Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the Idaho Technology FilmArray System to Real-Time PCR for Detection of Respiratory Pathogens in Children

ABSTRACT The FilmArray Respiratory Panel (RP) multiplexed nucleic acid amplification test (Idaho Technology, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT) was compared to laboratory-developed real-time PCR assays for the detection of various respiratory viruses and certain bacterial pathogens. A total of 215 frozen archived pediatric respiratory specimens previously characterized as either negative or positive for one or more pathogens by real-time PCR were examined using the FilmArray RP system. Overall agreement between the FilmArray RP and corresponding real-time PCR assays for shared analytes was 98.6% (kappa = 0.92 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.89 to 0.94]). The combined positive percent agreement was 89.4% (95% CI, 85.4 to 92.6); the negative percent agreement was 99.6% (95% CI, 99.2 to 99.8). The mean real-time PCR threshold cycle (CT ) value for specimens with discordant results was 36.46 ± 4.54. Detection of coinfections and correct identification of influenza A virus subtypes were comparable to those of real-time PCR when using the FilmArray RP. The greatest comparative difference in sensitivity was observed for adenovirus; only 11 of 24 (45.8%; 95% CI, 27.9 to 64.9) clinical specimens positive for adenovirus by real-time PCR were also positive by the FilmArray RP. In addition, upon testing 20 characterized adenovirus serotypes prepared at high and low viral loads, the FilmArray RP did not detect serotypes 6 and 41 at either level and failed to detect serotypes 2, 20, 35, and 37 when viral loads were low. The FilmArray RP system is rapid and extremely user-friendly, with results available in just over 1 h with almost no labor involved. Its low throughput is a significant drawback for laboratories receiving large numbers of specimens, as only a single sample can be processed at a time with one instrument.
Betamethasone‐based chiral electrochemical sensor coupled to chemometric methods for determination of mandelic acid enantiomers

A chiral biosensing platform was developed using betamethasone (BMZ) as chiral recognition element through multilayered electrochemical deposition of BMZ, overoxidized polypyrrole, and nanosheets of graphene (OPPy‐BMZ/GR), for enantio‐recognition of mandelic acid (MA) enantiomers. The deposited film was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, differential pulse voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. It was shown that the chiral sensing platform can discriminate R‐ and S‐MA differential pulse voltammetry signals, at the voltages of 1.35 and 1.33 V (vs Ag/AgCl), respectively. To tackle the problem of highly overlapping peaks of these enantiomers, the partial least squares (PLS) regression and genetic algorithm‐PLS (GA‐PLS) were used for simultaneous quantification of MA enantiomers. Generally, variable selection by genetic algorithm provided an improvement in prediction results when compared to full‐voltammogram PLS. Good analytical performances were obtained despite the inherent complexity of the simultaneous determination.
Coherent MIMO radar range imaging with block sparse recovery

We consider range imaging for coherent MIMO radar, that is, the joint estimation of the channel matrices for all range bins of the radar scene. The fundamental problem is the lack of ideal ambiguity properties of the available waveforms. This is why matched filters are generally suboptimal estimators. Approaches like the instrumental variable filter overcome this problem to a certain extent, but need prior knowledge of the interfering range bins. We take a different approach and show that range imaging can be formulated as a block sparse recovery problem. The block structure arises as the coefficients of the channel matrix of a range bin are either all zero or nonzero. In a second step, high-resolution methods for azimuth estimation can be used. This is in contrast to other sparse recovery approaches in coherent MIMO radar imaging where range, Doppler, and azimuth estimation is performed simultaneously and resolution is limited by coarse grids. We make a first step towards the analysis of sparse recovery based range imaging for coherent MIMO radar by presenting numerical recovery results using iterative algorithms. Our simulation results demonstrate that the channel matrices for all range bins can be estimated reliably, even for a large number of targets.
Should the spinning reserve procurement in systems with wind power generation be deterministic or probabilistic?

