Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
USA300 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Stockholm, Sweden, from 2008 to 2016

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) USA300 isolates have been recognized globally, not only in community but also in healthcare settings. USA300 isolates were initially resistant only to methicillin, but resistance to non-β-lactams has emerged with time. To evaluate the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of USA300 isolates in Stockholm, we conducted a nine-year retrospective study. Of 5359 consecutive MRSA cases in Stockholm, isolates from 285 cases were USA300 strains according to the pulsed-field gel electrophoresis pattern. Of these cases, repeated isolates with altered antibiotic resistance patterns were observed in six individuals. Therefore, antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on totally 291 isolates. To study the phylogenetic relatedness of isolates in transmission events and genomic resistance traits, 35 isolates were further studied by whole genome sequencing (WGS). The incidence of MRSA was increased from 17.6 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2008 to 37.3 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2016, while the proportion of USA300 cases declined from 6.6% in 2008 to 2.6% in 2016. Among the USA300 isolates, 73.5% were community-associated, 21.3% healthcare-associated, and 5.2% had unknown acquisition. The highest resistance rate among non-β-lactams was found in erythromycin (86%), followed by fluoroquinolones (68–69%). 57% of the isolates were resistant to both erythromycin and fluoroquinolone. Simultaneous resistance to four non-β-lactam antibiotic classes was found in six isolates. Four isolates were susceptible to all non-β-lactam antibiotics. Ceftaroline, daptomycin, linezolid, mupirocin, rifampicin, teicoplanin, telavancin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and vancomycin retained full activity in the study. WGS analysis indicated that isolates from an outbreak were phylogenetically closely related. In conclusion, USA300 MRSA isolates in Stockholm have neither been limited to the community setting, nor remained susceptible to non-β-lactam agents. WGS is becoming a useful tool in tracing transmission events. The results herein provide the most up-to-date and comprehensive information regarding status of USA300 strains in this geographic area.
An Optimal Transport View on Generalization

We derive upper bounds on the generalization error of learning algorithms based on their \emph{algorithmic transport cost}: the expected Wasserstein distance between the output hypothesis and the output hypothesis conditioned on an input example. The bounds provide a novel approach to study the generalization of learning algorithms from an optimal transport view and impose less constraints on the loss function, such as sub-gaussian or bounded. We further provide several upper bounds on the algorithmic transport cost in terms of total variation distance, relative entropy (or KL-divergence), and VC dimension, thus further bridging optimal transport theory and information theory with statistical learning theory. Moreover, we also study different conditions for loss functions under which the generalization error of a learning algorithm can be upper bounded by different probability metrics between distributions relating to the output hypothesis and/or the input data. Finally, under our established framework, we analyze the generalization in deep learning and conclude that the generalization error in deep neural networks (DNNs) decreases exponentially to zero as the number of layers increases. Our analyses of generalization error in deep learning mainly exploit the hierarchical structure in DNNs and the contraction property of $f$-divergence, which may be of independent interest in analyzing other learning models with hierarchical structure.
An Electronic Medical Record in Pediatric Medical Education: Survey of Medical Students' Expectations and Experiences

Abstract Objective This study sought to quantitatively characterize medical students' expectations and experiences of an electronic health record (EHR) system in a hospital setting, and to examine perceived and actual impacts on learning. Methods Medical students from July to December 2016 at a tertiary pediatric institution completed pre- and postrotation surveys evaluating their expectations and experience of using an EHR during a pediatric medicine rotation. Survey data included past technology experience, EHR accessibility, use of learning resources, and effect on learning outcomes and patient–clinician communication. Results Students generally reported high computer self-efficacy (4.16 ± 0.752, mean ± standard deviation), were comfortable with learning new software (4.08 ± 0.771), and expected the EHR to enhance their overall learning (4.074 ± 0.722). Students anticipated the EHR to be easy to learn, use, and operate, which was consistent with their experience (pre 3.86 vs. post 3.90, p = 0.56). Students did not expect nor experience that the EHR reduced their interaction, visual contact, or ability to build rapport with patients. The EHR did not meet expectations to facilitate learning around medication prescribing, placing orders, and utilizing online resources. Students found that the EHR marginally improved feedback surrounding clinical contributions to patient care from clinicians, although not to the expected levels (pre 3.50 vs. post 3.17, p < 0.01). Conclusion Medical students readily engaged with the EHR, recognized several advantages in clinical practice, and did not consider their ability to interact with patients was impaired. There was widespread consensus that the EHR enhanced their learning and clinician's feedback, but not to the degree they had expected.
A 100 V Lateral Trench Power MOSFET on InGaAs/InP

