Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serratia spp. Infections Outside An Outbreak Scenario: A Five-year Review of Patients in A University Hospital

Background: Serratia spp. are Gram-negative bacilli commonly found in soil and water, causing opportunistic infections particularly in hospital settings. Materials and Methods: A hospital review of patients hospitalized from 2017 to 2022 was made to identify patients whose clinical cultures grew Serratia spp. Inclusion criteria were age ≥18 years and isolation of one or more positive blood cultures for Serratia spp. Bacteremia was classified into two groups: Primary hospital-acquired bacteremia detected after 48 hours of hospitalization and bacteremia detected within the first 48 hours that was associated with previous healthcare facilities or applications. Results: During the study period, Serratia spp. were identified in blood cultures of 46 patients (52.7% males; mean age 60.7±17.6 years). Thirty-one patients (67.4%) had hospital-acquired bacteremia, while 15 patients had bacteremia acquired from previous healthcare facilities or applications. Thirty-five patients (76.1%) were infected by Serratia marcescens . All patients had predisposing risk factors for bacteremia, the most common being malignancies (n=19), followed by cardiac diseases (n=16), and diabetes mellitus (n=13). A history of antibiotic treatment in the past month was common (67.4%). Compared with patients who acquired bacteremia from previous healthcare facilities or applications, the rate of prior antibiotic use was significantly higher in patients with hospital-acquired bacteremia (p<0.01), so was the rate of appropriate empirical antibiotic use (p=0.01). Resistance to piperacillin/tazobactam was significantly more common among patients who acquired bacteremia from previous healthcare facilities or applications (p=0.02). Resistance to carbapenem in this group was also higher than expected (20%). During hospitalization, sepsis developed in 27 patients (58.7%). Within 30 days after laboratory detection of Serratia spp. , mortality occurred in 16 patients (34.8%). Conclusion: The rate of healthcare-associated bacteremia is alarmingly high among hospitalized patients, which requires a meticulous inquiry into previous histories.
Insights into the origin of mantle graphite and sulphides in garnet pyroxenites from the External Liguride peridotites (Northern Apennine, Italy)

Abstract This paper describes a rare occurrence of graphite in non-cratonic mantle rocks. Graphite has been found in garnet clinopyroxenite layers from the External Liguride peridotites that represent slices of subcontinental lithospheric mantle exhumed at the ocean floor in Mesozoic times. The high-pressure assemblage of the pyroxenites is characterized by garnet+Al–Na-rich clinopyroxene, and testifies to an early stage of equilibration at approximately 2.8 GPa and 1100 °C. Graphite occurs as small dispersed euhedral flakes and stacks of flakes. Structural characterization by microRaman spectrometry indicates a highly ordered structure, compatible with a high-temperature mantle origin. C isotope composition of graphite has a typical mantle signature. Fe–Ni–Cu sulphides occur as accessory phases, both as blebs enclosed in silicates (E-Type) and interstitial grains (I-Type). The sulphide assemblage (Ni-free pyrrhotite, pentlandite, Cu–Fe sulphides) mainly reflects subsolidus exsolution from high-temperature Fe–Ni–Cu monosulphide solid solutions with variable Ni (up to 18 wt%) and Cu content (up to 7 wt%). The origin of E- and I-Type sulphides requires the existence of an immiscible Fe–Ni–Cu sulphide liquid, which segregated from the partial melt of the garnet pyroxenite. Graphite precipitation in the pyroxenite was presumably related to the reduction of a more oxidized carbon species interacting with the sulphide liquid as a reducing agent.
Comparing past and present climate – a tool to distinguish between natural and human-induced climate change

