Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical outcomes of pyrazinamide-monoresistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Quebec.

BACKGROUND In Quebec, 6.2% of all tuberculosis (TB) isolates from Canadian-born patients are resistant to pyrazinamide (PZA) alone. The clinical significance of PZA-monoresistant (PZA(MR)) TB is unknown. METHODS Canadian-born patients with PZA(MR) TB diagnosed between 1 January 1990 and 31 December 2000 and reported in a prior study were compared to randomly selected Canadian-born patients with fully susceptible isolates diagnosed within the same time period. RESULTS A total of 318 patients were eligible, of whom 40 (12.6%) had missing outcome information. Mean total duration of treatment was respectively 9.0 and 8.9 months for those with PZA(MR) and pan-susceptible strains. Respectively 91% and 89% of PZA(MR) and pan-susceptible patients received at least 6 months of rifampin-containing treatment. Among 67 patients with PZA(MR) TB, 51 (76%) were cured, 3 (4%) relapsed, none failed treatment, and 16 (24%) died within 6 months of diagnosis. Of 211 subjects with fully susceptible isolates, 181 (86%) were cured, 2 (1%) relapsed, 2 (1%) failed treatment, and 30 (14%) died within 6 months of diagnosis. PZA monoresistance was associated with decreased odds of successful clinical outcomes compared with pan-susceptible TB (OR 0.4, 95%CI 0.2-0.8). CONCLUSION Patients with PZA(MR) TB had significantly worse clinical outcomes than patients with fully susceptible strains.
A Low-Power Spike Detection and Alignment Algorithm

Front-end integrated circuits for signal processing are useful in neuronal recording systems that engage a large number of electrodes. Detecting, alignment, and sorting the spike data at the front-end reduces the data bandwidth and enables wireless communication. Without such data reduction, large data volumes need to be transferred to a host computer and typically heavy cables are required which constrain the patient or test animal. Front-end processing circuits can dissipate only a limited amount of power, due to supply constraints and heat restrictions. Reduced complexity spike detection and alignment algorithm and architecture, based on integral transform, are introduced. They achieve 99% of the precision of a PCA detector, while requiring only 0.05% of the computational complexity
Potential Role of Selected Lichens Collected from India as Antifungal Agents against Dermatophytes

Superficial fungal infections particularly those involving the skin and mucosal surfaces constitute a serious problem, especially in tropical and subtropical developing countries (1). Dermatophytes have been reported to be potentially pathogenic (2) and are directly connected with the skin fungal infections. They are a group of closely related keratinophilic fungi that invade keratinized humans and animal tissues such as skin, hair and nails causing Dermatophytosis. Dermatophytes consist of three genera Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton (3). Unlike other fungal infections, cutaneous mycosis has been considered important in which host immune responses are highly evoked resulting in severe pathologic changes, which are extended deeper into epidermis as well as hair and nails. Such fungal infections are mainly caused by Microsporum species (4). Humid weather, over population and poor hygienic condition induce the growth of dermatophytes and thereby dermatophytosis.
Activation of afferents to the ventral tegmental area in response to acute amphetamine: a double‐labelling study

The ventral tegmental area (VTA), primary source of the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system, is regarded as a critical site for initiation of behavioural sensitization to psychostimulants. The present study was undertaken to identify the neural pathways converging on the VTA that are potentially implicated in this process. Rats were sensitized by a single exposure to amphetamine (5 mg/kg, s.c.). The distribution of VTA‐projecting neurons activated by amphetamine was examined by combining retrograde transport of the cholera toxin β subunit (CTb), injected into the VTA, with immunodetection of Fos. The quantitative analysis of CTb–Fos double labelling demonstrates that amphetamine induced a rapid activation of Fos in a large number of brain areas projecting to the VTA. More than half of the CTb–Fos double‐labelled neurons were located in the prefrontal cortex, lateral preoptic area–lateral hypothalamus, pontomesencephalic tegmentum, dorsal raphe nucleus, ventral pallidum and nucleus accumbens. In addition, scattered CTb–Fos double‐labelled cells were observed in many other VTA afferent structures, such as claustrum, lateral septum, diagonal band–magnocellular preoptic nucleus, deep mesencephalic nucleus, oral part of pontine reticular nucleus and dorsomedial tegmental area. This suggests that systemic amphetamine activates a wide population of neurons projecting to the VTA that may be important for the modulation of neurobehavioural plasticity produced by this psychostimulant.
Nurses’ Use of Evidence-Based Practice in Clinical Practice After Attending a Formal Evidence-Based Practice Course: A Quality Improvement Evaluation