In this paper, we present a lateral-trench metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (LT-MOSFET) on high mobility InGaAs material. The proposed LT-MOSFET emerged with trench technology consist a gate electrode placed vertically in a trench on the left end of the p-body region. The trench in the drift region introduce a RESURF effect to reduces the electric field and improves the device breakdown voltage. By 2-D numerical simulation, LT-MOSFET exhibits 2.4 times improvement on breakdown voltage with 3.3 times high figure-of-merit in comparison with the conventional-lateral MOSFET (CLMOSFET) for identical cell pitch and gate length.
Effects of PLK1 on proliferation, invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer cells through epithelial-mesenchymal transition

Effects of polo-like kinase (PLK1) on proliferation, migration and invasion capacities of gastric cancer cells through epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were investigated. Small-interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) with targeted interference in PLK1 gene was designed and transfected into gastric cancer MGC-803 cells via Lipofectamine to inhibit the expression of PLK1 gene in MGC-803 cells. The proliferation of MGC-803 cells was detected via methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. The mRNA and protein expression of PLK1 and EMT-related marker (E-cadherin) was detected via real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis, respectively. The effects of interference in PLK1 gene on migration and invasion of MGC-803 cells were studied via wound healing assay and Transwell chamber assay, respectively. Results of MTT assay showed that compared with that in control group, the cell proliferation in PLK1 siRNA group was significantly inhibited (p<0.01). Compared with those in control group, the mRNA and protein expression of PLK1 in PLK1 siRNA group was significantly decreased (p<0.01), but the mRNA and protein expression of E-cadherin was obviously upregulated (p<0.01). Results of wound healing assay and invasion assay showed that the capacity of migration and invasion of MGC-803 cells in PLK1 siRNA group was significantly inhibited compared with those in control group (p<0.01). In conclusion, PLK1 enhances the proliferation, migration and invasion of gastric cancer MGC-803 cells through affecting EMT.
Loss Assessment of MMC-Based VSC-HVDC Converters Using IEC 62751-1-2 Std. and Component Datasheet Parameters

The losses of voltage source converters have an immense proportion of the total losses of the converter stations due to the high switching frequency and low voltage level features of voltage source converter. Therefore, due to its characteristics of low switching frequency, low converter losses and flexible controlled, the Modular multi-level converter has been globally used in the HVDC transmission schemes (projects). Therefore, it is of importance to conduct an investigation on the loss evaluation method in the flexible M2C-based HVDC transmission system. This paper presents a mathematical analysis for estimating both the switching and conduction losses for VSC-based HVDC stations adopting the M2C topology. The switching and conduction losses are estimated for each individual cell during HVDC converter stations operating conditions. The total converter losses are subsequently determined by summing up the switching and conduction losses of all converter cells. Moreover, the detailed techniques adopted in this research for estimating the power losses in the valves for a Modular Multi-Level converter HVDC system were done in accordance with standards IEC 62751-1-2, power losses in voltage source converter (VSC) valves for high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems and component datasheet parameters.
A potential common role of the Jumonji C domain-containing 1A histone demethylase and chromatin remodeler ATRX in promoting colon cancer

