Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extending ventilator circuit change interval beyond 2 days reduces the likelihood of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE To determine the risk of acquiring ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and the impact on costs when extending ventilator circuit change intervals beyond 2 days to 7 and 30 days. DESIGN Prospective 4-year review of mechanically ventilated patients. SETTING The respiratory and medical ICUs of an 800-bed tertiary teaching Veterans Affairs hospital. PATIENTS All adult patients receiving mechanical ventilation from January 1991 through December 1994. INTERVENTIONS Ventilator circuits with active heated water humidifiers were changed at 2-day intervals during a 2-year control period, followed by 7-day and 30-day intervals (for 1 year each). Heated wire circuits were adopted with the 30-day interval. The rate of VAP per 1,000 ventilator days was calculated for each circuit change interval group. Survival analysis was used to model VAP with ventilator circuit change to determine risk. RESULTS During the study period, 637 patients received mechanical ventilation. During the 2 years with 2-day change intervals, the VAP per 1,000 ventilator days was 11.88 (n=343), compared with 3.34 (n=137) and 6.28 (n=157) for 7-day and 30-day change intervals, respectively. The risk of acquiring a VAP for those with a circuit change every 2 days was significantly greater (relative risk, 3.1; p=0.0004; 95% confidence interval, 1.662, 5.812) than those with the 7- and 30-day circuit changes. Extending circuit change intervals reduced supply and labor costs averaging $4,231/yr for each ventilator in use. CONCLUSIONS Circuit change intervals of 7 and 30 days have lower risks for VAP than the 2-day intervals, yielding substantial reductions in morbidity as well labor and supply costs.
Testing the validity of the export-led growth hypothesis in Nigeria: Evidence from non-oil and oil exports

Nigeria is a developing economy and leading oil exporter in Africa. This study tests for the validity of the export-led growth hypothesis in Nigeria between 1981 and 2014 by disaggregating export trade into non-oil export and oil export trade. It examines the causal effect of non-oil export, oil export and import trade on economic growth. The Toda-Yamamoto augmented Granger non-causality test reveals that there is unidirectional causality from non-oil export, oil export and import trade to economic growth, thus implying that Nigeria is non-oil export-led, oil export-led and import-led. Also, it shows that non-oil export trade leads economic growth more than oil export trade. On the whole, the study finds evidence to validate the export-led growth hypothesis in Nigeria.
To get a bit of information may be as hard as to get full information

The following coding problem for correlated discrete memoryless sources is considered. The two sources can be separately block encoded, and the values of the encoding functions are available to a decoder who wants to answer a certain question concerning the source outputs. Typically, this question has only a few possible answers (even as few as two). The rates of the encoding functions must be found that enable the decoder to answer this question correctly with high probability. It is proven that these rates are often as large as those needed for a full reproduction of the outputs of both sources. Furthermore, if one source is completely known at the decoder, this phenomenon already occurs when what is asked for is the joint type (joint composition) of the two source output blocks, or some function thereof such as the Hamming distance of the two blocks or (for alphabet size at least three) just the parity of this Hamming distance.
Optimization of a sponge cake formulation with inulin as fat replacer: structure, physicochemical, and sensory properties.

The effects of several fat replacement levels (0%, 35%, 50%, 70%, and 100%) by inulin in sponge cake microstructure and physicochemical properties were studied. Oil substitution for inulin decreased significantly (P < 0.05) batter viscosity, giving heterogeneous bubbles size distributions as it was observed by light microscopy. Using confocal laser scanning microscopy the fat was observed to be located at the bubbles' interface, enabling an optimum crumb cake structure development during baking. Cryo-SEM micrographs of cake crumbs showed a continuous matrix with embedded starch granules and coated with oil; when fat replacement levels increased, starch granules appeared as detached structures. Cakes with fat replacement up to 70% had a high crumb air cell values; they were softer and rated as acceptable by an untrained sensory panel (n = 51). So, the reformulation of a standard sponge cake recipe to obtain a new product with additional health benefits and accepted by consumers is achieved. Practical Application: In this study, fat is replaced by inulin in cakes, which is a fiber mainly obtained from chicory roots. Sponge cake formulations with reductions in fat content up to 70% are achieved. These high-quality products can be labeled as "reduced in fat" according to U.S. FDA (2009) and EU regulations (European-Union 2006).
Inhibition of T‐cell responsiveness by nasal peptide administration: influence of the thymus and differential recovery of T‐cell‐dependent functions