It is a common practice by the system operators to set the spinning reserve (SR) provision based on deterministic approaches. But is this the best operating policy? This paper presents a comparison between the traditional N−1 criterion and two probabilistic approaches to estimate the optimal amount of SR requirements. This comparison shows that methods based on a cost-benefit analysis achieve a better economical balance. An approach based on an exogenous cost-benefit analysis capable of handling systems of realistic size is then presented. This approach is then extended to include demand and wind power generation forecast errors.
Linking Entrepreneurial Activity to Economic Meltdown in Zimbabwe

Understanding the relationship between entrepreneurship and key macroeconomic growth indicators is critical for generating growth and development in a normal or meltdown economy. The purpose of this study is to develop a model that best describes the relationship between the economic meltdown and the growth of micro and small-scale enterprises (MSEs) in Zimbabwe and to test the presence of refugee effects. Using annual data from 1980 to 2010, a multivariate Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) with the total number of MSEs, unemployment rate, inflation rate, liquidity (proxied by money supply) and real GDP as the dependent variables was run. The main finding of this study indicates the presence of refugee effects, albeit minimal, and that the growth in MSEs was partly because of the shortage of liquidity. Secondly, the relationship between unemployment and entrepreneurship is not linear but squared and positive in both instances. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014. v5n3p42
Patient satisfaction with pharmaceutical services in Brazilian primary health care

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To evaluate patient satisfaction with pharmaceutical services in Brazilian primary health care. METHODS This is a cross-sectional, exploratory, and evaluative study on a representative sample from the five Brazilian geopolitical regions resulting from the Pesquisa Nacional sobre Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos – Serviços, 2015 (PNAUM – National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines – Services, 2015). The outcome was the patient’s satisfaction, obtained using the item response theory. Associations were tested using Pearson’s Chi-square test with sociodemographic and health variables, and multiple logistic regression analyses were carried out. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to verify the adequacy of the final model. Logistic regression results were presented as odds ratio. RESULTS The overall percentage of patients satisfied with these services was 58.4% (95%CI 54.4-62.3). The “opportunity/convenience” aspect had the lowest satisfaction percentage (49.5%; 95%CI 46.4-52.6) and “interpersonal aspects,” the highest percentage (90.5%; 95%CI 88.9-91.8), significantly higher than other aspects. Sex, age group, limitations due to disease, and self-perception of health remained associated in the final multiple logistic model regarding general satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS Most of the interviewed users were satisfied with pharmaceutical services in Brazilian cities, and the satisfaction with the customer’s service was determinant in the patient’s overall satisfaction.
Eliminating the Reverse Charge Sharing Effect in the Charge-Transfer-Switch (CTS) Converter

A novel voltage level controller for low-power charge pump converters will be presented in this paper. The proposed voltage level controller would react according to the pumped voltage in the charge-transfer-switch (CTS) converter. For the CTS circuit, the pumping operation would be degraded by the charge sharing effect in the auxiliary switch path. In this study, a voltage shifter was used as the voltage level controller to overcome this serious problem without consuming too much chip area. The simulation results showed that the converter can accept a rated input of 1.5V and generated an output up to 8V based on the TSMC 0.35-µm CMOS technology. The layout consumed an area of 125*160µm2. The highest output obtained in measuring the real chip was 5.5V which is primarily due to the limitation that the transistor could tolerated. The largest load was estimated as high as 6mW which is large enough for on-chip application.
EFFECT OF COOKING METHODS ON AMINO ACIDS COMPOSITION OF CHICKEN MEAT

Chicken meat is an important item in the Syrian diet. The increasing production of chickens and their potential in restaurants and food service operation implies the need for more detailed information regarding their quality and nutrient retention. Cooking methods have different effects on the values of nutrients of chicken. Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate the effect of microwave cooking in amino acids composition of chicken meat (breast &thigh) as compared with some conventional methods, i.e. boiling, pressure and roasting. Аннотация Мясо птицы является важной составляющей сирийской диеты. Увеличение производства мяса птицы, его широкое использование в заведениях общественного питания диктует необходимость наличия подробной информации о качестве и содержании питательных веществ в нем. Установлено, что кулинарные методы обработки по-разному воздействуют на наличие питательных веществ в мясе птицы. Таким образом, данное исследование проводилось с целью оценить воздействие приготовления в микроволновой печи на состав аминокислот мяса (филе и бедро) цыплят-бройлеров по сравнению с традиционными методами кулинарной обработки: отвариванием, приготовлением под давлением и поджариванием. УДК/UDC: 637.5 ́65.04/07:641.5 DOI 10.21323/2414-438X-2016-1-4-11-18
Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding : A Clinicopathological study

