Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ventilator-Associated Tracheobronchitis Increases the Length of Intensive Care Unit Stay

Objective. To investigate prospectively the clinical course and risk factors for ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis (VAT) and the impact of VAT on intensive care unit (ICU) morbidity and mortality. Design. Prospective cohort study. Setting. University Hospital Larissa, Larissa, Greece Patients. Critical care patients who received mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours were prospectively studied between 2009 and 2011. Methods. The modified Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score, white blood cell count, and C-reactive protein level were systematically assessed every 2 days for the first 2 weeks of ICU stay. Bronchial secretions were assessed daily. Quantitative cultures of endotracheal secretions were performed on the first ICU day for every patient and every 2 days thereafter for the first 2 weeks or more at the discretion of the attending physicians. Definition of VAT was based on previously published criteria. Results. A total of 236 patients were observed; 42 patients (18%) presented with VAT. Gram-negative pathogens, which were usually multidrug resistant, were responsible for 92.9% of cases. Patients with a neurosurgical admission presented with VAT significantly more often than did other ICU patients (28.5% vs 14.1%; P = .02). The occurrence of VAT was a significant risk factor for increased duration of ICU stay (OR [95% CI], 3.04 [1.35-6.85]; P = .01). Age (OR [95% CI], 1.04 [1.015-1.06]; P = .02), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (OR [95% CI], 1.08 [1.015-1.16]; P = .02), and C-reactive protein level at admission (OR [95% CI], 1.05 [1.011.1]; P = .02) were independent factors for ICU mortality. Conclusions. VAT is a nosocomial infection that might be associated with prolonged stay in the ICU, especially in neurocritical patients. VAT was not associated with increased mortality in our study.
Sparsity-promoting orthogonal dictionary updating for image reconstruction from highly undersampled magnetic resonance data

Image reconstruction from undersampled k-space data accelerates magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by exploiting image sparseness in certain transform domains. Employing image patch representation over a learned dictionary has the advantage of being adaptive to local image structures and thus can better sparsify images than using fixed transforms (e.g. wavelets and total variations). Dictionary learning methods have recently been introduced to MRI reconstruction, and these methods demonstrate significantly reduced reconstruction errors compared to sparse MRI reconstruction using fixed transforms. However, the synthesis sparse coding problem in dictionary learning is NP-hard and computationally expensive. In this paper, we present a novel sparsity-promoting orthogonal dictionary updating method for efficient image reconstruction from highly undersampled MRI data. The orthogonality imposed on the learned dictionary enables the minimization problem in the reconstruction to be solved by an efficient optimization algorithm which alternately updates representation coefficients, orthogonal dictionary, and missing k-space data. Moreover, both sparsity level and sparse representation contribution using updated dictionaries gradually increase during iterations to recover more details, assuming the progressively improved quality of the dictionary. Simulation and real data experimental results both demonstrate that the proposed method is approximately 10 to 100 times faster than the K-SVD-based dictionary learning MRI method and simultaneously improves reconstruction accuracy.
A 33mW 14b 2.5MSample/s /spl Sigma//spl Delta/ A/D converter in 0.25/spl mu/m digital CMOS

The IC consists of a 5th-order single-loop tri-level /spl Sigma//spl Delta/ modulator and a multistage digital filter. Measured dynamic range is 86dB over 1 MHz bandwidth. With 79dB peak SNDR, the chip consumes 33mW and occupies 1.5mm/sup 2/.
QR codes as mobile learning tools for labor room nurses at the San Pablo Colleges Medical Center

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the use of QR codes as mobile learning tools and examine factors that impact on their usefulness, acceptability and feasibility in assisting the nurses’ learning. Design/methodology/approach Study participants consisted of 14 regular, full-time, board-certified LR nurses. Over a two-week period, participants used specially generated QR codes to access a mobile website, connect to physicians’ telephone numbers and access alphanumeric text information. Research data in the form of observations and insights on their experience in using the QR codes were collected from participants through individual, face-to-face, semi-structured interviews. Findings Findings revealed that QR codes encoded with text information, telephone numbers and URL links to the mobile website all demonstrated a high level of functionality, usability and usefulness. The majority of the participants liked the experience of using the QR codes, citing ease of use of the QR codes; a high level of satisfaction in the kind and amount of supplementary medical information accessed; and the favorable effect the QR codes had on their personal learning. Research limitations/implications The study focused on the evaluation of usefulness, acceptability and feasibility due to the limited time available for the conduct of the study. Practical implications These findings support the acceptability and feasibility of using QR codes as mobile learning tools in the labor room. Social implications It shows the QR codes’ potential for use in a workplace environment in the context of just-in-time learning and continuing nursing education. Originality/value The current literature on the use of QR codes in medical and nursing education is limited.
Let's Talk: Promoting Mathematical Discourse in the Classroom.

