Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Poor work environments and nurse inexperience are associated with burnout, job dissatisfaction and quality deficits in Japanese hospitals.

AIMS To describe nurse burnout, job dissatisfaction and quality of care in Japanese hospitals and to determine how these outcomes are associated with work environment factors. BACKGROUND Nurse burnout and job dissatisfaction are associated with poor nurse retention and uneven quality of care in other countries but comprehensive data have been lacking on Japan. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey of 5956 staff nurses on 302 units in 19 acute hospitals in Japan. METHODS Nurses were provided information about years of experience, completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory and reported on resource adequacy and working relations with doctors using the Nursing Work Index-Revised. RESULTS Fifty-six per cent of nurses scored high on burnout, 60% were dissatisfied with their jobs and 59% ranked quality of care as only fair or poor. About one-third had fewer than four years of experience and more than two-thirds had less than 10. Only one in five nurses reported there were enough registered nurses to provide quality care and more than half reported that teamwork between nurses and physicians was lacking. The odds on high burnout, job dissatisfaction and poor-fair quality of care were twice as high in hospitals with 50% inexperienced nurses than with 20% inexperienced nurses and 40% higher in hospitals where nurses had less satisfactory relations with physicians. Nurses in poorly staffed hospitals were 50% more likely to exhibit burnout, twice as likely to be dissatisfied and 75% more likely to report poor or fair quality care than nurses in better staffed hospitals. CONCLUSIONS Improved nurse staffing and working relationships with physicians may reduce nurse burnout, job dissatisfaction and low nurse-assessed quality of care. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Staff nurses should engage supervisors and medical staff in discussions about retaining more experienced nurses at the bedside, implementing strategies to enhance clinical staffing and identifying ways to improve nurse-physician working relations.
Single‐Junction Polymer Solar Cells Exceeding 10% Power Conversion Efficiency

A single-junction polymer solar cell with an efficiency of 10.1% is demonstrated by using deterministic aperiodic nanostructures for broadband light harvesting with optimum charge extraction. The performance enhancement is ascribed to the self-enhanced absorption due to collective effects, including pattern-induced anti-reflection and light scattering, as well as surface plasmonic resonance, together with a minimized recombination probability.
A Closed Form Maximum Likelihood Estimator to End-to-End Loss Rate Estimation

Loss tomography has been studied for more than 10 years and a number of estimators have been proposed. The estimators can be divided into two classes: maximum likelihood and non-maximum likelihood. The maximum likelihood estimators rely on the maximum likelihood principle to ensure the accuracy of the estimates obtained by the estimators. Unfortunately, all of the maximum likelihood estimators need to use an iterative procedure to search the solution space for the maximum or to solve a high degree polynomial. An iterative procedure can be computationally expensive and may even converge to a local maximum. On the other hand, the non-maximum likelihood estimators pursue closed form solutions by scarifying the accuracy of estimates. To overcome the pitfalls, we, in this paper, propose a closed form and maximum likelihood estimator to estimate the loss rate of a link in a network. The closed form solution is built on the discovery of a connection between the number of probes passing a link and the number of probes passing its parent. The proposed estimator is applicable to both the tree topology and the general one.
Lymphangiogenic and angiogentic microvessel density in gallbladder carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis are essential for cancer metastasis. The aim of this study was to assess lymphatic microvessel density and microvessel density in human gallbladder carcinoma tissues, detect their correlation with the tumor's clinical pathological properties and evaluate their utilities for resection of gallbladder tumor. METHODOLOGY Tissue microarray blocks containing primary gallbladder cancer and adjacent normal tissue specimens obtained from 118 patients with gallbladder carcinoma were constructed. Lymphatic microvessel density and microvessel density were quantified using immunohistochemistry. Survival was determined using univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS Microvessel density correlated with tumor stage and liver metastasis (p < 0.01). Lymphatic microvessel density correlated with tumor stage (p < or = 0.01) and lymph node metastasis (p < or = 0.05). There was a very weak correlation between microvessel density and lymphatic microvesseldensity (p < 0.05, r = 0.282). In univariate and multivariate analysislymphatic microvessel density and microvessel density were independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS Lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis played important rolein theprocesses of metastasis of gallbladder carcinoma. Measurements of lymphatic microvessel density and microvessel density can be used to estimate gallbladder cancer metastatic risk and provide some useful information for gallbladder carcinoma surgery.
Spoiling of transverse magnetization in steady‐state sequences

