Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetics of Lopinavir/Ritonavir Crushed Versus Whole Tablets in Children

ObjectiveLopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra) is first-line therapy for pediatric HIV infection. In clinical practice, Kaletra tablets are occasionally crushed for pediatric administration. This study compared lopinavir/ritonavir exposure between whole and crushed tablets in HIV-infected children. DesignThis was a randomized, open-label, cross-over study of pediatric patients taking lopinavir/ritonavir as part of their antiretroviral regimen. Each subject had 2 separate (within 30 days) steady-state 12-hour pharmacokinetic (PK) studies with crushed and whole 200/50 mg lopinavir/ritonavir tablets. MethodsPK blood samples were drawn at 0 (predose), 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 hours postdose. Lopinavir and ritonavir plasma concentrations measured by high-performance liquid chromatography were used to calculate non-compartmental area under the concentration versus time curve (AUC) and clearance. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests compared PK values between crushed and whole tablets. ResultsTwelve children, median age of 13 years (10–16 years), took 550/138 mg·m−2 per day lopinavir/ritonavir divided every 12 hours. The median lopinavir AUC after crushed and whole tablets were 92 mg·hr·L−1 and 144 mg·hr·L−1, respectively, with an AUC ratio of 0.55 (P = 0.003). Median ritonavir AUC of crushed and whole tablets were 7 mg·hr·L−1 and 13.3 mg·hr·L−1, respectively, with an AUC ratio of 0.53 (P = 0.006). ConclusionsAdministration of crushed 200/50 mg lopinavir/ritonavir tablets to children significantly reduced lopinavir and ritonavir exposure with a decrease in AUC by 45% and 47%, respectively. The administration of crushed tablets would require higher doses and therapeutic drug monitoring to ensure adequate lopinavir exposure in patients requiring this practice. The use of crushed lopinavir/ritonavir tablets should be avoided, if possible.
Myers‐Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI): Some Psychometric Limitations

The present paper critically reviews the psychometric adequacy of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). Although the instrument is extremely popular in applied settings, there is an urgent need for the development of valid and comprehensive local norms, in order to increase its predictive validity and utility within the Australian context. In addition, there is a number of psychometric limitations pertaining to the reliability and validity of the MBTI, which raise concerns about its use by practitioners. In view of these seri- ous limitations, routine use of the MBTI is not recommended, and psychologists should be cautious as to its likely misuse in various organisational and occupational settings.
Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on Patient Outcomes

Abstract Introduction: Arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tears has been associated with satisfactory improvement in pain and function. The goal of this study was to compare the results of patients with diabetes and patients without diabetes after the 2 cohorts underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR). Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 56 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus or type 2 diabetes mellitus and 67 patients without diabetes, all of whom underwent arthroscopic RCR with 1 year of follow-up. Changes in range of motion (ROM), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and Penn Shoulder Score (PSS) were compared between both groups at 1 year postoperatively. Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in ROM for both groups. However, patients without diabetes had greater forward flexion (P = 0.02), abduction (P = 0.04), and external rotation (P = 0.004). Both groups noted significant improvement in their respective ASES score and PSS. However, patients with diabetes had a lower ASES score (P < 0.01) and PSS (P < 0.01). There were no differences in recurrent tears or complications. Conclusion: Arthroscopic RCR in patients with diabetes resulted in improved postoperative ROM and function.
Gender Discrimination, Human Capital and Marriage

We show that the recognition of basic women's rights in developing countries may have important positive spillovers on the whole sphere of labor market transactions, with more women seeking education and an overall lesser wage discrimination against women. A combination of basic women's rights such as marriage consent, access to credit and the right to do business is shown to have important effects on the wage women can earn for their labor. Access to credit/entrepreneurship, in particular, raises the threat point of women in a spousal bargaining and has the interesting effect of making the transfer from husband to wife, otherwise decreasing with discrimination, a positive function of wage discrimination in the society. Our analysis suggests that where women empowerment has taken place, either from within or following women-targeted foreign aid, education for women should be on the rise and political support for a lessening of wage discrimination against women should be gaining ground.
Intensive cisplatin and cyclophosphamide‐based chemotherapy without radiotherapy for intracranial germinomas: Failure of a primary chemotherapy approach

