Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of H1N1 (2009) Influenza among Healthcare Workers in a Tertiary Care Center in Saudi Arabia: A 6-Month Surveillance Study

Background. Certain emerging infections, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome and avian influenza, represent a great risk to healthcare workers (HCWs). There are few data about the epidemiology of H1N1 influenza among HCWs. Methods. We conducted a prospective surveillance study for all HCWs at King Abdulaziz Medical City (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) who were confirmed positive for H1N1 influenza by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from June 1 through November 30, 2009. Results. During 6 months of surveillance, 526 HCWs were confirmed positive for H1N1 influenza. The distribution of these cases showed 2 clear outbreaks: an initial outbreak (peak at early August) and a shorter second wave (peak at end of October). Among all PCR-confirmed cases, the attack rate was significantly higher in clinical HCWs than in nonclinical HCWs (6.0% vs 4.3%; P < .001 ) and in HCWs in emergency departments than in HCWs in other hospital locations (17.4% vs 5.0%, P < .001). The percentage of HCWs who received regular influenza vaccination was greater for clinical HCWs than for nonclinical HCWs (46.2% vs 24.6%; P < .001). The majority of HCWs with confirmed H1N1 influenza were young (mean age ± standard deviation, 34.5 ± 9.5 years), not Saudi (58.4%), female (55.1%), and nurses (36.1%). Approximately 4% of women who were less than 50 years old were pregnant. Reported exposures included contact with a case (41.0%), contact with a sick household member (23.8%), and recent travel history (13.3%). Respiratory symptoms (98.0%), including cough (90.1%), were the most frequently reported symptoms, followed by muscle aches (66.2%), fever (62.5%), headache (57.9%), diarrhea (16.5%), and vomiting (9.8%). None of these HCWs died, and all recovered fully without hospital admission. Conclusions. The results confirm the vulnerability of HCWs, whether clinical or nonclinical, to emerging H1N1 influenza.
Prioritization of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems success measures: viewpoints of two organizational stakeholder groups

Business organizations worldwide are adopting Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. A number of studies deliberate the adoption and implementation of ERP, but few investigate the success of the system. To our knowledge, this is the first study of its kind to investigate the perspectives of key organizational stakeholders with respect to the success of their ERP software. Using postal surveys in Finland and Estonia, two small Northern European countries, we obtained empirical data from 44 private organizations in diverse industries. Our objective was to determine whether differences exist between two organizational stakeholder groups (top- and mid-level managers) concerning their prioritization and evaluation of measures relating to the success of their ERP software. Despite their distinct roles and influence, we did not notice any significant statistical differences between the two groups in this regard. However, each group evaluated measures such as "accuracy" and "reliability" differently. This paper discusses the implications of the study for both practice and research.
University of Pennsylvania Working Papers in Linguistics Linguistic Variation and Change in Atlanta, Georgia Linguistic Variation and Change in Atlanta, Georgia Linguistic Variation and Change in Atlanta, Georgia

In spite of its unique position as a fast-growing urban metropolis in the heart of the South, little research has been conducted to uncover the effects of Atlanta's rapid growth on the speech of its native population. This paper reports on variation and change in the speech of Atlanta, Georgia, which has occurred as a result of this growth, focusing on the current state of the Southern Shift. The evidence presented is limited to key vowel features, especially /ay/-monophthongization and the front chain shift. Drawing on regional data found in past projects (e. utilizing a variety of sociolinguistic methods, this paper analyzes a data set in which both apparent-time changes and variation can be observed. In order to more fully capture Atlantan speech, two different types of interview are presented. The first is a rapid and anonymous interview of 59 speakers which focuses on the pronunciation of /ay/ before voiced consonants. These interviews show black speakers to have a significantly higher rate of /ay/-monophthongization than white speakers, and that overall rates of /ay/-monophthongization vary between different neighborhoods. The second type consists of a longer conversation-style interview followed by a reading passage, for which data from five white native Atlantans is presented. Acoustic analysis of these interviews shows that the older speakers use more features associated with the Southern Shift than the younger speakers, but that none of the speakers exhibit a fully-shifted vowel system.
LFP: A Logic for Linguistic Descriptions and an Analysis of Its Complexity

We investigate the weak expressive power of a notation using first-order logic, augmented with a facility for recursion, to give linguistic descriptions. The notation is precise and easy to read, using ordinary conventions of logic. Two versions of the notation are presented. One, called CLFP, speaks about strings and concatenation, and generates the class EXPTIME of languages accepted by Turing machines in time 2cn for some c > 0. The other, called ILFP, speaks about integer positions in strings, and generates the class PTIME of languages recognizable in polynomial time. An application is given, showing how to code Head Grammars in ILFP, showing why these grammars generate only polynomial time languages.
Oil-Price Boom and Real Exchange Rate Appreciation: Is There Dutch Disease in the CEMAC?

