Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Study of Bacterial Profile and Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media among Patients attending a Tertiary Care Centre , Davangere

Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM) is a potentially serious disease because of its complications. The incidence of CSOM is increasing in the developing countries because of the poor hygiene practices and lack of health education. Knowledge of bacterial etiolgy of CSOM and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern prevalent in a community is very important for the clinicians for appropriate management of the cases and to prevent or minimise the occurrence of complications. The aim of this study was to determine the bacterial pathogens associated with CSOM and to study their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern from Davangere and its surrounding region. The study was carried out in a tertiary care centre in Davangere from June 2013 to November 2013 for a period of six months. The ear discharges from 118 patients with a clinical diagnosis of CSOM were collected and were subjected to aerobic culture & sensitivity. Out of 118 ear discharge samples cultured, 90(76.27%) samples yielded pure cultures, 16(13.56%) yielded mixed cultures while 12 samples (10.17 %) yielded no growth. From 90 pure isolates, the most common was Pseudomonas species (spp)(42.22%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus(34.44%). Drug sensitivities pattern among pure isolates showed that Cefoperazone was active against majority 89.47%. Pseudomonas isolates followed by Piperacillin 86.84% and Amikacin and Gentamicin in 84.21% cases, while Ofloxacin and Ciprofloxacin were effective against 50.0% and 47.37% isolates respectively. Staphylococcus aureus were sensitive to Amikacin in 90.32% of cases, Gentamicin, Cefoperazone and Piperacillin 83.87%, Ofloxacin 80.65%, and Erythromicin and Ciprofloxacin in 67.74% isolates, whereas only 12.90% and 16.13% isolates showed sensitivity to Ampicillin and Amoxyclav respectively. Pseudomonas spp is the most commonly isolated bacteria followed by Staphylococcus aureus in CSOM from our region. Majority of the isolates of Pseudomonas spp and Staphylococcus aureus isolates are sensitive to Amikacin, Gentamicin, Piperacillin, and Cefoperazone . Pseudomonas spp is becoming gradually resistant to Fluoroquinolones, while majority of the Staphylococcus aureus isolates are resistant to Penicillin drugs.
Identification of the Photorespiratory 2-Phosphoglycolate Phosphatase, PGLP1, in Arabidopsis1[W][OA]

The chloroplastidal enzyme 2-phosphoglycolate phosphatase (PGLP), PGLP1, catalyzes the first reaction of the photorespiratory C2 cycle, a major pathway of plant primary metabolism. Thirteen potential PGLP genes are annotated in the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) genome; however, none of these genes has been functionally characterized, and the gene encoding the photorespiratory PGLP is not known. Here, we report on the identification of the PGLP1 gene in a higher plant and provide functional evidence for a second, nonphotorespiratory PGLP, PGLP2. Two candidate genes, At5g36700 (AtPGLP1) and At5g47760 (AtPGLP2), were selected by sequence similarity to known PGLPs from microorganisms. The two encoded proteins were overexpressed in Escherichia coli and both show PGLP activity. T-DNA knockout of one of these genes, At5g36700, results in very low leaf PGLP activity. The mutant is unviable in normal air but grows well in air enriched with 0.9% CO2. In contrast, deletion of At5g47760 does not result in a visible phenotype, and leaf PGLP activity is unaltered. Sequencing of genomic DNA from another PGLP-deficient mutant revealed a combined missense and missplicing point mutation in At5g36700. These combined data establish At5g36700 as the gene encoding the photorespiratory PGLP, PGLP1.
On statistical lensing and the anticorrelation between 2dF QSOs and foreground galaxies

