Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Comparative Study of Classification Algorithms in EDM using 2 Level Classification for Predicting Student’s Performance

In higher education the performance of students is a most challenge work day by day in academic as well as in other curricular activities. As they all know that internet technology is growing as much as faster, but the learning approach of students are not up to the mark. The emerging research community which helps to find the solution to the said problem is Educational Data Mining. In present scenario, the huge students' data is stored in educational database. That type of database contains widely open or secret information to improve student performance. In our proposed work, we will have tested it on reputed dataset, which can be downloaded from a well known organization UCI repository and dataset name is student-mat.csv. This work has been investigated the process of classification of plethora of student’s data. Classification plot data into pre-determined groups of classes. It is often mentioned to as supervised learning because the classes are determined before analyzing the data. The work will to be divided into two parts. The first part will be the entropy based feature selection, after that classification process has to be performed. For the classification, we would have used 2 level classification method i.e, SVM and KNN. Later than observe the performance prediction of students based on parameters like accuracy, sensitivity, specificity of proposed method and is to be compared with some previous methods results.
Natural killer cells: Primary target for hepatitis C virus immune evasion strategies?

Liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma secondary to chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection requiring transplantation represents a significant public health problem. The most remarkable feature of hepatitis C virus is the ability to establish chronic infection in the vast majority of cases. Efforts to define clinical correlates of HCV persistence have focused primarily on CD4 and CD8 T cell responses. Until recently, the role of innate immunity in determining the outcome of HCV infection had received relatively little attention. Natural killer (NK) cells are an important antiviral effector population eliminating virus through direct killing and cytokine production. Recent studies highlighting the cross‐talk between NK cells, dendritic cells (DCs) and T cells have prompted reevaluation of the important role NK cells play in regulating and maintaining specific immune responses. Like many other viruses, HCV has evolved strategies to evade detection and elimination by NK cells. T cell defects observed in HCV infection may be a consequence of inhibition of NK:DC interactions. We propose a theoretical model for HCV persistence that places the NK cell at the center of HCV immune evasion strategies. While this model is only theoretical, it provides a plausible interpretation of many published observations and a useful working model to test the role of NK cells in HCV persistence. In conclusion, the role of innate immune cells and their regulation of antigen‐specific responses by the initial innate response to the virus, in particular NK cells, may prove to be an informative and clinically relevant avenue of investigation. Liver Transpl 12:363–372, 2006. © 2006 AASLD.
Evaluation of effectiveness of stellate ganglion block (SGB) treatment of sudden hearing loss

Abstract Conclusion: A stellate ganglion block (SGB) based on the goal of improving internal ear circulatory disturbance appears to be beneficial for the treatment of sudden hearing loss. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of SGB for sudden hearing loss. Methods: This retrospective study reviewed the medical records of 49 patients who received SGBs and 496 patients who received only conservative therapy, primarily with systemic steroids, for treatment of sudden hearing loss. Propensity scores were used in pairwise matching of these patients to avoid selection biases between the two treatment modalities. Results: Propensity score matching yielded 48 pairs. The mean therapeutic effect of the SGB was calculated to be 0.40 ± 0.20 (mean ± standard error, p = 0.051).
Refinement of an Instrument to Evaluate Parental Attitudes About Follow-Up Care After an Acute Emergency Department Visit for Asthma

