Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multiple fluid collections: CT- or US-guided aspiration--evaluation of microbiologic results and implications for clinical practice.

PURPOSE To determine if patients with multiple fluid collections need every collection aspirated and if cross-contamination is a risk if separate sterile procedures are not followed for each aspiration. MATERIALS AND METHODS Records from 1,076 imaging-guided percutaneous aspirations and drainages over 39 months were retrospectively reviewed; 124 patients had multiple fluid collections drained, which yielded 287 aspirates. The patients were divided into two groups: those (n = 82) with multiple collections aspirated on any 1 day, and those (n = 61) with multiple collections aspirated over 10 days. Nineteen patients were included in both groups. Gram stain microscopy and culture results were compared between sequential aspirates in each patient, and their potential effects on antimicrobial therapy and theoretic risk for cross-contamination were evaluated. RESULTS In 82 patients undergoing multiple aspirations on any 1 day, multiple microorganisms differed in 32 patients, which indicated a need for therapy change in 18 (22%) patients. In 61 patients undergoing aspiration on different days, microorganisms differed in 32 patients, which indicated a need for therapy change in 15 (25%) patients. Cross-contamination could have occurred in 28 of 93 (30%) aspirates from patients with a second or subsequent collection if separate sterile procedures had not been undertaken. CONCLUSION When multiple fluid collections are identified, aspirates from all collections should be obtained through separate sterile procedures to ensure optimal antimicrobial coverage and avoid cross-contamination.
Cutting Edge: Brucella abortus Exploits a Cellular Prion Protein on Intestinal M Cells as an Invasive Receptor

Brucella abortus is a Gram-negative bacterium causing brucellosis. Although B. abortus is known to infect via the oral route, the entry site in the gastrointestinal tract has been unclear. We found that B. abortus was selectively internalized by microfold cells (M cells), a subset of epithelial cells specialized for mucosal Ag uptake. During this process, colocalization of cellular prion protein (PrPC) and B. abortus was evident on the apical surface as well as in subapical vacuolar structures in M cells. Internalization of B. abortus by M cells of PrPC-deficient (Prnp−/−) mice was greatly reduced compared with that in wild-type mice. Furthermore, an oral infection study revealed that translocation of B. abortus into the Peyer’s patch was significantly lower in Prnp−/− than in wild-type mice. These observations suggest that orally infected B. abortus invades the host through M cells by using PrPC on the apical surface of M cells as an uptake receptor.
Automatic Segmentation and Labeling for Spontaneous Standard Malay Speech Recognition

In this paper, we proposed an automatically segmenting and transcribing spontaneous speech signal without the use of manually annotated speech database. The spontaneous speech signal is first segmented into syllable-like units by considering short-term energy as a magnitude spectrum of some arbitrary signal. Similar syllable segments are then grouped together using an unsupervised incremental clustering technique. Separate models are generated for each cluster of syllable segments. At this stage, labels are assigned for each group of syllable segments manually. The syllable models of these clusters are then used to transcribe or recognize the spontaneous speech signal of closed-set speakers' data as well open-set speaker data. As a syllable recognizer, our initial results on Standard Malay television (TV3) news bulletins of the native and non-native speakers shows that the performance is 42.53% and 30.8% respectively.
Abnormal expression and processing of keratins in pupoid fetus (pf/pf) and repeated epilation (Er/Er) mutant mice

The pupoid fetus (pf) and repeated epilation (Er) mutations of mice result in a failure of epidermal differentiation in homozygotes. Expression of the epidermal keratins has been followed in pf/pf and Er/Er mice by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting using polyclonal antibodies that are monospecific for individual keratin polypeptides. Our results show that expression of the differentiation-specific keratins (K1 and K10) is delayed in both the pf/pf and Er/Er mutants and that, when these keratins do appear later in development, they are localized in the deeper layers of the thickened mutant epidermis. Conversely, K6 and K16, two keratins found in low abundance in normal epidermis, are abundant in mutant epidermis. In newborn mutant epidermis, K6 and K16 are found to be most abundant in the outermost epidermal cells, a distribution opposite to that of K1 and K10. These findings suggest that the expression of these hyperplastic keratins in mutant mice may occur to the exclusion of the differentiation-specific keratins both during development and in newborn animals. Differentiation, and an apparently normal pattern of keratin expression, occur when whole pf/pf or Er/Er skin is grafted to normal mice. These results suggest that the pf and Er genes may be expressed systemically and that transfer of the mutant skin to a "normal" environment results in the recovery of a normal phenotype.
The expatriate career transition and women managers’ experiences

