Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microbiology and initial antibiotic therapy for injection drug users and non-injection drug users with cutaneous abscesses in the era of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

OBJECTIVES The incidence of cutaneous abscesses has increased markedly since the emergence of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA). Injection drug use is a risk factor for abscesses and may affect the microbiology and treatment of these infections. In a cohort of patients hospitalized with cutaneous abscesses in the era of CA-MRSA, the objectives were to compare the microbiology of abscesses between injection drug users and non-injection drug users and evaluate antibiotic therapy started in the emergency department (ED) in relation to microbiologic findings and national guideline treatment recommendations. METHODS This was a secondary analysis of two published retrospective cohorts of patients requiring hospitalization for acute bacterial skin infections between January 1, 2007, and May 31, 2012, in seven academic and community hospitals in Colorado. In the subgroup of patients with cutaneous abscesses, microbiologic findings and the antibiotic regimens started in the ED were compared between injection drug users and non-injection drug users. Antibiotic regimens involving multiple agents, lack of activity against MRSA, or an agent with broad Gram-negative activity were classified as discordant with Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guideline treatment recommendations. RESULTS Of 323 patients with cutaneous abscesses, 104 (32%) occurred in injection drug users. Among the 235 cases where at least one microorganism was identified by culture, S. aureus was identified less commonly among injection drug users compared with non-injection drug users (55% vs. 75%, p = 0.003), with similar patterns observed for MRSA (33% vs. 47%, p = 0.054) and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (17% vs. 26%, p = 0.11). In contrast to S. aureus, streptococcal species (53% vs. 25%, p < 0.001) and anaerobic organisms (29% vs. 10%, p < 0.001) were identified more commonly among injection drug users. Of 88 injection drug users and 186 non-injection drug users for whom antibiotics were started in the ED, the antibiotic regimens were discordant with IDSA guideline recommendations in 47 (53%) and 101 (54%), respectively (p = 0.89). In cases where MRSA was ultimately identified, the antibiotic regimen started in the ED lacked activity against this pathogen in 14% of cases. CONCLUSIONS Compared with non-injection drug users, cutaneous abscesses in injection drug users were less likely to involve S. aureus, including MRSA, and more likely to involve streptococci and anaerobes; however, MRSA was common in both groups. Antibiotic regimens started in the ED were discordant with national guidelines in over half of cases and often lacked activity against MRSA when this pathogen was present.
The Wasabi Personal Shopper: A Case-Based Recommender System

The Wasabi Personal Shopper (WPS) is a domain-independent database browsing tool designed for on-line information access, particularly for electronic product catalogs. Typically, web-based catalogs rely either on text search or query formulation. WPS introduces an alternative form of access via preference-based navigation. WPS is based on a line of academic research called FindMe systems. These systems were built in a variety of different languages and used custom-built ad-hoc databases. WPS is written in C++, and designed to be a commercial-grade software product, compatible with any SQL-accessible catalog. The paper describes the WPS and discusses some of the development issues involved in re-engineering our AI research system as a general-purpose commercial application.
Rejection based multipath reconstruction for background estimation in SBMnet 2016 dataset

Background Estimation in video consists in extracting a foreground-free image from a set of training frames. In this paper, we overview a temporal-spatial block-level approach for background estimation in video and present their results in the SBMnet dataset. First, the employed approach uses a Temporal Analysis module to obtain a compact representation of the training data that is later clustered by a threshold-free technique to generate background candidates at each block location. Then, a Spatial Analysis module iteratively reconstructs the background using a multipath reconstruction guided by background smoothness constraints. The experimental results in the SBMnet dataset demonstrates the utility of the employed approach against stationary objects and its weaknesses when motion information is involved.
A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial of tongue-tie division and its immediate effect on breastfeeding.