Introduction. Prompt follow-up after emergency department (ED) care for asthma allows the primary care provider (PCP) and family to review factors that led to the ED visit, update current care plans, and plan for prevention of future exacerbations. Methods. The Initial Questionnaire to assess parental impressions of Pros and Cons of follow-up was administered to parents who brought their children to the ED for treatment of an acute asthma exacerbation (N = 309). After a planned interim analysis, 19 new items were generated, and this Expanded Questionnaire was given to 198 parents. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to identify well-defined items and discard ambiguous and confusing items. Results. PCA of the Expanded Questionnaire revealed 18 of 43 items related to four dimensions of parents' Pros and Cons for obtaining follow-up care. Four distinct categories were identified: two Pros and two Cons. Pro items related to practical things parents get from a follow-up visit and to positive parental beliefs about follow-up care. Con items emphasized practical considerations that make it difficult to go to a follow-up visit and identified the misconception that follow-up is not necessary for asymptomatic children. In addition, two distinct clusters of parents were identified: those that value and those that do not value follow-up care. Conclusion. We developed an 18-item measure that assesses Pros and Cons of follow-up care for asthma following emergency care, which has four reliable factors: Pro Practical, Pro Attitude, Con Practical, and Con Attitude. This questionnaire may help guide interventions to change perceptions of the need for follow-up. Attention to increasing Pros among those who are reluctant to attend follow-up care may be especially effective.
A Randomized, Double-Blind Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Three Different Doses of Palonosetron Versus Placebo in Preventing Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting Over a 72-Hour Period

BACKGROUND: We designed this multicenter, randomized, double-blind study to assess the efficacy and safety of three doses of palonosetron, compared with placebo, on the incidence and severity of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in inpatients for 72 h after surgery. METHODS: Female patients undergoing either elective gynecological or breast surgery were stratified according to two additional PONV risk factors: nonsmoking status and history of PONV and/or motion sickness. Five hundred forty-four patients with one or both of these risk factors were randomized to receive one of the three doses of IV palonosetron (0.025 mg, 0.050 mg, 0.075 mg) or placebo immediately before induction of anesthesia. The primary efficacy end-point was complete response (CR: no emesis and no use of rescue medications) evaluated at the 0–24 and 24–72 h time intervals after surgery. RESULTS: CR rates for placebo and palonosetron 0.075 mg were 36% and 56% for 0–24 h (P = 0.001), 52% and 70% for 24–72 h (P = 0.002) and 36% and 52% (P = 0.010) for the 0–72 h postoperative interval. Palonosetron 0.075 mg was associated with less intense nausea (e.g., toward “mild” or “none”) versus placebo during the 0–24 h (P < 0.001) time interval and significantly delayed median time to emesis (P = 0.002) and treatment failure (P = 0.004). Although CR rates for both the 0.025 mg and 0.050 mg palonosetron doses were not statistically superior to placebo for the 0–24 h or 24–72 h periods, both lower doses reduced nausea severity during the 0–24 h period (P = 0.040 and P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: A single 0.075-mg IV dose of palonosetron effectively reduced the severity of nausea and delayed the time to emesis and treatment failure in the inpatient surgical setting; lower doses were not as effective.
Heavy- and light-hole character of optical transitions in InAs/GaAs single-monolayer quantum wells.

We examine the nature of the optical transitions in InAs/GaAs single-monolayer quantum wells grown by molecular-beam epitaxy. The heavy- and light-hole character of the observed transitions is revealed by monitoring the linear polarization of the emitted luminescence and by selective excitation of the states by linearly polarized light. In addition, these experiments provide information about the band alignment between InAs and GaAs.
SNAP-25 Traffics to the Plasma Membrane by a Syntaxin-independent Mechanism*