Variations in climate over the last approx. 2000 years and a contrast in the winter climate regime of NW Europe and West Greenland may be ascribed to variations in the teleconnection pattern expressed by the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). This well-known climate phenomenon is, among others, reflected in an increased inflow of warm Atlantic Water into the Labrador Sea under conditions of a colder European winter regime (negative NAO indices). Cooling of the Labrador Sea appears to have been a feature typical for a milder European winter climate (positive NAO indices). This pattern is seen both on shorter, (sub)decadal timescales of the last approx. 60 years and on a longer, centennial timescale through the last millennia. During a significant part of the 20th century warming, episodes of milder winters in Europe may be related to Atlantic patterns of natural climate variability similarly as recorded in the past millennia. However, records for recent decades (since the mid 1980s) show a different pattern indicating a significant change in North Atlantic ocean- and atmospheric circulations. This seemingly changed behaviour of the climate system corresponds in timing to the episode of the most extensive global temperature increase, suggesting an increasing anthropogenic effect on the climate development of the past ca. 20 years.
WATERSHED CLASSIFICATION USING CANONICAL CORRESPONDENCE ANALYSIS AND CLUSTERING TECHNIQUES: A CAUTIONARY NOTE 1

ABSTRACT: Watershed classification using multivariate techniques requires the incorporation of continuous datasets representing controlling environmental variables. Often, out of convenience and availability rather than importance to the structure of the system being modeled, the environmental data used originate from a variety of sources and scales. To demonstrate the importance of appropriate environmental data selection, classifications of six‐digit hydrologic units (1:24,000) across selected geographic areas within the Interior Columbia River Basin were produced. Canonical correspondence analysis was used to select and test environmental variables important in predicting Rosgen stream types and valley bottom classes. Then, hierarchical agglomerative clustering was used to group (classify) watersheds based on these variables. Statistically significant results were derived from the use of organized classification data with presumed predictive relationships to watershed properties, and a random distribution of environmental variables from the same datasets provided similar results. The results contained herein demonstrate that these analysis techniques do not necessarily select meaningful variables from a broad spectrum of data and that significant results are easily generated from randomly associated data. It is suggested that classifications produced using these multivariate techniques, especially when using multi‐scale data or data of unknown significance, are subject to invalid inferences and should be used with caution.
Predicting the potential of contaminant intrusion in water distribution systems

Contaminant intrusion in a water distribution system has three main prerequisites: the availability of a contaminant source in the proximity of the system, a driving force (low/negative pressure), and a pathway. Studying a water distribution system with cast‐iron pipes, this research developed a fuzzy rule–based model to determine the potential of contaminant intrusion through corroded iron pipes. The results illustrated the capabilities of the fuzzy rule–based model for prioritizing the junctions of a water distribution system with respect to potential for contaminant intrusion.
Soil Compaction and Fertilization Effects on Nitrous Oxide and Methane Fluxes in Potato Fields

This study was conducted to determine the effect of soil compaction and N fertilization on the fluxes of N{sub 2}O and CH{sub 4} in a soil planted with potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). Fluxes of N{sub 2}O and CH{sub 4} were measured weekly for 1 yr on two differently fertilized fields. For the potato cropping period (May-September) these fluxes were quantified separately for the ridges covering two-thirds of the total field area, and for the uncompacted and the tractor-traffic-compacted interrow soils, each of which made up one-sixth of the field area. The annual N{sub 2}O-N emissions for the low and the high rates of N fertilization were 8 and 16 kg ha{sup {minus}1}, respectively. The major part (68%) of the total N{sub 2}O release from the fields during the cropping period was emitted from the compacted tractor tramlines; emissions from the ridges made up only 23%. The annual CH{sub 4}-C uptake was 140 and 118 g ha{sup {minus}1} for the low and high levels of fertilization, respectively. The ridge soil and the uncompacted interrow had mean CH{sub 4}-C oxidation rates of 3.8 and 0.8 {micro}g m{sup {minus}2} h{sup {minus}1}, respectively; however, the tractor-compacted soil released CH{sub 4} at 2.1 {micro}g CH{submore » 4}-C m{sup {minus}2} h{sup {minus}1}. The results indicate that soil compaction was probably the main reason for increased N{sub 2}O emission and reduced CH{sub 4} uptake of potato-cropped fields. « less
Lunar samples, lunar accretion and the early bombardment of the Moon

