QueRIE: Collaborative Database Exploration

Interactive database exploration is a key task in information mining. However, users who lack SQL expertise or familiarity with the database schema face great difficulties in performing this task. To aid these users, we developed the QueRIE system for personalized query recommendations. QueRIE continuously monitors the user’s querying behavior and finds matching patterns in the system’s query log, in an attempt to identify previous users with similar information needs. Subsequently, QueRIE uses these “similar” users and their queries to recommend queries that the current user may find interesting. In this work we describe an instantiation of the QueRIE framework, where the active user’s session is represented by a set of query fragments. The recorded fragments are used to identify similar query fragments in the previously recorded sessions, which are in turn assembled in potentially interesting queries for the active user. We show through experimentation that the proposed method generates meaningful recommendations on real-life traces from the SkyServer database and propose a scalable design that enables the incremental update of similarities, making real-time computations on large amounts of data feasible. Finally, we compare this fragment-based instantiation with our previously proposed tuple-based instantiation discussing the advantages and disadvantages of each approach

The Role of the RNA-binding Protein ZFP36L1 in Suppression of Replication Stress-induced Genomic Instability

Replication stress, a hallmark of pre-cancerous and cancerous lesions, is characterised by the slowing or stalling in replication fork progression and the consequent failure to preserve genomic stability. ZFP36L1, a member of the ZFP36 family of CCCH tandem zinc finger (ZF) proteins, is an RNA-binding protein that plays a crucial role in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression underlying physiological processes and pathological diseases. Recent evidence has revealed that ZFP36L1, is significantly mutated or downregulated in certain human cancers, and exhibits tumour-suppressive properties across various cancer cell types. However, the precise molecular link between ZFP36L1 and cancer, particularly from the angle of genomic stability, remains poorly elucidated. Here, we report a novel role for ZFP36L1, characterised in human U2OS and U2OS H2B-GFP osteosarcoma cells, in suppressing replication stress-induced genomic instability. We found that, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of ZFP36L1 resulted in increased chromosome segregation defects including anaphase bridges, chromosome laggards and micronuclei formation, even in the absence of exogenous replication stress. Moreover, ZFP36L1-deficient cells exhibited an elevated accumulation of γH2AX, 53BP1 nuclear bodies (NBs) and RPA, which indicated an active role for ZFP36L1 in limiting replication stress-induced DNA damage. Furthermore, we demonstrated an unanticipated function for ZFP36L1 in potentially suppressing the expression of common fragile sites (CFSs) in response to replication stress, reflected by the increased mitotic CFS-characteristic chromosomal aberrations and MiDAS events at CFS loci observed in cells deficient in ZFP36L1. Finally, we also showed that a CRISPR/Cas9-mediated truncation in ZFP36L1, carrying a compromised lead-in sequence to its first ZF-domain, resulted in increased replication stress-associated phenotypes, similar to that of a ZFP36L1-knockout. Taken together, our data reveal, for the first time, a role for ZFP36L1 in contributing to the protection of genomic integrity against replication stress

Managerial Leadership Style in the Private Sector in Jordan

This thesis consists of a study of the leadership performance among 114 top managers in 44 companies in Jordan, measured by their views on how organisational decisions should be taken and their actual performance in decision taking. The companies concerned represent organisations operating in both the manufacturing and in the financial sector in the private sector in the Jordanian economy

Fabrication and Evaluation of Floating Mucoadhesive Tablets of Cefpodoxime Proxetil Using Factorial Design

