jimnoneill/paper-to-field-training huggingface dataset:
Frequency of use of terminal points as an important risk factor for Legionella colonization in hospitals

Field: Medicine (Health Sciences)

Abstract

Background: Hospitals have a different structure than domestic buildings. Legionella is a bacterium that can colonize the hospital water causing many outbreaks. It’s a Public Health problem and its prevention and control are essential to avoid nosocomial infections. The aims of this study are to evaluate several risk factors and parameters that can contribute to Legionella colonization in a hospital, thereby improving Legionella risk assessment process. Methods A total of 136 water samples (hot water and cold water) was investigated from different points of a hospital water network. These samples were tested for Legionella sp by three laboratories using different diagnostic tests: culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a method based on immunomagnetic separation (IMS). The results for these three techniques were combined and interpreted by three microbiologists with the aim of defining a new standard index. A multivariate analysis was performed by logistic regression to estimate the adjusted risk associated with the type of water, length of the pipe, chlorine, temperature, type of terminal point, period of the year, type of health care (ambulatory or hospital) and the frequency of use of the terminal point. Results: There was no statistically significant difference, on the basis of the new standard index, neither between laboratories nor between diagnostic tests. Positive results of this index were significantly correlated with the outpatient medical consultations, shower, frequency of use of the terminal points, and temperature. Logistic regression model revealed that outpatient medical consultations (p=0.058), shower (p=0.007) and the frequency of use of the terminal points (p=0.001) are predictors of Legionella colonization. Conclusions: The inclusion of rapid techniques (IMS, PCR) in the development of a new standard index offer increased sensitivity of Legionella detection improving classical control strategies usually based on the culture method. The proportion of hospital water-system sites testing positive, according to the defined standard index, was well correlated with the frequency of use of terminal points and the temperature, suggesting that the control of these factors may help prevent legionnaires' disease in the hospital.
A study on higher-educated women’s attitudes and choices towards family formation: The impact of citizenship in shaping family formation decisions

Field: Social Sciences (Social Sciences)

The issue of low fertility rates has always been a persisting concern in Singapore and despite the state’s continuous efforts in alleviating the problem by making adjustments and enhancements to pro-natalist policies, the country’s fertility situation leaves much to be desired. Public discourses and discussions of fertility issues have largely centred on higher-educated women, citing that their high educational attainment have resulted in widened career aspirations and weakened desire to form families. This paper however offers a different argument, contesting that the delayed family formation among higher-educated women are outcomes of institutional inconsistencies rather than the diminishing desire for marriage and family. In addition, decisions regarding family formation which are thought to be private and personal are in fact heavily regulated by the state and this is examined through the conception of the Singapore citizenship.
Visual distraction and visuo‐spatial memory: A sandwich effect

Field: Psychology (Social Sciences)

The functional characteristics of visuo‐spatial serial memory and its sensitivity to irrelevant visual information are examined in the present study, through the investigation of the sandwich effect (e.g., Hitch, 1975). The memory task was one of serial recall for the position of a sequence of seven spatially and temporally separated dots. The presence of irrelevant dots interpolated with to‐be‐remembered dots affected performance over most serial positions (Experiment 1) but that effect was significantly reduced when the interpolated dots were distinct from the to‐be‐remembered dots by colour and shape (Experiment 2). Parallels are made between verbal and spatial serial memory, and the reduction of the sandwich effect is discussed in terms of the contribution of perceptual organisation and attentional factors in short‐term memory.
Da arbitragem por equidade de conflitos societários no âmbito de companhias fechadas

Field: Social Sciences (Social Sciences)

ABSTRACT: In this work, the author addresses the resolution of corporate disputes in the context of unlisted corporations by means of ex aequo et bono arbitration. After determining its viability, the author describes an equitable remedy for corporate disputes successfully used by Canadian courts and proposes to implement this model in the universe of arbitration.
Detection of Synaptophysin-producing Cells in Human Thymus by Immunohistochemistry and Nonradioactive In Situ Hybridization

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (Life Sciences)

We investigated human thymic tissue by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization for the presence of synaptophysin-producing cells. Our results indicate that anti-synaptophysin antibody detected immunoreactive material in nerve fibers around vessels located in major thymic septa, in a relevant number of cortical epithelial cells, and in scattered epithelial cells in the medulla. The epithelial nature of synaptophysin-positive cells was documented by the co-expression of cytokeratins as revealed by double immunofluorescence. In situ hybridization studies revealed the presence of synaptophysin mRNA in cells mainly located in the cortex, the specific fluorescent signals being localized in the cell cytoplasm. Western blot analysis using an affinity-purified polyclonal antibody revealed an immunoreactive band of about 38 kD in the extracts from unfractionated thymic tissue and from epithelial cell-enriched fractions. No staining was observed in isolated thymocytes. The expression of synaptophysin in epithelial cells of the thymic cortex suggests that this protein may be involved in secretory activities related to T-cell maturation.
Inter-leaflet registration versus complementary matching in mixed amphiphilic bilayers

