Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Automated Flow Injection Spectrophotometric Determination of the Proton Pump Inhibitor Omeprazole in Pharmaceutical Formulations

A simple and fast flow-injection method for the determination of omeprazole in pharmaceutical preparations is proposed. Detection of the drug is based on the measurement of the absorption signals for the product resulting from the oxidation of omeprazole with N-bromosuccinimide in acidic medium. A flow rate of 0.5 ml/min was pumped and active material was detected at 370 nm. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) were calculated to be 2.0 and 6.5 μg/ml, respectively. No interference was observed from common pharmaceutical additives. The method was successfully applied to the assay of omeprazole in capsule preparations and in spiked human plasma. The results were statistically compared with those of the official high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method of the USP by applying Student’s t-test and F-test.
ICESat GLAS Elevation Changes and ALOS PALSAR InSAR Line-of-Sight Changes on the Continuous Permafrost Zone of the North Slope, Alaska

Measuring centimeter-scale and smaller surface changes by satellite-based systems on the periglacial terrains and permafrost zones of the northern hemisphere is an ongoing challenge. We are investigating this challenge by using data from the NASA Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (ICESat GLAS) and the JAXA Advanced Land Observing Satellite Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (ALOS PALSAR) on the continuous permafrost zone of the North Slope, Alaska. Using the ICESat GLAS exact-repeat profiles in the analysis of ALOS PALSAR InSAR Line-Of-Sight (LOS) changes, we find evidence of volume scattering over much of the tundra vegetation covered active-layer and surface scattering from river channel/banks (deposition and erosion), from rock outcropping bluffs and ridges. Pingos, ice-cored mounds common to permafrost terrains can be used as benchmarks for assessment of LOS changes. For successful InSAR processing, topographic and tropospheric phase cannot be assumed negligible and must be removed. The presence of significant troposphere phase in short-period repeat interferograms renders stacking ill suited for the task of deriving verifiable centimeter-scale surface deformation phase and reliable LOS changes.
An Introduction to Map Matching for Personal Navigation Assistants

The paper examines Personal Navigation Assistants (PNAs) and identifies three different types. The first one provides the user with a map and the ability to search the map in a variety of ways; the second provides both a map and the user's current location; and the third provides a map, the user's location, and directions of some kind. The paper then explores map-matching algorithms that can be used to reconcile inaccurate locational data with an inaccurate map/network. Point-to-point, point-to-curve, and curve-to-curve matching is discussed, and in all three cases algorithms that only use geometric information and that also use topological information are considered.
Changing Patterns in the Selection of Viral Mutations among Patients Receiving Nucleoside and Nucleotide Drug Combinations Directed against Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Reverse Transcriptase

Combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) has dramatically decreased morbidity and mortality among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 (HIV-1)-infected patients through the durable suppression of viral replication to undetectable levels (22). Although ART has changed significantly in the decades since the advent of monotherapy, nucleoside and nucleotide reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors (NRTIs and NtRTIs, respectively) remain important foundations of therapy. The current guidelines for the treatment of HIV infection in the United States and the United Kingdom recommend dual NRTI and NtRTI therapy in combination with a protease inhibitor (PI) or a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) for most patients (1, 3). New NRTI and NtRTI options for HIV therapy include two new fixed-dose once-daily combinations, abacavir (ABC) plus lamivudine (3TC) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) plus emtricitabine (FTC).
Managing Engineering Changes Along with New Product Development

An apparatus and method for an automated tournament gaming system (10) comprising a central server computer (20) operatively coupled to, inter alia, a plurality of gaming machine G1, G2 . GN for automatically harnessing any of the gaming machines for automatically inciting and running a tournament where a group of players are participating for a period after which prizes are awarded to the winning tournament play participants. In addition, the system (10) includes a host site computer (200) operatively coupled to a plurality of the central servers (20) at a variety of remote gaming sites C1, C2 . CN for providing a multi-site progressive automated tournament gaming system (210). The multi-site system (210) is integrated into the system (10) to increase the winnings, progressive amounts and the total buy-ins.
Development of megakaryocytes in bone marrow of the rat: an analysis by electron microscopy and high resolution autoradiography

The fine structure of immature megakaryocytes was studied by the use of high resolution autoradiography to identify DNA synthesizing cells. Approximately 8.5 % of all megakaryocytes were labelled, and these cells were of three main types. The most immature were small cells with bilobed nuclei and sparse cytoplasm. Demarcation tubule formation from the cell surface was seen in these cells. The other two types of cell had three or more nuclear lobes, and a greater amount of cytoplasm containing dense granules and demarcation tubules. In the most mature labelled cells, tubules were numerous. Microtubules were seen in some labelled cells. Megakaryocytes in mitosis had similar cytoplasmic characteristics, with dense granules and demarcation tubules. No cells corresponding to the megakaryoblast described in light microscopic studies were observed. Possible reasons for this finding are discussed, and it is suggested that the megakaryocyte possesses a lobulated nucleus and shows cytoplasmic differentiation from the time of its first endomitosis.
Comparative investigation on hill climbing MPPT algorithms at high perturbation rates

