxicity has not been observed in adults as a cause of suicide in literature. Case Presentation: The case is an 18-year old female who committed suicide with pseudoephedrine sulfate preparation. Care and attention must be paid as pseudoephedrine preparations are easily accessible, widely used and an overdose can cause death in adults.
Structural and functional brain damage in women with multiple sclerosis: A mini-review of neuroimaging sex-based studies

Neuroimaging literature in healthy humans has shown that there are sex-related differences in healthy brain's anatomical structure, associated function and susceptibility to neurological diseases. This mini-review summarizes findings derived from the current neuroimaging studies focused on sex-related brain structural and functional damage in women with multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is a chronic, multifactorial, immune-mediated disorder of the central nervous system that affects mostly women. Even if recent neuroimaging studies have shed light on distinctive features of sex-related MS differences in brain structural and functional damage, more research is needed to better elucidate sex-related MS pathological changes and susceptibility and to implement sex-tailored treatment strategies in MS.
Wheezing Rhinovirus Illnesses in Early Life Predict Asthma Development in High-Risk Children

Wu P, Dupont WD, Griffin MR, et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2008;178(11):1123–1129 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY. In the first year of life, ∼20% of children have ≥1 episode of respiratory illness with wheezing. Other studies have shown that certain respiratory viruses confer an increased risk of developing later childhood asthma. Whether these common respiratory viruses cause asthma or are a marker of individuals predisposed to developing asthma is unknown. The timing of birth in relation to the winter virus peak and whether this alters the risk of developing early childhood asthma are investigated in this study. STUDY POPULATION. A population-based, birth cohort study of 95 310 children who were born between 1995 and 2000 and followed through 2005, who …
Script N = 4 SYM on R × S3 and PP-Wave

We consider the radial quantization of = 4 super Yang-Mills (SYM) in 4 dimensions, i.e., = 4 SYM on a cylinder R × S3. We construct the generators of superconformal symmetry in the case of U(N) gauge group, generalizing the earlier work by Nicolai et al. for U(1) gauge group. We study how these generators contract to the symmetry of pp-wave when they act on a state with large R-charge.
A study of sociodemographic profile of patients undergoing cataract surgery in New Civil Hospital, Surat -

Background: Cataract is the leading cause for avoidable blindness in the world and also in India. Around 62.6% of total cause for blindness is by cataract in India. Government of India launched National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB) in the year 1976 with the goal of reducing the prevalence of blindness to 0.3% by 2020. In the 12th plan (2012–2017) NPCB is allocated Rs. 2.506. 90 crores for implementing the program for 5 years. Objective: To study the sociodemographic profile of the patients undergoing cataract surgery at New Civil Hospital Surat (NCHS) from September 2009 through February 2010. Materials and Methods: Hospital-based pretested questionnaire interview of patients admitted for cataract surgery in ophthalmology ward of NCHS from September 2009 through February 2010. Result: A total of 297 patients were interviewed of which 51.1% were men, 85.8% were Hindus, and 48.4% were illiterate. Majority (47.4%) belong to socioeconomic class IV. Conclusion: The patients seeking cataract surgery in NCHS were mainly Hindus and their literacy status is also low. Majority of them belong to socioeconomic classes IV and V.
BIOMARKERS IN SERUM, URIC ACID AS A RISK FACTOR FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES ASSOCIATED WITH HYPERTENSION

ABSTRACT Objectives: Uric acid (UA) is the end product of purine metabolism in humans. UA is the final oxidation product of purine catabolism and has been implicated in diabetes mellitus (DM) as well as in hyperlipidemias. Hyperuricemia can cause serious health problems including renal insufficiency. Hyperuricemia is associated with many diseases including hypertension (HTN), DM, hypertriglyceridemia, and obesity. The aim was to determine the serum UA (SUA) level in Patients of Type 2 DM with HTN. Methods: Out of 100 samples, 50 were found as cases of Type 2 diabetic with HTN, and the 50 control samples were without Type 2 diabetic HTN. Results: SUA, glycosylated hemoglobin, and low-density lipoprotein of male and female cases of Type 2 DM with HTN compared to control were (p 7.0 mg/dl were significantly seen in cases of diabetes with HTN. SUA ≤5.0 mg/dl was significantly seen in subjects without diabetes with HTN. Our data showed hyperuricemia and glycated hemoglobin as significant risk factors in the progression of DM, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, renal disorder, hypertriglyceridemia, and obesity. Further large sample size studies are needed to be done in the direction with more focused mechanistic approaches to fortify the fact. Very little is known about the relationship between UA, DM, and HTN in India. Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Hypertension, Uric acid, Glycosylated hemoglobin, Lipid profile
A usability study with healthcare professionals of a customizable framework for reminiscence and music based cognitive activities for people with dementia

