Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative Study Using Various Methods for Identification of Staphylococcus Species in Clinical Specimens

ABSTRACT Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) play a predominant role in nosocomial infections. Rapid, reliable identification of these organisms is essential for accurate diagnosis and prompt effective treatment of these infections. Quite recently, the VITEK 2 g-positive (gram-positive [GP]) identification card (bioMérieux) has been redesigned for greater accuracy in the identification of gram-positive cocci. We compared the BD Phoenix (Becton Dickinson) and VITEK 2 (bioMérieux) automated microbiology systems, using their respective update version cards, and the API ID32 STAPH test. The glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gap) gene-based T-RFLP (terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism) method was used for verifying the results. In total, 86 clinical isolates of CNS and 27 reference strains were analyzed. The results show that for identification of CNS, the automated identification methods using the newest VITEK 2 and BD Phoenix identification cards are comparable. However, API ID32 STAPH revealed more correct results compared to both automated microbiology systems. Despite the increased performance of the phenotypic automated identification systems compared to the former versions, molecular methods, e.g., the gap-based T-RFLP method, still show superior accuracy in identifying Staphylococcus species other than Staphylococcus aureus.
Regularity of the Adjoint Variable in Optimal Control under State Constraints

It is well known that the adjoint state of the Pontryagin maximum principle may be discontinuous whenever the optimal trajectory lies partially on the boundary of constraints. Still we prove that if the associated Hamiltonian H(t,x,.) is differentiable and the constraints are sleek, then every optimal trajectory is continuously differentiable. Moreover if for all x on the boundary of constraints, H1p(t,x,.) is strictly monotone in directions normal at x to the set of constraints, then the adjoint state is also continuouson interior of its interval of definition. Finally, we identify a class of constraints for which the adjoint state is absolutely continuous or even Lipschitz on this open interval. This allows us to derive necessary conditions for optimality in the form of variational differential inequalities, maximum principle and modified transversality conditions.
Generating Consumer Insights from Big Data Clickstream Information and the Link with Transaction-Related Shopping Behavior

E-Commerce firms collect enormous amounts of information in their databases. Yet, only a fraction is used to improve business processes and decision-making, while many useful sources often remain underexplored. Therefore, we propose a new and interdisciplinary method to identify goals of consumers and develop an online shopping typology. We use k-means clustering and non-parametric analysis of variance tests to categorize search patterns as Buying, Searching, Browsing or Bouncing. Adding to purchase decision-making theory we propose that the use of off-site clickstream data—the sequence of consumers’ advertising channel clicks to a firm’s website—can significantly enhance the understanding of shopping motivation and transaction-related behavior, even before entering the website. To run our consumer data analytics we use a unique and extensive dataset from a large European apparel company with over 80 million clicks covering 11 online advertising channels. Our results show that consumers with higher goal-direction have significantly higher purchase propensities, and against our expectations consumers with higher levels of shopping involvement show higher return rates. Our conceptual approach and insights contribute to theory and practice alike such that it may help to improve real-time decision-making in marketing analytics to substantially enhance the customer experience online.
Caza y alimentación procedente de macromamíferos durante el paleolítico de Amalda

[es] Analisis y estudio de los macromamiferos encontrados en los niveles paleoliticos (del VII al IV inclusive) de la cueva de Amalda. En cada uno de ellos se realiza una vision general de los restos y se presta especial atencion a los ungulados, a la carne que suministran, a las partes del esqueleto halladas, a la edad y sexo de los animales cazados, etc. Igualmente se analizan otros aspectos como el problema del indice de carnivorismo y la posible participacion de los carnivoros en la formacion del tafonema de Amalda.
An evaluation of COSMIC radio occultation data in the lower atmosphere over the Southern Ocean

