Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Outcome of patients treated for tuberculosis in Vaud County, Switzerland.

SETTING The outcome of tuberculosis treatment is often not assessed in low-incidence countries such as Switzerland. In economically developed countries, private practitioners do not have the final responsibility for ensuring the completion of adequate tuberculosis treatment, and public health officers have little or no legal means of intervening if they are not specifically requested to do so. Furthermore, the reluctance of private practitioners to follow official guidelines may be an obstacle to the implementation of a regular surveillance policy. OBJECTIVE To assess the results of treatment in patients with culture-positive pulmonary tuberculosis and to identify the risk factors for non-adherence to treatment. DESIGN Retrospective study of all cases notified between 1988 and 1992 in Vaud County, and mainly treated by independent practitioners. RESULTS Among 133 patients notified with culture-positive pulmonary tuberculosis, complete information about treatment outcome was available for 120. Treatment success (cure or completed adequate treatment) was observed in 84 patients (70%), 17 died (14%) and 19 (16%) were considered as defaulters. The default rate was higher among immigrants, alcoholics, intravenous drug users and male patients. Among non-adherent patients, 4/19 (21%) relapsed within 3 years, compared with 3/84 (4%) among adherent patients. CONCLUSION The outcome of treatment in this group of patients does not correspond to the expected standards: the treatment completion rate was too low, and the default rate was too high. Better education of medical staff and health-care workers, use of directly-observed treatment, and regular surveillance of treatment outcome will be necessary to improve the results.
PYRENE FLUORESCENCE LIFETIME AS A PROBE FOR OXYGEN PENETRATION OF MICELLES

INTRODUCTION When bound to proteins and membranes, fluorescence probes can provide valuable information about the environment of the binding site (Edelman & McClure, 1968; Brand & Gohlke, 1972). Recently much interest has been shown in aromatic hydrocarbons as fluorescence probes. Because they are non-polar molecules, they should not interact as strongly with charged groups as the amino-napthalene sulfonate probes do. Aromatic hydrocarbons exhibit environment dependent fluorescence lifetime and polarization (e.g. Hautala et a! ., 1973; Shinitsky et al., 1971; Gratzel & Thomas, 1973). These properties can be used to characterize the probe environment in biological systems. Additionally, the well-known quenching behavior of aromatic hydrocarbons has been exploited to obtain information about the permeability of membrane-like systems (Gratzel & Thomas, 1973 ; Infelta et al., 1974; Wallace & Thomas, 1973; Pownall & Smith, 1974; Chen et al., 1974) and the accessibility of protein environments (Vaughan & Weber, 1970; Lakowicz & Weber, 1973). Synthetic micelles have been particularly useful in characterizing the fluorescence and quenching behavior of aromatic hydrocarbons in various environments (e.g. Hautala et al., 1973; Infelta et al., 1974; Pownall & Smith, 1974; Patterson & Vieil, 1974; Chen et al., 1974 Soutar et al., 1974; Cheng et al., 1974). Although oxygen quenching of aromatic hydrocarbon fluorescence has been studied in proteins (Vaughan & Weber, 1970; Lakowicz & Weber, 1973), the question of oxygen permeability in micelles has not been resolved. Previous work in this group suggests that oxygen is soluble in the micelle interior and that oxygen solubility is one of the factors which determines the lifetime of solubilized probes (Hautula et al., 1973). However, Dorrance & Hunter (1972) failed to obtain any increase in fluorescence quantum yield of pyrene upon deoxegenation of aqueous hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTBr) solutions containing this hydrocarbon. They suggest that the lack of fluorescence quenching results because a barrier exists to oxygen penetration of micelles containing pyrene molecules. Wallace and Thomas (1973) report rate constants for oxygen quenching of pyrene solubilized in HDTBr and in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) which are slower than the quenching rate constant in water. The effect of oxygen upon the fluorescence lifetime of a probe solubilized in micelles presented in this paper provides further evidence that micelles are penetrated by oxygen. We have studied the pyrene: HDTBr, HDTCl (hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium chloride) and SDS systems in oxygen, air and nitrogen saturated, as well as degassed solutions.
Friction Compensation of an $XY$ Feed Table Using Friction-Model-Based Feedforward and an Inverse-Model-Based Disturbance Observer