Jumonji C domain-containing 1A (JMJD1A) is a histone demethylase and epigenetic regulator that has been implicated in cancer development. In the current study, its mRNA and protein expression was analyzed in human colorectal tumors. It was demonstrated that JMJD1A levels were increased and correlated with a more aggressive phenotype. Downregulation of JMJD1A in human HCT116 colorectal cancer cells caused negligible growth defects, but robustly decreased clonogenic activity. Transcriptome analysis revealed that JMJD1A downregulation led to multiple changes in HCT116 cells, including inhibition of MYC- and MYCN-regulated pathways and stimulation of the TP53 tumor suppressor response. One gene identified to be stimulated by JMJD1A was α-thalassemia/mental retardation syndrome X-linked (ATRX), which encodes for a chromatin remodeler. The JMJD1A protein, but not a catalytically inactive mutant, activated the ATRX gene promoter and JMJD1A also affected levels of dimethylation on lysine 9 of histone H3. Similar to JMJD1A, ATRX was significantly overexpressed in human colorectal tumors and correlated with increased disease recurrence and lethality. Furthermore, ATRX downregulation in HCT116 cells reduced their growth and clonogenic activity. Accordingly, upregulation of ATRX may represent one mechanism by which JMJD1A promotes colorectal cancer. In addition, the data presented in this study suggest that the current notion of ATRX as a tumor suppressor is incomplete and that ATRX might context dependently also function as a tumor promoter.
Retrospective analysis of 52 patients with prolactinomas following endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery

Background: Prolactinomas affect patients’ quality of life and even endanger lives. The study aimed to investigate the effect of the endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach (EETA) on 52 patients with prolactinomas. Methods: A total of 52 patients with prolactinomas who had previously undergone EETA in the People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region between January 2013 and December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Factors affecting the extent of resection and postoperative remission rates were also investigated. Results: All the patients were pathologically diagnosed with prolactinomas. Compared with giant adenomas, the total removal rate of microadenomas and macroadenomas was significantly increased (P < .05). In addition, the total removal rate of patients with noninvasive prolactin adenomas was significantly higher than patients with invasive prolactinadenomas (P < .05). Furthermore, there were no significant differences in postoperative remission rates among patients with prolactin adenomas from different ethnic groups (P > .05). Also preoperative administration of bromocriptine and preoperative prolactin (PRL) levels did not significantly affect therapeutic outcomes postsurgery (P > .05). Postoperative menstruation was improved or normalized in 20 (38.5%) female patients, vision was improved or normalized in 15 (28.8%) patients, and headaches were improved or normalized in 22 (42.3%) patients. Sexual function was improved in 2 male patients following surgery. A total of 6 patients exhibited a recurrence following surgery. A number of patients suffered from postoperative complications, including transient diabetes insipidus in 5 (9.6%) patients and postoperative transient cerebrospinal fluid leakage in 2 (3.8%) patients. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that tumor size, preoperative PRL levels, and invasion of adenomas represent independent factors that can affect the success of surgery. The results suggested that EETA represents a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of patients with prolactinoma with high remission rates and low complication rates. Therefore, EETA should be considered a primary treatment for patients with prolactinomas who are not responsive to treatment with medical therapy.
Visual Machine Intelligence for Home Automation

In this paper, we present a vision-based machine intelligence system to sense the ON/OFF state of commonly used household appliances like Television, Fan, and Tube light/CFL. The visual modality of sensing the state of appliance acts as a proactive substitute for sensors used in the home automation network. The sensor-based home automation system suffers significant complexity in terms of cost and implementation whenever the suite of devices/appliances in the home automation increases. To overcome the complexity of home automation system in terms of cost and implementation, our proposed system uses vision-based machine intelligence to detect the states of multiple appliances without being dependent on the number of appliances. This proposed method of sensing the states of appliances thus give rise to a novel home automation system. The proposed home automation interface has multiple advantages over traditional home automation interfaces which incorporate the use of various discrete sensors. A switch to toggle between the visual monitoring of the home and sense of the home without sending images makes this system a bimodal approach towards Home automation which keeps a check on the privacy issues. The proposed machine learning based approach was found to effectively switch ON/OFF the appliances like Television, Fan, and Light and accordingly, update the user about the state of the appliance on a website.
Artificial Neural Network-Based Capacitance Prediction Model for Optimal Voltage Control of Stand-alone Wind-Driven Self-Excited Reluctance Generator

