Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Peer academic detailing on use of antibiotics in acute respiratory tract infections. A controlled study in an urban Norwegian out-of-hours service

Abstract Objective: To analyse if peer academic detailing by experienced general practitioners (GPs) could be a useful way to change Medical Doctors, (MDs) prescription of antibiotics for acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) in out-of-hours service. Method: An educational Intervention study based on prescription data among MDs working in an out-of-hours service from June 2006 through October 2008. Specially trained GPs lectured a peer educational program (3 × 45 minutes) about use of antibiotics for ARTIs according to national recommendations. Outcome measures: The type and frequency of antibiotics prescribed for different ARTIs before and after intervention comparing the intervention group with the control group. Subjects: 22 MDs in the intervention group and 31 MDs in the control group. Results: The intervention group showed an overall statistically significantly absolute increase in the use of penicillin V (Penicillin V) of 9.8% (95% CI: 2.3%–17.4% p < 0.05), and similarly an statistically significantly absolute decrease in the use of macrolides and lincosamides of 8.8% (95% CI: 2.6%–14.9.2% p < 0.05) for all diagnoses. For subgroups of ARTIs we found a significant increase in the use of Penicillin V for acute otitis media, sinusitis, pneumonia and upper ARTIs. There was no significant changes in total prescription rates in the two groups. 41% of all consultations with respiratory tract infections resulted in antibiotic prescription. Conclusions: Using trained GPs to give peer academic detailing to colleagues in combination with open discussion on prescription, showed a significant change in prescription of antibiotics towards national guidelines. Key Points Phenoxymethylpenicillin is the first choice for the most of respiratory tract infections when indicated. Despite the guidelines for the choice of antibiotics in Norway, general practitioners’ choice often differs from these. We showed that a session of three times 45 min of peer academic detailing changed significantly the choice of antibiotics towards the National Guidelines in an urban Norwegian out-of-hours service.
Unexpected High Winds in Northern New Jersey: A Downslope Windstorm in Modest Topography

AbstractThis study presents the first evidence for the occurrence of a downslope windstorm in New Jersey. During the early morning hours of 4 January 2009, an unanticipated strong wind event was observed. Despite a zone forecast calling for winds less than 4 m s−1 issued 4 h prior to the event, winds up to 23 m s−1 were reported at High Point, New Jersey (elevation 550 m), with gusts to 30 m s−1 in its immediate lee (elevation 311 m). These winds were highly localized; a nearby Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) station (Sussex, New Jersey, 12 km distant) reported calm winds between 0700 and 1000 UTC, just as the winds were peaking near High Point. High Point is the highest point in New Jersey, and is part of the quasi-two-dimensional Kittatinny Mountain extending from Pennsylvania into New York. This study tests the hypothesis that the topography of High Point, upon interacting with the local atmospheric stability and wind profiles, was sufficient to produce a downslope windstorm, thus causing the.
Power capability of salient pole permanent magnet synchronous motors in variable speed drive applications

A constant-parameter equivalent-circuit model which neglects motor losses is used to determine the effects of d-q reactances and open-circuit voltage on the power capability of salient pole permanent magnet motors in variable-speed-drive applications. It is shown that peak power capability over a range of speeds can be obtained by proper control of the armature current magnitude and phase. Due to the voltage constraint imposed at the motor terminals, the power capability will fall to zero for most motor designs at a given high speed. A simple relationship between the motor open-circuit voltage and the direct axis reactance is derived to obtain motor designs that, even with this voltage constraint in place, extend their theoretical power capability, neglecting losses, to infinite speed. All results are presented in normalized curves using a per-unit system. <<ETX>>
Evaluation of Skin Permeation and Analgesic Activity Effects of Carbopol Lornoxicam Topical Gels Containing Penetration Enhancer

