Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
First-generation fluoroquinolone use and subsequent emergence of multiple drug-resistant bacteria in the intensive care unit*

Objective:The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between fluoroquinolone (FQ) use and subsequent emergence of multiple drug-resistant bacteria (MRB) in the intensive care unit (ICU). Design:The authors conducted a prospective observational cohort study and a case control study. Setting:The study was conducted in a 30-bed ICU. Methods:All immunocompetent patients hospitalized for >48 hrs who did not receive antibiotics before ICU admission were eligible during a 15-month period. Routine MRB screening was performed at ICU admission and weekly thereafter. This screening included tracheal aspirate and nasal, anal, and axilla swabs. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine risk factors for MRB emergence in the ICU. In addition, a case control study was performed to determine whether FQ use is associated with subsequent emergence of MRB. Results:Two hundred thirty-nine patients were included; 108 ICU-acquired MRB were isolated in 77 patients. FQ use and longer duration of antibiotic treatment were identified as independent risk factors for MRB occurrence (odds ratio [95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.3 [1.7–6.5], 1.1 [1.0–1.2]; p < .001; respectively). One hundred thirty-five (56%) patients received FQ; matching was successful for 72 (53%) of them. Number of MRB (40 vs. 15 per 1,000 ICU days; p = .019) and percentage of patients with MRB (40% vs. 22%; OR [95% CI] = 1.5 [1.0–2.4]; p = .028) were significantly higher in cases than in controls. Although methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (26% vs. 12%; OR [95% CI] = 1.6 [.6–2.9]; p = .028) and extending-spectrum &bgr;-lactamase-producing Gram-negative bacilli (11% vs. 1%; OR [95% CI] = 4.7 [0.7–30.2]; p = .017) rates were higher in cases than in controls, ceftazidime or imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15% vs. 8%), Acinetobacter baumannii (1% vs. 5%), and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (2% vs. 1%) rates were similar (p > .05) in case and control patients. Conclusion:FQ use and longer duration of antibiotic treatment are independently associated with MRB emergence. Reducing antimicrobial treatment duration and restricting FQ use could be suggested to control MRB spread in the ICU.
Asperities and barriers on the seismogenic zone in North Chile: state‐of‐the‐art after the 2007 Mw 7.7 Tocopilla earthquake inferred by GPS and InSAR data

The Mw 7.7 2007 November 14 earthquake had an epicentre located close to the city of Tocopilla, at the southern end of a known seismic gap in North Chile. Through modelling of Global Positioning System (GPS) and radar interferometry (InSAR) data, we show that this event ruptured the deeper part of the seismogenic interface (30–50 km) and did not reach the surface. The earthquake initiated at the hypocentre and was arrested ~150 km south, beneath the Mejillones Peninsula, an area already identified as an important structural barrier between two segments of the Peru–Chile subduction zone. Our preferred models for the Tocopilla main shock show slip concentrated in two main asperities, consistent with previous inversions of seismological data. Slip appears to have propagated towards relatively shallow depths at its southern extremity, under the Mejillones Peninsula. Our analysis of post-seismic deformation suggests that small but still significant post-seismic slip occurred within the first 10 d after the main shock, and that it was mostly concentrated at the southern end of the rupture. The post-seismic deformation occurring in this period represents ~12–19 per cent of the coseismic deformation, of which ~30–55 per cent has been released aseismically. Post-seismic slip appears to concentrate within regions that exhibit low coseismic slip, suggesting that the afterslip distribution during the first month of the post-seismic interval complements the coseismic slip. The 2007 Tocopilla earthquake released only ~2.5 per cent of the moment deficit accumulated on the interface during the past 130 yr and may be regarded as a possible precursor of a larger subduction earthquake rupturing partially or completely the 500-km-long North Chile seismic gap.
A Participatory Urban Traffic Monitoring System: The Power of Bus Riders

