Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the interferon- γ release assay and the tuberculin skin test for contact investigation of tuberculosis in BCG-vaccinated health care workers

Health care workers are at increased risk of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. The tuberculin skin test (TST) is frequently false positive in BCG-vaccinated health care workers. QuantiFERON-TB GOLD (QFT-G) is a sensitive and specific interferon-γ release assay unaffected by BCG vaccination. This study compared TST and QFT-G in the diagnosis of latent TB infection in BCG-vaccinated health care workers. 39 health care workers exposed to a smear-positive TB patient were enrolled. Initial TST was positive in 33 (84.6%) cases, but only 4 (10.2%) cases using QFT-G. TST conversion occurred in 2/6 (33.3%), compared to 4/32(12.5%), cases using QFT-G. A higher proportion of QFT converters was associated with intimate contact, although not reaching statistical significance. Face-to-face contact >1 h was significantly associated with QFT-G conversion ≥0.7 IU/ml (OR 8.63, 95%CI 1.08–69.07, p=0.04). Agreement between TST and QFT-G was 18.0%, (κ: −0.03). Concordance between TST and QFT (≥0.35 IU/ml) conversion was 40.0%(κ=−0.40), and 60.0%(κ=0.00) if QFT ≥0.7 IU/ml was used. Agreement increased with increasing TST cut-offs. TST is not useful in contact investigation among BCG-vaccinated health care workers, in an area with intermediate burden of TB. QFT may provide additional information for the diagnosis and strategic management of preventive treatment of LTBI in BCG-vaccinated health care workers in a country with intermediate burden of TB.
Depressive disorders and comorbidities among the elderly: a population-based study

Objective The present study assessed the prevalence of depressive disorders and associated factors in a sample of elderly persons in the south of Santa Catarina. Methods A cross-sectional study based on population data was performed, evaluating 1021 elderly individuals aged between 60 and 79 years. Home interviews were carried out using the Portuguese version of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), in order to collect demographic data, information on hypertension and reports of acute myocardial infarction. The disorders studied were current depressive episode, dysthymia and a comorbidity of a depressive episode and dysthymia, representing double depression. The comparison of mean age and prevalence was made with the t-test and other associations were analyzed using the Chi-squared test. Results The prevalence of depression was 26.2%, while 5.5% of the sample suffered from dysthymia and 2.7% experienced double depression. Risk factors for depression were: nine or more years of schooling [PR = 1.44 (1.17 to 1.77); p <0.05] and being a current smoker [OR = 1.63 (1.30-2.05); p <0.05]. Dysthymia was associated with the male gender [OR = 6.46 (3.29 to 12.64); p <0.05], reports of hypertension [OR = 2.55 (1.53 to 4.24); p <0.05] and being either a current [OR = 1.86 (1.02 to 3.42); p <0.05] or past or former [OR = 2.89 (1.48 to 5.65); p <0.05] smoker. The same risk factors as for dysthymia were found for double depression: male [OR = 4.21 (1.80 to 9.81); p <0.05], reports of hypertension [OR = 8.11 (3.32 to 19.80); p <0.05], and being either a current [OR = 5.72 (1.64 to 19.93); p <0.05] or past [PR = 13.11 (3.75 to 45.86); p <0.05] smoker. Conclusions The present study shows that depressive disorders are a common phenomenon among the elderly. The results not only corroborated with other studies, but found slightly higher levels of depressive disorders among the elderly population.
Techniques to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of inductive logic programming systems: the TWEETY approaches

This paper presents four novel approaches to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of Inductive Logic Programming (ILP) systems, along with their implementation in a new ILP system, called TWEETY. The proposed approaches include (1) a new declaration mechanism, called connection declarations, for bottom clause construction, which is simpler but more expressive than the commonly used mode declarations; (2) a new covering technique, called super_covering, which reduces the examples in such a way that recursion can be learned, independently from the ordering of the examples; (3) a new search heuristics, called neg_coverage heuristics, which guides the search using only the number of negative examples covered by each hypothesis and (4) a new search algorithm, called doubly_guided_search, which searches for best clauses by alternating the use of two search heuristics, i.e. the traditional coverage search heuristics and the new neg_coverage search heuristics. The TWEETY system is shown to be more effective and efficient than the state-of-the-art ILP system ALEPH; the proposed techniques can be used to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of ALEPH and other systems based on the same ILP principles.
Molecular and flow cytometric characterization of the CD4 and CD8 T‐cell repertoire in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome

Summary. We studied 18 patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), measuring clonality and T‐cell receptor Vbeta (TCRBV) expression of CD4 and CD8 T cells by polymerase chain reaction and by flow cytometric analysis of TCRBV families. The CD4 and CD8 T‐cell repertoire in most MDS patients is characterized by an abnormal TCRBV‐restricted expansion of T cells in CD4 and CD8 cells, and increased expression of the CD8 effector marker CD57 of multiple TCRBV in CD8 cells. Clonality analysis of CD4 and CD8 cells showed that seven of 10 patients analysed had a major clone in the CD8 cells but not in CD4 cells. Furthermore, in one patient we found that both the CD57– and CD57+ fraction contained the clone (which was absent from the TCRBV‐negative fraction). These data suggest that, in MDS, multiple T‐cell expansions can be found in both helper and cytotoxic T cells, and that, in the CD8 cells, T cells functionally differentiate in vivo from memory to effector T cells. Together, these data support the hypothesis of the involvement of T cells in the pathogenesis of MDS.
Basic helix‐loop‐helix transcription factors and enteroendocrine cell differentiation

For over 30 years it has been known that enteroendocrine cells derive from common precursor cells in the intestinal crypts. Until recently little was understood about the events that result in commitment to endocrine differentiation or the eventual segregation of over 10 different hormone‐expressing cell types in the gastrointestinal tract. Enteroendocrine cells arise from pluripotent intestinal stem cells. Differentiation of enteroendocrine cells is controlled by the sequential expression of three basic helix‐loop‐helix transcription factors, Math1, Neurogenin 3 (Neurog3) and NeuroD. Math1 expression is required for specification and segregation of the intestinal secretory lineage (Paneth, goblet,and enteroendocrine cells) from the absorptive enterocyte lineage. Neurog3 expression represents the earliest stage of enteroendocrine differentiation and in its absence enteroendocrine cells fail to develop. Subsequent expression of NeuroD appears to represent a later stage of differentiation for maturing enteroendocrine cells. Enteroendocrine cell fate is inhibited by the Notch signalling pathway, which appears to inhibit both Math1 and Neurog3. Understanding enteroendocrine cell differentiation will become increasingly important for identifying potential future targets for common diseases such as diabetes and obesity.
Coach Leadership Effect on Elite Handball Players' Psychological Empowerment and Organizational Citizenship Behavior

This article examines the significance of the correlation between coach leadership behavior and players' organizational citizenship behavior, and the mediating role of psychological empowerment in the process. A total of 73 professional handball players from five different teams assessed leadership style, psychological empowerment, and organizational citizenship behavior based on the scale adapted from Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire form 5X. Regression analysis and bootstrap methods were utilized to test the proposed hypotheses. Findings indicated that both transactional and transformational leadership styles significantly predicted players' organizational citizenship behavior. In particular, psychological empowerment played a mediating role in the association between coach leadership and organizational citizenship behavior.
Towards Evolving Parametric Fuzzy Classifiers Using a Virtual Sample Generation Approach

Evolving classification models are designed to solve online tasks with demands restricting computational power and memory. The present paper proposes an evolving version of an established fuzzy classification approach based on fuzzy pattern classes. The approach incorporates a novel type of virtual sample generation. It creates examples from given parametric model information and thus inverts the classifier’s batch learning algorithm. In an evolving environment, virtual examples and real learning data are combined for on-line learning. The main advantage of this approach is that the original learning process retains its applicability while memory demands are reduced significantly. Academic examples demonstrate the feasibility.
Impact of streaming "fast track" emergency department patients.

OBJECTIVE Fast track systems to stream emergency department (ED) patients with low acuity conditions have been introduced widely, resulting in reduced waiting times and lengths of stay for these patients. We aimed to prospectively assess the impact on patient flows of a fast track system implemented in the emergency department of an Australian tertiary adult teaching hospital which deals with relatively few low acuity patients. METHODS During the 12-week trial period, patients in Australasian Triage Scale (ATS) categories 3, 4 and 5 who were likely to be discharged were identified at triage and assessed and treated in a separate fast track area by ED medical and nursing staff rostered to work exclusively in the area. RESULTS The fast track area managed 21.6% of all patients presenting during its hours of operation. There was a 20.3% (-18 min; 95%CI, -26 min to -10 min) relative reduction in the average waiting time and an 18.0% (-41 min; 95%CI, -52 min to -30 min) relative reduction in the average length of stay for all discharged patients compared with the same period the previous year. Compared with the 12-week period before the fast track trial, there was a 3.4% (-2.1 min; 95%CI, -8 min to 4 min) relative reduction in the average waiting time and a 9.7% (-20 min; 95%CI, -31 min to -9 min) relative reduction in the average length of stay for all discharged patients. There was no increase in the average waiting time for admitted patients. This was despite major increases in throughput and access block in the study period. CONCLUSION Streaming fast track patients in the emergency department of an Australian tertiary adult teaching hospital can reduce waiting times and length of stay for discharged patients without increasing waiting times for admitted patients, even in an ED with few low acuity patients.
Enhancing Raman signals through electromagnetic hot zones induced by magnetic dipole resonance of metal-free nanoparticles