The current study was designed to develop a topical gel formulation for improved skin penetration of lornoxicam (LOR) for enhancement of its analgesic activity. Moreover, the effect of different penetration enhancers on LOR was studied. The LOR gel formulations were prepared by using hydroxylpropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and carbopol. The carbopol gels in presence of propylene glycol (PG) and ethanol were developed. The formulated gels were characterized for pH, viscosity, and LOR release using Franz diffusion cells. Also, in vitro skin permeation of LOR was conducted. The effect of hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin (HP β-CD), beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD), Tween 80, and oleic acid on LOR permeation was evaluated. The optimized LOR gel formulation (LORF8) showed the highest flux (14.31 μg/cm2/h) with ER of 18.34 when compared to LORF3. Incorporation of PG and HP β-CD in gel formulation (LORF8) enhanced the permeation of LOR significantly. It was observed that LORF3 and LORF8 show similar analgesic activity compared to marketed LOR injection (Xefo). This work shows that LOR can be formulated into carbopol gel in presence of PG and HP β-CD and may be promising in enhancing permeation.
Aggregating OPC UA servers for monitoring manufacturing systems and mobile work machines

An aggregating server providing data access to multiple data sources is a software architecture that is often applied in industrial applications. This paper presents a design of an aggregating server based on OPC UA technology and tests it with two different experimental applications, one about production control of a flexible manufacturing system and another about remote monitoring of mobile work machines. The presented design enables transparent access to the data in the address space of the aggregating server through utilization of address space transformations. The transformations can be either configured with rules or be programmed. Feasibility of the design of the aggregating server and the applications was evaluated with experimental implementations containing both simulated devices and real work machines.
A comparative study of e-Government successful implementation between Nigeria and Republic of Korea

Many countries in the world have now realized the relevance of adopting e-Government as a medium for providing effective and citizen-centered services. Developing countries like Nigeria have adopted e-government and are taking yet another step at improving their ranking in the United Nations (UN) e-Government Survey carried out bi-annually. The Federal Government of Nigeria in February, 2014 contracted the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to evolve an e-Government master plan that will ensure total compliance with e-government practices worldwide. This paper investigates the e-government position in Nigeria and compares it with that of South Korea. The study is used the e-Government survey reports carried out by the UN for the period covering 2008 to 2014. The results present lessons learnt from South Korea and the measures Nigeria needs to put in place in order to improve her ranking in the periodic review.
Changes in heart-rate variability of survivors of nasopharyngeal cancer during Tai Chi Qigong practice

[Purpose] To explore the changes in heart-rate variability (HRV) of survivors of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) before, during, and after a Tai Chi (TC) Qigong exercise. [Subjects and Methods] Eleven survivors of NPC participated voluntarily in the study. The heart rate of each participant was measured continuously for 1 minute before the TC Qigong intervention, during the 5-minute TC Qigong intervention, and for 1 minute after the intervention, using a Polar heart-rate monitor. Spectral HRV was expressed in terms of normalised low frequency (LF) power, normalised high frequency (HF) power, and the low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) power ratio. [Results] Both the LF-power and the HF-power components had significant time effects. However, the time effect of the LF/HF power ratio was not significant. Post hoc contrast analysis revealed a significant decrease in LF power and a concomitant increase in HF power during the 4th minute and 5th minute of the TC Qigong exercise. [Conclusion] Five minutes of TC Qigong exercise was found to improve HRV by increasing HF power and decreasing LF power, but these effects were transient. TC Qigong might be an appropriate exercise for improving the ANS function and psychological and cardiac health of survivors of NPC.
Correlates of Nine-Month Retention following Interim Buprenorphine-Naloxone Treatment in Opioid Dependence: A Pilot Study