Abstract. The global positioning system (GPS) radio occultation (RO) method is a relatively new technique for taking atmospheric measurements for use in both weather and climate studies. As such, this technique needs to be evaluated for all parts of the globe. Here, we present an extensive evaluation of the performance of the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (COSMIC) GPS RO observations of the Southern Ocean boundary layer. The two COSMIC products used here are the "wetPrf" product, which is based on 1-D variational analysis with European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), and the "atmPrf" product, which contains the raw measurements from COSMIC. A direct comparison of temporally and spatially co-located COSMIC profiles and high resolution radiosonde profiles from Macquarie Island (54.62° S, 158.85° E) highlights weaknesses in the ability of both COSMIC products to identify the boundary layer structure, as identified by break points in the refractivity profile. In terms of reproducing the temperature and moisture profile in the lowest 2.5 km, the "wetPrf" COSMIC product does not perform as well as an analysis product from the ECMWF. A further statistical analysis is performed on a large number of COSMIC profiles in a region surrounding Macquarie Island. This indicates that, statistically, COSMIC performs well at capturing the heights of main and secondary break points. However, the frequency of break points detected is lower than the radiosonde profiles suggest, but this could be simply due to the long horizontal averaging in the COSMIC measurements. There is also a weak seasonal cycle in the boundary layer height similar to that observed in the radiosonde data, providing some confidence in the ability of COSMIC to detect an important boundary layer variable.
Metabolic impact of a ketogenic diet compared to a hypocaloric diet in obese children and adolescents

Abstract Background: The effects of carbohydrate-restricted (ketogenic) diets on metabolic parameters in children have been incompletely assessed. Objective: To compare the efficacy and metabolic impact of ketogenic and hypocaloric diets in obese children and adolescents. Subjects: Fifty-eight obese subjects were placed on one of the two diets for 6 months. Methods: Anthropometric measurements, body composition, oral glucose/insulin tolerance test, lipidemic profile, high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin, whole-body insulin sensitivity index (WBISI), and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were determined before and after each diet. Results: Both groups significantly reduced their weight, fat mass, waist circumference, fasting insulin, and HOMA-IR (p=0.009 for ketogenic and p=0.014 for hypocaloric), but the differences were greater in the ketogenic group. Both groups increased WBISI significantly, but only the ketogenic group increased HMW adiponectin significantly (p=0.025). Conclusions: The ketogenic diet revealed more pronounced improvements in weight loss and metabolic parameters than the hypocaloric diet and may be a feasible and safe alternative for children’s weight loss.
Solar-blind AlGaN-based p-i-n photodiodes with low dark current and high detectivity

We report solar-blind Al/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/N-based heterojunction p-i-n photodiodes with low dark current and high detectivity. After the p+ GaN cap layer was recess etched, measured dark current was below 3 fA for reverse bias values up to 6 V. The device responsivity increased with reverse bias and reached 0.11 A/W at 261 nm under 10-V reverse bias. The detectors exhibited a cutoff around 283 nm, and a visible rejection of four orders of magnitude at zero bias. Low dark current values led to a high differential resistance of 9.52/spl times/10/sup 15/ /spl Omega/. The thermally limited detectivity of the devices was calculated as 4.9/spl times/10/sup 14/ cm/spl middot/Hz/sup 1/2/W/sup -1/.
Hypertension following Denervation of Aortic Baroreceptors in Unanesthetized Dogs

After cervical aortic nerve section, mean arterial pressure in the unanesthetized dog increased by an average of 7.4 mm Hg. Following a more extensive denervation of aortic arch receptors by section of intrathoracic vagal branches, arterial pressure increased by 16.7 mm Hg. The above changes were seen in the stable state after the effects of surgery had disappeared. In both cases carotid baroreceptors were functional. After administration of nitroglycerin and phenylephrine subsequent to either denervation procedure, blood pressure changes were larger and heart rate responses were smaller than in the control state. The unanesthetized dog regulates mean arterial pressure at a higher-than-normal pressure after aortic baroreceptor denervation. Reflexes from the aortic baroreceptors continuously participate in the normal control of mean arterial pressure. Section of the cervical aortic nerves only partially denervates aortic baroreceptors. Our findings may be relevant to human essential hypertension. Ore Res 45: 26-34, 1979
Vertrauen in Effizienz-Technologien und dessen Einfluss auf das Gefühl, einem suffizienten Lebensstil verpflichtet zu sein