This paper presents a participatory sensing-based urban traffic monitoring system. Different from existing works that heavily rely on intrusive sensing or full cooperation from probe vehicles, our system exploits the power of participatory sensing and crowdsources the traffic sensing tasks to bus riders’ mobile phones. The bus riders are information source providers and, meanwhile, major consumers of the final traffic output. The system takes public buses as dummy probes to detect road traffic conditions, and collects the minimum set of cellular data together with some lightweight sensing hints from the bus riders’ mobile phones. Based on the crowdsourced data from participants, the system recovers the bus travel information and further derives the instant traffic conditions of roads covered by bus routes. The real-world experiments with a prototype implementation demonstrate the feasibility of our system, which achieves accurate and fine-grained traffic estimation with modest sensing and computation overhead at the crowd.
Trans-umbilical laparoscopic-assisted appendectomy in the pediatric population: comparing single-incision and 2-trocar techniques

Abstract Introduction: Trans-umbilical laparoscopic-assisted appendectomy (TULAA) combines advantages of open surgery with benefits of laparoscopy and can be performed either by single-incision or with two trocars; the present study aims to compare outcomes and cost of these techniques in a pediatric serie. Material and methods: Patients undergoing TULAA between July 2013 and June 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. There were two groups: A (single-incision) - one umbilical trocar for a telescope with inbuilt working channel; and B (2-trocar) - one umbilical trocar for a ‘standard’ telescope plus a supra-pubic trocar for instruments. Results: One-hundred and eighty-nine patients (112 males, age: 12[2–17] years) underwent TULAA; 32(17%) presented with perforated appendicitis. Group A encompassed 157 and group B 32 patients; age, gender, proportion of perforated appendicitis, and follow-up were similar. Operative time was 46 [21–145] min in group A, and 54.5[30–111] in group B (A vs B, p = 0.087). Length of hospital stay was 2 [1;22] days in group B, and 2 [0;24] in group A (A vs B, p = 0.136). The prevalence of post-operative complications was similar: 11 (7%) cases in group A and 2 (6.3%) intra-abdominal abscesses in group B. Using disposable trocars, the more expensive starting point of single-incision technique may be reversed after 27 procedures. Conclusion: Single-incision and 2-trocar TULAA are effective techniques with low complication rates and similar outcomes. Despite being technically more demanding, single incision may be advantageous because there are no visible scars, and potentially cheaper in hospitals where disposable trocars are used.
High Efficiency Wideband Aperture-Coupled Stacked Patch Antennas Assembled Using Millimeter Thick Micromachined Polymer Structures

Micromachined stacked patch antenna devices with high efficiency and wideband characteristics are reported. Polymer based fabrication and assembly processes have been developed in order to produce the stacked suspended antenna devices. Millimeter thick micromachined SU8 based polymer rings are used to create air gaps between the patches and the microwave substrate for optimized high efficiency operation. Thin film liquid crystal polymer (LCP) and polyimide substrates are used to support the radiating and parasitic patch elements. The polymer rings also form cavities to protect the patches and substrate from moisture and dust. The antenna structures are fabricated in layers and then assembled to obtain 3D devices. The antenna devices have been designed using an electromagnetic simulation package. The aperture coupled devices are impedance matched for wideband operation. RF measurements show wideband operation of the devices and the results are in good agreement with that of simulation. Typical gain and bandwidths are 7.8 dBi and 39% for a microstrip fed antenna device while they are 7.6 dBi and 44% for a CPW fed device. The predicted efficiency from the results of simulation is above 97% for the antenna devices.
Perpetual Points: New Tool for Localization of Coexisting Attractors in Dynamical Systems

Perpetual points (PPs) are special critical points for which the magnitude of acceleration describing the dynamics drops to zero, while the motion is still possible (stationary points are excluded), e.g. considering the motion of the particle in the potential field, at perpetual point, it has zero acceleration and nonzero velocity. We show that using PPs we can trace all the stable fixed points in the system, and that the structure of trajectories leading from former points to stable equilibria may be similar to orbits obtained from unstable stationary points. Moreover, we argue that the concept of perpetual points may be useful in tracing unexpected attractors (hidden or rare attractors with small basins of attraction). We show potential applicability of this approach by analyzing several representative systems of physical significance, including the damped oscillator, pendula, and the Henon map. We suggest that perpetual points may be a useful tool for localizing coexisting attractors in dynamical systems.
Prevalence of measles in vaccinated and non-vaccinated children

