Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Teamwork and Error in the Operating Room: Analysis of Skills and Roles

Objective:To analyze the effects of surgical, anesthetic, and nursing teamwork skills on technical outcomes. Summary Background Data:The value of team skills in reducing adverse events in the operating room is presently receiving considerable attention. Current work has not yet identified in detail how the teamwork and communication skills of surgeons, anesthetists, and nurses affect the course of an operation. Methods:Twenty-six laparoscopic cholecystectomies and 22 carotid endarterectomies were studied using direct observation methods. For each operation, teams’ skills were scored for the whole team, and for nursing, surgical, and anesthetic subteams on 4 dimensions (leadership and management [LM]; teamwork and cooperation; problem solving and decision making; and situation awareness). Operating time, errors in surgical technique, and other procedural problems and errors were measured as outcome parameters for each operation. The relationships between teamwork scores and these outcome parameters within each operation were examined using analysis of variance and linear regression. Results:Surgical (F(2,42) = 3.32, P = 0.046) and anesthetic (F(2,42) = 3.26, P = 0.048) LM had significant but opposite relationships with operating time in each operation: operating time increased significantly with higher anesthetic but decreased with higher surgical LM scores. Errors in surgical technique had a strong association with surgical situation awareness (F(2,42) = 7.93, P < 0.001) in each operation. Other procedural problems and errors were related to the intraoperative LM skills of the nurses (F(5,1) = 3.96, P = 0.027). Conclusions:Detailed analysis of team interactions and dimensions is feasible and valuable, yielding important insights into relationships between nontechnical skills, technical performance, and operative duration. These results support the concept that interventions designed to improve teamwork and communication may have beneficial effects on technical performance and patient outcome.
Live Migration of Virtual Machine in Cloud : Survey of Issues and Solutions

Cloud computing is a technology that is built on the theory of virtualizationthe idea to allow multiple virtual machines to share the resources of a host. One of the features of virtualization is live migration. This feature will allow one or more virtual machines to be migrated from one host to another without interfering with applications running on those virtual machines. However, there are many security issues associated with virtual machine live migration, which discourages many IT managers of taking advantage of this technology. This survey discusses live migration security issues, along with possible attacks before, during, and after migration. In addition, this survey discovers some known methodologies that aim to secure virtual machine live migration. Keywords—component; VM; virtualization; VMM; cloud computing; live migration security.
Regulation of acetyl-CoA synthetase transcription by the CrbS/R two-component system is conserved in genetically diverse environmental pathogens

The CrbS/R two-component signal transduction system is a conserved regulatory mechanism through which specific Gram-negative bacteria control acetate flux into primary metabolic pathways. CrbS/R governs expression of acetyl-CoA synthase (acsA), an enzyme that converts acetate to acetyl-CoA, a metabolite at the nexus of the cell’s most important energy-harvesting and biosynthetic reactions. During infection, bacteria can utilize this system to hijack host acetate metabolism and alter the course of colonization and pathogenesis. In toxigenic strains of Vibrio cholerae, CrbS/R-dependent expression of acsA is required for virulence in an arthropod model. Here, we investigate the function of the CrbS/R system in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas entomophila, and non-toxigenic V. cholerae strains. We demonstrate that its role in acetate metabolism is conserved; this system regulates expression of the acsA gene and is required for growth on acetate as a sole carbon source. As a first step towards describing the mechanism of signaling through this pathway, we identify residues and domains that may be critical for phosphotransfer. We further demonstrate that although CrbS, the putative hybrid sensor kinase, carries both a histidine kinase domain and a receiver domain, the latter is not required for acsA transcription. In order to determine whether our findings are relevant to pathogenesis, we tested our strains in a Drosophila model of oral infection previously employed for the study of acetate-dependent virulence by V. cholerae. We show that non-toxigenic V. cholerae strains lacking CrbS or CrbR are significantly less virulent than are wild-type strains, while P. aeruginosa and P. entomophila lacking CrbS or CrbR are fully pathogenic. Together, the data suggest that the CrbS/R system plays a central role in acetate metabolism in V. cholerae, P. aeruginosa, and P. entomophila. However, each microbe’s unique environmental adaptations and pathogenesis strategies may dictate conditions under which CrbS/R-mediated acs expression is most critical.
Performance Optimization of Multiple Quantum Well Transistor Laser