The Perturb and Observe (P&O) and the Incremental Conductance (INC) algorithms are the two most commonly employed hill-climbing maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques for photovoltaic (PV) systems. The comparison between the two algorithms at low perturbation rates has been the subject of a number of publications. No much attention was paid to such a comparison at high perturbation rates, when system response to MPPT perturbations is never allowed to settle, although higher energy utilization efficiency and better system performance may be achieved in this operation mode. This paper presents a comprehensive experimental and theoretical comparison between the two algorithms when operated at high perturbation rates. The experimental setup is a standalone PV system comprised of 1080Wp PV generator, MPPT controlled dc-dc converter and a dc motor-pump load.
Structure of 2C-methyl-d-erythritol-2,4-cyclodiphosphate synthase involved in mevalonate-independent biosynthesis of isoprenoids.

Isoprenoids are biosynthesized from isopentenyl diphosphate and the isomeric dimethylallyl diphosphate via the mevalonate pathway or a mevalonate-independent pathway that was identified during the last decade. The non-mevalonate pathway is present in many bacteria, some algae and in certain protozoa such as the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum and in the plastids of higher plants, but not in mammals and archaea. Therefore, these enzymes have been recognised as promising drug targets. We report the crystal structure of Escherichia coli 2C- methyl-d-erythritol-2,4-cyclodiphosphate synthase (IspF), which converts 4-diphosphocytidyl-2C-methyl-d-erythritol 2-phosphate into 2C-methyl-d-erythritol 2,4-cyclodiphosphate and CMP in a Mg-dependent reaction. The protein forms homotrimers that tightly bind one zinc ion per subunit at the active site, which helps to position the substrate for direct attack of the 2-phosphate group on the beta-phosphate.
MHT and ML Approaches to Marine Mammal Detection

This paper applies target-tracking technology to the processing of mammal vocalizations or clicks, with the goal of identifying the number of marine mammals in a surveillance region. This problem has direct application to marine mammal mitigation efforts in the context of active sonar operations. In earlier work, we documented our results in the analysis of hydrophone datasets with detection processing and a nearest-neighbor tracking solution. Here we work with the same datasets and compare results with more sophisticated approaches: MHT-based sequential processing based on the MHT, and batch processing based on the MLPMHT.
Content Analysis of Coverage of Alcohol Control Policy Issues in Black-Oriented and Mainstream Newspapers in the U.S.

We conducted a content analysis of alcohol control policy issues in Black-oriented and mainstream newspapers in the United Sates from 1993 to 1995, using computerized content analysis methods. The specific purpose of our study was to compare differences in coverage of alcohol control policy issues in Black-oriented and mainstream newspapers.Fifteen Black-oriented and 12 mainstream newspapers were selected and analyzed. The number of policy paragraphs per year and the number of paragraphs in different policy thematic categories per year were examined. Regional differences in coverage of alcohol policy themes were examined for selected policies in mainstream newspapers.We found more similarities than differences in coverage of alcohol policy issues in Black-oriented and mainstream newspapers. Limiting the marketing/advertising and promotion of alcohol products was the most widely covered alcohol control policy issue over the three-year period in both Black-oriented media and mainstream newspapers. There were some important differences in coverage of alcohol policy issues. While economic alcohol policy issues were covered extensively in mainstream newspapers, these issues received far less attention in Black-oriented newspapers. Findings suggest that certain alcohol control policies may have less salience in African-American communities than in other communities.
Structural Changes Associated with Switching Activities of Human Iron Regulatory Protein 1*

Metazoan iron regulatory protein 1 is a dual activity protein, being either an aconitase or a regulatory factor binding to messenger RNA involved in iron homeostasis. Sequence comparisons and site-directed mutagenesis experiments have supported a structural relationship between mitochondrial aconitase and iron regulatory protein 1. The structural properties of human recombinant iron regulatory protein 1 have been probed in the present work. Although iron-free iron regulatory protein 1 displays a significantly larger radius of gyration measured by small-angle neutron scattering than calculated for mitochondrial aconitase, binding of either the [4Fe-4S] cluster needed for aconitase activity or of a RNA substrate turns iron regulatory protein 1 into a more compact molecule. These conformational changes are associated with the gain of secondary structural elements as indicated by circular dichroism studies. They likely involve α-helices covering the substrate binding cleft of cytosolic aconitase, and they suggest an induced fit mechanism of iron-responsive element recognition. These studies refine previously proposed models of the “iron-sulfur switch” driving the biological function of human iron regulatory protein 1, and they provide a structural framework to probe the relevance of the numerous cellular molecules proposed to affect its function.
Static and dynamic correlation functions of a two-dimensional quantum electron fluid.

