Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Magnitude and Distribution of Vitamin A Deficiency in Ethiopia

Background Several surveys conducted over a period of 40 years have shown that vitamin A deficiency is a serious public health problem in Ethiopia. To address the problem effectively, up-to-date, comprehensive information on the magnitude and distribution of vitamin A deficiency is needed. Objective A national vitamin A survey was conducted to assess the national and regional prevalence rates of vitamin A deficiency in Ethiopia. Methods The survey employed a multistage, cluster-sampling approach and a cross-sectional study design. A total of 23,148 children aged 6 to 71 months and their respective mothers were examined for clinical signs and symptoms, and blood samples were collected from 1,200 systematically selected children for serum retinol analysis. Results The findings indicated national prevalence rates of 1.7% for Bitot's spots among children. 0.8% for night-blindness among children, and 1.8% for night-blindness among mothers. Nationally, 37.7% of children (95% CI, 35.6% to 39.9%) had deficient serum retinol levels, 50.7% had been sick in the previous 15 days, and 22.6% had received vitamin A supplements in the previous 6 months. The prevalence of clinical vitamin A deficiency was significantly (p < .05) higher among children who were male, older, or rural residents. Conclusions The study confirmed that vitamin A deficiency is a serious public health problem in Ethiopia. Intensification of the ongoing vitamin A supplementation program, postpartum vitamin A supplementation for mothers, intensifying efforts to improve the health status of preschool age children, and promotion of production and consumption of fruits and vegetables are recommended.
NUDGE VERSUS BOOST: A DISTINCTION WITHOUT A NORMATIVE DIFFERENCE

Abstract: Behavioural public policy (BPP) has come under fire by critics who claim that it is illiberal. Some authors recently suggest that there is a type of BPP – boosting – that is not as vulnerable to this normative critique. Our paper challenges this claim: there's no non-circular way to draw the distinction between nudge and boost that would make the normative difference required to infer the permissibility of a policy intervention from its type-membership. We consider two strategies: paradigmatic examples and causal mechanisms. We conclude by sketching some suggestions about the right way to approach the normative issues.
Endocytosis of the Glucose Transporter GLUT4 Is Mediated by the GTPase Dynamin*

To study the role of the GTPase dynamin in GLUT4 intracellular recycling, we have overexpressed dynamin−1 wild type and a GTPase-negative mutant (K44A) in primary rat adipose cells. Transfection was accomplished by electroporation using an hemagglutinin (HA)-tagged GLUT4 as a reporter protein. In cells expressing HA-GLUT4 alone, insulin results in an ≈7-fold increase in cell surface anti-HA antibody binding. Studies with wortmannin indicate that the kinetics of HA-GLUT4-trafficking parallel those of the native GLUT4 and in addition, that newly synthesized HA-GLUT4 goes to the plasma membrane before being sorted into the insulin-responsive compartments. Short term (4 h) coexpression of dynamin-K44A and HA-GLUT4 increases the amount of cell surface HA-GLUT4 in both the basal and insulin-stimulated states. Under conditions of maximal expression of dynamin-K44A (24 h), most or all of the intracellular HA-GLUT4 appears to be present on the cell surface in the basal state, and insulin has no further effect. Measurements of the kinetics of HA-GLUT4 endocytosis show that dynamin-K44A blocks internalization of the glucose transporters. In contrast, expression of dynamin wild type decreases the amount of cell surface HA-GLUT4 in both the basal and insulin-stimulated states. These data demonstrate that the endocytosis of GLUT4 is largely mediated by processes which require dynamin.
Reluctance network model for linear switched reluctance motor

This paper presents a new reluctance network model developed in aim to design and optimize the linear switched reluctance motor. The developed reluctance network model is verified using finite element method. This reluctance network model takes an account the saturation of the ferromagnetic parts of the actuator. Also, the dispersion flux is modeled with a particular reluctance. Consequently, the reluctance network model gives precise results of the flux and the force. On the other hand, the important interests of the proposed reluctance network model is that this model can be coupled with other tools in aim to optimize the linear machine.
Comparison of the QMS Analyzer With HPLC-UV for the Quantification of Lamotrigine Concentrations in Human Plasma Samples