Uncompensated friction forces compromise the positioning and tracking accuracy of motion systems. A unique tracking error known as quadrant glitch is the result of complex nonlinear friction behavior at motion reversal or near-zero velocity. Linear-feedback control strategies such as PID, cascade P/PI, or state-feedback control have to be extended with model- and nonmodel-based friction-compensation strategies to acquire sufficiently high path and tracking accuracy. This paper analyzes and validates experimentally three different friction-compensation strategies for a linear motor-based xy feed drive of a high-speed milling machine: (1) friction-model-based feedforward; (2) an inverse-model-based disturbance observer; and (3) the combination of both techniques. The friction models considered are as follows: a simple static-friction model and the recently developed generalized Maxwell-slip (GMS) model. GMS friction-model-based feedforward combined with disturbance observer almost completely eliminates the radial tracking error and quadrant glitches.
Black Atlantic Rhythm: Its Computational and Transcultural Foundations

The "Black Atlantic" rhythmic diaspora, be it realized in jazz, blues, gospel, reggae, rock, candomblee, cumbia, hip-hop or whatever, seems to have widespread capacity to facilitate dance, engagement, social interaction, expression and catharsis. This article examines the reasons for this. Black Atlantic rhythm is founded on the idea of groove or feel, which forms a kinetic framework for reliable prediction of events and time pattern communication, its power cemented by repetition and engendered movement. Overlaid on this are characteristic devices that include syncopation, overlay,displacement, off-beat phrasing, polyrhythm/polymeter, hocketing, heterophony, swing, speech-based rhythms, and call-and-response. Using an evolutionary argument, I point out here that nearly all of these have at their heart the establishment of perceptual multiplicity or rivalry, affecting expectation, which acts as either a message or a message enhancement technique (via increased engagement and focusing of attention), or both. The causal path for the remaining devices is based on adopting structures shared with speech, notably prosody, conversational interaction, and narrative. Several examples illustrate how, particularly in jazz and jazz-related forms, extensions and relatively complex creative adaptations of traditional African and African diasporic rhythmic techniques are a natural consequence of a culture of questioning and reflection that encompasses maintenance of historical reference and accommodation to innovation.
A multicentre study of an enhanced optical method for measuring concentration of uric acid removed during dialysis

The aim of this study was to compare concentration measurements of uric acid (UA) removed during dialysis by two algorithms based on UV-absorbance and the 1st derivate of UV absorbance. Ten uremic patients from Tallinn and ten from Linköping, during 30+40 haemodialysis treatments, were followed at the Departments of Dialysis and Nephrology at North-Estonian Medical Centre and at Linköping University Hospital. The dialysate samples were taken and analyzed by means of UA concentration at the chemical laboratory and with a double-beam spectrophotometer. UV absorbance and derivate of UV absorbance was transformed into UA concentration in the spent dialysate using the regression models from the calibration set of material, noted as UV-absorbance (UV_A) and the 1st derivate of UV absorbance (UV_D) method. These models were tested on validation set of material and concentrations of UA from the two methods were compared regarding mean values and SD. Mean concentration of UA were 52.7 ± 25.0 micromol/l measured at the chemical laboratory (UA_Lab), 54.9 ± 23.8 micromol/l determined by UV_A and 52.9 ± 23.0 micromol/l determined by UV_D. The results of mean concentrations were not significantly different (p ≥ 0.54). The systematic errors were -7.8 % and -3.3% and random errors were 15.8 % and 10.4 % using UV_A and UV_D respectively. The systematic and random errors were significantly different (p < 0.05) indicating that the new algorithm enables more accurate UA estimation.
CLASS B0631+519: Last of the CLASS lenses