A detailed analysis is presented of a method to eliminate transverse magnetization prior to each rf excitation in pulse sequences with TR < T2. It is shown that artifact‐free images with high T1 contrast can be obtained only if a phase shift that is incremented during each TR interval is applied to the transverse magnetization. Computer simulations are used to show that when this phase increment is 117°, the steady‐state transverse magnetization prior to each rf pulse is nulled over a wide range of T1, T2, and rf tip angles, resulting in optimal T1, contrast. Such nulling of steady‐state transverse magnetization cannot be obtained by using large gradient pulses, or gradients of random or linearly incremented amplitude. Images of phantoms and human subjects confirm the theoretical predictions. © 1991 Academic Press, Inc.
Accelerating SVRG via second-order information

We consider the problem of minimizing an objective function that is a sum of convex functions. For large sums, batch methods suffer from a prohibitive periteration complexity, and are outperformed by incremental methods such as the recent variance-reduced stochastic gradient methods (e.g. SVRG). In this paper, we propose to improve the performance of SVRG by incorporating approximate curvature information while maintaining a per-iteration complexity that is linear in the dimension. An option which we find to perform remarkably, is to combine SVRG with LBFGS updates, in a manner that is different from existing approaches. Numerical experiments on real datasets demonstrate the improvements due to proper utilization of approximate second-order information.
Using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry To Detect Carbapenem Resistance within 1 to 2.5 Hours

ABSTRACT In recent years, the percentage of carbapenem-resistant bacteria has increased at an alarming pace and become a major threat for patient survival. Carbapenemase-induced carbapenem resistance can be confirmed through the detection of carbapenem degradation using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). This method works for strains carrying NDM-1, VIM-1, VIM-2, KPC-2, and different IMP enzymes.
Human head exposure to a 37 Hz electromagnetic field: Effects on blood pressure, somatosensory perception, and related parameters

Previous studies have shown that exposure to an electromagnetic field (EMF) of 37 Hz at a flux density of 80 μT peak enhances nociceptive sensitivity in mice. Here we examined the effects on pain sensitivity and some indexes of cardiovascular regulation mechanisms in humans by measuring electrical cutaneous thresholds, arterial blood pressure, heart rate and its variability, and stress hormones. Pain and tolerance thresholds remained unchanged after sham exposure but significantly decreased after electromagnetic exposure. Systolic blood pressure was significantly higher during electromagnetic exposure and heart rate significantly decreased, both during sham and electromagnetic exposure, while the high frequency (150–400 mHz) component of heart rate variability, which is an index of parasympathetic activity, increased as expected during sham exposure but remained unchanged during electromagnetic exposure. Cortisol significantly decreased during sham exposure only. These results show that exposure to an EMF of 37 Hz also alters pain sensitivity in humans and suggest that these effects may be associated with abnormalities in cardiovascular regulation. Bioelectromagnetics 25:167–175, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Histiocytosis X in the Juvenile Spine

The authors studied 54 lesions, caused by histiocytosis X, that affected the spines of 28 children. The clinical, radiologic, biologic, and therapeutic aspects are described. The orthopaedic surgeon has a role to play in confirming the diagnosis, treating the lesion, and in following up.
Species Categorization via MicroRNAs - Based on 3'UTR Target Sites using Sequence Features