We have previously demonstrated that intranasal (i.n.) administration of the major encephalitogenic peptide, Ac1–9 of myelin basic protein (MBP), inhibited T‐cell responsiveness in vitro and induced tolerance in the H‐2u mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The peptide analogue Ac1–9[4Y] with high‐affinity binding to the I‐Au major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecule was the most effective tolerogen. Here, we show that mice pretreated with 4Y i.n. and primed with myelin had strongly reduced levels of anti‐MBP immunoglobulin G2a (IgG2a) and IgG1, demonstrating that both T helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 functions were inhibited in vivo. Since peptide administered i.n. was shown to be functionally relevant in the thymus, the time interval between 4Y i.n. and subsequent priming was varied in euthymic and adult thymectomized (ATx) mice, to examine the duration of in vitro cell unresponsiveness in the presence or absence of a thymus. For intervals of 1–6 weeks, inhibition of T‐cell proliferation was virtually complete in both euthymic and ATx mice. From 8 weeks onwards, responsiveness slowly recovered in euthymic but not in ATx mice. With an interval of 16 weeks, substantial recovery of T‐cell responsiveness in vitro in euthymic mice was reflected by a low degree of protection from EAE in vivo. By contrast, anti‐MBP IgG2a and IgG1 antibody responses were still significantly reduced. These findings suggest that T‐cell unresponsiveness by peptide i.n. represents a thymus‐independent, peripheral phenomenon, the reversal of which is confined to new T cells being exported from the thymus. As observed for EAE and antibody responses, the kinetics of recovery may vary for different effector functions.
High Prevalence of Carriage of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus at Hospital Admission in Elderly Patients: Implications for Infection Control Strategies

Abstract Background: Despite contact isolation precautions for patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), MRSA infections are increasing in many countries. Objective: To evaluate the role of a potential unrecognized reservoir of MRSA carried by patients in acute care wards, we determined the prevalence of MRSA at hospital admission, with special emphasis on screening-specimen yields. Setting: A 1,100-bed teaching hospital in Paris, France. Methods: Nasal screening cultures were performed at admission to a tertiary-care teaching hospital for patients older than 75 years. Results: MRSA was isolated from 63 (7.9%) of 797 patients. On the multivariate analysis, variables significantly associated with MRSA carriage were presence of chronic skin lesions (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 5.10; 95% confidence interval [CI95], 2.52–10.33); transfer from a nursing home, rehabilitation unit, or long-term-care unit (AOR, 4.52; CI95, 2.23–9.18); and poor chronic health status (AOR, 1.80; CI95, 1.02–3.18). Without admission screening, 84.1% of MRSA carriers would have been missed at hospital admission and 76.2% during their hospital stay. Furthermore, 81.1% of days at risk for MRSA dissemination would have been spent without contact isolation precautions had admission screening not been performed. Conclusions: MRSA carriage at hospital admission is far more prevalent than MRSA-positive clinical specimens. This may contribute to failure of contact isolation programs. Screening cultures at admission help to identify the reservoir of unknown MRSA patients.
[The relationship of expression of BMP-7 in the liver and hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in patients with chronic HBV infection].

