SIC: Switzerland's new electronic interbank payment system

It is an article of faith among American bankers and their regulators that some daylight overdrafts are necessary to the efficient functioning of large-dollar wire transfer systems. But the Swiss have injected an element of doubt by developing a system that does away with daylight overdrafts. Their new system processes a payment only if sufficient clearing funds are on deposit in the sending bank’s reserve account. If sufficient funds are not available, the payment is held in a queue until covering funds have arrived. Vital and Mengle describe the first eighteen months of the system’s operation.Payment systems ; Overdrafts

Posttransplant sinus surgery in lung transplant recipients with cystic fibrosis: a single institutional experience

Chronic rhinosinusitis is hypothesised to play a major role in lung transplant recipients with cystic fibrosis. Paranasal sinuses are considered to accumulate a significant bacterial load, potentially leading to lung allograft infection with ensuing complications such as bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome, i.e. allograft rejection. We therefore would like to present our combined medical and surgical treatment plan, which consists of an endoscopic fronto-spheno-ethmoidectomy as well as a meticulous daily nasal care program. The microbiological results show that our combined concept is effective, whereas especially daily nasal care with isotonic saline solution is the cornerstone in preventing significant colonisation of the sinuses and spreading bacteria to the lower respiratory tract causing lung allograft infection. Regarding the surgical part of our treatment, it should be emphasised that all sinuses and ethmoidal air cells should be widely opened. Edges such as bony overhangs should be smoothened to avoid mucus retention and consecutive bacterial recolonisation requiring subsequent revision surger

Genetic alterations in gliosarcoma and giant cell glioblastoma

The majority of glioblastomas develop rapidly with a short clinical history (primary glioblastoma IDH wild-type), whereas secondary glioblastomas progress from diffuse astrocytoma or anaplastic astrocytoma. IDH mutations are the genetic hallmark of secondary glioblastomas. Gliosarcomas and giant cell glioblastomas are rare histological glioblastoma variants, which usually develop rapidly. We determined the genetic patterns of 36 gliosarcomas and 19 giant cell glioblastomas. IDH1 and IDH2 mutations were absent in all 36 gliosarcomas and in 18 of 19 giant cell glioblastomas analyzed, indicating that they are histological variants of primary glioblastoma. Furthermore, LOH 10q (88%) and TERT promoter mutations (83%) were frequent in gliosarcomas. Copy number profiling using the 450k methylome array in 5 gliosarcomas revealed CDKN2A homozygous deletion (3 cases), trisomy chromosome 7 (2 cases), and monosomy chromosome 10 (2 cases). Giant cell glioblastomas had LOH 10q in 50% and LOH 19q in 42% of cases. ATRX loss was detected immunohistochemically in 19% of giant cell glioblastomas, but absent in 17 gliosarcomas. These and previous results suggest that gliosarcomas are a variant of, and genetically similar to, primary glioblastomas, except for a lack of EGFR amplification, while giant cell glioblastoma occupies a hybrid position between primary and secondary glioblastomas. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Prime Focus Spectrograph - Subaru's future -

The Prime Focus Spectrograph (PFS) of the Subaru Measurement of Images and Redshifts (SuMIRe) project has been endorsed by Japanese community as one of the main future instruments of the Subaru 8.2-meter telescope at Mauna Kea, Hawaii. This optical/near-infrared multi-fiber spectrograph targets cosmology with galaxy surveys, Galactic archaeology, and studies of galaxy/AGN evolution. Taking advantage of Subaru's wide field of view, which is further extended with the recently completed Wide Field Corrector, PFS will enable us to carry out multi-fiber spectroscopy of 2400 targets within 1.3 degree diameter. A microlens is attached at each fiber entrance for F-ratio transformation into a larger one so that difficulties of spectrograph design are eased. Fibers are accurately placed onto target positions by positioners, each of which consists of two stages of piezo-electric rotary motors, through iterations by using back-illuminated fiber position measurements with a wide-field metrology camera. Fibers then carry light to a set of four identical fast-Schmidt spectrographs with three color arms each: the wavelength ranges from 0.38 {\mu}m to 1.3 {\mu}m will be simultaneously observed with an average resolving power of 3000. Before and during the era of extremely large telescopes, PFS will provide the unique capability of obtaining spectra of 2400 cosmological/astrophysical targets simultaneously with an 8-10 meter class telescope. The PFS collaboration, led by IPMU, consists of USP/LNA in Brazil, Caltech/JPL, Princeton, & JHU in USA, LAM in France, ASIAA in Taiwan, and NAOJ/Subaru.Comment: 13 pages, 11 figures, submitted to "Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy IV, Ian S. McLean, Suzanne K. Ramsay, Hideki Takami, Editors, Proc. SPIE 8446 (2012)