Proteins define phenotypes and their dysregulation leads to diseases. Post-translational regulation of protein abundance can be achieved by microRNAs (miRNAs). Therefore studying this method of gene regulation is of high importance. MicroRNAs interact with their target messenger RNA via hybridization within a specialized molecular framework. Many miRNAs and their targets have been identified and they are listed in various databases like miRTarBase. The experimental identification of functional miRNA-mRNA pairs is difficult and, therefore, they are detected computationally which is complicated due to missing negative data. Machine learning has been used for miRNA and target detection and many features have been described for miRNAs and miRNA:mRNA target duplexes generally on a per species basis. However, many claims of cross-kingdom regulation via miRNAs have been made and, therefore, we were interested whether it is possible to differentiate among species based on the target sequence in the mRNA alone. Thus, we investigated whether miRNA targets sites within the 3’UTR can be differentiated between species based on k-mer features only. Target information of one species was used as positive examples and the others as negative ones to establish machine learning models. It was observed that few features were sufficient for successful categorization of mircoRNA targets to species. For example mouse versus Caenorhabditis elegans reached up to 97% average accuracy over 100 fold cross validation. The simplicity of the approach, based on just k-mers, is promising for automatic categorization systems. In the future, this approach will help scrutinize alleged cross-kingdom regulation via miRNAs in respect to miRNA from one species targeting mRNAs in another.
Automated chromatographic analysis of free monosubstituted guanidines in physiological fluids.

An automated analytical method for the quantitative determination of monosubstituted guanidines in the physiological fluids of plants and insects is described with special reference to conifers and spruce budworm larvae. Over 25 monosubstituted guanidines of known structure can be separated on columns of an amino acid analyzer of the Spackman, Stein, and Moore type, and determined by the Sakaguchi reagent as modified by Satake and Luck. The automated method minimizes the problem of color decay of the reaction product of the guanidine derivative with the Sakaguchi reagent and reveals the occurrence of several yet unidentified guanidines.
Role of C-terminal region of HA-33 component of botulinum toxin in hemagglutination.

Using SDS-PAGE, we found that one subcomponent, hemagglutinin (HA-33), from the Clostridium botulinum progenitor toxin of type D strain 1873 and type C strain Yoichi had slightly smaller molecular sizes than those of type C and D reference strains, but other components did not. Based on N- and C-terminal sequence analyses of HA-33, a deletion of 31 amino acid residues from the C-terminus at a specific site was observed in the HA-33 proteins of both strains. The progenitor toxins from both strains showed poor hemagglutination activities, titers of 2(1) or less, which were much lower than titers from the reference strains (2(6)), and did not bind to erythrocytes. These results suggest strongly that the short C-terminal region of the HA-33 plays an essential role in the hemagglutination activity of the botulinum progenitor toxin. Additionally, a sequence motif search predicted that the C-terminal region of HA-33 has a carbohydrate-recognition subdomain.
The locus of points of constant output VSWR around the load optimal impedance: Evaluation of power transistors robustness

This paper determines the locus of points of constant output voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) around the load optimal impedance at the fundamental frequency. This resolution is very helpful to determine the power transistors robustness. To illustrate this, some measurements results are presented on a Si/SiGe HBT of STMicroelectronics technology. The measurements are realized on two multi-harmonic load-pull test-benches: one passive and one active.
Amplified Comment: The Triangular Relationships between the Holocaust, Aging, and Narrative Gerontology

