Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
AbobotulinumtoxinA for Reduction of Glabellar Lines in Patients with Skin of Color: Post Hoc Analysis of Pooled Clinical Trial Data

BACKGROUND A paucity of research exists on the safety and efficacy of aesthetic medicine products in patients with skin of color (SOC). OBJECTIVE To compare the effectiveness and tolerability of abobotulinumtoxinA (BoNTA‐ABO) for glabellar lines in a subpopulation of patients with SOC with that in white patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS This post hoc analysis considered pooled safety data from six clinical trials from which were derived a safety population (n = 1,869 white, n = 472 SOC), an efficacy population for a comparison of fixed‐dose BoNTA‐ABO 50 U in white patients (n = 216) and patients with SOC (n = 117), and an efficacy population for a comparison of BoNTA‐ABO adjusted to muscle mass in white (n = 555) and patients with SOC (n = 160). RESULTS Adverse event rates were similar in white patients and patients with SOC. Onset of effect was similar in patients with SOC and white patients, but the response rate 30 days after treatment was greater in patients with SOC than in white patients. CONCLUSION Tolerability and effectiveness of treatment BoNTA‐ABO for glabellar lines was similar in patients with SOC and white patients.
The Effectiveness of the Smoking Cessation Programme for Smoker Prisoners Living with HIV/AIDS

This study aims to determine the effectiveness of the SCP (MI+NRT) for smoker prisoners living with HIV. The study design was semi-experimental with pre-test, post-test, follow-up, and a control group. As many as 34 smoker prisoners living with HIV were selected by convenience sampling and randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group received the SCP, while the control group received no treatment. The research measurement instruments comprised FTND and BMS. MANCOVA models were employed to test the hypothesis. The results showed that the indicators of 'quit smoking' reduced among prisoners in the experimental group.
Evaluation of Hydraulic Parameters Obtained by Different Measurement Methods for Heterogeneous Gravel Soil

Knowledge of soil hydraulic parameters for the van Genuchten function is important to characterize soil water movement for watershed management. Accurate and rapid prediction of soil water flow in heterogeneous gravel soil has become a hot topic in recent years. However, it is difficult to precisely estimate hydraulic parameters in a heterogeneous soil with rock fragments. In this study, the HYDRUS-2D numerical model was used to evaluate hydraulic parameters for heterogeneous gravel soil that was irregularly embedded with rock fragments in a grape production base. The centrifugal method (CM), tensiometer method (TM) and inverse solution method (ISM) were compared for various parameters in the van Genuchten function. The soil core method (SCM), disc infiltration method (DIM) and inverse solution method (ISM) were also investigated for measuring saturated hydraulic conductivity. Simulation with the DIM approach revealed a problem of overestimating soil water infiltration whereas simulation with the SCM approach revealed a problem of underestimating water movement as compared to actual field observation. The ISM approach produced the best simulation result even though this approach slightly overestimated soil moisture by ignoring the impact of rock fragments. This study provides useful information on the overall evaluation of soil hydraulic parameters attained with different measurement methods for simulating soil water movement and distribution in heterogeneous gravel soil.
Wright-Fisher Models , Approximations , and Minimum Increments of Evolution

Wright-Fisher models [1] are idealized models for genetic drift, the process by which the the population frequency of an allele varies with time stochastically, and, in particular, may disappear from the population entirely, or may fix in 100% of the population. Wright-Fisher models can be applied to the dynamics of neutral (or nearly neutral) mutations – the vastly dominating case, as emphasized by Kimura [2] – or to the case of alleles that have a fitness advantage or disadvantage, as parameterized by a selection coefficient s. Wright-Fisher models make three idealized assumptions: [3] (1) Generations are taken to be discrete, so that the population evolves by a discrete-step Markov process. (2) The population size is taken to be fixed, so that alleles compete only against other alleles and not against an external environment. (3) Random mating is assumed. None of these assumptions hold in any real population. Nevertheless, Wright-Fisher has proved to be a useful intuitive guide in real cases, and also a foundation on which more complicated population models can build. [4]
Search Result Clustering Using Informatively Named Entities

Clustering the results of a search helps the user to review the information gathered. In this article, we regard the clustering task as indexing the search results. Here, an index means a structured label list that can make it easier for the user to comprehend the labels and search results. To realize this goal, we make three proposals. The first is to use Named Entity Extraction for term extraction. The second is to create a new label-selecting criterion based on importance in the search result and the relation between terms and search queries. The third is a label categorization using category information of labels, which is generated by named entity extraction. We implement a prototype system based on these proposals and find that it offers a much higher performance than existing methods; we focus on news articles in this article, but the system is not topic specific.
Cooperative path planning for two manipulators

