Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Situation analysis of TB microscopy centres in Ghana.

SETTING Public health laboratories in Ghana performing tuberculosis (TB) microscopy. OBJECTIVE To assess the situation of the laboratories in terms of staff strength, technical skills, documentation, biosafety practices, equipment, supplies and disposal systems. DESIGN Methods used for data collection were interviews using a structured questionnaire, informal observation of laboratory registers, disposal systems and safety measures for sputum handling. RESULTS Of 114 laboratories visited between 2000 and 2001, 102 (89.5%) were performing TB microscopy. Of the staff working in the laboratories, 9% were medical technologists, 24% laboratory technicians, 37% laboratory assistants and 30% orderlies. Average false-negative and -positive rates were respectively 13% and 14%. Although most of the centres (85.3%) were using the recommended TB laboratory register for recording, in most cases they were not filled in accurately or completely. The majority of the available microscopes had mechanical or optical faults. Availability of other materials for smear preparation and staining ranged from 44% to 82%. The main methods employed for disposal of laboratory waste were burning and burying, but conditions were poor in most of the facilities visited. CONCLUSION Training of laboratory personnel in TB microscopy and establishment of a quality assurance system are needed in Ghana.
The influence of ownership structure on the transparency of CSR reporting: empirical evidence from Spain

ABSTRACT This paper analyses the influence of ownership structure on the transparency of corporate social responsibility (CSR) information for a sample of 128 Spanish listed companies between 2009 and 2011. We distinguish two types of significant shareholders, depending on whether or not they are members of the board of directors. The results of the ordinary least squares regression show a different relationship between each type of shareholder and the transparency of CSR information. Significant shareholders who are not directors have a positive effect on transparency. Conversely, firms with boards holding more than 25% of ownership are less transparent than firms with boards holding below that threshold. Our results contribute to the academic debate on the relationship between ownership and CSR disclosure. They indicate the existence of information asymmetries between these two types of shareholders. Additionally, we contribute to literature on board of directors. We found that the presence of women on boards improves transparency, while the independence of the board and CEO duality do not affect it.
Arterial blood gas derived variables as estimates of intrapulmonary shunt in critically ill children

Oxygen transport data, prospectively collected from 52 critically ill children, were analyzed to determine whether any derived variable accurately estimated intrapulmonary shunt (Qsp/Qt). Arterial hemoglobin saturation was more closely correlated with Qsp/Qt than was Pao2, alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient, arterial mixed venous oxygen difference (C[a-v]o2), arterial/alveolar oxygen ratio, and the ratio of Pao2 to inspired oxygen (FIO2) (r = 0.8, p < .0001). When C(a-v)o2 was normal, hemoglobin saturation became a very accurate (r = 0.96) assessment of Qsp/Qt.We conclude that various arterial blood gas derived variables do not accurately reflect Qsp/Qt in critically ill children. In these patients, a pulmonary artery catheter is needed to accurately assess intrapulmonary shunt.
Small Improvements in Postoperative Outcome with Gap Balancing Technique Compared with Measured Resection in Total Knee Arthroplasty

Background: There is ongoing debate about how to obtain correct rotational alignment in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Two commonly used techniques are the measured resection (MR) and the gap balancing (GB) technique. Objective: The objective of the present study was to analyze which of these two techniques confers a clinical advantage up to 10 years postoperatively. Methods: Two hundred patients were randomized to either MR or GB. The primary outcome was the Knee Society Knee Score (KS) 10 years postoperatively. Secondary outcomes were passive range of motion, the Knee Society Function Score (FS), and the Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), along with implant survival. We employed a two one-sided test (TOST) and linear mixed models to assess clinical outcomes. Results: Mean KS was 82 (95% confidence interval (CI), 80 – 83) and 77 (95% CI, 76 – 79) in the GB and MR group, respectively. The TOST test and linear mixed model both revealed statistical significance (p < 0.001). In addition, GB yielded better postoperative FS and WOMAC. However, between-group differences were consistently small. Implant survival rates at 10 years, with survival for any reason as the endpoint of interest, were 93.7% (95% CI, 86.4% and 97.1%) and 89.8% (95% CI, 81.9% - 94.4%) for the GB group and the MR group, respectively (p = 0.302). Conclusion: Gap-balancing is a safe and reliable technique. KS for the two study groups at 10 years can be considered equivalent, and the small postoperative advantages may not extend beyond clinical relevance.
A proposed life cycle of Minchinia nelsoni (Haplosporida, Haplosporidiidae) in the American oyster Crassostrea virginica.

