Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determining the Latent Tuberculosis Infection by IFN - γ Elispot Assay in Healthcare Workers From University Hospitals of Shiraz, South West of Iran

Background Classical screening methods are incapable to properly detect LTBI (Latent TB Infection) and HCWs (Healthcare Workers) are at the high risk of exposure. Only few reports estimated the prevalence of LTBI among Iranian HCWs and they mostly used the TST (Tuberculin Skin Test), rather than assessing the response against TB-specific antigens. Objectives The current study aimed to determine the frequency of IFN - γ producing blood cells of microbiology and radiology ward technicians by an in-house IFN - γ ELISPOT assay in the University hospitals of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS) against recombinant ESAT - 6 and PPD antigens. Materials and Methods 89 HCWs from medical laboratory and radiology departments of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences’ hospitals, South of Iran, were screened for LTBI. To achieve the goal, an in-house IFN - γ (Interferon - gamma) ELISPOT (Enzyme Linked ImmunoSpot) assay was used to detect the reactivity against ESAT - 6 (Early Secreted Antigen Target protein - 6) and the PPD (Purified Protein Derivate). Results Almost 8% of the personnel showed positive TST (over 10 mm) reaction while 29% of them had considerable T - cell reactivity against PPD in ELISPOT assays. However, the ESAT - 6 reactivity was found only in one case of HCWs. No correlation was found between the patterns of the reactions and the age or the duration of the employment or previous vaccination history of the participants. The ELISPOT results were not correlated with the TST results. Conclusions Considering the hindrance of TST, the IFN - γ ESAT - 6 ELISPOT assay, even in forms of in-house tests, could replace traditional methods to properly spot the LTBI among the high risk groups from Iran’s health system.
[Effects of "low dose" aprotinin in open heart surgery and its plasma concentration].

To determine the effects of "low dose" aprotinin in open heart surgery, we administrated it in 109 cases of CABG or prosthetic valve replacement. Patients in Group A (Aprotinin) received continuous infusion of aprotinin at the rate of 6*10(5) KIU/hr from the induction of anesthesia to the start of ECC (extra corporeal circulation), and from the end of ECC to the end of blood stanching. They also received additional 5*10(5) KIU aprotinin in ECC prime volumes. 50 patients in Group C (Control) received neither aprotinin nor placebo. Bleeding after ECC (Group A: 315.7 +/- 203.1 ml, Group C: 484.3 +/- 598.5 ml p < 0.01), the first 6 hours drainage (Group A: 273.0 +/- 210.0 ml, Group C: 404.7 +/- 243.2 ml p < 0.01), the first 24 hours drainage (Group A: 510.2 +/- 248.0 ml, Group C: 721 +/- 317.7 ml p < 0.01) was significantly reduced in Group A. Amounts of homologous blood transfusion were significantly reduced in group A. (Group A: 4.7 +/- 5.3 units, Group C: 8.5 +/- 6.4 units p < 0.01). Among the patients with autologous blood transfusion, the rate of the patients without homologous transfusion was significantly higher in Group A (group A: 40/66 cases, Group C: 8/33 cases p < 0.01). The ECC time and the operation time was significantly shorter in Group A. There were 69 patients (Group A: 40, Group C: 29) whose ECC time was longer than 120 minutes. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Quality of life after sentinel lymph node biopsy versus complete axillary lymph node dissection in early breast cancer: a 3-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The rating of life quality may belong to the method of surgical treatment: after the axillary lymph node dissection patients may suffer from arm symptoms; after sentinel lymph node biopsy women may highlight the anxiety about the success of radical treatment. The aim was to assess the influence of sentinel lymph node biopsy on the quality of life of the patients with early stage breast cancer compared with total axillary lymph node dissection. MATERIAL AND METHODS In a prospective case-control study, 48 patients with early invasive breast cancer and no evidence of lymph nodes involvement underwent breast conserving surgery with sentinel lymph node biopsy. They were grouped as matched pairs with the patients who underwert axillary lymph node dissection, according to the age, TNM stage, localization, hormonal receptor status, and surgical characteristics. Quality of life was evaluated using the QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR-23 questionnaires before surgery and after 1, 3, 6, 12, and 36 months. RESULTS The patients who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy scored better on the emotional functioning, pain, sexual functioning, and future perspective scales in comparison with those who underwent axillary lymph node dissection. The score on the arm symptom scale remained significantly better in the sentinel lymph node biopsy group than the axillary lymph node dissection group within the overall follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS The women who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy experienced better quality of life than the patients who underwent axillary lymph node dissection.
The Design of Networked Exertion Games