Interim medication-only treatment has been suggested for the initiation of opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) in opioid-dependent subjects, but this rarely has been studied using buprenorphine instead of methadone. Following a pilot trial assessing interim buprenorphine-naloxone treatment in order to facilitate transfer into OMT, we here aimed to study retention, and potential correlates of retention, in full-scale treatment. Thirty-six patients successfully referred from a waiting list through an interim treatment phase were followed for nine months in OMT. Baseline characteristics, as well as urine analyses during the interim phase and during full-scale OMT, were studied as potential correlates of retention. The nine-month retention in OMT was 83 percent (n = 30). While interim-phase urine samples positive for benzodiazepines did not significantly predict dropout from full-scale OMT (p = 0.09), urine samples positive for benzodiazepines within full-scale OMT were significantly associated with dropout (p < 0.01), in contrast to other substances and baseline characteristics. Retention remained high through nine months in this pilot study sample of patients referred through buprenorphine-naloxone interim treatment, but use of benzodiazepines is problematic, and the present data suggest that it may be associated with treatment dropout.
Monte Carlo Study of Radiation Dose Enhancement by Gadolinium in Megavoltage and High Dose Rate Radiotherapy

MRI is often used in tumor localization for radiotherapy treatment planning, with gadolinium (Gd)-containing materials often introduced as a contrast agent. Motexafin gadolinium is a novel radiosensitizer currently being studied in clinical trials. The nanoparticle technologies can target tumors with high concentration of high-Z materials. This Monte Carlo study is the first detailed quantitative investigation of high-Z material Gd-induced dose enhancement in megavoltage external beam photon therapy. BEAMnrc, a radiotherapy Monte Carlo simulation package, was used to calculate dose enhancement as a function of Gd concentration. Published phase space files for the TrueBeam flattening filter free (FFF) and conventional flattened 6MV photon beams were used. High dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy with Ir-192 source was also investigated as a reference. The energy spectra difference caused a dose enhancement difference between the two beams. Since the Ir-192 photons have lower energy yet, the photoelectric effect in the presence of Gd leads to even higher dose enhancement in HDR. At depth of 1.8 cm, the percent mean dose enhancement for the FFF beam was 0.38±0.12, 1.39±0.21, 2.51±0.34, 3.59±0.26, and 4.59±0.34 for Gd concentrations of 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mg/mL, respectively. The corresponding values for the flattened beam were 0.09±0.14, 0.50±0.28, 1.19±0.29, 1.68±0.39, and 2.34±0.24. For Ir-192 with direct contact, the enhanced were 0.50±0.14, 2.79±0.17, 5.49±0.12, 8.19±0.14, and 10.80±0.13. Gd-containing materials used in MRI as contrast agents can also potentially serve as radiosensitizers in radiotherapy. This study demonstrates that Gd can be used to enhance radiation dose in target volumes not only in HDR brachytherapy, but also in 6 MV FFF external beam radiotherapy, but higher than the currently used clinical concentration (>5 mg/mL) would be needed.
THE FAST FOURIER TRANSFORM AND CEPSTROGRAM BASED APPROACH TO THE ASSESSMENT OF HUMAN VOICE STABILITY

The topic of the paper is to assess the stability of the human voice on the basic of results of Fast Fourier Transform and cepstrogram, which are subjected to statistical analysis. The presented results are the first part of the study on the usefulness of these analyses in voice quality assessment and identification of persons and voice commands in a noisy environment. The purpose of the study is to select the indicators, characteristic for the voice of the one particular person. In the paper is described the data selection algorithm for testing purposes from a single recording of a human voice, and the results of statistical analysis of the stability of expression of voiced vowel. Proposed algorithm allows extracting voiced elements of a desired length from the recordings with the exception of noise and silence. Then, to assess stability of waveforms, the recording is divided into several to several tens of fragments a length of few tens milliseconds. Each fragment is analysed independently of the other, and the result is a measure of the error of inference algorithms for identifying the person and voice commands. Particular attention is given to comparing the results of statistical analyses, after the splitting into blocks of the same duration and the same number of micro phonemes in the waveform. Due to fact, that in the studies have used a frequency analysis, it is possible to determine the stability of both the fundamental frequency and formants using the same statistic apparatus.
Does local feeding specialization exist in Eurasian badgers