Background: Recently, a turbidimetric immunoassay method has been developed for use in the form of a QMS lamotrigine (LTG) commercial immunoassay. This study was designed to evaluate the performance of this immunoassay using a validated high-performance liquid chromatography–ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) method as the reference. Methods: The performance of QMS was initially tested using drug-free plasma spiked with different amounts of LTG and, subsequently, by analyzing 61 trough plasma samples from epileptic patients given the drug as part of their maintenance antiepileptic therapies. Results: The correlation between LTG concentrations measured by QMS and HPLC was good, with a Pearson coefficient of 0.968 (P < 0.0001). The Bland–Altman approach showed that LTG concentrations measured with QMS exceeded HPLC on an average by 15.6% (limits of agreement, −18% to +63%), with a concentration-dependent performance (mean percent bias, 49.5 ± 8.2% and 0.6 ± 12.7% for concentrations less than 2 mg/L and greater than 14.9 mg/L, respectively). Conclusions: The QMS provided acceptable analytical performance across a wide concentration range for routine LTG measurements, being at least comparable with the other commercial immunoassays. It could be, therefore, considered as a viable alternative to HPLC methods for routine LTG monitoring in the clinical practice, although its suitability for accurate analysis of samples with low concentration is limited.
Gamified 3D orthopaedic rehabilitation using low cost and portable inertial sensors

This work introduces an innovative gamified 3D rehabilitation application intended for patients that have undergone Total Knee Replacement surgery, in collaboration with the General Hospital in Chania, Crete, Greece. The application uses a single custom-made, light, portable and low-cost sensor node consisting of an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) attached on a lower limb in order to capture its orientation in space in real-time, while the patient is completing a physiotherapy protocol. The aim is to increase patient engagement during physiotherapy by motivating the user to participate in a serious game. The proposed sensor node attached on the lower limb drives a graphical image of the patient's limb motion as part of a 3D computer graphics scene displayed on a tablet or phone. It then classifies the exercise performed during physiotherapy as accurately performed or not and increases patient compliance via a reward system. Our goal is to reduce the need for the physical presence of a physiotherapist by aiding the efficient performance of exercise at any location, e.g. indoors and outdoors by just utilizing a light sensor and an Android device. A novel algorithm is proposed that automatically classifies an exercise in real-time. It is shown that patient engagement is enhanced when dynamically connected with a gamified app.
Subcutaneous bortezomib combined with weekly cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone is an efficient and well tolerated regime in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma

Regimens that combine bortezomib and steroids with thalidomide, lenalidomide or cyclophosphamide have resulted in high response rates and are now considered standard treatments in newly diagnosed, transplant-eligible multiple myeloma (Reeder et al, 2009; Cavo et al, 2010; Richardson et al, 2010). The comparison between bortezomib-thalidomide-dexamethasone (VTD) and bortezomib-cyclophosphamide-dexamethasone (VCD) as induction therapy is important given the significantly lower drug costs of these regimens compared to bortezomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone (VRD). We aim to highlight certain aspects of the cyclophosphamide dosing and the route of administration of bortezomib that are crucial in the success of VCD as an upfront treatment regime for multiple myeloma. We read with interest the meta-analysis by Leiba et al (2014), which concluded that patients treated with VTD had significantly higher near complete or complete response (nCR/CR) (34% vs. 6%) and very good partial response (VGPR) or better (62% vs. 27%), compared to VCD-treated patients. Studies included in the VCD arm used heterogeneous regimens with different dosing of cyclophosphamide, and regimens using less cyclophosphamide led to lower CR rates, a point also noted by the authors (Leiba et al, 2014). In particular, support for a higher dosing of cyclophosphamide to deepen response comes from the EVOLUTION trial that achieved better nCR/CR (12% vs. 3%) and ≥ VGPR rates (41% vs. 13%) with an additional dose of cyclophosphamide (Kumar et al, 2012), albeit limited by the small sample size of 17 patients in the higher cyclophosphamide arm. In our institution in Singapore, we routinely use VCD treatment with a higher dosing of cyclophosphamide and subcutaneously administered bortezomib. We retrospectively analysed 46 transplant-eligible patients in our hospital with newly diagnosed symptomatic multiple myeloma who were initiated on VCD treatment (Table I). Treatment consisted of 28-d cycles of bortezomib, given subcutaneously at a concentration of 1 3 mg/m on days 1, 8, 15 and 22, oral cyclophosphamide at 500 mg on days 1, 8, 15and 22, and oral dexamethasone at 40 mg on days 1, 8, 15 and 22. All patients had prophylaxis with co-trimoxazole and acyclovir. The primary endpoint was the best response at the end of VCD therapy prior to transplant. The number of cycles used, and dose modification for haematological or non-haematological toxicities were at the discretion of the treating physician. Responses were assessed according to the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) criteria (Durie et al, 2006). Using the intensified regimen of VCD with additional cyclophosphamide and subcutaneous bortezomib led to high response rates with a favourable side-effect profile. 39% of Table I. Patient baseline characteristics and response.
Localized Inflammation and Aneurysm Formation 10 Years After Sirolimus-Eluting Stent Implantation.