SNAREs (soluble N -ethylmaleimide-sensitive factorattachment protein receptors) are essential for vesicle docking and fusion. SNAP-25, syntaxin 1A, and synaptobrevin/vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP) are SNARE proteins that mediate fusion of synaptic vesicles with the plasma membrane. It has been proposed that interactions of SNAP-25 with syntaxin 1A are required for initial membrane attachment of SNAP-25 (Vogel, K., Cabaniols, J.-P., and Roche, P. (2000)J. Biol. Chem. 275, 2959–2965). However, we have shown previously that residues 85–120 of the SNAP-25 interhelical domain, which do not interact with syntaxin, are necessary and sufficient for palmitoylation and plasma membrane localization of a green fluorescent protein reporter molecule (Gonzalo, S., Greentree, W. K., and Linder, M. E. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 21313–21318). To clarify the role of syntaxin in membrane targeting of SNAP-25, we studied a SNAP-25 point mutant (G43D) that does not interact with syntaxin. SNAP-25 G43D/green fluorescent protein was palmitoylated and localized at the plasma membrane. Newly synthesized SNAP-25 G43D had the same kinetics of membrane association as the wild-type protein. Furthermore, expression of a cytosolic mutant syntaxin 1A did not interfere with SNAP-25 membrane interactions or palmitoylation in the neuronal cell line NG108-15. Exogenously expressed SNAP-25 targets efficiently to the plasma membrane in cells of neuronal origin but only partially in HeLa cells, a neurosecretion-incompetent line. This phenotype was not rescued when syntaxin 1A was co-expressed with SNAP-25. Our data support a syntaxin-independent mechanism of membrane targeting for SNAP-25.
Fine-Needle Aspiration of Renal Masses: Is It Diagnostically Applicable?

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy of the kidney is a valuable diagnostic tool, one that has played an important role in therapeutic decision making. FNA biopsy of the kidney is primarily reserved for radiographically indeterminate lesions, workup for metastatic disease to the kidney, and for the diagnosis and treatment of inoperable patients. This paper discusses the utility of the FNA of renal lesions as a diagnostic modality combining the cytomorphological diagnosis with ancillary techniques. We present a limited review of the literature in regard to percutaneous FNA of kidney lesions, as well as the cytologic criteria and pitfalls in the diagnosis of a wide variety of benign and malignant lesions. The use of ancillary techniques such as electron microscopy, molecular genetics, and immunohistochemistry is discussed when applicable, as they are used to enhance the accuracy of the FNA diagnosis. FNA continues to be the procedure of choice, not only for the diagnosis of renal neoplasms but also to obtain samples for ancillary techniques. The utilization of these techniques improves the diagnostic accuracy of the cytomorphologic diagnosis.
DESARROLLO HUMANO Y CRECIMIENTO ECONÓMICO EN EL ÁMBITO REGIONAL COLOMBIANO (1990-2005)

En la presente investigacion se analizan las relaciones entre desarrollo humano y crecimiento economico en el ambito regional colombiano. Para ello, adaptamos los metodos de estudio propuestos durante los ultimos anos por Ranis, Stewart y Ramirez en los que consideran la existencia de cuatro situaciones distintas en la relacion entre ambas Variables: circulos viciosos, circulos virtuosos, sesgos procrecimiento y sesgos pro-desarrollo. Aplicamos el metodo a escala regional para todas las regiones colombianas.
3-D Display using Motion Parallax for Extended-Depth Perception

This paper proposes a new 3D display that can express differences between depths at extended distances of over tens of meters to meet new requirements for outdoor use. We attempted to use motion parallax for observers to perceive depth because this works as a cue at longer distances where binocular parallax, which is used in conventional 3D displays to perceive depth, does not work. We conducted subjective tests using a moving car in which observers viewed a test pattern overlapping the real view ahead of the car seen through the windshield to examine the feasibility of the 3D display we propose. The experimental results revealed that the perceived depth of a pattern could be controlled by changing its rate of expansion, demonstrating the feasibility of a 3D display for extended-depth perception using motion parallax.
Correlates of self-care in low-income African American and Latino patients with diabetes.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine diabetes self-care (DSC) patterns in low-income African American and Latino patients with Type 2 diabetes, and identify patient-related, biomedical/disease-related, and psychosocial correlates of DSC. METHOD We performed cross-sectional analysis of survey data from African Americans and Latinos aged ≥18 years with Type 2 diabetes (n = 250) participating in a diabetes self-management intervention at 4 primary care clinics. The Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities captured the subcomponents of healthy eating, physical activity, blood sugar testing, foot care, and smoking. Correlates included patient-related attributes, biomedical/disease-related factors, and psychosocial constructs, with their multivariable influence assessed with a 3-step model building procedure using regression techniques. RESULTS Baseline characteristics were as follows: mean age of 53 years (SD = 12.4); 69% female; 53% African American; 74% with incomes below $20,000; and 60% with less than a high school education. DSC performance levels were highest for foot care (4.5/7 days) and lowest for physical activity (2.5/7 days). Across racial/ethnic subgroups, diabetes-related distress was the strongest correlate for DSC when measured as a composite score. Psychosocial factors accounted for 14% to 33% of variance in self-care areas for both racial/ethnic groups. Patient characteristics were more salient correlates in Hispanic/Latinos when examining the self-care subscales, particularly those requiring monetary resources. CONCLUSIONS Important information is provided on specific DSC patterns in a sample of ethnic/racial minorities with Type 2 diabetes. Significant correlates found may help with identification and intervention of patients who may benefit from strategies to increase self-care adherence.
Hybrid Auditory Based Interaction Framework for Driver Assistance System