The paper employs a heuristic comparative approach suggested by Ismail (2009) to search for evidence of Dutch disease in oil-rich countries of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC). While these countries have benefitted from high international oil prices in recent years, they have also experienced relatively large real exchange rate appreciations, raising concerns regarding the presence of Dutch disease and casting doubts on their ability to achieve high growth and employment in the long run. To isolate from any dynamics related to the exchange rate regime, we focus on the 14 member countries that constitute the CFA franc zone. We separate them into net oil importers and net oil exporters and look at economic growth, the real exchange rate, and the agricultural and external sectors. Based on traditional models, our findings are broadly consistent with the presence of Dutch disease in the second group during the oil-price boom. Departing from these models yields mixed results, suggesting the need to employ a case-by-case approach.
Randomized Safety Studies of Intravenous Perflubron Emulsion. I. Effects on Coagulation Function in Healthy Volunteers

Previous perfluorocarbon (PFC) emulsions have been associated with transient adverse events (i.e., platelet activation, decreased platelet count, febrile responses, changes in hemodynamic function). The Phase I studies described in this report were parallel, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled studies conducted in 48 healthy volunteers (n = 24 per study) with perflubron emulsion (Oxygent™; Alliance Pharmaceutical Corp., San Diego, CA). Because of the decreased platelet counts observed with previous PFC emulsions and the intended use of perflubron emulsion in surgical patients, these studies assessed postdosing coagulation responses and hemostasis. PFC pharmacokinetic variables were also evaluated. The primary endpoint for examination of coagulation effects was prospectively defined as bleeding time. Subjects received either saline (3 mL/kg) control, or perflubron emulsion at 1.2 g PFC/kg or 1.8 g PFC/kg, and were evaluated for a 14-day period. No postinfusion changes in bleeding time or differences in ex vivo agonist-induced platelet aggregation were observed. A 17% reduction in platelet count was observed 3 days after dosing in the 1.8-g PFC/kg group; levels recovered to baseline by Day 7. The intravascular half-life of perflubron for the first 24 h was dose dependent: 9.4 ± 2.2 h and 6.1 ± 1.9 h in the 1.8- and 1.2-g PFC/kg groups, respectively. Results indicate that this perflubron emulsion did not affect coagulation function in healthy volunteers. Implications In major surgical procedures, perfluorocarbon-based temporary oxygen carriers are potentially important alternatives to blood transfusion. Newer, second-generation perfluorocarbon-based oxygen carriers have been developed to improve on the short-term side effects observed with earlier formulations. This report summarizes Phase I clinical safety data in healthy volunteers receiving the oxygen carrier, perflubron emulsion.
Diversity of Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus spp. and Their Symbiotic Entomopathogenic Nematodes from Thailand

Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus spp. are bacterial symbionts of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs). In this study, we isolated and characterized Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus spp. from across Thailand together with their associated nematode symbionts, and characterized their phylogenetic diversity. EPNs were isolated from soil samples using a Galleria-baiting technique. Bacteria from EPNs were cultured and genotyped based on recA sequence. The nematodes were identified based on sequences of 28S rDNA and internal transcribed spacer regions. A total of 795 soil samples were collected from 159 sites in 13 provinces across Thailand. A total of 126 EPNs isolated from samples taken from 10 provinces were positive for Xenorhabdus (n = 69) or Photorhabdus spp. (n = 57). Phylogenetic analysis separated the 69 Xenorhabdus isolates into 4 groups. Groups 1, 2 and 3 consisting of 52, 13 and 1 isolates related to X. stockiae, and group 4 consisting of 3 isolates related to X. miraniensis. The EPN host for isolates related to X. stockiae was S. websteri, and for X. miraniensis was S. khoisanae. The Photorhabdus species were identified as P. luminescens (n = 56) and P. asymbiotica (n = 1). Phylogenenic analysis divided P. luminescens into five groups. Groups 1 and 2 consisted of 45 and 8 isolates defined as subspecies hainanensis and akhurstii, respectively. One isolate was related to hainanensis and akhurstii, two isolates were related to laumondii, and one isolate was the pathogenic species P. asymbiotica subsp. australis. H. indica was the major EPN host for Photorhabdus. This study reveals the genetic diversity of Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus spp. and describes new associations between EPNs and their bacterial symbionts in Thailand.
Size, shape and temperature effects on Ferro/Antiferro-electric hysteresis loops from Monte Carlo simulations on 2D Ising model

