Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Choix et impact d’un algorithme diagnostique pour les infections à Clostridium difficile : de la compréhension de la physiopathologie de l’infection au choix de la méthode diagnostique

Clostridium difficile est une bacterie opportuniste qui est le premier microorganisme entheropathogene responsable d’infection nosocomiale aux Etats-Unis et de diarrhees associees aux soins dans les pays industrialises. La physiopathologie de l’infection a Clostridium difficile (ICD) est aujourd’hui de mieux en mieux connue grâce aux avancees dans l’etude des microbiotes mais son diagnostic biologique demeure complexe malgre la grande diversite des tests disponibles. L’objet de ce travail a ete d’apprehender la physiopathologie de l’infection pour mieux aider a choisir la methode diagnostique a mettre en place dans un laboratoire et d’en etudier l’impact. Nous avons realise une revue de la litterature actuelle pour etudier et comprendre le modele d’une ICD qui est liee principalement a un desequilibre du microbiote intestinal. Ensuite, nous avons realise une analyse comparative de differentes strategies diagnostiques au sein du CHU de Bordeaux. Nous avons ainsi evalue un nouvel algorithme diagnostique fonde sur la chimioluminescence (LIAISON® C. difficile GDH Assay, DiaSorin suivi du LIAISON® C. difficile Toxins A&B, DiaSorin) en le comparant a trois autres approches algorithmiques : C. diff Quik Chek GDH® suivi par TOX A/B Quik Chek® (Alere) avec ou sans culture toxigenique pour confirmation et un algorithme comprenant un test moleculaire, EIA ImmunoCard® C. difficile GDH (Meridian) suivi par une PCR isothermique illumigene®, (Meridian) pour la detection de l’ilot de pathogenicite PaLoc portant les genes des toxines. Enfin, pour aller plus loin dans cette demarche, nous avons evalue l’impact de l’introduction d’un test de biologie moleculaire sur la politique de rejet des selles et le taux de resultats positifs au sein de neuf laboratoires du Sud-Ouest de la France.
Loop gain, input impedance and output impedance of feedback amplifiers

Introductory treatments of feedback amplifiers commonly contain inconsistencies, or present results as universal when in fact they need qualification. Loop gain, overall gain, input impedance and output impedance are instances. A case can therefore be made for rigorous development, even in a first course, provided mathematical rigor can be combined with physical insight. A feedback factor H is first defined for ideal circumstances. The corresponding forward-path gain G has an obvious physical interpretation: the amplifier without feedback, the external source and load impedances, and the feedback network are all involved, and the form of G is such as to suggest best practice for the various feedback configurations. Stability considerations, and precise values for overall gain, sensitivity, input impedance and output impedance follow directly from GH.
What can spontaneous fluctuations of the blood oxygenation-level-dependent signal tell us about psychiatric disorders?

Purpose of review Resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) is an increasingly popular technique for studying brain dysfunction in psychiatric patients, and is widely assumed to measure intrinsic properties of functional brain organization. Here, we review rs-fMRI studies of psychiatric populations and consider how recent evidence concerning the neuronal basis, behavioural relevance, and the stability of rs-fMRI measures can inform and constrain interpretation of findings obtained using case–control designs. Recent findings A range of rs-fMRI measures have been applied to different patient groups, although the findings have not always been consistent. The large-scale organization of rs-fMRI networks is robust and reproducible, and rs-fMRI measures show correlations with behavioural phenotypes relevant to psychiatry. However, evidence that such measures are also influenced by preceding psychological states and contexts, as well as individual variations in physiological arousal, may help to explain inconsistent findings in case–control comparisons. Summary rs-fMRI measures show both stable and dynamic properties, the nature of which are only beginning to be uncovered. As such, interpreting significant differences between patients and controls on rs-fMRI measures as evidence for alterations in intrinsic functional brain organization should be done cautiously. Better understanding of the relationship between stable and transient aspects of spontaneous brain dynamics will be necessary to constrain interpretation of case–control studies and inform pathophysiological models.
Factors Influencing the Coping Effort of Mothers Of Hospitalized Children

