Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determination of Piperacillin/Tazobactam and Ticarcillin/ClavulanateSusceptibilities in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates in Hospitalised Patients by E-test Gradient Method and Comparison of Results with Disk Diffusion Tests

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important opportunistic pathogen in human infections. P. aeruginosa is naturally resistant to many antibiotics and mutations can result in resistance development during treatment as well. Piperacillin/tazobactam and Ticarcillin/clavulanate are β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combination with a wide spectrum of antibacterial activity. In this study was aimed to determine the susceptibility of P. aeruginosa isolates to Piperacillin/tazobactam and Ticarcillin/clavulanate antibiotics by Epsilometer test in the patients in intensive care units of Giresun State Hospital and to compare PIP/TZP results by Disk Diffusion method. Sensitivities of PIP/TZP were determined via Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method and MIC values of the isolates against PIP/TZP and TIC/CLA were determined by E-test. By using E-test method and in accordance with the CLSI standards, 43 (64%) isolates were found to be susceptible and 24 (36%) isolates were found to be resistant to TIC/CLA. For the PIP/TZP, 49 of the 67 isolates were susceptible, three were intermediate and 15 were resistant by using disk diffusion method. On the other hand, according to the E-test results, 63 isolates were susceptible and four isolates were resistant. When compared to eleven isolate E-test methods, the disk diffusion method was incorrectly determined to be resistant. The results of our study suggest that it would be more appropriate to use E-test method to confirm the results of the isolates which were found to be resistant against PIP/TZP by disk diffusion method.
Immunological Efficacy of Tenofovir Disproxil Fumarate-Containing Regimens in Patients With HIV-HBV Coinfection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) coinfection is common in HIV-positive patients. HIV infection modifies the natural course of HBV infection, leading to a faster progression of liver-related morbidity and mortality than is observed in HBV mono-infected patients. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the current clinical evidence regarding the use of oral tenofovir disproxil fumarate (TDF)-based treatments in patients coinfected with HIV and HBV. Methods: We performed a comprehensive literature search in PubMed and Web of Science. Supplementary searches were conducted in Google Scholar and Clinicaltrials.gov. We conducted a random effects meta-analysis using the event rate (ER) to estimate the incidence of HBV seroconversion. A subgroup meta-analysis was performed to assess the moderate effects of demographic and disease-related variables on HBsAg loss. This review is registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42018092379). Results: We included 11 studies in the review. The immunological effects of oral TDF-based Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) treatment in patients with HIV-HBV coinfection were 0.249 for HBeAg loss, 0.237 for HBeAg conversion, 0.073 for HBsAg loss, and 0.055 for HBsAg conversion. The factors associated with HBsAg loss were the baseline HBV viral load, participant’s location, and a history of exposure to lamivudine/emtricitabine (3TC/FTC) (all p < 0.05). A trend toward a negative relationship between the baseline CD4+ T-cell count and HBsAg loss was observed (p = 0.078). Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that TDF-containing regimens are effective at stimulating HBeAg loss (24.9%), HBeAg conversion (23.7%), HBsAg loss (7.3%), and HBsAg conversion (5.5%) in HIV-HBV coinfected patients. The moderator analysis showed that HBV viral load, the location of participants, and prior exposure to 3TC/FTC are factors associated with HBsAg loss. Asian ethnicity, prior exposure to 3TC, and a nondetectable baseline HBV viral load are associated with lower odds of HBsAg loss. Well-designed prospective cohort studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with large sample sizes are required for the investigation of potential predictors and biological markers associated with strategies for achieving HBV remission in patients with HIV-HBV coinfection, which is a matter of considerable importance to clinicians and those responsible for health policies.
University of Groningen Probabilistic View-based 3 D Curve Skeleton Computation on the GPU