Women are under‐represented in the ranks of expatriate managers and research on expatriates, though formally gender‐neutral, has been heavily weighted towards the study of male professionals, thereby reinforcing the image of expatriates as male, middle aged, married with children. What most research has in common is an individualistic, psychological approach to the study of expatriate experience. A focus on (change) processes on individual and organisational level draws our attention towards career theory. This paper presents a theoretical framework that conceptualises expatriate careers as a career transition that triggers individual and social structuration processes. It reviews the key findings of research on Western women managers in Hong Kong and gives insight into the experiences of expatriate women managers in a new socio‐cultural, economic and organisational environment.
Power Spectral Analysis of the Envelope Pulse-Width Modulation (EPWM) Transmitter for High Efficiency Amplification of OFDM Signals

Multi-carrier systems such as Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) require linear amplification and have low power efficiency because of high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR). In an Envelope Pulse-Width Modulation (EPWM) transmitter, the envelope component of a linear modulation wave is converted to a PWM signal by a delta-sigma (Delta-Sigma) modulator while the phase component modulates the carrier signal. The distortion-free amplitude multiplexing of the PWM and PM signals enables the power amplifier to achieve maximum power efficiency. In this paper, EPWM transmitter characteristics such as noise power spectral density and SNR will be analyzed. The application of the EPWM transmitter to OFDM signals will also be explored. From the simulation results, the Delta-Sigma modulator with an oversampling ratio of 32 provides sufficient in-band SNR and adjacent channel power ratio required for the IEEE 802.11a OFDM system.
Morphology of defense glands of the opilionids (daddy longlegs) Leiobunum vittatum and L. flavum (Arachnida: Opiliones: Palpatores: Phalangiidae)

Opilionid defense glands consist of 0.5 × 0.9‐mm sacs attached to the underside of low tubercles located on the dorsal side of the cephalothorax, posterior to the first pair of legs. Each gland opens via an elongated slit, located in the posterior floor of a crater that is situated at the summit of the tubercle. The center of the sac, called the reservoir, is lined by a cuticle consisting of epicuticle and endocuticle which is continuous through the slit with the exoskeleton. The layers of cuticle vary in thickness with different locations in the gland. A hemocoelomic (basement) membrane, 0.5–1, μ thick, forms the boundary between glandular cells and hemocoel. The gland has a nonsecretory portion consisting only of cuticle‐supporting cells and a secretory portion consisting of secretory and cuticle‐supporting cells. The cuticle lining the reservoir in the secretory area is broached by many cuticle‐lined ductules, each of which drains an isolated intercellular space called the intercalated cistern. This in turn drains microvilli‐lined canaliculi located between and extending into secretory cells. The cisterns are devoid of microvilli. Secretory cell cytoplasm contains a Golgi apparatus, many free ribosomes, rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), two types of granules (speckled and dense), and mitochondria. Speckled granules are partially filled with fairly large particles and are found in association with the Golgi apparatus. They also surround canaliculi into which they empty. Dense granules are packed with very small particles, have a gray homogeneous appearance, and are scattered throughout the cytoplasm. Mitochondria containing matrix granules tend to scatter throughout the cytoplasm but are concentrated around canaliculi.
Death and development

Analyzing a variety of cross-national and sub-national data, we argue that high adult mortality reduces economic growth by shortening time horizons. Paying careful attention to the age pattern of mortality and to endogeneity issues, we find that a greater risk of death during the prime productive years is associated with higher levels of risky behavior, higher fertility, and lower investment in physical capital, even when controlling for infant mortality. In our regressions, adult mortality explains almost all of Africa’s growth tragedy. This analysis underscores grim forecasts of the long-run economic costs of the ongoing AIDS epidemic.
Time for a Holiday?

Holidays are widely viewed as a special time, devoted to personal development and recreation. As tourism consumption becomes more widespread in developed countries, however, holidays are becoming subsumed into everyday life. The extent to which people are able to devote time to holidays is strongly influenced by economic, social and cultural structures. An international comparison of holiday time entitlement and consumption indicates that holidays are accepted as a social right in the `holiday time surplus' nations of Europe, but are not so firmly grounded in the liberal `holiday time deficit' societies such as the USA and Japan.
The Child's Awareness of Parental Beliefs Concerning the Child: A Developmental Study.