High rates of overall and event‐free survival have been reported in patients with intracranial germinomas treated with craniospinal radiotherapy. More recently, similar results have been reported with chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy to more localized treatment volumes. Our interest in exploring chemotherapy without radiotherapy in patients with CNS germinomas was based on concerns about the late sequelae of radiotherapy to the brain or neuraxis and also the well documented success of chemotherapy alone in patients with disseminated extracranial germinomas. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether intensive cisplatin and cyclophosphamide‐based combination chemotherapy, without radiotherapy, was effective in patients with CNS germinomas.
Lack of Nontargeted Effects in Murine Bone Marrow after Low-Dose In Vivo X Irradiation

Abstract Exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation unequivocally produces adverse health effects including malignancy. At low doses the situation is much less clear, because effects are generally too small to be estimated directly by epidemiology, and extrapolation of risk and establishment of international rules and standards rely on the linear no-threshold (LNT) concept. Claims that low doses are more damaging than would be expected from LNT have been made on the basis of in vitro studies of nontargeted bystander effects and genomic instability, but relevant investigations of primary cells and tissues are limited. Here we show that after low-dose low-LET in vivo radiation exposures in the 0–100-mGy range of murine bone marrow there is no evidence of a bystander effect, assessed by p53 pathway signaling, nor is there any evidence for longer-term chromosomal instability in the bone marrow at doses below 1000 mGy. The data are not consistent with speculations based on in vitro nontargeted effects that low-dose X radiation is more damaging than would be expected from linear extrapolation.
Firm value effects of derivatives hedging for risk exposure: An empirical research on Chinese listed enterprises

On the basis of risk management theory, using Tobin's Q as a proxy for firm value, the paper examines the relationship of derivatives hedging and the firm value. Using database of the Chinese non-financial listed enterprises with commodity price-exposure and foreign exchange-exposure from 2007 to 2009, our finding shows that there is the significantly positive relationship between derivatives hedging for risk exposure and firm value in Chinese firm. And Evidence also suggests that the functions of derivatives hedging are better than the non-derivatives hedging methods.
A 100 GOPS in-vehicle vision processor for pre-crash safety systems based on a ring connected 128 4-Way VLIW processing elements

A 100GOPS vision processor LSI (IMAPCAR) for in-vehicle image recognition which consumes less than 2 watts of power has been developed. 128 of 4-way VLIW with MAC (multiply add accumulation) processor elements (PE) to which data are assigned efficiently by DMA companion scaling capability, has achieved high performance in low cost. Compared with a previous design, performance for major vision tasks has been improved by a factor of 2.5 while 50% of power is reduced.
Changes in resistive index following extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

Abstract Background : Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) has replaced most surgical and endourologic forms of therapy for upper urinary tract stone disease. Despite its proved safety and efficacy, its adverse effects on renal function are still to be identified. A newer diagnostic technique, color Doppler ultrasonography, has brought a new insight into renal function. It enables precise evaluation of the renal vascular supply. Changes in intrarenal vascular resistance after ESWL were studied with Doppler ultrasound techniques.
Overt and subclinical hypothyroidism among Bangladeshi pregnant women and its effect on fetomaternal outcome.

