Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Staff Management Aspects in Tbilisi Pharmacies

The main purpose of the research was to study a role and place of managers in maintaining staff policy at pharmaceutical companies. It was interesting to see how Georgian pharmaceutical companies are getting new employees at work, what is the priority of the new recruits? What methods are used for selection and recruitment? There were made inquiries by the way of filling applications, which (the applications) were given to the managers of Aversi, PSP, GPC, Pharmadepot and Pharmaceutical House. 50 managers were interviewed totally. It was established that pharmaceutical company management appoints people on the position of pharmacist-managers mainly on the basis of contract (90%). At present, the pharmacist education does not comply with the competence, so 55% of interviewed managers are bachelors, 45% are masters. In order to increase the management’s qualifications, pharmaceutical companies are conducting seminars (50%), trainings (30%), and testing (20%). Staff administration in the pharmacies is mainly carried out by the company administration (75%), rarely by managers (25%), but very often the administration takes into consideration the manager’s opinion; employees are accepted by testing-interview (70%) or CV (30%). Professional career and experience of the newly employed staff are not highly important (50/50), and the company prefers to educate and share practice to the personnel itself. It is possible to conclude that today the pharmacist-managers of the pharmacies are working in accordance with the contractual rights and obligations signed with the employers and pharmaceutical activities regulated under non-governmental institutes. As a result, it is important to be included special features of pharmaceutical management and the recommendations offered by the World Health Organization and the International Pharmaceutical Federation in the articles of regulatory laws.
Analysis of serine proteinase–inhibitor interaction by alanine shaving

We analyzed the energetic importance of residues surrounding the hot spot (the P1 position) of bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI) in interaction with two proteinases, trypsin and chymotrypsin, by a procedure called molecular shaving. One to eight residues of the structural epitope, composed of two extended and exposed loops, were mutated to alanine(s). Although truncation of the side chains of residues surrounding the P1 position to methyl groups caused a decrease in ΔGden values up to 6.4 kcal mole−1, it did not influence the overall conformation of the inhibitor. We found that the replacement of up to six residues with alanines was fully additive at the level of protein stability. To analyze the influence of the structural epitope on the association energy, we determined association constants for BPTI variants and both enzymes and applied the additivity analysis. Shaving of two binding loops led to a progressive drop in the association energy, more pronounced for trypsin (decrease up to 9.6 kcal mole−1) than chymotrypsin (decrease up to 3.5 kcal mole−1). In the case of extensively mutated variants interacting with chymotrypsin, the association energies agreed very well with the values calculated from single mutational effects. However, when P1‐neighboring residues were shaved to alanine(s), their contribution to the association energy was not fully removed because of the presence of methyl groups and main chain–main chain intermolecular hydrogen bonds. Moreover, the hot spot had a different contribution to the complex stability in the fully shaved BPTI variant compared with the wild type, which was caused by perturbations of the P1–S1 electrostatic interaction.
Expression of annexin I, II, V, and VI by rat osteoblasts in primary culture: Stimulation of annexin I expression by dexamethasone

To determine whether rat osteoblasts synthesize proteins of the annexin family and to evaluate the extent to which glucocorticoids modulate the expression of annexins by these cells, osteoblasts were grown in primary cultures in the absence or presence of dexamethasone, and the expression of annexins was evaluated by immunoblotting using polyclonal antibodies against human annexins. Four different annexins (I, II, V, and VI) were found to be expressed by rat osteoblasts. The expression of annexin I, but not the other annexins studied, was increased in osteoblasts cultured in the presence of dexamethasone (173 ± 33% increase comparing untreated cells and cells treated for 10 days with 5 × 10−7 M dexamethasone). Increased expression of annexin I was observed after the third day of exposure to dexamethasone and rose thereafter until day 10; annexin I expression increased with dexamethasone concentrations above 10−10 M throughout the range of concentrations studied. The increase in annexin I protein was associated with an increase in annexin I mRNA and was completely blocked by the concomitant addition of the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU 38486. The increase in annexin I content following dexamethasone treatment was associated with an increase in alkaline phosphatase activity and PTH‐induced cAMP stimulation, whereas phospholipase A2 activity in the culture medium was reduced to undetectable levels. The finding that four annexins are expressed in rat osteoblasts in primary culture raises the possibility that these proteins could play an important role in bone formation by virtue of their ability to bind calcium and phospholipids, serve as Ca2+ channels, interact with cytoskeletal elements, and/or regulate phospholipase A2 activity. In addition, the dexamethasone‐induced increase in annexin I may represent a mechanism by which glucocorticoids modify osteoblast function.
Embedding UML and type theory to formalize the process of requirement engineering