A comprehensive physical model that emphasizes carrier tunneling between quantum wells (QWs) in the base of transistor lasers (TLs) is developed. This model relies on a set of multilevel coupled rate equations solved by computationally efficient numerical methods for simulating both steady state and transient TL operations. Our approach also features the explicit dependence of the structure design on device parameters such as optical confinement factor and carrier density-dependent gain. It also accounts for operation behaviors such as bandwidth roll-off and critical base width not yet addressed in the literature. Simulation results show significant enhancement in optical bandwidth as well as threshold current reduction when multiple QWs are incorporated within the base region. It predicts the dominance of tunneling transport of carriers for barriers thinner than 13.5 nm in a system with 7-nm QWs. However, the optimum QW number depends on the structure design as well as TL biasing conditions. For this purpose, we define a performance parameter as a TL figure of merit that can be maximized by optimizing both the base and the cavity designs.
An implementation comparison of the HEVC encoder on two embedded processors

This paper adeals with an implementation and comparison of the last software version of the new video coding standard High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) encoder in the embedded processors ARM cortex A8 and A9 using NEON Technology which is the single-instruction-multiple-data for these processors. The two processors reveal almost the same performances but with the computational complexity of the proposed encoder HEVC implementation is decreased by about 4 times when compared with the default execution with the same coding quality.
The GDR Through the Eyes of the Stasi - Data Mining on the Secret Reports of the State Security Service of the former German Democratic Republic

The conjunction of NLP and the humanities has been gaining importance over the last years. As part of this development more and more historical documents are getting digitized and can be used as an input for established NLP methods. In this paper we present a corpus of texts from reports of the Ministry of State Security of the former GDR. Although written in a distinctive kind of sublanguage, we show that traditional NLP can be applied with satisfying results. We use these results as a basis for providing new ways of presentation and exploration of the data which then can be accessed by a wide spectrum of users.
Zoom cameras and movable displays enhance social telepresence

This paper shows that the augmentation of a remote person's positional movement enhances social telepresence. There are three possible ways of representing a remote person's movement toward the user in visual communication: a) the remote person's movement toward the remote camera, b) the remote camera's zooming in to enlarge the remote person's picture, and c) a forward movement of the display that is displaying the remote person. We conducted an experiment to see the relationship among these three ways and the effects of a remote camera's zooming and a display's movement on social telepresence. In the experiment, we observed that the remote person's movement lowered the reality of conversations, and the remote camera's zooming lowered the visual quality. However, social telepresence was enhanced when both the person's movement and the camera's zooming occurred simultaneously. We also observed that a 6-centimeter movement of the display enhanced social telepresence, whether the remote person moved or not.
Multi-Agent Systems for Information Retrieval on the WorldWideWeb

This Diploma thesis describes the implementation of a prototype multi-agent system. The system consists of four different types of agents and is based on the Java Agent Template, an agent framework freely available from Stanford University. The purpose of the multi-agent system is to aid users in searching and retrieving information available on the WorldWideWeb. Information is categorized in concepts and the different agent share and exchange the knowledge about concepts and documents on the WWW that matches these concepts. This thesis presents how the information is modeled and how it is communicated between the agents of the system. It also includes prototypes of the agents that demonstrate a working implementation of the approach.
What’s new in psoriasis

The earliest histopathological changes of skin which eventually lead to visible psoriasis are difficult to ascertain. In recent years early cutaneous changes (“pinsized macules”) [1], “prepinsized papules” [3, 4, 9] have been studied. However, since these lesions can be identified macrospically they may reflect advanced stages of the disease process not fully representing the earliest changes leading to psoriasis.
HEMATOGENOUS PYELONEPHRITIS IN RATS III