Problem statement: The rapid development of Driver Assistance System (DAS) provides drivers with radically enhanced information and functionality. The nature of the current DAS requires a complex human-machine interaction which is distracting and may increase the risk of road accidents. The interaction between the driver and DAS should aid the driving process without interfering with safety and ease of vehicle operation. Speech based interaction mechanisms employed are not sufficiently robust to deal with the distraction and noise present in the interior environment of the vehicle. Approach: Thus, suitable hybrid earcon/auditory icon design principles for DAS are developed. These interfaces are investigated in driving simulators in-order to test their durability and robustness. Several evaluation parameters will be applied. This will ensure the driving-related information from the DAS was delivered to the driver without affecting the overall driving process. Results: This study produces auditory design principles for information mapping (visual into nonspeech based interaction) and presentation framework was produced. It outlines representation architecture that enables concurrent auditory driving related information to be transmitted from four different sources in the vehicle’s interior environment. It outlines a set of hybrid design principles that integrates auditory icons with earcons to map and present real-time driving related data from a visual to a non-speech auditory interface. Conclusion/Recommendations: The major contribution of this research project takes a genuine approach by considering the entire DAS (safety, navigation and entertainment subsystem). It proposes hybrid representation strategy based on the cognitive availability of the driver and cognitive workload. It was a significant discovery that aid future DAS auditory interaction design.
Gastroretentive Drug Delivery Systems: A Review of Formulation Approaches

Gastroretentive dosage forms (GRDF) has received significant interest in the past few decades as they can improve the limitation of most conventional and oral controlled release drug delivery system related to fast gastric-emptying time. An optimum GRDF system can be defined as a system which retains in the stomach for a sufficient time interval against all the physiological barriers, releases active moiety in a controlled manner. This article gives an overview of the parameters affecting gastric emptying as well as on the main concepts used to design pharmaceutical dosage forms with prolonged gastric residence times. In particular, bioadhesive, size-increasing and floating drug delivery systems are presented and their major advantages and shortcomings are discussed. Both single and multiple unit dosage forms with dual working systems are reviewed. Dual working systems are more efficient than the traditional systems.
Nucleus tractus solitarius--gateway to neural circulatory control.

The neural regulation of the cardiovascular system has been the subject of active investigation for more than a century. Generally, the detailed infor­ mation available about peripheral mechanisms, both afferent and efferent, far exceeds what we know about the central nervous system (CNS) pro­ cessing, which gives rise to reflex responses (80). The current picture of the CNS contribution to cardiovascular regulation consists primarily of a loose network schematic including identified cell locations and connections involved in baroreflexes (Figure 1) and is the recent topic of several excellent, comprehensive reviews (80, 88, 132, 144). Much less is known about the functional properties by which these neurons communicate, how they are modulated, or the mechanisms responsible for various features of the reflex. Over the past ten years considerable research effort has focused on the initial neurons of the baroreceptor reflex, and it is here that work is most rapidly approaching issues of the cellular basis of function. Most cardio93
Osteosarcoma of the pelvis: experience of the Cooperative Osteosarcoma Study Group.