This quality improvement project explored whether participation in an evidence-based practice (EBP) course influenced the use of EBP in day-to-day nursing practice. Data from two focus groups highlighted the impact of the EBP course, areas for further development, and potential barriers to the utilization of EBP. The authors found that educational offerings that remove barriers to EBP (knowledge and time) improve nurses’ utilization of EBP. Ongoing professional development support is needed to foster the use of EBP in practice.
Influence of immunogen count to antibody response of inactivated avian influenza virus oil based vaccine in broilers

Primary prerequisite of effective influenza virus immunization is homology of vaccinal strain to the wild type and appropriate immunogen count in each dose of vaccine to induce protective immune response. The purpose of current project is to study the effect of immunogen potency in inactivated monovalent and bivalent avian influenza vaccines. Eight AIV (Monovalent & Bivalent) oil based vaccines with different immunogen level were prepared and evaluated for potency in AIV susceptible broilers through Haemagglutination Inhibition (HI) test on 18 and 36-day post vaccination. It was observed that 0.3ml dose of inactivated avian influenza oil based AIV-H9 vaccine having infectivity titer EID50 1×10/ml and (HA= 512) induced high mean anti AIV-H9 antibody titers (72±22.62) as compared to the vaccine containing EID50 1×10/ml and (HA= 256). Similarly, same dose of bivalent avian influenza inactivated vaccine containing infectivity titer EID50 1×10/ml and (HA= 512) induced better immune response against each antigen H7 and H9 respectively, that of 0.3 ml dose of the vaccine comprising infectivity titer EID50 1×10/ml and (HA= 256) where H7 and H9 were documented. It was concluded that infectivity titers in 0.3 ml dose of inactivated adjuvanted vaccine shall be ≤ 10 /ml or 256 HAU to achieve protective anti body titers to get protection against avian influenza virus and its complications over a long period of time thus contributing to disease control in epidemics.
Low rate shedding of HSV‐1 DNA, but not of infectious virus from human donor corneae into culture media

Fluid samples derived from 451 organ cultured corneae were tested for the presence of HSV‐1 DNA after electroseparation and amplification for fragments of the glycoprotein D‐ and thymidine kinase‐encoding genes. Of the culture media, 134 were processed immediately after withdrawal (Group 1); 100 were stored at ambient temperature for 6 to 60 weeks (Group 2); 90 were stored at −8°C for 4 to 9 weeks (Group 3); and 127 were stored at −20°C for 2 to 30 weeks (Group 4). The degradation of human DNA (marker gene, betaglobin) under these different storage conditions and of human and HSV‐1 DNA as a sequential function of time at ambient temperature was gauged by the loss of a detectable signal for the respective component. Endothelial cell density within each of the corneal discs was determined before and after organ culture.
plazo : De las dicotomías a los continuos

There is some terminological disagreement between authors in the study of long term memory although they use historically the same concepts. Then, some of them attach importance to the format in which representations are stored, others to representations output format and others to the consciousness or unconsciousness of storing and retrieval. In this work both learning and memory, and coding, storing and retrieval concepts are put in relation with classic dichotomies (explicit/implicit, declarative/procedural, controlled/automatic and intentional/incidental). Nowadays, there are some investigators that support the idea of “continuum” between attention, intention and consciousness abilities in storing and retrieval during learning and memory tasks. For that reason the necessity of considering that “continuum” idea between explicit and implicit memory, controlled and automatic processing, and even between intentionality and incidentality, is proposed since there are several proposals that show different “contamination” effects among themselves.
Structural basis of Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm formation: mechanisms and molecular interactions

