Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predicting Bacteremia among Patients Hospitalized for Skin and Skin-Structure Infections: Derivation and Validation of a Risk Score

Objective. Bacteremia is relatively common in patients with skin and skin-structure infection (SSSI) severe enough to require hospitalization. We used selected demographic and clinical characteristics easily assessable at initial evaluation to develop a model for the early identification of patients with SSSI who are at higher risk for bacteremia. Participants. A large database of adults hospitalized with SSSI at 97 hospitals in the United States during the period from 2003 through 2007 and from whom blood samples were obtained for culture at admission. Methods. We compared selected candidate predictor variables for patients shown to have bacteremia and patients with no demonstrated bacteremia. Using stepwise logistic regression to identify independent risk factors for bacteremia, we derived a model by using 75% of a randomly split cohort, converted the model coefficients into a risk score system, and then we validated it by using the remaining 25% of the cohort. Results. Bacteremia was documented in 1,021 (11.7%) of the 8,747 eligible patients. Independent predictors of bacteremia (P<.001) were infected device or prosthesis, respiratory rate less than 10 or more than 29 breaths per minute, pulse rate less than 49 or more than 125 beats per minute, temperature less than 35.6°C or at least 38.0°C, white blood cell band percentage of 7% or more, white blood cell count greater than 11 x 109/L, healthcare-associated infection, male sex, and older age. The bacteremia rates ranged from 3.7% (lowest decile) to 30.6% (highest decile) (P< .001). The model C statistic was 0.71; the Hosmer-Lemeshow test P value was . 36, indicating excellent model calibration. Conclusions. Using data available at hospital admission, we developed a risk score that differentiated SSSI patients at low risk for bacteremia from patients at high risk. This score may help clinicians identify patients who require more intensive monitoring or antimicrobial regimens appropriate for treating bacteremia.
A comprehensive overview of PM10 levels in İstanbul: annual and seasonal spatio-temporal variations and the long-distance transport

This study provides a comprehensive overview of the particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters 10 µm (PM10) levels in the megacity Istanbul. PM10 concentrations of ten ambient air quality monitoring stations in Istanbul were studied for the period of 2007-2015. The study focuses on: (i) similarities and differences among urban areas, (ii) on spatial and temporal variations of PM10, (iii) emission sources within Istanbul, (iv) long-distance PM10 transport. PM10 concentrations in Istanbul show significant variations across the megacity, with high PM10 levels at heavy traffic points and industrial zones. Results indicate that the number of exceedences allowed by the EU standards is violated daily and annually at all monitoring sites which indicate serious air quality problem in Istanbul. The seasonal variation is characterized by high concentrations in the winter, and autumn, and low concentrations in the summer. Studies on high PM10 episodes shed light on key atmospheric driving mechanisms which transport air parcels from the Atlantic, Europe and North Africa.
An analytical model of burnishing forces using slab method

During the processing of material by burnishing operations, tangential and normal forces play a key role in determining the burnished surface quality, surface hardness, fatigue life, and state of residual stress. However, prediction of the burnishing force in major portions of the paper was based on the micromechanical force model on surface asperities that contain many simplifications and makes the understanding of the model quite complex. In the present work, an analytical study has been carried out to predict the ball burnishing forces in the tangential and normal directions. Firstly, 2D geometrical model of the process was developed to identify the acting forces and their relevant directions during burnishing. Then the forces were related to the burnishing pressure that is calculated by the slab method analysis. The obtained results were further verified by experimental trials. In addition, the developed models were used to analyze the effect of burnishing input variables such as feed rate, burnishing depth, ball radius, and friction coefficient on the forces. Results indicated that the experimental observations are in good agreement with the developed model. Hence, it can be significantly used to predict the forces acting during burnishing and it can provide comprehensive understanding of the effect of process factors on burnishing forces.
Discovering Manufacturing Process from Timed Data: the BJT4R Algorithm

