Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of Quinine versus Artemether in the treatment of severe malaria.

BACKGROUND For centuries Quinine has been used as very effective antimalarial drug and with advent of Artemisinin and its derivative Artemether there stands a concern about the superiority among these drugs especially in case of severe malaria in paediatric population. This study compares these drugs to explore their effectiveness. METHODS A randomized prospective study was conducted with a view to compare efficacy regarding fever clearance, parasitaemia clearance and coma resolution between Quinine (10 milligrams per kilogram per dose diluted in 100 ml of 10 % dextrose solution T.D.S for seven days) and Artemether (3.2 milligrams per kilogram per day I.M on the first day and 1.6 milligrams per kilogram per day from second to fifth day of treatment) among 138 children with severe malaria in Bolan Medical College, Quetta, Pakistan. Study was conducted from December 2009 to December 2011. Ethical clearance was taken from Ethical clearance committee, Bolan Medical College, Quetta, Pakistan. RESULTS Parasitaemia clearance was better with Artemether than Quinine. Parasitaemia clearance was 68 (98.55%) and 69 (100%) on third and fifth day respectively in Artemether group while Quinine group had 64 (92.75%) and 67 (97.1%) on third and fifth day respectively [third day [RR=0.9412 (95%CI, 0.8759-1.0113) P=0.2084 and fifth day respectively [RR=0.9571 (95%CI 0.9109-1.0058) P=0.2446]. Between 24-72 hours the coma recovery rate for Quinine and Artemether were 49 (98%) and 41 (85.41%) respectively [RR=1.1473 (95%CI 1.0141-1.298) P=0.029203 but after 72 hours of treatment the coma recovery remained 49 (98%) for quinine while it was 42 (87.5%) for artemether; RR=1.12 (95%CI 0.9993-1.2553) P=0.0568. The rapid resolution of coma with Quinine within 24 to 72 hours and after 72 hours were statistically significant than Artemether. CONCLUSIONS In severe paediatric malaria intravenous Quinine or intramuscular Artemether therapy does not have any statistically significant difference in terms of fever clearance but Quinine has statistically significant shorter duration of coma resolution than with Artemether therapy after 24 hours of treatment.
Prefrontal cortex and schizophrenia. A quantitative magnetic resonance imaging study.

OBJECTIVE To measure prefrontal cortical volume in a group of schizophrenic subjects who presented with mainly positive symptoms and who were previously shown to have volume reductions in left temporal lobe structures. METHOD Fourteen men with chronic schizophrenia and 15 male control subjects were matched for age, IQ, handedness, and parental socioeconomic status. Magnetic resonance images were obtained by means of a 1.5-T magnet, and contiguous 1.5-mm slices of the entire brain were obtained. RESULTS No significant differences were found between schizophrenic and control subjects in mean values for prefrontal white or gray matter on either the right or the left side. However, within the schizophrenic group, there was evidence of a relationship between the volumes of left prefrontal gray matter and left temporal lobe structures that was not present in the control group. CONCLUSIONS At least in this group of schizophrenic subjects with mainly positive symptoms, temporal lobe abnormalities can exist in conjunction with no gross volumetric abnormalities of the prefrontal cortex.
Current status of randomized controlled trials for laparoscopic gastric surgery for gastric cancer in Korea

Laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer has rapidly gained popularity as a result of the increased incidence of early gastric cancer in Korea. Although laparoscopic gastrectomy has been considered as an investigational treatment because of the lack of solid evidence of efficacy and safety, it is increasingly regarded as a standard treatment for early gastric cancer. Moreover, solid evidence is anticipated from two studies in Korea, KLASS 01 and KLASS 02, the latter of which examines the suitability of laparoscopic gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer. The use of cutting‐edge techniques for laparoscopic gastrectomy enables surgeons to deliver various treatment options that offer the best possible quality of life after gastrectomy. In this review, we summarize the current status of clinical trials on laparoscopic gastrectomy in Korea and examine future perspectives regarding laparoscopic gastrectomy for the treatment of gastric cancer.
Presence of Ochratoxin a in Red and White Grape Juice Commercialized in Iran

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin that possess a risk to human health due to its nephrotoxic, immunotoxic, mutagenic, teratogenic and carcinogenic effects. Between September 2010 and March 2011, 85 samples of red and white grape juice were collected from supermarkets in the cities of Isfahan, Shahrekord, Tabriz and Uremia, Iran. All samples were analyzed for OTA contamination by ELISA. The recovery percentage of OTA in spiked grape juice samples at concentration of 5 ng/ml was found to be 87% as mean. Ochratoxin A was detected in only one sample (1.2%) of the red grape juice at levels concentration 1.6 ng/ml which was below the maximum tolerance accepted by the European Commission (5 ng/ml). This value reflects that the analysed samples have a minimal contribution to toxicological risk.
Quantitative fluorescence microscopy of macromolecules in gel and biological tissue

