Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium Bacteremia in a Tertiary Care Hospital: Epidemiology, Antimicrobial Susceptibility, and Outcome

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREF) has emerged as a relevant multidrug-resistant pathogen and potentially lethal etiology of health care associated infections worldwide. The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to assess factors associated with mortality in patients with VREF bacteremia in a major tertiary referral hospital in Southern Brazil. All documented cases of bacteremia identified between May 2010 and July 2012 were evaluated. Cox regression was performed to determine whether the characteristics related to the host or antimicrobial treatment were associated with the all-cause 30-day mortality. In total, 35 patients with documented VREF bacteremia were identified during the study period. The median APACHE-II score of the study population was 26 (interquartile range: 10). The overall 30-day mortality was 65.7%. All VREF isolates were sensitive to linezolid, daptomycin, and quinupristin-dalfopristin. Linezolid was the only antimicrobial agent with in vitro activity against VREF that was administered to the cohort. After multivariate analysis, linezolid treatment (HR, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.02–0.27) and presence of acute kidney injury at the onset of bacteremia (HR, 4.01; 95% CI, 1.62–9.94) were independently associated with mortality. Presentation with acute kidney injury and lack of treatment with an effective antibiotic poses risk for mortality in patients with VREF bacteremia.
The Generalized Singular Value Decomposition and the Method of Particular Solutions

A powerful method for solving planar eigenvalue problems is the method of particular solutions (MPS), which is also well known under the name “point matching method. ” The implementation of this method usually depends on the solution of one of three types of linear algebra problems: singular value decomposition, generalized eigenvalue decomposition, or generalized singular value decomposition. We compare and give geometric interpretations of these different variants of the MPS. It turns out that the most stable and accurate of them is based on the generalized singular value decomposition. We present results to this effect and demonstrate the behavior of the generalized singular value decomposition in the presence of a highly ill-conditioned basis of particular solutions.
Reverse transcriptase sequence of paired isolates of cerebrospinal fluid and blood from patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 during zidovudine treatment

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) isolates obtained from the blood of patients undergoing treatment with 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (zidovudine [AZT]) show a decreased sensitivity to the drug in vitro. The aim of the present study was to determine if HIV-1 variants resistant to AZT are present also in the brain compartment. We selected sequential HIV-1 isolates from the blood and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of six patients with HIV-1 infection undergoing AZT therapy for a time varying between 1 and 3 years. The isolates were used to infect peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures which were used to prepare viral DNA. The viral DNA was amplified by PCR and then directly sequenced. Analysis of the reverse transcriptase (RT) sequence of the isolates from the CSF during therapy demonstrated that CSF-resistant isolates are characterized by the same mutations documented in resistant isolates from the blood compartment. Isolates obtained from one patient (patient 3) showed the same two mutations (codons 70 and 215) in blood and CSF, whereas isolates obtained from an additional four patients presented a different pattern of mutations in the two compartments. We also analyzed the degree of amino acid homology between RT sequences from blood and CSF isolates in patients before and during AZT treatment. The percentages of amino acid variations were approximately equal when isolates from the same or different compartments were considered. Excluding the codons involved in AZT resistance, the time point of sampling did not affect RT variations during therapy significantly. In conclusion, our studies show that AZT-resistant HIV-1 can be found in the CSF of patients undergoing treatment. The mutations linked to AZT resistance in the CSF isolates are the same as those identified in AZT-resistant isolates from blood.
Learning from a network of peers via peer-driven adjustment of a corpus

In this research, we explore the opportunity for a community of e-learners to network together in a Web 3.0 environment in order to improve the educational experience of each student. In particular, we outline a procedure for each student to be able to propose the creation of subdivisions of existing learning objects (text, video, etc.) of a predefined corpus, in order to adjust the set of learning objects from which subsequent students will learn. We provide an algorithm that specifies the recommended content sequencing of the newly-created corpus for each new student, using a probabilistic approach based on measures of similarity with previous students and on the success of previous learning. We demonstrate the value of this approach through simulations of student learning experiences. In short, we provide a peer-driven personalized learning experience for each student.
The fish tail motion forms an attached leading edge vortex