This paper addresses the problem of discovering and modeling a manufacturing process from the timed data contained in a monitoring data base. The modeling approach, called the stochastic approach, aims at producing temporal patterns under the form of abstract chronicle models from a homogenous Markov chain and its corresponding superposition of Poisson processes representing a sequence of timed data generated by supervision system. The paper presents the BJT4R algorithm (Backward Jump with Timed constraints For Road) that implements the stochastic approach to discover the most probable paths linking a discrete event class to another and its application to the wafer manufacturing process of a production plant of the STMicroelectronics Company. The aim of this application is to discover models of “manufacturing roads” with the associated timed constraints to improve the wafer manufacturing process. This paper shows that the stochastic approach and the BJT4R is applicable to this aim.
Multi-image registration for evaluating the 99mTc-TRODAT-1 of parkinson’s rat model

Study on small animal model using multiple imaging is an important procedure in medicine and physiology. Recently, Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) of dopamine transporter with 99cmTc-TRODA-1 has been proved to be a valuable and feasible mean of assessing the integrity of dopamine neurons. In this paper, an image registration algorithm for MRI and SPECT is proposed to evaluate the changes of a Parkinson’s rat in brain organization and function. In addition, an automatic labeling algorithm which highlights striatum is necessary because manually segmenting these tissues from MRI is usually time consuming. As a result, we have built a computer-aid clinical diagnosis system which automates all the processes. This paper provides effective evaluation of Parkinson’s symptoms by calculating the values of binding potentials for dopamine for quantification. Experimental result shows that the performance of the proposed method is better than the previous approach based on automated image registration.
A simplified fuzzy logic controller for DC series motor with improve performance

This paper presents a simulation study of a adjustable fuzzy logic control technique for speed regulation of DC motor drives. The DC drives system is a DC series motor connected to a single-phase full-bridge converter. A simplify fuzzy logic model (SFL) is designed where the motor speed is used as a fuzzy input to achieve fast speed regulation. The proposed model is also applied to a PI type fuzzy controller (FPI). In addition, a classical PI is used to conduct simulation analysis together with the SFL and FPI models. Performances of the proposed model are compared in terms of several performance measures such as peak overshoot, rise-time, settling time and steady-state waveform. The simulations are carried out using Mathlab Simulink and Power System Blocksets. The simulation result exhibits the superior transient and steady state performance of the SFL controller over the FPI and classical PI controller.
SEM study of simulated clinical use for four nickel–titanium rotary endodontic files

Nickel–titanium (NiTi) rotary endodontic instruments are the major medical devices currently used for root canal therapy. Recently marketed NiTi files are manufactured using thermomechanical processes that improve fatigue resistance and flexibility, which are critical for clinical performance. This study employed a simulated clinical model to compare the wear and fracture of three such rotary instrument products (ProFile Vortex Blue™, ProTaper Gold™ and Coltene HyFlex ® CM™), with a previously introduced product (ProFile Vortex™) serving as a control. Files were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM) at four positions along their length before use and through three simulated clinical procedures on extracted teeth. Wear and deformation were evaluated by two experienced clinicians. Files were categorized as usable, visually unacceptable and microscopically unacceptable, and results were analysed statisti‐ cally. Three files fractured, and nine files plastically deformed. Many unused instru‐ ments were judged to be microscopically unacceptable. There were no significant effects for brand and amount of use for files remaining visibly useful. Microscopically useful instruments were significantly affected by the number of uses. It was concluded that no observed wear or distortion pattern limited multiple file uses and that poorly manufactured surface condition was not necessarily a precursor to failure. Controlled‐ memory instruments tended to deform plastically and present minimal fracture risk.
Management of ankle fractures