Field: Chemistry (Physical Sciences)

We derive a mean-field free energy for the phase behaviour of coupled bilayer leaflets, which is implicated in cellular processes and important to the design of artificial membranes. Our model accounts for amphiphile-level structural features, particularly hydrophobic mismatch, which promotes antiregistration (AR), in competition with the `direct' trans-midplane coupling usually studied, promoting registration (R). We show that the phase diagram of coupled leaflets allows multiple \textit{metastable} coexistences, then illustrate the kinetic implications with a detailed study of a bilayer of equimolar overall composition. For approximate parameters estimated to apply to phospholipids, equilibrium coexistence is typically registered, but metastable antiregistered phases can be kinetically favoured by hydrophobic mismatch. Thus a bilayer in the spinodal region can require nucleation to equilibrate, in a novel manifestation of Ostwald's `rule of stages'. Our results provide a framework for understanding disparate existing observations, elucidating a subtle competition of couplings, and a key role for phase transition kinetics in bilayer phase behaviour.
Obsidian source distribution and mercantile hierarchies in Postclassic AztatlÃ¡n, West Mexico

Field: Social Sciences (Social Sciences)

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] In Precolumbian Mesoamerica, trade was central to social organization, the spread of ideas, and the widespread distribution of goods across the landscape. For the AztatlÃ¡n tradition of Postclassic (AD 900- 1350) West Mexico in particular, far-reaching trade networks were a defining characteristic. One important trade item spread throughout the region was obsidian. While West Mexico features a wide array of excellent quality obsidian sources, they were differentially used in particular ways. In this study, I have macroscopically and geochemically analyzed over 14,000 total obsidian artifacts from seven different Aztatlan sites: San Felipe AztatÃ¡n, Coamiles, Chacalilla, Amapa, PeÃ±itas, Huistla, and Santiaguito. Through these analyses, I have identified differences in how various obsidian sources were utilized nonrandomly not only within sites, but also among them. Results indicate that while the source closest to the coastal plain was utilized for generalized reduction and expedient tool use, more distant and presumably more costly sources were likely imported as prepared cores and finished prismatic blades. These obsidian analyses are supplemented with a geospatial study in which I have proposed the most efficient trade routes from each site to the utilized obsidian sources using a GIS Least Cost Path. With this, I have also identified likely direct trade between the regional centers on the coastal plain and secondary sites in Western Jalisco As a result, I have argued that obsidian sources were utilized in a manner dictated by the ideological value of particular sources based largely upon exclusivity and cost. To explore this hypothesis, I have utilized tenets of Neo-Marxist archaeological theory and Costly Signaling theory. With these theoretical perspectives, I argue that the greater cost, in and of itself, would have incentivized individuals with more wealth and prestige to preferentially use more distant obsidians. This utilization may have served to bolster their elevated status within local communities through the demonstration of greater access to resources, allies, esoteric knowledge of foreign lands, and trade partners. In this way, obsidian provides a window into better understanding the sociopolitical organization of the AztatlÃ¡n tradition.
Sweetpotato Whitefly (Bemisia Tabaci Gennadius) Population Relationships to Cotton Yield and Quality

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences (Life Sciences)

Sweetpotato whitefly (SPWF) Bemisia tabaci Gennadius strain B has been a devastating pest of cotton in Arizona and California in recent years. Management systems involving cultural procedures, SPWF population monitoring crop sanitation, crop sequencing chemical control and other technology are developing slowly. SPWF population information in relation to cotton yield and quality losses are urgently needed Preliminary studies with cotton insecticide treatments initiated each week from shortly after cotton seedling emergence to late in the cotton season were conducted at the Irrigated Desert Research Station, Brawley, CA in 1993. The results suggest significant correlations for numbers of SPWF per leaf disc from cotton leaves vs. cotton yield and lint stickiness. Cotton lint yield was negatively correlated to all stages of SPWF populations (-0.783 or higher). Lint stickiness was high positively correlated to SPWF populations (0.707 or higher) and cotton defoliation was positively correlated to SPWF populations (0.876 or higher).
Monitoring the efficacy of temephos application and use of fine mesh nylon strainers by examination of drinking water containers in guineaworm endemic villages.