We report the discovery of a new gravitational lens system from the CLASS survey, CLASS B0631+519. VLA, MERLIN and VLBA observations show a doubly-imaged radio core, a doubly-imaged lobe and a second lobe that is probably quadruply-imaged. The maximum image separation is 1.16 arcseconds. The VLBA resolves the most magnified image of the flat-spectrum radio core into a number of sub-components spread across approximately 20 milli-arcseconds. Optical and near-infrared imaging with the ACS and NICMOS cameras on the HST show that there are two galaxies along the line of sight to the lensed source, as was previously discovered by optical spectroscopy. The nearer galaxy at z=0.0896 is a small blue irregular, while the more distant galaxy at z=0.6196 is an elliptical type and appears to contribute most of the lensing effect. The host galaxy of the lensed source is visible in NICMOS imaging as a set of arcs that form an almost complete Einstein ring. Mass modelling using non-parametric techniques can reproduce the ring and indicates that the irregular galaxy has a (localised) effect on the flux density distribution in the Einstein ring at the 5-10% level.
Neighborhood Effects on Educational Attainment: A Multilevel Analysis.

This study tests for the existence of neighborhood effects on educational attainment among some 2,500 young people who left school between 1984 and 1986 in one education authority (school district) in Scotland. It links survey data with area data from the 1981 Census of Population and uses hierarchical linear regression modeling to test for neighborhood effects and to estimate the contribution of neighborhood deprivation to any effects. After controlling for pupil ability, family background, and schooling, the authors find a significant negative association between deprivation in the home neighborhood and educational attainment. There is little evidence of additional neighborhood effects that could not be explained by our models. The findings suggest that policies to alleviate educational disadvantage cannot be focused solely on schooling, but must form part of a broader initiative to tackle social deprivation in the society at large
Reversing the new oral anticoagulants with prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs): what is the evidence?

Summary Newer oral anticoagulants offer several advantages over traditional agents (e.g. warfarin), but they are still associated with a bleeding risk and currently there is no validated reversal treatment for them. While there is little support for the use of fresh frozen plasma, and limited data available on the effects of activated recombinant factor VII, preclinical data suggest that prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs) may have potential in this setting. PCCs are currently used to successfully reverse warfarin-induced anticoagulation; however, clinical evidence for their use with new oral anticoagulants is lacking, with most of the available data coming from preclinical animal studies. Furthermore, there appears to be variation in the ability of different PCCs to reverse the coagulopathy induced by the new anticoagulants, and a lack of correlation between the reversal of laboratory test results and the reversal of anticoagulant-induced bleeding. Although there have been encouraging results, care must be taken in generalising findings from animal models and nonbleeding human subjects to the situation in bleeding patients. Ultimately, more evidence supporting anticoagulation reversal for new anticoagulants is needed, particularly regarding the treatment of bleeding in human patients in a clinical setting. According to the current evidence, use of PCCs may be considered a reasonable approach in dire clinical situations; however, a consensus has not yet been reached regarding PCC use or dosing, due to lack of clinical data.
Rate of cognitive decline and mortality in Alzheimer’s disease