In this paper we study the static and dynamic electron density and spin-density correlation functions of a two-dimensional electron fluid in the quantum Singwi-Tosi-Land-Sjolander theory. The static density and spin-density structure factors S(q) and S ~ (q) and their corresponding pair-correlation functions g(r) and g ~ (r) have been calculated and compared with the available Monte Carlo (MC) simulation data. It is found that the results for S(q) are in good agreement with the MC data except at large values of q for the larger electron density parameter r s . The pair-correlation function g(r) remains positive in the density range examined (1≤r s ≤8) and matches closely with the MC data except at small separations. The spin-dependent pair-correlation functions g ↑↓ (r) and g ↑↑ (r) also satisfy the positive-definite condition. The behavior of the dynamic properties studied is found to be qualitatively similar to the three-dimensional case except for the important difference in the behavior of the dynamic structure factor S(q,ω). It is seen that S(q,ω) exhibits a double-peak structure in the intermediate wave-vector region beyond the plasmon cutoff wave vector. We have also calculated the spin-dependent effective dynamic potentials by combining the spin-symmetric and spin-antisymmetric effective dynamic potentials. The results are compared with the classical Singwi-Tosi-Land-Sjolander theory wherever possible.
Talents, Competencies and Techniques of Business Analyst: A Balanced Professional Development Program

This paper presents preliminary results of action research in which we search for fundamentals of an universal theory of balanced approaches to software process. It is developed on the basis of balanced approach for professional development program for business analysts which integrates approaches oriented on talents, competencies and techniques. This paper includes the description of key concepts in background approaches, components of the framework for professional development program for business analysts and preliminary results of the universal theory of balanced approaches to software process.
Model Predictive Direct Power Control of a PWM Rectifier With Duty Cycle Optimization

This paper proposes an improved model predictive direct power control (MPDPC) for a pulse width modulation (PWM) rectifier by using a duty cycle control. The conventional MPDPC achieves good steady-state performance and quick dynamic response by selecting the best voltage vector, which minimizes the errors between the reference power and the real power. However, due to the limited number of voltage vectors in a two-level converter, the sampling frequency has to be high to achieve satisfactory performance. This paper introduces the concept of a duty cycle control in the MPDPC by allocating a fraction of control period for a nonzero voltage vector and the rest time for a zero vector. The nonzero vector is selected by evaluating the effects of each nonzero vector and its duration is obtained based on the principle of power errors minimization. Simulation and experimental results prove that, compared to the conventional MPDPC, the proposed MPDPC with duty cycle achieves further steady-state performance improvement without affecting the dynamic response at a small cost of control complexity increase.
Identification of musical chords using CONSTANT-Q spectra

We present an approach to the extraction of frequencies corresponding to chords in western polyphonic music. In the first phase of this approach constant-Q spectral analysts directly provides the features from which the fundamental frequencies for 43 of the 57 possible categories of chords can be extracted without ambiguity. Each remaining chord category has a potential ambiguity associated with it because of frequency resolution problems The second phase of our approach is designed to address such ambiguities. A software implementation of our approach was used successfully to validate its performance on a representative set of polyphonic musical signals.
Spanish dental students knowledge of oral malignancy and premalignancy.