AIM This study investigated if a maternally reported, immediate improvement in breastfeeding following division of tongue-tie is due to a placebo effect. METHODS This randomized controlled trial was conducted at Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK, in 2003-2004. Sixty breastfed babies 5-115 days old (mean, 32 days; median, 23 days) were randomized to division (Group A) or non-division (Group B). The mother and a trained observer were blinded and assessed breastfeeding before the intervention. Fifty-seven babies were analyzed because blinding failed in three of the babies in Group A. Following the intervention, the mother's and observer's views were noted, and then those infants allocated to non-division had their tongue-tie divided. RESULTS Seventy-eight percent (21 of 27) of mothers in Group A reported an immediate improvement in feeding following the intervention, compared with 47% (14 of 30) in Group B (two-tailed χ(2) p<0.02; 95% confidence interval, 6-51%). At 1-day follow-up, 90% (54 of 60) reported improved feeding following division. At 3-month follow-up, 92% (54 of 59) still reported improved feeding, with 51% (30 of 59) continuing to breastfeed. CONCLUSIONS There is a real, immediate improvement in breastfeeding, detectable by the mother, which is sustained and does not appear to be due to a placebo effect.
A CRM Domain Protein Functions Dually in Group I and Group II Intron Splicing in Land Plant Chloroplasts[W]

The CRM domain is a recently recognized RNA binding domain found in three group II intron splicing factors in chloroplasts, in a bacterial protein that associates with ribosome precursors, and in a family of uncharacterized proteins in plants. To elucidate the functional repertoire of proteins with CRM domains, we studied CFM2 (for CRM Family Member 2), which harbors four CRM domains. RNA coimmunoprecipitation assays showed that CFM2 in maize (Zea mays) chloroplasts is associated with the group I intron in pre-trnL-UAA and group II introns in the ndhA and ycf3 pre-mRNAs. T-DNA insertions in the Arabidopsis thaliana ortholog condition a defective-seed phenotype (strong allele) or chlorophyll-deficient seedlings with impaired splicing of the trnL group I intron and the ndhA, ycf3-int1, and clpP-int2 group II introns (weak alleles). CFM2 and two previously described CRM proteins are bound simultaneously to the ndhA and ycf3-int1 introns and act in a nonredundant fashion to promote their splicing. With these findings, CRM domain proteins are implicated in the activities of three classes of catalytic RNA: group I introns, group II introns, and 23S rRNA.
What is the origin of ulcerative colitis? Still more questions than answers

Despite more than a century of existence as a clinical entity, the true origin of ulcerative colitis still remains elusive. Several factors probably contribute to the development of this condition. Recently discovered technologies have clarified the role of bacterial species, which may account for intestinal dysbiosis, as a factor triggering ulcerative colitis. Genetic susceptibility together with abnormal innate immunoreactivity probably comprise the essential prerequisites for the initiation and perpetuation of ulcerative colitis. Although the genetic background has been more clearly recognised in patients with Crohn’s disease than in those with ulcerative colitis, some candidate loci associated with ulcerative colitis have also been intensively studied. Additionally, environmental factors may interfere with inherent predispositions to ulcerative colitis, and either suppress or reinforce them. Whatever the origin, the search for the aetiology of ulcerative colitis must have the same goal: the improvement of treatment and the quality of life in patients with ulcerative colitis.
Pituitary stalk lesions

Purpose of reviewTo describe the diverse causes of pituitary stalk lesions, their diagnosis, and treatment. Recent findingsPathology of the pituitary stalk is often distinct from disease processes that affect the hypothalamus and/or pituitary. Pituitary stalk lesions fall into one of three categories: congenital, inflammatory/infectious, and neoplastic lesions. SummaryStalk thickening may be found incidentally or when evaluating pituitary functional abnormalities. The precise cause must be looked for to enable the proper form of therapy of the underlying process. Hormone replacement is often also necessary.
Mechanism of hemolysis by cationic surface-active agents.