Computing curve skeletons of 3D shapes is a challenging task. Recently, a high-potential technique for this task was proposed, based on integrating medial information obtained from several 2D projections of a 3D shape (Livesu et al., 2012). However effective, this technique is strongly influenced in terms of complexity by the quality of a so-called skeleton probability volume, which encodes potential 3D curve-skeleton locations. In this paper, we extend the above method to deliver a highly accurate and discriminative curve-skeleton probability volume. For this, we analyze the error sources of the original technique, and propose improvements in terms of accuracy, culling false positives, and speed. We show that our technique can deliver point-cloud curve-skeletons which are close to the desired locations, even in the absence of complex postprocessing. We demonstrate our technique on several 3D models.
Astronomical identification of CN^-, the smallest observed molecular anion

We present the first astronomical detection of a diatomic negative ion, the cyanide anion CN-, as well as quantum mechanical calculations of the excitation of this anion through collisions with para-H2. CN- is identified through the observation of the J = 2-1 and J = 3-2 rotational transitions in the C-star envelope IRC +10216 with the IRAM 30-m telescope. The U-shaped line profiles indicate that CN-, like the large anion C6H-, is formed in the outer regions of the envelope. Chemical and excitation model calculations suggest that this species forms from the reaction of large carbon anions with N atoms, rather than from the radiative attachment of an electron to CN, as is the case for large molecular anions. The unexpectedly large abundance derived for CN-, 0.25 % relative to CN, makes likely its detection in other astronomical sources. A parallel search for the small anion C2H- remains so far unconclusive, despite the previous tentative identification of the J = 1-0 rotational transition. The abundance of C2H- in IRC +10216 is found to be vanishingly small, < 0.0014 % relative to C2H.
Genetic evaluation of European quails by random regression models

The objective of this study was to compare different random regression models, defined from different classes of heterogeneity of variance combined with different Legendre polynomial orders for the estimate of (co)variance of quails. The data came from 28,076 observations of 4,507 female meat quails of the LF1 lineage. Quail body weights were determined at birth and 1, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days of age. Six different classes of residual variance were fitted to Legendre polynomial functions (orders ranging from 2 to 6) to determine which model had the best fit to describe the (co)variance structures as a function of time. According to the evaluated criteria (AIC, BIC and LRT), the model with six classes of residual variances and of sixth-order Legendre polynomial was the best fit. The estimated additive genetic variance increased from birth to 28 days of age, and dropped slightly from 35 to 42 days. The heritability estimates decreased along the growth curve and changed from 0.51 (1 day) to 0.16 (42 days). Animal genetic and permanent environmental correlation estimates between weights and age classes were always high and positive, except for birth weight. The sixth order Legendre polynomial, along with the residual variance divided into six classes was the best fit for the growth rate curve of meat quails; therefore, they should be considered for breeding evaluation processes by random regression models.
A Survey of Ridge Regression for Improvement Over Ordinary Least Squares

Multicollinearity may be a possible cause in case of study with two or more explanatory variables. In the presence of multicollinearity, the design matrix becomes nearly singular and hence X and the corresponding XX are not of full rank. In this situation, the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) estimate cannot be obtained. Thus, adequate attention is required to be given on the presence of multicollinearity in the data. In this survey only ridge regression is discussed as a solution to the problem of multicollinearity. Hoerl and Kennard proposed the technique of ridge regression that has become a popular tool for data analysis faced with the problem of a high degree of multicollinearity. They have suggested adding a small positive quantity in the diagonal elements of the design matrix, XX before inverting it. In other words, they proposed R X X k I X Y     1 ) ( ˆ in place of ˆ  (XX)1 XY,where R ˆ and ˆ are the ridge and OLS estimates of the parameter vector  respectively. Though the ridge estimate is biased, it has a smaller mean squared error than OLS estimator. A critical appraisal is also given on the choice of biasing parameter, in addition to its properties, its relation with other estimators and Bayesian and non-Bayesian interpretations.
The Complexity and Fear of Teaching the “Other”: The Role of Teachers in a Larger Process of Social Cohesion and Peace