Wahrend der Einfluss von Verhaltenskosten auf das umweltschonende Verhalten von Personen von grosem Forschungsinteresse ist, gibt es uber den Einfluss von Effizienz-Technologien auf das Verhalten kaum wissenschaftliche Arbeiten. Ziel dieser Studie war es, den vermuteten negativen Einfluss der Uberzeugung, dass Effizienz-Technologien die Umweltprobleme losen konnen, auf das personliche Gefuhl einem suffizienten Lebensstil verpflichtet zu sein, zu untersuchen. Hierzu wurden die Annahmen des modifizierten Norm-Aktivations-Modells von Hunecke (2000) auf den Verhaltensbereich des „Stromsparens im Haushalt“ angepasst und um die Konstrukte der Effizienz-Technologie-Uberzeugung und dem allgemeinen Umweltbewusstsein erweitert. An der Untersuchung mittels Online-Fragebogen nahmen 548 Personen (276 Osterreicher; 242 Schweizer; 39 Sonstige) teil. Die Analyse zeigte keinen negativer Einfluss der Effizienz-Technologie-Uberzeugung auf die Konstrukte des modifizierten Norm-Aktivations-Modells. Die Bewusstheit von Handlungskonsequenzen erwies sich als einflussreicher Pradiktor auf das Gefuhl einem Suffizienten Lebensstil verpflichtet zu sein. Osterreicher wiesen einen weitaus hoheren Glauben an die Problemlosefahigkeit von Effizienz-Technologien auf als Schweizer. Ebenso zeigte sich, dass Frauen ein hoheres Umweltbewusstsein aufweisen als Manner.
S1P1 deletion in oligodendroglial lineage cells: Effect on differentiation and myelination

Sphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P) receptors are G protein‐coupled receptors expressed by many cell types, including cells of oligodendrocyte (OLG) lineage. We had previously shown that targeted deletion of S1P1 in OLG lineage cells did not result in obvious clinical phenotype or altered number of OLGs at 3 months, but there were subtle abnormalities in myelin. In this study, we examined the role of S1P1 in developmental myelination and cell survival, focusing on age 3 weeks. We found that S1P1 deficiency led to delayed differentiation of OLG progenitors (OPCs) into OLGs that is independent of p38 phosphorylation. This was accompanied by decreased levels of myelin basic protein (MBP) but not of myelin‐OLG glycoprotein (MOG), and slight decrease in myelin thickness in the corpus callosum of S1P1 conditional knockout (CKO) mice. S1P1‐deficient OLGs exhibited slower process extension, which was associated with attenuated phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinases (ERKs) and p21‐activated kinases (PAKs), and with upregulation of tropomodulin1. Basal levels of pAkt were not affected, though expectedly, no response to a selective S1P1 agonist SEW2871 was observed. S1P1‐deficient OLGs did not exhibit increased cell death in response to cuprizone, tumor necrosis factor‐α, or deprivation of nutrients and growth factors. We conclude that S1P1 signaling regulates OLG development, morphological maturation and early myelination. GLIA 2016;64:570–582
PREDICTIVE FACTORS FOR PAIN RELIEF AFTER ENDOSCOPIC ULTRASOUND‐GUIDED CELIAC PLEXUS NEUROLYSIS

Background: Celiac plexus neurolysis (CPN) is an established treatment for upper abdominal cancer pain. Recently, endoscopic ultrasound‐guided CPN (EUS‐CPN) was introduced and has enabled the performance of CPN under real‐time imaging guidance, thereby making this technique much safer and easier. However, this procedure is not always efficacious, and a limited number of patients benefit from it. It should not be recommended for patients suspected of having unfavorable outcomes. We determined the predictive factors for response to EUS‐CPN in order to enable rational selection of the therapeutic strategy.
Epiviz: Integrative Visual Analysis Software for Genomics