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the relationship of the expression of bone morphogenefic protein-7 (BMP-7) in the liver and the liver fibrosis and inflammation in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, to explore the role of BMP-7 in the fibrogenesis of chronic hepatitis B. METHODS 81 patients chronically infected with HBV were enrolled. Liver biopsy were performed in all these patients. The hematoxylin staining and reticular fiber staining were performed for the grading of inflammation and staging of fibrosis, respectively. The patients were divided into different groups by the inflammatory grade or fibrosis stage (8, 14, 19, 22, 18 patients with inflammatory grade of G0, G1, G2, G3, G4, respectively; 8, 16, 21, 24, 12 patients with fibrosis stage of S0, S1, S2, S3, S4, respectively ). Then the immunohistochemical staining by BMP-7 were performed. The expression of BMP-7 in the liver was evaluated by digital image quantitative analysis system. We compared the expression of BMP-7 in the liver with different inflammatory grade and fibrosis stage. RESULTS The expression of BMP-7 in the liver tissue increased with the increase of hepatic inflammatory grade and fibrosis. When liver biopsy showed a severe intrahepatic inflammation, the expression of BMP-7 significantly increased, regardless the intrahepatic fibrosis stage. Similarly, when liver biopsy showed a severe intrahepatic fibrosis, the expression of BMP-7 also significantly increased, regardless the intrahepatic inflammatory grade. CONCLUSION BMP-7 may play an important role as anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrogenic effect in the fibrogenesis of chronic hepatitis B.
Difference of microbial community stressed in artificial pit muds for Luzhou‐flavour liquor brewing revealed by multiphase culture‐independent technology

Artificial pit muds (APMs) is produced by peats, aged pit muds, yellow and black clays etc. and is one of essential factors for Luzhou‐flavour liquor production. The microbial community of APMs significantly influence the quality of Luzhou‐flavour liquor. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in bacterial, archaeal and fungal community of APMs, starters and materials.
The fairy tales of early warning research

Abstract Policy-makers and academics keep failing to anticipate social upheavals and their manifold consequences. This holds true for the Arab Spring in 2011, as it does for missing popular protests that made Ukrainian President Yanukovych leave the country in 2014. While Western governments were heavily criticized for missing these dynamics, scholars were mostly spared. This paper argues that social scientists have not learnt the lessons. The rise of large-scale protest movements and the radicalization dynamics coming with them will be missed again – no matter what time and location. This claim will be unfolded on the basis of Syria and Ukraine where non-violent protests were the beginning of current violent intrastate conflict. By pinpointing inconsistencies with prominent early warning instruments (Fragile States Index, Polity IV, International Crisis Group, Heidelberg Conflict Barometer), implications for better tool boxes will be discussed.
Soldiers, Statesmen, and Cold War Crises

Soldiers, Statesmen, and Cold War Crisis explores, in fascinating depth, the nature, direction, and impact of military and civilian influence on violence. Richard K. Betts discusses the post-war involvement of U.S. military and nonmilitary leaders in decisions on the use of force in foreign affairs, and the variety of advice from the different military services. Twenty intervention decisions and ten escalation desicions in crises are examined, including Korea, Berlin, Cuba, and Vietnam. To update this edition Betts has written a preface analyzing the significance of the issues in light of the evolution of events and information declassified since the book's original publication. He has also written an epilogue discussing several recent cases.
Water holding capacity of rabbit meat (Belgian Giant breed).

Meat science has always been most interested in practical applications and macroscopic effects of internal/external factors in relation to water holding capacity (WHC). Research has been motivated by technological and sensory aspects, both finally linked to economic benefits. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of gender and different muscle groups from rabbits on WHC of their meat. Determining WHC was carried out by compression of the meat over filter paper between two plates. The biological material was collected from 56 Belgian Giant breed rabbits (25 males and 31 females). Aged 11-12 months, the rabbits had an average body weight of 11.5 kg. Measurements were performed on the muscles Longissimus dorsi (LD), Psoas major (PM) and Semimembranosus (SM) 24 hours after slaughter. The percentage of WHC was calculated as ratio (per cent) of weight of released water to intact meat. WHC for females, in LD, had an average value of 8%, in PM it had an average value of 9.31%, and in SM it had an average value of 12.91%. For males, WHC in LD was 7.6%, in PM 8.23% and in SM 11.43%. The average value for WHC was higher for females than for males. Regarding the statistical significance of differences by gender, distinct significant differences for SM and very significant differences for PM were recorded. For PM, a higher average value of WHC is probably due to the smaller diameter of muscle fibres and also to water higher percentage of them.
Spatial Determinants of Financial Inclusion over Time