Based on a narrative case study conducted in two in-service teacher preparation programs for English language teachers in Sri Lanka, this paper explores the role of English language teachers in promoting so-cial cohesion and peace. Set against Sri Lanka’s National Policy on Social Cohesion and Peace (2008), which recognizes teacher agency and teacher education in actively working towards bridging the es-tranged Sri Lankan communities, this paper critically analyzes what it takes for teacher education to prepare prospective teachers to be cultural brokers who are willing and able take an active role in pro-moting social cohesion and peace. The paper argues that national and program level policies and curricula changes are insufficient if micro level and more personal efforts are not made to assist new teachers to develop more inclusive mindsets. Conceptually this paper is grounded on transformative approaches to pedagogy that highlight the agency of teachers and the need for teacher preparation programs to support new teachers to shape and craft their emergent transformative practices. Such approaches to teacher education identify teachers as transformative intellectuals whose role is recognized as being in tune with their social, political and historical realities. This perspective aligns with an approach in which the teacher’s role extends beyond the mere transmission of knowledge and skills in the classroom to a broader, more inclusive vision of the whole socio-educational process. The paper argues how national policies, curricula interventions, and the creation of a multicultural teacher community by diversifying the pool of prospective teachers to provide greater opportunities for inter-cultural interactions are insufficient if personal efforts are not made by teacher education programs and teacher educators to ensure that the program provides prospective teachers the theoretical lenses to make sense of their experiences with those who are different from them. Instead, mere cultural immersion lacking active measures that provide teachers with attitudes and skills to embrace diversity, results in the recreation of the existing status quo and promoting further mis-trust among communities.
Smoking among Health Care Providers, Identification of Associated Factors in Hilla City during the Year 2011

Hassan Alwan Baey,Mustafa Mohammed Ali Wahhudi, Hassan Mohammed Hashim, Osama Haider Ali, Nada Nadhim and Ban Adnan Shamkhi 569 Abstract Background: Smoking is an established risk factors for many diseases and is one of the most important public health problems worldwide. The WHO has stated clearly that health professionals can have a significant influence on the smoking habits of a community. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of cigarette smoking among healthcare providers in Al-Hilla city and the association between smoking and different variables. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was done from April, 2011 through May, 2011 in three major hospitals and four primary healthcare centers in Al-Hilla city. Data collection was done using an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire. Results: The study included 545 health care professionals. The mean age and standard deviation of the study group is 35 ± 9.7. The male:female ratio is 2.2:1. The prevalence of current cigarette smokers among male physicians, pharmacists, and paramedics are 30.9%, 40%, 23.4%, respectively. The overall prevalence among male health professionals is 26%. While the current cigarette smoking rate is 1.6% among female healthcare providers. Sixty four percent of smokers started their cigarette smoking habit at the age range 10-20 years. About 1/3 of them smoke one cigarette pack or more per day (heavy smokers). And half of them smoked for more than 10 years. 1/3 of the study group had participated in seminars or courses against smoking habit. Conclusion: in conclusion, we found that the prevalence rate of cigarette smoking was higher than expected for persons who understand the related problems of smoking. ةلحلا ةنيدم يف هب ةطبترملا لماوعلا ديدحتو ةيحصلا تامدخلا يمدقم ىدل رئاكسلا نيخدت ماعل 1122 ةصلاخلا ةةةسا ردلا ةةةيفلخ ويدد لو دد خلا و دد و قدد. خومدد مويا ددخكاوهددخويدد يا لو اددعتناواددخا ومدد وه نيددتلا ددخ مخومددتبث وهاو دد خلاالاو دد لاو عختجخلاويفوه نيتلاوةيا وي. فتويفوام ثؤ وهاوهقخخو لاوماخينلاويخي خ و ةسا ردلا فده و د لاو دم يخويدفو د لاوماخيدنلاويخيد خوه دبو ياقدئلاوه نيدتويد. فتوايداخوي ي ت – و وادبابو د فا خ – و و ديمتمو ا دالا ةياالاوهذهبو عبت خلاوما غتخلا و لةةمعلا ةةقيرط ا يومد جا و ادد و اددخموهاددئ موو هدد. ويددفو دد اع خو دئ 1122 و ويددفو دد و ددقا خو داب امو ددئ ي وما فدد. تئخو دثةثويددفم لاوماخينلاويخي خوهخو ئا يلاوهذ ويفوه ق ا. خلاوابقوهخواً تاذولأختو مابتئاوة اختئاوع متبمو، لا و جئاتنلا و دئا يلاوم خد. 545 و ويدقمو ه د وه خاد مو،يلي د و،صد بعبو دخينو يد خ ويد و ادئملاوندلاواادج لاو بدئمومدماق 1:1.2 و و د بم وم و ئا يلاو م الو خالاوعئمتخ 55 و و± 7:9 و Smoking among Health Care Providers, Identification of Associated Factors in Hilla City during the Year 2011
Strength of Connections in a Random Graph: Definition, Characterization, and Estimation