A 73 year old woman presented to the accident and emergency department after having fallen down a flight of stairs near her local shops. She had not injured her head; lost consciousness; or had a preceding event, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness. After her fall she sustained a closed injury to her left ankle, which was swollen and painful to palpation over both malleoluses. She was also unable to bear weight on her left ankle. Her medical history included hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, and osteoporosis. She had undergone hemiarthroplasty for a fracture to the neck of the right femur 10 years ago. She lived with her husband in a bungalow and was fully independent in activities of daily living, using a stick to mobilise. She was an ex-smoker and did not drink. The anterioposterior and lateral radiographs on admission are shown below (figs 1⇓ and 2⇓). Fig 1 Anterioposterior radiograph on admission Fig 2 Lateral radiograph on admission ### 1 When should a radiograph be ordered after an ankle injury? #### Short answer If there is bony tenderness over the medial malleolus or lateral malleolus and the patient cannot bear weight. #### Long answer The Ottawa ankle rules are a set of guidelines aimed at helping doctors in emergency medicine decide whether a patient with foot or ankle pain should be offered radiographic investigation.1 The guidelines were developed by a team of doctors working in the emergency department of the Ottawa Hospital, Canada, and have been adopted in emergency departments worldwide. Their main purpose is to limit the number of unnecessary radiographs, which are not only costly and time consuming but also expose …
Automatic English-Chinese name transliteration for development of multilingual resources

In this paper, we describe issues in the translation of proper names from English to Chinese which we have faced in constructing a system for multilingual text generation supporting both languages. We introduce an algorithm for mapping from English names to Chinese characters based on (1) heuristics about relationships between English spelling and pronunciation, and (2) consistent relationships between English phonemes and Chinese characters.
Kalman filtering based real-time dynamic state and arameter estimation using PMU data

This paper proposes extended Kalman filtering (EKF) based real-time dynamic state and parameter estimation using phasor measurement unit (PMU) data. In order to reduce computing load, model decoupling technique is used where measurements (real power, reactive power, voltage magnitude and phase angle) from a PMU are treated as inputs and outputs from the system. Inputs are real and reactive powers while outputs are voltage magnitude phase angle. EKF is implemented using a second-order swing equation eywords: ower system modeling xtended Kalman filter hasor measurement units ynamic state estimation and a classical generator model to estimate the two dynamic states (rotor angle and rotor speed) and unknown parameters, e.g., mechanical power, inertia constant, damping factor and transient reactance. An EKF algorithm is developed using model decoupling technique for real-time estimation of states and parameters related to electromechanical dynamics. The EKF based estimation can estimate two dynamic states along with four unknown parameters. ynamic parameter estimation
Decentralized output-feedback MRAC of linear state delay systems

In this note, we develop coordinated decentralized output-feedback adaptive controllers for a class of large-scale systems with state time delays in the subsystems and in the interconnections. We present a decentralized model reference adaptive control scheme which requires an exchange of signals between the different reference models, but does not involve the exchange of output signals between the different subsystems. It can not only guarantee closed-loop stability but also asymptotic zero tracking errors when uncertainties and delays are present in the subsystems and interconnections. Closed-loop signal boundedness and asymptotic output-feedback tracking are proven analytically and verified by simulation.
Novelties on Amoebiasis: A Neglected Tropical Disease

In accordance with the 1997 documents of the World Health Organization (WHO), amoebiasis is defined as the infection by the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica with or without clinical manifestations. The only known natural host of E. histolytica is the human with the large intestine as major target organ. This parasite has a very simple life cycle in which the infective form is the cyst, considered a resistant form of parasite: The asymptomatic cyst passers and the intestinal amoebiasis patients are the transmitters; they excrete cysts in their feces, which can contaminate food and water sources. E. histolytica sensu stricto is the potentially pathogenic species and E. dispar is a commensal non-pathogenic Entamoeba. Both species are biochemical, immunological and genetically distinct. The knowledge of both species with different pathogenic phenotypes comes from a large scientific debate during the second half of the 20th century, which gave place to the rapid development of diagnostics technology based on molecular and immunological strategies. During the last ten years, knowledge of the new epidemiology of amoebiasis in different geographic endemic and non-endemic areas has been obtained by applying mostly molecular techniques. In the present work we highlight novelties on human infection and the disease that can help the general physician from both endemic and non-endemic countries in their medical practice, particularly, now that emigration is undoubtedly a global phenomenon that is modifying the previous geography of infectious diseases worldwide.
Efficacy of High-Dose Supplementation With Oral Vitamin D3 on Depressive Symptoms in Dialysis Patients With Vitamin D3 Insufficiency: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind Study