Nowadays, the main reason for the failure of large-scale systems developments is that the requirements analysis stage cannot produce complete, understandable, unambiguous traceable and testable system requirements documents. To conquer this problem, from the point of view of "requirements engineering" (RE), the formalization of the RE process is discussed from three aspects: a full process model, formal representation and formal verification. RE is taken as a process growing in the 3D space of sociology, methodology and technology, and a spiral lifecycle model of this process is given to illustrate its social characteristics. The recommended representation language is UML, and Coq is used as a component-cut-in modular formal method to carry out validation and verification. Finally, the alternating-bit protocol is presented as an example to demonstrate how to combine UML and Coq to formalize RE.
Amazon Go: Disrupting retail?

In January of 2018, AMAZON.COM Inc. (Amazon) opened its first self-service Amazon Go convenience store in Seattle, Washington. Armed only with a smartphone app tied to a credit card, a customer could enter the store, select merchandise from the aisles and refrigeration cases, and just walk out—no lines, no waiting, no cashier. A can of coke, chocolate bar, or chicken sandwich placed in a shopper’s bag, is identified, accounted for, and charged to a payment card, all facilitated by computer vision, deep learning, and sensor-based information technologies (IT). Based on extensive public sources, the Amazon Go case provides a rich opportunity to explore an IT-enabled startup that potentially threatens three industries: convenience stores, grocery stores, and fast food outlets. In the future, the technology, either by licensing or expansion by Amazon, arguably could disrupt the broader retail industry and its millions of employees. Students have an opportunity to explore the boundary between IT and business strategy, while seeing the potential economic implications of fixed cost investments in IT. They will see how one company, Amazon, strategically develops, deploys, and extends its growing arsenal of IT weapons. The case also catalyzes discussions of social issues, including the impact of technology on employment and the tradeoffs between personal privacy and customer service.
Hydrogen Sulfide Up-Regulates Substance P in Polymicrobial Sepsis-Associated Lung Injury1

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been shown to induce the activation of neurogenic inflammation especially in normal airways and urinary bladder. However, whether endogenous H2S would regulate sepsis-associated lung inflammation via substance P (SP) and its receptors remains unknown. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the effect of H2S on the pulmonary level of SP in cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis and its relevance to lung injury. Male Swiss mice or male preprotachykinin-A gene knockout (PPT-A−/−) mice and their wild-type (PPT-A+/+) mice were subjected to CLP-induced sepsis. DL-propargylglycine (50 mg/kg i.p.), an inhibitor of H2S formation was administered either 1 h before or 1 h after the induction of sepsis, while NaHS, an H2S donor, was given at the same time as CLP. L703606, an inhibitor of the neurokinin-1 receptor was given 30 min before CLP. DL-propargylglycine pretreatment or posttreatment significantly decreased the PPT-A gene expression and the production of SP in lung whereas administration of NaHS resulted in a further rise in the pulmonary level of SP in sepsis. PPT-A gene deletion and pretreatment with L703606 prevented H2S from aggravating lung inflammation. In addition, septic mice genetically deficient in PPT-A gene or pretreated with L703606 did not exhibit further increase in lung permeability after injection of NaHS. The present findings show for the first time that in sepsis, H2S up-regulates the generation of SP, which contributes to lung inflammation and lung injury mainly via activation of the neurokinin-1 receptor.
Integrated THz technology for label-free genetic diagnostics