A Monte Carlo (MC) simulation of a 2D microscopic Ising model is performed to study the relation between electric and thermal properties in a 2D lattice which exhibits Ferro-Electric (FE) and Anti-Ferro-Electric (AFE) coupling. The main purpose is to determine how the size and the shape of these crystals affect this relation at different temperatures. The different effects are discussed as a function of the relative strength of two parameters the Ferro and Anti-Ferro interaction constants for different applied cycling external electric field.
Diagnosis and treatment of caecal volvulus

Caecal volvulus is an infrequently encountered clinical condition and an uncommon cause of intestinal obstruction. Patients with this condition may present with highly variable clinical presentations ranging from intermittent, self limiting abdominal pain to acute abdominal pain associated with intestinal strangulation and sepsis. Lack of familiarity with this condition is a factor contributing to diagnostic and treatment delays. The objective of this review is to promote clinicians’ awareness of this disease through patient case illustration, discussion of disease pathogenesis, clinical features, and management strategies.
Modified laser‐assisted stapedotomy

INTRODUCTION The evolution of modern stapes surgery, from stapedectomy through stapedotomy to step reordering, and more recently to the adjunctive use of laser has been driven by a desire to maximize technical success and minimize complications. The most serious operative complications of stapes surgery are sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) or ‘‘dead ear,’’ most commonly from excessive footplate manipulation, and incus dislocation, which may occur during prosthesis placement. Prosthesis malfunction has been reported as the most common cause of delayed failure of primary stapedectomy. Prosthesis-related failures can be corrected by a revision procedure; however, damage to the inner ear or the malleoincudal joint is often irreversible. This article presents a surgical method that aims to minimize operative trauma. The surgical technique combines a modification of the reverse order technique with the adjunctive use of the argon beam laser and modified self-crimping prosthesis. In our experience, this technique provides better access to the footplate during fenestration than the reverse-order technique, while maintaining the advantage of better stability of the footplate and incus. Modification of the prosthesis facilitates placement without compromising hearing results. Laser-assisted fenestration minimizes cochlear damage enabling preservation of high-frequency hearing. SURGICAL METHOD
G Protein–Coupled Estrogen Receptor Is Apoptotic and Correlates with Increased Distant Disease-Free Survival of Estrogen Receptor–Positive Breast Cancer Patients

Purpose: G protein–coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1), previously named GPR30, is a membrane receptor reported to mediate nongenomic estrogen responses. We investigated if GPER1 expression correlates with any clinicopathologic variables and distant disease-free survival (DDFS) in patients with breast cancer, if any prognostic impact of the receptor is dependent on estrogen receptor-α (ER-α) status, and if the receptor impacts apoptotic signaling in ER-positive breast cancer cells. Experimental Design: GPER1 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in breast tumors from 273 pre- and postmenopausal stage II patients, all treated with adjuvant tamoxifen for 2 years (cohort I) and from 208 premenopausal lymph node-negative patients, of which 87% were not subjected to any adjuvant systemic treatment (cohort II). GPER1-dependent proapoptotic signaling was analyzed in MCF7 cells with and without GPER1 knockdown, T47D cells, HEK293 cells (HEK), and HEK stably expressing GPER1 (HEK-R). Results: GPER1 positively correlates with ER and progesterone receptor expression. Multivariate analysis showed that GPER1 is an independent prognostic marker of increased 10-year DDFS in the ER-positive subgroup. HEK-R has higher basal proapoptotic signaling compared with HEK including increased cytochrome C release, caspase-3 cleavage, PARP cleavage, and decreased cell viability. Treating HEK-R with the proteasome inhibitor epoxomicin, to decrease GPER1 degradation, further increases receptor-dependent proapoptotic signaling. Also, GPER1 knockdown decreases basal and agonist-stimulated proapoptotic receptor signaling in MCF7 cells. Conclusions: GPER1 is a prognostic indicator for increased DDFS in ER-positive breast cancer, which may be associated with constitutive GPER1-dependent proapoptotic signaling in ER-positive breast cancer cells. Clin Cancer Res; 19(7); 1681–92. ©2013 AACR.
Network Connections That Evolve to Circumvent the Inverse Optics Problem

A fundamental problem in vision science is how useful perceptions and behaviors arise in the absence of information about the physical sources of retinal stimuli (the inverse optics problem). Psychophysical studies show that human observers contend with this problem by using the frequency of occurrence of stimulus patterns in cumulative experience to generate percepts. To begin to understand the neural mechanisms underlying this strategy, we examined the connectivity of simple neural networks evolved to respond according to the cumulative rank of stimulus luminance values. Evolved similarities with the connectivity of early level visual neurons suggests that biological visual circuitry uses the same mechanisms as a means of creating useful perceptions and behaviors without information about the real world.
Glucose-responsive insulin and glucagon delivery (dual-hormone artificial pancreas) in adults with type 1 diabetes: a randomized crossover controlled trial

