Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Occurrence of Ochroconis and Verruconis Species in Clinical Specimens from the United States

ABSTRACT Ochroconis is a dematiaceous fungus able to infect immunocompetent people. Recently, the taxonomy of the genus has been reevaluated, and the most relevant species, Ochroconis gallopava, was transferred to the new genus Verruconis. Due to the important clinical implications of these fungi and based on the recent classification, it was of interest to know the spectra of Ochroconis and Verruconis species in clinical samples received in a reference laboratory in the United States. A set of 51 isolates was identified morphologically and molecularly based on sequence analyses of the nuclear ribosomal RNA (nrRNA), actin, and β-tubulin genes. Verruconis gallopava was the most common species (68.6%), followed by Ochroconis mirabilis (21.5%). One isolate of Ochroconis cordanae was found, being reported for the first time in a clinical setting. The most common anatomical site of isolation was the lower respiratory tract (58.8%), followed by superficial and deep tissues at similar frequencies (21.6 and 19.6%, respectively). Interestingly, three new species were found, which are Ochroconis olivacea and Ochroconis ramosa from clinical specimens and Ochroconis icarus of an environmental origin. The in vitro antifungal susceptibilities of eight antifungal drugs against the Ochroconis isolates revealed that terbinafine and micafungin were the most active drugs.
The Death of a Loved One: Impact on Health and Relationships in Very Old Age

The death of a significant other is seen as a major life disruption. What are the consequences when such a loss occurs during advanced old age? Based on observation of an octogenarian cohort over a period of five years (1994–1999), this study investigates the impact of losing a significant other (close relative or friend) on the health of elders and on their family and social life. The bereaved are compared with two control groups: one declaring no significant change in their life and the other reporting a loss unrelated to bereavement. Results show that the death of a significant other has no impact on the measures of functional and physical health, nor is it a factor of isolation. However, the loss of a close relative is associated with more depressive symptoms while that of a relative or friend is related to the survivor's feeling of loneliness.
Controlled evaluation of hypertonic sucrose medium at a 1:5 ratio of blood to broth for detection of bacteremia and fungemia in supplemented peptone broth

The value of hypertonic media in the detection of bacteremia and fungemia is controversial, since prior clinical trials have yielded conflicting results with different media. Earlier, we showed that the addition of 10% sucrose to supplemented peptone broth at a 1:10 ratio of blood to broth yielded better recovery of Staphylococcus epidermidis, the Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and yeasts. To evaluate the effect of 10% sucrose on blood cultured at a 1:5 ratio, we compared the yield and speed of detection of clinically important microorganisms from adult patients in 5,839 blood samples cultured in supplemented peptone broth with 0.03% sodium polyanetholesulfonate with and without 10% sucrose. The atmosphere of incubation (open venting units), 1:5 ratio of blood to broth, and methods of processing were the same for both bottles. Recovery of facultative gram-positive (P less than 0.02) and gram-negative (P less than 0.02) bacteria was improved, but the recovery of anaerobic gram-negative bacteria was both reduced (P less than 0.01) and delayed (P less than 0.02) by sucrose. The total yield of microorganisms including fungi, however, was increased with sucrose. The effect of sucrose on blood cultures appears to depend on the ratio of blood to broth as well as on the medium used and strains of microorganisms encountered.
Hölder continuity of the Green function, Markov-type inequality and a capacity related to HCP

Let VE be the pluricomplex Green function associated to a compact subset E of C N . The well known Holder Continuity Property (HCP) of E means that there exist constants B > 0, 2 (0, 1] such that VE(z) B dist(z, E) . It turns out that this condition is equivalent to a Vladimir Markov type inequality, i.e.kD PkE M j j (deg P) mj j (j j! ) 1 m kPkE, where m, M > 0 are independent of the polynomial P of N variables andkk E is the supremum norm on E. This equivalence has some interesting implications, e.g. for convex bodies in R N , for uniformly polynomially cuspidal sets and for some disconnected compact sets. Moreover, we give a definition of a capacity related to HCP and we prove some its basic properties. This allows improving an estimate from below of the L-capacity of sets with (HCP). The paper is mostly based on the talk given during the Workshop on Multivariate Approximation in honor of Prof. Len Bos 60th birthday, and rests on the article [3]. Let E be a compact set in C N . The pluricomplex Green’s function (with pole at infinity) of E can be defined by
Inlet Temperature Effects on Sensible Heat Transfer to Falling Liquid Films on Horizontal Round Tubes