This paper investigates the factors generating changes in the financial inclusion levels based on data from 120 countries for 2011 and 2014. After calculating the index of financial inclusion across countries, we find evidences on the presence of spatial dependencies by using the Global Moran's I and local indicators of spatial association analyses. Then, we employ spatial regression and spatial panel data models that control for spatial interdependence. The results show that social, banking and political factors play an important role in the determination of change in financial inclusion. We also find financial inclusion convergence among the countries. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of blood lactate sample site and test protocol on training zone prescription in rowing.

PURPOSE To assess the effect of sample site (earlobe vs toe) and incremental exercise protocol (continuous vs discontinuous) on training zone prescription in rowing. METHODS Twenty-six rowers performed two incremental exercise tests on an ergometer: (1) a five-step discontinuous test with 4-min stages and 30-W increment, with blood samples taken from the earlobe and toe at the start of the 1-min break between steps; (2) a continuous test, with 2-min stages and 30-W increment, with blood samples taken from the right first toe at the end of each stage. Blood was analyzed for lactate concentration. RESULTS At a lactate concentration of 2 mmol x L(-1), the mean (95% CI) power output was 8.1 (+/- 15.4) W greater for the continuous protocol, the random error between the methods (1.96 x SD of differences) was +/- 58.8 W, and there was no evidence of any relationship between power output and error between methods. At a lactate concentration of 4 mmol x L(-1), the mean (95% CI) power output was 24.2 (+/- 17.0) W greater for the continuous protocol, and the random error was +/- 64.8 W. At 4 mmol x L(-1), systematic bias between methods increased with high power outputs. CONCLUSIONS The continuous protocol with toe sampling led to higher power outputs for a given lactate concentration compared with the discontinuous protocol with earlobe sampling. This was partly due to the choice of sample site and largely due to the choice of protocol. This bias, and also random variability, makes direct comparison of these tests inappropriate.
Middle Pleistocene protein sequences from the rhinoceros genus Stephanorhinus and the phylogeny of extant and extinct Middle/Late Pleistocene Rhinocerotidae

Background Ancient protein sequences are increasingly used to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships between extinct and extant mammalian taxa. Here, we apply these recent developments to Middle Pleistocene bone specimens of the rhinoceros genus Stephanorhinus. No biomolecular sequence data is currently available for this genus, leaving phylogenetic hypotheses on its evolutionary relationships to extant and extinct rhinoceroses untested. Furthermore, recent phylogenies based on Rhinocerotidae (partial or complete) mitochondrial DNA sequences differ in the placement of the Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis). Therefore, studies utilising ancient protein sequences from Middle Pleistocene contexts have the potential to provide further insights into the phylogenetic relationships between extant and extinct species, including Stephanorhinus and Dicerorhinus. Methods ZooMS screening (zooarchaeology by mass spectrometry) was performed on several Late and Middle Pleistocene specimens from the genus Stephanorhinus, subsequently followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to obtain ancient protein sequences from a Middle Pleistocene Stephanorhinus specimen. We performed parallel analysis on a Late Pleistocene woolly rhinoceros specimen and extant species of rhinoceroses, resulting in the availability of protein sequence data for five extant species and two extinct genera. Phylogenetic analysis additionally included all extant Perissodactyla genera (Equus, Tapirus), and was conducted using Bayesian (MrBayes) and maximum-likelihood (RAxML) methods. Results Various ancient proteins were identified in both the Middle and Late Pleistocene rhinoceros samples. Protein degradation and proteome complexity are consistent with an endogenous origin of the identified proteins. Phylogenetic analysis of informative proteins resolved the Perissodactyla phylogeny in agreement with previous studies in regards to the placement of the families Equidae, Tapiridae, and Rhinocerotidae. Stephanorhinus is shown to be most closely related to the genera Coelodonta and Dicerorhinus. The protein sequence data further places the Sumatran rhino in a clade together with the genus Rhinoceros, opposed to forming a clade with the black and white rhinoceros species. Discussion The first biomolecular dataset available for Stephanorhinus places this genus together with the extinct genus Coelodonta and the extant genus Dicerorhinus. This is in agreement with morphological studies, although we are unable to resolve the order of divergence between these genera based on the protein sequences available. Our data supports the placement of the genus Dicerorhinus in a clade together with extant Rhinoceros species. Finally, the availability of protein sequence data for both extinct European rhinoceros genera allows future investigations into their geographic distribution and extinction chronologies.
Relationship between renal resistive index and early target organ damage in patients with never treated essential hypertension