As part of reform-based mathematics, much discussion and research has focused on the idea that mathemat ics should be taught in a way that mirrors the nature of the discipline (Lampert 1990)? that is, have students use math ematical discourse to make conjectures, talk, ques tion, and agree or disagree about problems in order to discover important mathematical concepts. In fact, communication, of which student discourse is a part, is so important that it is one of the Stan dards set forth in Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (NCTM 2000). The use of discourse in the mathematics class room, however, can be difficult to implement and manage. The same students participate in every discussion while others contribute only when called on, and even then their contributions are sparse. Some students make comments that relate to procedure but never reach the deeper-level mathematical concepts. This article discusses what research tells us about mathematics discourse in the classroom and explores the ways in which teachers establish the classroom community at the beginning of the year, facilitate discussion, and assess the quality of discourse.
Preliminary design of a TORUS type axial flux generator for direct-driven tidal current turbine

This paper focuses on the preliminary design of a TORUS type AFPM generators used in the MW graded tidal current application. Two different structures can be derived based on the orientation of the main flux. In this paper, an analytical design model for this kind of machine is developed. This model is associated to a basic cost model to estimate the rough cost of the active materials of the machine. This two models are used in a common set of specification corresponding to high power tidal current turbine generator. This method allows a first comparison of these two structures for this application.
Complete Genome Analysis of an Avian Paramyxovirus Type 1 Strain Isolated in 1994 from an Asymptomatic Black-Headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) in Southern Sweden

Abstract The complete genome sequence of an avian paramyxovirus serotype 1 (APMV-1) isolated from a black-headed gull (Larus ridibundus) in Sweden was determined and compared with other APMV-1 sequences. Sequence analyses showed that this isolate consists of six genes in the order 3′-NP-P-M-F-HN-L-5′, is 15,186 nucleotides long, and contains a typical, avirulent fusion protein cleavage site. It was also shown to have a hemagglutinin-neuraminidase protein with a length of 585 amino acids (aa) instead of the expected 616 aa. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the isolate belongs to genotype I, and the relationship with some other, known APMV-1 virus sequences was revealed. Waterfowl have been considered to act as a reservoir for APMV-1 and, therefore, it is important to broaden the knowledge of viruses circulating within this population.
Conceptual Considerations on the Integration of Quality Indicators into Clinical Pathways

Health care systems need to cope with continuous changes such as with the current trends towards pay-for-performance and value-based health care. In this context, the article aims at analysing the potentials of the integration and utilisation of quality indicators in clinical pathways. It comprises the first steps of a design-oriented research process, i.e. problem motivation and objective definition. Therefore, a conceptual framework for pathway-integrated quality indicators is proposed. Potentials of the approach are outlined in three use case scenarios. The analysis points out great potentials for quality management on institutional and network level and for bridging the gap between medical research and practice. Further research topics are derived and summarised in an agenda.
L1-Norm-Based 2DLPP

In this paper, we propose a new L1-Norm-Based two-dimensional locality preserving projections (2DLPP-L1). Traditional 2D-LPP can preserve local structure and extract feature directly form matrices, which shows great advantages. However, it is based on L2 norm. It is well known that L2-norm-based criterion is sensitive to outliers. We generalize 2D-LPP to its corresponding L1-norm-based version, i.e. 2DLPP-L1, which is more robust against outliers. To evaluate the performance of 2DLPP-L1, several experiments are performed on the ORL face databases. Experimental results demonstrate that 2DLPP-L1 has better performance than its related methods.
Gender Difference in the Influence of Family Interaction and Parenting Behaviours on Youth Sexual Intention

This paper presents the differences in family interaction and parenting behaviours and their influence on sexual intention among male and female youths aged 18 to 22 years. The results presented are based on data collected from unmarried college students in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Despite being in a country where premarital sexual activity is not an accepted behaviour, 18% of the 422 male and 1.4% of the 566 female students indicated their intention to perform sexual activity. Compared to females, males had more allowance of autonomy from parents and lesser parental monitoring, paternal care, parent-youth communication on sexual issues, and family connectedness. Both genders perceived that they received similar levels of parental control. In male youths, having high maternal control (OR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.03–1.38) and family modelling behaviour (OR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.19–4.25) increased their odds of having sexual intention while having high parent-youth communication on sex (OR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.81–0.99) reduced their odds of having sexual intention. For female youths, having a high level of family connectedness (OR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.59–0.97) was a protective factor against sexual intention. In conclusion, sexual intention is higher among males compared to females. The influence of family interaction and parenting behaviours on youth sexual decision varied across gender. This study highlighted the possibility of using different parenting approaches in tackling premarital sexual activity among youths.
Asynchronous duplication of human chromosomes and the origin of sex chromatin.