Field: Medicine (Health Sciences)

Application of temephos in unsafe water sources for destroying cyclops, the intermediate hosts of guineaworm, and distribution of fine mesh nylon strainers for promoting prophylaxis against guineaworm are accepted methods of guineaworm control in different endemic countries. The existing methods of monitoring the efficacy of these guineaworm control methods are not fully informative. Examination of drinking water stored at household levels for presence of cyclops with or without Dracunculus larvae can provide information on the efficacy of these control/prophylactic methods, besides serving as a means of interpersonal health education to the community. This paper presents observations carried out in two villages in peninsular India in 1991, which revealed that while in one village complete absence of cyclops from stored water containers was attributable to the use of temephos in the village and straining of drinking water, in the other village, with no temephos application, 15.6 per cent of containers contained varying numbers of cyclops in them. Implications of these observations for guineaworm eradication activities are discussed.
New Classes of Optimal Variable-Weight Optical Orthogonal Codes with Hamming Weights 3 and 4

Field: Mathematics (Physical Sciences)

Variable-weight optical orthogonal codes (OOCs) have application in multimedia optical code division multiple access (OCDMA) systems supporting multiple quality of services (QoS). In this paper, several combinatorial constructions for optimal variable-weight OOCs are presented explicitly. A useful recursive construction for optimal variable-weight OOCs is proposed as well. Based on these results, two new infinite classes of optimal variable-weight OOCs with Hamming weights 3 and 4 are obtained.
Facile Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Asian Spider Flower and Its In Vitro Cytotoxic Activity Against Human Breast Carcinoma Cells

Field: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics (Life Sciences)

Cancer is one of the most dangerous threats to human health and possibly the utmost task for current medicine. Currently, bio-based synthesis of nanoparticles from plants has gained much interest due to its potential medicinal applications. In the present study, a biological approach was employed for biogenic (green) synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using dried leaf extract of Asian spider flower (Asf). The biogenic synthesis of Asf-AgNPs (Asian spider flower-Silver nanoparticles) was established using ultra violet-visible (UV-vis) spectra which exhibited a wide superficial plasmon resonance of AgNPs at 445 nm. These nanoparticles clearly showed the formation of poly-disperse crystalline solids (spherical shape) with particle size range of <50 nm based on observation under a transmission electron microscope (TEM). Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed carboxylic acids (C = O stretch) known to act as a capping agent and a reductant in plant extracts. Elemental silver signal peak was observed in the graph obtained from energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. Biocompatibility tests for Asf-AgNPs at different doses were evaluated against human breast cancer cells (MCF7) for cell viability and apoptotic analysis. According to the evaluation, biosynthesized Asf-AgNPs could prevent the explosion of human breast tumor cells (MCF7) in IC50 at a dose of 40 μg/mL after 48 h of treatment. The results obtained in the IC50 dosage treatments were statistically significant (p < 0.05) when compared with control. Nuclear damage of cells was further investigated using annexin V-FITC/PI dual staining and DAPI (4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining method. Bright blue fluorescence with condensed and fragmented chromatin was observed. Western blot analysis showed increased expression levels of caspases-3 and 9 (apoptotic proteins). These results indicate that bio-approached AgNPs synthesized through Asf plant extract could be used as potential therapeutic medications for human cancer cells.
Hydrogen sulfide inhibits the renal fibrosis of chronic kidney disease

Field: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics (Life Sciences)

H sulfide (H2S) represents the third gasotransmitter along with nitric oxide and carbon monoxide. Recently it has been found that H2S levels were decreased in chronic kidney disease but its physiological functions in kidney have not been fully elucidated. Previous work demonstrates that H2S has diuretic, natriuretic and kaliuretic properties. It can also increase glomerular filtration rate and functions as an oxygen sensor in the renal medulla. Using the rat model of unilateral ureteral obstruction, we verified that cystathionine-β-synthase was the dominant H2S-producing enzyme located in renal tubular while another H2S-generating enzyme cystathionine-γ-lyase was mainly expressed in glomeruli. Administration with 56 μg/kg.d sodium hydrogen sulfide (a H2S donor) inhibited renal fibrosis by attenuating the production of collagen, extracellular matrix and the expression of a-smooth muscle actin. The underlying mechanisms were associated with the anti-inflammation effect of H2S as well as its anti-proliferative and antidifferentiation properties on renal fibroblasts. Using a rate model of peritoneal fibrosis, our current data also confirmed that H2S was able to improve the peritoneal function and inhibits peritoneal fibrosis caused by peritoneal dialysis solution. Thus, low doses of H2S or its releasing compounds may have therapeutic potentials in treating chronic kidney disease.
Organizational Excellence and Agility: Correlation Model

Field: Business, Management and Accounting (Social Sciences)