Several local populations of the otherwise trophic-generalist Eurasian badger (Meles meles) have been defined as specializing locally on temporally variable food resources such as earthworms (Lumbricus spp.), olive fruits (Olea europaea), or young rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), owing to a lack of correlation between resource availability and use. However, theoretical models predict that temporal variation in resources reduces the probability of diet specialization. To understand the relationship between temporal resource variability and local feeding specialization, we studied temporal variation in diet composition and diversity (using fecal analysis), the availability of a temporally stable key resource, and the relation between consumption and availability of rabbits (key prey) and invertebrates (secondary prey) for a badger population previously described as specialized on young rabbits. We found strong variations in the use of different resources (including young rabbits) and in diet diversity among.
Portfolio Selection and Omega as a Performance Measure

In this paper, we first develop a model by using the concept of Omega in the Risk-adjusted Return Theory. Since the theory quantifies an individual's return-risk relation and the Omega is a performance measure that takes into account all high moments of an asset returns, we are able to utilize the model to construct the efficient frontier of portfolios and make an optimal risk budgeting. This model is an asymmetric, multiple factor model. Its drawback is that it is difficult to determine the market portfolio. We propose alternative measures of return performance because of this drawback. After applying the measures in the Risk-Adjusted Return Theory, we can build new asset-pricing models. These models solve the problem while still having all features of the former model. In addition, we can easily tell how well to price an asset with these models.
Comparative assessment of the cytotoxicity of six anti-inflammatory eyedrops in four cultured ocular surface cell lines, as determined by cell viability scores

Purpose Anti-inflammatory eyedrops are often used in the treatment of corneal epithelial disorders. In the present study, we evaluated the cytotoxicity of six anti-inflammatory eyedrops in four ocular surface cell lines. Methods The cytotoxicity of six commercially available anti-inflammatory ophthalmic solutions (ie, diclofenac, bromfenac, pranoprofen, betamethasone, and fluoromethorone) was assessed in three corneal cell lines and one conjunctival cell line. Cell viability was determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2 thiazoyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide and neutral red assays after exposing the cells to 10, 30, and 60 minutes of onefold, twofold, and tenfold dilutions of the drugs. Cytotoxicity was compared using the cell viability score (CVS), an integrated cytotoxic parameter that takes various factors into account, such as dilution by tear fluid or concentration by evaporation, drug exposure time, and ocular surface cell type. Results Based on the CVS scores, the order of the anti-inflammatory eyedrops tested from least to most cytotoxic, with the active ingredient %CVS50, and %CVS40/80 for each solution given in parentheses, was as follows: Rinderon® (betamethasone, 100%, 100%) >0.02% Flumethoron® (fluoromethorone, 68%, 22%) = 0.1% Flumethoron® (fluoromethorone, 76%, 22%) >Bronuck® (0.1% bromfenac, 53%, −8%) = Diclod® (0.1% diclofenac, 44%, −15%) = Niflan® (pranoprofen, 50%, −19%). Rinderon® exhibited the least toxicity of all the anti-inflammatory eyedrops tested. Eyedrops containing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs exhibited greater cytotoxicity than those containing steroids with benzalkonium at comparable concentrations. Concentration was the most significant factor affecting cell viability. Conclusion The cytotoxicity of the anti-inflammatory eyedrops evaluated in the present study depended on both the pharmaceutical components and preservatives. The CVS is a concise indicator of drug cytotoxicity.
How Clones are Maintained: An Empirical Study

Despite the conventional wisdom concerning the risks related to the use of source code cloning as a software development strategy, several studies appeared in literature indicated that this is not true. In most cases clones are properly maintained and, when this does not happen, is because cloned code evolves independently. Stemming from previous works, this paper combines clone detection and co-change analysis to investigate how clones are maintained when an evolution activity or a bug fixing impact a source code fragment belonging to a clone class. The two case studies reported confirm that, either for bug fixing or for evolution purposes, most of the cloned code is consistently maintained during the same co-change or during temporally close co-changes
Second Best Pricing with Stochastic Demand