The present research work aims to fabricate and optimize gastroretentive floating mucoadhesive tablets of Cefpodoxime Proxetil, so as to remain in the gastric region for appropriate hours and hence significantly prolong the gastric residence time of drugs which improve bioavailability. Floating-Mucoadhesive tablets of Cefpodoxime Proxetil were prepared by direct compression method using various polymers such as HPMC K 200 M, Carbopol 940P. Sodium Bicarbonate & Citric acid was incorporated as a gas-generating agents and HPMC K 200 M, Carbopol 940 P was incorporated as Mucoadhesive agent. Optimization study was carried out by using 32 factorial design. The concentration of polymers was considered as independent variables whereas Floating lag time,Swelling Index, Mucoadhesive Strength, of the tablets were utilized as dependent variables. The floating- Mucoadhesive tablets were evaluated for weight variation, hardness, thickness, friability, drug content, in-vitro buoyancy study, and in-vitro and ex-vivo Mucoadhesive studies, swelling index and in-vitro dissolution studies. The study reveals the significant effect of the amount of polymers on Floating lag time, Swelling Index, Mucoadhesive Strength of the tablets. FTIR, DSC study indicates no drug-excipients interaction in the prepared formulations. The prepared tablets exhibited satisfactory physico-chemical characteristics. All prepared batches shown good in-vitro buoyancy studies and Mucoadhesion studies. The In-vitro dissolution profiles of optimized floating- Mucoadhesive formulation of Cefpodoxime Proxetil were found to sustained the drug release up to 12 hrs and release can be extended for longer period over 12 hrs by increasing the concentration of polymers. The best result from optimized batches is of AT5 which gives floating lag time 21±2, Mucoadhesive strength 16.60 gm & drug release 98.65% in 12 hrs. Floating- Mucoadhesive tablet were prepared and could be a promising approach to deliver  Cefpodoxime Proxetil with improved gastric residence time which improve bioavailability &  effective in the management of the bacterial infection. Keywords: Cefpodoxime Proxetil, , HPMC K200M, Carbopol 940P,Floating-Mucoadhesive, factorial desig

Effects of vitamin A overdose on rat’s organs involved in immunity and vitamin A storage

Vitamin A overdose is a common occurrence due to food fortification and ingestion of vitamin A supplements. Vitamin A is a nutrient that possesses known and potential effects on general health and the immune response. This research work is an in vivo investigation of the effects of administration of vitamin A above dietary requirements on some organs involved in immunity, vitamin A storage, and metabolism in healthy male rats. A total of 60 young adult male Wistar rats were equally divided into three groups. Rats in the two test groups were orally administered with vitamin A at different concentrations (8000 and 15 000 IU kg−1 body weight) for 21 days, while the control rats did not receive any supplementation. Weekly body weights and weights of the liver, kidney, spleen, and thymus were measured. Histological evaluations were carried out on the liver, kidney, thymus, and Peyer’s patches. Findings show that vitamin A did not significantly affect body and organs’ weights, except for a significant decrease of spleen weights for both experimental groups. Vitamin A was found to lead to some changes in the histology of the tested organs. This is the first study of its kind and sets a base for future studies

FORMULATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF FLOATING BEADS OF ANTIBIOTIC BY EMULSION GELATION TECHNIQUE

Objective: The study aims at formulation and characterization of floating hydrogel beads of cefdinir for improving its bioavailability. Methods: Cefdinir is broad-spectrum, oral, third-generation cephalosporin antimicrobial agent active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The floating hydrogel beads of cefdinir were formulated with polymers such as sodium alginate and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose by emulsion gelation technique using olive oil/castor oil. The beads were evaluated for surface morphology, bead size, entrapment efficiency, floating characteristics, in vitro swelling, in vitro drug release, and stability studies. Results: On the basis of evaluation, all the beads show good swelling up to 12 h in 0.1 N hydrochloric acid. The swelling was followed by values in order of vegetable oil > mineral oil in case of emulsion gelation method. Scanning electron microscopy study shows that beads were spherical in shape. Comparing all the formulations, formulation FB12 was considered as optimized formulation which shows % yield 94.06±0.11, % floating 87.28±0.90, in vitro drug release 94.68, and also stable in stability studies. Conclusion: From the findings, it may be concluded that cefdinir-loaded floating beads were successfully prepared and proved to be useful for the better bioavailability and patient compliance for enhanced antimicrobial activity

Women\u27s empowerment and health: The role of institutions of power in Pakistan

Women\u27s right to health has been reiterated many times. However, there are social and cultural barriers in developing countries that hinder their empowerment. Women\u27s low status, deprivation of education and lack of control over their own lives and bodies have a negative impact on their health status and that of their families. This paper discusses women\u27s empowerment and health within the framework of the 4 institutions of power in a society-family, community, health care systems and the state--with special reference to the situation in Pakistan. It concludes that to improve women\u27s health status, concerted efforts are needed by all these institutions of power to work towards gender equality and the greater empowerment of women

The Impact of Investing in Research and Development on Performance: Evidence from Jordan

This research aimed to investigate the effect of investing in research and development on the performance of Jordanian companies. Investment in research and development was measured by the ratio of investment to sales and the number of researchers. Financial performance was measured by financial ratios. The population of the study consisted of 45 industrial companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange. Data was obtained only from 21 companies for seven years. The results indicate that the level of investment in research and development is very low compared to international standards. The results also show no significant relationships between investment in research and development and the financial performance of the companies. The research provides some conclusions and recommendations in light of the results