and cilostazol at 200 mg/day for 10 years. As part of thorough examination of atrioventricular block, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) was performed to rule out cardiac sarcoidosis. There was no myocardial FDG uptake, but there was a significant uptake around the SES in the LAD (Figure 1). Coronary CT angiography showed aneurysmal dilatation (18×28 mm) with a low-density area surrounding the SES (Figure 2A). Coronary angiography A 63-year-old woman was admitted for the treatment of sick sinus syndrome and atrioventricular block. She had received sirolimus-eluting stent (SES; 2.5×18 mm) in the left anterior descending artery (LAD) 10 years previously. Routine coronary angiography had indicated no stent restenosis 1 year after SES implantation. The patient had a history of hyperlipidemia and hypertension, and coronary risk factors were well controlled after the stenting. She continued taking aspirin at 100 mg/day
Identification of Trp300 as an important residue for Escherichia coli leader peptidase activity.

We previously reported that leader peptidase from Escherichia coli was extensively inactivated by reaction with N-bromosuccinimide with concomitant and selective modification of the Trp300 and Trp310 residues [Kim, Y. -T. , Muramatsu, T. & Takahashi, K. (1995) J. Biochem. (Tokyo) 117, 535-544]. This indicated that one or both of these tryptophan residues are important for the activity of the enzyme. In order to define further the role of individual tryptophan residues in the activity of leader peptidase, site-directed mutagenesis studies were performed to replace each tryptophan residue with phenylalanine and/or alanine. The replacements of Trp20, Trp59, Trp261, Trp284, and Trp310 with phenylalanine hardly affected the enzyme activity toward a synthetic peptide substrate and the ability to complement the temperature sensitivity of the mutant leader peptidase in E. coli IT41. In contrast, the activity toward the synthetic substrate was significantly decreased by replacement of Trp300 with phenylalanine or alanine. The kcat values of the W300F and W300A mutant enzymes were reduced to 42% and 22%, respectively, of that of the wild-type enzyme, whereas the Km values of these mutant enzymes were almost identical with that of the wild-type enzyme. Moreover, the complementing ability in E. coli IT41 was lost (almost) completely when Trp300 was replaced with phenylalanine or alanine. These results strongly indicate that Trp300 in leader peptidase is important for the catalytic mechanism and/or the construction of the active site structure of the enzyme.
Family Functioning, Psychosocial Stress, and Goal Attainment in Brain Injury Rehabilitation

The study investigated the impact of family functioning (as measured by the Family Assessment Device) on goal attainment (as measured by a Goal Attainment Scale) and psychosocial distress (as measured by the Brief Symptom Inventory–18) among survivors of acquired brain injury in a community re-entry rehabilitation setting. The bivariate analysis suggests that participants had significantly greater goal attainment scores if they were members of families with stronger general functioning (r = .27, p < .05), stronger defined family roles (r = .28, p < .05), a greater capacity to respond emotionally to each other (r = .29, p < .05), and proactively solved family problems (r = .28, p < .05).
Crimes Against Women: From Violence to Homicide