The tail (caudal fin) is one of the most prominent characteristics of fishes, and the analysis of the flow pattern it creates is fundamental to understanding how its motion generates locomotor forces. A mechanism that is known to greatly enhance locomotor forces in insect and bird flight is the leading edge vortex (LEV) reattachment, i.e. a vortex (separation bubble) that stays attached at the leading edge of a wing. However, this mechanism has not been reported in fish-like swimming probably owing to the overemphasis on the trailing wake, and the fact that the flow does not separate along the body of undulating swimmers. We provide, to our knowledge, the first evidence of the vortex reattachment at the leading edge of the fish tail using three-dimensional high-resolution numerical simulations of self-propelled virtual swimmers with different tail shapes. We show that at Strouhal numbers (a measure of lateral velocity to the axial velocity) at which most fish swim in nature (approx. 0.25) an attached LEV is formed, whereas at a higher Strouhal number of approximately 0.6 the LEV does not reattach. We show that the evolution of the LEV drastically alters the pressure distribution on the tail and the force it generates. We also show that the tail's delta shape is not necessary for the LEV reattachment and fish-like kinematics is capable of stabilising the LEV. Our results suggest the need for a paradigm shift in fish-like swimming research to turn the focus from the trailing edge to the leading edge of the tail.
Evaluating Transit-Oriented Development Using a Sustainability Framework: Lessons from Perth’s Network City

Planners and urban designers across the globe are promoting transit-oriented development (TOD) to encourage sustainable precincts around public transport stations. TODs are compact, mixed-use developments that facilitate walking, bicycling, and use of public transport through its urban design. This article presents a method to evaluate the sustainability of TODs based on six aspects of outcomes, including 1. travel behaviour, 2. the local economy, 3. the natural environment, 4. the built environment, 5. the social environment, and 6. the policy context. Data were collected in five rail precincts across Perth, Western Australia. The major goal of the study was to determine which indicators were possible to collect and establish baseline data.
A relevance feedback based image retrieval approach for improved performance

We present a new content-based visual information retrieval system that applies different existing techniques in a novel way. We use multi-scale local binary patterns to extract a set of features histogram of an image. Then we integrate it with a superpixel-based saliency model to assign weights to the features. Finally we train a group of constrained similarity boundaries using SVM to exploit the perceptual similarity between images to improve the retrieval performance. Experimental results show that the recall of our system was considerably enhanced by combining just the LBP features and the similarity boundaries and by discarding the superpixel saliency map.
Multi-instance Hidden Markov Model for facial expression recognition

This paper presents a novel method for facial expression recognition using only sequence level labeling. With facial image sequences containing multiple peaks of expression, our method aims to label these sequences and identifies expressional peaks automatically. We formulate this weakly labeled expression recognition as a multi-instance learning (MIL) problem. First, image sequences are clustered into multiple segments. After segmentation, image sequences are regarded as bags in MIL and the segments in the bags are viewed as instances. Second, bags data are used to train a discriminative classifier which combined multi-instance learning and discriminative Hidden Markov Model (HMM) learning. In our method, HMM is used to model temporal variation within segments. We conducted experiments on CK+ database and UNBC-McMaster Shoulder Pain Database. Experimental results on both databases show that our method can not only label the sequences effectively, but also locate apex frames of multi-peak sequences. Besides, the experiments demonstrate that our method outperforms state of the art.
MicroRNA Alterations and Associated Aberrant DNA Methylation Patterns across Multiple Sample Types in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background MicroRNA (miRNA) expression is broadly altered in cancer, but few studies have investigated miRNA deregulation in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Epigenetic mechanisms are involved in the regulation of >30 miRNA genes in a range of tissues, and we aimed to investigate this further in OSCC. Methods TaqMan® qRT-PCR arrays and individual assays were used to profile miRNA expression in a panel of 25 tumors with matched adjacent tissues from patients with OSCC, and 8 control paired oral stroma and epithelium from healthy volunteers. Associated DNA methylation changes of candidate epigenetically deregulated miRNA genes were measured in the same samples using the MassArray® mass spectrometry platform. MiRNA expression and DNA methylation changes were also investigated in FACS sorted CD44high oral cancer stem cells from primary tumor samples (CSCs), and in oral rinse and saliva from 15 OSCC patients and 7 healthy volunteers. Results MiRNA expression patterns were consistent in healthy oral epithelium and stroma, but broadly altered in both tumor and adjacent tissue from OSCC patients. MiR-375 is repressed and miR-127 activated in OSCC, and we confirm previous reports of miR-137 hypermethylation in oral cancer. The miR-200 s/miR-205 were epigenetically activated in tumors vs normal tissues, but repressed in the absence of DNA hypermethylation specifically in CD44high oral CSCs. Aberrant miR-375 and miR-200a expression and miR-200c-141 methylation could be detected in and distinguish OSCC patient oral rinse and saliva from healthy volunteers, suggesting a potential clinical application for OSCC specific miRNA signatures in oral fluids. Conclusions MiRNA expression and DNA methylation changes are a common event in OSCC, and we suggest miR-375, miR-127, miR-137, the miR-200 family and miR-205 as promising candidates for future investigations. Although overall activated in OSCC, miR-200/miR-205 suppression in oral CSCs indicate that cell specific silencing of these miRNAs may drive tumor expansion and progression.
Effects of calcium, magnesium and sodium chloride in enhancing lipid accumulation in two green microalgae