Abstract Psychological problems are common among end-stage renal disease patients undergoing dialysis. We aim to evaluate whether high-dose vitamin D3 (VD3) supplementation has beneficial effects on depressive symptoms in dialysis patients. This prospective, randomized, and double-blind trial includes 746 dialysis patients with depression treated in 3 hospitals in Southeast China. Depression was diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria. Patients were randomly assigned to 52-week treatment of oral 50,000 IU/wk VD3 (cholecalciferol) (test group) or a placebo (control group). The presence of depressive symptoms was evaluated using the Chinese version of Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) II both before and after treatment. Sociodemographic data, clinical data, nutritional indexes, inflammatory biomarkers, and plasma VD3 concentrations were also determined. Finally, 726 patients completed the experiments, including 362 tested patients and 364 controls. After 52 weeks, the depressive symptoms were not significantly improved in the test group (mean BDI II scores changed from −1.1 ± 0.3 to −3.1 ± 0.6) versus the control group. Multivariable logistic regression showed BDI scores were not significantly improved in the test group versus the control group with adjustment for age, sex, comorbidity index, dialysis modality, or (OH)D levels (multivariable-adjusted mean change or MAMC [95% confidence interval (CI)], −2.3 [−2.48 to −1.83]) in the whole dialysis population. After stratification by depression types, the findings do support a significant relationship between the VD3 supplementation and the improvement in BDI II scores in dialysis patients with vascular depression (MAMC [95% CI], −4.4 [−5.08 to −2.76]), but the effect was not significant for major depressive disorders (MAMC [95% CI], −0.9 [−1.52 to −0.63]). The high-dose VD3 supplementation did not significantly reduce the depressive symptoms in our total dialysis population, but a beneficial effect on vascular depression was found, probably mainly based on the improvement of cardiovascular risk factors.
Application of Platelet-Rich Plasma to Disorders of the Knee Joint

Importance: The promising therapeutic potential and regenerative properties of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) have rapidly led to its widespread clinical use in musculoskeletal injury and disease. Although the basic scientific rationale surrounding PRP products is compelling, the clinical application has outpaced the research. Objective: The purpose of this article is to examine the current concepts around the basic science of PRP application, different preparation systems, and clinical application of PRP in disorders in the knee. Evidence Acquisition: A systematic search of PubMed for studies that evaluated the basic science, preparation and clinical application of platelet concentrates was performed. The search used terms, including platelet-rich plasma or PRP preparation, activation, use in the knee, cartilage, ligament, and meniscus. Studies found in the initial search and related studies were reviewed. Results: A comprehensive review of the literature supports the potential use of PRP both nonoperatively and intraoperatively, but highlights the absence of large clinical studies and the lack of standardization between method, product, and clinical efficacy. Conclusions and Relevance. In addition to the call for more randomized, controlled clinical studies to assess the clinical effect of PRP, at this point, it is necessary to investigate PRP product composition and eventually have the ability to tailor the therapeutic product for specific indications.
The Evolution of Sibilants in Polish and Russian

paper we provide an account of the historical development of Polish and Russian sibilants. The arguments provided here are of theoretical interest because they show that (i) certain allophonic rules are driven by the need to keep contrasts perceptually distinct, (ii) (un- conditioned) sound changes result from needs of perceptual distinctiveness, and (iii) percept- ual distinctiveness can be extended to a class of consonants, i.e. the sibilants. The analysis is cast within Dispersion Theory, and we provide phonetic and typological data supporting the perceptual distinctivenss claims we make.
Spitzer Observations of IC 348: The Disk Population at 2-3 Million Years