SYNOPSIS. A developmental sequence is proposed for the haplosporidan Minchinia nelsoni Haskin, Stauber and Mackin, 1966, based on study of oyster infections over the past 5 years in Chesapeake Bay. Uninucleate stages develop by nuclear division into multinucleate plasmodia which proliferate in the tissues by plasmotomy. Relatively small plasmodia containing what are considered to be gametic nuclei originate by unequal plasmotomy of large plasmodia. These have been interpreted to aggregate and fuse to form large plasmodia which contain prozygotes. Pairing and fusion of nuclei occur within each plasmodium to produce zygote nuclei (synkaryons) which undergo division, possibly meiotic, to form sporonts. Sporoblasts differentiate into spores with the development of spore walls and opercula. Cystoid plasmodia develop during times of unfavorable conditions. An anomalous but common sequence involving sexuality and mitosis is described, and the occurrence of various life cycle stages within the host thruout the year is discussed.
Mixed LMI/randomized methods for static output feedback control design

This paper addresses the problem of stabilization of LTI systems via static output feedback (sof). The objective is not only to compute a stabilizing sof but rather to compute a discrete set of stabilizing sof. Two complementary mixed LMI/randomized algorithms are defined for this purpose. The main idea is to combine a particular relaxed LMI parametrization of stabilizing sof with high efficiency of Hit-and-Run method for generating random points in a given domain. Their respective relevance is analysed on several examples of the COMPleib library which is intended to be the reference library for evaluating performance of reduced-order controller synthesis algorithms. Finally, the paper additionally provides an extensive evaluation of the different relevant instances of the COMPleib library.
A discrete-time adaptive iterative learning from different reference trajectory for linear time-varying systems

An adaptive ILC approach is presented for a linear MIMO discrete-time system to track different reference trajectory. The presented adaptive ILC is a data-driven approach in nature and the controller does not contain any modeling information of the plant. The unknown Markov parameter of the plant is iteratively estimated only using the I/O data of the plant. The rigorous analysis shows the asymptotic convergence of the presented method for iteration-varying reference trajectory.
Effects of antibiotic therapy on outcomes of patients with coronary artery disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

CONTEXT Although Chlamydia pneumoniae infection has been associated with the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis, results of clinical trials investigating antichlamydial antibiotics as adjuncts to standard therapy in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) have been inconsistent. OBJECTIVE To conduct a meta-analysis of clinical trials of antichlamydial antibiotic therapy in patients with CAD. DATA SOURCES The MEDLINE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched from 1966 to April 2005 for English-language trials of antibiotic therapy in patients with CAD. Bibliographies of retrieved articles were searched for further studies. Presentations at major scientific meetings (2003-2004) were also reviewed. Search terms included antibacterial agents, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, and coronary arteriosclerosis. STUDY SELECTION Eligible studies were prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trials of antichlamydial antibiotic therapy in patients with CAD that reported all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, or unstable angina. Of the 110 potentially relevant articles identified, 11 reports enrolling 19,217 patients were included. DATA EXTRACTION Included studies were reviewed to determine the number of patients randomized, mean duration of follow-up, and end points. End points of interest included all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), and a combined end point of MI and unstable angina. DATA SYNTHESIS Event rates were combined using a random-effects model. Antibiotic therapy had no impact on all-cause mortality among treated vs untreated patients (4.7% vs 4.6%; odds ratio [OR], 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.89-1.16; P = .83), on the rates of MI (5.0% vs 5.4%; OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.81-1.04; P = .19), or on the combined end point of MI and unstable angina (9.2% vs 9.6%; OR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.76-1.07; P = .25). CONCLUSION Evidence available to date does not demonstrate an overall benefit of antibiotic therapy in reducing mortality or cardiovascular events in patients with CAD.
Enteral Nutrition Enriched With Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) Preserves Lean Body Mass Following Esophageal Cancer Surgery: Results of a Double-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