We study the cross-correlation of Automated Plate Measurement and Sloan Digital Sky Survey galaxies with background quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) taken from the 2dF QSO Redshift Survey, and detect a significant (2.8σ) anticorrelation. The lack of a similar signal between stars in the 2dF survey and our galaxy samples gives us confidence that the anticorrelation is not due to a systematic error. The possibility that dust in the foreground galaxies could produce such an anticorrelation is marginally rejected, at the 2σ level, through consideration of the colours of QSOs behind these galaxies. It is possible that a dust model that obscures QSOs without reddening them, or preferentially discards reddened QSOs from the 2dF survey sample, could produce such an anticorrelation; however, such models are at odds with the positive QSO–galaxy correlations found at bright magnitudes by other authors. Our detection of a galaxy–QSO anticorrelation is consistent with the predictions of statistical lensing theory. When combined with earlier results that have reported a positive galaxy–QSO correlation, a consistent and compelling picture emerges that spans faint and bright QSO samples showing positive or negative correlations according to the QSO N(m) slope. We find that galaxies are highly anti-biased on small scales. We consider two models that use quite different descriptions of the lensing matter and find that they yield consistent predictions for the strength of galaxy bias on 0.1 h−1 Mpc scales of b∼ 0.1 (for a ΛCDM cosmology). Whilst the slope of our power-law fit to the QSO–galaxy cross-correlation does not allow us to rule out a linear bias parameter, when we compare our measurement of b on 100 h−1 kpc scales to independent methods that determine b∼ 1 on h−1 Mpc scales, we conclude that bias, on these small scales, is scale-dependent. These results indicate that there appears to be more mass present, at least on the 100 h−1 kpc scales probed, than predicted by simple ΛCDM biasing prescriptions, and thus constrain halo occupation models of the galaxy distribution.
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS, MANAGEMENT AND STATISTICS UNIVERSITY OF MILAN – BICOCCA DEMS WORKING PAPER SERIES Forecasting in a DSGE Model with Banking Intermediation: Evidence from the US

This paper examines the forecasting performance of DSGE models with and without banking intermediation for the US economy. Over the forecast period 2001-2013, the model augmented with a banking sector leads to an improvement of point and density forecasts for inflation and the short term interest rate, while the better forecast for output depends on the forecasting horizon/period. To interpret this finding it is crucial to take into account parameters instabilities showed by a recursive-window estimation. Moreover, rolling estimates of point forecasts show that a banking sector helps improving the forecasting performance of output and inflation in the recent period.
Improved Wet Air Oxidation Pretreatment for Enhanced Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Rice Husk for Bioethanol Production

Pretreatment of rice husk by the Alkaline Peroxide Assisted Wet Air Oxidation (APAWAO) approach enhanced the enzymatic convertibility of cellulose in APAWAO-pretreated rice husk. The present work describes the structural changes in rice husk brought about by APAWAO pretreatment by means of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The SEM images illustrate the extensive loss of biomass integrity following APAWAO pretreatment. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies indicated the loss of amorphous lignin following APAWAO to be a factor contributing to the enhanced enzymatic digestibility of pre-treated rice husk. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Slippery Road from Actions on Objects to Functions and Variables

Functions are all around us, disguised as actions on concrete objects. Composition of functions, too, is all around us, because these actions can be performed in succession, the output of one serving as the input for the next. In terms of Gray and Tall’s (2001) “embodied objects” or Lakoff and Nunez’s (2000) “mathematical idea analysis,” this “embodied scheme” of action on objects may serve as intuitive grounding for the function concept. However, as Gray, Tall, and their colleagues have shown, such embodied schemes can also lead to serious “epistemological obstacles” in later stages of concept development. In the same vein, our own data show that the intuitions about change and invariance entailed by the action-on-objects scheme, although helpful in earlier stages of learning functions, may later come to clash with the formal concepts of function and of composition of functions.
Variations of NDVI and Its Association with Rainfall and Evapotranspiration over Bangladesh