OBJECTIVES Thyroid disorders are among the common endocrine problems in pregnant women. It is now well established that not only overt but subclinical thyroid dysfunction also has adverse effects on maternal and fetal outcome. There are few data from Bangladesh about the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy. With this background, this study aims to find out thyroid dysfunction (both overt and subclinical hypothyroidism) in pregnancy and its impact on obstetrical outcome. METHODS We studied the evaluation of 50 admitted pregnancies corresponding to 29 women with subclinical hypothyroidism and rest 21 was overt hypothyroidism. Detailed history and examination were performed. Apart from routine obstetrical investigations, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) estimation was done. Their obstetrical and perinatal outcomes were noted. RESULTS Overt hypothyroidism was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in 25 to 44 years age group. However two and three abortions were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in overt hypothyroidism patients. In sub clinical hypothyroidism 86.2% conceived firstly within 2 years and 66.7% in overt hypothyroidism patients conceived firstly in between 3 to 5 years after marriage. Overt hypothyroids were prone to have pregnancy-induced hypertension 42.9%, intrauterine growth restriction (P = 0.001) and gestational diabetes (38.1%) as compared to subclinical cases. Neonatal complications were significantly more in overt hypothyroidism group. Mean TSH level was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in overt hypothyroidism patients but mean FT4 level was almost similar in both groups. Majority of the patient underwent caesarean section in both groups due to associated medical and obstetrical complications. None of the babies showed hypothyroidism by cord blood tests. In this analysis our results showed that overt hypothyroidism among Bangladeshi pregnant women are associated with more maternal complication & adverse parental outcome than subclinical hypothyroidism. The adequate treatment of hypothyroidism during gestation minimizes risks and generally, makes it possible for pregnancies to be carried to term without complications. Significant adverse effects on maternal and fetal outcome were seen emphasizing the importance of routine antenatal thyroid screening.
Molecular noise of capping protein binding induces macroscopic instability in filopodial dynamics

Capping proteins are among the most important regulatory proteins involved in controlling complicated stochastic dynamics of filopodia, which are dynamic finger-like protrusions used by eukaryotic motile cells to probe their environment and help guide cell motility. They attach to the barbed end of a filament and prevent polymerization, leading to effective filament retraction due to retrograde flow. When we simulated filopodial growth in the presence of capping proteins, qualitatively different dynamics emerged, compared with actin-only system. We discovered that molecular noise due to capping protein binding and unbinding leads to macroscopic filopodial length fluctuations, compared with minuscule fluctuations in the actin-only system. Thus, our work shows that molecular noise of signaling proteins may induce micrometer-scale growth–retraction cycles in filopodia. When capped, some filaments eventually retract all the way down to the filopodial base and disappear. This process endows filopodium with a finite lifetime. Additionally, the filopodia transiently grow several times longer than in actin-only system, since less actin transport is required because of bundle thinning. We have also developed an accurate mean-field model that provides qualitative explanations of our numerical simulation results. Our results are broadly consistent with experiments, in terms of predicting filopodial growth retraction cycles and the average filopodial lifetimes.
Motion-parameter estimation for precession-with-nutation space targets based on wideband radar measurements

Nutation and precession parameter estimation is of great importance for attitude estimation of spin-stabilized space targets. In this paper, we propose a novel method to estimate the nutation and precession parameters of a rigid-body object from the one-dimensional high-resolution radial-range measurements. First, we elaborately derive the kinematic equations and one-dimensional radial-projection model of the precession-with-nutation object, where fixed-point and slipping scatterers are separately taken into account. Second, by using the radial-range trajectories of multiple scatterers, we employ the factorization-based algorithm to obtain the motion reconstruction. Third, we estimate the nutation and precession parameters based on the reconstructed motion and the spectrum analysis of the associated trajectories. Moreover, the l1-norm-based one-dimensional trajectory-recovering technique is developed to deal with the incomplete radial-range trajectories caused by the shadowing effect, specularity, and so on. Finally, experiments are carried out on the electromagnetic analysis data to verify the proposed model and parameter-estimation method.
Microtensile strength of composite bonded to hot-pressed ceramics.

