Predicting nosocomial lower respiratory tract infections by a risk index based system

Although belonging to one of the most common type of nosocomial infection, there was currently no simple prediction model for lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs). This study aims to develop a risk index based system for predicting nosocomial LRTIs based on data from a large point-prevalence survey. Among the 49328 patients included, the prevalence of nosocomial LRTIs was 1.70% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.64% to 1.76%). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for logistic regression and fisher discriminant analysis were 0.907 (95% CI, 0.897 to 0.917) and 0.902 (95% CI, 0.892 to 0.912), respectively. The constructed risk index based system also displayed excellent discrimination (area under the ROC curve: 0.905 [95% CI, 0.895 to 0.915]) to identify LRTI in internal validation. Six risk levels were generated according to the risk score distribution of study population, ranging from 0 to 5, the corresponding prevalence of nosocomial LRTIs were 0.00%, 0.39%, 3.86%, 12.38%, 28.79% and 44.83%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of prediction were 0.87 and 0.79, respectively, when the best cut-off point of risk score was set to 14. Our study suggested that this newly constructed risk index based system might be applied to boost more rational infection control programs in clinical settings

Role of Carbon Content on Microstructure Evolution and Impact Toughness in Coarse-Grained Heat-Affected Zone of High-Strength Steel

The effect of carbon content in the base metals of high-strength steel on the microstructure and impact toughness of simulated welding focusing on a coarse-grained heat-affected zone (CGHAZ) at different heat inputs was systematically investigated by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron back-scattering diffraction (EBSD). The Charpy impact test confirmed that there was an optimal heat input, which caused the CGHAZ to obtain the highest impact toughness. The optimal heat input is ~20 kJ/cm and remains unchanged with an increase in carbon content from 0.04 to 0.12 wt.%. However, the impact toughness of the CGHAZ decreases with the increase in carbon content at each heat input. Microstructure characterization showed that a CGHAZ with 0.04 wt.% carbon gradually changed from lath bainite (LB) to granular bainite (GB) with an increase in heat input, while it changed from lath martensite (LM) to LB and then to GB for a CGHAZ with 0.12 wt.% carbon. Although the density of high-angle grain boundaries (HAGBs) obtained at 20 kJ/cm in the high-carbon sample is higher than that of the low-carbon sample, its impact toughness is lower, which is related to the parallel structure of the lath bundles and the morphology the austenite penetration

Mixed Rational-Exponential Solutions to the Kadomtsev-Petviashvili-II Equation with a Self-Consistent Source

Explicit rational-exponential solutions for the Kadomtsev-Petviashvili-II equation with a self-consistent source (KPIIESCS) are studied by the Hirota bilinear method. One typical feature for this hybrid type of solutions is that they contain two arbitrary functions of time variable which affect the amplitudes and propagation trajectories. The dynamics of solutions are demonstrated by the three-dimensional figures. The method used here is quite general and can be applied to other equations with self-content sources

Mixed Rational-Exponential Solutions to the Kadomtsev-Petviashvili-II Equation with a Self-Consistent Source

Explicit rational-exponential solutions for the Kadomtsev-Petviashvili-II equation with a self-consistent source (KPIIESCS) are studied by the Hirota bilinear method. One typical feature for this hybrid type of solutions is that they contain two arbitrary functions of time variable t which affect the amplitudes and propagation trajectories. The dynamics of solutions are demonstrated by the three-dimensional figures. The method used here is quite general and can be applied to other equations with self-content sources

STIMPY mutants have increased cytokinin sensitivity during dark germination

The cytokinins regulate a broad range of plant developmental events. We recently reported that the home-odomain transcription factor STIMPY (STIP) positively mediates the cytokinin signals in maintaining proliferative and pluoripotent properties of the shoot apical meristem in Arabidopsis. In line with our proposed model, light-grown stip seedlings are less sensitive to the growth inhibition effect of the exogenously applied cytokinins than wild type. Here we investigate STIP's role in cytokinin signaling in dark-grown seedlings, in which elevated cytokinin levels promote photomorphogenesis. We found that stip mutants show enhanced de-etiolation phenotype in response to cytokinin treatment in the dark, suggesting that STIP may be a negative regulator of cytokinin signaling under this condition. We discuss possible explanations for this observed developmental stage-specific function of STIP