Quantitative fluorescence microscopy provides valuable insight into drug delivery and pharmacokinetics. The technique is based on analysis of statistical fluctuations in fluorescence that arises as fluorophores pass through a small volume illuminated by a focused laser beam, and has been applied to measure particle motion and binding interactions in solutions, on surfaces and inside the cells. We examined the use of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy combined with a microscope (FCSM) to assess the transport of fluorescent beads and macromolecules in aqueous solutions, gels and living biological tissue. Obstructed diffusion of fluorescent beads in gels of various densities was tested to get a sensible estimate of diffusion in the interstitial tissue matrix consistent with previous reports. Fluorescently labelled liposomes as an artificial drug or gene carrying vehicles were used for pharmacokinetic tests of drug delivery in living tissue. The results indicate that FCS is an accurate and valuable tool for measuring the physical properties of gene vectors in vitro and for characterizing interactions with tissue in vivo.
Marketing Strategies in the Age of Generics

Since their introduction into U.S. supermarkets in 1977, generic grocery products have been a major center of controversy. Statistics indicate that the rapid growth phase for generics has ended and that this concept has now entered the maturity phase of its life cycle. Since generics have now become a permanent feature of the grocery industry, retailers and manufacturers must carefully formulate their marketing strategies, whether these strategies are for offensive or defensive reasons. This article focuses on these critical strategic questions, reviews past manufacturer and retailer strategies, and makes recommendations for future strategies now that generics have reached maturity.
Mathematical modeling and computational prediction of cancer drug resistance

Abstract Diverse forms of resistance to anticancer drugs can lead to the failure of chemotherapy. Drug resistance is one of the most intractable issues for successfully treating cancer in current clinical practice. Effective clinical approaches that could counter drug resistance by restoring the sensitivity of tumors to the targeted agents are urgently needed. As numerous experimental results on resistance mechanisms have been obtained and a mass of high-throughput data has been accumulated, mathematical modeling and computational predictions using systematic and quantitative approaches have become increasingly important, as they can potentially provide deeper insights into resistance mechanisms, generate novel hypotheses or suggest promising treatment strategies for future testing. In this review, we first briefly summarize the current progress of experimentally revealed resistance mechanisms of targeted therapy, including genetic mechanisms, epigenetic mechanisms, posttranslational mechanisms, cellular mechanisms, microenvironmental mechanisms and pharmacokinetic mechanisms. Subsequently, we list several currently available databases and Web-based tools related to drug sensitivity and resistance. Then, we focus primarily on introducing some state-of-the-art computational methods used in drug resistance studies, including mechanism-based mathematical modeling approaches (e.g. molecular dynamics simulation, kinetic model of molecular networks, ordinary differential equation model of cellular dynamics, stochastic model, partial differential equation model, agent-based model, pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic model, etc.) and data-driven prediction methods (e.g. omics data-based conventional screening approach for node biomarkers, static network approach for edge biomarkers and module biomarkers, dynamic network approach for dynamic network biomarkers and dynamic module network biomarkers, etc.). Finally, we discuss several further questions and future directions for the use of computational methods for studying drug resistance, including inferring drug-induced signaling networks, multiscale modeling, drug combinations and precision medicine.
Measuring Managerial Skill in the Mutual Fund Industry

Using the dollar-value a mutual fund manager adds as the measure of skill, we find that not only does skill exist (the average mutual fund manager adds about $2 million per year), but this skill is persistent, as far out as 10 years. We further document that investors recognize this skill and reward it by investing more capital with skilled managers. Higher skilled managers are paid more and there is a strong positive correlation between current managerial compensation and future performance.
Evaluation der Qualität lexikalischer Ressourcen zur Stimmungserkennung in literarischen Texten

In dieser Veroffentlichung wird die Qualitat bzw. Effektivitat von lexikalischen Ressourcen zur automatischen Stimmungserkennung in literarischen Texten evaluiert. Dazu werden die drei unterschiedlichen Wortlisten Sentiment Phrase List (SePL), NRC Emotion Lexicon und SentimentWortschatz (SentiWS) sowie ein manuell klassifiziertes Referenzset verwendet. Der Testkorpus besteht aus 20 ausgewahlten Marchen aus der Sammlung der schonsten Kinderund Hausmarchen der Bruder Grimm, online bezogen von der Website des Projekt GutenbergDE. Durch die Berechnung bestimmter Maszahlen wird gezeigt, dass die Werte der automatisch klassifizierten Texte mit den Werten des Referenzkorpus korrelieren. Es wird jedoch deutlich, dass die berechneten Korrelationen, bedingt durch die begrenzte Anzahl der Texte des Testkorpus, sehr instabil sind. Zudem wird gezeigt, dass die manuelle Klassifikation (positiv / negativ) auf Satzebene durch zwei voneinander unabhangige Personen bei dieser Art von literarischen Texten zufriedenstellend funktioniert.
How Much Impact do Social Media Make on Chasm and Buyer`s Value? : The Information Accessibility and Trust Effect among Adopting Groups