ALESSANDRI, STEVEN M. , and WOZNIAK, ROBERT H. The Child's Awareness of Parental Beliefs concerning the Child: A Developmental Study. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1987, 58, 316-323. This study investigated adolescents' and preadolescents' awareness of the beliefs that parents hold regarding them by examining patterns of agreement between parents and between parents and children concerning the children's likely behavior in a variety of situations. 24 2-parent, middle-class families with a 10-11-year-old and 24 with a 15-16-year-old were separately interviewed in 2 sessions scheduled a week apart. Interviews were based on the Family Belief Interview Schedule (FBIS), which presents 15 short vignettes designed to assess parental beliefs about the child and, with slight modification, the child's beliefs about parental beliefs. Findings indicated that: (1) families varied widely in intrafamilial agreement; (2) adolescents were more accurate in predicting parental beliefs than were preadolescents; (3) preadolescents were more likely than adolescents to assume that their parents were similar to one another in their child perceptions; (4) fathers' beliefs were more congruent with the self-beliefs of adolescents than of preadolescents. These findings are interpreted within a social cognitive and family-systems framework.
A sketch based modeling interface for pen input displays

This thesis presents new contributions to the area of pen-based interfaces for 3D shape modeling: (1) a simple but efficient algorithm for segmenting markings of pen input, (2) an interaction framework for pen-based applications, and (3) based on these two, a new 3D modeling environment. The segmentation of pen markings is a hidden difficulty in the development of a penbased application. It is accomplished by referencing only local shape information— specifically, convexity and monotonicity—resulting in on-the-fly segmentation. For the interaction framework, the recognition results of pen marking lead to selectiveor immediate-manipulation. With selective manipulation, the user can safely perform vague ideas as well as, in the end, decide on what an algorithmic inference offers; the interaction framework is designed not to override the user’s intention. Meanwhile, the immediate manipulation is reserved for more behavioral operations, such as sweeping and transformations. Since the geometric ambiguity prevails while mapping 2D pen markings into 3D geometric shapes, a parametric modeling style has been adopted; shape parameters of the final 3D model are directly manipulated by the user. Using this interaction framework, we propose a new pen-based 3D modeling environment.
Success for women library managers ‐ but on whose terms?

Notes that women have made significant inroads into Australian library management over the last decade. Identifies a double‐glazed glass ceiling in Australian libraries and an organizational culture inhospitable to women as managers. Reports on investigations with 20 successful women managers to explore these concerns further. Finds that while management is still presumed to be a full‐time occupation which demands an individual’s total commitment, stories of the women in many instances reveal interruptions for childbearing and child‐rearing. Questions the meaning of “success” in organizational discourse. Highlights the need for a comparative analysis between male and female librarians in terms of career development.
A High-Power Microwave Source with High Peak-to-Average-Power Ratio Signal Output for WPT Applications

This paper proposes a high-power microwave source which is capable of outputting high peak-to-average-power ratio (PAPR) signal. The microwave source includes a dual-polarized dipole antenna array based on coherent stimulated emission for output power enhancement. Each dual-polarized antenna unit is loaded with two fast switching circuits at the two feeding ports, respectively, and biased by a DC voltage source. The dual-polarization characteristic can be realized by switching between two working modes.
Childlessness: Strategies for Coping with Infertility

This study examines the coping strategies adopted by 50 men and women with fertility problems. All those interviewed had sought medical help and many had become very knowledgeable about reproduction and infertility. These are strategies concerned largely with maximising external resources. Others were concerned with redefining the problem and managing the negative concepts of themselves and others to infertility. Seeking social support, building up positive self-concepts and finding other ways of having needs met were strategies employed less frequently and when used were less thoroughly explored. Some reasons for not developing these strategies are discussed.
The Maudsley Family Study 4. Normal planum temporale asymmetry in familial schizophrenia

Background Loss or reversal of the normal asymmetry of the planum temporale (PT) has been reported in schizophrenia, and may be due to aberrations in the gene(s) controlling the development of brain asymmetries. We tested this hypothesis in a sample of schizophrenics and their relatives from families multiply affected with the disorder. Method We compared 32 schizophrenics and 55 of their non-schizophrenic first-degree relatives with 39 matched community controls. Volumetric measurements of the cortical volume beneath the PT were obtained using the Cavalieri method from three-dimensionally reconstructed magnetic resonance imaging images. Results PT volume asymmetry coefficients from patients and their relatives did not differ significantly from those of the controls. Gender-specific analysis did not reveal any differences. Conclusions Abnormalities in PT volume asymmetry are not present in familial schizophrenia, where genetic factors appear to predominate.
Equity in Veterans Affairs disability claims adjudication in a national sample of veterans.

