Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in incidence and aetiology of bacteraemia arising in hospital practice.

Since the introduction of antibiotic therapy many authors have recorded an increased incidence of bacteraemia arising in hospital practice. Emphasis has been placed on a marked rise in staphylococcal and Gram-negative bacteraemia, with a concomi-tant fall in potentially fatal infections due to the pneumococcus and Streptococcus pyogenes (Finland et al., 1959 ; Rogers, 1959; Faber et al., 1960). Factors other than antibiotics are involved in these changes; McHenry et al. (1962a) listed the ageing population, the widespread use of precipitating surgical and instrumental procedures, the prolongation of life in seriously ill patients with limited ability to resist infection, and the use of immune-suppressing drugs as factors in the increase of Gram-negative bacteraemia. This report reviews the experience of bacteraemia at Hammersmith Hospital over the past eight years, and assesses some factors involved in an increasing incidence. surveyed, and cases having potentially pathogenic organisms isolated from two or more consecutive blood cultures were accepted for further study. Solitary blood cultures were accepted as positive if a pure growth of a recognized pathogen was present in all bottles. Blood cultures were inoculated into two Castaneda bottles (Ruiz Castaneda, 1947) containing glucose broth with added " liquoid " and penicillinase, and into a bottle of cooked meat broth for the isolation of anaerobic organisms. Cultures were examined for a minimum period of 10 days. Besides the limitations of a retrospective study some of our findings are biased by the numbers of patients referred to this centre with uraemia, blood dyscrasia, and malignant disease. Results During the period of this study there were 316 patients with positive blood cultures, Gram-negative rods accounting for 128 while the average number of blood cultures taken from a suspected case rose from 2.0 to 3.7. Table I lists the annual number of positive blood cultures according to the causative organisms, and shows a progressive rise in all bacteraemia, with a sudden increase in the isolation of Gram-negative rods in 1960. During this period no particular species of Gram-negative bacterium has become predominant , nor has the average age of the infected patients risen. Gram-negative rods 8 8 15 15 19 20 19 24 128 Staph. aureus 9 5 7 7 10 10 13 1 2 73 ,albus 0 0 1 1 0 1 2 3 8 Haemolytic 1 streptococci 0 1 1 2 1 3 4 2 11 Enterococci 1 2 3 2 3. 4 6 3 24 …
Zero-Knowledge Proofs from Secure Multiparty Computation

A zero-knowledge proof allows a prover to convince a verifier of an assertion without revealing any further information beyond the fact that the assertion is true. Secure multiparty computation allows $n$ mutually suspicious players to jointly compute a function of their local inputs without revealing to any $t$ corrupted players additional information beyond the output of the function. We present a new general connection between these two fundamental notions. Specifically, we present a general construction of a zero-knowledge proof for an NP relation $R(x,w)$, which makes only a black-box use of any secure protocol for a related multiparty functionality $f$. The latter protocol is required only to be secure against a small number of “honest but curious” players. We also present a variant of the basic construction that can leverage security against a large number of malicious players to obtain better efficiency. As an application, one can translate previous results on the efficiency of secure multiparty computation to the domain of zero-knowledge, improving over previous constructions of efficient zero-knowledge proofs. In particular, if verifying $R$ on a witness of length $m$ can be done by a circuit $C$ of size $s$, and assuming that one-way functions exist, we get the following types of zero-knowledge proof protocols: (1) Approaching the witness length. If $C$ has constant depth over $\wedge,\vee,\oplus,\neg$ gates of unbounded fan-in, we get a zero-knowledge proof protocol with communication complexity $m\cdot{poly}(k)\cdot{polylog}(s)$, where $k$ is a security parameter. (2) “Constant-rate” zero-knowledge. For an arbitrary circuit $C$ of size $s$ and a bounded fan-in, we get a zero-knowledge protocol with communication complexity $O(s)+{poly}(k,\log s)$. Thus, for large circuits, the ratio between the communication complexity and the circuit size approaches a constant. This improves over the $O(ks)$ complexity of the best previous protocols.
Political mobilization and the construction of collective identity in Mongolia

In the twentieth century, Mongolia became subject to the Soviet version of nationalist thought. As the state constructed a single national ‘people’ (ündesten, ard tümen) it also, following the Soviet model, constructed the past in terms of tradition (ulamjlal), and launched the ethnographic project of identifying and describing sub-national ‘ethnic’ groups or tribes (aimag, yastan). Since the collapse of Soviet-style state socialism and the introduction of multi-party parliamentary politics, notions of both tradition and collective identity have become potential resources, particularly for politicians, to mobilize public support. Concepts of ‘local homeland’ (nutag) are particularly significant, reflecting to some degree the importance of social networks. This paper explores the ways in which Mongolians reconstruct tradition, assert collective identity and deploy concepts of belonging.
Periprocedural Stroke Risk in Patients Undergoing Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation on Uninterrupted Warfarin