How Much Impact do Social Media Make on Chasm and Buyer ʼ s Value? : The Information Accessibility and Trust Effect among Adopting Groups* Abstract This paper is to investigate the degree of impact of social media use on buyer's value. Buyers of innovative digital devise are classified into three groups based on adopting behaviors. This study focuses on the degree of changes in information accessability and trust, and their associations with increased value perceived in resulting quality life. The result shows the gap in information accessability has disappeared while the one in trust remained. This implies that the gap among adopters in diffusion curve, so-called the chasm notion is very likely to be lessened or disappeared
Organizational Culture and Patterns of Information Processing: The Case of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Organizational culture represents the best available "lubricant" that permits small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to function smoothly and effectively. Information and the way it is collected, processed and used by the business is more and more critical decisive in an ever-changing environment. This might be especially the case in small and medium-sized firms. Information search and processing represents important determinants of performance and signifies critical key success factors for SMEs in their growing process. This study examines four cultural categories: clan, adhocracy, hierarchy and market-driven and their impact on patterns of information processing of SMEs. From a random sample of SMEs, Results from a random sample of 242 SMEs indicate that culture has a significant impact on various dimensions of information processing such as information search scope, formality, flexibility as well as organizational responsiveness. The study highlights the importance of maintaining appropriate organizational culture and matching it with the external environment. (Publication abstract)
Mind Over Stomach: A Review of the Cognitive Drivers of Food Satiation

Satiation is the main process that determines when we stop eating; it includes the decrease in sensory enjoyment and the increase in feelings of fullness over the course of eating. The cognitive processes involved in food satiation result from complex interactions between the environment and the body. This review describes how cognition shapes consumers’ experience of satiation by following the externality-internality distinction. First, satiation is shaped by external cues related to the perception of food’s composition, variety, and quantity. The influence of these external cues suggests that satiation is mentally constructed based on expectancies and beliefs. Second, satiation depends on consumers’ awareness of, attention to, and perception of internal (or bodily) signals—whether these internal signals are experienced during a meal, remembered from a past meal, or anticipated for a future meal. This has implications for understanding the role of food marketing in hedonics and overeating.
Putting harm reduction into an adolescent context

Abstract: Drug use is now widespread amongst Australian youth. Substance abuse and dependence are becoming increasingly significant health problems. Approximately 50% of 17‐year‐old Australians report regular consumption of alcohol and nearly 30% report tobacco smoking. The age of onset of substance use is reported to be decreasing. Between 1993 and 1995 the proportion of heroin users who had used the drug before the age of 16 years increased from 2% to 14%. The debate about youth substance use tends to be polarized between the views of Zero Tolerance and Legalization of drugs. The harm reduction approach spans between these two extremes. Examples of harm reduction strategies, such as education campaigns on safe injecting and needle exchange programs, have been effective in curbing the spread of blood‐borne viruses such as HIV amongst intravenous drug using youth. The harm reduction approach, taking social context and developmental stage of the individual into account, may also be applied to adolescents at the less extreme end of the substance use spectrum. It is proposed that the harm reduction framework used in this way enables a rational, relevant and consistent response to contemporary youth substance use, aiming to minimize drug related harm.
A Systematic Review of the Use of Self-Assessment in Preclinical and Clinical Dental Education.

A desired outcome of dental and dental hygiene programs is the development of students' self-assessment skills. To that end, the Commission on Dental Accreditation states that "graduates must demonstrate the ability to self-assess. " However, it is unclear that merely providing opportunity for self-assessment actually leads to the desired outcome. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature on self-assessment in dental education. A search of English-language articles for the past 25 years (January 1, 1990, to June 30, 2015) was performed using MEDLINE Medical Subject Heading terms. Each abstract and/or article was validated for inclusion. The data collected included student classification, self-assessment environment, faculty assessment, training, faculty calibration, predictive value, and student perceptions. A qualitative analysis was also performed. From an initial list of 258 articles, 19 were selected for inclusion; exclusion criteria included studies that evaluated a non-preclinical or non-clinical exercise or whose subjects were not predoctoral dental or dental hygiene students. The results showed limited information regarding any kind of systematic training of students on how to perform a self-assessment. The majority of the studies also did not specify the impact of self-assessment on student performance. Self-assessment was primarily performed in the second year and in the preclinical environment. Students received feedback through a correlated faculty assessment in 73% of the studies, but 64% did not provide information regarding students' perceptions of self-assessment. There was a trend for students to be better self-assessors in studies in which a grade was connected to the process. In addition, there was a trend for better performing students to underrate themselves and for poorer performing students to overrate themselves and, overall, for students to score themselves higher than did their faculty evaluators. These findings suggest the need for greater attention to systematically teaching self-assessment in dental and dental hygiene curricula and for further research on the impact of self-assessment on desired outcomes.
Methamphetamine use and sexual risk behaviour in Cape Town, South Africa: a review of data from 8 studies conducted between 2004 and 2007.