A study is made of the mechanism of hemolysis by anionic surface-active agents. It is supposed that the primary site of the hemolytic attack by anionic agents is the protein moiety of the red cell membrane at physiological pH. The role of phospholipid release in hemolysis increases as the PH of the medium decreases.
Impact of geometric uncertainties on dose distribution during intensity modulated radiotherapy of head-and-neck cancer: the need for a planning target volume and a planning organ-at-risk volume

We assessed the effect of geometric uncertainties on target coverage and on dose to the organs at risk (oars) during intensity-modulated radiotherapy (imrt) for head-and-neck cancer, and we estimated the required margins for the planning target volume (ptv) and the planning organ-at-risk volume (prv). For eight head-and-neck cancer patients, we generated imrt plans with localization uncertainty margins of 0 mm, 2.5 mm, and 5.0 mm. The beam intensities were then applied on repeat computed tomography (ct) scans obtained weekly during treatment, and dose distributions were recalculated. The dose–volume histogram analysis for the repeat ct scans showed that target coverage was adequate (V100 ≥ 95%) for only 12.5% of the gross tumour volumes, 54.3% of the upper-neck clinical target volumes (ctvs), and 27.4% of the lower-neck ctvs when no margins were added for ptv. The use of 2.5-mm and 5.0-mm margins significantly improved target coverage, but the mean dose to the contralateral parotid increased from 25.9 Gy to 29.2 Gy. Maximum dose to the spinal cord was above limit in 57.7%, 34.6%, and 15.4% of cases when 0-mm, 2.5-mm, and 5.0-mm margins (respectively) were used for prv. Significant deviations from the prescribed dose can occur during imrt treatment delivery for head-and-neck cancer. The use of 2.5-mm to 5.0-mm margins for ptv and prv greatly reduces the risk of underdosing targets and of overdosing the spinal cord.
More on Non-Cooperation in Dialogue Logic

Abstract Stone-walling dialogues are exercises in structured non-cooperation. It is true that dialogue partici-pants need to cooperate with one another and in ways sucient to make possible the very dialoguethey are now having. Beyond that there is room for non-cooperation on a scale that gives greato ence to what we call the Goody Two-Shoes Model of argument. In this paper, we argue that non-cooperation dialogues have perfectly legitimate objectives and that in relation to those objectivesthey need not be considered at all subpar to conversations that brim with sunny amity.Two categories of stone-walling non-cooperation dialogues are here examined. They are calledMindClosed and NoEngage. They are exempli ed by the following cases:1. Hostile Police Interrogation2. Judicial Cross-Examination3. Department Store Complaints Management4. Lakatosian Science5. G¨odel’s First Incompleteness Proof. Keywords : dialogues, non-cooperation, stone-walling, threats, MindClosed, NoEngage, BlindDenial,interrogation, cross-examination, complaints, negative heuristic, relevance, evasion, incompletenessproof.
More fans at any cost? Analysing the economic effects of the ratio of fans to non-fans in a customer portfolio considering electronic word of mouth

Abstract Consumers in online social networks increasingly rely on electronic word of mouth (eWOM) when making purchase decisions. Recent research suggests positive effects of the resulting strong exposure of fans to eWOM on cash flows. Consequently, companies follow the popular belief that they should maximise their number of fans by intensively promoting their fan pages. However, even though the sentiment of eWOM on fan pages is prevailingly positive, sheer maximisation of fans in a customer portfolio must be critically reflected upon: while fans yield higher expected cash flows than non-fans, the associated risk in terms of these cash flows’ volatility might also be considerably higher. Thus, diversifying risk by keeping a share of non-fans – or even increasing it – might be economically reasonable. By drawing on a portfolio selection theory-based model and real-world data, this paper analyses the ratio of fans to non-fans and its economic effects in customer portfolios.
An efficient multithreading approach for localization of face parts