In most accounts of the pathology of human pyelonephritis, no consideration has been given to variations in the disease that could be attributed to differences in the bacterial etiology of the infections. This failure to study the etiological background can be explained by the fact that most pyelonephritic kidneys at autopsy are either no longer infected or at the stage where the organism responsible for the initial infection has been replaced by a succession of other bacteria during the course of recurrences. These limitations to the study of human pyelonephritis led us to examine the problem in rats experimentally infected with those bacterial species usually responsible for human pyelonephritis. Earlier experiments had succeeded in developing a technique for producing a form of hematogenous pyelonephritis in rats that closely resembled the type of human disease occurring in the absence of hydronephrosis (Braude et al., 1955). Because this form of experimental pyelonephritis was produced without resorting to the conventional technique of ureteral ligation, it was possible to analyze the evolution of renal infection under circumstances that were not confused by the effects of urinary obstruction.
Expression analysis of cellulose synthase and main cytoskeletal protein genes in flax (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Fiber flax is an important source of natural fiber and a comprehensive model for the plant fiber biogenesis studies. Cellulose‐synthase (CesA) and cytoskeletal genes are known to be important for the cell wall biogenesis in general and for the biogenesis of flax fibers in particular. Currently, knowledge about activity of these genes during the plant growth is limited. In this study, we have investigated flax fiber biogenesis by measuring expression of CesA and cytoskeletal genes at two stages of the flax development (seedlings and stems at the rapid growth stage) in several flax subspecies (elongatum, mediterraneum, crepitans). RT‐qPCR has been used to quantify the expression of LusСesA1, LusСesA4, LusСesA7, LusСesA6, Actin, and α‐Tubulin genes in plant samples. We report that CesA genes responsible for the secondary cell wall synthesis (LusCesA4, LusCesA7) have different expression pattern compared with CesA genes responsible for the primary cell wall synthesis (LusCesA1, LusCesA6): an average expression of LusCesA4 and LusCesA7 genes is relatively high in seedlings and further increases in stems at the rapid growth stage, whereas an average expression of LusCesA1 and LusCesA6 genes decreases. Interestingly, LusCesA1 is the only studied gene with different expression dynamics between the flax subspecies: its expression decreases by 5.2–10.7 folds in elongatum and mediterraneum but does not change in crepitans subspecies when the rapid growth stage and seedlings are compared. The expression of cytoskeleton genes (coding actin and α‐tubulin) is relatively stable and significantly higher than the expression of cellulose‐synthase genes in all the studied samples.
Adaptation of Lactobacillus casei Zhang to Gentamycin Involves an Alkaline Shock Protein

Lactobacillus (L. casei) Zhang is a koumiss-originated probiotic strain, which was used as a model in a long-term antibiotics-driven evolution experiment to reveal bacterial evolutionary dynamics; and we isolated gentamycin-resistant L. casei Zhang descendents. To decipher the gentamycin resistance mechanism, here we cultivated the parental L. casei Zhang and its descendent cells in an antibiotics-containing environment to compare their global protein expression profiles using the iTRAQ-based proteomic approach. A total of 72 proteins were significantly up-regulated (>2.0-fold, P < 0.05), whilst 32 proteins were significantly down-regulated <−2.0-fold, P < 0.05) in the descendent line. The gentamycin-resistant descendent line showed elevated expression in some carbohydrates, amino acids, and purine metabolic pathways. Several stress-related proteins were also differentially expressed. Among them, one alkaline shock protein, asp23, was up-regulated most in the gentamycin-resistant strain (21.9-fold increase compared with the parental strain). The asp23 gene disruption mutant was significantly more sensitive to gentamycin compared with the wild type, suggesting an important role of this gene in developing the gentamycin-resistant phenotype in L. casei. Our report has described the adaptation of a probiotic strain that has acquired antibiotics resistance through long-term antibiotics exposure at the proteome level, and we revealed a novel mechanism of gentamycin resistance.
Osteopontin regulates α‐smooth muscle actin and calponin in vascular smooth muscle cells