JVRB, 5(2008), no. 13. - Incorporating physical activity and exertion into pervasive gaming applications can provide health and social benefits. Prior research has resulted in several prototypes of pervasive games that encourage exertion as interaction form; however, no detailed critical account of the various approaches exists. We focus on networked exertion games and detail some of our work while identifying the remaining issues towards providing a coherent framework. We outline common lessons learned and use them as the basis for generalizations for the design of networked exertion games. We propose possible directions of further investigation, hoping to provide guidance for future work to facilitate greater awareness and exposure of exertion games and their benefits.
The Default Mode Network Supports Episodic Memory in Cognitively Unimpaired Elderly Individuals: Different Contributions to Immediate Recall and Delayed Recall

While the neural correlates of age-related decline in episodic memory have been the subject of much interest, the spontaneous functional architecture of the brain for various memory processes in elderly adults, such as immediate recall (IR) and delayed recall (DR), remains unclear. The present study thus examined the neural correlates of age-related decline of various memory processes. A total of 66 cognitively normal older adults (aged 60–80 years) participated in this study. Memory processes were measured using the Auditory Verbal Learning Test as well as resting-state brain images, which were analyzed using both regional homogeneity (ReHo) and correlation-based functional connectivity (FC) approaches. We found that both IR and DR were significantly correlated with the ReHo of these critical regions, all within the default mode network (DMN), including the parahippocampal gyrus, posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus, inferior parietal lobule, and medial prefrontal cortex. In addition, DR was also related to the FC between these DMN regions. These results suggest that the DMN plays different roles in memory retrieval across different retention intervals, and connections between the DMN regions contribute to memory consolidation of past events in healthy older people.
Communication-efficient weighted ADMM for decentralized network optimization

In this paper, we propose a weighted alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) to solve the consensus optimization problem over a decentralized network. Compared with the conventional ADMM that is popular in decentralized network optimization, the weighted ADMM is able to tune its weight matrices for the purpose of reducing the communication cost spent in the optimization process. We first prove convergence and establish linear convergence rate of the weighted ADMM. Second, we maximize the derived convergence speed and obtain the best weight matrices on a given topology. Third, observing that exchanging information with all the neighbors is expensive, we maximize the convergence speed while limit the number of communication arcs. This strategy finds a subgraph within the underlying topology to fulfill the optimization task and leads to a favorable tradeoff between the number of iterations and the communication cost per iteration. Numerical experiments demonstrate advantages of the weighted ADMM over its conventional counterpart in expediting the convergence speed and reducing the communication cost.
Environmental dependence in the ellipsoidal collapse model

N-body simulations have demonstrated a correlation between the properties of haloes and their environment. In this paper, we assess whether the ellipsoidal collapse model, whose dynamics includes the tidal shear, can produce a similar dependence. First, we explore the statistical correlation that originates from Gaussian initial conditions. We derive analytic expressions for a number of joint statistics of the shear tensor and estimate the sensitivity of the local characteristics of the shear to the global geometry of the large-scale environment. Next, we concentrate on the dynamical aspect of the environmental dependence using a simplified model that takes into account the interaction between a collapsing halo and its environment. We find that the tidal force exerted by the surrounding mass distribution alters the axes collapse and causes haloes embedded in overdense regions to virialize earlier. The environment density is the key parameter in determining the virialization redshift, while the environment asphericity primarily contributes to the increase in the scatter of the critical collapse density. An effective density threshold whose shape depends on the large-scale density provides a good description of this environmental effect. Such an interpretation has the advantage that the excursion set formalism can be applied to quantify the environmental dependence of halo properties. We show that, using this approach, a correlation between formation redshift, large-scale bias and environment density naturally arises. The strength of the effect is comparable, albeit smaller, to that seen in simulations. It is largest for low-mass haloes (M≪M★), and decreases as one goes to higher mass objects (M > M★). Furthermore, haloes that formed early are substantially more clustered than those that assembled recently. On the other hand, our analytic model predicts a decrease in median formation redshift with increasing environment density, in disagreement with the trend detected in overdense regions. However, our results appear consistent with the behaviour inferred in relatively underdense regions. We argue that the ellipsoidal collapse model may apply in low-density environments where non-linear effects are negligible.
The effects of sevoflurane with propofol and remifentanil on tracheal intubation conditions without neuromuscular blocking agents

Background Propofol and remifentanil are used for tracheal intubation in the absence of neuromuscular blocking agents. We hypothesized that the addition of sevoflurane to propofol and remifentanil would improve intubation conditions and provide hemodynamic stability. Methods Seventy-six patients scheduled for elective surgery were randomly allocated to be ventilated with either 4% (group I) or 7% sevoflurane (group II) after propofol injection (2 mg/kg). All patients received remifentanil (1 µg/kg) 30 seconds after administration of propofol. Ninety seconds after remifentanil was given, laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation were performed. Intubation conditions and hemodynamic changes were evaluated. Results The overall incidence of clinically acceptable intubation conditions was significantly higher in group II (92%) than group I (58%) (P = 0.001). Scores for vocal cord position, coughing, and limb movement were significantly better in group II (P < 0.05). Mean blood pressure remained significantly lower than the pre-induction level throughout the investigation in both groups (P < 0.001), but there was no incidence of bradycardia or hypotension requiring treatment. Conclusions Tracheal intubation without neuromuscular blocking agents can be achieved safely and reliably by adding 7% sevoflurane to propofol (2 mg/kg) and remifentanil (1 µg/kg).
Organizational commitment as a predictor variable in nursing turnover research: literature review.