PURPOSE To define patients and tumor characteristics as well as therapy results, patients with pelvic osteosarcoma who were registered in the Cooperative Osteosarcoma Study Group (COSS) were analyzed. PATIENTS AND METHODS Sixty-seven patients with a high-grade pelvic osteosarcoma were eligible for this analysis. Fifteen patients had primary metastases. All patients received chemotherapy according to COSS protocols. Thirty-eight patients underwent limb-sparing surgery, 12 patients underwent hemipelvectomy, and 17 patients did not undergo definitive surgery. Eleven patients received irradiation to the primary tumor site: four postoperatively and seven as the only form of local therapy. RESULTS Local failure occurred in 47 of all 67 patients (70%) and in 31 of 50 patients (62%) who underwent definitive surgery. Five-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival rates were 27% and 19%, respectively. Large tumor size (P =.0137), primary metastases (P =.0001), and no or intralesional surgery (P <.0001) were poor prognostic factors. In 30 patients with no or intralesional surgery, 11 patients with radiotherapy had better OS than 19 patients without radiotherapy (P =.0033). Among the variables, primary metastasis, large tumor, no or intralesional surgery, no radiotherapy, existence of primary metastasis (relative risk [RR] = 3.456; P =.0009), surgical margin (intralesional or no surgical excision; RR = 5.619; P <.0001), and no radiotherapy (RR = 4.196; P =.0059) were independent poor prognostic factors. CONCLUSION An operative approach with wide or marginal margins improves local control and OS. If the surgical margin is intralesional or excision is impossible, additional radiotherapy has a positive influence on prognosis.
The influence of age on isometric endurance and fatigue is muscle dependent: a study of shoulder abduction and torso extension

The present study examined differences in isometric muscle capacity between older (55–65 years) and younger (18 – 25 years) individuals. A total of 24 younger and 24 older participants (gender balanced within each group) performed sustained shoulder abductions and torso extensions to exhaustion at 30%, 50% and 70% of individual maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Along with endurance time, manifestations of localized fatigue were determined based on changes in surface electromyographic signals obtained from the shoulder (middle deltoid) and the torso (multifidus and longissimus thoracis) muscles. Strength recovery was monitored using post-fatigue MVCs over a 15-min period. Compared to the younger group, older individuals exhibited lower muscular strength, longer endurance time and slower development of local fatigue. Age effects on fatigue were typically moderated by effort level, while effects of gender appeared to be marginal. Non-linear relationships between target joint torque and endurance time were observed, with effects of age differing between shoulder abduction and torso extension. Overall, the effects of age on endurance and fatigue were more substantial and more consistent for the shoulder muscle than for the torso muscles and were likely related to differences in muscle fibre type composition. For strength recovery rates, no significant age or gender effects were found in either experiment. In summary, this study suggests that differences in isometric work capacity do exist between older and younger individuals, but that this effect is influenced by effort level and the muscle tested.
The Angiotensin II AT2 Receptor Is an AT1Receptor Antagonist*

The vasopressor angiotensin II activates AT1 and AT2 receptors. Most of the knownin vivo effects of angiotensin II are mediated by AT1 receptors while the biological functions of AT2 receptors are less clear. We report here that the AT2 receptor binds directly to the AT1 receptor and thereby antagonizes the function of the AT1 receptor. The AT1-specific antagonism of the AT2 receptor was independent of AT2 receptor activation and signaling, and it was effective on different cells and on human myometrial biopsies with AT1/AT2 receptor expression. Thus, the AT2 receptor is the first identified example of a G-protein-coupled receptor which acts as a receptor-specific antagonist.