We report on a promising approach for the label-free analysis of DNA molecules using direct probing of the binding state of DNA with electromagnetic waves at THz frequencies. Passive THz resonator devices based on planar waveguides are used as sample carriers and transducers for THz transmission analysis. In comparison to a formerly used free-space detection scheme, this method provides a drastically enhanced sensitivity enabling analysis down to femtomol levels. We examine the potential of our approach on biologically relevant DNA samples and demonstrate the detection of single base mutations on DNA molecules.
The epidemiology of neck pain: what we have learned from our population-based studies

Situation : Peu d'etudes basees sur la population et portant sur l'epidemiologie de la cervicalgie ont ete menees dans la population generale. But : Faire la synthese des resultats de deux etudes d'envergure, basees sur la population de la Saskatchewan au Canada, portant sur l'epidemiologie de la cervicalgie et des troubles associes au coup de fouet cervical. Modele de l'etude et methodes : Nous avons mene deux etudes de cohortes, basees sur la population de la Saskatchewan au Canada, portant sur la cervicalgie et les troubles associes. D'abord, le sondage sur la sante et les douleurs lombaires (Health and Back Pain Survey), realise en Saskatchewan aupres de sujets adultes selectionnes au hasard, avait ete concu pour determiner la prevalence de la cervicalgie et les facteurs de risque qui y sont relies. Ensuite, nous avons mene une etude de cohortes sur la prevalence et le pronostic du coup de fouet cervical et examine si la modification du regime d'assurance a responsabilite delictuelle en un regime sans egard a la responsabilite etait reliee a la diminution du nombre de reclamations portant sur un coup de fouet cervical et a l'acceleration des retablissements. Resultats : En 1995, la prevalence en six mois de la cervicalgie etait de 54,2 % et 4,6 % des adultes avaient souffert de douleurs invalidantes au cou dans les six derniers mois. La cervicalgie a ete mise en association avec l'education, les comorbidites, le tabagisme, l'etat de sante declare et les antecedents de blessure au cou dans une collision de la route. En 1994, on a evalue la frequence de coups de fouet traites ou indemnises a 834 sur 100 000 adultes pour diminuer de 28 %, soit 598 sur 100 000 adultes, en 1995 apres la reforme du regime d'assurance. Sous le regime sans egard a la responsabilite, le delai median de retablissement a ete d'au moins 230 jours plus rapide que celui sous le regime d'assurance a responsabilite delictuelle. Les plus importants indicateurs previsionnels de retablissement ont ete l'âge, le sexe, l'education, la gravite de la blessure, l'implication d'un juriste et le genre de premier dispensateur de soins. Conclusion : La cervicalgie est un probleme de sante publique. La prevalence et le pronostic du coup de fouet cervical sont considerablement influences par l'indemnisation pour la douleur et la souffrance subies, des facteurs juridiques, la gravite de la blessure et les caracteristiques sociales et demographiques. Dans l'ensemble, la cervicalgie est un probleme invalidant multidimensionnel qui merite une plus grande attention. Dans le traitement des patients atteints de cervicalgie, les cliniciens doivent reconnaitre que le probleme est plus que physique et que son pronostic subit l'influence d'une large gamme de facteurs determinants de la sante.
The Medicaid Rx Model: Pharmacy-Based Risk Adjustment for Public Programs