PURPOSE The objective of this in vitro study employing the microtensile test was to test the hypothesis that the tensile bond strength of hot-pressed ceramics to composite is controlled by the ceramic microstructure and the ceramic surface treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS Hot-pressed IPS Empress (E1) and IPS Empress 2 (E2) ceramic blocks were polished with 1-micron alumina abrasive and treated as follows: group 1: 9.6% hydrofluoric acid (HF) on E1; group 2: 4% acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) on E1; group 3: silane (S) on E1; group 4: HF + S on E1; group 5: APF + S on E1; group 6: HF on E2; group 7: APF on E2; group 8: S on E2; group 9: HF + S on E2; group 10: APF + S on E2. The surfaces as described above were then treated with Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Plus and covered with composite (Z-100). From the blocks obtained in this manner, specimens for microtensile testing were created by sectioning. Twenty bar specimens for each group were loaded to failure under tension using an Instron testing machine. RESULTS Mean tensile bond strength (MPa) and standard deviation values are as follows: (1) 9.9 +/- 1.2; (2) 0; (3) 27.2 +/- 4.8; (4) 20.6 +/- 3.0; (5) 13.6 +/- 4.5; (6) 41.7 +/- 6.7; (7) 19.1 +/- 2.6; (8) 30.1 +/- 5.3; (9) 56.1 +/- 4.1; (10) 36.9 +/- 3.9. All fractures occurred within the adhesion zone. SEM images of chemically etched specimens revealed that HF produced greater surface degradation and greater bond strength than APF for both E1 and E2 ceramics. The mean bond strength of groups 6 through 10 (E2) was significantly greater than that of groups 1 through 5 (E1) for each treatment condition. CONCLUSION The tensile fracture resistance of the composite-ceramic adhesion zones is controlled primarily by ceramic microstructure and ceramic surface treatment.
Individual patient data meta‐analysis of time‐to‐event outcomes: one‐stage versus two‐stage approaches for estimating the hazard ratio under a random effects model

Meta‐analyses of individual patient data (IPD) provide a strong and authoritative basis for evidence synthesis. IPD are particularly useful when the outcome of interest is the time to an event. Methodological developments now enable the meta‐analysis of time‐to‐event IPD using a single model, allowing treatment effect and across‐trial heterogeneity parameters to be estimated simultaneously. This differs from the standard approaches used with aggregate data, and also predominantly with IPD. Facilitated by a simulation study, we investigate what these new ‘one‐stage’ random‐effects models offer over standard ‘two‐stage’ approaches. We find that two‐stage approaches represent a robust, reliable and easily implementable way to estimate treatment effects and account for heterogeneity. Nevertheless, one‐stage models can be used to provide a deeper insight into the data. Software for fitting one‐stage Cox models with random effects using Restricted Maximum Likelihood methodology is made available, and its use demonstrated on an IPD meta‐analysis assessing post‐operative radio therapy for patients with non‐small cell lung cancer. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Unintended pregnancies and use, misuse and discontinuation of oral contraceptives.

Unintended pregnancies are a recognized occurrence among women using oral contraceptives (OCs) as a consequence of both user and method failure. However, OCs also influence the occurrence of unintended pregnancies through an additional, poorly recognized, route: cessation of OC use by women who do not wish to become pregnant but stop using OCs because of side effects or other reasons. Many such women fail to immediately substitute a new contraceptive and/or adopt a less reliable contraceptive. This is a particularly important consideration for the approximately 3.7 million women who begin taking OCs in the United States each year since this group commonly experiences side effects and has a high discontinuation rate. Using a decision tree to follow a cohort of OC users over one year, we estimate that over 1 million unintended pregnancies are related to OC use, misuse or discontinuation. The greatest proportion of these, 61%, occur in women who discontinue OCs; of these, 66.6% occur in women who fail to immediately substitute other contraceptives and 33.3% because of the adoption of less reliable contraceptive methods. Of continuing OC users, the majority, exhibiting good compliance, contribute 24% of pregnancies because of their large numbers. Continuing OC users who are poor compliers, though many fewer, are responsible for 15% due to their high pregnancy rate. Unintended pregnancies in women who discontinue OCs account for approximately 20% of the 3.5 million annual unintended pregnancies in the United States, incurring costs of nearly +2.6 billion. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Performance capacity, fighting tactics and the evolution of life–stage male morphs in the green anole lizard (Anolis carolinensis)