This paper proposes a method of planning collision free joints paths for two cooperative manipulators. When two manipulators hold a common object and execute specified tasks, there are problems related to handling and collision. To move two manipulators effectively, all of them must be considered together. There are redundancy aspects peculiar to the cooperative two manipulators. We use this redundancy and the potential function method to avoid collisions between the object and the link, the link and the link, the link and the obstacle and so on. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
FALSE POSITIVE BORRELIA SEROLOGY AND FACIAL PARALYSIS DUE TO ANAPLASTIC LYMPHOMA MIMICKING LYME

We read with interest the paper of Naesens and colleagues on false positive Borrelia serology (1). False positive Borrelia serology has also been described in healthy persons and in several diseases (2). The manifestations of Lyme disease can also easily be mistaken for another disease. Several cases of Lyme disease mimicking lymphoma have been reported (3), but not the other way around. T-cell lymphoma can be associated with immune dysregulation. Two well-known examples are angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma and large granular lymphocytic leukaemia. Anaplastic lymphoma is an aggressive T-cell lymphoma, in approximately 60% associated with the 2;5 chromosomal translocation creating an oncogenic fusion gene consisting of the ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase) gene and the NPM (nucleophosmin) gene. A 32-year-old female was admitted to the neurology ward because of right-sided peripheral facial paralysis. Nuclear magnetic imaging revealed infi ltration of the facial nerve. Borrelia IgM (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, later confi rmed by western blot) was positive, suggestive of active Borrelia infection. Other positive antibodies included Toxoplasma IgM, Mycoplasma IgM, cytomegalovirus IgM, herpes simplex IgM and IgM antiphospholipids antibodies. She was treated with doxycycline without eff ect. She developed high-grade fever and a pulmonary infi ltrate, interpreted as pneumonia (later as lymphoma localization) for which doxycycline was replaced by ceftriaxone. Her condition deteriorated with development of pronounced hypoxia, hepatosplenomegaly and lymphadenopathies. Lymph node biopsy showed anaplastic lymphoma. She was treated with high dose chemotherapy (4), receiving preface and fi rst course on the ventilator. The lymphoma manifestations and positive IgM’s resolved completely. This report is important because it is the fi rst to demonstrate that aggressive lymphoma may present with both clinical and serological Lyme characteristics. Delay of antilymphoma therapy in such cases is detrimental. We should keep an open mind and consider alternative diagnoses in refractory cases of what appears to be Lyme.
An evaluation of help mechanisms in natural language information retrieval systems

The field of natural language processing (NLP) demonstrates rapid changes in the design of information retrieval systems and human‐computer interaction. While natural language is being looked on as the most effective tool for information retrieval in a contemporary information environment, the systems using it are only beginning to emerge. This study attempts to evaluate the current state of NLP IR systems from the user’s point of view: what techniques are used by these systems to guide their users through the search process? The analysis focused on the structure and components of the systems’ help mechanisms. Results of the study demonstrated that systems which claimed to be using natural language searching in fact used a wide range of information retrieval techniques from real natural language processing to Boolean searching. As a result, the user assistance mechanisms of these systems also varied. While pseudo‐NLP systems would suit a more traditional method of instruction, real NLP systems primarily u.
Design of a 180-degree hybrid with Chebyshev filtering response using coupled resonators

A novel 180 ° hybrid with third-order Chebyshev filtering response is proposed in this paper. The coupling coefficients and the external quality factors can be synthesized from the theory of coupled resonator filter. The proposed idea is verified with experimental results, with good agreement between simulation and measurement. Comparing to the conventional rat-race coupler, 80% size reduction and filtering function with high frequency selectivity has been exhibited in the proposed structure.
An approach to applying Project-Based Learning in engineering courses

This paper proposes an approach to applying Project-Based Learning in engineering courses. The proposed approach stresses on the design of PBL courses, taking into account aspects like problem definition, project and its progression, lectures, student teams, and student evaluation. This work seeks to orient engineering teachers in the use of PBL as an educational approach in specific subjects availing of the available resources from traditional education and incorporating web-based resources. The paper presents a study case carried out in the control courses of an Electronics Engineering program at Universidad del Valle, Colombia. The experience obtained in this application is used as a source to describe the approach.
Conception et réalisation d'un convoyeur électromagnétique planaire miniature

Le travail effectue tout au long de cette these est de concevoir et realiser un dispositif de deplacement et positionnement planaire miniature. Le dispositif possede trois degres de liberte : deux translations et une rotation. Le principe d’actionnement utilise est l'effet electromagnetique, via la force de Laplace, entre une disposition d'aimants permanents et une bobine electrique plane. L'optimisation de l'induction produite par la barre d'aimants ameliore les performances de l'actionneur. Les aspects electrique, magnetique et mecanique sont pris en compte durant l'etude de ce dispositif. Des notions de programmation pour la modelisation de l’actionneur et d'automatisme pour sa commande ont ete abordees. Differents dispositifs experimentaux ont ete fabriques et des tests experimentaux ont a la fois permis de valider le modele developpe et d'evaluer les performances de l'actionneur. Ces tests ont montre la capacite de l'actionneur a effectuer des deplacements avec une resolution de deplacement de 20 /-lm, et une resolution de positionnement de 5 nm. Une vitesse de 10 mm/s est possible. L'implantation des actionneurs sur le dispositif final permet des rotations dans un intervalle de -8°/+8°.
INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE BY INDUSTRY IN VIETNAM

