SIRIS-Lab/unlabelled-sti-corpus huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Surrogate Susceptibility of Oxacillin and Cefoxitin for Commonly Utilized Parenteral Agents against Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus: Focus on Ceftriaxone Discordance between Predictive Susceptibility and in Vivo Exposures

Susceptibility testing with the use of surrogate agents is common among clinical microbiology laboratories. One such example is oxacillin and cefoxitin for β-lactams against methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). This study aimed to assess the surrogate predictive value (SPV) of oxacillin and cefoxitin for the susceptibility of commonly utilized parenteral β-lactams against MSSA as well as to evaluate the concordance between predictive susceptibility testing and the in vivo exposures for ceftriaxone. Broth microdilution MICs were determined for cefazolin, cefoxitin, ceftaroline, ceftriaxone, nafcillin, and oxacillin against a national collection of 1238 MSSA from US hospitals. Pharmacodynamic profiling was utilized to establish a clinical breakpoint for commonly utilized doses of ceftriaxone. Oxacillin had good SPVs for all the β-lactams tested, whereas cefoxitin produced unacceptable major errors for all four agents and thus appears to be an unacceptable susceptibility surrogate. While oxacillin is an adequate surrogate based on the currently defined laboratory criteria, our data also suggest that caution should be exercised when incorporating this testing approach in the clinical setting in view of the fact that the MIC distribution of MSSA coupled with the commonly utilized low doses of ceftriaxone may result in inadequate in vivo exposures against this pathogen.
Responsible and Innovative SMEs in Central Europe

Responsible Innovation (RI) promotes societal engagement, gender equality, ethics, open access, risk-assessment, education and good governance. A common challenge in Central Europe (CE) is lack of RI knowledge, skills and policy frameworks. This limits potential for innovation that drives responsible economic growth and well-being.
ROSIE’s main objective is to use transnational cooperation to improve skills among entrepreneurs and innovation actors to promote RI in SMEs.
ROSIE’s outputs are tools and training to improve RI capacity, with a comprehensive RI strategy and transnational Pilot to test tools and strategic proposals. Outputs benefit key innovation actors: public authorities gain a policy framework, business support / sectoral agencies enhance SME support services, SMEs improve innovation processes.
Short-term change sees increased capacity of innovation actors (min.75) and SMEs (min.315) to design and implement RI strategies and proposals for RI policy governance. ROSIE promotes medium-long-term change through improved territorial, socio-economic integration, SME competitiveness and evolution of a comprehensive RI system.
The transnational approach uses quadruple helix stakeholder engagement and covers:
- Exchange and partner training on RI tools that can help SMEs to understand RI, identify RI needs and define strategies, work with the innovation chain;
- Development of RI Road Maps in local & Central Europe (CE) areas, using transnational exchange and capitalisation;
- Transnational Pilot Action (grouping 9 local areas) for SME capacity building, RI tool application and fund leverage.
ROSIE is innovative as concrete application of RI in SMEs has not been dealt with in ETC or in CE. It uses novel RI tools to support SMEs.
RI is a common need for an interconnected innovation chain, which requires transnational knowledge, solutions and governance. ROSIE groups innovation players capable of making this a reality.
Low energy x ray sterilizer – bringing oem medical device sterilization in house and streamlining production

The sterilization of medical devices (such as implants, artificial joints, syringes, blood bags), as well as ‘tetrapacks’, food packaging, and even wine corks, is currently performed by third-parties. This adds time and costs to the final and critical part of the manufacturing process. Many new medical devices cannot be sterilized through radiation and can only be sterilized through chemical gas processes that results in harmful gases remaining in the packaging which can be harmful to end users of the products such as hospital staff. Moreover, medical device sterilization is currently not properly documented and controlled, often causing broad product recalls should a single product be found to be non-sterile. This adds  further expense and delay due to the need to repeat the sterilization process. EnXray has developed an innovative sterilization machine that delivers high efficiency ionizing radiation, using low energy Xray’s to reach the Sterility Assurance Level, in an affordable manner enabling safe on-site and on-demand sterilization of medical devices. It can be installed on site at each production facility helping manufacturing companies to reduce production costs and times. Furthermore, the current inventory holding costs incurred by medical device manufacturing companies could be reduced substantially by EnXray’s technology thanks to the reliable sterilisation process. Within the overall project EnXray intend to optimise the commercial design according to medical partner requirements, demonstrate it for use in converyor processing, develop a better understanding of its impact on new plastic materials as well as fully establish the commercialisation strategy.
Lambertian light trapping in thin crystalline macroporous Si layers