Collection of samples and serum separation From Faisalabad, a total of 1053 children under 10 years of age were surveyed from September, 2013 to May, 2014 about vaccination and disease history of measles. Out of these, 182 blood samples (132 from vaccinated and 50 from non-vaccinated individuals) were collected randomly. Similarly during the same period, from Jhang, 813 children under 10 years of age were surveyed during the same period about vaccination and disease history of measles. Out of these, 182 blood samples (132 from vaccinated and 50 from non-vaccinated individuals) were collected randomly. The blood was collected from each individual in 2.5 or 5ml disposable syringes. Each blood sample was transferred immediately to separate serum clot activator tube (Lab Vac Gel and Clot Activators), kept on ice and shifted to Department of Microbiology, Govt. College University, Faisalabad. Serum was separated from each blood sample by centrifugation of serum collection tubes at 1000-2000 Xg for 3-5 minutes and stored in 1.5ml Eppendorf tubes at -20 C.
A strategy to assess river restoration success

Summary 1. Elaborate restoration attempts are underway worldwide to return human-impacted rivers to more natural conditions. Assessing the outcome of river restoration projects is vital for adaptive management, evaluating project efficiency, optimising future programmes and gaining public acceptance. An important reason why assessment is often omitted is lack of appropriate guidelines. 2. Here we present guidelines for assessing river restoration success. They are based on a total of 49 indicators and 13 specific objectives elaborated for the restoration of low- to mid-order rivers in Switzerland. Most of these objectives relate to ecological attributes of rivers, but socio-economic aspects are also considered. 3. A strategy is proposed according to which a set of indicators is selected from the total of 49 indicators to ensure that indicators match restoration objectives and measures, and that the required effort for survey and analysis of indicators is appropriate to the project budget. 4. Indicator values are determined according to methods described in detailed method sheets. Restoration success is evaluated by comparing indicator values before and after restoration measures have been undertaken. To this end, values are first standardised on a dimensionless scale ranging from 0 to 1, then averaged across different indicators for a given project objective, and finally assigned to one of five overall success categories. 5. To illustrate the application of this scheme, a case study on the Thur River, Switzerland, is presented. Seven indicators were selected to meet a total of five project objectives. The project was successful in achieving ‘provision of high recreational value’, ‘lateral connectivity’ and ‘vertical connectivity’ but failed to meet the objectives ‘morphological and hydraulic variability’ and ‘near natural abundance and diversity of fauna’. Results from this assessment allowed us to identify potential deficits and gaps in the restoration project. To gain information on the sensitivity of the assessment scheme would require a set of complementary indicators for each restoration objective.
Identification of calcification with MRI using susceptibility‐weighted imaging: A case study

Susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) is a new MRI technique that can identify calcification by using phase images. We present a single case with a partially calcified oligodendroglioma, multiple calcified cysticercosis lesions, and multiple physiologic calcifications in the same patient. SWI phase images and computed tomography (CT) images are compared. SWI phase images showed the same calcified lesions as shown on CT and sometimes some new calcifications. Our conclusion is that SWI filtered phase images can identify calcifications as well as CT in this case. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;29:177–182. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Operationalization of Three Dimensions of Sexual Orientation in a National Survey of Late Adolescents

This study investigated three dimensions of sexual orientation—identity, attraction, and behavior—in a national survey of late adolescents. Prevalence rates and the diversity of dimensions of sexual orientation when combined were studied. A representative sample of 3,432 Swedish high school seniors completed an anonymous school-based self-report survey about sexuality, Internet use, and health. Four measures of sexual orientation were included—one for sexual identity, two for attraction (emotional or sexual attraction, romantic attraction), and one for sexual behavior. Prevalence rates of sexual minority orientation varied between 4.3% for sexual behavior (males 2.9%, females 5.6%) and 29.4% for emotional or sexual attraction (males 17.7%, females 39.5%). Different measures of sexual orientation were significantly associated with one another. Bisexual or homosexual orientation was reported by 1.5% of the participants in all four measures and by 17.6% in at least one measure. Researchers need to carefully choose, depending on the research questions under investigation, which dimensions of sexual orientation and which measures they wish to include in their survey. Recommendations based on findings from the study are given.
Effect Of Genotype, Age And Season On Hatchability Of Egg