This paper evaluates the performance of nine industries under ICB classification scheme from Datastream, employing 3 popular measures: Sharpe ratio (1994), alpha based on CAPM model (Sharpe, 1964; Lintner, 1965) and Fama and French (1993). These measures allow the comparison of operating performance of portfolios taking into consideration of the risk born by investors. CAPM and Fama and French models are utilized to test the systematicness rather than randomness in obtaining positive/negative excess returns.Analyzing industry performance using risk-adjusted measures is critical because present studies in Vietnam are mostly involved in dissecting conventional indicators and qualitative analysis of macroeconomic news. In addition, we conduct further analysis of profitability, cash flow management and EPS to verify the rationality of the 3 indicators and examine problems that firms in some industries are faced. The findings show a consistency among the 3 measures and the comprehensiveness of performance measurement isbetter guaranteed.
Strong Protective Effect of DR3 Against Ulcerative Colitis in the Spanish Population

OBJECTIVES:Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the colon. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on the short arm of human chromosome 6 has been thoroughly studied as a susceptibility locus. However, one of the strongest MHC associations found, that of HLA-DR3 with UC protection, has not been observed in all populations. Our aim in the present study was to evaluate this negative association in a large cohort of Spanish UC patients and controls, and to try to elucidate which, if any, of the diverse DR3 haplotypes (identified by TNFa and b microsatellites, located in the MHC class III region) is most tightly associated (negatively) with the disease.METHODS:A total of 537 UC patients and 748 healthy controls from Spain were included in the present study. Low-resolution DR genotyping was performed by PCR and hybridization with allele-specific oligonucleotide probes. TNFa and b microsatellites were studied in a subset of samples (279 UC patients and 503 healthy controls) by PCR followed by capillary electrophoresis. DR-TNFa-TNFb haplotypes were estimated by the expectation-maximization algorithm and comparisons were performed by a χ2 test.RESULTS:After a stepwise procedure, the only DR alleles significantly associated with the disease were DR3 (very strongly, protection) and DR4 (weakly, protection). The strong protective effect of DR3 was evenly distributed among the haplotypes DR3-TNFa1b5, DR3-TNFa2b3, and DR3-TNFother.CONCLUSIONS:Our results confirm the strong protective effect of DR3 in our population, and suggest that the relevant protective gene is located centromeric to TNFa and TNFb markers in the MHC region.
Informal interactions between audit committees and internal audit function. Evidence from Greek listed firms

During the last decade, corporate irregularities created an unstable economic environment, which highlighted the importance of internal audit function (IAF) and audit committee (AC) in the context of corporate governance worldwide. However, a small number of researches have dealt with informal interactions between the audit committee and the internal audit function in Greek entities. In this context, this article investigates, on the one hand, the existence of informal interactions between the audit committee and the internal audit function, whereas on the other hand, it emphasizes on the determination of the factors associated with their existence. In particular, an empirical survey was conducted with the distribution of a questionnaire to Greek entities listed on the Athens Stock Exchange and a logistic regression analysis was used to illustrate the information gathered. This study indicates the existence and the factors influencing informal interactions between the audit committee and internal audit function in Greece. More particularly AC independence, AC chair characteristics and CAE characteristics (independent and objective) were found statistically significantly associated with the informal interaction between the two functions.
SUPPORT FOR THE CONTINUATION OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN JIMMA ZONE, SOUTHWEST ETHIOPIA.