In this paper, we present a face part detection such as eyes, nose and mouth using shared memory programming concept of OpenMP. The task parallelism is exhibited in multiple threads of a core where each thread is assigned with different task that are independent. The existing algorithm haar classifiers has been used for face part detection where initially the face is detected, localized and then the parts are detected, localized. This proposed idea of face part detection resulted in depletion in time compared to sequential execution and increase in speedup.
Towards Learning 'Self' and Emotional Knowledge in Social and Cultural Human-Agent Interactions

This article presents research towards the development of a virtual learning environment (VLE) inhabited by intelligent virtual agents (IVAs) and modeling a scenario of inter-cultural interactions. The ultimate aim of this VLE is to allow users to reflect upon and learn about intercultural communication and collaboration. Rather than predefining the interactions among the virtual agents and scripting the possible interactions afforded by this environment, we pursue a bottomup approach whereby inter-cultural communication emerges from interactions with and among autonomous agents and the user(s). The intelligent virtual agents that are inhabiting this environment are expected to be able to broaden their knowledge about the world and other agents, which may be of different cultural backgrounds, through interactions. This work is part of a collaborative effort within a European research project called eCIRCUS. Specifically, this article focuses on our continuing research concerned with emotional knowledge learning in autobiographic social agents.
Reconciliation and Confirmation

The late President Johnson (1964) said in an address delivered at Brown University that "the answer for all our internal problems, the answer for all problems of the world comes down, when you really analyze it, to one simple word education. " Many would probably agree, but they would also say that through education young people become more aware of the existing problems, increase their demands on the political system, and become socialized in a more active pattern of action-often hostile to the existing distribution of political power. ' Blacks have made substantial progress in the past decade in their drive to attain a "middle class position"; they are slowly closing the existing gap, especially with regard to education. In 1960, for example, Blacks between the age of 25-29 were receiving only 10.8 years of schooling, while in 1970 they were
Shame and Guilt

What Is So Important about Shame and Guilt? What Is the Difference between Shame and Guilt? Assessing Shame and Guilt. Our "Intrapersonal" Relationship: The Self in Shame and Guilt. Moral Emotions and Interpersonal Sensitivity: Empathy Enters the Picture. Shamed into Anger? : The Special Link between Shame and Interpersonal Hostility. Shame, Guilt, and Psychopathology. The Bottom Line: Moral Emotions and Moral Behavior. Shame and Guilt Across the Lifespan: The Development of Moral Emotions. Sex, Romance, and Conflict: Shame and Guilt in Intimate Relationships. Implications for Therapists: Shame and Guilt on Both Sides of the Couch. Looking Ahead: Implications for Parents, Teachers, and Society. Appendices. Tables of Findings from Studies of Shame and Guilt. Measures of Shame and Guilt.
Aprendizaje de argumentos verbales completos y su plausibilidad en oraciones a partir de corpus

Resumen. El aprendizaje de preferencias de argumentos de ve rbos usualmente se ha tratado como un problema de verbo y argumento, o a lo mucho como una relacion trinaria entre sujeto, verbo y objeto. Sin embargo, la correlacion simultanea de todos los argumentos en una oracion no ha sido explorado a profundidad para la medida de plausibilidad de una oracion debi do al alto numero de combinaciones potenciales de argumentos, asi como a la d ispersion de los datos. En este trabajo presentamos una revision de algunos me todos comunes para aprender las preferencias de los argumentos, comenzando con el caso mas simple que considera correlaciones binarias, despues lo comparamo s con correlaciones trinarias, y finalmente consideramos todos los argumentos. Para esto ultimo, usamos un modelo de aprendizaje en conjunto ( ensemble learning ) mediante modelos discriminativos y generativos; mediante caracteristica s de coocurrencia y caracteristicas semanticas en distintos arreglos. Buscamos responder preguntas acerca del numero optimo de topicos requeridos para los modelos de PLSI y LDA, asi como el numero de coocurrencias que se requiere para mejorar el desempeno. Exploramos las implicaciones de usar diversas formas de proyectar correlaciones, es decir, en un espacio de palabras, o directa mente en un espacio de coocurrencia de caracteristicas. Realizamos pruebas para una tarea de pseudodesambiguacion aprendiendo de corpus muy grandes extraidos de Internet.
Insulin Inhibits IL-10–Mediated Regulatory T Cell Function: Implications for Obesity