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is associated with increased mortality, but survival in those with the disease varies widely. It is uncertain how much of the variation in survival is due to individual differences in rate of disease progression. Methods: During a 4-year period, 354 persons with AD underwent annual clinical evaluations that included administration of 17 cognitive function tests, from which global and specific measures of cognitive function were derived. A growth curve approach was used to assess individual rates of cognitive decline and proportional hazards models adjusted for age, sex, and education to examine the associations of baseline level of cognition and rate of cognitive decline with mortality. Results: During the 4-year study period, 242 persons survived and 112 died. At baseline, the global measure of cognition ranged from −1.68 to 1.36 (mean = 0.03, SD = 0.57), with higher scores indicating better function. Baseline level of cognition was not related to mortality (p = 0.12). Global cognition declined an average of 0.56 unit/year, with substantial heterogeneity (SD = 0.41). To determine mortality risk, persons were divided into quartiles based on rate of cognitive decline and survival contrasted in the quartile with the least decline with survival in each remaining quartile, adjusting for baseline level of cognition. Compared with those with the least decline, risk of death was increased more than threefold in the subgroup with mild decline, more than fivefold in those with moderately rapid decline, and more than eightfold in those with the most rapid decline. Similar results were found after controlling for baseline health and disability and in analyses using specific cognitive function measures. Conclusion: Mortality in AD is strongly associated with rate of cognitive decline.
Avoidance-oriented students’ development in motivation for maths, self-regulated learning behaviour and achievement: a person-centred study in the lowest level of secondary education

Performance-avoidance orientation has been found to undermine students’ academic motivation and achievement. Recognising groups of students with different levels and developments of performance-avoidance orientation makes it possible to try to intervene early in their school careers. In this study, 1168 12–13 year-old students attending the first and second year of the lowest level of secondary education, participated. Questionnaires on goal orientations, self-efficacy, investment in maths and well-being at school were administered four times. Report marks were collected at school. Using growth mixture modelling, four groups of students were distinguished: group 1 had an intermediate and a slightly increasing performance-avoidance orientation; group 2 a low and clearly increasing performance-avoidance orientation; group 3 an intermediate and clearly decreasing performance-avoidance orientation; and group 4 a low and slightly decreasing performance-avoidance orientation. We found that groups1 and 2 had less favourable development in their well-being at school, self-efficacy and performance-approach orientation.
Factors in the Development of School Libraries in Great Britain and the United States: A Comparative Study.

In Great Britain and the United States common developmental issues have resulted in the evolution of two very different models of school library provision. In the United States, school libraries are integrated media centers, separate from public library influence, staffed by specialists with dual training in teaching and librarianship, and dedicated to an educational mission. British school libraries are contested terrain with two patterns of staffing, support by Public Library Services, and incomplete formulation of mission and rationale. This article discusses five factors which have facilitated or retarded school library development in the two countries (standards, staffing and certification, government support, rationale, professionalization) and generalizes about development factors and the successful promotion of school libraries.
Psychological Treatments for Rehabilitating Offenders: Evidence‐Based Practice Comes of Age

Recent years have seen a resurgence of interest in psychological approaches to offender rehabilitation. In this paper, we present an overview of the literature regarding the effectiveness of such approaches and discuss how the research literature has helped to begin to define best practice in this area. Finally, the implications of this work for psychologists working with offenders are discussed.
The Death of Great Ships: Photography, Politics, and Waste in the Global Imaginary

The iconic images heralding an age of connectivity are the plane and the trace of digital flows bearing information. However, not far behind has been the cumbrous yet essential ‘big box’ of containerization, shipping all manner of goods across the planet on great vessels remorselessly circling the globe. Critiques of global trade have latched upon the counterimage of these mighty ships' ruinous carcasses beached and being broken in South Asia. Here then is the antipode of globalization—ships, once carrying cargoes, now themselves sold around the globe for scrap and ending up broken up according to the very logics of cheap locations that their routes made possible. This paper interrogates these counterimages of global capitalism. Looking at the works of various photographers it examines how waste ships are made to work aesthetically. It examines the photo-documentary and traditions of the industrial sublime to find ‘time-images’ that speak to the material and labour worlds of global capital.
Anabolic androgenic steroids and behavioural patterns among violent offenders

