Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Status of patient safety culture in Arab countries: a systematic review

Objectives To explore the status of patient safety culture in Arab countries based on the findings of the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSPSC). Design Systematic review. Methods We performed electronic searches of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, ProQuest and PsychINFO, Google Scholar and PubMed databases, with manual searches of bibliographies of included articles and key journals. We included studies that were conducted in the Arab countries that were focused on patient safety culture. 2 reviewers independently verified that the studies met the inclusion criteria and critically assessed the quality of the studies. Results 18 studies met our inclusion criteria. The review identified that non-punitive response to error is seen as a serious issue which needs to be improved. Healthcare professionals in the Arab countries tend to think that a ‘culture of blame’ still exists that prevents them from reporting incidents. We found an overall similarity between the reported composite score for dimension of teamwork within units in all of the reviewed studies. Teamwork within units was found to be better than teamwork across hospital units. All of the reviewed studies reported that organisational learning and continuous improvement was satisfactory as the average score of this dimension for all studies was 73.2%. Moreover, the review found that communication openness seems to be a concerning issue for healthcare professionals in the Arab countries. Conclusions There is a need to promote patient safety culture as a strategy for improving the patient safety in the Arab world. Improving patient safety culture should include all stakeholders, like policymakers, healthcare providers and those responsible for medical education. This review was limited only to English language publications. The varied settings in which the HSPSC was used may have influenced the areas of strengths and weaknesses as healthcare workers' perception of safety culture may differ.
Effect of Antiviral Treatment with Entecavir on Age- and Dose-Related Outcomes of Duck Hepatitis B Virus Infection

ABSTRACT Entecavir (ETV), a potent inhibitor of the hepadnaviral polymerases, prevented the development of persistent infection when administered in the early stages of duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) infection. In a preliminary experiment, ETV treatment commenced 24 h before infection showed no significant advantage over simultaneous ETV treatment and infection. In two further experiments 14-day-old ducks were inoculated with DHBV-positive serum containing 104, 106, 108, or 5 × 108 viral genomes (vge) and were treated orally with 1.0 mg/kg of body weight/day of ETV for 14 or 49 days. A relationship between virus dose and infection outcome was seen: non-ETV-treated ducks inoculated with 104 vge had transient infection, while ducks inoculated with higher doses developed persistent infection. ETV treatment for 49 days did not prevent initial infection of the liver but restricted the spread of infection more than ∼1,000-fold, a difference which persisted throughout treatment and for up to 49 days after withdrawal. Ultimately, three of seven ETV-treated ducks resolved their DHBV infection, while the remaining ducks developed viremia and persistent infection after a lag period of at least 63 days. ETV treatment for 14 days also restricted the spread of infection, leading to marked and sustained reductions in the number of DHBV-positive hepatocytes in 7 out of 10 ducks. In conclusion, short-term suppression with ETV provides opportunity for the immune response to successfully control DHBV infection. Since DHBV infection of ducks provides a good model system for HBV infection in humans, it seems likely that ETV may be useful in postexposure therapy for HBV infection aimed at preventing the development of persistent infection.
O2-S3.02 Assessing the validity of sexual behaviour reports in a whole population survey in rural Malawi