Staphylococcus epidermidis is a usually harmless commensal bacterium highly abundant on the human skin. Under defined predisposing conditions, most importantly implantation of a medical device, S. epidermidis, however, can switch from a colonizing to an invasive life style. The emergence of S. epidermidis as an opportunistic pathogen is closely linked to the biofilm forming capability of the species. During the past decades, tremendous advance regarding our understanding of molecular mechanisms contributing to surface colonization has been made, and detailed information is available for several factors active during the primary attachment, accumulative or dispersal phase of biofilm formation. A picture evolved in which distinct factors, though appearing to be redundantly organized, take over specific and exclusive functions during biofilm development. In this review, these mechanisms are described in molecular detail, with a highlight on recent insights into multi-functional S. epidermidis cell surface proteins contributing to surface adherence and intercellular adhesion. The integration of distinct biofilm-promoting factors into regulatory networks is summarized, with an emphasis on mechanism that could allow S. epidermidis to flexibly adapt to changing environmental conditions present during colonizing or invasive life-styles.
Using Dummy Bridging Faults to Define Reduced Sets of Target Faults

To address the large numbers of bridging faults in a circuit, several approaches have been proposed for the selection of subsets of bridging faults as targets for test generation. A different approach that can be viewed as a fault collapsing method based on dominance relations between faults is investigated. It is enhanced by the introduction of dummy bridging faults, which are not real faults but whose tests detect large numbers of real faults. This approach is applied to nonfeedback four-way bridging faults. When no approximations are made, the proposed approach selects a subset of faults such that if they are detected all the nonfeedback four-way bridging faults are guaranteed to be detected. When this subset is too large, the proposed approach can also be applied to a subset of bridging faults preselected using other methods, e.g., realistic bridging faults or hard-to-detect bridging faults. In this case, it allows more bridging faults to be preselected. A new selection criterion and issues related to test generation for the selected faults are also investigated
Multi-Objective Learning of Multi-Dimensional Bayesian Classifiers

Multi-dimensional classification is a generalization of supervised classification that considers more than one class variable to classify. In this paper we review the existing multi-dimensional Bayesian classifiers and introduce a new one: the KDB multi-dimensional classifier. Then we define different classification rules for multi-dimensional scope. Finally, we introduce a structural learning approach of a multi-dimensional Bayesian classifier based on the multi-objective evolutionary algorithm NSGA-II. The solution of the learning approach is a Pareto front representing different multi-dimensional classifiers and their accuracy values for the different classes, so a decision maker can easily choose the classifier which is more interesting for the particular problem and domain.
Newly designed HRTF measuring system

Because people expect better sound reproduction that offers more realistic experience, 3D sound technologies are ceaselessly being improved. When we render 3D sound image using headphones or speakers, the main key of this technology is the Head-related transfer function (HRTF) database. Even though there are various HRTF databases they have some drawbacks such as detrimental effects caused by imperfect measuring environment and insufficient measurement points. In addition to those problems, there is no database aimed at Korean even if the HRTFs vary from person to person. Therefore we are planning to develop the HRTF database for Korean. As a first step to do it, the new HRTF measuring system without aforementioned drawbacks is designed. In this paper, the newly designed HRTF measuring system is introduced and the overall effects are analyzed caused by the diffraction of the apparatus, especially the headrest and backrest of the chair.
Fixed‐time adaptive sliding mode trajectory tracking control of uncertain mechanical systems