In this study, we found that the large area of electromagnetic field hot zone induced through magnetic dipole resonance of metal-free structures can greatly enhance Raman scattering signals. The magnetic resonant nanocavities, based on high-refractive-index silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs), were designed to resonate at the wavelength of the excitation laser of the Raman system. The well-dispersed SiNPs that were not closely packed displayed significant magnetic dipole resonance and gave a Raman enhancement per unit volume of 59 347. The hot zones of intense electric field were generated not only within the nonmetallic NPs but also around them, even within the underlying substrate. We observed experimentally that gallium nitride (GaN) and silicon carbide (SiC) surfaces presenting very few SiNPs (coverage: <0.3%) could display significantly enhanced (>50%) Raman signals. In contrast, the Raman signals of the underlying substrates were not enhanced by gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), even though these NPs displayed a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) phenomenon. A comparison of the areas of the electric field hot zones (E2 > 10) generated by SiNPs undergoing magnetic dipole resonance with the electric field hot spots (E2 > 10) generated by AuNPs undergoing LSPR revealed that the former was approximately 70 times that of the latter. More noteworthily, the electromagnetic field hot zone generated from the SiNP is able to extend into the surrounding and underlying media. Relative to metallic NPs undergoing LSPR, these nonmetallic NPs displaying magnetic dipole resonance were more effective at enhancing the Raman scattering signals from analytes that were underlying, or even far away from, them. This application of magnetic dipole resonance in metal-free structures appears to have great potential for use in developing next-generation techniques for Raman enhancement.
Faciliter l’apprentissage autodirigé des adultes

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Determinantes de la lealtad de empresas turísticas según la heterogeneidad de los segmentos

Este trabajo aborda el proceso de lealtad desde el enfoque de la segmentacion en el contexto de las relaciones entreempresas de servicios turisticos. Nuestro objetivo es, por una parte, evaluar la secuencia de relaciones “valor-satisfaccion-compromiso-lealtad” estudiando los efectos directos e indirectos de los determinantes de la lealtad y, por otra parte, identificar diferencias en estas relaciones segun la heterogeneidad del mercado. Se utilizo una muestra de agencias de viaje que valoraron sus relaciones con su principal proveedor de servicios. Los resultados confirman esta secuencia de relaciones pero con diferencias significativas segun el grado de lealtad. En el segmento de agencias con mayor lealtad la satisfaccion y el compromiso tienen un papel mediador en el proceso de lealtad. Sin embargo, en el segmento de agencias con menor lealtad solo el valor influye en la satisfaccion y el compromiso. Se derivan importantes implicaciones para la gestionempresarial y futuras lineas de investigacion.
Applications on haptic rehabilitation

Population of patients who need upper extremity physical rehabilitation is increasing. It is foreseen in near future that contraction in the number of therapist will create a huge problem. In this study, upper extremity rehabilitation robots are focused and some examples are given on haptic rehabilitation. Haptic devices can provide three-dimensional information exchange between human and computer. Force feedback is implemented by modeling sense of touch perceived in real environment. Information about contents and infrastructure facilities of the work in progress in cooperation with Mechanical Engineering and Medicine Faculty are given.
Analysis of the Effects of Different Alcohols on MCF‐7 Human Breast Cancer Cells

Abstract: Alcohol consumption is known to be an increased risk factor for breast cancer, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood. We have recently shown that the exposure of MCF‐7 breast cancer cells to 0.1% ethanol enhanced their proliferation and increased their content in both estrogen receptor‐α (ERα) and aromatase. The aim of the present work was to determine if the effects of ethanol could be mimicked by other short‐chain aliphatic alcohols such as methanol and 1‐butanol. Our results show that these compounds do not stimulate MCF‐7 cell proliferation. An increase in ERα content was observed by Western blot in methanol‐treated cells, but this parameter was not affected in butanol‐treated cells. Neither of these two alcohols induced an increase in aromatase mRNA level. So despite a similarity in molecular structure, these primary alcohols do not exert the same effects. Taken together, these results suggest that the increase in aromatase expression might be a key event required for the enhanced proliferation observed in the presence of ethanol.
Learning in context of a mathematics teacher education course: two case studies of elementary teacher's conceptions of mathematics, mathematics teaching and learning, and the teaching of mathematics with techology