This paper presents an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model to predict the excitation capacitance value necessary to sustain the generated voltage of a wind-driven self-excited reluctance generator (WDSERG) within preferred limits. The network was trained, validated and tested with input data which comprises load impedances, power factor and wind speed values and a corresponding output data consisting of the excitation capacitance for each input condition. A mean square error value of less than 0.11 and an R-value of more than 0.999 were obtained for the network. These indicate a very accurate ANN training. The network was then utilized in the complete model of WDSERG under diverse input states of wind speed and load variation. The predicted capacitance value obtained from the network provides the required excitation to keep the generated phase voltage at a preferred constant level of 220±5 V under each input condition. The results depict the effectiveness of the neural network application to provide excitation capacitance control for the WDSERG output voltage when varying wind speed and load profile are considered. The method proposed in this work can provide a basis for the design of a variable capacitor to keep the generated voltage of wind-driven SERG within desired limits despite wind speed and load variation.
Image Reconstruction Combined With Interference Removal Using a Mixed-Domain Proximal Operator

In certain imaging systems, frames of acquired raw data are preprocessed with a filtering stage before being processed with an image reconstruction stage. During these sequential stages, distortion may arise if valid signal cannot adequately be distinguished from interference. To avoid distortion, a mixed-domain proximal operator is mathematically formulated, which permits interference to be separated from data concurrently during a combined processing stage. The technique is demonstrated with an application involving optoacoustic imaging. Reconstruction is performed with an accelerated proximal gradient method. Total-variation minimization is used to promote smoothness in the image domain. In the data domain, interference is modeled as a low-rank matrix, which corresponds to a few time dependent interference components being coupled to each channel by determined amounts. Results are presented that demonstrate the ability to separate interference on a digital phantom used to simulate optoacoustic signals.
Comment financer durablement les aires protégées à Madagascar

Madagascar, aide par la communaute internationale, investit depuis dix ans dans la creation d'un reseau de 1,5 million d'hectares d'aires protegees. L'analyse couts/benefices montre que cet investissement est economiquement justifie pour le pays et propose, en identifiant les beneficiaires, des solutions pour le financement durable des couts de gestion du reseau (augmentation des droits d'entree des parcs, taxe verte sur les visas, creation d'un fond fiduciaire).
Robust Harmonic Retrieval via Block Successive Upper-Bound Minimization

Harmonic retrieval (HR) is a problem of significance with numerous applications. Many existing algorithms are explicitly or implicitly developed under Gaussian noise assumption, which, however, are not robust against non-Gaussian noise such as impulsive noise or outliers. In this paper, by employing the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\ell _p$</tex-math></inline-formula>-fitting criterion and block successive upper-bound minimization (BSUM) technique, a variant of the classical RELAX algorithm named as BSUM-RELAX is devised for robust HR. It is revealed that the BSUM-RELAX successively performs alternating optimization along coordinate directions, i.e., it updates one harmonic by fixing the other <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$(K-1)$</tex-math> </inline-formula> components, such that the whole problem is split into <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$K$ </tex-math></inline-formula> single-tone HR problems, which are then solved by creating a surrogate function that majorizes the objective function of each subproblem. To further refine the frequency component, the Newton's method that takes linear complexity <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathcal {O}(N)$</tex-math> </inline-formula> is derived for updating the frequency estimates. We prove that under the single-tone case, BSUM-RELAX converges to a Karush-Kuhn-Tucker point. Furthermore, the BSUM-RELAX is extended to the multidimensional HR case. Numerical results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms the state-of-the-art methods in heavy-tailed noise scenarios.
Guided root canal preparation using cone beam computed tomography and optical surface scans – an observational study of pulp space obliteration and drill path depth in 50 patients

