Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tuberculin Skin Testing of Hospitalized Patients

Abstract Objectives: We sought to define the prevalence of tuberculin skin test (TST) positivity in a group of newly hospitalized patients, to identify risk factors for positive tests, and to examine the impact of testing on infection control practices. Design: Unblinded cohort study over 5 days in July 1992. Setting: A 1,000-bed university-affiliated hospital. Patients: All patients admitted (excluding obstetric patients and newborns) were interviewed. Patients without a history of tuberculosis (TB) or a positive TST were offered a TST with Candida and tetanus controls. Results: Of 346 patients offered the test, 21 (6%) had a prior history of TB or a positive TST, and 36 (10%) declined to participate; 279 of the remaining 289 completed the study. Anergy was demonstrated in 94 (33.7%) of 279 patients. New positive TSTs were identified in 19 (10.3%) of 185 nonanergic patients. Of the 19 TST-positive patients, 6 (32%) had infiltrates on chest radiographs and were evaluated for active TB. One patient was treated empirically for active TB, and five received isoniazid prophylaxis. Risk factors for a new positive TST included age (odds ratio [OR], 1.56 per decade of life; P=.021), African American race (OR, 4.81; P=.008), alcohol abuse (OR, 5.53; P=.005), and peptic ulcer disease (OR, 4.53; P=.017). Risk factors for anergy included admission to a surgical service (OR, 2.1; P=.006), current use of steroids (OR, 2.65; P=.005), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (OR, undefined; P=.034). Conclusions: Despite a high rate of anergy, routine tuberculin skin testing identified a substantial number of patients with TB infection who might otherwise have gone unrecognized.
Stressors, coping strategies and stress-related outcomes among direct care staff in staffed houses for people with learning disabilities

Self-reported stressors, coping strategies and stress-related outcomes were explored among 68 direct-care staff working in two networks of small staffed houses for people with learning disabilities. The two networks tended to have lower rates of staff turnover, and staff tended to be older, more qualified and more likely to have dependants, than staff in UK community services reported in previous studies. Staff in Network 2 rated several stressors as more stressful and reported themselves as experiencing greater general distress and work-related stress, than staff in Network 1. Multiple regressions revealed that: (1) stressors relating to the emotional impact of the work, violent service user behaviour and the use of a wishful thinking coping strategy were associated with perceived work stress; (2) stressors relating to the conflict of work with personal or family demands, and the use of a wishful thinking coping strategy, were associated with symptoms of general distress; (3) perceived work stress, together with uncertainty concerning job tasks and limited opportunities for personal advancement, were perceived to have a high impact on work performance; (4) general distress, together with conflicts between work and personal or family demands and violent service user behaviour, were perceived to have a high impact on staff social life; (5) general distress, together with stressors relating to conflicts between work and personal or family demands and perceived deficiencies in other staff, were perceived to have a high impact on staff personal relationships. The organisational implications of these findings are discussed.
Effect of dextrinized sweet potatoes on the physicochemical and sensory quality of infra-red dried mango leather.

Dextrinization of sweet potato and its effect on physicochemical and sensory quality of mango-sweet potato leathers was studied. Sweet potatoes were dextrinized in an oven at different temperatures (150-200°C) and time (2, 2.5 and 3.0 h) for optimization using completely randomized design. Maximum dextrin of 19.41 was formed at 190-200°C. Water activity and pH ranged from 0.61-0.63 and 4.2-4.33 respectively and vitamin C increased with the addition of sweet potato. The overall acceptability was high (1.58-1.63) but non-significant (p < 0.05) with the amount of sweet potato added. The mouth feel was disliked slightly (4.06-4.40) by panellists but colour, smell and taste were rated high (1.00-0.97). Dextrinization of sweet potatoes could be considered as an excellent substitute in food applications like fruit leathers production and hence provide alternative products for health conscious consumers.
Congenital Atresia of the Ear

THE more correct term for this congenital deformity is aplasia, but atresia has been so long in common usage that it should probably be retained. All combinations of deformities of the pinna, middle and inner ears may be present, but they do fall into four recognizable categories. The key to this classification can be found in the embryology. The inner ear develops from the otic vesicle by the fifteenth day and the middle and external ears develop from the last and second branchial arches starting in the sixth week of intra-uterine life. The tragus develops from the hillocks around the second arch and the rest of the pinna from those around the first arch. At the end of the second month a solid core of epithelium grows inwards from the pinna to meet the first branchial pouch which is expanding to form the middle ear cleft. The plaque at the end of this core eventually forms the ear drum. At the same time the malleus and incus are taking shape from Meckel's cartilage, the stapes from Reichert's cartilage and all are fully developed by the end of the fourth month. At the end of the sixth month the solid core of epithelium representing the external auditory meatus starts to canalize from the medial end. This is completed by the end of the seventh month when the expanding middle ear cleft has surrounded the ossicles and invested them with mucous membrane. Over the past sixteen years, 95 patients have been operated upon, some with bilateral deformities, making 113 operations in all. There have also been cases with deformities which were considered too severe for surgery. There was no history of severe illness in any of the mothers during pregnancy, but in two cases a family history of aural deformity was obtained. The two ears were roughly equally affected.
DEVELOPMENT OF MELOXICAM ORAL LYOPHILISATES: ROLE OF THERMAL ANALYSIS AND COMPLEMENTARY TECHNIQUES