Recent advances in lunar sample science and planetary accretion theories demand a new look at the bombardment history recorded by the Moon. Among lunar samples there are no impact melts dated older than about 3.9 Ga, yet a heavy bombardment of the Moon from its birth until 3.9 Ga should have produced many melts to be sampled by Apollo, Luna, and the meteorites of lunar origin. The absence of older impact melts cannot be explained by continued isotopic resetting because ejecta blankets are mainly cold and ancient igneous rocks including mare basalts exist. The common 3.85-Ga melt ages cannot be ascribed to a single or even a few basin events (e.g., Imbrium) because the samples show wide differences in chemistry and real, if small, differences in ages; the ages also appear in the lunar meteorites and thus are Moon-wide.
University of Birmingham Ventricular-arterial coupling in obstructive sleep apnea

Objectives : Arterial and systolic elastance are important parameters determining effective functional interaction of heart and vessels. The aims of this study were to (i) compare arterial [arterial elastance index (EaI)] and ventricular [End-systolic elastance (Ees) and End-diastolic elastance (Eed)] elastance in subjects with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and patients with treated ‘high-risk’ hypertension (HHT), and (ii) test whether these parameters in OSA patients can be improved by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. Methods : Echocardiographic parameters of cardiac and vascular stiffness (EaI, Ees and Eed) were quantified in 28 patients with OSA (mean [SD] age 51 [11] years, 79% male) and 28 treated subjects with HHT (mean [SD] age 48 [12] years, 61% male). Twenty three OSA patients were treated with CPAP for median of 26 weeks. Ea was calculated from stroke volume and systolic BP and adjusted by body area (EaI). Both study groups had preserved and comparable left ventricle (LV) contractility. Results : There was no significant differences in arterial elastance index (EaI, p=0.94), end-systolic elastance (Ees, p=0.5), end-diastolic elastance (Eed, p=0.63) and arterial-ventricular interaction (Ees/Ea, p=0.62) between OSA and HHT groups. After CPAP therapy, there was a significant reduction in arterial elastance index (EaI; paired t-test, p=0.013), and arterial-ventricular interaction (Ees/Ea; paired t-test, p=0.004). End-systolic elastance (Ees, p=0.17), end-diastolic elastance (Eed, p=0.66) parameters did not
Recoveries and Radiations: Gastropods After the Permo-Triassic Mass Extinction

Abstract The biotic recovery following the end-Permian mass extinction begins with a long lag phase characterized by a low-provinciality, depauperate biota. Normal marine communities do not reappear until the latest Early Triassic (Spathian) and do not become common until the early Middle Triassic (Anisian). Three explanations have been offered for this pattern: first, that the end-Permian extinction so disrupted marine ecosystems that community assembly rules needed to be rewritten prior to the re-establishment of normal community structures; second, that the recovery was delayed by continuing harsh environmental conditions; and third, that the preservational and sampling bias is significant and the pattern more apparent than real. Data on the stratigraphic, biogeographical and environmental distribution of Wordian-Anisian marine gastropod genera and species were used to evaluate these hypotheses. The results demonstrate (1) an initial removal of endemic (narrowly distributed) genera during the Wordian and Capitanian; (2) the presence of a low provinciality gastropod assemblage during the Djulfian and Changxingian; and (3) the persistence into the earliest Triassic of geographically widespread, environmentally tolerant genera, as well as the apparent (but unobserved), occurrence of numerous ‘Lazarus’ taxa. The data indicate that while preservational bias was significant, environmental dampening was also important.
The validity of the Spelling and Grammar Waiver as a reasonable accommodation in Leaving Certificate examinations in Ireland

ABSTRACT In Ireland, dyslexic students can apply for reasonable accommodations in Leaving Certificate examinations. One such accommodation is the Spelling and Grammar Waiver (SGW). Questions have been raised regarding its validity, and it has been suggested that it gives an unfair advantage. Mock Leaving Certificate English paper scripts were collected from 31 dyslexic students who had been granted an SGW and 31 nondyslexic students who had not been granted any accommodations. All scripts were marked twice, eight weeks apart, by the same marker, once in the standard fashion and once with an SGW. Dyslexic students’ scripts marked with an SGW had a significantly higher mean score than when marked in the standard way, and it was similar to the mean unaccommodated score of nondyslexic students. However, nondyslexic students also received a similar boost in scores when accommodated. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA showed no “differential boost” for the dyslexic group, but a significant boost for both groups when accommodated. Results suggest that the SGW is not a valid accommodation but confers an advantage to those that have it. This study needs replication using larger numbers, with real Leaving Certificate scripts and examiners, and the reasons for the increase in scores also need investigation.
Observation of secondary ozone peaks near the tropopause over the Korean peninsula associated with stratosphere‐troposphere exchange