Title of Dissertation: Epiviz: INTEGRATIVE VISUAL ANALYSIS SOFTWARE FOR GENOMICS Florin Chelaru, Doctor of Philosophy, 2015 Directed By: Professor Héctor Corrada Bravo Department of Computer Science Computational and visual data analysis for genomics has traditionally involved a combination of tools and resources, of which the most ubiquitous consist of genome browsers, focused mainly on integrative visualization of large numbers of big datasets, and computational environments, focused on data modeling of a small number of moderately sized datasets. Workflows that involve the integration and exploration of multiple heterogeneous data sources, small and large, public and user specific have been poorly addressed by these tools. Commonly, the data visualized in these tools is the output of analyses performed in powerful computing environments like R/Bioconductor or Python. Two essential aspects of data analysis are usually treated as distinct, in spite of being part of the same exploratory process: algorithmic analysis and interactive visualization. In current technologies these are not integrated within one tool, but rather, one precedes the other. Recent technological advances in web-based data visualization have made it possible for interactive visualization tools to tightly integrate with powerful algorithmic tools, without being restricted to one such tool in particular. We introduce Epiviz (http://epiviz.cbcb.umd.edu), an integrative visualization tool that bridges the gap between the two types of tools, simplifying genomic data analysis workflows. Epiviz is the first genomics interactive visualization tool to provide tight-knit integration with computational and statistical modeling and data analysis. We discuss three ways in which Epiviz advances the field of genomic data analysis: 1) it brings code to interactive visualizations at various different levels; 2) takes the first steps in the direction of collaborative data analysis by incorporating user plugins from source control providers, as well as by allowing analysis states to be shared among the scientific community; 3) combines established analysis features that have never before been available simultaneously in a visualization tool for genomics. Epiviz can be used in multiple branches of genomics data analysis for various types of datasets, of which we detail two: functional genomics data, aligned to a continuous coordinate such as the genome, and metagenomics, organized according to volatile hierarchical coordinate spaces. We also present security implications of the current design, performance benchmarks, a series of limitations and future research steps. Epiviz: INTEGRATIVE VISUAL ANALYSIS SOFTWARE FOR GENOMICS
Simulation of Flow Control with Microjets for Subsonic Jet Noise Reduction

With the increasing flight traffic in the past years grew up several types of pollutions for all near airports inhabitants. One of those major pollutions is the noise generated by aircrafts at takeoff. Despite all the work performed during the last decades on the understanding of the noise generation and its reduction, this nuisance still remains a really challenging problem. Above all the noise sources on a plane during takeoff, jet noise remains the dominant one, justifying all the efforts still performed on the topic.
Management of incidental durotomy without mandatory bed rest. A retrospective review of 20 cases.

STUDY DESIGN A retrospective review of 20 patients with incidental durotomy treated without mandatory bed rest. OBJECTIVES To determine whether patients with incidental durotomy can be treated effectively without multiple days of bed rest. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Incidental durotomy can cause postural headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, photophobia, tinnitus, and vertigo. These symptoms are believed to result from a decrease in cerebrospinal fluid pressure, leading to traction on the supporting structures of the brain. Traditional management includes bed rest for up to 7 days to eliminate traction and reduce hydrostatic pressure during the healing process. METHODS Twenty incidental durotomies were repaired intraoperatively with dural stitches and fibrin glue. Patients were allowed to ambulate according to the natural course after surgery without mandatory bed rest. Symptoms were monitored closely for 1 week, and long-term follow-up assessments were obtained at a minimum of 10 months. RESULTS Of the 20 patients in this study, 75% had no symptoms after repair of the incidental durotomy. Each of the dural tears was 1-3 mm in length. Two patients reported headache, two reported nausea, and one reported tinnitus; no patients experienced vomiting. One patient (5%) had stitch loosening requiring revision surgery. There were no additional serious complications. CONCLUSIONS This study has shown that the majority of patients with incidental durotomy can be treated effectively with dural stitches and fibrin glue. Patients can be permitted to ambulate immediately after surgery but should be cautioned to lay flat if they develop symptoms. This will reduce the costs related to the hospital stay and missed work.
MRI of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: part I, MRI appearances.