Background: Most patients with type 1 diabetes do not achieve their glycemic targets. We aimed to assess the efficacy of glucose-responsive insulin and glucagon closed-loop delivery for controlling glucose levels in adults with type 1 diabetes. Methods: We conducted a randomized crossover trial involving 15 adults with type 1 diabetes, comparing standard insulin-pump therapy with dual-hormone, closed-loop delivery. Patients were admitted twice to a clinical research facility and received, in random order, both treatments. Each 15-hour visit (from 1600 to 0700) included an evening exercise session, followed by a medium-sized meal, a bedtime snack and an overnight stay. During visits that involved closed-loop delivery, basal insulin and glucagon miniboluses were delivered according to recommendations based on glucose sensor readings and a predictive dosing algorithm at 10-minute intervals. During visits involving standard insulin-pump therapy (control visits), patients used conventional treatment. Results: Dual-hormone closed-loop delivery increased the percentage of time for which patients’ plasma glucose levels were in the target range (median 70.7% [interquartile range (IQR) 46.1%–88.4%] for closed-loop delivery v. 57.3% [IQR 25.2%–71.8%] for control, p = 0.003) and decreased the percentage of time for which plasma glucose levels were in the low range (bottom of target range [< 4.0 mmol/L], 0.0% [IQR 0.0%–3.0%] for closed-loop delivery v. 10.2% [IQR 0.0%–13.0%] for control, p = 0.01; hypoglycemia threshold [< 3.3 mmol/L], 0.0% [IQR 0.0%–0.0%] for closed-loop delivery v. 2.8% [IQR 0.0%–5.9%] for control, p = 0.006). Eight participants (53%) had at least 1 hypoglycemic event (plasma glucose < 3.0 mmol/L) during standard treatment, compared with just 1 participant (7%) during closed-loop treatment (p = 0.02). Interpretation: Dual-hormone, closed-loop delivery guided by advanced algorithms improved short-term glucose control and reduced the risk of hypoglycemia in a group of 15 adults with type 1 diabetes. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, no. NCT01297946.
Target-driven smoke animation

In this paper we present a new method for efficiently controlling animated smoke. Given a sequence of target smoke states, our method generates a smoke simulation in which the smoke is driven towards each of these targets in turn, while exhibiting natural-looking interesting smoke-like behavior. This control is made possible by two new terms that we add to the standard flow equations: (i) a driving force term that causes the fluid to carry the smoke towards a particular target, and (ii) a smoke gathering term that prevents the smoke from diffusing too much. These terms are explicitly defined by the instantaneous state of the system at each simulation timestep. Thus, no expensive optimization is required, allowing complex smoke animations to be generated with very little additional cost compared to ordinary flow simulations.
Fundamental Factors Determining the Nature of Parasite Aggregation in Hosts

The distribution of parasites in hosts is typically aggregated: a few hosts harbour many parasites, while the remainder of hosts are virtually parasite free. The origin of this almost universal pattern is central to our understanding of host-parasite interactions; it affects many facets of their ecology and evolution. Despite this, the standard statistical framework used to characterize parasite aggregation does not describe the processes generating such a pattern. In this work, we have developed a mathematical framework for the distribution of parasites in hosts, starting from a simple statistical description in terms of two fundamental processes: the exposure of hosts to parasites and the infection success of parasites. This description allows the level of aggregation of parasites in hosts to be related to the random variation in these two processes and to true host heterogeneity. We show that random variation can generate an aggregated distribution and that the common view, that encounters and success are two equivalent filters, applies to the average parasite burden under neutral assumptions but it does not apply to the variance of the parasite burden, and it is not true when heterogeneity between hosts is incorporated in the model. We find that aggregation decreases linearly with the number of encounters, but it depends non-linearly on parasite success. We also find additional terms in the variance of the parasite burden which contribute to the actual level of aggregation in specific biological systems. We have derived the formal expressions of these contributions, and these provide new opportunities to analyse empirical data and tackle the complexity of the origin of aggregation in various host-parasite associations.
Evolution of Coral Pigments Recreated

In proteins homologous to the green fluorescent protein (GFP), formation of red fluorescence requires three autocatalytic steps, whereas only two are needed for green fluorescence. Multiple red/green color diversification events in the GFP superfamily may reflect convergent evolution of the more complex three-step pathway. In the great star coral Montastraea cavernosa, a recreated common ancestor of green and red proteins turned out to be green, indicating that in this case red proteins evolved their color independently from most other homologous red proteins. Furthermore, red color appears to have evolved gradually by small incremental transitions.