Association between the Dietary Inflammatory Index and fracture risk in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective We explored correlations between the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) and fracture risk in older adults. Methods We systematically searched MEDLINE, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and CNKI for all relevant epidemiological studies published through October 16, 2023. Because observational studies were included in the meta-analysis, we used a random-effects model to pool the study-specific effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We assessed study quality using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale. This meta-analysis was registered in PROSPERO. Results Eight studies with 462,986 participants were included, with five cohort studies, two cross-sectional studies, and one case–control study. An analysis of heterogeneity among the eight included studies resulted in I 2  = 87.1%, indicating significant between-study heterogeneity; hence, the random-effects model was adopted to generate the combined effect size. We found that the DII was positively associated with fracture (relative risk: 1.188, 95% CI: 1.043–1.354). This result was further confirmed in leave-one-out sensitivity analysis. Conclusions Our study provides evidence suggesting that diets high in pro-inflammatory components might increase the fracture risk among older people. Decreased consumption of pro-inflammatory foods and increased consumption of anti-inflammatory foods are suggested to prevent adverse fracture outcomes. More prospective studies involving both sexes are warranted to verify the results

Sheet Stamping Formability Test System based Servo Crank Press

AbstractProposed the tentative plan that carries on the formability test by simulation practical crank punch press slide speed characteristic, designed the solution to the implementation difficulty, and has carried on the actual attempt. The servo motor drive crank press speed alters at more sects which can get slider speed characteristic coherent with crank press varies. The system can test varies stamping formability that speed changeable based on sine curve. The system is composed of 600kN servo crank press, double action and all-purpose moldbase, date get and inspect analyze system. The moldbase adopted positive direction structural and self-motion, with variable blank holder force and counterforce controlled by hydraulic system with closed loop. The blank holder force can be set up in 5 sects which following with slide position, shortest control sect in 200ms. Appropriate profile of blank holder force can setup with the process needed. Blank holder has quartz force sensor which can inspect blank holder force and the control precision is in 0.1kN

Progressive white matter microstructure damage in male chronic heroin dependent individuals: a DTI and TBSS study.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the WM microstructure deficits in heroin dependent individuals (HDIs) with different length of heroin dependence, and to investigate whether these WM deficits can be related to the duration of heroin use and to decision-making deficits in HDIs. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Thirty-six HDIs [including eighteen sHDIs (duration of heroin dependent is less than 10 years) and eighteen lHDIs (duration of dependent is between 10:20 years)] and sixteen healthy controls participated in this study. Whole brain voxel-wise analysis of fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (Da) and radial diffusivity (Dr) were performed by tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) to localize abnormal WM regions among groups. TBSS demonstrated that sHDIs had significantly lower FA than controls in right orbito-frontal WM, bilateral temporal WM and right parietal WM. The lHDIs had significantly lower FA throughout the brain compared with the controls and sHDIs. The lHDIs had significantly lower Da than controls in bilateral inferior frontaloccipital fasciculus, bilateral splenium of corpus callosum, left inferior longitudinal fasciculus, and had significantly higher Dr than controls in bilateral uncinatus fasciculus, bilateral inferior frontaloccipital fasciculus and bilateral cortical spinal fasciculus. Volume-of-interest (VOI) analyses detect the changes of diffusivity indices in the regions with FA abnormalities revealed by control vs sHDIs. In most VOIs, FA reductions were caused by the increase in Dr as well as the decrease in Da. Correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship between FA and behavioral measures in HDIs and controls available. Significantly positively correlations were found between the FA values in the right orbital-frontal WM, right parietal WM and IGT performance. CONCLUSIONS: The extent and severity of WM integrity deficits in HDIs was associated with the length of heroin dependent. Furthermore, abnormal WM microstructure may correlate with decision-making impairments in HDIs