The purpose of this study was to test a theoretical model predicting the relationships among four concepts: predictability of events, control, anxiety, and coping effort of mothers of children hospitalized with acute physical conditions. The sample consisted of 45 mothers of acutely ill, hospitalized children from 1–24 months of age. For each of the concepts, 16 events commonly associated with hospitalization of a child were proportionately ranked using magnitude estimation measurement technique. The psychometric properties of the instrument were estimated through reliability assessment and cross modality matching. Multiple regression analysis indicated that 97% of the dependent variable, coping effort, was explained by two of the three predictor variables—predictability of events and anxiety. Mothers who knew what events to expect experienced less anxiety and reported expending less effort to cope with the stressful events. Control was not a significant factor in predicting the mothers' coping effort.
Contrôle de systèmes symboliques, discrets ou hybrides

RESUME. Nous abordons le probleme de la synthese de controleurs a travers differents modeles allant des systemes de transitions finis aux systemes hybrides en nous interessant a des proprietes de surete. Dans ce cadre, nous nous interessons principalement au probleme de synthese pour un modele intermediaire : les systemes de transitions symboliques. L’analyse des besoins de modelisation nous amene a redefinir la notion de controlabilite en faisant porter le caractere de controlabilite non plus sur les evenements mais sur les gardes des transitions, puis a definir des algorithmes de synthese permettant l’usage d’approximations et d’assurer la terminaison des calculs. Nous generalisons par la suite notre methodologie au controle de systemes hybrides, ce qui donne un cadre unifie du probleme de la synthese pour un ensemble consistant de modeles.
Absence of Mutations in the Coding Regions of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Receptor Gene in Singapore Chinese Women with Premature Ovarian Failure and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Normal gonadal function is critically dependent on the integrity of pituitary-gonadal axis, where follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) plays a key role. In the female, FSH is required for follicular growth, estrogen production and oocyte maturation. Its function is mediated by its specific receptor (FSHR), and defective FSHR has been shown to affect folliculogenesis and ovarian function. In this study, we screened the entire coding region of FSHR gene for pathogenic mutations in women with premature ovarian failure (POF) (n = 16) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (n = 124) and found no mutations in these patients. Two known polymorphisms, Thr307Ala and Ser680Asn showed similar distributions of the allelic variations and protein isoforms in PCOS and normal control subjects (n = 236). It appears from this study that mutations in the coding regions of FSHR gene are not a causative factor of the above clinical manifestations in Chinese Singapore women.
Review of MEMS Electromagnetic Vibration Energy Harvester

This paper mainly introduces the research progress of MEMS electromagnetic vibration energy harvester, hoping to provide valuable guidance and reference for researchers in related fields. In this paper, recent studies are divided into three groups according to their objectives and approaches: reducing the resonant frequency of the harvester to collect low frequency vibration energy from the environment; broadening the bandwidth of the harvester to increase the utilization of the random vibration energy; and developing new process compatible with MEMS for mass production. Besides, maintaining valuable output performances, such as power and power density, is also an important concern in these studies. Limited to the current technology, it is impossible to make a perfect harvester with low resonant frequency, wide frequency band, good compatibility with MEMS, and good output performances at the same time. However, we can focus on one or two characteristics according to the application, to which this paper provides valuable reference. More works on simulation, new process, and detailed design of the components are required in MEMS electromagnetic vibration energy harvesters. [2016-0129]
Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for neurological diseases

Neuroinflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and myasthenia gravis are leading causes of physical disability in people of working age. In the last decades significant therapeutic advances have been made that can ameliorate the disease course. Nevertheless, many affected will continue to deteriorate despite treatment, and the costs associated with disease-modifying drugs constitute a significant fiscal burden on healthcare in developed countries. Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a treatment approach that aims to ameliorate and to terminate disease activity. The erroneous immune system is eradicated using cytotoxic drugs, and with the aid of haematopoietic stem cells a new immune system is rebuilt. As of today, more than 1000 patients with multiple sclerosis have been treated with this procedure. Available data suggest that autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation is superior to conventional treatment in terms of efficacy with an acceptable safety profile. A smaller number of patients with other neuroinflammatory conditions have been treated with promising results. Herein, current data on clinical effect and safety of autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for neurological disease are reviewed.
Structural Factors in the Fault Diagnosis of Combinational Networks

The problem of fault detection and diagnosis of irredundant multiple-output combinational networks is discussed from a purely structural viewpoint, i.e., with the functions of the network components essentially ignored. Two structural models for a network are given in the form of labeled directed graphs. Graph theoretic concepts are introduced, and theorems are developed which give necessary conditions and sufficient conditions for the detectability of faults at particular primary outputs based solely on the structure of the network. Procedures are then presented for obtaining the structural diagnostic resolution for both line and logic module faults. Finally, an application, test point placement for increased network maintainability, is considered.
Methods for selection of Daphnia resting eggs : the influence of manual decapsulation and sodium hypoclorite solution on hatching rates

Cladocerans are able to produce resting eggs inside a protective resistant capsule, the ephippium, that difficults the visualization of the resting eggs, because of the dark pigmentation. Therefore, before hatching experiments, methods to verify viable resting eggs in ephippia must be considered. This study aimed to evaluate the number of eggs per ephippium of Daphnia from two tropical aquatic ecosystems and the efficiency of some methods for decapsulating resting eggs. To evaluate the influence of methods on hatching rates, three different conditions were tested: immersion in sodium hypochlorite, manually decapsulated resting eggs and intact ephippia. The immersion in hypochlorite solution could evaluate differences in numbers of resting eggs per ephippium between the ecosystems studied. The exposure to sodium hypochlorite at a concentration of 2% for 20 minutes was the most efficient method for visual evaluation and isolation of the resting eggs. Hatching rate experiments with resting eggs not isolated from ephippia were underestimated (11.1 ± 5.0%), showing the need of methods to quantify and isolate viable eggs. There were no differences between the hatching rate of resting eggs submitted to hypochlorite solution (47.2 ± 7.34%) and manually decapsulated (53.7 ± 13.24%). However, the immersion in hypochlorite was a more efficient technique, faster and not requiring manual ability.
Could the Great Depression Repeat Itself in the 21St Century?

By 2031, it will be a century since the Great Depression, touted as the most dreadful depression in the history of U.S. and the rest of the world, had taken place. In the final decades of last century and in the early years of this century, numerous financial crises and economic depressions, not as severe as the Depression, have occurred, particularly but not limited to, developing countries. Looking at the Depression and today’s arrangements, will a major global depression be looming? This paper begins with a refresher on the events of the Depression, which is followed by the Friedman and Schwartz hypothesis, criticisms against it, other contributing factors to the Depression, a reconciliation of the theories and finally ends with an assessment of the possibility of a return of the Depression in the 21st century based on today’s economic, financial, political, social, and technological considerations.
Complete genomic landscape of a recurring sporadic parathyroid carcinoma

Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare endocrine malignancy with an estimated incidence of less than 1 per million population. Excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone, extremely high serum calcium level, and the deleterious effects of hypercalcaemia are the clinical manifestations of the disease. Up to 60% of patients develop multiple disease recurrences and although long‐term survival is possible with palliative surgery, permanent remission is rarely achieved. Molecular drivers of sporadic parathyroid carcinoma have remained largely unknown. Previous studies, mostly based on familial cases of the disease, suggested potential roles for the tumour suppressor MEN1 and proto‐oncogene RET in benign parathyroid tumourigenesis, while the tumour suppressor HRPT2 and proto‐oncogene CCND1 may also act as drivers in parathyroid cancer. Here, we report the complete genomic analysis of a sporadic and recurring parathyroid carcinoma. Mutational landscapes of the primary and recurrent tumour specimens were analysed using high‐throughput sequencing technologies. Such molecular profiling allowed for identification of somatic mutations never previously identified in this malignancy. These included single nucleotide point mutations in well‐characterized cancer genes such as mTOR, MLL2, CDKN2C, and PIK3CA. Comparison of acquired mutations in patient‐matched primary and recurrent tumours revealed loss of PIK3CA activating mutation during the evolution of the tumour from the primary to the recurrence. Structural variations leading to gene fusions and regions of copy loss and gain were identified at a single‐base resolution. Loss of the short arm of chromosome 1, along with somatic missense and truncating mutations in CDKN2C and THRAP3, respectively, provides new evidence for the potential role of these genes as tumour suppressors in parathyroid cancer. The key somatic mutations identified in this study can serve as novel diagnostic markers as well as therapeutic targets. Copyright © 2013 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiple mini-interview in selecting medical students.

PURPOSE Selecting medical students through interviews seems difficult and the reliability of the results is one of the major concerns. The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability and acceptability of the Multiple Mini-Interview (MMI) in selecting medical students of Kangwon National University. METHODS Eighty-four applicants participated in the MMI which consists of 3 8-minute stations that have 9 checklist items and 3 global items. The 3 domains that we chose were motivation to become a doctor, communication and interpersonal skills, and ethical decision-making. We placed 2 interviewers in each room. The interviewers were chosen from our faculty. We analyzed the reliability of the MMI with urGENOVA for PC. We conducted a survey of these applicants and interviewers. RESULTS The reliability was 0.791. Students answered that the interview was impressive and enjoyable. Students were also satisfied with the level and quality of the MMI cases. They described that they were evaluated objectively. Interviewers also responded positively. They stated that more stations and more efforts to develop the cases were needed to improve the reliability and validity. CONCLUSION The MMI was acceptable to our applicants and faculty. It is reliable for assessing medical school applicants in Korea. We should develop more stations and better cases to increase the reliability and validity of the MMI.
Marginal sequential Monte Carlo for doubly intractable models

Bayesian inference for models that have an intractable partition function is known as a doubly intractable problem, where standard Monte Carlo methods are not applicable. The past decade has seen the development of auxiliary variable Monte Carlo techniques (M{\o}ller et al., 2006; Murray et al., 2006) for tackling this problem; these approaches being members of the more general class of pseudo-marginal, or exact-approximate, Monte Carlo algorithms (Andrieu and Roberts, 2009), which make use of unbiased estimates of intractable posteriors. Everitt et al. (2017) investigated the use of exact-approximate importance sampling (IS) and sequential Monte Carlo (SMC) in doubly intractable problems, but focussed only on SMC algorithms that used data-point tempering. This paper describes SMC samplers that may use alternative sequences of distributions, and describes ways in which likelihood estimates may be improved adaptively as the algorithm progresses, building on ideas from Moores et al. (2015). This approach is compared with a number of alternative algorithms for doubly intractable problems, including approximate Bayesian computation (ABC), which we show is closely related to the method of M{\o}ller et al. (2006).
Protected control strategies for voltage-source-converter (VSC) under grid faults in AC/DC hybrid grid

In AC/DC hybrid grid, the individual AC and DC grids exist. The power converters are the key interfaces between these two kinds of individual grids. Under unbalance AC grid, the grid voltage is distorted and the harmonics is involved. Therefore, the active power and reactive power also give rise to the uncontrolled oscillations, which will damage the interface converters. In order to ensure the safety of the converters and the facilities in the grids, the proper control strategy is crucial in AC/DC hybrid grids. In this paper an improved Flexible Positive- and Negative- Sequence Control method (FPNSC) used in d-q axis is proposed. From the simulating and experimental results, this new method shows its advantages compared to other classical methods such as Positive- and Negative-Sequence Control, Average Active-Reactive Control, and Balanced Positive-Sequence Control.
Determinación de metales pesados en sedimentos del Lago Cocibolca, Nicaragua