The study was conducted to study the effects of genotype and age of hen and hatching season on hatchability of egg. Hatching eggs were collected from hens having three genotypes viz. White Leghorn (WLH), Rhode Island Red (RIR) and Fayoumi covering three age groups (28 to 40, 41 to 60 and 61 weeks & above) at winter, monsoon and summer seasons. The study revealed that the highest (P<0.05) average hatchability was observed in winter (78.62%) followed by monsoon (76.70%) and summer (75.79%). Among different genotypes the highest (P<0.001) hatchability was found in Fayoumi (78.34%) followed by White Leghorn (76.48%) and Rhode Island Red (74.59%). Considering the age of hen, highest (P<0.05) hatchability was found in the age group between 41 to 60 weeks (77.99%) followed by 61 weeks and above (76.49%) and 28 to 40 weeks (75.71%) of age. From the findings it can be concluded that the winter season was suitable for hatching of eggs and the performance of Fayoumi hen was better in terms of hatchability of egg. On the other hand, the age of hen between 41 to 60 weeks was better for producing hatching eggs. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/bjas.v37i1. 9863 BJAS 2008; 37(1): 17-22
IRON OVERLOAD BEFORE CECAL LIGATION AND PUNCTURE INCREASES MORTALITY

&NA; —Iron metabolism is dysregulated in critically ill patients. A mouse model of dysregulated iron metabolism was used to examine the consequence of iron loading upon sepsis. Mice deleted in the hfe gene (hfe−/−) abnormally accumulate iron in tissue; defects in the human hfe gene are clinically expressed as hemochromatosis. Hfe−/− mice and wild‐type counterparts were randomized to receive either high‐ or low‐iron diets for 2 weeks. After iron loading, mice were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), a clinically relevant animal model of intra‐abdominal sepsis. A preliminary (but underpowered) study suggested that iron‐loaded hfe−/− mice had increased mortality as compared with hfe−/− mice fed a low‐iron diet. There was no difference between wild‐type and hfe−/− mice fed a low‐iron diet or between wild‐type mice fed hihg‐ and low‐iron diets. A subsequent, appropriately powered study showed that iron‐loaded hfe−/− mice had significantly higher mortality from intra‐abdominal sepsis than hfe−/− mice fed a low‐iron diet. Iron loading was confirmed through chemical assay of iron concentration in hepatic tissue. Animals with dysregulated iron handling, loaded with iron and subjected to CLP, had double the mortality of animals with normal iron levels. Critical care patients often have altered iron metabolism. In clinical practice, critically ill patients may receive iron through direct administration and the transfusion of blood products. Iron therapy may adversely affect the clinical outcome from sepsis.
Parent and youth dopamine D4 receptor genotypes moderate multilevel contextual effects on rural African American youth's risk behavior

Abstract The present investigation extends research on Gene × Environment interactions and youth risk behavior by linking multilevel contextual factors, such as community disadvantage and protective parenting practices, to both parental and youth dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) genotypes. We expected community disadvantage to influence youth risk behavior via a series of indirect effects involving protective parenting and youth's planful future orientation when both parents’ and youth's DRD4 status was considered. Genetic moderation processes also were tested to determine whether they conformed to a diathesis–stress or a differential susceptibility model. Hypotheses were investigated with data from 361 rural African American youth and their parents assessed 3 times when youth were ages 16 to 19. Community disadvantage interacted with parental DRD4 status to predict low levels of protective parenting. Protective parenting, in turn, interacted with youth DRD4 status to forecast increases in youth's planful future orientations, a proximal influence on changes in risk behavior. The Parental DRD4 × Community Disadvantage interaction, but not youth DRD4 × Protective Parenting, conformed to a differential susceptibility model. Indirect effect analyses revealed a significant indirect path linking community disadvantage to youth risk behavior through a series of multilevel Gene × Environment interaction processes.
Power System Topological Observability Using a Direct Graph-Theoretic Approach

The topological observability of a Power System State Estimation (PSSE) problem is considered. The PSSE observability is decoupled into two separate problems using the well-known P-¿/Q-V decouple characteristic of power systems. Using a linear decoupled model for the measurements, the proposed method tries to find an observable spanning tree of the P-¿measurement graph (and subsequently for the Q-V measurement graph) using an algorithm for the search of matroid intersections. The method is first applied to six well- known examples of the technical literature, and then is used to study six different cases of a realistic system comprising 121 buses.
Treatment outcomes and long-term survival in patients with extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis.