OBJECTIVE We present a two-part review about the use of MRI in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). This article, Part 1, focuses on the MRI appearances of HCM. CONCLUSION MRI has proven to be an important tool for the evaluation of patients suspected of having HCM because it can readily diagnose those with phenotypic expression of the disorder and can potentially identify the subset of patients at risk of sudden cardiac death.
Novel truncating mutations in the ClC-5 chloride channel gene in patients with Dent's disease.

BACKGROUND Dent's disease is characterized by low-molecular-weight proteinuria, hypercalciuria, nephrocalcinosis, nephrolithiasis, rickets and eventual renal failure. The disease is caused by mutations in the X-linked chloride channel CLCN5 gene, which encodes a 746-amino-acid protein expressed in renal tubules. These mutations have been reported in unrelated families from the UK, USA, Japan and other countries. We were interested in identifying additional mutations in the CLCN5 coding region of Spanish patients with Dent's disease. METHODS Five patients from three unrelated Spanish families were studied. Leukocyte genomic DNA from patients and their relatives was used with CLCN5-specific primers for polymerase chain reaction amplification of the coding region and exon-intron boundaries. Amplified products were analysed by single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis, DNA sequencing and restriction enzyme analysis. RESULTS Low-molecular-weight proteinuria and hypercalciuria were detected in all the patients, nephrocalcinosis in two patients, and rickets or osteopenia in three patients. We identified three new CLCN5 mutations consisting of two nonsense mutations, Leu433Stop and Arg718Stop, and an insertional frameshift mutation, 65insT, which results in a stop at codon 98. These three mutations predict truncated ClC-5 proteins that, respectively, lack 314, 649 and 28 amino acids at the carboxy terminus, and are likely to result in loss of function. These mutations were shown to co-segregate with the disease in each of the three families. CONCLUSIONS Our study is the first to characterize mutations in the CLCN5 gene in Spanish patients with Dent's disease and expands the spectrum of CLCN5 mutations associated with this disease.
Candida albicans colonization on an intragastric balloon

Here we present the case of Candida albicans colonization on an intragastric balloon placed for weight loss. A 52‐year‐old obese woman achieved a BMI reduction of 10.9 kg/m2 within 7 months as a result of a BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon and a well‐balanced, low‐calorie diet. During endoscopy for balloon removal, the balloon, which was well impacted in the gastric fundus, was found to be lime green in color with clusters of cone‐shaped cultures on its surface. Microbiology assessment revealed the presence of Candida albicans, although the patient was totally asymptomatic.
Toward efficient trials in colorectal cancer: the ARCAD Clinical Trials Program.

Aimery de Gramont, Hopital Saint Antoine, Paris, France Daniel G. Haller, Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA Daniel J. Sargent, Mayo Clinic, Cancer Center Statistics, Rochester, MN Josep Tabernero, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Medical Oncology Service, Barcelona, Spain Alastair Matheson, Foundation ARCAD, Paris, France Richard L. Schilsky, University of Chicago, Biological Sciences Division, Chicago, IL
Improved Dynamic Bayesian Networks Applied to Arabic on Line Characters Recognition

: Work is in on line Arabic character recognition and the principal motivation is to study the Arab manuscript with on line technology. This system is a Markovian system, which one can see as like a Dynamic Bayesian Network (DBN). One of the major interests of these systems resides in the complete models training (topology and parameters) starting from training data. Our approach is based on the dynamic Bayesian Networks formalism. The DBNs theory is a Bayesians networks generalization to the dynamic processes. Among our objective, amounts finding better parameters, which represent the links (dependences) between dynamic network variables. In applications in pattern recognition, one will carry out the fixing of the structure, which obliges us to admit some strong assumptions (for example independence between some variables). Our application will relate to the Arabic isolated characters on line recognition using our laboratory database: NOUN. A neural tester proposed for DBN external optimization. The DBN scores and DBN mixed are respectively 70.24% and 62.50%, which lets predict their further development; other approaches taking account time were considered and implemented until obtaining a significant recognition rate 94.79%.