How can the `affinity' or `strength' of ties of a random graph be characterized and compactly represented? How can concepts like Fourier and inverse-Fourier like transform be developed for graph data? To do so, we introduce a new graph-theoretic function called `Graph Correlation Density Field' (or in short GraField), which differs from the traditional edge probability density-based approaches, to completely characterize tie-strength between graph nodes. Our approach further allows frequency domain analysis, applicable for both directed and undirected random graphs.
Wet Corn Gluten Feed Supplementation of Calves Grazing Corn Residue

hybrids because of the potential reduction in residual corn, or more supplemental feed may be needed to maintain daily gain compared with nonBt hybrids. The interaction of hybrid genetics and incorporation of the Bt trait observed with corn silage growing diets is difficult to explain, and may be related to slight changes in the chemical composition of the silages (Table 5). Most importantly, hybrid genetics have a larger influence on daily gain and feed efficiency of growing steers fed corn silage-based diets compared with changes associated with incorporation the Bt trait in these hybrids.
Catquest-9SF questionnaire and eCAPS: Validation in a Canadian population

Background Visual acuity alone has limitations in assessing a patient’s appropriateness and prioritization for cataract surgery. Several tools, including the Catquest-9SF questionnaire and the electronic cataract appropriateness and priority system (eCAPS) have been developed to evaluate patients–reported visual function as related to day-to-day tasks. The aim of this study was to validate Catquest-9SF and eCAPS in a Canadian population and propose a shorter version of each, in an attempt to extend their applicability in clinical practice. Methods The English translation of the Swedish Catquest-9SF and eCAPS were self-administered separately in pre-operative patients in tertiary care in Peel region, Ontario. Rasch analysis was used to validate both scales and assess their psychometric properties, such as category threshold order, item fit, unidimensionality, precision, targeting, and differential item functioning. Results A total of 313 cataract patients (mean age = 69.1, 56.5% female) completed the Catquest-9SF and eCAPS. Catquest-9SF had ordered response thresholds, adequate precision (person separation index = 2.09, person reliability = 0.81), unidimensionality and no misfits (infit range 0.75–1.35, outfit range 0.83–1.36). There mean for patients was equal to -1.43 (lower than the mean for items which is set automatically at zero), meaning that tasks were relatively easy for respondent ability. eCAPS had 3 items that misfit the Rasch model and were excluded (infit range 0.82–1.30, outfit range 0.75–1.36). Precision was inadequate (person separation index = 0.19, person reliability = 0.04). 78.8% of subjects scored≤9 (answered that they had no issues for most questions). Conclusions Catquest-9SF demonstrated good psychometric properties and is suitable for assessing visual function of care-seeking patients referred for cataract surgery in Ontario, Canada. There was some mistargeting, suggesting that the tasks were relatively easy to perform, which is consistent with previous research. On the contrary, eCAPS is not sensitive in differentiating patients who had impaired visual functioning.
Dietary Cholesterol Protects Anesthesia-Induced Cognitive Deficits in Wistar Rats