AIM This paper is a report of a literature review to (1) demonstrate the predictability of organizational commitment as a variable, (2) compare organizational commitment and job satisfaction as predictor variables and (3) determine the usefulness of organizational commitment in nursing turnover research. BACKGROUND Organizational commitment is not routinely selected as a predictor variable in nursing studies, although the evidence suggests that it is a reliable predictor. Findings from turnover studies can help determine the previous performance of organizational commitment, and be compared to those of studies using the more conventional variable of job satisfaction. METHODS Published research studies in English were accessed for the period 1960-2006 using the CINAHL, EBSCOHealthsource Nursing, ERIC, PROQUEST, Journals@OVID, PubMed, PsychINFO, Health and Psychosocial Instruments (HAPI) and COCHRANE library databases and Business Source Premier. The search terms included nursing turnover, organizational commitment or job satisfaction. Only studies reporting mean comparisons, R(2) or beta values related to organizational commitment and turnover or turnover antecedents were included in the review. RESULTS There were 25 studies in the final data set, with a subset of 23 studies generated to compare the variables of organizational commitment and job satisfaction. Results indicated robust indirect predictability of organizational commitment overall, with greater predictability by organizational commitment vs job satisfaction. CONCLUSION Organizational commitment is a useful predictor of turnover in nursing research, and effective as a variable with the most direct impact on antecedents of turnover such as intent to stay. The organizational commitment variable should be routinely employed in nursing turnover research studies.
Psychiatric diagnoses and suicide: revisiting the evidence.

BACKGROUND The key role of prevention and treatment of mental disorders in the prevention of suicide is widely acknowledged. Which specific disorders need to be targeted remains to be conclusively demonstrated. AIMS To re-examine the presence of psychiatric diagnosis in cases of completed suicide from a global perspective. METHOD A review of studies reporting diagnoses of mental disorders in cases of completed suicide with or without history of admission to mental hospitals. RESULTS Most cases were from Europe and North America (82.2%). The majority (98%) of these had a diagnosis of at least one mental disorder. Among all diagnoses, mood disorders accounted for 30.2%, followed by substance-use related disorders (17.6%), schizophrenia (14.1%), and personality disorders (13.0%). CONCLUSIONS The mental health paradigm in suicide prevention covers just a part of the problem. Antisuicide strategies focusing exclusively on the identification and treatment of depression need to be reconsidered. In addition to this, other mental disorders should be targeted, in particular alcohol-use disorders and schizophrenia. More emphasis should also be placed on psychosocial and environmental interventions diminishing and counteracting stress.
Peirs: A pathologist‐maintained expert system for the interpretation of chemical pathology reports

Summary Provision of a comprehensive interpretative service is an important challenge facing chemical pathologists. Attempts to automate report interpretation using expert systems have been limited in the past by the difficulties of rule base maintenance. We have applied a novel knowledge acquisition technique, ripple down rules, in the development of PEIRS (Pathology Expert Interpretative Reporting System), a user‐maintained expert system for automating chemical pathology report interpretation. We created over 950 rules for thyroid function tests, arterial blood gases and other test sub‐groups in 9 mths of operation. A staff pathologist performed all maintenance tasks as part of his routine duties without any need for computer programming skills. No clerical staff involvement was required. Duplication of rule addition for reports requiring multiple comments was the only limitation to coverage of other high volume test groups. PEIRS is the first expert system for the automated interpretation of a range of chemical pathology reports which operates in routine use without extra staffing requirements. PEIRS does not require “knowledge engineering” expertise. Thus, the knowledge base is flexible and can be easily maintained and updated by the pathologist. Expert systems based on ripple down rules should enable pathologists to provide a comprehensive automated interpretative service within the context of the total testing process.
A Framework for Tracking Moving Target in a Heterogeneous Camera Suite

This paper presents a novel approach for tracking a moving target of interest across a large-scale distributed camera system where some of the cameras are mobile. The growing trend of fitting public transport vehicles like buses, trains and taxis with some form of surveillance system, mainly to counter vandalism has created the opportunity for these systems to be integrated to a larger network-based surveillance system that has the potential to span the entire city. Specifically, we address the problem of using mobile surveillance cameras to help increase the visual footprint of existing fixed surveillance infrastructure. We introduce a grid-based Bayesian filtering approach together with a map to systematically combine the multiple observations coming from the heterogeneous surveillance system. Experimental evidences have indicated that our approach has the potential to deal with large-scale observations that are prevalent in city-wide implementation
Correlations between family meals and psychosocial well-being among adolescents.