Background.Risk adjustment models typically use diagnoses from claims or encounter records to assess illness severity. However, concerns about the availability and reliability of diagnostic data raise the potential for alternative methods of risk adjustment. Here, we explore the use of pharmacy data as an alternative or complement to diagnostic data in risk adjustment. Objectives.To develop and test a pharmacy-based risk adjustment model for SSI and TANF Medicaid populations. Research Design. Pharmacological review combined with empirical evaluation. We developed the Medicaid Rx model, a system that classifies a subset of the National Drug Codes into categories that can be used for risk-assessment and risk-adjusted payment. Subjects.Subjects consisted of 362,370 persons with disability and 1.5 million AFDC and TANF beneficiaries in California, Colorado, Georgia, and Tennessee during 1990–1999. Measures.We compare pharmacy and diagnostic classification for three chronic diseases. We also compare R2 statistics and use simulated health plans to evaluate the performance of alternative models. Results.Pharmacy and diagnostic classification vary in their ability to identify specific chronic disease. Using simulated plans, diagnostic models are better at predicting expenditures than are pharmacy-based models for disabled Medicaid beneficiaries, although the models perform similarly for TANF Medicaid beneficiaries. Models that combine diagnostic and pharmacy data have superior overall performance. Conclusions.The performance of risk adjustment models using a combination of pharmacy and diagnostic data are superior to that of models using either data source alone, particularly among TANF beneficiaries. Concerns regarding variations in prescribing patterns and the incentives that may follow from linking payment to pharmacy use warrant further research.
Relationship between the gingival sulcus depth and interleukin-1 isoform concentrations within the adjacent gingival tissue.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE While there is substantial information concerning the concentrations of interleukin-1 isoforms within gingival crevicular fluid, there is little information concerning their concentrations within either normal or diseased gingival tissues. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the concentrations of gingival interleukin-1 isoforms and the adjacent sulcular depth. MATERIAL AND METHODS Interdental gingival papillae were excised and grouped based on adjacent pocket depth and the presence of bleeding on probing. Gingiva adjacent to a sulcus of < or = 3 mm without bleeding on probing were classified as 'normal'; gingiva adjacent to a 3-mm sulcus with bleeding on probing were classified as 'diseased-slight'; gingiva adjacent to a 4-6-mm sulcus featuring bleeding on probing were classified as 'diseased-moderate'; and gingiva adjacent to a sulcus of > 6 mm featuring bleeding on probing were classified as 'diseased-severe'. Tissues were solublized and the concentrations of interleukin-1beta, interleukin-1alpha, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist and interleukin-6 were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were compared by factorial analysis of variance, the post-hoc Tukey test and the Pearson's correlation test. RESULTS Gingival concentrations of interleukin-6, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, interleukin-1alpha- and interleukin-1beta were significantly greater at diseased-severe sites than at normal, diseased-slight, or diseased-moderate sites (p < 0.05); the gingival concentrations of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist and interleukin-1alpha were significantly greater at diseased-severe than at diseased-moderate sites (p < 0.05). Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist concentrations were significantly correlated with both interleukin-1alpha and interleukin-1beta concentrations. The ratios of concentrations of the interleukin-1 isoforms were different at the various stages of inflammation. CONCLUSION Our data indicated a progressive increase in gingival concentrations of interleukin-1 isoforms with increased adjacent sulcular depth. However, within 'diseased' tissues, the proportional concentrations of interleukin-1alpha and -beta to interleukin-1 receptor antagonist were lowest within diseased-severe tissues.
Phase transitions in dissipative Josephson chains: Monte Carlo results and response functions.

A chain of Josephson junctions shunted by Ohmic resistors undergoes phase transitions at zero temperature that results from the interplay between quantum fluctuations induced by charging effects and the dissipation. The quantum-mechanical partition function expressed in terms of phase slips in space-time can be mapped onto that of a two-dimensional Coulomb gas. Due to the dissipation the interaction is anisotropic. Despite the simplicity of the model, there is no general agreement about the phase diagram and the response functions. The authors have performed Monte Carlo simulations to determine the zero-temperature phase boundaries. They find four phases with the absence or presence of global or local order, in all combinations. The authors discuss the response functions in the different phases and find interesting transport properties
Repositioning of the Annular Ligament in the Management of Missed Monteggia Fracture