Biodiesel from microalgae has the potential as a sustainable fuel, since some species show exceptionally high lipid accumulation potential under various stresses. Effects of different concentrations of Ca, Mg and NaCl in the growth medium on biomass yield and lipid accumulation of Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus obliquus grown under batch culture mode were investigated. Starvation of Mg showed a marginal rise in lipid content for a short period of time. Ca-starved cultures, however, demonstrated a profound rise in lipid content, i.e. 40% of dry cell wt. (dcw) was recorded against 11.9% control for C. vulgaris and 37% (dcw) against 11.3% for S. obliquus. Under increased concentration of Mg, significant rise in biomass and lipid yield was recorded. Effect of NaCl-induced osmotic stress showed lipid accumulation of ∼ 40% (dcw) in both the test algae, whereas the biomass yield was severely affected. The fatty acid profiles under the above stresses were analysed and discussed.
Optimising the content and delivery of postgraduate education in engineering management for government and industry

Optimising the content and delivery of postgraduate education requires a systems approach, and attention to a number of issues, the most important of which is the recognition that the needs (requirements) of postgraduate students employed in the workforce are different to those of traditional full-time students. This paper describes such a systems approach and addresses those issues in the context of a proposed new Master of Engineering Management Degree for implementation at the University of South Australia (UniSA).
A Rotation Invariance Image Matching Method Based on Harris Corner Detection

This paper introduces a method for extracting the distinctive feature of rotation invariance from image that shows reliable matching between images of different angle. First, we use the method of Harris corner detection for finding the interest points from the two images to be matched, in which an extreme tactics is adopted for exactly determining the interest points. Follow by adopting a sub-block checking method for eliminating the cluster and reduce the number of interest points. Second, this paper describes an approach to depict the characteristics of interest points which are gained by rotating the area centered the interest point. By this means the rotation invariance of images can implement. Third, the marching method is introduced calculating the similar information among these points, for example the NPROD algorithm. Through a number of experimental images, we prove that this method is proved viable and robust.
ADC-based serial I/O receivers

Fully digital receiver frontends have garnered interest for serial I/O receivers. While the speed and resolution are achievable in CMOS technologies, the challenge is to achieve low power dissipation so that the I/O links can be integrated in large ASICs. This paper describes different design techniques and shows that the power can be reduced by constraining the specifications and by making architectural trade-offs.
No bits left behind

One of the key tenets of database system design is making efficient use of storage and memory resources. However, existing database system implementations are actually extremely wasteful of such resources; for example, most systems leave a great deal of empty space in tuples, index pages, and data pages, and spend many CPU cycles reading cold records from disk that are never used. In this paper, we identify a number of such sources of waste, and present a series of techniques that limit this waste (e.g., forcing better memory locality for hot data and using empty space in index pages to cache popular tuples) without substantially complicating interfaces or system design. We show that these techniques effectively reduce memory requirements for real scenarios from the Wikipedia database (by up to 17.8×) while increasing query performance (by up to 8×).
Translational Regulation of Terminal Oligopyrimidine mRNAs Induced by Serum and Amino Acids Involves Distinct Signaling Events*

Various mitogenic or growth inhibitory stimuli induce a rapid change in the association of terminal oligopyrimidine (TOP) mRNAs with polysomes. It is generally believed that such translational control hinges on the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-S6 kinase pathway. Amino acid availability affects the translation of TOP mRNAs, although the signaling pathway involved in this regulation is less well characterized. To investigate both serum- and amino acid-dependent control of TOP mRNA translation and the signaling pathways involved, HeLa cells were subjected to serum and/or amino acid deprivation and stimulation. Our results indicate the following. 1) Serum and amino acid deprivation had additive effects on TOP mRNA translation. 2) The serum content of the medium specifically affected TOP mRNA translation, whereas amino acid availability affected both TOP and non-TOP mRNAs. 3) Serum signaling to TOP mRNAs involved only a rapamycin-sensitive pathway, whereas amino acid signaling depended on both rapamycin-sensitive and rapamycin-insensitive but wortmannin-sensitive events. 4) Eukaryotic initiation factor-2α phosphorylation increased during amino acid deprivation, but not following serum deprivation. Interestingly, rapamycin treatment suggests a novel connection between the mTOR pathway and eukaryotic initiation factor-2α phosphorylation in mammalian cells, which may not, however, be involved in TOP mRNA translational regulation.
Shamshad Akhtar: The effectiveness of monetary policy in Pakistan (Central Bank Articles and Speeches)