Background:Esophagectomy represents an exemplar of controlled major trauma, with marked metabolic, immunologic, and physiologic changes as well as an associated high incidence of complications. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) enriched enteral nutrition (EN) modulates immune function and limits catabolism in patients with advanced cancer, but its impact in the peri-operative period is unclear. Objectives:To examine the effects of perioperative EPA enriched EN on the metabolic, nutritional, and immuno-inflammatory response to esophagectomy, and on postoperative complications. Methods:In a double-blind design, patients were randomized to a standard EN formula or a formula enriched with 2.2 g EPA/d for 5 days preoperatively (orally) and 21 days postoperatively (jejunostomy). Segmental bioelectrical impedance analysis was performed preoperatively and on POD 21. Postoperative complications were monitored, as well as the acute phase response, coagulation markers, and serum cytokines. Results:Fifty-three patients (28 EPA, 25 standard) completed the study, and both groups were well matched. Serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) membrane EPA levels were significantly increased in the EPA group. There was no difference in the incidence of major complications. The EPA group maintained all aspects of body composition postoperatively, whereas patients in the standard EN group lost significant amounts of fat-free mass (1.9 kg, P = 0.030) compared with the EPA group [leg (0.3 kg, P = 0.05), arm (0.17 kg, P = 0.01), and trunk (1.44 kg, P = 0.03)]. The EPA group had a significantly (P < 0.05) attenuated stress response for TNFα, IL-10, and IL-8 compared with the standard group. Conclusions:EPA supplemented early EN is associated with preservation of lean body mass post esophagectomy compared with a standard EN. These properties may merit longer-term study to address its impact on recovery of function and quality of life in models of complex surgery or multimodal cancer treatment regimens.
Comparing Etest and Broth Microdilution for Antifungal Susceptibility Testing of the Most-Relevant Pathogenic Molds

ABSTRACT Invasive mold infections are life-threatening diseases for which appropriate antifungal therapy is crucial. Their epidemiology is evolving, with the emergence of triazole-resistant Aspergillus spp. and multidrug-resistant non-Aspergillus molds. Despite the lack of interpretive criteria, antifungal susceptibility testing of molds may be useful in guiding antifungal therapy. The standard broth microdilution method (BMD) is demanding and requires expertise. We assessed the performance of a commercialized gradient diffusion method (Etest method) as an alternative to BMD. The MICs or minimal effective concentrations (MECs) of amphotericin B, voriconazole, posaconazole, caspofungin, and micafungin were assessed for 290 clinical isolates of the most representative pathogenic molds (154 Aspergillus and 136 non-Aspergillus isolates) with the BMD and Etest methods. Essential agreements (EAs) within ±2 dilutions of ≥90% between the two methods were considered acceptable. EAs for amphotericin B and voriconazole were >90% for most potentially susceptible species. For posaconazole, the correlation was acceptable for Mucoromycotina but Etest MIC values were consistently lower for Aspergillus spp. (EAs of <90%). Excellent EAs were found for echinocandins with highly susceptible (MECs of <0.015 μg/ml) or intrinsically resistant (MECs of >16 μg/ml) strains. However, MEC determinations lacked consistency between methods for strains exhibiting mid-range MECs for echinocandins. We concluded that the Etest method is an appropriate alternative to BMD for antifungal susceptibility testing of molds under specific circumstances, including testing with amphotericin B or triazoles for non-Aspergillus molds (Mucoromycotina and Fusarium spp.). Additional study of molecularly characterized triazole-resistant Aspergillus isolates is required to confirm the ability of the Etest method to detect voriconazole and posaconazole resistance among Aspergillus spp.
Prevention of mother-to-child transmission: program changes and the effect on uptake of the HIVNET 012 regimen in Malawi