vSMCs (vascular smooth muscle cells) lose differentiation markers and gain uncontrolled proliferative activity during the early stages of atherosclerosis. Previous studies have shown that OPN (osteopontin) mRNA and protein levels increase significantly on induction of proliferative activity by allylamine (an atherogenic amine) and that this response can be inhibited by OPN antibodies. We have investigated the role of OPN in vSMC differentiation. Primary cultures of aortic mouse vSMCs were transfected with an OPN expression plasmid and several vSMC differentiation markers including α‐SM actin (α‐smooth muscle actin), SM22‐α, tropomyosin and calponin were monitored in this cellular model. α‐SM actin and calponin protein levels were significantly decreased by OPN overexpression. Down‐regulation of α‐SM actin and calponin was also observed on extracellular treatment of mouse vSMCs with recombinant OPN. In addition, calponin mRNA was significantly decreased under serum‐restricted conditions when OPN mRNA was dramatically increased, while α‐SM actin mRNA remained unchanged. These data indicate that OPN down‐regulates α‐SM actin and calponin expression through an extracellular signalling pathway. Functional connectivity between OPN and vSMC differentiation markers has been established. Since vSMCs lose differentiation features during early atherosclerosis, a mechanistic basis for OPN functions as a critical regulator of proliferative cardiovascular disease has been presented.
Comparison Between Linear and Nonlinear In‐Season Training Programs in Freshman Football Players

The purpose of this study was to compare linear (LT) with nonlinear (NL) in-season training programs in freshman football players during the course of 2 separate seasons. During the first year (n = 14, mean ± SD = 177.3 ± 4.8 cm, 88.0 ± 9.7 kg), the LT program was employed 2 days per week. In the second year (n = 14, 175.0 ± 7.1 cm, 94.2 ± 20.5 kg), a 2 days per week LT was used. Subjects were tested for maximal strength in the squat (1 repetition maximum [1RM]) and bench press (1RM) exercises. A significant improvement in 1RM squat was seen in LT, but not in NL. No significant improvement in 1RM bench press was seen in either group. A significant difference between LT and NL was observed in A1RM squat (13.8 ± 7.4 kg compared with 1.6 ± 2.6 kg, respectively). Results of this study suggest that LT may be more effective in eliciting strength gains than NL in freshman football players during an in-season training program.
Acute Lung Injury Following Inhalation Exposure to Nerve Agent VX in Guinea Pigs

A microinstillation technique of inhalation exposure was utilized to assess lung injury following chemical warfare nerve agent VX [methylphosphonothioic acid S-(2-[bis(1-methylethyl)amino]ethyl) O-ethyl ester] exposure in guinea pigs. Animals were anesthetized using Telazol-meditomidine, gently intubated, and VX was aerosolized using a microcatheter placed 2 cm above the bifurcation of the trachea. Different doses (50.4 μg/m3, 70.4 μ g/mm3, 90.4 μg/mm3) of VX were administered at 40 pulses/min for 5 min. Dosing of VX was calculated by the volume of aerosol produced per 200 pulses and diluting the agent accordingly. Although the survival rate of animals exposed to different doses of VX was similar to the controls, nearly a 20% weight reduction was observed in exposed animals. After 24 h of recovery, the animals were euthanized and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed with oxygen free saline. BAL was centrifuged and separated into BAL fluid (BALF) and BAL cells (BALC) and analyzed for indication of lung injury. The edema by dry/wet weight ratio of the accessory lobe increased 11% in VX-treated animals. BAL cell number was increased in VX-treated animals compared to controls, independent of dosage. Trypan blue viability assay indicated an increase in BAL cell death in 70.4 μg/mm3 and 90.4 μg/mm3 VX-exposed animals. Differential cell counting of BALC indicated a decrease in macrophage/monocytes in VX-exposed animals. The total amount of BAL protein increased gradually with the exposed dose of VX and was highest in animals exposed to 90.4 μg/mm3, indicating that this dose of VX caused lung injury that persisted at 24 h. In addition, histopathology results also suggest that inhalation exposure to VX induces acute lung injury.
Rapid and complete fusion of macrophage lysosomes with phagosomes containing Salmonella typhimurium

