Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effective discharge planning - timely assignment of an estimated date of discharge.

OBJECTIVE To examine the implementation of estimated date of discharge (EDD) for planned admissions and admissions via the emergency department, to assess the variance between EDD and the actual date of discharge (ADD), and to explore the determinants of delayed discharge in a tertiary referral centre, Sydney, Australia. METHODS Primary data from a convenience sample of 1958 admissions for allocation of EDDs were linked with administrative data. The window for assigning EDDs for planned admissions was 24h, for admissions via the emergency department it was 48h. Logistic regression models were used to examine the key factors associated with an EDD being assigned within 24h or 48h of an admission. An ordinal logistic regression model was used to explore the determinants of delayed discharge. RESULTS Only 13.4% of planned admissions and 27.5% of admissions via the emergency department were allocated a timely EDD. Older patients, patients with significant burdens of chronic morbidity (OR=0.903; P=0.011); and patients from a non-English-speaking background (OR=0.711; P=0.059) were less likely to be assigned a timely EDD. The current Charlson Index score was a significant predictor of a positive variance between EDD and ADD. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of the timely assignment of an EDD was low and was lowest for planned admissions. The current Charlson Index score is an effective tool for identifying patients who are more likely to experience delayed discharge.
On solving the inverse kinematics problem using neural networks

Writing and solving the inverse kinematics equations of a robot is a cumbersome task. Furthermore, an analytic solution exists only for an ideal model and only if the structure of the robot meets certain criteria. If enhanced positioning precision is required, the robot needs to be calibrated. This eliminates most of the errors due to the differences in the ideal model and the real robot. Calibration methods require additional computations (usually of iterative nature) in the real-time cycle of the control system and are only capable of dealing with small differences between the ideal model and the real robot. In this paper a supervised learning based approach is proposed to solve the inverse kinematics problem and the calibration. Instead of creating and ideal model for a series of robots and calibrating each of them individually afterwards, the inverse kinematics function is learned using a neural network and so, it is tailored to one given robot, already including errors due to manufacturing and/or assembly tolerances. Moreover, it can also work for structures for which no analytic solution is possible. The preliminary results of this research are presented in this paper, covering two simple robot structures, a planar 2 DOF and a spatial 3 DOF structure, both with and without artificially introduced assembly errors (joint misalignments) which make analytical modeling unfeasible.
Phylogeny of Drosophila and related genera: conflict between molecular and anatomical analyses.

Drosophila species are extensively used in biological research; yet, important phylogenetic relationships within the genus and with related genera remain unresolved. The combined data for three genes (Adh, Sod, and Gpdh) statistically resolves outstanding issues. We define the genus Drosophila inclusively so as to include Scaptomyza and Zaprionus (considered distinct genera in the taxonomy of Wheeler, 1981) but excluding Scaptodrosophila. The genus Drosophila so defined is monophyletic. The subgenus Sophophora (including the melanogaster, obscura, and willistoni groups) is monophyletic and the sister clade to all other Drosophila subgenera. The Hawaiian Drosophila (including Scaptomyza) is a monophyletic group, but the subgenus Drosophila is not monophyletic, because the immigrans group is more closely related to the subgenus Hirtodrosophila than to other species of the subgenus Drosophila, such as the virilis and repleta groups.
Melissa officinalis Extract Inhibits Attachment of Herpes Simplex Virus in vitro

Background: Extracts and essential oils of medicinal plants are increasingly of interest as novel drugs for antiherpetic agents, since the herpes simplex virus (HSV) might develop resistance to commonly used antiviral drugs. Methods: An aqueous extract of Melissa officinalis as well as phenolic extract compounds, i.e. caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid and rosmarinic acid were examined for their antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in vitro. Results: When drugs were added to HSV-1-infected cells, no antiviral effect was observed as determined by plaque reduction assay and analysis of expression of viral protein ICP0. However, the Melissa extract demonstrated a high virucidal activity against HSV-1, even at very low concentrations of 1.5 µg/ml, whereas similar results for phenolic compounds were only achieved at 100 times higher concentrations. Besides the virucidal activity, the Melissa extract and rosmarinic acid inhibited HSV-1 attachment to host cells in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that rosmarinic acid was the main contributor to the antiviral activity of Melissa extract. However, the selectivity index of Melissa extract of 875 against HSV is superior to the selectivity indices of single constituents. Conclusion: Melissa extract exhibits low toxicity, is virucidal and affects HSV-1 attachment to host cells in vitro.
Global Experiential and Didactic Education Opportunities at US Colleges and Schools of Pharmacy