Objective(s): To evaluate uptake of HIV testing in a prevention of mother-to-child transmission program (PMTCT) in Lilongwe, Malawi from April 2002 until December 2006. Design: Retrospective analysis of monthly reports from the beginning of the program. Setting: Four antenatal clinics in Lilongwe, Malawi. Methods: Pregnant women attending urban antenatal clinics in Lilongwe were invited to participate in a PMTCT program. Women were given information and education on antenatal care and PMTCT in groups of 8 to 12. Written informed consent for HIV testing was obtained privately. Women returned for the test result 1–2 weeks later. Mothers and infants were given the HIVNET 012 regimen. Rapid HIV testing and ‘opt-out’ testing were instituted in July 2003 and April 2005, respectively. Infants were tested using HIV DNA PCR and, if HIV positive, a CD4 cell percentage was obtained and the infants were referred for further medical evaluation and treatment. Results: The program reached 20 000 pregnant women in the first 12 months. Acceptance of HIV testing increased from 45% to 73% (P < 0.001) when rapid, same day testing was instituted. When opt-out testing was instituted, 99% of the mothers agreed to testing. Of the infants tested, 15.5% were HIV positive. Conclusion: Rapid HIV testing using the opt-out method increased acceptance of HIV testing in the PMTCT program to 99% in urban Lilongwe, Malawi.
The Reaction Of Analysts To Management Disclosures And Firm Characteristics: Conservatism And Corporate Governance

This paper examines the effect of firm characteristics on analyst reaction to management disclosures. Prior studies have overlooked the fact that analysts can react differently as a result of firm characteristics that can affect the management forecasts’ credibility and usefulness, as well as specific situation like SEO or management forecast characteristics itself. This study extends this line of research by considering firm characteristics after controlling for factors with respect to management forecast characteristics that may affect analyst reaction. I provide evidence that good news management disclosures by firms with high levels of conservatism have more impact to the analysts; therefore, analysts react more to good news management disclosures issued by firms with a high level of conservatism than good news management disclosures that are issued by firms with low levels of conservatism. Similarly, the study finds that analysts react less to bad news management disclosure issued by firms with a high level of conservatism. I also find that analysts have a stronger reaction to management disclosures announced by firms with strong governance and a lower level of managerial ownership. These results show that firm characteristics are also factors that are considered by analysts in the revision of their earnings forecasts following management disclosure.
SNSQUAL: A Social Networking Site Quality Model

This research develops and tests a new quality construct, SNS quality, and introduces SNSQUAL, a social networking site (SNS) quality model. To capture significant product features of SNSs, SNSQUAL contains five independent dimensions that positively correlate with social media quality and its continued use intention. Findings indicate that: a) SNS quality is influenced by the perceived ease of use, trustworthiness, personalization, integration, and reliability of the SNS; and b) SNS quality positively influences the continued use intention of the SNS. This study contributes to information systems (IS) research and practice by: a) introducing a new quality construct; b) identifying antecedent constructs of SNS quality; c) combining these constructs into the first social network quality model (SNSQUAL), contextualized for use within the SNS environment; d) exploring the relationship of SNS quality with continued use intention, and thus filling a gap in the IS literature; and e) offering a new measure of quality for the SNS environment, and at a broader level, to Web 2.0 sites. The new SNSQUAL model also exhibits additional implications for future SNS research and practice.
The Detection of Series Arc Fault in Photovoltaic Systems Based on the Arc Current Entropy