This paper deals with the variability of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and its association with rain rate and total evapotranspiration over Bangladesh during the period of 2003-2011 using MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and Global Land Assimilation System (GLDAS) data. NDVI shows higher concentration in eastern parts of the country. The maximum NDVI is found in the month of October and minimum in February. It reveals excellent periodic variation in relation to rain rate and total evapotranspiration. NDVI shows strong spatial and temporal correlation with rain rate and total evapotranspiration especially in northwestern part of the country. Total evapotranspiration is more strongly correlated with vegetation than rain rate as it integrates rainfall, temperature and soil water statistics during the entire period. Thus, NDVI is an important variable for agronomical and climate applications. Also, it is important to study the vegetation for different seasons and different agro-ecological areas to investigate the variables affecting the vegetation types and growth rate.
Preparation of high-B/sub s/ Co-Fe soft magnetic thin films by electrodeposition

Co-Fe soft magnetic thin films with high-saturation magnetic flux density B/sub s/ were prepared by electrodeposition. The B/sub s/ value of the Co-Fe alloy films deposited from the conventional cell system is lower than that of bulk alloys. With the use of a separated compartment dual cell system, the B/sub s/ value of the Co-Fe alloy films was reached the same as that of bulk alloy. The coercivity H/sub c/ values were higher than 12 Oe; however, the H/sub c/ value could be lowered to 8 Oe by annealing in vacuum with an applied magnetic field. It is suggested that decreasing H/sub c/ of the films by annealing is caused by relaxation of lattice distortion. In addition, the high-B/sub s/ Co-Fe films show good corrosion resistance.
The Effect of In-store Sampling on the Sale of Food Products

The effect of in -store sampling promotions was monitored for six products in a large, modern supermarket. During the promotions, sales of the products concerned rose very substantially. This was offset to some extent by a decline in sales in the weeks following the demonstration. Sales of competing products fell slightly during the promotions, typically by around 10%. The direct costs of holding a sampling demonstration, excluding costs of managerial staff time and of the product used in the demonstration, were generally found to exceed the immediate increase in net sales revenue during the event. It was not possible to estimate the value of any long-term benefit there may have been from increasing product awareness.
The Complex Ground Return Plane a Simplified Model for Homogeneous and Multi-Layer Earth Return

For modelling current return in homogeneous ground, the paper introduces the concept of an ideal (superconducting) current return plane placed below the ground surface at a complex distance p equal to the complex penetration depth for plane waves. This "complex" plane appears as a mirroring surface, so that conductor images can be used to derive very simple formulae for self and mutual impedances under ground return conditions. Such equations, without proofs, were originally proposed by Dubanton and published by Gary.1 In this paper, plausibility arguments serve to initially justify the procedure, then the equations are analytically related to those of Carson and, finally, the errors, which in most cases are less than a few percent, are numerically evaluated. The ideal return plane at complex depth can also be used for multi-layer earth return.
osome Turnover around Promoters

Doxorubicin is an anthracycline DNA intercalator that is among themost commonly used anticancer drugs [1]. Doxorubicin causes DNA double-strand breaks in rapidly dividing cells, although whether it also affects general chromatin properties is unknown. Here, we use a metabolic labeling strategy to directly measure nucleosome turnover [2] to examine the effect of doxorubicin on chromatin dynamics in squamous cell carcinoma cell lines derived from genetically defined mice. We find that doxorubicin enhances nucleosome turnover around gene promoters and that turnover correlates with gene expression level. Consistent with a direct action of doxorubicin, enhancement of nucleosome turnover around promoters gradually increases with time of exposure to the drug. Interestingly, enhancement occurs both in wild-type cells and in cells lacking either the p53 tumor suppressor gene or the master regulator of the DNA damage response, ATM, suggesting that doxorubicin action on nucleosome dynamics is independent of the DNA damage checkpoint. In addition, another anthracycline drug, aclarubicin, shows similar effects on enhancing nucleosome turnover around promoters. Our results suggest that anthracycline intercalation promotes nucleosome turnover around promoters by its effect on DNA topology, with possible implications for mechanisms of cell killing during cancer chemotherapy.
Chapter 1 Update on Advances in Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy-A Subtype of Subretinal Neovascularization