Objective. To assess the characteristics of global experiential and didactic education offerings in the pharmacy curricula. Methods. A 2-stage web-based review of US colleges and schools of pharmacy identified country locations of international advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPE), globally focused didactic courses, and whether these offerings were interprofessional. Schools were contacted to confirm their offerings and were asked about student participation and demand. Results. Sixty-four percent of responding schools confirmed an international APPE offering in 67 different countries with an average graduating class participation of 6.1%. Forty-seven percent of responding schools confirmed a globally focused course offering with an average graduating class participation of 13.1%. Almost two thirds of international APPEs and a majority of courses were designated as interprofessional. Student demand did not outweigh supply for either. Conclusion. Colleges and schools of pharmacy in the United States are continuing to develop global education opportunities for students in the classroom and throughout the world.
An examination of the psychometric properties and efficacy of Dementia Care Mapping

This paper offers a critique of Dementia Care Mapping (DCM) as a practice development and research tool by examining the psychometric properties and efficacy of DCM as a method for evaluating and enhancing care quality and quality of life. Based on a review and analysis of the published empirical studies utilizing DCM, it becomes apparent that there is mixed support for the tool’s validity and reliability. More importantly, there is a need for additional studies specifically examining the range of related assessments to provide conclusive evidence for DCM’s relevance, applicability and reliability as a practice and research tool in dementia care. The paper identifies methodological issues of implementation and use of DCM, i.e., coding practices, mapping duration. Also, a summary of the tool’s strengths and limitations in practice and research settings, areas for improvement and future research avenues is provided.
Torque Ripple Modeling and Minimization for Interior PMSM Considering Magnetic Saturation

Torque ripple modeling and minimization for interior permanent magnet synchronous machines (IPMSMs) requires accurate information of the inductances, which vary nonlinearly due to magnetic saturation. However, existing approaches fail to consider the magnetic saturation and, thus, their performance are limited under different load conditions. Therefore, this paper improves the torque ripple model by considering magnetic saturation, and employs this model for the optimal current design to improve the performance of torque ripple minimization for IPMSMs under different load conditions. At first, numerical studies are performed to analyze and understand how magnetic saturation affects the torque ripples in IPMSMs. Then, a novel torque ripple model for IPMSMs is developed, in which the inductance term is replaced by exploring the machine electrical model. This improved torque ripple model is computationally efficient and it can provide fast and accurate torque ripple prediction. Based on this model, a genetic algorithm (GA)-based optimal stator current design approach is proposed to minimize the torque ripple in IPMSMs. The proposed GA-based approach can adaptively optimize the stator current under different load conditions, which can guarantee the robust performance of torque ripple minimization under different saturation levels. The proposed approach is validated through an experimental test on a laboratory IPMSM drive system.
Domain-growth kinetics for the Q-state Potts model in two and three dimensions.

We present new simulations of the domain-growth kinetics for the Q-state Potts model in two and three dimensions. The time dependence of the average grain radius R-bar can be described by R-barapprox. =Bt/sup n/, where B is a temperature-dependent constant. In two dimensions, we find n = 0.49 +- 0.02 for a range of Q values from 2 to 48. This value of n is obtained from very long simulations on lattices up to size 1000/sup 2/ and is in contrast to our earlier estimates for n which were less than (1/2 (napprox. =0.41 +- 0.01) for large Q. In three dimensions on lattices of size 100/sup 3/, we find that n = 0.48 +- 0.04 if early-time data are excluded from the fit to the kinetic data but smaller if the entire data set is used. The grain-size distribution for several values of Q in both two and three dimensions is also determined and compared with our results for grain growth in real polycrystalline materials.
Time- and Space-Resolved Optical Probing of Femtosecond-Laser-Driven Shock Waves in Aluminum.

We present the first measurements of particle velocity histories at the interface between an aluminum sample shocked by a 120 fs laser-driven pressure pulse and a fused silica window. Frequency-domain interferometry is used to provide space- and time-resolved measurements of the phase shift of a pair of probe pulses backscattered at the shocked interface. Pressures of 1--3 Mbar are inferred from the simultaneous measurement of the particle and shock velocities along the aluminum Hugoniot curve for $\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{14}\mathrm{W}/{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ laser irradiances.
Corynebacterium diphtheriae spoligotyping based on combined use of two CRISPR loci

A large diphtheria epidemic in the 1990s in Russia and neighboring countries underlined the importance of permanent surveillance of the circulating and emerging clones of Corynebacterium diphtheriae, and hence there is a need for highly discriminatory, simple and portable typing methods. In the complete genome sequence of C. diphtheriae strain NCTC13129, we previously identified in silico two clustered, regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) loci, and developed a macroarray‐based method to study polymorphism in the larger DRB locus. We named this method spoligotyping (spacer oligonucleotide typing), analogously to a similar method of Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotyping. Here, we included in the analysis novel spacers of the other CRISPR locus in C. diphtheriae (DRA); both loci were simultaneously co‐amplified and co‐hybridized against the membrane with 27 different immobilized spacer‐probes. The use of additional DRA spacers improved strain differentiation and discriminated within large DRB clusters. The 156 Russian strains of the epidemic clone were subdivided into 45 combined spoligotypes compared to 35 DRB‐spoligotypes and only two ribotypes (‘Sankt‐Peterburg’ and ‘Rossija’). The spoligotyping method allows digital presentation of profiles and therefore it is perfectly suitable for interlaboratory comparison and database management; it may become a powerful tool for epidemiological monitoring and phylogenetic analysis of C. diphtheriae.
Molecular characterization of lactococcal bacteriophage Tuc2009 and identification and analysis of genes encoding lysin, a putative holin, and two structural proteins