The purpose of this study was to highlight the way in which thermoanalytical and complementary techniques can guide the development of meloxicam oral lyophilisates both in the preformulation and formulation stages, as well as for the final products characterization. Thermoanalytical methods (differential scanning calorimetry – DSC, thermogravimetry – TGA) and complementary methods (Fourier transform infrared – FTIR, X-Ray powder diffraction – XRPD, scanning electron microscopy – SEM) were applied in order to obtain a complete set of data. In the preformulation stage, the compatibility between meloxicam and excipients was assessed. DSC results showed the compatibility between meloxicam and excipients. Tg’ measurement in the frozen state led to the addition of an annealing step at -25°C into the freezing stage, to facilitate complete crystallization and end-product integrity. The designed lyophilization cycle yielded good cake appearance. The DSC, XRPD analysis as well as SEM morphology studies, performed in the final stage, evidenced that the meloxicam freezedried products were partially crystalline. By the TGA analysis the moisture content was evaluated in accordance or close to the recommended limits. In conclusion, thermoanalytical techniques are well suited for the design of freeze-drying process, in order to obtain good quality oral lyophilisates.
Transfer optimization via simultaneous perturbation stochastic approximation

We consider the problem of optimizing a transit network with respect to customer service, when simulation of the network is necessary to accurately characterize performance. In particular, we consider the transfer optimization problem, where the goal is to minimize the total expected waiting time of riders by coordinating transfers in the network. We apply the technique of simultaneous perturbation stochastic approximation to optimize system performance. For a simple test case, we provide simulation results and discuss difficulties in applying the technique to this problem, specifically with regard to the smoothness of the objective function.
Quantitative Analysis of Trust Evidence in Internet

With the development of the computer network, Internet environment is increasingly complicated and unpredictable, which makes more applications need to establish trust between two entities, especially among strange entities. The trust includes direct trust, indirect trust and reputation trust. Indirect trust and reputation trust are both based on direct trust. Meanwhile, the direct trust is based on trust evidences obtained from past actions during interaction with other entity. The paper puts forward a method of how to update trust evidences dynamically and how to use updated trust evidence to compute trust and trust attribute of evaluated entity. We have proved that the method have good trust characteristics, such as "rise-slowly, decline-quickly", which can prevent from attack of malice entity; the subjective trust factor beta embodies subjective characteristic of updating trust evidences. With the increase of the number of interaction, the method can automatically improve trustworthiness of the evaluated entity, so the algorithm is self-adaptive. Meanwhile, when the entities do not interact with each other for a long time, the evidence value would decrease gradually and automatically; the method can prolong updating time automatically by computing dynamic standard variance of trust evidence, which can improve performance.
Variability in Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate by Area under the Curve Predicts Renal Outcomes in Chronic Kidney Disease

Greater variability in renal function is associated with mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, few studies have demonstrated the predictive value of renal function variability in relation to renal outcomes. This study investigates the predictive ability of different methods of determining estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) variability for progression to renal replacement therapy (RRT) in CKD patients. This was a prospective observational study, which enrolled 1,862 CKD patients. The renal end point was defined as commencement of RRT. The variability in eGFR was measured by the area under the eGFR curve (AUC)%. A significant improvement in model prediction was based on the −2 log likelihood ratio statistic. During a median 28.7-month follow-up, there were 564 (30.3%) patients receiving RRT. In an adjusted Cox model, a smaller initial eGFR AUC%_12M (P < 0.001), a smaller peak eGFR AUC%_12M (P < 0.001), and a larger negative eGFR slope_12M (P < 0.001) were associated with a higher risk of renal end point. Two calculated formulas: initial eGFR AUC%_12M and eGFR slope_12M were the best predictors. Our results demonstrate that the greater eGFR variability by AUC% is associated with the higher risk of progression to RRT.
Coronally advanced flap adjunct with low intensity laser therapy: a randomized controlled clinical pilot study.