The virulence of Salmonella typhimurium for mice results, in part, from its ability to survive after phagocytosis by macrophages. Although it is generally agreed that intracellular bacteria persist in membrane-bound phagosomes, there remains some question as to whether these phagosomes fuse with macrophage lysosomes. This report describes the maturation of phagosomes containing S. typhimurium inside mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages. Macrophages were infected briefly and incubated for various intervals; then they were examined by fluorescence microscopy for colocalization of bacteria with lysosomal markers. These markers included LAMP-1, cathepsin L, and fluorescent proteins or dextrans preloaded into lysosomes by endocytosis. By all measures, phagosomes containing S. typhimurium merged completely with the lysosomal compartment within 20 min of phagocytosis. The rate of phagosome-lysosome fusion was similar to the rate for phagocytosed latex beads. Phagolysosomes remained accessible to fluid-phase probes and contained lysosomal markers for many hours. Moreover, a large percentage of the wild-type bacteria that were viable 20 min after infection survived longer incubations inside macrophages, indicating that the survivors were not a minor subpopulation that avoided phagosome-lysosome fusion. Therefore, we conclude that S. typhimurium survives within the lysosomal compartments of macrophages.
Immunité et protection induites par un lentivecteur ADN innovant chez les modèles animaux de vaccination VIH-1.

Nous avons recemment developpe un prototype lentivecteur ADN non integratif vaccinal contre VIH-1/SIDA que nous avons teste chez des modeles animaux. L'immunisation avec une dose unique de ce vaccin (CAL-SHIV-IN-) a permis la mise en place rapide de reponses immunes specifiques contre tous les antigenes exprimes par le vaccin chez tous les animaux vaccines. Les analyses longitudinales ont demontre la mise en place de reponses cellulaires et humorales specifiques et persistantes sur une duree de plus de 74 semaines en absence de reintroduction d'antigenes chez tous les macaques vaccines. La caracterisation de ces reponses a revele la presence de cellules T CD4+ et CD8+ polyfonctionnelles composees de fractions de cellules effectrices memoires a fonction immediate (EM), de cellules centrales memoires (CM) et de cellules precurseurs memoires ayant une haute capacite de proliferation (PHPC). Ces reponses correlent, chez tous les macaques vaccines (6/6), avec un controle du virus d'epreuve hautement heterologue et pathogenique (SIVmac251) inocule a petites doses repetees par la voie mucosale rectale. Cette protection est maintenue durant toute la periode d'un an de suivi apres l'infection avec une difference statistiquement significative de la charge virale plasmatique des groupes controles et vaccines au moins jusqu'a 18 semaines post-infection. Par ailleurs, le controle du virus d'epreuve est maintenu plus de 10 mois (correspondant au temps d'arret de l'etude) apres l'infection. Parmi les correlats immunologiques de protection nous avons identifie la presence de cellules de type PHPC specifiques des antigenes du vaccin et qui sont dotees d'une capacite importante de proliferation ex vivo en presence des signaux antigeniques et homeostatiques. Nous avons demontre que ces PHPC contiennent une fraction de cellules T souches memoires « TSCM » specifiques du vaccin. Ces TSCM recemment identifiees constitueraient un atout majeur en faveur de notre vecteur et notre strategie vaccinale du fait de leur haute capacite d'auto-regeneration/maintien en absence d'antigene et leur capacite a se differencier en d'autres cellules memoires TCM et TEM.