Purpose : To evaluate the effect of cholesterol on frequent exposure of anesthesia-induced cognitive impairment in wistar rats. Methods : Healthy wistar rats were divided in two groups, the gp I rats fed with regular diet and gp II with cholesterol diet. These groups were further divided into sub-groups as gp Ia (n=8) and gp IIa (n=8). These sub-groups received weekly exposure of anesthesia for 6 weeks. Animals were anesthetized by subcutaneous sodium thiopental injection. Cortical nerve growth factor levels were measured by indirect sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) while total protein was determined by Bradford protein assay. Results : Group IIa (cholesterol-fed animals) as well as Group IIb (cholesterol-fed followed by anesthesia) showed significant increase in body weight (25 to 50 g, p < 0.03), but no such increase was observed in other groups. However, group Ib showed a significant (43.07 %, p ˂ 0.001) decrease in the level of nerve growth factor when compared with group Ia. Moreover, significantly decreased cytokines IL-1β levels (59.09 %, p < 0.005) and TNF-α (20 %, p < 0.025) of group IIa more effectively than in group Ia rats. Microglial marker showed significantly increase (16.66 %, p < 0.025) in cholesterol diet group. Overall increase in leakage of anti-rat IgG (blood brain barrier marker) was found in both groups (IIa and IIb). Conclusion : The results suggest that dietary cholesterol protects or neutralizes anesthesia-induced cognitive deficits in rats. Keywords : Cognitive deficit, Cholesterol diet, Blood-brain barrier, Nerve growth factor, Inflammation marker, Microglial marker, Cytokines
An Analysis of Pain Following Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury among Adults in Zimbabwe

The purpose of the study was to analyse on pain following traumatic spinal cord injury, its prevalence, the types of pain present, the common treatments used and their perceived effectiveness in the management of these reported pain types. A cross sectional study was carried out at St Giles Rehabilitation Centre and from members of the Spinal Injuries Association of Zimbabwe (SIAZ). A researcher-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 24 participants with traumatic spinal cord injury. The questionnaire elicited information on demographic data, pain characteristics and the perceived effectiveness of the common treatments used. Among the 24 participants in the study, 17 were males (70.8%) and 7 were females (29.2%). Pain prevalence was 79.2% among the study participants and approximately a fifth (21.03%) of all participants rated their pain as severe. Eight (33.3%) of the participants had neuropathic pain while 11 (45.8%) had both nociceptive and neuropathic pain types. However, no association was found between sex, age, time post injury when tested against the presence of pain (p > 0.05). Weather changes aggravated almost every type of pain reported. Both pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods were used to manage the pain but their perceived effectiveness was rated as low. The majority of the traumatic spinal cord injured people experienced some pain and this pain was severe in a fifth of all participants. Pain significantly affected their quality of life. Physiotherapists and other medical professionals need to be aware of this and should employ pain reducing modalities and empathy when dealing with these patients.
Ventilation coefficient and boundary layer height impact on urban air quality

Abstract In the present study, ventilation coefficient (VC) was estimated in order to understand the concentration of pollutants over the urban region of Hyderabad during 2009–2011. Nocturnal boundary layer height (BLH) was calculated using the accurate (0.2% for Refractivity Profiles) high vertical resolution global positioning system radio occultation (GPSRO), Constellation Observing System for Meteorology Ionosphere and Climate (COSMIC)-derived one-dimensional variational (1-DVAR) refractivity profiles, and observations of boundary layer LIDAR (BLL). The statistical results revealed that the coefficient of determination (R2) between LIDAR- and GPSRO-estimated BLH is 0.51, whereas that for VC is 0.68. The maximum BLH observed during the study period was maximum in the summer season and the minimum was observed in monsoon season, whereas the maximum VC was observed during summer and the minimum in winter. When the BLH and VC are low, the pollutant concentration of black carbon (BC) is higher and vice versa. This means that the dispersion of pollutants in the lower atmosphere is due to convective mixing. It was found that high VC values could dilute air pollutants whereas low values leads to more pollution.