AIM To report the precision of guided access cavity preparations in relation to demographical and dental variables in 50 patients. METHODOLOGY This observational study was carried out during the period 2014-2017. The patients were consecutive referrals to a private endodontic practice. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (i) pulp space obliteration associated with signs of apical periodontitis (PAI score >3 or sensitive to percussion, (ii) teeth with pulp space obliteration in need of a post, where the referring dentist had attempted or failed to negotiate the obliterated root canal (and it was not possible to negotiate using the operating microscope within a reasonable time frame) and (iii) a surgical intervention was not justified. A published methodology for guided endodontics was used. Measures on demographical and previous dental history were analysed and related to drill path precision, being evaluated on radiographs as optimal (centre of the root canal) or acceptable (peripheral/tangential). The chi-square test was used for analyses of correlation between predictor variables and binary logistic regression analysis using backward elimination with degree of obliteration, guided access cavity preparation depth and precision as dependent variables. Significance level was 0.05. RESULTS Thirty-one female (median age 65 year) and 19 males (median age 69 year) were enrolled. Overall, 88% (n = 44) of the teeth had pulp space obliteration associated with signs of apical periodontitis, whereas the remaining teeth were in need of a post. The pulp space obliterations were longer in maxillary compared with mandibular teeth (P = 0.024). The performance of the drill path in mandibular teeth versus maxillary teeth resulted in a significantly greater number of optimal precision scores (P = 0.033), and when a previous attempt at access and canal negotiation had occurred versus no attempt (P = 0.009). Even in cases with the worst outcome, the technique was still successful clinically. CONCLUSIONS The clinical implementation of guided root canal treatment in fifty serial cases of single-rooted teeth with pulp space obliteration was associated with a precision that in all cases led to the location and negotiation of the root canal and completion of the treatment.
Wnt1 is an Lrp5-independent bone-anabolic Wnt ligand

Wnt1 is a physiologically relevant bone-anabolic molecule that does not require the expression of the bone-anabolic Wnt co-receptor Lrp5. Building bone Wnt signaling is important for proper embryonic development, shaping cell fate and migration, stem cell renewal, and organ and tissue formation. Here, Luther et al. investigated the role of Wnt1 in osteoporosis. Patients with early-onset osteoporosis and with WNT1 mutations had low bone turnover and high fracture rates, and loss of Wnt1 activity caused fracture and osteoporosis in mice. Inducing Wnt1 in bone-forming cells increased bone mass in aged mice, and this process did not require Lrp5, a co-receptor involved in Wnt signaling. This study identifies Wnt1 as an anabolic (bone building) factor and suggests that it might be a therapeutic target for osteoporosis. WNT1 mutations in humans are associated with a new form of osteogenesis imperfecta and with early-onset osteoporosis, suggesting a key role of WNT1 in bone mass regulation. However, the general mode of action and the therapeutic potential of Wnt1 in clinically relevant situations such as aging remain to be established. Here, we report the high prevalence of heterozygous WNT1 mutations in patients with early-onset osteoporosis. We show that inactivation of Wnt1 in osteoblasts causes severe osteoporosis and spontaneous bone fractures in mice. In contrast, conditional Wnt1 expression in osteoblasts promoted rapid bone mass increase in developing young, adult, and aged mice by rapidly increasing osteoblast numbers and function. Contrary to current mechanistic models, loss of Lrp5, the co-receptor thought to transmit extracellular WNT signals during bone mass regulation, did not reduce the bone-anabolic effect of Wnt1, providing direct evidence that Wnt1 function does not require the LRP5 co-receptor. The identification of Wnt1 as a regulator of bone formation and remodeling provides the basis for development of Wnt1-targeting drugs for the treatment of osteoporosis.