AIM Coronally advanced flap (CAF) technique and its modifications have been proposed in the literature. Low intensity laser therapy (LILT) is shown to increase wound healing. The aim of this split-mouth randomized controlled pilot study was to assess the effects of LILT with respect to root coverage after CAF procedure for the treatment of multiple-recession type defects (MRTD). MATERIAL AND METHODS Ten patients with symmetrical 74 Miller I and II gingival recessions were included in this study (37 in test, 37 in control group). A diode laser (588 nm) was applied to test sites before and immediately after surgery, and for 5 min. daily 7 days post-operatively. Comparisons of the surgical sites were made with clinical measurements. RESULTS Statistically significant differences were observed between test and control sites in the gingival recession depth (GRD), gingival recession width (GRW) and width of the keratinized tissue (WKT) and clinical attachment level (CAL) measurements after 1 year (p = 0.014, p = 0.015, p = 0.009 and p = 0.018 respectively). The test group presented greater complete root coverage (n = 7, 70%) compared with the control group (n = 3, 30%) after treatment. CONCLUSION Within the limitations of this study, the results indicated that LILT may improve the predictability of CAF in multiple recessions.
Analysis of Clinical Indicators of Quality in Patients with Endotracheal intubation.

INTRODUCTION Quality and safety in anaesthesia is usually monitored by analysis of perioperative mortality-morbidity and are influenced by anaesthetic and non-anaesthetic factors. AIM This study was conducted to analyse the incidence of clinical indicators of quality in endotracheally intubated patients undergoing general abdominal surgeries and obstetric and gynaecological procedures under general anaesthesia and to determine contributing factors for the same. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective study was conducted at our institute over a period of 12 months and 709 case records of patients were reviewed. Patients aged 14 years and more belonging to all ASA groups undergoing abdominal surgeries for general and obstetric and gynaecological causes under General Anaesthesia (GA) with endotracheal intubation posted for both elective and emergency surgeries were included in the study. Demographic details including name, age, sex, hospital number, height, weight, body mass index, type of surgery, nature of surgery, duration, American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) physical status were recorded and presence or absence of clinical indicators of quality (presence of cannot intubate cannot ventilate scenario, occurrence of dental injury, episode of non cardiogenic pulmonary oedema, incidents of residual neuromuscular blockade, existence of aspiration pneumonia, unplanned ICU/HDU admissions, interventions for respiratory/ cardiac arrest, occasions of respiratory distress in the recovery period, occurrence of respiratory arrest within 48 hours and re-intubation) were noted and analysed for all 709 patients. RESULTS Total 709 patients were analysed in our study. We found that incidence of ICU admission was 1.83% and that of respiratory distress which needed intervention were 0.56%. A total of 0.28% patients needed reintubation. Residual neuromuscular blockade was seen in 0.28% patients. We did not find any case of respiratory and cardiac arrest and also there was no Cannot Ventilate and Cannot Intubate (CVCI) situation encountered in our study. SPSS for windows (version 17.0) was used as statistical software. Chi-square test was the statistical test for significance. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. CONCLUSION Proper optimization of patients prior to surgery and optimal perioperative care will result in better quality of care and safety in anaesthesia. Documentation of events and its management during perioperative period will help to know the fields of inappropriate management and thereby improve the quality of care and detect the incidence rates with accuracy and help to formulate protocol for institution.
Aging rather than sun exposure is a major determining factor for the density of miR‐125b‐positive epidermal stem cells in human skin

Sunlight exposure and aging are two major factors in the deterioration of skin function. In the present study, we used eighty formalin‐fixed human skin samples from sun‐exposed and unexposed areas from old and young individuals to evaluate the presence of miR‐125b‐positive epidermal stem cells (ESCs) by in situ hybridization. miR‐125b‐positive ESCs were detected in the basal layer of the epidermis. The density of miR‐125b‐positive ESCs was significantly associated with age rather than sun exposure, whereas the density of miR‐125b‐positive ESCs tended to decrease in the sun‐exposed area. These data suggest the potential use of miR‐125b as a surrogate marker for the quality of epidermal cells.
Strand-Specific Quantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay for Measurement of Arenavirus Genomic and Antigenomic RNAs

Arenaviruses are bi-segmented, single-stranded RNA viruses that cause significant human disease. The manner in which they regulate the replication of their genome is not well-understood. This is partly due to the absence of a highly sensitive assay to measure individual species of arenavirus replicative RNAs. To overcome this obstacle, we designed a quantitative reverse transcription (RT)-PCR assay for selective quantitation of each of the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) genomic or antigenomic RNAs. During the course of assay design, we identified a nonspecific priming phenomenon whereby, in the absence of an RT primer, cDNAs complementary to each of the LCMV replicative RNA species are generated during RT. We successfully circumvented this nonspecific priming event through the use of biotinylated primers in the RT reaction, which permitted affinity purification of primer-specific cDNAs using streptavidin-coated magnetic beads. As proof of principle, we used the assay to map the dynamics of LCMV replication at acute and persistent time points and to determine the quantities of genomic and antigenomic RNAs that are incorporated into LCMV particles. This assay can be adapted to measure total S or L segment-derived viral RNAs and therefore represents a highly sensitive diagnostic platform to screen for LCMV infection in rodent and human tissue samples and can also be used to quantify virus-cell attachment.
What are the benefits of evidence-based supported employment for patients with first-episode psychosis?