An adaptive fixed‐time trajectory tracking controller is proposed for uncertain mechanical systems in this study. The polynomial reference trajectory is planned for trajectory tracking error. Fractional power of linear sliding mode is applied to design the nonlinear controller, adaptive laws are used to adjust controller parameters. Trajectory planning and fractional power are combined to ensure the tracking‐error convergence in a fixed time. The boundary layer technique is used to suppress the model uncertainties and decrease the chattering phenomenon. The closed‐loop system stability is proved strictly in the Lyapunov framework to show that the trajectory tracking errors and adaptive parameters tend to zero in a fixed time set in advance. Numerical simulation results of robotic manipulators illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed controller.
2.5D mapping using GNSS signal analysis

High-Sensitivity GNSS receivers are capable to acquire and track signals at low signal strengths, which enables receivers to capture signals reflected from buildings and other objects. These multipath and echo-only effects, which lead to GNSS receivers' inaccuracy in locations such as urban canyons are the enablers of the 2.5D mapping framework proposed in this paper. Several methods are employed to analyze GNSS signal propagation and estimate distances and heights of walls, from which satellite signals, that were captured as weak, had been reflected. Our experiments validate the approach and demonstrate that analysis of GNSS signal reflection can be the basis for rough 2.5D mapping. In turn, the technique can be used either as a standalone mapping solution, or in the context of Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM).
Three-Point Interaction: Combining Bi-manual Direct Touch with Gaze

The benefits of two-point interaction for tasks that require users to simultaneously manipulate multiple entities or dimensions are widely known. Two-point interaction has become common, e.g., when zooming or pinching using two fingers on a smartphone. We propose a novel interaction technique that implements three-point interaction by augmenting two-finger direct touch with gaze as a third input channel. We evaluate two key characteristics of our technique in two multi-participant user studies. In the first, we used the technique for object selection. In the second, we evaluate it in a 3D matching task that requires simultaneous continuous input from fingers and the eyes. Our results show that in both cases participants learned to interact with three input channels without cognitive or mental overload. Participants' performance tended towards fast selection times in the first study and exhibited parallel interaction in the second. These results are promising and show that there is scope for additional input channels beyond two-point interaction.
Prevalence and Characteristics of General and Football-Specific Emergency Medical Service Activations by High School and Collegiate Certified Athletic Trainers: A National Study

Objective:To describe frequency and characteristics of emergency medical services (EMS) activations by certified athletic trainers (ATs) and effects of pre-season planning meetings on interactions between ATs and EMS both generally and specifically during football head/neck emergencies. Design:Retrospective cross-sectional survey. Setting:2009 Web-based survey. Participants:Athletic trainers (n = 1884; participation rate, 28%) in high school and collegiate settings. Independent Variables:Athletic trainer work setting, AT demographics, history of pre-season planning meetings. Main Outcome Measures:Proportions and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) estimated the prevalence of EMS activation, planning meetings, and characteristics of AT-EMS interactions (eg, episodes of AT-perceived inappropriate care and on-field disagreements). Chi square tests tested differences (P < 0.05) in proportions. Associations (odds ratio = OR and 95% CI) between work setting, demographics, preseason meetings and fall 2008 1) episodes of AT-perceived inappropriate care, and 2) on-field disagreements were assessed using multivariate logistic regression. Results:High school ATs activated EMS more frequently than collegiate ATs (eg, fall 2008 EMS activation for football injury, 59.9% vs 27.5%; P < 0.01) and reported fewer pre-season planning meetings (eg, met with EMS to practice, 38.1% vs 55.8%; P < 0.01). During the Fall 2008 football season, high school ATs perceived more episodes of inappropriate care (10.4% vs 3.9%; P < 0.01) and on-field disagreements (5.4 vs 2.2%; P < 0.01) than collegiate ATs. High school work setting was independently associated with episodes of AT-perceived inappropriate care (adjusted OR = 2.76; 95% CI, 1.65-4.62) and on-field disagreements (adjusted OR = 2.33; 95% CI, 1.17-4.64). Conclusions:Athletic trainer-EMS interactions are common and sometimes involve AT-perceived episodes of inappropriate care and on-field disagreements between emergency care providers.
EULAR Task Force Recommendations on Annual Cardiovascular Risk Assessment for Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Audit of the Success of Implementation in a Rheumatology Outpatient Clinic