* Operated by Union Carbide Corporation for the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. 1 Schwartz, D. , these PROCEEDINGS, 46, 1210 (1960). 2 Mans, R. J., and G. D. Novelli, Biochim. et Biophys. Acta, 50, 287 (1961). 3 Gomori, G. , J. Lab. Clin. Med., 42, 445 (1953). 4Schwartz, D. , Genetics, 45, 1419 (1960). 5 Schwartz, D. , unpublished data. 6 Nirenberg, M. , and J. H. Matthaei, these PROCEEDINGS, 47, 1588 (1961). 7 Lengel, P., J. F. Speyer, and S. Ochoa, these PROCEEDINGS, 47, 1936 (1961). 8 Watson, J. D. , and F. H. C. Crick, Nature, 171, 737 (1953). 9 Schwartz, D. , J. Cellular Comp. Physiol. , 45, Suppl. 2, 171 (1955). 10 Schwartz, D. , The Cell Nucleus, ed. J. S. Mitchell (London: Butterworths Scientific Publications, 1960), p. 227.
Three-Phase DC–AC Converter Using Four-State Switching Cell

A new three-phase multilevel dc-ac converter with four-state switching cell is presented in this paper. Initially, the power stage diagram is presented and discussed. Its main characteristics are described and the more relevant waveforms, generated by simulation, are shown. After that, the converter operation is presented and all topological states are shown. The vectorial interpretation of the load voltage is shown to all available vectors of load voltage in the new topology. Next, the operation of the converter with sinusoidal pulse width modulation is discussed and some relevant figures are presented. In the sequence, the four-state switching cell is presented and the presence of the three-phase coupled inductor to provide significant reduction in harmonic distortion is discussed. A prototype with 15-kW output power was build with switching frequency equal to 9 kHz and dc link voltage was 300 V. Finally, the related results obtained from the implemented prototype are presented and briefly discussed.
chemotaxis responses to multiple stimuli An allosteric model for heterogeneous receptor complexes : Understanding bacterial

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A new technique for CBIR with contrast enhancement using multi-feature and multi class SVM classification

In this research, a new technique For Content Based Image Retrieval (CBIR) with contrast enhancement using multi-feature and multi kernel Support Vector Machine (SVM) method. Color moment (CM), Auto Correlogram (AC), Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT), Gabor Filter (GF) features are proposed. We extended the previous work which used binary SVM classifier and color features. First of all take a query image, then the appearance of the image is improved using contrast adjustment. For its color feature, apply color moment method, convert RGB into HSVcolor space and make feature vector (mean). Extract texture features using GF, DWT and inverse difference moment (IDM). Skewness and Kurtosis are extracted for shape feature. Variance, root mean square (RMS) is extracted for color feature. After extracting the image feature, we used a supervised learning technique which is known as Multi kernel SVM to determine the optimal outcomes. After combining the features and classify the data. And finally compare the results with the previous method. The proposed method gives better accuracy and precision value. This work is simulated on MATLAB2012 simulator.
Velocity control of a wheeled inverted pendulum by partial feedback linearization

In this paper, the dynamic model of a wheeled inverted pendulum (e.g. Segway (2003), Quasimoro (Salerno and Angeles, 2003), Joe (Grasser et al., 2002)) is analyzed from a controllability and feedback linearizability point of view. First, a dynamic model of this underactuated system is derived with respect to the wheel motor torques as inputs while taking the nonholonomic no-slip constraints into considerations. This model is compared with the previous models derived for similar systems. The strong accessibility condition is checked and the maximum relative degree of the system is found. Based on this result, a partial feedback linearization of the system is obtained and the internal dynamics equations are isolated. The resulting equations are then used to design a two-level controller for tracking vehicle orientation and heading speed set-points, while controlling the vehicle pitch within a specified range. Simulation results are provided to show the efficacy of the controller.
Unconventional Production of Bright White Light Emission by Nd-Doped and Nominally Un-Doped  $\hbox{Y}_{2}\hbox{O}_{3}$ Nano-Powders

We report the production of a broad band (ranging from 400 to 900 nm) white light following the monochromatic infrared light (803.5 and 975 nm) excitation of both nominally un-doped and Nd3+-doped Y2O3 nano-powders, even up to 20% of Nd3+ content. Experimental results indicate that such emission feature is a nano-scale phenomenon, cannot be ascribed to an overlap of sharp emission bands in the un-doped case and, even if assisted by the Nd34 presence, is a host matrix-related process. The measured white light emission is strongly dependent on either environment pressure (a pressure threshold occurs) or pumping power. The rising patterns of the white light emission were found to increase faster for either increasing Nd3+ content and pumping power or decreasing particle size. Notably, high correlated color temperature (2756 K), color rendering index (99), and efficiency (864 lx/W) values were measured for the un-doped sample under 803.5 nm exciting wavelength.
Differential Regulation of the Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinases and Tissue Inhibitors of Metalloproteinases by Cytokines and Growth Factors in Bovine Endometrial Stromal Cells and Trophoblast Cell Line BT-1 In Vitro1