Background Sexual behaviour surveys are widely used, but under-reporting of particular risk behaviours is common, especially by women. Surveys in whole populations provide an unusual opportunity to understand the extent and nature of such under-reporting. Methods All consenting individuals aged between 15 and 59 within a demographic surveillance site in northern Malawi were interviewed about their sexual behaviour. Validity of responses was assessed by analysis of probing questions; by comparison of results with in-depth interviews and with Herpes simplex type-2 (HSV-2) seropositivity; by comparing reports to same sex and opposite sex interviewers; and by quantifying the partnerships within the local community reported by men and by women, adjusted for response rates. Results 6796 women and 5253 men (83% and 72% of those eligible) consented and took part in sexual behaviour interviews. Probing questions and HSV-2 antibody tests in those who denied sexual activity identified under-reporting for both men and women. Reports varied little by sex or age of the interviewer. The number of marital partnerships reported was comparable for men and women, but men reported about four times as many non-marital partnerships. The discrepancy in reporting of non-marital partnerships was most marked for married women (men reported about seven times as many non-marital partnerships with married women, as were reported by married women themselves), but was only apparent in younger married women see Abstract O2-S3.02 figure 1. Abstract O2-S3.02 Figure 1 Ratio of non-marital partners reported by men compared to women, by characteristics of the women and partnership Conclusions We have shown that the under-reporting of non-marital partnerships by women was strongly age-dependent. The extent of under-reporting of sexual activity by young men was surprisingly high. The results emphasise the importance of triangulation, including biomarkers, and the advantages of considering a whole population.
Misfolded major histocompatibility complex class I molecules accumulate in an expanded ER-Golgi intermediate compartment

Misfolded membrane proteins are rapidly degraded, often shortly after their synthesis and insertion in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), but the exact location and mechanisms of breakdown remain unclear. We have exploited the requirement of MHC class I molecules for peptide to achieve their correct conformation: peptide can be withheld by introducing a null mutation for the MHC-encoded peptide transporter, TAP. By withholding TAP-dependent peptides, the vast majority of newly synthesized class I molecules fails to leave the endoplasmic reticulum and is degraded. We used mice transgenic for HLA-B27 on a TAP1- deficient background to allow visualization by immunoelectron microscopy of misfolded HLA-B27 molecules in thymic epithelial cells. In such HLA transgenic animals, the TAP mutation can be considered a genetic switch that allows control over the extent of folding of the protein of interest, HLA-B27, while the rate of synthesis of the constituent subunits remains unaltered. In TAP1-deficient, HLA-B27 transgenic animals, HLA-B27 molecules fail to assemble correctly, and do not undergo carbohydrate modifications associated with the Golgi apparatus, such as conversion to Endoglycosidase H resistance, and acquisition of sialic acids. We show that such molecules accumulate in an expanded network of tubular and fenestrated membranes. This compartment has its counterpart in normal thymic epithelial cells, and is identified as an ER-Golgi intermediate. We detect the presence of ubiquitin and ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes in association with this compartment, suggesting a nonlysosomal mode of degradation of its contents.
Postoperative visual loss following prone spinal surgery.

phosphorylation in ischemic cerebral neurones could restart. Near infrared spectroscopy has been recently used to monitor regional cerebral oximetry ( R S O 2 ) during carotid endarterectomy. 2 Cerebral spectroscopy, whilst having limitations in terms of abso- lute measurement, 3 may give continuous noninvasive assessments of the cerebral oxygen supply–demand balance. 4 We investigated the effect of administration of oxygen 100% with a tight-ﬁtting anaesthetic face mask in six awake patients who were scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting. The mean ( SD ) R S O 2 in the awake patients during breathing room air was 62 (9.5)%, which increased signiﬁcantly to 67.8 (10.6)% after oxygenation. After subsequent induction of general anaesthesia using thiopental, fentanyl and rocuronium, there was a further signiﬁcant increase of R S O 2 up to 80.2 (9.7)%. The 8% increase of R S O 2 after 100% oxygenation matches the increase of the total oxygen content as calculated by Stoneham and Martin. 1 The subsequent induction of general anaesthesia resulted in a further increase in R S O 2 of about 20%. The combination of an increased oxygen delivery and general anaesthesia, which decreases the cerebral oxygen consumption, has an additive or even a synergistic effect that could have a signiﬁcant impact on the neurons close to their ischaemic threshold. Our results suggest that breathing oxygen 100% by the awake patients or induction of general anaesthesia using a high F I O 2 , while monitoring the cerebral oxygen supply–demand by cerebral oxi- metry can enhance the cerebral oxygen supply–demand balance and may decrease the need for shunting in patients who are liable to develop neurological deﬁcits during carotid endarterectomy.
Sensitivity and Specificity of an Improved Rapid Latex Agglutination Test for Identification of Methicillin-Sensitive and -Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolates

ABSTRACT The performance of a second-generation rapid agglutination kit, Slidex Staph Plus (SSP; bioMérieux), was compared to those of the Slidex Staph (SS; bioMérieux), Staphaurex (SRX; Murex Diagnostics), and BBL Staphyloslide (BBL; Becton Dickinson) kits by using 508 clinical isolates composed of 150 methicillin-sensitiveStaphylococcus aureus (MSSA) organisms, 154 methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) organisms, and 204 non-S. aureus Staphylococcus spp. Of the 508 isolates tested, 75% were fresh clinical isolates, with the remainder taken from five different freezer collections. All four agglutination tests had comparable sensitivities for MSSA and MRSA. However, the SS kit was significantly less specific (93.1%) than the three other tests (P > 0.05, McNemar test). These results demonstrate that the new rapid latex agglutination kit, SSP, was more specific for the identification of S. aureus than the previous version and performed comparably to the SRX and BBL kits.
Interactions between the receptors for platelet-derived growth factor and epidermal growth factor

Preincubation of Swiss 3T3 cells or human fibroblasts with purified platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) at 4 degrees C or 37 degrees C rapidly inhibits subsequent binding of 125I-epidermal growth factor (125I-EGF). The effect does not result from competition by PDGF for binding to the EGF receptor since (a) very low concentrations of PDGF are effective, (b) cells with EGF receptors but no PDGF receptors are not affected, and (c) the inhibition persists even if the bound PDGF is eluted before incubating the cells with 125I-EGF. PDGF does not affect 125I-insulin binding nor does EGF affect 125I-PDGF binding under these conditions. Endothelial cell-derived growth factor also competes for binding to PDGF receptors and inhibits 125I-EGF binding. The inhibition demonstrated by PDGF seems to result from an increase in the Kd for 125I-EGF binding with no change in the number of EGF receptors.
Massive MIMO with imperfect channel covariance information

This work investigates the impact of imperfect statistical information in the uplink of massive MIMO systems. In particular, we first show why covariance information is needed and then propose two schemes for covariance matrix estimation. A lower bound on the spectral efficiency (SE) of any combining scheme is derived, under imperfect covariance knowledge, and a closed-form expression is computed for maximum-ratio combining. We show that having covariance information is not critical, but that it is relatively easy to acquire it and to achieve SE close to the ideal case of having perfect statistical information.
Reducing TIV interference in network coordinate systems

The network coordinate (NC) systems, which are scalable in estimating the latencies between network hosts, are significantly limited by the Triangle Inequality Violations (TIVs). Previously, two-layer Vivaldi systems like Pharos were proposed to remedy the impact of TIV. In our recent research, we built a new system, Tarantula, which deals with a larger portion of existing TIVs. Our simulation demonstrates that this new system achieves a higher estimation accuracy than the two-layer systems do.
Driver of discontent or escape vehicle: the affective consequences of mindwandering

An emerging body of evidence suggests that our penchant for entertaining thoughts that are unrelated to ongoing activities might be a detriment to our emotional wellbeing. In light of this evidence, researchers have posited that mindwandering is a cause rather than a manifestation of discontent. We review the evidence in support of this viewpoint. We then consider this evidence in a broader context—with regards to mindwandering's antecedents, respecting the observation that people frequently find pleasure in their off-task moments, and in light of the lay beliefs people hold about its causes. We report data from two studies that speak to the potential challenges of establishing a definitive causal link between mindwandering and wellbeing. First, to advance the idea that mindwandering can convey affective benefits, in spite of negative feelings about mental disengagement, we examined cortical responses in a unique individual who presents with a long history of excessive—but enjoyable—task-irrelevant thinking. Second, to explore the idea that lay beliefs about mindwandering may substantially color the affective responses people have to a mindwandering episode, we surveyed people's beliefs about mindwandering's antecedents and related them to the affective reactions people anticipated to off-task moments. Our hope is to provide a nuanced evaluation of the available evidence for the assertion that mindwandering causes unhappiness, and to provide a clear direction forward to better evaluate this possibility.
Central Lower Eyelid Thinning With Trichiasis: Characterization and Management of a Unique Subset of Entropion in Elderly Patients