El estudio se realizo en junio de 1997 en doce estaciones de muestreo del lago Cocibolca, analizando once metales pesados en sedimentos superficiales. La concentracion maxima de plomo 12.96 mg.kg-1, cadmio 2.13 mg.kg-1, cobalto 26.59 mg.kg-1, mercurio 0.195 mg.kg-1, manganeso 2,311.94 mg.kg-1 ; niquel 11.45 mg.kg-1 fue en el punto N9709; de arsenico fue de 2.44 mg.kg-1 en el punto N9713; de cinc fue 90.83 mg.kg-1 en el punto N9711. El punto N9709 presento el mayor numero y las concentraciones mas altas de metales pesados coincidiendo con las depresiones tectonicas, las cuales pudieran estar asociadas a una falla en la cadena volcanica. Se realizo una comparacion de las concentraciones en sedimentos del Lago Cocibolca con las concentraciones del lago Dufaul de Canada, que segun la literatura no contiene contaminacion antropogenica, observandose que las concentraciones de metales pesados en el lago son valores naturales. Se consideran valores naturales los siguientes: plomo y cinc <50; mercurio 1.0; arsenico 15; cadmio 0.8; cobalto 40.0 mg.kg-1.
Asymptotic analysis of cooperative massive MIMO networks with user centric clustering

We derive a closed-form expression for the throughput in the uplink of a cooperative massive MIMO system. We consider a network where a cluster of base stations co-operate to detect signals from mobiles using a linear minimum-mean-square error receiver. A user-centric clustering approach is assumed, where the cluster that detects the signals from each mobile is composed of the K base stations that are closest to the mobile. The analysis combines stochastic geometry and infinite random matrix theory. We assume that base stations and mobiles are distributed as independent Poisson Point Processes on the plane. Using an asymptotic analysis, a closed-form expression for the spectral efficiency is derived, which is verified by simulations to be accurate even for a moderate number of antennas. This result helps us understand the influence of tangible system parameters such as mobile and base-station densities, number of antennas per base station, and number of co-operating base stations on spectral efficiencies. Our findings show that for a given number of cooperating antennas, it is optimal to have all cooperating antennas in a single base station. But, if the area density of antennas is also limited, then the number of co-operating base stations should be increased instead.
Immunostimulatory DNA mediates inhibition of eosinophilic inflammation and airway hyperreactivity independent of natural killer cells in vivo.

BACKGROUND Immunostimulatory DNA sequences (ISS) inhibit eosinophilic inflammation and airway hyperreactivity in mouse models of asthma. In vitro ISS activate natural killer (NK) cells to secrete IFN-gamma, and this cytokine is hypothesized to contribute to the antiallergic effect of ISS in vivo. OBJECTIVE We investigated whether ISS activation of NK cells is important in mediating the reduction in airway hyperreactivity and the antieosinophilic effect of ISS in vivo. METHODS We assessed whether ISS modulated the development of eosinophilic airway inflammation and airway hyperreactivity to methacholine in ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized and OVA allergen-challenged mice pretreated with an antibody to deplete NK cells. RESULTS Mice sensitized and challenged with OVA had significant bronchoalveolar lavage and lung eosinophilia, as well as airway hyperresponsiveness. ISS induced significant inhibition of bronchoalveolar lavage and lung eosinophilia, as well as airway hyperresponsiveness, in OVA-sensitized mice pretreated before OVA challenge with an NK cell-depleting antibody (NK(-) mice), as well as in mice pretreated with a control non-NK cell-depleting antibody (NK(+) mice). The NK cell-depleting antibody inhibited ISS-induced IFN-gamma production by spleen cells. CONCLUSION These studies demonstrate that depletion of NK cells has no significant effect on ISS-mediated inhibition of airway eosinophilia and airway hyperresponsiveness in vivo, suggesting that non-NK cells and cytokines other than IFN-gamma derived from NK cells mediate the majority of the ISS-inhibitory effect on eosinophilic inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in vivo.