RATIONALE The increasing worldwide incidence of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) has emerged as a threat to public health and tuberculosis (TB) control. Treatment outcomes have varied among studies, and data on long-term survival are still scarce. OBJECTIVES To retrospectively assess the burden, clinical characteristics, treatment outcomes, and long-term survival rate of patients with XDR-TB in a cohort of patients with HIV-negative multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in South Korea. METHODS Medical records were reviewed of patients newly diagnosed with or retreated for MDR-TB from 2000 to 2002. The cohort was monitored for 3 to 7 years after the initiation of treatment. Initial treatment outcomes and cumulative survival rates were analyzed, and predictors of treatment success and survival were defined. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Of 1,407 patients with MDR-TB 75 (5.3%) had XDR-TB at treatment initiation. The default rate was high (453/1,407; 32%), and patients with XDR-TB had lower treatment success (29.3 vs. 46.2%; P = 0.004) and higher all-cause (49.3 vs. 19.4%; P < 0.001) and TB-related disease mortality (41.3 vs. 11.8%; P < 0.001) than other patients with MDR-TB. The presence of XDR-TB significantly affected treatment success (odds ratio, 0.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.08-0.64; P = 0.005), all-cause mortality (hazards ratio, 3.25; 95% CI, 1.91-5.53; P < 0.001), and TB-related mortality (hazards ratio, 4.45; 95% CI, 2.48-8.00; P < 0.001) on multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS XDR-TB occurred in a substantial proportion of patients with MDR-TB in South Korea, and was the strongest predictor of treatment outcomes and long-term survival in patients with MDR-TB. Adequate TB control policies should be implemented to prevent the further development and spread of drug resistance.
Human Papillomavirus Type 16 , 18 , and 33 Infection in Adenocarcinoma of the Uterine Cervix : Analysis of the p 53 Gene Mutation and the Clincopathologic Correlation Corresponding

Background : Current evidence implicates specific types of the human papillomavirus (HPV) are involved in the development of cervical cancer. In HPV-negative cervical carcinomas, p53 mutation is thought to be a mechanism of oncogenesis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of p53 mutations in cervical adenocarcinomas and to investigate their correlation with HPV status and clinicopathologic parameters. Methods : A series of 38 primary cervical adenocarcinomas was analyzed for both HPV infection and p53 mutations. The HPV 16, 18, and 33 status was investigated by PCR amplification. The point mutations of the p53 gene were detected by the PCR-SSCP technique. Results : The prevalence of HPV 16, 18, or 33 infection was 73.7% (28/38). HPV 16 was present in 12 cases, HPV 18 was present in 15 cases, and HPV 33 was positive in one case. There was only one case that was positive for 18 as well as a p53 mutation in exon 6. Conclusions : Our results indicate that HPV 18 infection was more common in cervical adenocarcinomas than HPV 16 infection. Mutant p53 was rarely found in cervical adenocarcinomas regardless of the type of HPV infection. There was no correlation between HPV infection and clinical stage or pathologic type of tumor.
Pratiques et perceptions de la révision en France

Introduction Entre le 14 novembre et le 21 decembre 2007, nous avons soumis aux professionnels de la traduction un questionnaire en ligne portant sur la revision et la gestion de la qualite telles qu’ils la percevaient et la pratiquaient (ou non). Cette enquete s’inscrivait dans le cadre d’une these de doctorat dont le sujet etait : La revision comme cle de la gestion de la qualite des traductions en contexte professionnel. Le public vise etait les traducteurs, reviseurs, chefs de projets ou .