OBJECTIVES To address potential equity concerns about the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) process for adjudicating military service-related disability claims. METHODS Participants were a nationally representative sample of 20,048 veterans completing the 2001 National Survey of Veterans. Sociodemographic, access, and illness correlates of both the award and rate of general disability benefits awarded by the VA were examined using an established theoretical framework. RESULTS Sociodemographic, access, and illness variables were associated with both the award ("yes/no") and rate of benefits (0-100%) awarded, with combat exposure, unemployment, and physical impairment accounting for the strongest model effects. CONCLUSIONS Veterans' needs were not overshadowed by factors related to demographic background or access (e.g., race, gender, insurance), reducing concerns about disparities in general VA disability disbursements. These data are timely as disability claims/payments will likely increase dramatically in the near future because of current conflicts in the Middle East.
Electronic Friend or Virtual Foe: Exploring the Role of Competitive and Cooperative Multiplayer Video Game Modes in Fostering Enjoyment

Industry and scholarly sources both argue that multiplayer gaming and competition are important factors in creating enjoyment, but relatively little empirical work demonstrates this claim. This study uses an experimental design (N = 139) to evaluate the effects of different multiplayer modes on enjoyment, allowing participants to interact naturally with a confederate partner and manipulating both game mode and partner behavior in a game of Madden '08. Results show that enjoyment is significantly enhanced by the combination of competitive play and a friendly partner, and demonstrate that the quality of interpersonal interaction only partly accounts for this.
Lung Ultrasound in Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Useful Tool for Early Diagnosis

Background: Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a severe form of neonatal respiratory distress which occurs almost exclusively in premature infants. At present, the diagnosis is based on radiological findings and clinical course. Lung ultrasound in RDS has not yet been fully assessed. Objectives: The aim of the study was to define the ultrasonographic appearance of RDS and evaluate its clinical relevance. Methods: Lung sonography was performed in 40 newborn infants with radiological and clinical signs of RDS (mean gestational age 27.2 ± 2.7 weeks, mean birth weight 1,057 ± 361 g) and in 15 preterm infants without RDS (mean gestational age 30.4 ± 3.4 weeks, mean birth weight 1,775 ± 669 g). Results: In all the studied infants with RDS, lung ultrasound consistently showed generalized alveolar-interstitial syndrome (echographic ‘white lung’), pleural line abnormalities (small subpleural consolidations, thickening, irregularity and coarse appearance) and an absence of areas with a normal pattern (‘spared areas’). When presented simultaneously, these signs identify RDS with a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. Conclusions: We found that lung ultrasound is a reliable tool in the diagnosis of RDS. We speculate that it may be considered as a screening method for the diagnosis of RDS, and for early administration of surfactant in preterm infants with respiratory distress.
Mobility Regimes and Parental Wealth: The United States, Germany, and Sweden in Comparison

We study the role of parental wealth for children's educational and occupational outcomes across three types of welfare states and outline a theoretical model that assumes parental wealth to impact offspring's attainment through two mechanisms, wealth's purchasing function and its insurance function. We argue that welfare states can limit the purchasing function of wealth, for instance by providing free education and generous social benefits, yet none of the welfare states examined here provides a functional equivalent to the insurance against adverse outcomes afforded by parental wealth. Our empirical evidence of substantial associations between parental wealth and children's educational success and social mobility in three nations that are marked by large institutional differences is in line with this interpretation and helps us re-examine and extend existing typologies of mobility regimes.
The chemokine receptor CCR5 is not a necessary inflammatory mediator in kainic acid‐induced hippocampal injury: evidence for a compensatory effect by increased CCR2 and CCR3

Chemokines and their receptors have been strongly implicated in the inflammatory process. However, their roles in excitotoxic brain injury are largely unknown. In this study we used C‐C chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) knockout (KO) mice to investigate the role of CCR5 in neurodegeneration induced by intranasal administration of the excitotoxin kainic acid (KA). Although KA treatment resulted in an increased CCR5 mRNA level in the hippocampi of wild‐type mice, a CCR5 deficiency in KO mice did not affect either the clinical and pathological changes in vivo or the neuronal susceptibilities to KA insult in vitro. KA treatment stimulated mRNA expression of the monocyte chemoattractant protein‐2 (MCP‐2) in both the wild‐type and KO mice. KA treatment did not affect mRNA levels for the macrophage inflammatory protein‐1α (MIP‐1α) or the regulated upon activation normal T cells expressed and secreted protein (RANTES) in either wild‐type or CCR5 KO mice. CCR2 mRNA expression was undetectable in the hippocampi of wild‐type mice regardless of KA treatment. In contrast, CCR5 KO mice showed CCR2 mRNA expression that was remarkably increased after KA treatment. KA treatment did not affect CCR3 mRNA expression in the wild‐type mice, whereas KO mice showed both a higher basal level of CCR3 mRNA expression as well as a strong upregulation following KA treatment. These results indicate that CCR5 is not a necessary inflammatory mediator in KA induced neurodegeneration. The roles of CCR5 in excitotoxic injury in CCR5 deficient mice are compensated by increased CCR2 and CCR3 expression, which share the common MCP‐2 ligand with CCR5.