Abstract Degradation and reconstitution of extracellular matrix in uterine endometrium is a crucial event for embryonic implantation and is regulated by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). In the present study, we investigated the regulation of MMP and TIMP expression in cultured bovine endometrial stromal cells (BESCs) and a bovine trophoblast cell line BT-1 (BT-1 cells). The production of proMMP-9 was induced by transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate in the stromal cells. The treatment of BESCs with TGFβ, insulin-like growth factor-I, and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) resulted in a significant increase in the level of TIMP-1 in the culture medium. In addition, a significant increase of TIMP-2 production was observed in interleukin (IL)-1α and HGF-treated BESCs. However, the expression of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 mRNA was not augmented by these factors. The treatment of BESCs with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate resulted in a significant increase in the level of TIMP-1 but a significant decrease in the level of TIMP-2 in the stromal cells. Membrane type-1 MMP mRNA expression in the stromal cells was augmented by tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), IL-6, HGF, and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate. On the other hand, BT-1 cells constitutively produced proMMP-9 and proMMP-2, and the treatment of BT-1 cells with TNFα, HGF, and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate resulted in a significant increase in the level of proMMP-9 but not in the level of proMMP-2. The production of TIMP-1 in BT-1 cells was also augmented by IL-1α, TNFα, and HGF at the level of translation and was transcriptionally increased by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate. However, the level of TIMP-2 mRNA in BT-1 cells was not affected by any of the treatments. These results suggest that the expression of MMPs and TIMPs is differentially regulated by cytokines and growth factors and that the production of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 may not be accompanied by changes in their mRNA expression in bovine endometrium and trophoblasts. Furthermore, as in humans and rodents, MMPs and TIMPs may contribute to the control of degradation and reconstitution of extracellular matrix in bovine endometrium during embryonic implantation and early placentation.
Skeletal Langerhans cell histiocytosis in children: Permanent consequences and health‐related quality of life in long‐term survivors

The skeleton is the most frequently involved organ in Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) in children, and bone LCH generally has an excellent long‐term survival. Although permanent consequences (PC) are described in half of the survivors thus raising concerns for quality of life (QOL), the impact on quality of life has not been formally studied.
An improved noise removal model based on nonlinear fourth-order partial differential equations

In this paper, we propose an improved noise removal model based on a nonlinear fourth-order partial differential equation (PDE). It associates with the minimization of a certain energy subject to spatially varying constraints involving local variance measures. We discuss the existence and uniqueness of the solutions for the proposed model. The main advantage of the proposed method over the related methods is that it can not only preserve textures but also avoid the staircase effect in smooth regions in the process of denoising. Experimental results illustrate advantages of our proposed method in visual improvement as well as an increase in the signal-to-noise ratio over related PDE methods.
How to Measure IT Effectiveness: The CIO's Perspective

Information technology (IT) continues to play an increasingly important role in today’s businesses. As such, understanding IT and measuring its effect are imperative for the expansion and profitability of any business. This paper attempts to address the question - how to measure IT effectiveness - according to the CIO’s perspective. In this research-in-progress, we provide a review of the pertaining literature, focusing on the definitions, the measurements, and the nomological networks of IT effectiveness. Our ultimate research goal is to learn the CIO’s perspective on measuring IT effectiveness in their organizations, so that we can develop an improved model for the measurement of IT effectiveness. This improved model can help current and future IT managers and business executives improve their abilities to measure IT effectiveness in their organizations, enabling them to maximize the effectiveness of IT in aiding their respective organizations achieve their business objectives.
Impact of Phytolacca americana Extracts on Gene Expression of Colon Cancer Cells

Native Americans have used Phytolacca americana to treat breast ailments, gastrointestinal disorders, rashes, and inflammation. Some anti‐cancer and anti‐viral research has been reported on this perennial herb, but none has been published concerning the effects of its extracts on cancer cell genes. In this study, changes in gene expression at the transcription level were evaluated in HCT‐116 colon cancer cells after exposure to P. americana ethanol extract and its water fraction using the Human Cancer Pathway Finder PCR Array. Of the genes significantly affected in HCT‐116 cells exposed to the ethanol extract at 3200 µg/ml, changes in expression of MYC, PLAU, and TEK may benefit the treatment of colon cancer. Exposing the cells to 1600 µg/ml of the water fraction resulted in several gene changes that may also be beneficial in the treatment of colon cancer: NME4, TEK, and THBS1. A few genes on this array that are known to play a specific role in colon cancer had activities changed in a way that may be detrimental in the treatment of colon cancer. Further studies should be performed to understand how these changes would impact colon cancer treatment. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.