Bacteriophage Tuc2009 is a temperate bacteriophage with a small isometric head and is isolated from Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris UC509. The phage genome is packaged by a headful mechanism, giving rise to circularly permuted molecules with terminal redundancy. The unit genome size is approximately 39 kb. A map of the phage genome on which several determinants could be localized was constructed: pac, the site of initiation of DNA packaging; lys (1,287 bp), specifying the phage lysin; S (267 bp), specifying a putative holin; and mp1 (522 bp) and mp2 (498 bp), each specifying one of the phage's structural proteins. lys, S, mp1, and mp2 were further characterized. lys and S are partially overlapping and appear to be part of one operon. The lysin shows homology to the lysins of the Streptococcus pneumoniae phages Cp-9, Cp-1, and Cp-7. The putative holin, which is thought to be involved in the release of lysin from the cytoplasm, contains two strongly hydrophobic presumptive transmembrane domains and a highly charged C-terminal domain.
High-level induction of gamma interferon with various mitogens in mice pretreated with Propionibacterium acnes

Various T-cell mitogens induced high levels of circulating gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) in mice that had been pretreated with Propionibacterium acnes. Administration of lipopolysaccharide, a B-cell mitogen, to these mice also caused pronounced production of IFN-gamma in addition to IFN-alpha and IFN-beta. The enhanced induction was most marked at about 1 week after the pretreatment.
Prognostic factors for extracorporeal shock‐wave lithotripsy of ureteric stonesA multivariate analysis study

Objective: To define factors that have a significant impact on the stone‐free rate after extracorporeal shock‐wave lithotripsy (ESWL) of ureteric stones using multivariate analysis. Material and Methods: Between February 1992 and February 2002, a total of 938 patients with ureteric stones were treated with in situ ESWL using the Dornier MFL 5000 lithotripter. The outcome of treatment was evaluated after 3 months and failure was defined as the presence of any residual stones. The stone‐free rate was correlated with patient characteristics (age, sex and radiological renal picture) and stone features (site, side, length, width, nature, opacity and the presence of ureteral stents). Factors with a significant impact on the stone‐free rate using the χ 2 test were further analyzed using multivariate analysis. Results: Overall, the stone‐free rate was 88.7%. Repeat treatment was required in 50.4% of cases. Post‐ESWL complications were observed in 32 cases (3.4%), including static steinstrasse in 19 (2%). Auxiliary procedures were needed in 28 cases (3%). Using the χ 2 test, only three factors had a significant impact on the stone‐free rate, namely stone site, the transverse diameter of the stone and the presence of a ureteral stent. The stone‐free rate was highest for stones located in the lumbar ureter (436/470; 92.8%) and lowest for those located in the pelvic ureter (268/324; 82.7%) (p = 0.0017). Stones with a transverse diameter of ≤1 cm were associated with a stone‐free rate of 89.7% (715/797), compared to 83% (114/141) for those with a transverse diameter of >1 cm (p = 0.017). Non‐stented patients had a stone‐free rate of 89.8% (732/815), compared to 81.3% (100/123) for stented patients (p = 0.006). On multivariate analysis, these three factors maintained their statistical significance. A logistic regression model was designed to estimate the probability of stone‐free status after ESWL. Conclusion: The site and transverse diameter of the stone and the presence of a ureteral stent are the only significant predictors of success of ESWL therapy for ureteric stones.
Hand dystonia and neuralgic pain due to neurovascular contact to cervical spinal root

1. Brin MF, Fahn S, Moskowitz C , et al. Localized injections of botulinum toxin for the treatment of focal dystonia and hemifacial spasm. Mov Disord 1987;2:237-254. 2. Jankovic . I, Brin MF. Therapeutic Uses of botulinum toxin. N Engl J Med 1991 ;324: 1186-1 194. 3. Barker FG, Jannetta PJ, Bissonette DJ, Shields PT, Larkins MV, Jho HD. Microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm. J Neurosurg 1995 $2: 20 1-2 10. 4. Schow RL, Nerbonne MA. Introduction to aural rehabilitation. Austin: Proed, 1989. 5. Sander DA. Aurul rehabilitation. 2nd ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Rentice Hall, 1982.
Localization and Sorting of Mast Cells in Human Ovary; A Histological and Immunohistochemical Study