Purpose: To characterize the clinical and pathologic features of central lower eyelid thinning with trichiasis and discuss the management of this unique subset of entropion in elderly patients. Methods: Retrospective study of patients with central lower eyelid thinning with trichiasis who presented between July 1996 and March 2006. Evaluation of management, including surgical intervention, using a modified Quickert “4-snip” block excision combined with lower eyelid retractor plication. Results: Forty-one lower eyelids in 25 patients (22 men, 3 women; age range, 65-92 years; mean age, 79.6 ± 6.6 years). All lower eyelids had medialization of the lateral eyelashes progressing posteriorly to frank trichiasis in the thinnest central zone. Seventeen patients (68%) had blepharitis. Twenty lower eyelids (48.8%) were refractory to initial treatment or presented with more severe disease and required incisional surgery; 16 of these were considered to have a successful postoperative outcome. Pathology reports from the specimens obtained frequently revealed the absence of meibomian glands, subconjunctival fibrosis, and tarsal scarring. Conclusions: Central lower eyelid thinning with trichiasis is a distinct subset of entropion in elderly patients. Its management differs from the usual treatment for entropion in this age group. Surgeons should be aware of this unique condition to optimize diagnosis and treatment.
Intumescent foams - A novel flame retardant system for flexible polyurethane foams

A combination of intumescent components was evaluated as a novel flame retardant system in a flexible polyurethane foam, and the incorporation of these components gave rise to a significant enhancement of the flame retardant properties of the foam. The heat release rate was lowered at an early stage as well as throughout the fire, the total heat production was decreased and the time to ignition was prolonged. Mechanical measurements of the foam revealed enhanced properties in terms of stiffness accompanied by a large decrease in elongation at break as compared with a reference foam. (c) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cognitive inflexibility as a prospective predictor of suicidal ideation among young adults with a suicide attempt history

Previous studies suggest that people attempt suicide because they are cognitively inflexible, but past research suggesting a link between cognitive inflexibility and suicidal thoughts and behavior has been limited by cross‐sectional designs. This study examined whether cognitive inflexibility differentially and prospectively predicted suicidal ideation among young adults with and without a history of a suicide attempt.
A comparison of two global datasets of extreme sea levels and resulting flood exposure

Estimating the current risk of coastal flooding requires adequate information on extreme sea levels. For over a decade, the only global data available was the DINAS‐COAST Extreme Sea Levels (DCESL) dataset, which applies a static approximation to estimate extreme sea levels. Recently, a dynamically derived dataset was developed: the Global Tide and Surge Reanalysis (GTSR) dataset. Here, we compare the two datasets. The differences between DCESL and GTSR are generally larger than the confidence intervals of GTSR. Compared to observed extremes, DCESL generally overestimates extremes with a mean bias of 0.6 m. With a mean bias of −0.2 m GTSR generally underestimates extremes, particularly in the tropics. The Dynamic Interactive Vulnerability Assessment model is applied to calculate the present‐day flood exposure in terms of the land area and the population below the 1 in 100‐year sea levels. Global exposed population is 28% lower when based on GTSR instead of DCESL. Considering the limited data available at the time, DCESL provides a good estimate of the spatial variation in extremes around the world. However, GTSR allows for an improved assessment of the impacts of coastal floods, including confidence bounds. We further improve the assessment of coastal impacts by correcting for the conflicting vertical datum of sea‐level extremes and land elevation, which has not been accounted for in previous global assessments. Converting the extreme sea levels to the same vertical reference used for the elevation data is shown to be a critical step resulting in 39–59% higher estimate of population exposure.
Monetary Loss Alters Perceptual Thresholds and Compromises Future Decisions via Amygdala and Prefrontal Networks