Economic policies aim to increase the welfare of the general public, and monetary policy supports this broad objective by focusing its efforts to promote price stability. Embedded in this objective is the belief that persistent inflation would compromise the long term economic prospects of the country. The objective of monetary policy in Pakistan, as laid down in the SBP Act of 1956, is to achieve the targets of inflation and growth set annually by the government. In pursuit of this mandate, SBP formulates the country’s monetary policy that is consistent with these announced targets. In my remarks today, I plan to provide perspective on:
On realizing diagrams of Π–algebras

Given a diagram ofO‐algebras (graded groups equipped with an action of the primary homotopy operations), we ask whether it can be realized as the homotopy groups of a diagram of spaces. The answer given here is in the form of an obstruction theory, of somewhat wider application, formulated in terms of generalized O‐algebras. This extends a program begun by Dwyer, Kan, Stover, Blanc and Goerss [21; 10] to study the realization of a single O‐algebra. In particular, we explicitly analyze the simple case of a single map, and provide a detailed example, illustrating the connections to higher homotopy operations. 18G55; 55Q05, 55P65
A model-based tool for interactive prototyping of highly interactive applications

This paper presents a case tool supporting the ICO (Interactive Cooperative Object) formalism. This formalism allows for describing, in a formal way, highly interactive applications (also called post-WIMP). The first section describes why such user interfaces are challenging for most description techniques as well as the state of the art in this field. Then, we use a case study in order to recall the basic concepts of the ICO formalism and the recent extensions added in order to take into account post-WIMP interfaces' specificities. Then a case study is introduced in order to exemplify the use of the ICO formalism. Lastly, we present the case tool PetShop supporting the ICO formalism and how the case study presented in the previous section has been dealt with.
Discovery of Drug Synergies in Gastric Cancer Cells Predicted by Logical Modeling

Discovery of efficient anti-cancer drug combinations is a major challenge, since experimental testing of all possible combinations is clearly impossible. Recent efforts to computationally predict drug combination responses retain this experimental search space, as model definitions typically rely on extensive drug perturbation data. We developed a dynamical model representing a cell fate decision network in the AGS gastric cancer cell line, relying on background knowledge extracted from literature and databases. We defined a set of logical equations recapitulating AGS data observed in cells in their baseline proliferative state. Using the modeling software GINsim, model reduction and simulation compression techniques were applied to cope with the vast state space of large logical models and enable simulations of pairwise applications of specific signaling inhibitory chemical substances. Our simulations predicted synergistic growth inhibitory action of five combinations from a total of 21 possible pairs. Four of the predicted synergies were confirmed in AGS cell growth real-time assays, including known effects of combined MEK-AKT or MEK-PI3K inhibitions, along with novel synergistic effects of combined TAK1-AKT or TAK1-PI3K inhibitions. Our strategy reduces the dependence on a priori drug perturbation experimentation for well-characterized signaling networks, by demonstrating that a model predictive of combinatorial drug effects can be inferred from background knowledge on unperturbed and proliferating cancer cells. Our modeling approach can thus contribute to preclinical discovery of efficient anticancer drug combinations, and thereby to development of strategies to tailor treatment to individual cancer patients.
Adaptive Wavelet Methods for Saddle Point Problems

Recently, adaptive wavelet strategies for symmetric, positive definite operators have been introduced that were proven to converge. This paper is devoted to the generalization to saddle point problems which are also symmetric, but indefinite. Firstly, we derive explicit criteria for adaptively refined wavelet spaces in order to fulfill the Ladyshenskaja-Babuska-Brezzi (LBB) condition and to be fully equilibrated. Then, we investigate a posteriori error estimates and generalize the known adaptive wavelet strategy to saddle point problems. The convergence of this strategy for elliptic operators essentially relies on the positive definite character of the operator. As an alternative, we introduce an adaptive variant of Uzawa''s algorithm and prove its convergence. Finally, we detail our results for two concrete examples of saddle point problems, namely the mixed formulation of the Stokes problem and second order elliptic boundary value problems where the boundary conditions are appended by Lagrange multipliers. EMAIL:: urban@dragon.ian. pv.cnr. it KEYWORDS:: Adaptive schemes, a posteriori error estimates, multiscale methods, wavelets, saddle point problems, Uzawa''s algorithm, Stokes problem, Lagrange multipliers.