The strive to sustainexcellencewithinorganizationshasincreasedwiththeconstantchange in customer demands and toughening of competition.With these rapid changes occurring, the need for organizations to be agile has become a significant element in their operation schemes to sustain the excellence and be future-ready.This need raises the question of the relationship between organizational excellence and agility.Various models and frameworks have been developed to achieve excellence and agility in organizations.However, limited studies have correlated the two.This research investigates the relationship between excellence and agility within organizations and develops an assessment correlation index matrix between the two domains.That will help organizations understand their states in agility and excellence.The out-take for an organization is to know its categorization in the correlation model (beginner, master, conservative or fashionist) and determine the under-achieving pillars in each domain.The results of the study have shown that there is a high positive correlation between the two domains in both the public and private organizations.Although while one would expect that private organizations would have higher correlation between the two domains, it has been observed in this study that public organizations within the UAE have shown higher correlation data.This could be attributed to the fact that the Government of the UAE has introduced various initiatives since the 90's that encouraged public organizations to implement excellence models such as DQA and SKEA.Moreover, the study has shown that regardless of the size of the company, the correlation between agility and excellence is highly positive.
The effects of modulation of cofilin/ADF and intra- and extracellular thymosin beta4 on the migration of HeLa cells and the human colon carcinoma BE, 3LNLN and EB3 cell lines

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (Life Sciences)

Das Aktin spielt eine wichtige regulatorische und strukturelle Rolle in vielen zellulären Funktionen. Die Aktivität von Aktin wird durch eine große Anzahl von Aktin bindenden Proteinen (ABP) reguliert. Thymosin beta4 \((T\beta4)\) ist ein ABP, welches mit G-Aktin einen Komplex bildet und so das Treadmilling von Aktin reduziert. Proteine der ADF Familie induzieren die Fragmentation von F- Aktin, Cofilin erhöht die Dissoziation von Monomeren. Der verstärkte Depolymerisierungseffekt durch \(T\beta4\) mit Cofilin deutet daraufhin, dass eine Erhöhung der intrazellulären \(T\beta4\) Konzentration zu einer Hemmung der Zellmigration führt. In dieser Arbeit konnte durch verschiedene Methoden eine Inhibition der Zellmigration bei erhöhter \(T\beta4\) Konzentration sowie eine Stimulation bei verringerter \(T\beta4\) Konzentration gezeigt werden. Dieses Verhalten zeigte sich bei Tumorzellen mit hoher Migrationsaktivität. Extrazelluläres \(T\beta4\) induzierte Formveränderungen und dadurch zu Veränderung der Zellbeweglichkeit und Morphologie.
Dispersion correction for optical communications using microstrip allpass filters

Field: Engineering (Physical Sciences)

This paper investigates different microstrip allpass filters and their use as dispersion correcting networks. The use of such filters in enabling long haul high bit-rate coherent transmission systems is investigated. The performance, relevance end applications of these filters are described. It has been found that these filters can compensate for greater lengths of dispersive fibre and also provide a more compact design compared with the conventional microstrip line equaliser. (6 pages)
New wine in old wineskins: A critical appraisal of diaspora missiology

Field: Arts and Humanities (Social Sciences)

In the past decade, there has been an explosion of research that uses insights from migration studies as a way of understanding various shifts in global Christianity. As a result, missiology has both benefited from and increasingly gravitated toward migration studies for assessing specific global processes. Diaspora missiology, framed as a discipline, movement, and strategy, has emerged as a contemporary missiological reflection on globalization and migration. While some aspects of diaspora missiology contribute helpful insights to the future of missiology, ongoing missiological reflection that uses diaspora as its key framework raises questions that invite critique. In this article, we describe the emergence of diaspora missiology and the various ways it is currently being used in the broader discourse as represented by major proponents Enoch Wan, Sadiri Joy Tira, and J. D. Payne. We then raise four points, critically and constructively unpacking key questions under the following headings: (1) assessing the need for a distinct discipline as an alternative to “traditional missiology”; (2) objectifying migrants: counting and (dis)counting the world’s Christians; (3) the “unnoticed” missionary potential of Christian migrants; and (4) immigrant congregations and transnational ties: multidirectional mission.
Endodontic treatment of painful periapical lesions using 0.15% benzydamine HCl and 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate: case reports

Field: Dentistry (Health Sciences)

Three cases with adjacent periapical lesions are described. During root canal treatment, 0.15% benzydamine HCl for pain and 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate for intracanal cleaning were used before the placement of the root canal sealer (Sealapex, Ca(OH)2 based). Total periapical healing was observed after six months.
Spirograph Patterns and Circular Representations of Rhythm: Exploring Number Theory Concepts Through Visual, Tangible and Audible Representations

Field: Mathematics (Physical Sciences)

This paper offers connections between representations in a number of multisensory modes ‐ visual, tactile and audible/musical ‐ that explore a single underlying conceptual structure of periodicity and factorization. A number line is explored in visual, musical and tactile modes with regard to the relationship between regular periodic rhythms; then spirographic geometric patterns and the visual and musical patterns produced by the use of circular representations of musical rhythms are used to develop initial intuitions and observations. Throughout the process, the concept of conceptually-related multiple (multisensory, multimodal) representations is invoked as a way for mathematics learners to feel, hear and see mathematical concepts in depth.