OBJECTIVE To determine the association between frequency of family meals and multiple indicators of adolescent health and well-being (tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use; academic performance; self-esteem; depressive symptoms; and suicide involvement) after controlling for family connectedness. METHODS Data come from a 1998-1999 school-based survey of 4746 adolescents from ethnically and socioeconomically diverse communities in the Minneapolis/St Paul, Minn, metropolitan area. Logistic regression, controlling for family connectedness and sociodemographic variables, was used to identify relationships between family meals and adolescent health behaviors. RESULTS Approximately one quarter (26.8%) of respondents ate 7 or more family meals in the past week, and approximately one quarter (23.1%) ate family meals 2 times or less. Frequency of family meals was inversely associated with tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use; low grade point average; depressive symptoms; and suicide involvement after controlling for family connectedness (odds ratios, 0.76-0.93). CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that eating family meals may enhance the health and well-being of adolescents. Public education on the benefits of family mealtime is recommended.
A Brazilian initiative towards Digital Literacy: assessing Motivational Factors of e-Proinfo using TAM

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo verificar os impactos de fatores motivacionais no uso de um ambiente virtual de aprendizagem, especificamente, os fatores prazer percebido, utilidade percebida e facilidade percebida. O ambiente estudado foi uma iniciativa de Alfabetizacao Digital organizada pelo Ministerio da Educacao: e-Proinfo, o qual e oferecido aos alunos do ensino medio. Nessa pesquisa multimetodo, foi feito um estudo de caso em uma instituicao privada da zona oeste do Rio de Janeiro seguido de um experimento com 20 alunos dessa escola. A coleta de dados qualitativos do estudo de caso permitiu confirmar alguns resultados do experimento. Apesar de pesquisas anteriores indicarem que individuos na faixa etaria pesquisada, adolescentes, tendem a se motivar com ambientes mais ludicos, apontando para a importância do fator motivacional prazer percebido; nesse experimento, foi observado que o fator motivacional com maior impacto na intencao de uso do ambiente foi a utilidade percebida.
A developmental switch in H4 acetylation upstream of Xist plays a role in X chromosome inactivation

We have investigated the role of histone acetylation in X chromosome inactivation, focusing on its possible involvement in the regulation of Xist, an essential gene expressed only from the inactive X (Xi). We have identified a region of H4 hyperacetylation extending up to 120 kb upstream from the Xist somatic promoter P1. This domain includes the promoter P0, which gives rise to the unstable Xist transcript in undifferentiated cells. The hyperacetylated domain was not seen in male cells or in female XT67E1 cells, a mutant cell line heterozygous for a partially deleted Xist allele and in which an increased number of cells fail to undergo X inactivation. The hyperacetylation upstream of Xist was lost by day 7 of differentiation, when X inactivation was essentially complete. Wild‐type cells differentiated in the presence of the histone deacetylase inhibitor Trichostatin A were prevented from forming a normally inactivated X, as judged by the frequency of underacetylated X chromosomes detected by immunofluorescence microscopy. Mutant XT67E1 cells, lacking hyperacetylation upstream of Xist, were less affected. We propose that (i) hyperacetylation of chromatin upstream of Xist facilitates the promoter switch that leads to stabilization of the Xist transcript and (ii) that the subsequent deacetylation of this region is essential for the further progression of X inactivation.
Middle Managers and the Translation of New Ideas in Organizations: A Review of Micro‐Practices and Contingencies

Translation theories argue that the transformation of new ideas is ‘in the hands of people’ and that actors at multiple organizational levels interact to affect this process. However, previous research has focused mostly on executive managers or R&D departments, while other organizational actors, who have a comparable influence on the translation process, have received little systematic analysis of their role. This study draws upon this premise to review the existing literature on middle managers’ engagement with the translation of new ideas. The findings follow middle managers throughout the translation process, i.e. from the acquisition of the new ideas to its stabilization. The authors identify the micro-practices pursued by middle managers to affect the travel of the new idea within the organization, and the contingencies that explain when and how middle managers engage in specific translation stages. The paper concludes with discussions of the main implications and indications for middle managers and future directions for research.
Some NP-Complete Problems Similar to Graph Isomorphism

The GRAPH ISOMORPHISM problem has so far resisted attempts at determining its complexity status—it has not been shown to be NP-complete nor in P. In this paper several altered or generalized versions of the ISOMORPHISM problem are presented and shown to be NP-complete. One of these is the problem of determining whether a given graph has a fixed-point-free automorphism. Some speculation is made on the possible implications of these results on deciding the complexity status of ISOMORPHISM. Various classes and hierarchies of problems in NP are discussed.