The evolution of alternative male phenotypes is probably driven by male–male competition for access to reproductive females, but few studies have examined whether whole–organism performance capacities differ between male morphs, and if so whether any such differences affect fighting ability. We show how ontogenetic changes in performance and morphology have given rise to two distinct life–stage male morphs exhibiting different fighting tactics within the green anole lizard (Anolis carolinensis). Field studies show a bimodal distribution of adult males within a single population: larger ‘heavyweight’ males have relatively large heads and high bite forces for their size, whereas smaller ‘lightweight’ males have smaller heads and lower bite forces. In staged fights between size–matched heavyweight males, males with greater biting ability won more frequently, whereas in lightweight fights, males with greater jumping velocity and acceleration won more often. Because growth in reptiles is indeterminate, and the anole males examined are sexually mature, we propose that the heavyweight morph arose through selection against males with small heads and poor bite forces at the lightweight–heavyweight size transition. Our findings imply that one may not be able to predict male fighting success (and hence potential mating success) by examining aspects of male ‘quality’ at only one life stage.
Equivalent Thevenin Source Method as Tool for Response Calculation of Wave Digital Structures

The equivalent Thevenin source method combined with transfer parameter approach is employed to determine response of wave digital structure. This combination is a very efficient way for evaluating the scattering parameters of wave digital structures. A simple algorithm for coefficient calculation is derived. The described procedure can be implemented very effectively in any matrix oriented mathematical programs. One application example, proving the response accuracy of the new technique, is given.
Diffusion tensor imaging in carpal tunnel syndrome.

PURPOSE We aimed to investigate the efficacy of diffusion tensor imaging in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome and to obtain a quantitative parameter that may contribute to the diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS The median nerves in 57 wrists of 38 patients diagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome and 30 wrists of 24 normal subjects were prospectively evaluated with a 3T Philips scanner, using standard 8-channel SENSE head coil. Diffusion tensor imaging was performed using spin echo-echo planar imaging. For anatomical reference, a T1-weighted sequence was acquired. Fractional anisotropy and apparent diffusion coefficient measurements were done focally at the carpal tunnel level and from whole median nerve. RESULTS In carpal tunnel syndrome patients, both focal carpal tunnel and whole nerve measurements demonstrated statistically significantly lower fractional anisotropy values than normal subjects (P < 0.001). No statistically significant difference was observed in apparent diffusion coefficient measurements. The cut-off value obtained by receiver operator characteristics analysis was 0.554 for focal carpal tunnel fractional anisotropy (sensitivity, 80%; specificity, 80%) and 0.660 for whole nerve fractional anisotropy (sensitivity, 82%; specificity, 80%) measurement. CONCLUSION Diffusion tensor imaging may contribute to the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome on the basis of fractional anisotropy measurements.
Trajectory data mining: A review of methods and applications

: The increasing use of location-aware devices has led to an increasing availability of trajectory data. As a result, researchers devoted their efforts to developing analysis methods including different data mining methods for trajectories. However, the research in this direction has so far produced mostly isolated studies and we still lack an integrated view of problems in applications of trajectory mining that were solved, the methods used to solve them, and applications using the obtained solutions. In this paper, we ﬁrst discuss generic methods of trajectory mining and the relationships between them. Then, we discuss and classify application problems that were solved using trajectory data and relate them to the generic mining methods that were used and real world applications based on them. We classify trajectory-mining application problems under major problem groups based on how they are related. This classiﬁcation of problems can guide researchers in identifying new application problems. The relationships between the methods together with the association between the application problems and mining methods can help researchers in identifying gaps between methods and inspire them to develop new methods. This paper can also guide analysts in choosing a suitable method for a speciﬁc problem. The main contribution of this paper is to provide an integrated view relating applications of mining trajectory data and the methods used.