The three articles by de Vries et al, Schiff, and Suedfeld et al. illuminate and enrich as well as challenge. They address the most basic questions about human nature and coping with extreme adversity, loss, and growth. Inherent in each of the three articles are three core domains of life stories (including life events), aging, and the Holocaust. Together these form a triad to be comprehended triangularly. Triangulation signifies having access to different sources or works of research so that one’s perception and comprehension of phenomena—approached from different angles—can be compared, interrelated, understood, and justified. The three studies provide us with an opportunity to explore triangularly the issues of life stories, aging, and the Holocaust, since they approach Holocaust survivors from different as well as common angles. My leading questions in reading the articles are: Do Holocaust survivors age differently (a question only covertly embedded in the three articles)? Aging requires much of individuals coping with losses, finding meaning, adjusting to retirement, reconceiving time and life lived, and facing death. Will survivors be able to cope with such developmental demands? Or given their past traumatic experiences, their assumed inability to mourn and low hedonic potential (Krystal, 1988), their vulnerability (Lomranz, 1990), possible postponed or late-onset of PTSD and depression (Dasberg, 2001; Krell, 1990), will old age reactivate the Holocaust experience in a destructive manner, making it difficult for survivors to cope constructively with the phenomena of aging?
Fully automated 3D prostate central gland segmentation in MR images: a LOGISMOS based approach

One widely accepted classification of a prostate is by a central gland (CG) and a peripheral zone (PZ). In some clinical applications, separating CG and PZ from the whole prostate is useful. For instance, in prostate cancer detection, radiologist wants to know in which zone the cancer occurs. Another application is for multiparametric MR tissue characterization. In prostate T2 MR images, due to the high intensity variation between CG and PZ, automated differentiation of CG and PZ is difficult. Previously, we developed an automated prostate boundary segmentation system, which tested on large datasets and showed good performance. Using the results of the pre-segmented prostate boundary, in this paper, we proposed an automated CG segmentation algorithm based on Layered Optimal Graph Image Segmentation of Multiple Objects and Surfaces (LOGISMOS). The designed LOGISMOS model contained both shape and topology information during deformation. We generated graph cost by training classifiers and used coarse-to-fine search. The LOGISMOS framework guarantees optimal solution regarding to cost and shape constraint. A five-fold cross-validation approach was applied to training dataset containing 261 images to optimize the system performance and compare with a voxel classification based reference approach. After the best parameter settings were found, the system was tested on a dataset containing another 261 images. The mean DSC of 0.81 for the test set indicates that our approach is promising for automated CG segmentation. Running time for the system is about 15 seconds.
Enteromorpha intestinalis Derived Seaweed Liquid Fertilizers as Prospective Biostimulant for Glycine max

In the present study, the potential of seaweed liquid fertilizer (SLF) of marine algae Enteromorpha intestinalis was evaluated for its effect on seed germination, yield, biochemical parameters and pigment characteristics of Glycine maxE. intestinalis was collected form Mandapam coast of Gulf of Mannar, Tamil Nadu, and the dried seaweeds were used for the preparation of SLF. G. max seeds were germinated with four different concentrations (20, 40, 60, and 100%) of SLF; its growth and yield parameters were evaluated and compared with chemical fertilizer and control. The morphological and bio-chemical parameters such as seed germination (100%), root (6.6cm) and shoot length (5.4 cm), carbohydrates (0.098 mg/g), protein (0.56 mg/g), pigment (0.444 mg/g chl a; 1.073 mg/g chl b; 3.70 mg/g carotenoids) of the plant was found maximum at a concentration of 60% SLF. The phenol content (3.25 mg/g) was maximum in 40% SLF. The GC-MS analysis of SLF revealed the presence of notable benzoic compounds involved in plant growth promotion. Results showed thatE. intestinalis derived SLF was potential biostimulant forG. max. Thus, marine algae based fertilizer could be an effective and alternate to the chemical fertilizers emphasizing the need for systematic evaluation programme for SLF on various crops.
Factor Analysis of the Elkins Hypnotizability Scale