The horizontal-tube, falling film heat exchanger has advantages over flooded bundles and finds widely use in vaporcompression and absorption systems for air-conditioning and refrigeration. The effects of the liquid feeding temperature on inter-tube falling-film heat transfer behavior are investigated experimentally for distilled water, pure ethylene glycol and Dowtherm 4000. It is found that the liquid feeding temperature significantly impacts the heat transfer coefficient for a fluid with a large viscosity (such as pure ethylene glycol and Dowtherm 4000), but has almost no effect on the heat transfer coefficient for a fluid with a small viscosity (such as water). It is also observed that the fluid thermophysical property changes associated with feeding temperature changes from about 20 to 45°C have a significant effect on the Nusselt number at a fixed Reynolds number. The Nusselt number increase is around 50% with a decreased liquid feeding temperature from 45 °C to 20 °C for water at Re ≈ 600. For pure ethylene glycol and Dowtherm 4000, the Nusselt number increases around 100% and 80% with a decreased liquid feeding temperature from 45 to 20°C at Re ≈ 30, respectively.
Multiple Attribute Decision Making with Multiple Formats of Attribute Aspirations: a Method Based on Prospect Theory

In this paper, a method based on prospect theory is proposed to solve the multiple attribute decision making (MADM) problem with three formats of attribute aspirations. According to the idea of prospect theory, reference points concerning attributes are first determined. Then, for the three formats of attribute aspirations, the calculation formulae of alternatives' gains/losses concerning attributes are given. By calculating each alternative's gain/loss, a gain–loss matrix is constructed. Further, using the value function from prospect theory and the simple additive weighting method, the overall prospect value of each alternative is calculated. Based on the obtained overall prospect values, a ranking of alternatives can be determined. Finally, a case study is given to illustrate the use of the proposed method.
Advances in Diagnostic Techniques for Induction Machines

This paper investigates diagnostic techniques for electrical machines with special reference to induction machines and to papers published in the last ten years. A comprehensive list of references is reported and examined, and research activities classified into four main topics: 1) electrical faults; 2) mechanical faults; 3) signal processing for analysis and monitoring; and 4) artificial intelligence and decision-making techniques.
DYNAMICAL QUANTUM NOISE IN TRAPPED BOSE-EINSTEIN CONDENSATES

We introduce the study of dynamical quantum noise in Bose-Einstein condensates through numerical simulation of stochastic partial differential equations obtained using phase-space representations. We derive evolution equations for a single trapped condensate in both the positive-P and Wigner representations and perform simulations to compare the predictions of the two methods. The positive-P approach is found to be highly susceptible to the stability problems that have been observed in other strongly nonlinear, weakly damped systems. Using the Wigner representation, we examine the evolution of several quantities of interest using from a variety of choices of initial stare for the condensate and compare results to those for single-mode models. [S1050-2947(98)06612-8].
An inexpensive high‐throughput method to extract high yields of good quality DNA from fungi

We developed an efficient method for high‐throughput extraction of high‐quality DNA from various fungi. In this method, fungal mycelia were cultured and harvested on the surfaces of membranes on media plates. We degraded cell walls using a lytic enzyme (Yatalase). Purification was performed on 96‐well glass fibre filter plates. DNA was successfully extracted from various fungi provided (102 genus 132 species) at high yields and quality, and proved suitable for storage, polymerase chain reaction amplification and restriction enzyme digestion. The method described is rapid, inexpensive and automation friendly. This enables the simultaneous extraction of large numbers of samples, significantly improving the potential throughput in genomics, particularly in diagnostic and population studies.
Patient characteristics determine differences in the influenza vaccination rate more so than practice features.