Objective. EULAR recommendations for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk management include annual CVD risk assessments for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We evaluated the recording of CVD risk factors (CVD-RF) in a rheumatology outpatient clinic, where EULAR recommendations had been implemented. Further, we compared CVD-RF recordings between a regular rheumatology outpatient clinic (RegROC) and a structured arthritis clinic (AC). Methods. In 2012, 1142 RA patients visited the rheumatology outpatient clinic: 612 attended RegROC and 530 attended AC. We conducted a search in the patient journals to ascertain the rate of CVD-RF recording. Results. The overall CVD-RF recording rate was 40.1% in the rheumatology outpatient clinic, reflecting a recording rate of 59.1% in the AC and 23.6% in the RegROC. The odds ratios for having CVD-RFs recorded for patients attending AC compared to RegROC were as follows: blood pressure: 12.4, lipids: 5.0-6.0, glucose: 9.1, HbA1c: 6.1, smoking: 1.4, and for having all the CVD-RFs needed to calculate the CVD risk by the systematic coronary risk evaluation (SCORE): 21.0. Conclusion. The CVD-RF recording rate was low in a rheumatology outpatient clinic. However, a systematic team-based model was superior compared to a RegROC. Further measures are warranted to improve CVD-RF recording in RA patients.
BEL: Bagging for Entity Linking

With recent advances in the areas of knowledge engineering and information extraction, the task of linking textual mentions of named entities to corresponding ones in a knowledge base has received much attention. The rich, structured information in state-of-the-art knowledge bases can be leveraged to facilitate this task. Although recent approaches achieve satisfactory accuracy results, they typically suffer from at least one of the following issues: (1) the linking quality is highly sensitive to the amount of textual information; typically, long textual fragments are needed to capture the context of a mention, (2) the disambiguation uncertainty is not explicitly addressed and often only implicitly represented by the ranking of entities to which a mention could be linked, (3) complex, joint reasoning negatively affects the efficiency. We propose an entity linking technique that addresses the above issues by (1) operating on a textual range of relevant terms, (2) aggregating decisions from an ensemble of simple classifiers, each of which operates on a randomly sampled subset from the above range, (3) following local reasoning by exploiting previous decisions whenever possible. In extensive experiments on hand-labeled and benchmark datasets, our approach outperformed state-of-the-art entity linking techniques, both in terms of quality and efficiency.
On the Parametrization of All Regularly Implementing and Stabilizing Controllers

In this paper we deal with problems of controller parametrization in the context of behavioral systems. Given a full plant behavior, a subbehavior of the manifest plant behavior is called regularly implementable if it can be achieved as the controlled behavior resulting from the interconnection of the full plant behavior with a suitable controller behavior, in such a way that the controller does not impose restrictions that are already present in the plant. We establish a parametrization of all controllers that regularly implement a given behavior. We also obtain a parametrization of all stabilizing controllers.
Laccase: a multi‐purpose biocatalyst at the forefront of biotechnology

Laccases are multicopper containing enzymes capable of performing one electron oxidation of a broad range of substrates. Using molecular oxygen as the final electron acceptor, they release only water as a by‐product, and as such, laccases are eco‐friendly, versatile biocatalysts that have generated an enormous biotechnological interest. Indeed, this group of enzymes has been used in different industrial fields for very diverse purposes, from food additive and beverage processing to biomedical diagnosis, and as cross‐linking agents for furniture construction or in the production of biofuels. Laccases have also been studied intensely in nanobiotechnology for the development of implantable biosensors and biofuel cells. Moreover, their capacity to transform complex xenobiotics makes them useful biocatalysts in enzymatic bioremediation. This review summarizes the most significant recent advances in the use of laccases and their future perspectives in biotechnology.