[1] Vertical profiles of ozone partial pressure and temperature were obtained from ozonesonde measurements for 10 years from 1995 to 2004, over the midlatitude area at Pohang, Korea (36.02°N, 129.23°E), where stratosphere to troposphere exchange (STE) is very active. Secondary ozone peaks were observed in the upper troposphere/lower stratosphere at altitudes of about 14 km mostly in winter and spring. The 450 ozonesonde profiles were analyzed for this study together with satellite measurements from Halogen Occultation Experiment (HALOE) onboard the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS). To compare with the satellite data sets, 188 HALOE data sets were archived over the period of 1993-2004 with extended locations for latitudes 32°N-40°N and longitudes of 120°E-135°E, which cover the Korean Peninsula region. The occurrence of secondary maxima in the upper troposphere is highly correlated with zonal wind speed and temperature enhancements. Most of these secondary peaks also were associated with stratosphere-troposphere exchange processes. The backward trajectory model, Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was used to examine these transport events further. The frequency of the secondary ozone peak appearance was found to increase at a rate of 1.4% yr -1 and 2.5% yr -1 for the past 10 years in this region on the basis of the ozonesonde and HALOE observations, respectively.
Large‐scale rainfall simulation over shallow caves on karst shrublands

Within semi‐arid landscapes, karst areas are among the most productive in terms of water supply—largely because of the high rates of groundwater recharge compared with those of other semi‐arid areas. Recharge rates in karst regions may be affected by the type of vegetation cover. Understanding the interactions between recharge and vegetation is important at many levels, but the complex nature of karst hydrology makes this endeavour challenging. This paper presents the results of a set of hillslope‐scale rainfall simulation experiments conducted within a juniper–oak woodland and over a shallow karst cave that was instrumented for drip‐rate monitoring. The variables measured during these experiments include the amounts and timing of cave recharge, surface runoff, stemflow, and throughfall. The findings of this study provide insights into the importance of canopy interception during runoff‐producing events, the nature and relative magnitude of rapid recharge, and the interplay between recharge and surface runoff. Key findings of the study were (1) for simulated rainstorms of around 50 mm, between 0 and 23% of the water applied was intercepted (depending on cloud conditions), and 4–9% of the water reaching the ground surface came from stemflow (which was highest under the wettest conditions); (2) surface runoff accounted for approximately 3% of the water applied; and (3) recharge accounted for between 8 and 17% of the water applied and typically reached its maximum level within 20 min of rainfall cessation, declining rapidly thereafter. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of black carbon‐containing particles from soot particle aerosol mass spectrometer measurements on the R/V Atlantis during CalNex 2010

We present mass spectrometry measurements of black carbon‐containing particles made on board the R/V Atlantis during the CalNex (California Research at the Nexus of Air Quality and Climate Change) 2010 study using an Aerodyne Research Inc. soot particle aerosol mass spectrometer (SP‐AMS). The R/V Atlantis was deployed to characterize air masses moving offshore the California coast and to assess emissions from sources in urban ports. This work presents a first detailed analysis of the size‐resolved chemical composition of refractory black carbon (rBC) and of the associated coating species (NR‐PMBC). A colocated standard high‐resolution aerosol mass spectrometer (HR‐AMS) measured the total nonrefractory submicron aerosol (NR‐PM1). Our results indicate that, on average, 35% of the measured NR‐PM1 mass (87% of the primary and 28% of the secondary NR‐PM1, as obtained from the mass‐weighted average of the NR‐PMBC species) was associated with rBC. The peak in the average size distribution of the rBC‐containing particles measured by the SP‐AMS in vacuum aerodynamic diameter (dva) varied from ~100 nm to ~450 nm dva, with most of the rBC mass below 200 dva. The NR‐PMBC below 200 nm dva was primarily organic, whereas inorganics were generally found on larger rBC‐containing particles. Positive matrix factorization analyses of both SP‐AMS and HR‐AMS data identified organic aerosol factors that were correlated in time but had different fragmentation patterns due to the different instruments vaporization techniques. Finally, we provide an overview of the volatility properties of NR‐PMBC and report the presence of refractory oxygen species in some of the air masses encountered.
Yield strength of MgO to 40 GPa