BACKGROUND World-wide each year 30-55% of the target population is vaccinated against influenza. Determinants of successful vaccination programs are not clear. This study was aimed at identifying practice- and patient-related factors that determine differences in vaccination rates. METHODS Data on patients of the target population were extracted from the computerized medical record systems of 48 family practices. Information about organizational factors was collected by a questionnaire for GP's. Multilevel logistic regression analyses were used to assess the determinants. RESULTS Of all patients at risk (42,426), 76% were vaccinated. The vaccination rate for patients above age 65 was 15% higher when a medical indication was present. Patients with cardiac diseases or diabetes mellitus attained a relatively higher vaccination rate than other groups at risk. Special hours for vaccination led to significantly higher vaccination rates for the elderly and cardiac patients. Patients below 65 years of age were particularly influenced by special information pamphlets. CONCLUSION Explanations of differences in uptake rates were found at the patient level. All practices in this study were well organized; nevertheless, subgroup analyses showed that special vaccination hours for elderly people and information pamphlets for young people could improve results further.
A Study of Nonlinearity Including Feedback Memory With Application to RF Amplifiers

A large number of systems may be modeled by placing feedback around a mildly nonlinear device. A technique for generically calculating the third-order intercept point (IP3) of these systems is developed. Common circuit configurations relevant to RF amplifiers are studied and analytical closed form equations for their IP3 are presented. The theoretical results are compared to simulated results obtained using commercial foundry models. The method may be applied to other circuit configurations.
A Burning Story: The Role of Fire in the History of Life

Ecologists, biogeographers, and paleobotanists have long thought that climate and soils controlled the distribution of ecosystems, with the role of fire getting only limited appreciation. Here we review evidence from different disciplines demonstrating that wildfire appeared concomitant with the origin of terrestrial plants and played an important role throughout the history of life. The importance of fire has waxed and waned in association with changes in climate and paleoatmospheric conditions. Well before the emergence of humans on Earth, fire played a key role in the origins of plant adaptations as well as in the distribution of ecosystems. Humans initiated a new stage in ecosystem fire, using it to make the Earth more suited to their lifestyle. However, as human populations have expanded their use of fire, their actions have come to dominate some ecosystems and change natural processes in ways that threaten the sustainability of some landscapes.
A23187 increases calcium permeability of store sites more than of surface membranes in the rabbit mesenteric artery.

The effects of a Ca ionophore, A23187, were investigated on intact and skinned smooth muscle tissues of the rabbit mesenteric artery. A23187 (over 10(‐9) M) inhibited, dose dependently, contractions induced by 10(‐5) M‐noradrenaline (NA) or 10 mM‐caffeine in Ca2+‐free solution containing 2 mM‐EGTA. Procaine (3 mM) led to cessation of the caffeine‐ or NA‐induced contractions in the presence or absence of Ca2+. When A23187 (10(‐7) M) was applied, the contractions in the presence of procaine were to some extent restored in Krebs solution. A23187 at a concentration of 10(‐7) M did not modify the resting muscle tone, but this concentration did increase the amplitude of the contraction evoked by 20.2 or 128 mM‐K+ and markedly inhibited the 10(‐7) M‐NA or 10 mM‐caffeine‐induced contraction in Krebs solution. A23187 (10(‐7) M) delayed the onset and rising phase of the 10(‐5) M‐NA‐induced contraction with inhibition of the oscillatory contractions. High concentrations of A23187 (over 10(‐6) M) produced a large contraction in the presence and a small contraction in the absence of 2.6 mM‐Ca2+. These A23187‐induced contractions were not inhibited by 10(‐7) M‐nisoldipine, a Ca2+ antagonist. A23187 (over 10(‐6) M) applied for a long period functionally skinned the muscle tissues. However, the Ca2+ sensitivity of the A23187‐treated skinned muscles was lower than that of saponin‐treated muscles. In saponin‐treated skinned muscles, A23187 (below 10(‐6) M) had no effect on the pCa‐tension relation. After filling the store, A23187 (over 10(‐7) M) generated a larger contraction than did caffeine in Ca2+‐free solution, in the presence or absence of 5 mM‐NaN3. When 10(‐7) M‐A23187 was applied once for 5 min, subsequently applied caffeine (20 mM), following application of Ca2+, no longer produced contraction of skinned muscle tissues. The present results indicate that low concentrations of A23187 show a selective Ca2+‐releasing action on Ca2+ store sites in muscle cells and that high concentrations increase the Ca2+ leakage (influx) and the cell membrane is skinned.
Measuring Nursing Workarounds: Tests of the Reliability and Validity of a Tool