Abstract Objective: the purpose of the study is to give an account of psychiatric symptoms, aggressiveness and violent behaviour among users of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS). The method used is retrospective evaluation based on information from forensic psychiatric evaluations (FPE), police reports and court records. Fourteen violent offenders were evaluated for current or previous use of AAS. The results suggest that AAS may produce violent behaviour and other mental disturbances, including psychosis. Besides previously described AAS-related violence, termed ‘roid rage’, two new patterns are described: (1) the cold-blooded executioner (‘Terminator’), and (2) the temporary AAS-user who takes the drug for the purpose of encouragement shortly before a criminal act (‘Sturmscknapps behaviour’). The effects of AAS on the central nervous system seem to be particularly detrimental to individuals with an inherent psychiatric disorder. It appears that use of AAS may lead to violent acts in vulnerable persons .
Differential cadmium and zinc distribution in relation to their physiological impact in the leaves of the accumulating Zygophyllum fabago L.

Cadmium and zinc share many similar physiochemical properties, but their compartmentation, complexation and impact on other mineral element distribution in plant tissues may drastically differ. In this study, we address the impact of 10 μm Cd or 50 μm Zn treatments on ion distribution in leaves of a metallicolous population of the non-hyperaccumulating species Zygophyllum fabago at tissue and cell level, and the consequences on the plant response through a combined physiological, proteomic and metabolite approach. Micro-proton-induced X-ray emission and laser ablation inductively coupled mass spectrometry analyses indicated hot spots of Cd concentrations in the vicinity of vascular bundles in response to Cd treatment, essentially bound to S-containing compounds as revealed by extended X-ray absorption fine structure and non-protein thiol compounds analyses. A preferential accumulation of Zn occurred in vascular bundle and spongy mesophyll in response to Zn treatment, and was mainly bound to O/N-ligands. Leaf proteomics and physiological status evidenced a protection of photosynthetically active tissues and the maintenance of cell turgor through specific distribution and complexation of toxic ions, reallocation of some essential elements, synthesis of proteins involved in photosynthetic apparatus or C-metabolism, and metabolite synthesis with some specificities regarding the considered heavy metal treatment.
A Framework For Understanding The Benefits Of Supply Chain Management Systems

Organizations invest heavily in Supply Chain Management (SCM) systems expecting benefits stated by software vendors and implementation partners. However, both academic and industry reports suggest that there are growing challenges in realizing the benefits of SCM applications, preventing the success of SCM projects. Although there exist well-publicized research on Enterprise Resource Planning systems benefits and Customer Relationship Management systems benefits, there is a dearth of research on studies evaluating SCM systems benefits from a holistic perspective. In order to better understand the benefits of SCM systems, this study proposes a SCM system benefit framework. The preliminary framework is derived from content analysis through 21 academic studies and 20 vendor success stories. This preliminary framework consists of 3 dimensions - Strategic, Managerial and Operational and 21 indicators. Subsequently, the benefits in the preliminary framework were validated in a large fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) manufacturer. The results reveal that around ninety percent of the claimed benefits from literature and vendor success stories have been confirmed. It is also noted that the unconfirmed benefits cannot be realized in a short time due to certain constrains. This validated SCM system benefit framework has substantial implications for research and practice.
Business Model Design and the Performance of Entrepreneurial Firms

We focus on the design of an organization's set of boundary-spanning transactions---business model design---and ask how business model design affects the performance of entrepreneurial firms. By extending and integrating theoretical perspectives that inform the study of boundary-spanning organization design, we propose hypotheses about the impact of efficiency-centered and novelty-centered business model design on the performance of entrepreneurial firms. To test these hypotheses, we developed and analyzed a unique data set of 190 entrepreneurial firms that were publicly listed on U.S. and European stock exchanges. The empirical results show that novelty-centered business model design matters to the performance of entrepreneurial firms. Our analysis also shows that this positive relationship is remarkably stable across time, even under varying environmental regimes. Additionally, we find indications of potential diseconomies of scope in design; that is, entrepreneurs' attempts to incorporate both efficiency-and novelty-centered design elements into their business models may be counterproductive.