The aim of our study was to evaluate renal resistive index (RI) value in never treated hypertensive patients in relation to ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM) values and early target organ damage. The study included 318 subjects: 223 patients with never treated essential hypertension (mean age 37.1 years) and 95 normotensive healthy subjects (mean age 37.9 years). ABPM, echocardiography and carotid and renal arteries duplex color Doppler examinations were performed. RI values in patients with never treated essential hypertension were no different from the normotensive control group (0.59 ± 0.05 vs 0.59 ± 0.05; NS). In the untreated patients RI correlated significantly with 24‐h pulse pressure (r=0.234; p<0.01) and ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI) values (r=0.274; p<0.001), intima‐media thickness (IMT) (r=0.249; p<0.001), E′/A′ (rho= −0.279; p<0.001) and relative wall thickness (RWT; r=0.185; p<0.01). In the multivariate stepwise analysis, RI values correlated independently with carotid IMT (β=0.272; p=0.020) and 24‐h AASI values (β=0.305; p=0.009). In normotensive healthy controls, significant independent correlation between RI and carotid IMT and 24‐h AASI values were also found. Our study may indicate limited value of RI in differentiating patients with uncomplicated hypertension with healthy controls. Renal resistive values were independently correlated with carotid IMT and AASI. These may suggest that renal vascular resistance is related to two markers for cardiovascular events both in the hypertensive and normotensive subjects.
Classroom seating for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: therapy balls versus chairs.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of therapy balls as seating on in-seat behavior and legible word productivity of students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Additionally, social validity was assessed to evaluate teacher and student opinions regarding the intervention. METHOD A single subject, A-B-A-B interrupted time series design was employed across 3 students (2 males, 1 female) with ADHD. The study was conducted in a 4th grade inclusive classroom during daily language arts. During phases 1 and 3, the 3 participants and all other class members sat on chairs (in-seat on chair); during phases 2 and 4, everyone sat on therapy balls (in-seat on ball). Dependent variables were in-seat behavior and legible word productivity. Data were graphed and visually analyzed for differences between phases. RESULTS Results demonstrated increases in in-seat behavior and legible word productivity for the students with ADHD when seated on therapy balls. Social validity findings indicated that generally the teacher and students preferred therapy balls. CONCLUSION This study provides evidence that use of therapy balls for students with ADHD may facilitate in-seat behavior and legible word productivity.
Efficacy of rehabilitation for functional skills more than 10 years after extremely severe brain injury

Purpose: To determine whether gains in personal independence can be achieved in individuals 10 or more years after very severe acquired brain injury. Method: Four individuals in a continuing (slow stream) rehabilitation centre were assessed by an occupational therapist (OT) and programmes were designed to help the individual enhance personal independence. Support staff were trained to implement these programmes under the guidance of the OT. Methods described by Giles, Ridley, Dill, and Frye (1997) were used. Pre- and post-training measures were taken as well as follow up measures to assess the durability of such changes. Results: The results demonstrate that it is possible to achieve clinically significant improvements in personal independence many years after very severe acquired brain injury. Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that personally and clinically significant goals can be achieved 10 or more years after brain injury and there should be continuing effort to improve the circumstances of individuals with acquired brain injury. Such gains can be achieved through consistent application of such programmes by support workers working under the supervision of an occupational therapist.