Chronic inflammation is known to promote metabolic dysregulation in obesity and type 2 diabetes. Although the precise origin of the unchecked inflammatory response in obesity is unclear, it is known that overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines by innate immune cells affects metabolism. For example, TNF-α contributes to the inability of cells to respond to insulin and to the increase in levels of insulin. Whether this hyperinsulinemia itself is part of a feedback loop that affects the progression of chronic adipose inflammation is unknown. In this article, we show that regulatory T cells (Tregs) express the insulin receptor, and that high levels of insulin impair the ability of Tregs to suppress inflammatory responses via effects on the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Insulin activated AKT signaling in Tregs, leading to inhibition of both IL-10 production and the ability of Tregs to suppress the production of TNF-α by macrophages in a contact-independent manner. The effect of insulin on Treg suppression was limited to IL-10 production and it did not alter the expression of other proteins associated with Treg function, including CTLA-4, CD39, and TGF-β. In a model of diet-induced obesity, Tregs from the visceral adipose tissue of hyperinsulinemic, obese mice showed a similar specific decrease in IL-10 production, as well as a parallel increase in production of IFN-γ. These data suggest that hyperinsulinemia may contribute to the development of obesity-associated inflammation via a previously unknown effect of insulin on the IL-10–mediated function of Tregs.
A re‐examination of melioration and rational choice

We examined how people allocate choices between two alternatives when the payoff from each alternative varied as a function of the allocation of recent choices. On any one trial alternative A had a higher immediate payoff than alternative B, but across all trials B had a higher overall payoff than A. Rational choice theory requires that participants allocate all their responses to the alternative with the greatest overall payoff irrespective of which has the higher immediate payoff. Melioration, in contrast, proposes that participants are motivated to choose the alternative with the higher immediate payoff, irrespective of the consequences for future returns. We report four experiments in which we varied the nature of the payoffs. Participants exhibited self-control consistent with rational choice theory when payoffs varied in magnitude, but exhibited impulsiveness consistent with melioration when the payoffs varied in probability. Finally, we show that impulsivity when payoffs varied in probability can be overcome following un-reinforced practice. Copyright (C) 2002 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.
Fuzzy Clustering of Parallel Data Streams

The management and processing of so-called data streams has recently become a topic of active research in several fields of computer science, notably database systems and data mining. A data stream can roughly be thought of as a transient, continuously increasing sequence of time-stamped data. In this paper, we consider the problem of clustering parallel streams of real-valued data, that is to say, continuously evolving time series. More specifically, we are interested in grouping data streams the evolution over time of which is similar in a specific sense. In order to maintain an up-to-date clustering structure, it is necessary to analyze the incoming data in an online manner, tolerating not more than a constant time delay. For this purpose, we develop an efficient online version of the fuzzy C-means clustering algorithm. A fuzzy approach appears to be particularly useful for this type of application, in which the clustering structure is subject to continuous changes.
A Mathematical Analysis of a Disaster Management Data-Grid Push Service

Much work is under way within the Grid technology community on issues associated with the development of services fostering the integration and exploitation of multiple autonomous, distributed data sources through a seamless and flexible virtualized interface. These developments involve fluid and dynamic, ad hoc based interactions between dispersed service providers and consumers. However, several obstacles arise in the design and implementation of such services. In this article, the authors examine a notable obstacle, namely how to keep service consumers informed of relevant changes about data committed in multiple and distributed service provider levels, and most importantly, when these changes can affect others' well-being. To achieve this, the authors use aggregated case scenarios to demonstrate the need for a data-Grid push service in a disaster management situation. In this regard, the article describes in detail the service architecture, as well as its mathematical analysis for keeping interested stakeholders informed automatically about relevant and critical data changes.