Lambertian light trapping is a benchmark for efficient light trapping. In this Letter we experimentally quantify the degree of Lambertian light trapping in a macroporous silicon layer. The optical absorption of the effective (26.7 ± 5.5) µm thick sample with randomly arranged pores yields a photogeneration corresponding to a maximum current density of (40.8 ± 0.4) mA cm–2 and thus achieves a fraction of 0.985 ± 0.012 of the current density expected from a Lambertian light trapping scheme. The measured spectrum of the escape reflectance is well described with an analytic model assuming a complete randomization of the directions of light propagation. (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Peltier effect heat pump

A heat pump system based on the Peltier effect, built around a transparent or translucent material element and formed by two sheets (1) in which chains of thermoelements (3, 4) are embedded, trapped or inserted, said thermoelements being connected along their respective alternate ends with the aid of parts (2) made of a material with good thermal and electric conductivity properties, which chains are liable of being supplied with external electric energy so that heat transport is based on the direction of the current flowing through said thermoelements. <IMAGE>
Corneal Indocyanine Green Angiography to Guide Medical and Surgical Management of Corneal Neovascularization

To illustrate the role of corneal angiography in the clinical assessment and surgical treatment of patients with complex corneal neovascularization (CoNV).A case series of 3 patients with CoNV is presented whose management was guided by indocyanine green (ICG) and fluorescein corneal angiography. In the first case, there was recurrent lipid exudation into an intrastromal cleft from CoNV; in the second, there was progressive exudation from CoNV at the graft-host interface; in the third, CoNV was associated with rejection after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty.In the first case, angiography helped to identify and treat the feeder vessels and stop further leakage. In the second case, it was possible using angiography to differentiate CoNV arising from iris and limbal vasculature enabling angiographic-guided fine-needle diathermy with cessation of exudation. In the third case, angiography revealed the location of CoNV in the host-graft interface after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty, rather than within the corneal stroma.Corneal angiography is a useful diagnostic tool to guide medical and surgical management of CoNV by enabling the localization of vessel depth and topography.
Conducting Retrospective Ontological Clinical Trials in ICD-9-CM in the Age of ICD-10-CM

Objective To quantify the impact of International Classification of Disease 10th Revision Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) transition in cancer clinical trials by comparing coding accuracy and data discontinuity in backward ICD-10-CM to ICD-9-CM mapping via two tools, and to develop a standard ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM bridging methodology for retrospective analyses. Background While the transition to ICD-10-CM has been delayed until October 2015, its impact on cancer-related studies utilizing ICD-9-CM diagnoses has been inadequately explored. Materials and Methods Three high impact journals with broad national and international readerships were reviewed for cancer-related studies utilizing ICD-9-CM diagnoses codes in study design, methods, or results. Forward ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM mapping was performing using a translational methodology with the Motif web portal ICD-9-CM conversion tool. Backward mapping from ICD-10-CM to ICD-9-CM was performed using both Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) general equivalence mappings (GEMs) files and the Motif web portal tool. Generated ICD-9-CM codes were compared with the original ICD-9-CM codes to assess data accuracy and discontinuity. Results While both methods yielded additional ICD-9-CM codes, the CMS GEMs method provided incomplete coverage with 16 of the original ICD-9-CM codes missing, whereas the Motif web portal method provided complete coverage. Of these 16 codes, 12 ICD-9-CM codes were present in 2010 Illinois Medicaid data, and accounted for 0.52% of patient encounters and 0.35% of total Medicaid reimbursements. Extraneous ICD-9-CM codes from both methods (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services general equivalent mapping [CMS GEMs, n = 161; Motif web portal, n = 246]) in excess of original ICD-9-CM codes accounted for 2.1% and 2.3% of total patient encounters and 3.4% and 4.1% of total Medicaid reimbursements from the 2010 Illinois Medicare database. Discussion Longitudinal data analyses post-ICD-10-CM transition will require backward ICD-10-CM to ICD-9-CM coding, and data comparison for accuracy. Researchers must be aware that all methods for backward coding are not comparable in yielding original ICD-9-CM codes. Conclusions The mandated delay is an opportunity for organizations to better understand areas of financial risk with regards to data management via backward coding. Our methodology is relevant for all healthcare-related coding data, and can be replicated by organizations as a strategy to mitigate financial risk.
Nonvolatile memory system, semiconductor memory, and writing method