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to validate a new tool to measure nursing workarounds. BACKGROUND: Workarounds are situations where one experiences a block in workflow and, rather than complete the work process as intended, creates an idiosyncratic solution to get around the block. There are limited options for validated measures of workarounds for researchers and administrators. METHODS: To validate the tool, we conducted a survey of registered nurses that included the newly developed tool of workarounds, and measures of deviance and job crafting. RESULTS: We found evidence for the content, factorial, discriminant, and criterion-related validity of the new workaround tool. Furthermore, the tool demonstrated adequate internal consistency and test-retest reliability. CONCLUSIONS: Interest in workarounds has been rapidly growing; however, high-quality research in this area has been limited by an inability to validly measure workarounds. This study represents an important step in fostering new research in workarounds.
MIPSfpga: Hands-on learning on a commercial soft-core

In this paper, we introduce a course centered around MIPSfpga, an unobfuscated commercial MIPS soft-core processor made available by Imagination Technologies for academic purposes. The course focuses on hands-on learning that emphasizes System on Chip (SoC) design and hardware-software codesign. Students first study MIPS computer architecture and microarchitecture and then learn and experiment with the MIPSfpga system. A set of labs guides the students in setting up the MIPS soft-core processor on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) and running and debugging programs on the core in simulation and in hardware. Students then modify the MIPSfpga system to interact with various peripheral devices and complete a self-directed final project.
Pollination-, Development-, and Auxin-Specific Regulation of Gibberellin 3β-Hydroxylase Gene Expression in Pea Fruit and Seeds1

To understand further how pollination, seeds, auxin (4-chloroindole-3-acetic acid [4-Cl-IAA]), and gibberellins (GAs) regulate GA biosynthesis in pea (Pisum sativum) fruit, we studied expression of the gene PsGA3ox1 that codes for the enzyme that converts GA20 to biologically active GA1 using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. PsGA3ox1 mRNA levels were minimally detectable in prepollinated pericarps and ovules (−2 d after anthesis [DAA]), increased dramatically after pollination (0 DAA), then decreased by 1 DAA. Seed PsGA3ox1 mRNA levels increased at 4 DAA and again 8 to 12 DAA, when seed development was rapid. Pericarp PsGA3ox1 mRNA levels peaked coincidentally with rapid pod diameter expansion (6–10 DAA) to accommodate the growing seeds. The effects of seeds and hormones on the expression of pericarpPsGA3ox1 were investigated over a 24-h treatment period. Pericarp PsGA3ox1 mRNA levels gradually increased from 2 to 3 DAA when seeds were present; however, when the seeds were removed, the pericarp transcript levels dramatically declined. When 2-DAA deseeded pericarps were treated with 4-Cl-IAA, PsGA3ox1mRNA levels peaked 4 h after hormone treatment (270-fold increase), then decreased. PsGA3ox1 mRNA levels in deseeded pericarps treated with indole-3-acetic acid or GA3were the same or lower than deseeded controls. These data show thatPsGA3ox1 is expressed and developmentally regulated in pea pericarps and seeds. These data also show that pericarpPsGA3ox1 expression is hormonally regulated and suggest that the conversion of GA20 to GA1 occurs in the pericarp and is regulated by the presence of seeds and 4-Cl-IAA for fruit growth.
Is Amoeba proteus myosin VI immunoanalogue a dimeric protein