INTRODUCTION DUB is one of the most frequently encountered conditions in gynecology and is the principle diagnosis in at least 10% of all new patients in both hospitál and priváté practice.The impact of dysfunctional uterine bleeding is of immense importance to society and economy. 28% of female population consider their menstruation excessive and 10% of employed women will need to take time off work because of excessive every year. 60% of them will have hysterectomy in next five years . [1]
Inhaled nitric oxide selectively decreases pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance following acute massive pulmonary microembolism in piglets.

Acute massive pulmonary embolism increases pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), which may lead to early right ventricular failure and subsequent cardiocirculatory deterioration. Inhaled nitric oxide (NO) selectively dilates pulmonary vessels in vivo. Thus, inhaled NO may be useful in preventing cardiocirculatory deterioration following pulmonary embolism. We investigated the effects of inhaled NO in the acute phase of massive pulmonary microembolism in 10 anesthetized and mechanically ventilated piglets (body weight, 18 +/- 2 kg). Microspheres of 300-microns diameter were injected i.v. in an amount sufficient to initially increase mean PAP to 45 mm Hg. Forty-five minutes after pulmonary embolization, the pretreatment control values were recorded. Thereafter, the piglets inhaled 40 ppm NO, and subsequently 80 ppm NO. When 40 ppm NO was inhaled, there was a significant decrease in systolic PAP (-10.3%; 44.5 +/- 2.2 to 39.9 +/- 2.4 mm Hg; p < 0.05) and mean PAP (-9.4%; 32.9 +/- 1.3 to 29.8 +/- 1.3 mm Hg; p < 0.05). PVR was changed by -13.6% (p = 0.07). Administration of 80 ppm NO resulted in a significant decrease in systolic PAP (-12.6%; to 38.9 +/- 1.9 mm Hg; p < 0.05), mean PAP (-11.9%; to 29.0 +/- 1.4 mm Hg; p < 0.05), and PVR (-19.4%; p < 0.05) compared with pretreatment values. Discontinuation of NO inhalation was associated with an immediate return to pretreatment values. Systemic hemodynamics and the arterial and mixed venous oxygen concentrations remained unchanged. We conclude that inhaled NO following acute massive pulmonary microembolism selectively decreases PAP and PVR without influencing systemic hemodynamics in piglets.
Language attitudes and listener-oriented properties in non-native speech

The study examines a number of acoustic properties of non-native speech directed to a native speaker, a non-native speaker with a shared first language background, and a non-native speaker with a different first language. Results demonstrate that the interlocutor condition interacts with the language attitudes factor: Participants with more positive attitudes towards their second language (English) differ along several acoustic dimensions from participants with more positive attitudes towards their first language (Mandarin), especially when interacting with native speakers of English. Expanded vowel space, higher articulation rate, and increased pitch adopted by English-oriented participants in interactions with native speakers of English may be indicative of their greater positive emotional involvement in the interaction.
Indirect allorecognition can play an important role in the development of transplant arteriosclerosis.