Catheter ablation is an effective treatment for symptomatic individuals with atrial fibrillation (AF) but is associated with a risk of periprocedual stroke. Recent data suggest that this risk may be abolished if catheter ablation is performed with uninterrupted warfarin (UW). We sought to compare the incidence, severity and timing of periprocedural stroke between 2 periprocedural anticoagulation protocols: bridging low‐molecular‐weight heparin (LMWH) and UW.
Clinical factors associated with early readmission among acutely decompensated heart failure patients

Introduction Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a common cause of hospital readmission. Material and methods A retrospective study was conducted at Harlem Hospital in New York City. Data were collected for 685 consecutive adult patients admitted for decompensated CHF from March, 2009 to December, 2012. Variables including patient demographics, comorbidities, laboratory studies, and medical therapy were compared between CHF patient admissions resulting in early CHF readmission and not resulting in early CHF readmission. Results Clinical factors found to be independently significant for early CHF readmission included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (odds ratio (OR) = 6.4), HIV infection (OR = 3.4), African-American ethnicity (OR = 2.2), systolic heart failure (OR = 1.9), atrial fibrillation (OR = 2.3), renal disease with glomerular filtration rate < 30 ml/min (OR = 2.7), evidence of substance abuse (OR = 1.7), and absence of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blocker therapy after discharge (OR = 1.8). The ORs were used to develop a scoring system regarding the risk for early readmission. Conclusions Identifying patients with clinical factors associated with early CHF readmission after an index hospitalization for CHF using the proposed scoring system would allow for an early CHF readmission risk stratification protocol to target particularly high-risk patients.
Incidence and prognostic impact of para-aortic lymph nodes metastases during pancreaticoduodenectomy for peri-ampullary cancer.

BACKGROUND Standard lymphadenectomy during pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for peri-ampullary cancer does not include the routine removal of para-aortic lymph nodes (PALN) (station 16, according to the JPS staging system). The aim of this study was to report the incidence and the prognostic value of PALN metastases in patients undergoing PD for peri-ampullary cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred thirty-five consecutive patients who underwent PD and PALN dissection for peri-ampullary cancer were prospectively evaluated. The relationship between clinicopathological factors, including PALN metastases and survival was evaluated at univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS PALN metastases (N16+) were found in 11.1% of cases. At univariate analysis, R1 resection, metastatic nodes different from para aortic (N1) and N16+ significantly affected patients' prognosis. Compared with N16+, the median overall survival (OS) of N0 patients was significantly longer (32 versus 69 months, respectively; P < 0.05), whereas no difference was found between N16+ and N1 patients (32 versus 34 months, respectively) (P > 0.05). At multivariate analysis, only R1 resection reached statistical significance and was confirmed an independent prognostic factor. CONCLUSIONS Neoplastic involvement of PALN in peri-ampullary cancer is frequent and, so, their removal during PD could be justified. Moreover, PALN metastases should be not considered an absolute contraindication to radical surgery.
Computing Nonvacuous Generalization Bounds for Deep (Stochastic) Neural Networks with Many More Parameters than Training Data

One of the defining properties of deep learning is that models are chosen to have many more parameters than available training data. In light of this capacity for overfitting, it is remarkable that simple algorithms like SGD reliably return solutions with low test error. One roadblock to explaining these phenomena in terms of implicit regularization, structural properties of the solution, and/or easiness of the data is that many learning bounds are quantitatively vacuous when applied to networks learned by SGD in this "deep learning" regime. Logically, in order to explain generalization, we need nonvacuous bounds. We return to an idea by Langford and Caruana (2001), who used PAC-Bayes bounds to compute nonvacuous numerical bounds on generalization error for stochastic two-layer two-hidden-unit neural networks via a sensitivity analysis. By optimizing the PAC-Bayes bound directly, we are able to extend their approach and obtain nonvacuous generalization bounds for deep stochastic neural network classifiers with millions of parameters trained on only tens of thousands of examples. We connect our findings to recent and old work on flat minima and MDL-based explanations of generalization.
Incorporating Dynamic Communication Patterns in a Static Dataflow Notation

Charisma is a higher-level notation for writing parallel static data flow programs. It provides a convenient publish-consume paradigm for the expression of static flows of data and control. Although the syntax of the language allows the elegant expression of an important class of programs, it is restrictive, in that not all types of static data flow program can be written in Charisma. In this paper, we discuss a new incarnation of the language. Charisma 2.0 has been designed to expand the expressive scope of the language, while retaining the productivity benefits of the publish-consume paradigm and a simple semantics of execution. We also examine the syntactic and semantic constructs of Charisma 2.0, and how they enhance expressivity.
Tipología circadiana y problemas de salud mental