The possibility of using serious games to stimulate people with dementia (PwD) has gained much attention in recent years. However, most of such games are not adapted to individual needs of such population in terms of the design of technology and its content. Thus, the desired therapeutic outcomes may not be achieved. Alternatively, more traditional approaches, such as the usage of music and reminiscence, have been shown to be able to lead to positive outcomes. Here, we propose a framework for serious games that allows healthcare professionals to customize music and reminiscence-based activities to stimulate PwD. It runs on an augmented reality setup, but also on PC, interactive table and tablet. Results from a usability study show that participants (1) were efficient in using the framework, (2) therapists are very interested in using it for stimulation purposes in PwD and (3) the usage of the framework was adequate in terms of effort and workload for PwD. Future deployments will be discussed in this article regarding the usage of the framework.
A high order Godunov scheme with constrained transport and adaptive mesh refinement for astrophysical magnetohydrodynamics

Aims. In this paper, we present a new method to perform numerical simulations of astrophysical MHD flows using the Adaptive Mesh Refinement framework and Constrained Transport. Methods. The algorithm is based on a previous work in which the MUSCL-Hancock scheme was used to evolve the induction equation. In this paper, we detail the extension of this scheme to the full MHD equations and discuss its properties. Results. Through a series of test problems, we illustrate the performances of this new code using two different MHD Riemann solvers (Lax-Friedrich and Roe) and the need of the Adaptive Mesh Refinement capabilities in some cases. Finally, we show its versatility by applying it to two completely different astrophysical situations well studied in the past years: the growth of the magnetorotational instability in the shearing box and the collapse of magnetized cloud cores. Conclusions. We have implemented a new Godunov scheme to solve the ideal MHD equations in the AMR code RAMSES. We have shown that it results in a powerful tool that can be applied to a great variety of astrophysical problems, ranging from galaxies formation in the early universe to high resolution studies of molecular cloud collapse in our galaxy.
Predictors of Community Pharmacy Preference: A Logistic Regression Analysis of Consumers' Socioeconomic and Shopping Characteristics

Logistic regression analysis was used to relate consumer characteristics to the probability of selecting a traditional independent, a prescription-oriented, or a mass-merchandise pharmacy. Being younger and purchasing OTCs and non-health-related purchases at the same location were significant factors in the model to predict patronage of a mass-merchandise pharmacy. Residence in a more affluent neighborhood, a higher level of educational attainment, and older age were significant predictors in the model for traditional independents. Gender, insurance coverage, and number of prescriptions were not significant predictors. Further analysis found differences between patrons of two mass-merchandise subgroups; this supports the contention that consumers do not perceive mass-merchandise pharmacies to be a homogeneous group. Future research is needed to develop better models using other predictors of pharmacy preference, including attitudes and beliefs, and to explore alternative ways to categorize community pharm.
Prevalence of Sleepiness as a Risk Factor for Road Traffic Accidents: Sample of Hospitalized Saudi Drivers

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Predicting adherence to antiretroviral therapy and retention to HIV care : effects of baseline biopsychosocial status and neuropsychological functioning

iv CHAPTER 1: Medication adherence and loss to follow-up in the HIV era.1 The HIV/AIDS epidemic.1 Antiretroviral therapy.4 Barriers to antiretroviral success.5 Next steps.15 Summation, aim and objectives.22 CHAPTER 2: Predictors of antiretroviral adherence and retention to HIV care.24 Theoretical framework.24 Studies reviewed.25 Methodology of published studies.25 Biopsychosocial predictors of antiretroviral adherence and retention to HIV care.27 Summation and next steps.54 CHAPTER 3: Methods.56 Design.56 Population and sampling . 56 Procedures.62 Measures.64 Adherence and LTFU monitoring.71 Data management.81 Statistical analysis.83 Ethical considerations.85 Un ive rsi ty of Ca pe To wn CHAPTER 4: Biomedical, psychological and social characteristics of the sample.87 Demographic characteristics of the sample.87 Biomedical characteristics of the sample.90 Psychological characteristics of the sample.94 Social characteristics of the sample.101 Miscellaneous characteristics of the sample.104 CHAPTER 5: Outcomes at 16 and 96 weeks.106 Early pill count adherence.107 Late virological suppression . 111 Retention to care.115 Composite adherence success.117 Factors associated with early pill count adherence.120 Factors associated late virological suppression.129 Factors associated with retention to care.139 Factors associated with combined adherence success.149 Multivariate analysis.156 RAT scorecard.157 CHAPTER 6: Interpretations and implications.161 Limitations.182 CHAPTER 7: The final word.187 REFERENCES.191