Using the diamond cell, we have measured the quasi-static yield strength of polycrystalline and single-crystal MgO to 40 GPa at room temperature. In contrast to previous studies we find that the yield strength is pressure dependent, increasing from 1.1 GPa at 10 GPa to 4.0 GPa at 40 GPa for polycrystalline samples subjected to small strains. This increase is an order of magnitude larger than the change in the shear modulus over the same pressure range. At 20 GPa the critical resolved shear stress for slip on the {110} system is less than 0.2 GPa, while for {100} slip it is greater than 1.9 GPa. We infer that the {100} {110} critical shear stress is relatively small and independent of pressure. We observe a large variability in the strength of polycrystalline samples depending on the amount of strain achieved in the diamond cell. Samples subjected to large strains are weakest, and they show evidence of a preferred orientation that allows slip on the weak {110} system.
On the diffusion and implementation of trust-based management in Scandinavia: cross-country survey evidence

PurposeThis study aims to examine the diffusion and implementation of trust-based management (TBM) in Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Norway and Sweden). TBM is a novel “anti-New Public Management (NPM)” innovation within the realm of New Public Governance (NPG), which asserts that leadership and control in public sector organizations should be practiced and designed based on the assumption that civil servants and employees in general are trustworthy. The research questions are as follows: How has TBM been diffused and implemented in Scandinavia? To what extent can the institutional logics framework increase understanding of similarities and differences between the Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Norway and Sweden)? Design/methodology/approachThe authors designed and submitted surveys to the municipal directors of the three Scandinavian municipal populations, thereby producing a unique cross-country dataset on TBM diffusion and implementation in Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway and Sweden). FindingsThe authors' study shows that TBM has diffused widely among Scandinavian municipalities and has developed into a municipal-level concept across policy fields and sectors. While Denmark stands out as an earlier and more decisive TBM reformer, the results show that similarities in the diffusion and implementation of TBM in Scandinavian countries are more apparent than the differences.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the public management literature and research on anti-NPM and NPG concepts by being the first wide-scale empirical study of TBM diffusion and implementation in the Scandinavian municipal sectors.
In situ measurement of sorptivity

Measurements of sorptivity are reported for a number of field soils. The main method, used in situ, is simple and consists of timing initial vertical flow of water into an undisturbed soil profile. This method relies on the assumption that, during the measurement time of 1-2 min, the first term of the infiltration equation i = St1/2 + At + Bt3/2 . dominates flow. In other methods horizontal inflow was timed into undisturbed soil blocks, and capillary rise was observed in undisturbed field cores. Sorptivity was quite variable on each site, with standard deviations of the same order as those found for hydraulic conductivity. For most soils the three methods estimated sorptivity differently, the field method giving the largest values. These differences were largely due to the effect of water depth over the soil on sorptivity. Head dependence of sorptivity, verified experimentally and with delta function theory, was particularly strong in soils of composite structure, where infiltration is dominated by structural cracks and root channels. These soils also have relatively large values of the ratio of hydraulic conductivity to sorptivity. Large ratios of hydraulic conductivity to sorptivity and strong head dependence of sorptivity may cause significant errors in calculating sorptivity in the field method. However, these errors are compensating, and analysis of the data indicates that over-estimation of sorptivity in such soils is at the most 5%. For subsoils and soils of single grain structure these errors were negligible. Average sorptivity values of some of these soils have given good quantitative agreement between theory and field data on two-dimensional flow.