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is a subtype of subretinal neovascularization and a variant of agerelated macular degeneration. Recent advances in diagnosis and treatment of this disease entity have improved the management of PCV and its outcomes. The diagnosis of PCV is often made based on funduscopic findings, but more definitively on indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) patterns. OCT, OCT-A and en face OCT offer alternative ways to diagnose PCV if ICG angiography is not available. The treatment of PCV is controversial but options include photodynamic therapy (PDT), anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy, and laser photocoagulation. Anti-VEGF therapy is an important therapeutic option for PCV, but alternative treatment may be needed with resistance to injections. While PDT results in greater closure of the PCV complex and polyp regression, anti-VEGF therapy has been shown to have signifiChapter 1
Comparative study of the treatment of printing ink wastewater by conductive-diamond electrochemical oxidation, Fenton process, and ozonation

*Corresponding author Email: nasr.bensalah@qu.edu. qa In this work, the treatment of organics present in printing ink wastewaters such as dyes (methylene blue and rhodamine B), surfactants (sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate), and solvents (ethylene glycol), as well as actual printing ink wastewaters by advanced oxidation processes, namely conductive diamond electrochemical oxidation (CDEO), Fenton process and ozonation, has been investigated. To compare the efficiency of CDEO, Fenton process and ozonation in the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC), oxygen-equivalent chemicaloxidation capacity (OCC) has been used to quantify the amount of oxidant utilized in each oxidation process for comparison purpose. Results have shown that CDEO technology has achieved high COD removal of > 95% and TOC of > 90%, however ozonation and Fenton process have been able only -3 to achieve COD and TOC removals of 65-80%. CDEO process was found to utilize 12.9 kg O m as 2
Endoscopic Treatment of Pancreatic Diseases

Endoscopic therapy has been increasingly recognized as an effective method of treatment in selected patients with pancreatic diseases. Various endoscopic proce‐ dures, classical and modified, are used for the complex treatment of acute and chronic pancreatitis, as well as their complications. In pancreatic carcinoma, some endoscopic methods are applied mainly as palliative measures. There are still open questions regarding the placing and timing of various endoscopic procedures in the multidis‐ ciplinary management approach of pancreatic diseases.
Cognitive, affective and contextual predictors of subjective wellbeing

The article analyses the prediction of cognitive, affective and contextual factors to Subjective Wellbeing (SWB). Four different components of SWB were used in order to identify its different predictors. A sample of 303 adult students was collected and reassessed over a two- month interval. Seven instruments were used to measure: Global Subjective Wellbeing; Satisfaction with Life in Domains; Positive and Negative State Affect; Positive and Negative Trait Affect; Standards of Comparison; Depression, Anxiety and Stress; Life Events; and Socio- Demographic variables. Results indicated that Global SWB is predicted by Satisfaction with Life in Domains, and Positive and Negative State Affect. The cognitive dimension of SWB is predicted by Depression, Comparison Standards, State and Trait Affect, and several contextual variables. The affective dimension of SWB is predicted by Trait Affect, Depression, Anxiety, and the contextual variable of educational status. Results also indicated that intrapersonal variables are the main predictors of SWB, however contextual variables are also significant predictors. Each component of SWB (global, cognitive & affective) shows different predictors, stressing the importance of analysing and reporting separately the results of each component. Among the predictors of SWB over a two-month interval, state affective variables and contextual variables lose prediction power, while trait affective and cognitive variables gain prediction power.
Reversals in Electrical Current and Other Anomalies in Insulating Polymers