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a highly prevalent phenomenon worldwide and is considered a severe violation of human rights. Intimate partner homicide (IPH) and attempted intimate partner homicide (AIPH) although less frequent have a severe direct or indirect impact on victims. Despite the vast literature on IPV and IPH, there is still scarce research on AIPH. Thus, this study aimed to analyze whether perpetrators of IPV, IPH, and AIPH differ from each other, as well as to identify the factors that predict violence in intimacy. For those purposes, we performed a comparative analysis between 50 male individuals convicted of IPH, 27 convicted of AIPH, and 168 convicted of IPV from Portugal. The data were collected using an interview and a set of psychological measures. Results revealed that, although IPV, IPH, and AIPH perpetrators’ share some characteristics, significant differences were found between them. IPV perpetrators were more prone to perpetrate violent behaviors against an intimate partner or ex-partner than IPH or AIPH offenders. The use of weapons and separation from the victim increases the probability of committing IPH or AIPH. Being divorced, having no children, and committing other crimes than domestic violence are predictors of AIPH. These results have some practical implications, in terms of both risk prediction and risk management. Accurate and comprehensive tools should be included as a routine in the primary care services, as well as in the child care services and in victim support services. Prevention and intervention efforts must be comprehensive, involving work with perpetrators and victims.
A Systematic Literature Review of the Enterprise Systems Research in Leading IS Journals (2000-2015)

This paper presents a systematic review of the ES literature in leading IS journals for the period 2000-2015. Major research areas are identified in terms of their research focus and ES lifecycle phases, noting the prevalence of research on the implementation phase. Methodological trends are presented in terms of research philosophy, research approach, research method, and time-orientation of the research, which broadly reflect the trends observed for the IS research in general. These include the primacy of positivist philosophy and quantitative approach, a reliance on case studies and survey method, and an increasing use of longitudinal studies. The paper also notes the implications for ES researchers and the limitations of the study.
Using a Multidisciplinary Training Program to Reduce Peritonitis in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

♦ Objectives: The present study evaluated the tool used to assess patients’ skills and the impact on peritonitis rates of a new multidisciplinary peritoneal dialysis (PD) education program (PDEP). ♦ Methods: After the University Hospital Ethics Committee approved the study, the educational and clinical records of PD patients were retrospectively analyzed in two phases. In phase I, an Objective Structured Assessment (OSA) was used during August 2008 to evaluate the practical skills of 25 patients with adequate Kt/V and no mental disabilities who had been on PD for more than 1 month. Test results were correlated with the prior year’s peritonitis rate. In phase II, the new PDEP, consisting of individual lessons, a retraining schedule, and group meetings, was introduced starting 1 September 2008. Age, sex, years of education, time on PD, number of training sessions, and peritonitis episodes were recorded. Statistical analyses used t-tests, chi-square tests, and Poisson distributions; a p value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. ♦ Results: In phase I, 25 patients [16 men, 9 women; mean age: 54 ± 15 years (range: 22 - 84 years); mean time on PD: 35 ± 30 months (range: 1 - 107 months)] were studied. The OSA results correlated with peritonitis rates: patients who passed the test had experienced significantly lower peritonitis rates during the prior year (p < 0.05). In phase II, after the new PDEP was introduced, overall peritonitis rates significantly declined (to 0.28 episodes/patient-year from 0.55 episodes/patient-year, p < 0.05); the Staphylococcus peritonitis rate also declined (to 0.09 episodes/patient-year from 0.24 episodes/patient-year, p < 0.05). ♦ Conclusions: The OSA is a reliable tool for assessing patients’ skills, and it correlates with peritonitis rates. The multidisciplinary PDEP significantly improved outcomes by further lowering peritonitis rates.
Early Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV-Infected Children Is Associated with Diffuse White Matter Structural Abnormality and Corpus Callosum Sparing