Resumen: La tipologia circadiana (matutina, vespertina o intermedia) es una diferencia individual que se ha relacionado con numerosos aspectos de la salud mental. En este estudio se revisan los principales hallazgos publicados en el area. Tras la busqueda bibliografica en las principales bases de datos se seleccionaron un total de 70 articulos publicados en castellano e ingles entre los anos 1990 y 2012, recogidos en las bases de datos ISI, Scopus y Medline, donde se muestra que los individuos vespertinos presentan una mayor prevalencia de trastorno afectivo estacional, depresion mayor, trastorno bipolar, esquizofrenia, trastornos de la conducta alimentaria, trastornos del sueno, conductas adictivas, TDAH y mayores niveles de ansiedad que los matutinos. La tipologia vespertina se perfila como un factor de riesgo y la matutina como un factor protector para el desarrollo de diversas psicopatologias, apuntandose como posibles causas polimorfismos de los genes reloj, el jet-lag social y algunos rasgos de personalidad. La tipologia circadiana debe considerarse en la evaluacion, tratamiento y prevencion de las psicopatologias, pues afecta al inicio, curso, remision y recaida de las mismas. La utilizacion de terapia cronobiologica es un factor a tener en cuenta en el abordaje terapeutico cuando la expresion ritmica circadiana se halla alterada. Palabras clave: revision sistematica cualitativa; tipologia circadiana; matutinidad-vespertinidad; salud mental; psicopatologia. Title: Circadian typology and problems in mental health.
Self-perceptions of stalking victimization and impacts on victim reporting

Stalking as a behavior is not new; however, less than two decades have passed since the behavior was criminalized. First recognized in the USA in 1990 as a criminal behavior, the study of stalking and its impact on victims is also relatively new. The current study examined the various stalking-related behaviors and whether exposure to these behaviors was related to respondents’ self-perception of being a stalking victim. This is important as stalking continues to be a crime in which victims are less likely to report their victimization. The results of the current study revealed that being followed, spied upon, having property vandalized, and receiving unwanted emails were significant predictors of a respondent self-identifying themselves as a stalking victim. However, only a small percentage of respondents in the current study actually reported their victimization (10%), with feeling threatened and purchasing personal protection devices being the only significant predictors of whether a victim would report their victimization to law enforcement.
CORRECTED VERSION : See Errata Section Adaptive Job Routing and Scheduling

Computer systems are rapidly becoming so complex that maintaining them with human support staffs will be prohibitively expensive and inefficient. In response, visionaries have begun proposing that computer systems be imbued with the ability to configure themselves, diagnose failures, and ultimately repair themselves in response to these failures. However, despite convincing arguments that such a shift would be desirable, as of yet there has been little concrete progress made towards this goal. We view these problems as fundamentally machine learning challenges. Hence, this article presents a new network simulator designed to study the application of machine learning methods from a system-wide perspective. We also introduce learning-based methods for addressing the problems of job routing and CPU scheduling in the networks we simulate. Our experimental results verify that methods using machine learning outperform reasonable heuristic and hand-coded approaches on example networks designed to capture many of the complexities that exist in real systems.
Prevalence of katG Ser315 substitution and rpoB mutations in isoniazid-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from Brazil.

SETTING Four hundred and sixty-eight isoniazid (INH) resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates recovered from a selected Brazilian population. OBJECTIVE To check for susceptibility to other chemotherapeutic drugs used in TB treatment, and to ascertain mutations involved in INH and rifampicin (RMP) resistance. DESIGN Antimicrobial susceptibility to RMP, streptomycin and ethambutol (EMB) was evaluated by the resistance ratio method and pyrazinamide (PZA) by activity assay. Single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and sequence analysis were performed in samples from this panel to confirm mutations in codon 315 of the katG and in a 69-bp region of the rpoB gene. RESULTS Combined resistance to INH+RMP, INH+ PZA, INH+EMB, and INH+RMP+PZA was shown in respectively 272 (58.1%), 126 (26.9%), 47 (10%), 116 (24.8%) isolates. No katG mutation was found in 19 (39.6%) of 48 strains tested. Ser315Thr substitution was found in 29 (60.4%). All RMP-resistant strains tested (n = 25) showed rpoB mutations. S531L substitution was found in 15 (60%). CONCLUSION INH-resistant strains isolated from selected Brazilian populations frequently show resistance to other first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs. rpoB mutation was responsible for RMP resistance in all strains. Among INHr strains, katG mutations were shown in only 60.4%. Genetic approaches targeting the rpoB gene but not the katG gene have a high sensitivity to detect resistance among Brazilian M. tuberculosis strains.
Characteristics of the bed of the Lower Columbia Glacier, Alaska