Summary. Myosin VI is an unusual actin-based motor protein moving, unlike other known myosins, towards minus end of actin filaments. This implies a unique role of this protein in cell migration and intracellular transport. There are serious concerns whether my osin VI heavy chains may dimerize as its amino acid sequence contains heptad repeats responsible for dimerization but both native and recombi nant myosins VI were found to be monomeric proteins. Recently, we have detected 130-kDa myosin VI immunoanalogue in Amoeba proteus that also exhibits many features characteristic for mammalian myosins VI (Dominik et al. 2005). It seemed interesting to check whether it is a monomeric or dimeric protein. Using a zero-length crosslinker, N-ethyl-N’-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC), we have s hown that under our experimental conditions the 130-kDa band corresponding to myosin VI immunoanalogue disappeared with the concomit ant accumulation of about 260-kDa protein band. Similar results have been obtained when the coiled-coil skeletal muscle myosin rod was subjected to the EDC-crosslinking. These data indicate that the heavy chains of A. proteus myosin VI immunoanalogue may form dimers. These results also suggest that in vivo myosin VI immunoanalogue may play a role of an active transporter that requires dimerization and processivity.
Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty in an Online Shop: An Experiential Marketing Perspective

The rapid development of the Internet has facilitated the proliferation of online stores. How businesses can seize this enormous business opportunity and survive intense competition is an important issue. Based on strategic experiential modules (SEMs), including sense, feel, think, act, and relate, this study attempted to explore the type of experience preferred by consumers of lativ, a well-known low-cost apparel brand in Taiwan, and further examine the relationship between customer satisfaction and loyalty. Results showed that perceptions of experiential marketing differed significantly on some demographic variable; experiential marketing was positively related to customer satisfaction and customer loyalty; customer satisfaction and customer loyalty were positively related; and experiential marketing was a significant predictor of customer satisfaction and customer loyalty. The empirical results about experiential marketing were obtained from the online apparel retail industry.
Association Between Head Tilt and Asymmetric Epiblepharon.

IMPORTANCE Epiblepharon is known to be bilateral and symmetric. However, asymmetric epiblepharon is frequently observed in patients with head tilt and, to date, this condition has not been investigated. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the clinical features of epiblepharon in patients with head tilt and to analyze the association between the direction of head tilt and epiblepharon asymmetry. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS The medical records of 1074 Korean children who received a diagnosis of epiblepharon between January 1, 2006, and October 31, 2013, at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. The data collected included sex, age, extent and asymmetric presentation of epiblepharon, and direction and cause of head tilt. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The presence of epiblepharon asymmetry in patients with head tilt as well as the association between the direction of head tilt and the side having more severe epiblepharon. RESULTS Of 1074 patients (536 boys; mean [SD] age, 5.4 [2.6] years) with epiblepharon, 38 individuals (3.5%) showed head tilt. The causes of head tilt were superior oblique palsy (18 patients [47.4%]), congenital muscular torticollis (10 [26.3%]), dissociated vertical deviation (3 [7.9%]), and unknown (7 [18.4%]). Asymmetric epiblepharon was more common in children with vs without head tilt (34 [89.5%] vs 80 [7.7%]; P < .001, Fisher exact test). Of the 34 patients with head tilt and asymmetric epiblepharon, the direction of head tilt was consistent with the side having more severe epiblepharon in 29 individuals (85.3%) and inconsistent in 5 individuals (14.7%) (P = .009). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE These data suggest that, in patients with epiblepharon and head tilt, epiblepharon is most often asymmetric and is severe in the head-tilted side. These results suggest that patients with asymmetric epiblepharon should be evaluated for head tilt.
Implementing lean methods in the emergency department: the role of professions and professional status.

PURPOSE The purpose of this paper is to examine the implementation of lean methods in an Emergency Department (ED) and the role of the professions in this process. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH Qualitative, semi-structured interviews with ED staff in a UK NHS hospital. FINDINGS Lean was met with more engagement and enthusiasm by the professionals than is usually reported in the literature. The main reasons for this were a combination of a national policy, the unique clinical environment and the status of the professional project for doctors in emergency medicine. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS Single site, one-off study. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS The status and development of professionals involved may play a big part in the acceptability of initiatives like lean methods in health care. The longer-term sustainability of the organisational changes introduced remains open to question. ORIGINALITY/VALUE This paper analyses the success of lean methods in health care with reference to the professional status and stage of development of the professions involved, using the sociology of professions. This approach has not been used elsewhere.