A nonvolatile semiconductor memory recovers variation in the threshold of a memory cell due to disturbance related to a word line. The nonvolatile memory continuously performs many writing operations without carrying out single-sector erasing after each writing operation, performing the additional writing operations quicker than the usual writing operation, and lightening the burden imposed on software for use in additional writing. The data stored in a designated sector is read out before being saved in a register, and the selected sector is subjected to single-sector erasing when a predetermined command is given. Then write expected value data is formed from the saved data and data to be additionally written, completing the writing operation.
Developing clinical practice guidelines for Chinese herbal treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome: A mixed-methods modified Delphi study

Preliminary evidence suggests Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) could be a viable treatment option for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Prior to conducting a clinical trial it is important to consider the characteristics of good clinical practice. This study aims to use professional consensus to establish good clinical practice guidelines for the CHM treatment of PCOS.CHM practitioners participated in a mixed-methods modified Delphi study involving three rounds of structured group communication. Round 1 involved qualitative interviews with practitioners to generate statements regarding good clinical practice. In round 2, these statements were distributed online to the same practitioners to rate their agreement using a 7-point Likert scale, where group consensus was defined as a median rating of ≥5. Statements reaching consensus were accepted for consideration onto the guideline whilst those not reaching consensus were re-distributed for consideration in round 3. Statements presented in the guidelines were graded from A (strong consensus) to D (no consensus) determined by median score and interquartile range.11 CHM practitioners in the UK were recruited. After three Delphi rounds, 91 statement items in total had been considered, of which 89 (97.8%) reached consensus and 2 (2.2%) did not. The concluding set of guidelines consists of 85 items representing key features of CHM prescribing for PCOS.These guidelines can be viewed as an initial framework that captures fundamental principles of good clinical practice for CHM.
Comparison of irrigation scheduling strategies for achieving water use efficiency in highbush blueberry

A glasshouse experiment was carried out to assess the feasibility of applying partial rootzone drying (PRD) to highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum). A subsequent field experiment was established to assess four irrigation strategies with the aim of improving water use efficiency in blueberry production. Applying PRD to plants during a glasshouse experiment reduced stomatal conductance without reducing plant water potential. Hindered by high rainfall, a physiological response to PRD was not repeated in field grown plants. However, irrigation scheduled using a Kc (crop coefficient) curve constructed from Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 56 guidelines and post-harvest regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) delivered annual water savings of 0.8 ML ha−1 and 1.3 ML ha−1, respectively, compared with a total 3.6 ML ha−1 applied using a ‘rule-of-thumb’ approach commonly adopted by Australian blueberry growers. These savings were achieved without reducing berry yield or quality. This study is the first to ...
Schaufelblattgestalt für einen Verdichter.

Die Schaufelblattgestalt für einen Verdichter weist ein nominales Profil auf, das im Wesentlichen den in Tabelle A angegebenen kartesischen Koordinatenwerten X, Y und Z entspricht, X und Y sind Abstände in Zoll, die, wenn sie durch glatte stetige Bögen miteinander verbunden werden, Schaufelblattprofilabschnitte in jedem Abstand Z in Zoll definieren. Die Profilabschnitte in den Z-Abständen können glatt miteinander verbunden werden, um eine vollständige Schaufelblattgestalt zu bilden.
CERTIFICATE MANAGEMENT

According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processing core, at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus at least to receive a message requesting a cryptographic certificate comprising a public key to be published in a blockchain, responsive to the message, publish the cryptographic certificate in the blockchain, and responsive to a second message requesting a revocation of the cryptographic certificate to be published in the blockchain, publish the revocation of the cryptographic certificate in the blockchain.
Estimation of distribution coefficient of polonium in geological matrices around uranium mining site

In case of ground (groundwater) contamination or contaminants release from the disposal modules (facilities) to the geo-environment, the fate of contaminant transport is mainly governed by the parameter called distribution (partition) coefficient, K
 d. It is a measure of sorption of contaminants to soils. For that the sorption of polonium in soil were carried out using laboratory batch method in different soil samples collected from different places around Turamdih uranium mining site. The kinetics of polonium sorption were also carried out at different time intervals which clearly indicates that sorption equilibrium for polonium achieved at around 72 h. The K
 d for polonium varies from 1,443 to 7,501.3 L/kg in soil samples. Chemical characterization of soil and ground water samples were carried out to know the effect of various chemical parameters with distribution coefficient of polonium.
Integration And Importance Of Soil Mapping Results In The Precision Agriculture