Background: In human, mast cells (MCs) are classified according to their proteases’ content into tryptase-containing mast cells (MCT) and tryptase and chymase-containing mast cells (MCTC). In addition to phenotypic differences in MC subtypes, there is also functional distributional heterogeneity. The present study was carried out to determine the physiological distribution of mast cells in the different components of human ovary of different age groups. Mast cell sorting according to their proteases content was also attempted with special emphasis on the possible mechanism of their effects on ovarian functions. Material and methods: Archival blocks of human ovarian tissue from females with age ranging from 16 to 75 years were used. The specimens were divided into reproductive- and postmenopausal-age groups. Histological study using haematoxylin and eosin as well as Masson trichrome staining was performed. Immunostaining using monoclonal antibodies against tryptase and chymase was also carried out. Morphometric measurements in the form of mast cell count per high power field as well as optical density of positively immuno-stained mast cells in addition to measurement of area and area per cent were done. Obtained data were statistically analyzed for significance using student's T- test. Results: MCs were mainly found in the deep cortical stroma and in the vicinity of blood vessels. Occasionally, few cells were found in the corpora lutea. There were no immunostained MCs in the walls of the different ovarian follicles, corpora albicans or in the periphery of the ovarian cortical stroma. Statistical analysis revealed that the number of MCT was significantly higher than MCTC in the reproductive-age group in comparison to the postmenopausal-age group. The postmenopausal-age group demonstrated the presence of statistically significant more degranulated MCTC and high collagen content in comparison to the reproductive-age group. Conclusion: MC subtypes follow specific distribution pattern within the ovarian tissue in the different age groups which has an impact on different ovarian functions in many physiological and pathological situations.
Cytomorphology of columnar cell variant of papillary carcinoma thyroid: A case report and review of the literature

A 58 years old lady reported with history of progressively increasing lump in the neck. Patient had earlier undergone sub-total thyroidectomy (details not available) in a private institute one year back. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the present lump revealed features of papillary carcinoma thyroid. Patient subsequently underwent total thyroidectomy along with excision of a tumor nodule in the larynx. Gross examination of the specimen revealed a tumor nodule in the right lobe of the thyroid. Microscopic examination of the tumor nodule in the thyroid and larynx revealed a columnar cell variant of papillary carcinoma thyroid. Very few reports describing the cytomorphologic features of this variant of papillary carcinoma are available in the published literature. These reports highlight the absence or paucity of nuclear grooves and intranuclear inclusions in this variant. We describe a case of columnar cell variant of papillary carcinoma where nuclear grooves were prominently seen. In addition, we report the occurrence of rosette-like structures which were brought out better on FNA smears. These rosette-like structures have not been emphasized earlier in the published literature. The cytomorphologic features of this rare variant are also reviewed in this report.
The beneficial effects of early dexamethasone administration in infants and children with bacterial meningitis.

BACKGROUND In experimental models of meningitis and in children with meningitis, dexamethasone has been shown to reduce meningeal inflammation and to improve the outcome of disease. METHODS We conducted a placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of dexamethasone therapy in 101 infants and children admitted to the National Children's Hospital, San José, Costa Rica, who had culture-proved bacterial meningitis or clinical signs of meningitis and findings characteristic of bacterial infection on examination of the cerebrospinal fluid. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either dexamethasone and cefotaxime (n = 52) or cefotaxime plus placebo (n = 49). Dexamethasone (0.15 mg per kilogram of body weight) was given 15 to 20 minutes before the first dose of cefotaxime and was continued every 6 hours thereafter for four days. RESULTS The demographic, clinical, and laboratory profiles were similar for the patients in the two treatment groups. By 12 hours after the beginning of therapy, the mean opening cerebrospinal pressure and the estimated cerebral perfusion pressure had improved significantly in the dexamethasone-treated children but worsened in the children treated only with cefotaxime (controls). At 12 hours meningeal inflammation and the concentrations of two cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha and platelet-activating factor) in the cerebrospinal fluid had decreased in the dexamethasone-treated children, whereas in the controls the inflammatory response in the cerebrospinal fluid had increased. At 24 hours the clinical condition and mean prognostic score were significantly better among those treated with dexamethasone than among the controls. At follow-up examination after a mean of 15 months, 7 of the surviving 51 dexamethasone-treated children (14 percent) and 18 of 48 surviving controls (38 percent) had one or more neurologic or audiologic sequelae (P = 0.007); the relative risk of sequelae for a child receiving placebo as compared with a child receiving dexamethasone was 3.8 (95 percent confidence interval, 1.3 to 11.5). CONCLUSIONS The results of this study, in which dexamethasone administration began before the initiation of cefotaxime therapy, provide additional evidence of a beneficial effect of dexamethasone therapy in infants and children with bacterial meningitis.