BACKGROUND Indirect allorecognition has been implicated in the initiation of chronic allograft dysfunction. Our aim was to develop an animal model that allowed the contribution of the direct and indirect pathway of allorecognition in the evolution of transplant arteriosclerosis, the main feature of chronic allograft rejection, to be evaluated. METHODS Aortic allografts mismatched for a single MHC class I antigen were transplanted into athymic NUDE or RAG (-/-) mice. Immunodeficient mice were reconstituted with either CD4(+) (indirect) or CD8(+) (direct + indirect) T cells in the presence or absence of depleting antibodies specific for the opposite T-cell subset. Aortic grafts were analyzed by performing morphometry, immunohistochemistry, and quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction for the detection of cytokine mRNA production. Donor-specific alloantibody production was measured by fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis. RESULTS Reconstitution of athymic nude mice with 4 x 10(7) purified CD4(+) T cells resulted in vascular rejection of MHC class I mismatched aortic grafts. Intimal proliferation was 24+/-8% and did not decrease when nude-derived endogenous CD8(+) T cells were depleted from the nude recipients (intimal proliferation, 21+/-7%). Transplant arteriosclerosis initiated by CD4+ T cells was associated with the presence of intragraft mRNA for interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and interleukin 12. Reconstitution of RAG-1(-/-) mice with 4 x 10(7) purified CD4(+) T cells resulted in a similar degree of transplant arteriosclerosis (intimal proliferation, 20+/-9%) in MHC class I mismatched aortic grafts in the absence of alloantibody production. CONCLUSION Indirect recognition of donor MHC class I molecules by CD4(+) T cells can play an important role in the process of transplant arteriosclerosis. CD8(+) T-cell effector function and alloantibody production in this model are dependent on CD4(+) T-cell help after indirect allorecognition.
On Convergence and Stability of GANs

We propose studying GAN training dynamics as regret minimization, which is in contrast to the popular view that there is consistent minimization of a divergence between real and generated distributions. We analyze the convergence of GAN training from this new point of view to understand why mode collapse happens. We hypothesize the existence of undesirable local equilibria in this non-convex game to be responsible for mode collapse. We observe that these local equilibria often exhibit sharp gradients of the discriminator function around some real data points. We demonstrate that these degenerate local equilibria can be avoided with a gradient penalty scheme called DRAGAN. We show that DRAGAN enables faster training, achieves improved stability with fewer mode collapses, and leads to generator networks with better modeling performance across a variety of architectures and objective functions.
Effects of Bone-Marrow–Derived MSC Transplantation on Functional Recovery in a Rat Model of Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a widely disabling condition, constraining those affected by it to wheelchairs and requiring intense daily care and assistance. Cell replacement therapies, targeting regeneration of cells in the injured cord, are currently gaining momentum in the field of SCI research. Previous studies indicate that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can reduce functional deficits through immunomodulation and production of trophic factors in a variety of neurological disorders. The present study assessed the efficacy of transplanted bone marrow–derived MSCs at different concentrations and locations for promoting functional recovery following SCI. Although effects were modest, MSCs facilitated an increase in the base of support, as measured by increased distance between the plantar surface of the hind paws, following incomplete contusive SCI, and reduced the density of astroglial scarring. Varying the concentrations or locations of transplanted cells did not provide additional benefits on these measures. These findings indicate that MSC transplants are safe at relatively high concentrations and confer therapeutic benefits that, when used as an adjunctive treatment, could significantly enhance functional recovery following SCI.
Parental coping following childhood acquired brain injury

Primary objective: To examine parental coping following an acquired brain injury of their child, the relationship between maternal and paternal coping, and the extent to which social support and family environment affect parental coping. Research design: A cross-sectional design was used. Methods and procedures: Parents (n = 30) of children with acquired brain injury provided relevant demographic data and completed questionnaires investigating coping, social support and perceptions of family environment. Main outcomes and results: Perception-focused coping strategies were used most often by parents. Mothers had a more extensive repertoire than fathers, and the relationship between maternal and paternal coping appeared to be complementary. Relationships were found between emotion-focused coping and instrumental support (r = 0.39) and perception-focused coping and family cohesion (r = 0.37). Conclusions: Recognizing parental coping styles, enhancing the development of positive strategies, and underscoring the importance of social support and the family environment will assist parents to cope positively with their child's acquired brain injury.
Effect of Global-GAP Policy on Climate Change Perceptions of Smallholder French Beans Farmers in Central and Eastern Regions, Kenya