AIMS AND METHOD To examine the effectiveness of integrating evidence-based supported employment into an early intervention service for young people with first-episode psychosis. Demographic, clinical and vocational data were collected over a 12-month period to evaluate the effect on vocational outcomes at 6 months and 12 months of the employment of a vocational specialist, and to assess model fidelity. RESULTS Following vocational profiling and input from the vocational specialist and the team, there were significant increases in the proportion of clients engaged in work or educational activity over the first 6 months of the intervention, and in a subsample over a second 6-month period. The evidence-based Supported Employment Fidelity Scale was used to measure the degree of implementation, which scored 71, signifying ‘good implementation’. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS The results suggest that implementing evidence-based supported employment within an early intervention service increases employment and education opportunities for patients within the service.
Physical Education Lessons and Physical Activity Intentions Within Spanish Secondary Schools: A Self-Determination Perspective

Grounded in Self-Determination Theory, the purpose of this study was to analyze how motivational processes within Physical Education classes can predict intention to participate in sport or physical activity outside of the school curriculum. Participants included 1,692 Spanish students aged 12–16 years (M = 13.34; SD = .76) who participated in Physical Education lessons at 32 secondary schools. Structural equation modeling was used for analysis, and showed that perception of basic psychological need (BPN) support from teachers predicted autonomous and controlled motivation through BPN satisfaction. Furthermore, autonomous motivation positively predicted enjoyment, perceived importance of Physical Education, and intention to participate in sport or physical activity outside of school. Controlled motivation negatively predicted enjoyment, and amotivation positively predicted boredom. Finally, enjoyment and perceived importance of Physical Education positively predicted intention to participate in sport or p.
MUSIC, G-MUSIC, and Maximum-Likelihood Performance Breakdown

Direction-of-arrival estimation performance of MUSIC and maximum-likelihood estimation in the so-called ldquothresholdrdquo area is analyzed by means of general statistical analysis (GSA) (also known as random matrix theory). Both analytic predictions and direct Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate that the well-known MUSIC-specific ldquoperformance breakdownrdquo is associated with the loss of resolution capability in the MUSIC pseudo-spectrum, while the sample signal subspace is still reliably separated from the actual noise subspace. Significant distinctions between (MUSIC/G-MUSIC)-specific and MLE-intrinsic causes of ldquoperformance breakdown,rdquo as well as the role of ldquosubspace swaprdquo phenomena, are specified analytically and supported by simulation.
Electrically wavelength-tunable picosecond pulses generated from a self-seeded laser diode using a compensated dispersion-tuning approach

We developed a compensated dispersion-tuning approach to generate electrically wavelength-tunable short pulses from a self-seeded Fabry-Perot laser diode. Single-mode pulses with a sidemode-suppression ratio over 30 dB are obtained across most of the 18.5-nm tuning range in the fiber configuration. The use of both dispersion-compensating fiber and standard single-mode fiber with equal and opposite group velocity dispersion allows electrical tuning to be performed at a constant repetition rate.
The rice enhancer of zeste [E(z)] genes SDG711 and SDG718 are respectively involved in long day and short day signaling to mediate the accurate photoperiod control of flowering time

Recent advances in rice flowering studies have shown that the accurate control of flowering by photoperiod is regulated by key mechanisms that involve the regulation of flowering genes including Heading date1 (Hd1), Early hd1 (Ehd1), Hd3a, and RFT1. The chromatin mechanism involved in the regulation of rice flowering genes is presently not well known. Here we show that the rice enhancer of zeste [E(z)] genes SDG711 and SDG718, which encode the polycomb repressive complex2 (PRC2) key subunit that is required for trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3), are respectively, involved in long day (LD) and short day (SD) regulation of key flowering genes. The expression of SDG711 and SDG718 is induced by LD and SD, respectively. Over-expression and down-regulation of SDG711 respectively, repressed and promoted flowering in LD, but had no effect in SD. By contrast, down-regulation of SDG718 had no effect in LD but delayed flowering in SD. SDG711 and SDG718 repressed OsLF (a repressor of Hd1) respectively in LD and SD, leading to a higher expression of Hd1 thus late flowering in LD and early flowering in SD. SDG711 was also found to be involved in the repression of Ehd1 in LD. SDG711 was shown to directly target to OsLF and Ehd1 loci to mediate H3K27me3 and gene repression. The function of the rice E(z) genes in LD repression and SD promotion of flowering suggests that PRC2-mediated epigenetic repression of gene expression is involved in the accurate photoperiod control of rice flowering.