Abstract Assessment of hypnotizability can provide important information for hypnosis research and practice. The Elkins Hypnotizability Scale (EHS) consists of 12 items and was developed to provide a time-efficient measure for use in both clinical and laboratory settings. The EHS has been shown to be a reliable measure with support for convergent validity with the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale, Form C (r = .821, p < .001). The current study examined the factor structure of the EHS, which was administered to 252 adults (51.3% male; 48.7% female). Average time of administration was 25.8 minutes. Four factors selected on the basis of the best theoretical fit accounted for 63.37% of the variance. The results of this study provide an initial factor structure for the EHS.
A splitting compact finite difference method for computing the dynamics of dipolar Bose–Einstein condensate

ABSTRACT We numerically study the nonlocal Gross–Pitaevskii equation (NGPE) which describes the dynamics of Bose–Einstein condensates (BEC) with dipole–dipole interaction at extremely low temperature. In preparation for the numerics, first we reformulate the dimensionless NGPE into a Schrödinger–Poisson system. Then, we discretize the three-dimensional Schrödinger–Poisson system in space by a sixth-order compact finite difference method and in time by a splitting technique. By means of three-dimensional discrete fast Sine transform, we develop a fast solver for the resulting discretized system. Finally, we present numerical examples in three dimensions to demonstrate the power of the numerical methods and to discuss some physics of dipolar BEC. The merits of the proposed method for the NGPE are that it is fast and unconditionally stable. Moreover, the method is of spectral-like accuracy in space, and conserves the particle number and the energy of the system in the discretized level.
Inc A/C Plasmids Are Prevalent in Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella enterica Isolates

ABSTRACT Bacterial plasmids are fragments of extrachromosomal double-stranded DNA that can contain a variety of genes that are beneficial to the host organism, like those responsible for antimicrobial resistance. The objective of this study was to characterize a collection of 437 Salmonella enterica isolates from different animal sources for their antimicrobial resistance phenotypes and plasmid replicon types and, in some cases, by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) in an effort to learn more about the distribution of multidrug resistance in relation to replicon types. A PCR-based replicon typing assay consisting of three multiplex PCRs was used to detect 18 of the 26 known plasmid types in the Enterobacteriaceae based on their incompatibility (Inc) replicon types. Linkage analysis was completed with antibiograms, replicon types, serovars, and Inc A/C. Inc A/C plasmids were prevalent in multidrug-resistant isolates with the notable exception of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. Cluster analysis based on PFGE of a subset of 216 isolates showed 155 unique types, suggesting a variable population, but distinct clusters of isolates with Inc A/C plasmids were apparent. Significant linkage of serovar was also seen with Inc replicon types B/O, I1, Frep, and HI1. The present study showed that the combination of Salmonella, the Inc A/C plasmids, and multiple-drug-resistant genes is very old. Our results suggest that some strains, notably serovar Typhimurium and closely related types, may have once carried the plasmid but that the resistance genes were transferred to the chromosome with the subsequent loss of the plasmid.
Soft X-Ray Laser Interferometry of a Dense Plasma Jet

Soft X-ray laser interferograms were acquired to map the evolution of a dense plasma jet created by the laser irradiation of a solid copper triangular target. The plasma is observed to rapidly expand along the symmetry plane of the target, forming a narrow plasma plume with measured electron densities of up to 1.2times1020 cm-3.
In Vivo Testing of Circularly Polarized Implantable Antennas in Rats

Two types of miniaturized circularly polarized (CP) implantable antennas are tested in a rat to investigate the effects of the live tissue on the antenna performance. The two implantable antennas are designed for Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) (2.4-2.48 GHz) biomedical applications. The first implantable helical antenna is initially designed in a one-layer muscle phantom for ingestible capsule endoscope systems. The second implantable patch antenna is designed in a one-layer skin phantom for wireless implantable devices with a fixed implant position. The footprint of the proposed antennas are π×(5.5)2 ×3.81 mm3 and 10 ×10 ×1.27 mm3, respectively. The two antennas were surgically implanted into the rat at Singapore Institute for Neurotechnology. The measured results in the rat were compared to the simulated ones in the one-layer phantom to evaluate the sensitivity of the antennas.