This phenomenological study took place over a 16-week semester during which 12 elementary school teachers explored mathematical ideas for elementary school students while using computer microworlds. Four themes were manifested in the case study of one teacher: learning on her own, authority and control, mathematics as manipulating, and frustration and confusion. The second case study brought forth the two themes of learning with others, and authority and control. The study demonstrates how the teachers' experiences can serve as a basis for a theoretical model for informing mathematics teacher educators about the multi-dimensional aspects of teachers' learning. (Contains 18 references.) (Author/AEF) ******************************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ******************************************************************************** Learning in the Context of a Mathematics Teacher Education Course: Two Case Studies of Elementary Teachers' Conceptions of Mathematics, Mathematics Teaching and Learning, and the Teaching of Mathematics with Technology PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL
Cuándo debe finalizar una ergometría

1. Residente de Cardiologia del Servicio Medico Integral y del Instituto Nacional de Cirugia Cardiaca. 2. Cardiologo clinico del Instituto Nacional de Cirugia Cardiaca. 3. Cardiologo clinico del Servicio Medico Integral. 4. Profesor Agregado del Departamento de Cardiologia del Hospital de Clinicas. Coordinador de la Unidad Cardiologica del Sanatorio Impasa (SMI). Correspondencia: Dra. Florencia Cristar: fcristar@hotmail.com Recibido junio 9, 2011; aceptado agosto 9, 2011.
Pilot experience with real-time ultrasound guided percutaneous renal mass cryoablation.

PURPOSE We describe our pilot experience with percutaneous cryoablation of renal masses using real-time sonography. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three patients presented with 4 renal masses in 4 kidneys, which enhanced with contrast administration by computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging criteria. Renal neoplasm cryoablation was performed using general anesthesia with 17 gauge cryoneedles percutaneously placed into the renal tumor under real-time sonographic guidance. Followup cross-sectional imaging was performed 6 to 7 weeks following cryoablation in all patients. RESULTS No perioperative complications were noted. All patients were discharged home within 24 hours of the procedure and postoperative pain was controlled with oral nonnarcotic medications. Followup cross-sectional imaging indicated that the lesions shrank an average 63% +/- 15% from initial pretreatment volume. Importantly none of the lesions showed contrast enhancement by computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging criteria. CONCLUSIONS Our initial experience shows that percutaneous, sonographically guided renal neoplasm cryoablation can be a safe method for treating renal masses.
The use of PAR(p) model in the stochastic dual dynamic programming optimization scheme used in the operation planning of the Brazilian hydropower system

In September 2000, the Brazilian system dispatch and spot prices were calculated twice, using different inflow forecasts for that month, as in the last five days of August the inflows to the reservoirs in South and Southeast region change 200%. The first run used a smaller forecasted energy inflow, and the second a higher energy inflow. Contrary to expectations, the spot price in the second run, with the higher energy inflow, was higher than the one found in the first run. This paper describes the problem, presents the special features of PAR(p) model that allow the described behavior and shows the solution taken to avoid the problem.
Complexity of user interfaces: Can it be reduced by a mode key?

Control panels of computer and other modern instruments are often equipped with so-called mode keys, the pressing of which changes the function of other control elements. Thus user keys have different functions depending on the current mode of the instrument. The question is, however, whether it is more userfriendly to have a panel with parallel arranged keys for each function (thus with almost direct possibility to intervene), or to have serial equipment with only a few user keys, where the different functions are only available if the user calls up the relevant machine mode (e.g. displayed on a monitor that operates with different switchable screens). In this case there exist only serial access possibilities. Two experiments compared perfor- mances with three types of user interfaces with and without mode keys on the basis of selection times and errors. Although mode keys apparently reduce the complexity of the user interface, our results show that they lead to slower and more often incorrect usage. However, the amount of practice was a moderator variable. As a consequence, for occasional users it is worth considering a less complex interface, that is, with mode keys, but for expert users an interface where each function has its own key should be preferred.
ATPase Activity of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator*

The gene mutated in cystic fibrosis codes for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a cyclic AMP-activated chloride channel thought to be critical for salt and water transport by epithelial cells. Plausible models exist to describe a role for ATP hydrolysis in CFTR channel activity; however, biochemical evidence that CFTR possesses intrinsic ATPase activity is lacking. In this study, we report the first measurements of the rate of ATP hydrolysis by purified, reconstituted CFTR. The mutation CFTRG551D resides within a motif conserved in many nucleotidases and is known to cause severe human disease. Following reconstitution the mutant protein exhibited both defective ATP hydrolysis and channel gating, providing direct evidence that CFTR utilizes ATP to gate its channel activity.