Agricultural productivity and yield quantity are depended on climate, soil characteristics, and use of the factors of production. Agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, irrigation, seeds, pesticides, and farmers’ skills also influence farm productivity. Precision agriculture is a new farming management approach, where farmers capture and analyze data in order to optimize inputs and practices for best outcomes. This data then guides decisions on which crop to plant or when and where to apply fertilizer, agrochemicals, or water. As a result, farmers can optimize the use of inputs, making maximum use of the little resources they have. Improving the production capacity of agriculture in Turkey through productivity increases is an important policy goal where agriculture represents an essential sector in the economy. In recent years, projects and research is focused on the precision agriculture sectors in order to increase farmer’s income. Research supported by GAP regional development administration is conducting at the South Eastern Anatolia Region for extensification of precision agricultural applications. In the research, spatial and remote sensing data were integrated in order to analysis field. Spatial variation of soil properties is most important in precision agriculture that affecting the crop yields. In the project, detailed soil mapping, at 1:10.000 scale, was completed containing all soil characteristics and productivity map in GIS.
Power systems : conversations with David Barsamian on global democratic uprisings and the new challenges to U.S. empire

Power Systems is a searing collection of new insights from the mind of Chomsky, the world's most prolific public intellectual and author of the best-selling Failed States, Hopes and Prospects and Occupy. In this new collection of conversations, conducted from 2010 to 2012, Chomsky explores the most immediate and urgent concerns: the future of democracy in the Arab world, the implications of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, the 'class war' fought by U.S. business interests against working people and the poor, the breakdown of mainstream political institutions and the rise of the far right. latest volume from a long-established, trusted partnership, this collection shows once again that no interlocutor engages with Chomsky more effectively than David Barsamian. These interviews will inspire a new generation of readers, as well as longtime Chomsky fans eager for his latest thinking on the many crises we now confront, both at home and abroad. They confirm that Chomsky is an unparalleled resource for anyone seeking to understand our world Praise for Chomsky: One of the finest minds of the twentieth century. (New Yorker). Noam Chomsky is a global phenomenon...he may be the most widely read American voice on foreign policy on the planet today. (New York Times Book Review). Will there ever again be a public intellectual who commands the attention of so many across the planet? (New Statesman). The west's most prominent critic of US imperialism...the closest thing in the English-speaking world to an intellectual superstar. (Guardian). Chomsky is the author of numerous bestselling political books, including Hegemony or Survival, Failed States, Interventions, What We Say Goes, Hopes and Prospects and, most recently, Occupy, all of which are published by Hamish Hamilton/Penguin. He is a professor in the Department of Linguistics and Philosophy at MIT, and is widely credited with having revolutionized modern linguistics. David Barsamian is the award-winning founder and director of Alternative Radio. He has authored several books of interviews with leading political thinkers.
Stock returns and the US dollar: the importance of monetary policy

Purpose – In the increasingly globalized economy, foreign exchange fluctuations have multiple, conflicting effects on domestic stock prices. The purpose of this paper is to examine return data to determine the relation between the dollar’s value and stock prices as it relates to monetary policy. Design/methodology/approach – The authors examine US stock returns over a 40-year period, which is classified according to monetary policy and dollar trend. To better understand the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations, the authors estimate a model of stock returns using the three Fama-French factors and a momentum factor. Then the authors explore the underlying economic fundamentals that drive the sharp difference in annual returns between periods when the dollar is in an uptrend trend with loose monetary policy and periods when the dollar is in a downtrend with tight monetary policy. Findings – Over the last 40 years, US stock returns were 2.5 times higher when the dollar was trending up vs down. The factor model of returns shows that equity returns are positively associated with periods when the dollar appreciated. Returns were particularly high when the dollar was in an uptrend during accommodative monetary policy. During these periods, stocks in the consumer goods and services industries provided relatively high returns. This occurred with strong economic growth due to consumer spending. Stocks exhibited the lowest returns when the dollar was depreciating and the Federal Reserve was tightening. Originality/value – The key contribution of the research is that currency trends should be analyzed in the light of monetary policy. During periods of accommodative monetary policy and dollar appreciation, the US stock market provided average returns of 18.7 percent compared to −3.29 percent during a period of restrictive monetary policy and dollar depreciation. This result is driven by stronger economic growth, which is composed of consumer spending that more than offsets the dollar’s impact on net exports.
Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer: An Increasing Dependence on Innovative Imaging

Technical improvements in computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging as well as the wider availability of biological imaging have facilitated the implementation of high-precision 3-dimensional conformal and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (RT) in head and neck cancer. The integration of recent advances in functional and molecular imaging has already improved RT delivery, response prediction, and follow-up. Rational clinical use of all modalities should be encouraged, especially in the setting of imaging-intensive investigational RT protocols such as adaptive therapy. An expanded development of imaging markers that can predict radioresistance or outcome could further customize treatment. The continued successful use of innovative imaging in routine clinical practice will ultimately depend on well-designed clinical studies with adequate follow-up.