The literature on anomalous currents in polymers has been assembled. The effects have been classified into isothermal decay reversals, reversals in thermally stimulated depolarization, abnormal charging curves, oscillations, and other effects. It has not been possible to identify the conditions which lead to unusual behavior, owing to the disparate nature of the available experimental work. The models for these effects include space charge relaxation with detrapping, ionic drift and temperature dependence of the dielectric permittivity. Each model explains a large part of the effects within its range of applicability. However, several of the charge transport models are based on inconsistent assumptions, and invoke blocking effects at electrodes, for which there is little independent confirmation. It is noted that many of the experiments may be vitiated by artefacts such as imperfect conditioning and inadequate time delays for equilibration. It is recommended that careful sample preparation, rigorous tests of conditioning, and monitoring of charge location should be routinely employed.
Pharmacokinetics and Exposure Response Relationships of Ustekinumab in Patients With Crohn's Disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Ustekinumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds with high affinity to the p40 subunit of human interleukin 12 (IL12 and IL23) that has been approved for treatment of patients with moderate to severe Crohn's disease (CD). However, there are few data on its pharmacokinetic properties or the relationship between drug exposure levels and patient response. We collected data from 2 Phase 3 induction studies and 1 maintenance study to determine ustekinumab's pharmacokinetic features, relationship between exposure and response, and optimal serum concentrations for efficacy. METHODS We collected data on serum concentrations of ustekinumab and efficacy from induction studies of patients with moderate to severe CD given ustekinumab for 8 weeks following a single intravenous dose (either 130 mg or approximately 6 mg/kg). We collected the same data from a maintenance study of patients with a response to ustekinumab in the induction study who then received subcutaneous injections (90 mg) every 8 or 12 weeks for 44 weeks. At week 44 of the maintenance study (52 weeks after treatment began), patients were evaluated for the primary endpoint of clinical remission (defined as a CD activity index score below 150 points), endoscopic markers of efficacy, and serum level of C-reactive protein. Ustekinumab concentration data were categorized into quartiles and relationships between exposure and response were assessed. Optimal concentration cutoff values were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS Serum concentrations of ustekinumab over time were proportional to dose and did not differ significantly between the induction studies. In the maintenance study, ustekinumab concentration reached the steady state by the second maintenance dose; the median trough concentration was approximately threefold higher in patients given ustekinumab at 8-week intervals compared with 12-week intervals. Ustekinumab serum concentrations associated with rates of clinical remission and endoscopic efficacy endpoints, correlated inversely with level of C-reactive protein, and did not associate with use of immunomodulators. Trough concentrations of ustekinumab of 0.8 (or even up to 1.4 μg/mL) or greater were associated with maintenance of clinical remission in a higher proportion of patients than patients with lower trough concentrations. CONCLUSIONS In an analysis of data from Phase 3 studies of patients with moderate to severe CD, we found serum concentrations of ustekinumab to be proportional to dose and associate with treatment efficacy. Concentrations of ustekinumab did not seem to be affected by cotreatment with immunomodulators. Clinicaltrials.gov no. NCT01369329 (UNITI 1), NCT01369342 (UNITI 2), and NCT01369355 (IM-UNITI).
A Description of Emergency Care Received by Children and Youth with Mental Health Presentations for Alcohol and Other Drug use in two Alberta Emergency Departments.

OBJECTIVE This paper describes patient and treatment characteristics of pediatric mental health Emergency Department (ED) visits associated with alcohol and other drug (AOD) use. METHOD A medical record and administrative database review was conducted. Proportional allocation random stratified sampling identified a representative sample of pediatric (≤18 years) mental health presentations to two tertiary care EDs between April 2004 and March 2006. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data from 161 patients with associated AOD use. RESULTS More females (56.5%) and youth aged 15 to 18 years (70.8%) attended the ED for mental health complaints associated with AOD use. Alcohol (48.4%) and over-the-counter or prescription medications (25.5%) were the most commonly used substances. Twenty-four percent of patients had a documented psychiatric history. The most common psychiatric assessments provided were for suicidality (31.1%) and mood (18.0%). Brief counselling was provided in 31.7% of visits. Consultation with psychiatry occurred less than 20% of the time. Most patients were discharged from the ED (65.2%). Sixty-eight percent of patient records did not have documented discharge planning. CONCLUSIONS When youth present to the ED for mental health concerns related to AOD use, mental health assessments and follow-up care are not occurring in all cases and reasons for this oversight need to be explored.