An unplanned, but unique, experiment has given an in situ measurement of the strength of deforming subglacial till under the central region of a major valley glacier. We report on both planned and unplanned borehole investigations of the subglacial shear zone of Columbia Glacier, southeast Alaska. Basal samples, coring and down-hole water samples show that the fiord-filling lower reach of the glacier is underlain by a thin, ∼ 7-cm, veneer of rock debris. Fluidized debris intruded at least a meter up the borehole. At a higher site, 13 km from the terminus and above the fiord, probing, samples, and the bending of a drill stem, which was stuck in the basal zone for 5 days, showed that the basal till layer was ∼ 65 cm thick. Horizontal velocity of the till decreased monotonically downward from the ice/till interface. Till at the interface moved with the ice velocity. Plastic deformation of the drill stem gave an estimate of the strength of the basal till, which is normally described as a viscoplastic material. If the till is assumed to be either perfectly plastic or Newtonian viscous, then the strengths are as follows; the plastic yield strength of the till was 5.5×10^3 Pa (0.055 bar) with an upper bound of 1.3 ×10^4 Pa (0.13 bar), while the nominal viscosity was of the order of 2×10^8 Pa s (2×10^9 poise), with an upper bound of 5×10^8 Pa s. In neither case is the till “strength” enough to supply the bulk basal shear stress to resist the glacier flow.
Executive functioning and reading achievement in school: a study of Brazilian children assessed by their teachers as “poor readers”

This study examined executive functioning and reading achievement in 106 6- to 8-year-old Brazilian children from a range of social backgrounds of whom approximately half lived below the poverty line. A particular focus was to explore the executive function profile of children whose classroom reading performance was judged below standard by their teachers and who were matched to controls on chronological age, sex, school type (private or public), domicile (Salvador/BA or São Paulo/SP) and socioeconomic status. Children completed a battery of 12 executive function tasks that were conceptual tapping cognitive flexibility, working memory, inhibition and selective attention. Each executive function domain was assessed by several tasks. Principal component analysis extracted four factors that were labeled “Working Memory/Cognitive Flexibility,” “Interference Suppression,” “Selective Attention,” and “Response Inhibition. ” Individual differences in executive functioning components made differential contributions to early reading achievement. The Working Memory/Cognitive Flexibility factor emerged as the best predictor of reading. Group comparisons on computed factor scores showed that struggling readers displayed limitations in Working Memory/Cognitive Flexibility, but not in other executive function components, compared to more skilled readers. These results validate the account that working memory capacity provides a crucial building block for the development of early literacy skills and extends it to a population of early readers of Portuguese from Brazil. The study suggests that deficits in working memory/cognitive flexibility might represent one contributing factor to reading difficulties in early readers. This might have important implications for how educators might intervene with children at risk of academic under achievement.
Improving risk allocation through cat bonds

Catastrophe bonds (cat bonds) often use index triggers, such as, for instance, parametric descriptions of a catastrophe. This implies the problem of the so-called basis risk, resulting from the fact that, in contrast to traditional reinsurance, this kind of coverage cannot be a perfect hedge for the primary's insured portfolio. On the other hand, cat bonds offer some very attractive economic features: Besides their usefulness as a solution to the problems of moral hazard and default risk, an important advantage of cat bonds can be seen in presumably lower risk premiums compared to (re)insurance products. Cat bonds are only weakly correlated with market risk, implying that in perfect financial markets these securities could be traded at a price including just small risk premiums. Furthermore, there is empirical evidence that risk aversion of reinsurers is an important reason for high reinsurance prices. In this paper we introduce a simple model that enables us to analyze cat bonds and reinsurance as substitutional risk management tools in a standard insurance demand theory environment. We concentrate on the problem of basis risk versus reinsurers' risk aversion and show that the availability of cat bonds affects the structure of an optimal reinsurance contract as well as the reinsurance budget. Primarily, reinsurance is substituted by index-linked coverage for large losses.
Effects of online college student’s Internet self-efficacy on learning motivation and performance

This study investigates how Internet self-efficacy helps students to transform motivation into learning action, and its influence on learning performance. In this study, the effects of Internet self-efficacy on motivation and the learning performance of online college students were examined using social cognitive theory. The subjects of this study were 87 college students participating in an online course. We applied quantitative analysis to elucidate the relationship between student-perceived Internet self-efficacy and learning performance. The effects of Internet self-efficacy on student motivation and learning performance were evaluated through the analysis of variance. Students with high Internet self-efficacy outperformed those with low Internet self-efficacy on the final exam and were more confident in their ability to complete an online course. Significant gender differences were noted, in which males had a higher degree of Internet self-efficacy and confidence than females; whereas, females had higher scores of online discussion participation and the final exam than males. Regarding the learning motivation, the influence of Internet self-efficacy of males on the dimensions of relevance and confidence in the attention, relevance, confidence, satisfaction motivation model were stronger than females. Therefore, educators are encouraged to identify the psychological characteristics of online learners to provide suitable support for their learning.