Background: Successful treatment of missed Monteggia fractures usually requires ulnar osteotomy and open reduction of the radial head with reconstruction of the annular ligament. We have observed cases in which the annular ligament was displaced into the joint but remained intact. Here we report our experience with repositioning of the annular ligament at the time of the open reduction rather than reconstruction in the management of missed Monteggia fractures. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 23 patients with missed Monteggia fractures treated by repositioning of the annular. There were 16 males and 7 females with an average age of 6 years (range, 4 to 9 y). The average time from injury to definitive treatment was 7 months (range, 6 wk to 16 mo). The average follow-up was 18 months (range, 8 to 36 mo). We evaluated the patients by clinical examination, Kim score, and radiographs. Results: All patients had no pain and full elbow function at the latest follow-up. There were no significant differences between the preoperative and postoperative Kim scores. Radiographs at the latest follow-up demonstrated maintenance of radial head reduction in all cases. Conclusions: Repositioning of an intact annular ligament in cases of missed Monteggia fractures is a viable alternative to reconstruction of the ligament and provides long-term stability. Level of Evidence: Level IV—therapeutic.
ABNORMAL NEURONAL MIGRATION, DERANGED CEREBRAL CORTICAL ORGANIZATION, AND DIFFUSE WHITE MATTER ASTROCYTOSIS OF HUMAN FETAL BRAIN: A MAJOR EFFECT OF METHYLMERCURY POISONING IN UTERO

Detailed clinical and neuropathological studies have been made in two fullterm newborn human infants who were exposed to methylmercury in utero as a result of maternal ingestion of methylmercury-contaminated bread in early phases of pregnancy. High levels of mercury were detected in various regions of the brain at autopsy. Study of the brains revealed a disturbance in the development in both cases, consisting essentially of an incomplete or abnormal migration of neurons to the cerebellar and cerebral cortices, and deranged cortical organization of the cerebrum. There were numerous heterotopic neurons, both isolated and in groups, in the white matter of cerebrum and cerebellum and the laminar cortical pattern of the cerebrum was disturbed in many regions as was shown by the irregular groupings and the deranged alignment of cortical neurons. Prominent in the white matter of the cerebrum and the cerebellum was diffuse gemistocytic astrocytosis accompanied by an accumulation of mercury grains in their cytoplasm. These findings indicate a high degree of vulnerability of human fetal brain to maternal intoxication by methylmercury. A major effect appears to be related to faulty development and not to destructive focal neuronal damage as has been observed in mercury intoxication in adults and children exposed postnatally.
A structured self-monitoring of blood glucose approach in type 2 diabetes encourages more frequent, intensive, and effective physician interventions: results from the STeP study.

BACKGROUND We evaluated how a structured patient/physician self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) intervention influenced the timing, frequency, and effectiveness of primary care physicians' treatment changes with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients over 12 months. METHODS The Structured Testing Program (STeP) study was a cluster-randomized, multicenter trial with 483 poorly controlled, insulin-naive T2DM subjects. Primary care practices were randomized to the Active Control Group (ACG) or the Structured Testing Group (STG), the latter of which included quarterly review of structured SMBG results. STG patients used a paper tool that graphs seven-point glucose profiles over 3 consecutive days; physicians received a treatment algorithm based on SMBG patterns. Impact of structured SMBG on physician treatment modification recommendations (TMRs) and glycemic outcomes was examined. RESULTS More STG than ACG patients received a TMR at each study visit (P < 0.0001). Of patients who received at least one TMR, STG patients demonstrated a greater reduction in glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) than ACG patients (-1.2% vs. -0.8%, P < 0.03). Patients with a baseline HbA1c ≥8.5% who received a TMR at the Month 1 visit experienced greater reductions in HbA1c (P = 0.002) than patients without an initial TMR. More STG than ACG patients were started on incretins (P < 0.01) and on thiazolidinediones (P = 0.004). The number of visits with a TMR was unrelated to HbA1c change over time. CONCLUSIONS Patient-provided SMBG data contribute to glycemic improvement when blood glucose patterns are easy to detect, and well-trained physicians take timely action. Collaborative use of structured SMBG data leads to earlier, more frequent, and more effective TMRs for poorly controlled, non-insulin-treated T2DM subjects.