OBJECTIVE Community studies and studies of admissions to drug treatment centers indicate a dramatic increase in the prevalence of methamphetamine use in Cape Town since 2003. There has also been a substantial increase over this time period in the prevalence of HIV infection among women attending public antenatal clinics in the Western Cape province. This study aimed to review research conducted in Cape Town on the link between methamphetamine use and sexual risk behaviour. METHOD A review of published research conducted in Cape Town between 2004 and 2007 was undertaken using PubMed, EBSCOhost and Science Direct. RESULTS Eight studies were identified, both quantitative and qualitative, and focusing on diverse populations, such as learners in school, out of school youth, adults in the community, men who have sex with men and sex workers. The total sample across the studies was 8153. Across multiple studies methamphetamine was fairly consistently associated with early vaginal sex, condom use during sex, having casual sex and other HIV risk behaviours. For some sub-groups the direction of the relationship was in an unexpected direction. CONCLUSION The consistency of the findings across studies highlights the increased risk for contracting HIV among methamphetamine users, and reinforces the importance of interventions addressing both methamphetamine use and unsafe sexual behaviour among young people and other sectors of the population. The need for further research is also considered, particularly research that will explain some of the racial differences that were found.
Internet applications in the information economy

The Internet and the affordability of technology have created a global marketplace for many to participate in. The information society has used these opportunities to manipulate the fast growing amounts of data to their advantage, which has in turn spurred the creation of new information-related organizations and career opportunities. Organizations can manipulate information to innovate, strategize and create a competitive advantage in the market place.
Molybdenum doped titanium dioxide photocatalytic coatings for use as hygienic surfaces: the effect of soiling on antimicrobial activity

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) surfaces doped with molybdenum (Mo) were investigated to determine if their photocatalytic ability could enhance process hygiene in the brewery industry. Doping TiO2 with Mo showed a 5-log reduction in bacterial counts within 4 to 24 h and a 1-log reduction in yeast numbers within 72 h. The presence of a dilute brewery soil on the surface did not interfere with antimicrobial activity. The TiO2–Mo surface was also active in the dark, showing a 5-log reduction in bacteria within 4 to 24 h and a 1-log reduction in yeast numbers within 72 h, suggesting it could have a novel dual function, being antimicrobial and photocatalytic. The study suggests the TiO2–Mo coating could act as a secondary barrier in helping prevent the build-up of microbial contamination on surfaces within the brewery industry, in particular in between cleaning/disinfection regimes during long production runs.
Analysis of collegiate athletic marketing strategies and evaluation processes.

The primary purpose of this study was to examine Division I-A collegiate athletic marketing directors’ current sport marketing strategies; the secondary purpose of this study was to determine if there is an evaluation component of such marketing strategies, and to assess if a need exists for research specialists to assist in the athletic marketing evaluation processes. Surveys were mailed to 329 Division I-A athletic marketing directors and 136 were returned for a 41.3% response rate. Half-time promotions, brochures, local business sponsors, radio advertisements, game giveaways, newspaper advertisements, and internet advertisements were used 90% or more of those surveyed. Of those respondents, 68% felt good at developing and implementing new marketing strategies, while 62% said they often evaluate their marketing strategies. Moreover, 54% of athletic marketing directors believe they are competent in designing and implementing a statistically sound form of measurement for their marketing strategies. It was noted that only 22% of Division I-A athletic marketing directors use research consultants.
Analyzing the role of CagV, a VirB8 homolog of the type IV secretion system of Helicobacter pylori

The type IV secretion system of Helicobacter pylori (Cag‐T4SS) is composed of ~ 27 components including a VirB8 homolog, CagV. We have characterized CagV and reported that it is an inner membrane protein and, like VirB8, forms a homodimer. Its stability is not dependent on the other Cag components and the absence of cagV affects the stability of only CagI, a protein involved in pilus formation. CagV is not required for the stability and localization of outer membrane subcomplex proteins, but interacts with them through CagX. It also interacts with the inner membrane‐associated components, CagF and CagZ, and is required for the surface localization of CagA. The results of this study might help in deciphering the mechanistic contributions of CagV in the Cag‐T4SS biogenesis and function.