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Fractional anisotropy in the frontal white matter, corpus callosum, and internal capsule is abnormal in human immunodeficiency virus–positive (HIV+) adults. We describe the distribution and nature of white matter abnormalities in a cohort of children who started antiretroviral therapy within the first year of life and the benefit of early treatment by using DTI measures (fractional anisotropy and mean, axial, and radial diffusion). MATERIALS AND METHODS: DTI was performed on children in a neurodevelopmental substudy from the Children with HIV Early Antiretroviral trial. Voxel-based group comparisons were obtained to determine regions where fractional anisotropy and mean diffusion differed between HIV+ and uninfected children. Associations of DTI parameters with the timing of antiretroviral therapy initiation were examined. RESULTS: Thirty-nine HIV+ children (15 boys; mean age, 5.4 years) and 13 controls (5 boys; mean age, 5.7 years) were scanned. Two clusters with lower fractional anisotropy and 7 clusters with increased mean diffusion were identified in the HIV+ group, with symmetric distribution predominantly due to increased radial diffusion, suggestive of decreased myelination. Corticospinal tracts rather than the corpus callosum were predominantly involved. Children on early-interrupted antiretroviral therapy had lower fractional anisotropy compared with those receiving continuous treatment. CONCLUSIONS: HIV+ children at 5 years of age have white matter abnormalities measured by fractional anisotropy, despite early antiretroviral therapy, suggesting that early antiretroviral therapy does not fully protect the white matter from either peripartum or in utero infection. In contrast to adults, the corticospinal tracts are predominantly involved rather than the corpus callosum, possibly due to early antiretroviral therapy. Continuous early antiretroviral therapy can limit white matter damage.
A methodology for engaging modeling and simulation to assess a corollary problem to the obesity epidemic

This paper discusses obesity as a persistent and pervasive epidemic that could easily outpace the medical community’s ability to treat its broadening ill-effects. The current approaches to mitigating the epidemic are aimed at changing patient behavior, which is lengthy in duration and dependent upon numerous actors. This paper reframes the problem and medical challenges of caring for this increasing population by juxtaposing patient need with the medical capacity to provide adequate care. Modeling and simulation is engaged, via agent-based modeling and system dynamics, to assess the impact of obesity on both the patient and the medical community. Conclusions are drawn from the simulations of these parallel communities that can serve to mitigate a near-future shortfall of medical providers and patient care.
High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for Ex vivo Metabolic Studies of a Rhenium-Labeled Radiopharmaceutical for Liver Cancer

The radio-isotope rhenium-labeled N-[2-(triphenylmethyl)thioethyl]-3-aza-19-ethyloxycarbonyl-3-[2-(triphenylmethyl)thioethyl] octadecanoate) ligand (188Re-MN-16ET) is a novel therapeutic agent under preclinical evaluation for hepatoma. A reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography coupled with a tandem mass spectrometric analysis method and diode array detector (DAD) involving a T type splitter was developed to characterize this pharmaceutical in rat liver tissue solution and determine its biotransformation rate. The separation was accomplished on a C18 column (chromolith silica, 4.6 mm × 100 mm) using an acetonitrile–ammonium acetate buffer gradient as the mobile phase. The detection was achieved by DAD set at 250 nm and tandem mass spectrometry using electrospray ionization in the positive ion mode. Re-MN-16ET displayed a retention time of 23.2 min and a transition ion pair corresponding to m/z 677 → 631 for multiple reaction monitoring. Its biotransformation reaction in rat liver homogenate proceeded for 90 min in a 37°C water bath. The characterization was conducted using aliquots that were extracted and concentrated from the reaction mixture for various incubation times. Re-MN-16ET exhibited a biotransformation half-life (t1/2) of 8–9 min in liver tissue solution and was almost completely exhausted after 90 min. Two of its metabolites, consisting of the Re-labeled carboxylic acid derivative, predominately, and its corresponding demetallized disulfide ligand were found in the liver homogenate, providing a metabolism pathway for the radiopharmaceutical.