The influence of monetary loss on decision making and choice behavior is extensively studied. However, the effect of loss on sensory perception is less explored. Here, we use conditioning in human subjects to explore how monetary loss associated with a pure tone can affect changes in perceptual thresholds for the previously neutral stimulus. We found that loss conditioning, when compared with neutral exposure, decreases sensitivity and increases perceptual thresholds (i.e., a relative increase in the just-noticeable-difference). This was so even when compared with gain conditioning of comparable intensity, suggesting that the finding is related to valence. We further show that these perceptual changes are related to future decisions about stimuli that are farther away from the conditioned one (wider generalization), resulting in overall increased and irrational monetary loss for the subjects. We use functional imaging to identify the neural network whose activity correlates with the deterioration in sensitivity on an individual basis. In addition, we show that activity in the amygdala was tightly correlated with the wider behavioral generalization, namely, when wrong decisions were made. We suggest that, in principle, less discrimination can be beneficial in loss scenarios, because it assures an accurate and fast response to stimuli that resemble the original stimulus and hence have a high likelihood of entailing the same outcome. But whereas this can be useful for primary reinforcers that can impact survival, it can also underlie wrong and costly behaviors in scenarios of contemporary life that involve secondary reinforcers.
The Effects of a Medializing Calcaneal Osteotomy With and Without Superior Translation On Achilles Tendon Elongation and Plantar Foot Pressures

Background: The medial calcaneal osteotomy (MCO) is a frequently used corrective procedure for posterior tibial tendon (PTT) insufficiency; however, patients often complain of lateral foot pain postoperatively. Published findings have documented the usefulness of MCO in offloading the plantar surface of the first and second metatarsal heads but with a concomitant increase in peak pressure over the lateral forefoot and heel. Achilles tendon elongation revealed a trend toward shortening of the ventromedial aspect of the tendon. It was then hypothesized that translating the osteotomized posterior aspect of the calcaneus medially and superiorly would reduce lateral forefoot pressure and decrease the amount of lengthening of the Achilles tendon while continuing to relieve medial forefoot pressure. Methods: Twenty-eight fresh-frozen cadaver legs were axially loaded on a load-frame device to 100 lbs to assess the effects of a 1-cm MCO in conjunction with either 0.5-cm or 1-cm superior translation on plantar foot pressures and Achilles tendon elongation. Results: The 0.5-cm superior translation resulted in a greater offloading of the first and second metatarsals than the MCO alone with a trend toward decreased pressures in the lateral forefoot. The 1-cm superior translation continued to unload the first and second metatarsals; however, lateral forefoot and midfoot pressures were increased. Achilles tendon lengthening remained unchanged in the cadaver foot model. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the addition of a 0.5-cm superior translation to the traditional 1-cm MCO should allow some degree of offloading of the medial forefoot without increasing lateral forefoot or heel pressures.
SpliceMachine: predicting splice sites from high-dimensional local context representations

MOTIVATION In this age of complete genome sequencing, finding the location and structure of genes is crucial for further molecular research. The accurate prediction of intron boundaries largely facilitates the correct prediction of gene structure in nuclear genomes. Many tools for localizing these boundaries on DNA sequences have been developed and are available to researchers through the internet. Nevertheless, these tools still make many false positive predictions. RESULTS This manuscript presents a novel publicly available splice site prediction tool named SpliceMachine that (i) shows state-of-the-art prediction performance on Arabidopsis thaliana and human sequences, (ii) performs a computationally fast annotation and (iii) can be trained by the user on its own data. AVAILABILITY Results, figures and software are available at http://www.bioinformatics. psb.ugent. be/supplementary_data/ CONTACT sven.degroeve@psb.ugent. be; yves.vandepeer@psb.ugent. be.