BACKGROUND Female genital mutilation/cutting is a harmful practice which has effect on female's wellbeing. However, the practice has continued to prevail in many cultures. Research on the social determinants of the practice and its continuation are scarce. The objective of this study was to assess whether attitude towards the continuation of female genital mutilation is predicted by gender role perception among adolescents in Jimma zone. METHODS This study used data collected in the first round of Jimma Longitudinal Family Survey of Youth. A total of 2084 adolescents were identified from 3700 households and one adolescent were interviewed from each household using structured questionnaire. Data on the socio-demographic characteristics, religiosity, access to electronic media, perception of gender role, attitude towards continuation of Female circumcision was collected. Descriptive and multivariate statistical techniques were used to analyze the data using SPSS for windows version 16.0. Statically tests were performed at the level of significance of 5%. RESULTS Of the 2084 adolescents, 1146 (55.0%) were aged 12-14 years, 1025 (49.2%) females and 749 (35.9%) from rural areas. The majority, 1289 (61.9%) were Muslims and 1351 (64.8%) Oromo. Five hundred seventy three (28.1%) of the male youth did not agree to the importance of marrying a circumcised girl. However, 149 (13.8%) and 258 (12.7%) agreed that it is very important and important, to marry a circumcised girl, respectively. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, perception of gender role, sex, place of residence, highest education in the household and religion remained to be important predictors of attitude towards the continuation of female genital mutilation after adjustment for age and ethnicity. Adolescents who had low gender role perception were 1.4 times more likely to have a positive attitude towards the continuation of the female genital mutilation (OR: 95%CI, 1.41: 1.02-1.94). Female adolescents were 36% less likely to support (P<0.01) the continuation of FGM compared to their male counter parts (OR: 0.64; 95%CI: 0.49, 0.83). Compared to urban youth, those who live in semi urban and rural areas were 1.46 and 1.52 times more likely to have a positive attitude towards the continuation of the FGM practice, respectively (P<0.05). Similarly the Probability of having positive attitude towards the continuation of the FGM practice decreased steadily as the highest educational level in the household increased. CONCLUSION One-fifth of the youth support the continuation of the practice. Low gender roles perception, being from the rural areas, household's lower level of education and being Muslim were strong predictors of the attitude towards the continuation of female genital mutilation. Improving perception of adolescents towards gender roles through effective behavior change communication, and involving religious leaders in the campaign against the practice of female genital mutilation is recommended as a useful strategy to ban the practice.
Loughborough University Institutional Repository Zerotree-based stereoscopic video CODEC

• Copyright 2005 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic electronic or print reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modi cation of the content of the paper are prohibited. This paper can also be found at: http://dx.doi. org/10.1117/1.1951768
STUDIES ON DISSOLUTION BEHAVIOUR OF SUSTAINED RELEASE SOLID DISPERSIONS OF NIMODIPINE

There are various techniques to control the release rate of the drugs, among which, controlling dissolution rate is most popular due to its success and low cost. Although there are numerous reports on sustained action formulations, little studies were reported on the use solid dispersion technique to produce sustained release formulation. Nimodipine is a calcium channel blocker, highly effective in the treatment of classical angina and migraine. There are some reports on solid dispersions of Nimodipine to guarantee the reasonable bioavailability and no reports on sustained released solid dispersion. The present study deals with preparation and evaluation of sustained release solid dispersions of Nimodipine using retarding polymers. Solid dispersions were prepared by solvent evaporation techniques as described in the literature using EVA, EU (RL) – 100 and EC. Solid state and drug polymer interaction were studied by I.R. In – vitro drug release were studied in U.S.P XXIII Electrolab six basket dissolution apparatus using 900 ml of dissolution media (Acetate buffer pH 4.5) at 75 RPM at 37 ± 0.5C. The IR studies confirmed absence of any possible interaction. The dissolution studies indicated that about 99.2% with EC, 95.2% with EU RL 100 & 89.34% with EVA, of Nimodipine dissolved in 12 hours in PH 4.5. It is also seen that the incorporation of PEG 6000 in solid dispersions increases the release of Nimodipine. However, the release of Nimodipine was retarded with an increasing the concentration of EC, EU RL 100 and EVA. The mathematical treatment of the data indicates Fickian diffusion controlled release from the matrix. The use of PEG improved the release of Nimodipine in acidic pH while EC, EVA, EU RL 100 retarded its release.
Binding of small organic molecules to macromolecular targets: Evaluation of conformational entropy changes

The conformational entropy is the largest unfavorable effect that must be overcome during protein folding and binding. Accurate predictions of protein stability and binding affinity require a precise way of evaluating conformational entropy changes. Previously we implemented a computational approach aimed at estimating conformational entropy changes in peptides (D'Aquino et al., Proteins 1996;25:143–156; Lee et al., Proteins 1994;20:68–84). Here we extend this approach to estimate conformational entropy changes in molecules of pharmaceutical interest. Calculations were carried out for a set of 36 small organic molecules containing one dihedral angle and different functional groups around the central bond. Entropy changes were calculated for these molecules as the difference between the entropy of the free molecule and the entropy of the molecule when it is constrained to occupy a particular range of dihedrals, as in the bound state. Entropy changes for binding of larger molecules can be estimated assuming additivity on a per bond basis. Thus, the results presented here provide an initial toolbox of conformational entropy values in the form of a lookup table that can be used in the estimation of entropy changes associated with binding processes of more complex molecules. To facilitate their use, the values were parameterized in terms of the number and type of atoms neighboring each specific dihedral. Both methods, lookup table and parameterized equation, provide a very fast way of evaluating conformational entropy changes, making them suitable for fast screening algorithms. Proteins 2000;41:93–107. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.