Second-best pricing rules are developed for a monopoly firm facing random demands and using the welfare function. Situations of uncertain demand when prices are set before the demand level is known can result in an excess of demand and require service to be rationed. Customer behavior in specific cases is examined. Customers who value service most are found to be served first under both second-best optimal prices and the monopolistic rule. Random rationing by price and inefficient nonprice rationing, however, are shown to result in inefficient distribution of service. 21 references.
Developing Expert Leadership For Future Schools

Part 1 A perspective on developing expert leadership for future schools: a conception of expert leadership for future schools what research tells us about the present state of schools leadership. Part 2 The nature of expert leadership for future schools: envisioning the future schools expert school leadership on the high ground and in the swamp expert leadership on the high ground expert leadership in the swamp the special role of values in school leadership teacher development - a central problem for leaders of future schools collaborative school cultures - a key part of the solution. Part 3 Developing expert leadership for future schools: the socialization of school-leaders characteristics of formal programs for developing leadership on the high ground characteristics of formal programmes for developing expert school leadership in the swamp performance appraisal and selection of school leaders - performance appraisal for growth performance appraisal and selection of school leaders - selection processes and measurement issues implications for district leaders.
Applicability of the ICD-11 proposal for PTSD: a comparison of prevalence and comorbidity rates with the DSM-IV PTSD classification in two post-conflict samples

Background The World Health Organization recently proposed significant changes to the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnostic criteria in the 11th edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). Objective The present study investigated the impact of these changes in two different post-conflict samples. Method Prevalence and rates of concurrent depression and anxiety, socio-demographic characteristics, and indicators of clinical severity according to ICD-11 in 1,075 Cambodian and 453 Colombian civilians exposed to civil war and genocide were compared to those according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). Results Results indicated significantly lower prevalence rates under the ICD-11 proposal (8.1% Cambodian sample and 44.4% Colombian sample) compared to the DSM-IV (11.2% Cambodian sample and 55.0% Colombian sample). Participants meeting a PTSD diagnosis only under the ICD-11 proposal had significantly lower rates of concurrent depression and a lower concurrent total score (depression and anxiety) compared to participants meeting only DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. There were no significant differences in socio-demographic characteristics and indicators of clinical severity between these two groups. Conclusions The lower prevalence of PTSD according to the ICD-11 proposal in our samples of persons exposed to a high number of traumatic events may counter criticism of previous PTSD classifications to overuse the PTSD diagnosis in populations exposed to extreme stressors. Also another goal, to better distinguish PTSD from comorbid disorders could be supported with our data.
Why Occupy a Square?: People, Protests and Movements in the Egyptian Revolution

On 25 January 2011, tens of thousands of Egyptians came out on the streets to protest against emergency rule and police brutality. Eighteen days later, Mubarak, one of the longest sitting dictators in the region, had gone. How are we to make sense of these events? Was this a revolution, a revolutionary moment? How did the protests come about? How were they able to outmanoeuvre the police? Was this really a 'leaderless revolution,' as so many pundits claimed, or were the protests an out- growth of the protest networks that had developed over the past decade? Why did so many people with no history of activism participate? What role did economic and systemic crises play in creating the conditions for these pro- tests to occur? Was this really a Facebook revolution? Why Occupy a Square? is a dynamic exploration of the shape and timing of these extraordinary events, the players behind them, and the tactics and protest frames they developed. Drawing on social movement theory, it traces the interaction between protest cycles, regime responses and broader structural changes over the past decade. Using theories of urban politics, space and power, it reflects on the exceptional state of non-sovereign politics that developed during the occupation of Tahrir Square.