This paper presents a series arc-fault detection algorithm for photovoltaic (PV) systems, which relies on the quantum probability model theory. The algorithm determines the presence of the arc by calculating the modified Tsallis entropy of the PV panel current. Based on the calculated entropy, the algorithm is able to differentiate an arc state (when the current variations are chaotic) from a no-arc state (when the current variations are ordered). The proposed algorithm enables arc-fault detection on a plug-and-play principle, requiring no prior information about the PV system in which it operates. The operation of the algorithm was first simulated on the prerecorded data from the system with the PV panel simulator and the commercial PV inverter. A laboratory prototype of the detector was then built and tested in a real 1.6-kW grid-connected PV system with different PV inverter, without any additional parameter adjustments. Both the sensitivity and the robustness of the detector were confirmed. The tests have shown that both the sustained series arcs and the small sparking series arcs were successfully detected, and there was no false detection due to the MPP tracker operation, PV current step change, or inverter turn on transient.
The Influence of Risks Perception on the Purchase of Ecological Personal Care Products

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to explore and better understand purchase behaviour of ecological personal care products (shampoos, deodorants, soaps, cleansing gels), taking into account the influence of perceived risks. Design/methodology/approach: This study used an online structured questionnaire. In total there were 702 valid respondents, potentially environmentally conscious and residents in Portugal and Spain. Several correlations were made to test the hypothesized relations. Findings: Results have show that consumers perceive financial and convenience risks while buying these products. On the other hand, physical, performance, social and psycological factors are perceived as motivators and not as risks. Research limitations/implications: This research presents a number of limitations due to a limited and non representative sample. Results have to be replicated on wider and more representative sample. Practical implications: Results of the present study have demonstrated that price and convenience are observed as perceived risks by consumers. Financial perceived risks and convenience perceived risks had a positive correlation with green purchase behaviour, which means that are perceived as risks. In turn, physical, performance, social and psychological had a negative correlation with green purchase behaviour, which means that are not perceived as risks, but as facilitators or motivators. Originality/value: This study contributes to an understanding of green purchase behaviour towards ecological personal care products. The results of framework proposed enable managers and marketers to better understand the perceived risks and motivations associated to these products.
Primary sclerosing cholangitis: resect, dilate, or transplant?

OBJECTIVE The current study examines the results of extrahepatic biliary resection, nonoperative endoscopic biliary dilation with or without percutaneous stenting, and liver transplantation in the management of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a progressive inflammatory disease leading to secondary biliary cirrhosis. The most effective management of sclerosing cholangitis before the onset of cirrhosis remains unclear. METHODS From 1980 to 1994, 146 patients with PSC were managed with either resection of the extrahepatic bile ducts and long-term transhepatic stenting (50 patients), nonoperative endoscopic biliary dilation with or without percutaneous stenting (54 patients), medical therapy (28 patients), and/or liver transplantation (21 patients). RESULTS Procedure-related morbidity and mortality rates were similar between surgically resected and nonoperatively managed patients. In noncirrhotic patients, the serum bilirubin level was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced from preoperative levels (8.3+/-1.5 mg/dL) 1 (1.7+/-0.4 mg/dL) and 3 (2.7+/-0.9 mg/ dL) years after resection, but not after endoscopic or percutaneous management. For noncirrhotic PSC patients, overall 5-year survival (85% vs. 59%) and survival until death or transplantation (82% vs. 46%) were significantly longer (p < 0.05) after resection than after nonoperative dilation with or without stenting. For cirrhotic patients, survival after liver transplantation was longer than after resection or nonoperative dilation with or without stenting. Five patients developed cholangiocarcinoma, including three (6%) of the nonoperatively managed patients but none of the resected patients. CONCLUSIONS In carefully selected noncirrhotic patients with PSC, resection and long-term stenting remains a good option. Patients with cirrhosis should undergo liver transplantation.