We present near- and mid-infrared photometry obtained with the Spitzer Space Telescope of ∼300 known members of the IC 348 cluster. We merge this photometry with existing ground-based optical and near-infrared photometry in order to construct optical-infrared spectral energy distributions (SEDs) for all the cluster members and present a complete atlas of these SEDs. We employ these observations to investigate both the frequency and nature of the circumstellar disk population in the cluster. The Spitzer observations span a wavelength range between 3.6 and 24 μm, corresponding to disk radii of ∼0.1-5 AU from the central star. The observations are sufficiently sensitive to enable the first detailed measurement of the disk frequency for very low mass stars at the peak of the stellar initial mass function. Using measurements of infrared excess between 3.6 and 8.0 μm, we find the total frequency of disk-bearing stars in the cluster to be 50% ± 6%. However, only 30% ± 4% of the member stars are surrounded by optically thick, primordial disks, while the remaining disk-bearing stars are surrounded by what appear to be optically thin, anemic disks. Both these values are below previous estimates for this cluster. The disk fraction appears to be a function of spectral type and stellar mass. The fraction of stars with optically thick disks ranges from 11% ± 8% for stars earlier than K6 to 47% ± 12% for K6-M2 stars to 28% ± 5% for M2-M6 stars. The disk longevity and thus conditions for planet formation appear to be most favorable for the K6-M2 stars, which are objects of comparable mass to the Sun for the age of this cluster. The optically thick disks around later type (>M4) stars appear to be less flared than the disks around earlier type stars. This may indicate a greater degree of dust settling and a more advanced evolutionary state for the late M disk population. Finally, we find that the presence of an optically thick dust disk is correlated with gaseous accretion, as measured by the strength of Hα emission. A large fraction of stars classified as classical T Tauri stars possess robust, optically thick disks, and very few such stars are found to be diskless. The majority (64%) of stars classified as weak-lined T Tauri stars are found to be diskless. However, a significant fraction (12%) of these stars are found to be surrounded by thick, primordial disks. These results suggest that it is more likely for dust disks to persist in the absence of active gaseous accretion than for active accretion to persist in the absence of dusty disks.
Characterizing lunch meals served and consumed by pre-school children in Head Start

Abstract Objective To examine the variability of food portions served and consumed by African-American and Hispanic-American pre-school children attending Head Start. Design Cross-sectional. Setting Food consumption by pre-schoolers (n 796) enrolled in sixteen Head Start centres in Houston, Texas (51 % boys, 42 % African-American, mean age 4 years) were assessed during 3 d of lunch meals using digital photography. Descriptive statistics and multilevel regression models, adjusting for classroom and school clustering effects, were determined. Subjects Head Start pre-schoolers aged 3–5 years. Results Mean amount served was 2428 kJ (580 kcal) and 572 g. Mean intake was 1421 kJ (339 kcal) and 331 g: 20 % protein, 46 % carbohydrate and 34 % fat. Plate waste was 43 % (range: 38 % (fruit) to 61 % (vegetables)). Mean CV of food served was 29 %: 33 % for entrées, 44 % for vegetables, 60 % for fruit and 76 % for starches. Mean CV of food consumed was 46 %: 58 % for entrées, 86 % for fruit, 96 % for vegetables and 111 % for starches. Total gram amount of food served was positively correlated with consumption (r = 0·43, P < 0·001). Conclusions Plate waste and variation in amounts served and consumed were substantial; amounts served were associated with amounts consumed. Large portion sizes may contribute to paediatric obesity by promoting excessive intake at meals. Understanding factors influencing portion sizes provides insight about specific intervention strategies that can be used in obesity prevention programmes.