BACKGROUND In view of the gradual rise in oral malignancy in Europe, there is an increased need for undergraduate dental students to have some appropriate training in the recognition of the signs and symptoms of oral Premalignancy and malignancy, and be aware of the appropriate early management of patients with such oral lesions. The present study outlines the results of a pilot study to determine the knowledge and awareness of a cohort of undergraduate dental students in Spain regarding the management of oral premalignancy and malignancy. METHOD In March 1997 a self-administered questionnaire (SAQ) addressing student's knowledge, opinions, and related aspects of screening and detection of oral malignancy and premalignancy, was mailed to 200 undergraduate dental students in two Spanish Universities. The present report details the responses of this cohort of undergraduates. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using the chi(2) test and the results were considered significant when P < 0.05. RESULTS 37.0% of the respondents were male and 63.0% female. Almost all of the respondents (99.0%) had attended general dental congresses and 81.5% had attended specific courses on oral malignancy and premalignancy. Only 20% of undergraduate students had witnessed at least one patient with oral malignancy. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was the most frequently observed (94.4%) oral tumour. 79% of the respondents had examined or witnessed at least one patient with a potentially malignant lesion. Leukoplakias were the most commonly observed (80.0%) premalignant lesions. 5th year students were more likely to have performed a biopsy than 4th year students (P < 0.05), particularly male students (P < 0.005). 40.0% of respondents believed that the lower lip was the most common site of an oral cancer; almost half realised that a tumour could have a speckled appearance. 79% to 82% of the respondents indicated that tobacco and alcohol were the principal causes of oral SCC, but 34.6% suggested that HIV disease was a risk factor for oral SCC. Almost all respondents routinely recorded the tobacco or alcohol consumption of patients and would offer advice to patients regarding modification of these habits. 64.0% of undergraduates suggested that clinical screening at intervals of 6 to 12 months was an effective means of diagnosing oral premalignant and malignant lesions, and almost all considered oral health promotion to be an effective means of reducing oral cancer mortality. CONCLUSIONS Undergraduate dental students in Spain have limited clinical experience or knowledge of related aspects of oral premalignant and malignant lesions, and they may fail to recognise appropriate signs and symptoms and aetiological factors of such disease.
Edge detection in range images through morphological residue analysis

Two morphological methods for edge detection in range images are proposed. The first method uses the opening and closing residues of structuring elements in orthogonal directions to detect roof and crease edges, and is essentially a morphological implementation of residue analysis techniques. The more general second method is based on a morphological version of the first derivative operator. This method utilizes dilation and erosion residues of structuring elements at different scales to reliably extract step edges along with roof edges and crease edges, and to classify each pixel as belonging to eight possible structure types: positive roof, negative roof, positive crease, negative crease, top of step, base of step, ramp, and constant surface. This method may be thought of as a morphological multiscale method. <<ETX>>
Effects of web experience factors on virtual retail purchase preferences

This article examines the effects of different elements of the Web Experience (WE) on the buying behaviour of virtual consumers, specifically on the choice of the online retail vendor. The purpose of the study is to empirically test the theoretical findings as to the main parameters of the online customer experience and measure their relative importance and role as inputs in the customer’s decision-making process. The study was conducted by means of an online consumer survey in a realistic virtual shopping environment. The results of the study show that out of the five web experience components analyzed, four (the usability, trust building, marketing mix and aesthetics) have a positive and significant effect on the choice of e-vendor while the fifth one (interactivity) does not seem to positively influence the choice of an online vendor. Furthermore the study examines the effect of two behavioural variables (experience and motivation) on the choice of online -vendors. This topic could expand the scope of academic research on the issue of online marketing and at the same time provide online marketers with new insights and tools for building a commercially successful online presence.
The Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE): socio-demographic correlates, reliability, validity and some norms

SYNOPSIS The IQCODE is a questionnaire which asks an informant about changes in an elderly person's everyday cognitive function. The questionnaire aims to assess cognitive decline independent of pre-morbid ability. In the present study, the IQCODE was administered to a sample of 613 informants from the general population. In addition, the questionnaire was administered to informants of 309 dementing subjects who had filled it out one year previously. A principal components analysis, using the general population sample, confirmed that the IQCODE measures a general factor of cognitive decline. The questionnaire was found to have high internal reliability in the general population sample (alpha = 0·95) and reasonably high test-retest reliability over one year in the dementing sample (r = 0·75). The total IQCODE score, as well as each of the 26-items, was found to discriminate well between the general population and dementing samples. The correlation with education was quite small (r = – 0·13), indicating that contamination by premorbid ability is not a problem.
Controlled Antibiotic Delivery by Gelatin Nanospheres: Optimization, Characterization and Antibacterial Evaluation

The present work focuses on preparation and characterization of erythromycin loaded gelatin nanoparticles through nanoprecipitation method. The procedure consists of the addition of the aqueous gelatin solution to the non-solvent phase containing Lutherol F127. Three different measures of cross-linker and polymer concentration were also examined, and the optimum concentration was found. The morphology of gelatin nanoparticles was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope. It was shown that the optimal morphology can be achieved at the concentration of 1.25 wt % of gelatin in aqueous phase by addition of 20 mL of glutaraldehyde 5%, as the crosslinking agent. Nanoparticle wet size determination was carried out using a dynamic light scattering system and found to be approximately 100 nm. Furthermore, Erythromycin release studies proved the suitability of these particles as a drug delivery system, at least in the studied 72 hours interval. As suggested by related measurements, these nanoparticles are good candidates for antibacterial agent release in any possible related application.