The risks posed by climate change to Sub Saharan Africa’s (SSA) smallholder fresh export fruit and vegetables production are amplifying the significance of farmers’ climate change perceptions in enhancing adoption of suitable adaptation strategies. Production of fresh export fruit and vegetables in Kenya has increasingly been done under the Global-GAP standard scheme by smallholder farmers to improve both environmental conservation and market access. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of Global-GAP policy on climate change perceptions of smallholder French beans farmers. The analysis was based on data collected from a random sample of 616 households interviewed in the Central and Eastern regions of Kenya. The study used principal component analysis (PCA) to extract farmers’ key prevailing climate change perceptions and logit regression model to examine the effect of Global-GAP policy on climate change perceptions among other socio-economic factors. The PCA analysis extracted three components proxying for ‘droughts’, ‘delay in rainy seasons’, ‘diseases and pests’ and three proxying for ‘hot days’, ‘floods’, and ‘diseases and pests’ as summarizing maximum variance in the perceptions in the Central and Eastern region respectively. The common, study area-wide climate change perception was identified as incidence of diseases and pest. Logit regression analysis found that Global-GAP policy significantly influenced and improved farmers’ probability of perceiving climate change. Other factors found to influence farmers’ probability of having the identified climate change perceptions included regional specificity, access to agricultural extension service, access to credit, plot size, and soil fertility. The policy implication of this study is that the government and service providers should mainstream factors like Global-GAP compliance and regional considerations found to improve probability of perceiving climate change in awareness creation extension strategies, towards enhancing adoption of adaptation measures in the smallholder fruits and vegetables farming sector.
The Relationship Between Core Stability and Performance in Division I Football Players

Nesser, TW, Huxel, KC, Tincher, JL, and Okado, T. The relationship between core stability and performance in Division I football players. J Strength Cond Res 22(6):1750-1754, 2008-The purpose of this study was to identify relationships between core stability and various strength and power variables in strength and power athletes. National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I football players (height 184.0 ± 7.1 cm, weight 100.5 ± 22.4 kg) completed strength and performance testing before off-season conditioning. Subjects were tested on three strength variables (one-repetition maximum [1RM] bench press, 1RM squat, and 1RM power clean), four performance variables (countermovement vertical jump [CMJ], 20- and 40-yd sprints, and a 10-yd shuttle run), and core stability (back extension, trunk flexion, and left and right bridge). Significant correlations were identified between total core strength and 20-yd sprint (r = −0.594), 40-yd sprint (r = −0.604), shuttle run (r = −0.551), CMJ (r = 0.591), power clean/body weight (BW) (r = 0.622), 1RM squat (r = −0.470), bench press/BW (r = 0.369), and combined 1RM/BW (r = 0.447); trunk flexion and 20-yd sprint (r = −0.485), 40-yd sprint (r = −0.479), shuttle run (r = −0.443), CMJ (r = 0.436), power clean/BW (r = 0.396), and 1RM squat (r = −0.416); back extension and CMJ (r = 0.536), and power clean/BW (r = 0.449); right bridge and 20-yd sprint r = −0.410) and 40-yd sprint (r = −0.435), CMJ (r = 0.403), power clean/BW (r = 0.519) and bench press/BW (r = 0.372) and combined 1RM/BW (r = 0.406); and left bridge and 20-yd sprint (r = −0.376) and 40-yd sprint (r = −0.397), shuttle run (r = −0.374), and power clean/BW (r = 0.460). The results of this study suggest that core stability is moderately related to strength and performance. Thus, increases in core strength are not going to contribute significantly to strength and power and should not be the focus of strength and conditioning.
PREVALENCE OF BEE STING ALLERGY IN 2,010 GIRL SCOUTS

In a previous investigation from the clinic, the prevalence of Hymenoptera sting allergy was found to be 0.40 per cent in a population of 4,992 boy scouts (5) between the ages of II to 16 years. This past report represented one of the first epidemiologic studies done on bee sting allergy but is incomplete in that comparative figures are not available for females. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of Hymenoptera sting allergy in females using a comparable study group exposed to similar environmental conditions.