Sports-related sudden cardiac deaths in the young population of Switzerland

Background In Switzerland, ECG screening was first recommended for national squad athletes in 1998. Since 2001 it has become mandatory in selected high-risk professional sports. Its impact on the rates of sports-related sudden cardiac death (SCD) is unknown. Objective We aimed to study the incidence, causes and time trends of sports-related SCD in comparison to SCD unrelated to exercise in Switzerland. Methods We reviewed all forensic reports of SCDs of the German-speaking region of Switzerland in the age group of 10 to 39 years, occurring between 1999 and 2010. Cases were classified into three categories based on whether or not deaths were associated with sports: no sports (NONE), recreational sports (REC), and competitive sports (COMP). Results Over the 12-year study period, 349 SCD cases were recorded (mean age 30±7 years, 76.5% male); 297 cases were categorized as NONE, 31 as REC, and 21 as COMP. Incidences of SCD per 100,000 person-years [mean (95% CI)] were the lowest in REC [0.43 (0.35-0.56)], followed by COMP [1.19 (0.89-1.60)] and NONE [2.46 (2.27-2.66)]. In all three categories, coronary artery disease (CAD) with or without acute myocardial infarction (MI) was the most common cause of SCD. Three professional athletes were identified in COMP category which all had SCD due to acute MI. There were no time trends, neither in overall, nor in cause-specific incidences of SCD. Conclusions The incidence of SCD in young individuals in Switzerland is low, both related and unrelated to sports. In regions, like Switzerland, where CAD is the leading cause of SCD associated with competitions, screening for cardiovascular risk factors in addition to the current PPS recommendations might be indicated to improve detection of silent CAD and further decrease the incidence of SCD. © 2017 Asatryan et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited

Almond Snacking for 8 wk Increases Alpha-Diversity of the Gastrointestinal Microbiome and Decreases Bacteroides fragilis Abundance Compared with an Isocaloric Snack in College Freshmen.

BackgroundChanges in gut microbiota are associated with cardiometabolic disorders and are influenced by diet. Almonds are a rich source of fiber, unsaturated fats, and polyphenols, all nutrients that can favorably alter the gut microbiome.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to examine the effects of 8 wk of almond snacking on the gut (fecal) microbiome diversity and abundance compared with an isocaloric snack of graham crackers in college freshmen.MethodsA randomized, controlled, parallel-arm, 8-wk intervention in 73 college freshmen (age: 18-19 y; 41 women and 32 men; BMI: 18-41 kg/m2) with no cardiometabolic disorders was conducted. Participants were randomly allocated to either an almond snack group (56.7 g/d; 364 kcal; n = 38) or graham cracker control group (77.5 g/d; 338 kcal/d; n = 35). Stool samples were collected at baseline and 8 wk after the intervention to assess primary microbiome outcomes, that is, gut microbiome diversity and abundance.ResultsAlmond snacking resulted in 3% greater quantitative alpha-diversity (Shannon index) and 8% greater qualitative alpha-diversity (Chao1 index) than the cracker group after the intervention (P < 0.05). Moreover, almond snacking for 8 wk decreased the abundance of the pathogenic bacterium Bacteroides fragilis by 48% (overall relative abundance, P < 0.05). Permutational multivariate ANOVA showed significant time effects for the unweighted UniFrac distance and Bray-Curtis beta-diversity methods (P < 0.05; R 2 ≤ 3.1%). The dietary and clinical variables that best correlated with the underlying bacterial community structure at week 8 of the intervention included dietary carbohydrate (percentage energy), dietary fiber (g), and fasting total and HDL cholesterol (model Spearman rho = 0.16; P = 0.01).ConclusionsAlmond snacking for 8 wk improved alpha-diversity compared with cracker snacking. Incorporating a morning snack in the dietary regimen of predominantly breakfast-skipping college freshmen improved the diversity and composition of the gut microbiome. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03084003

comparação da técnica de PCR-RT com o Método Cultural

Uma das bactérias mais perigosas transmitidas pela água é a do género Legionella. Infeções causadas por esta bactéria são consideradas atualmente um problema emergente de saúde pública e estão associados a altas taxas de mortalidade, justificando desta forma que o controlo microbiológico das águas seja essencial para garantir a saúde dos trabalhadores e segurança no trabalho em unidades fabris da área alimentar. Na execução das obrigações legais referidas na Lei n.º 52/2018 é determinado que todos os estabelecimentos, independentemente de terem natureza pública ou privada, sejam obrigados a elaborar um Plano de Prevenção e Controlo de Legionella spp., incluindo por exemplo, procedimentos de tratamento, medidas de controlo adotadas e resultados obtidos nas análises efetuada. Na monitorização da Legionella spp., destaca-se a importância das análises de rotina serem rápidas e precisas, permitindo detetar todas as células vivas, incluindo aquelas que não podem ser cultivadas. Ao longo do estágio colheram-se um total de 14 amostras de água provenientes de diferentes origens: chuveiros, de furo de abastecimento e de água de processos (torres de refrigeração). Estas amostras foram submetidas à pesquisa e quantificação de Legionella spp. pela técnica RT-PCR (método já acreditado pela empresa) e pelo Método Cultural. Constatou-se, através dos resultados obtidos, que o Método Cultural tende a subestimar a presença de Legionella spp. Este trabalho veio assim reforçar a importância do uso de métodos de biologia molecular e de métodos culturais, de forma complementar, na deteção, quantificação e identificação adequada dos microrganismos. Palavras-chave: Água, Legionella, Método Cultural, Segurança no Trabalho, Técnica RT-PCROne of the most dangerous bacteria transmitted by water is Legionella spp.. Infections caused by this bacterium are currently considered an emerging public health problem and are associated with high mortality rates if not properly treated. As such, water microbiological control is essential, ensuring the health and safety at work. In Portuguese Law 52/2018 is established that in all public or private organizations, it is required to applied a Legionella spp. prevention and control plan, including for example treatment procedures, control measures adopted and results obtained from the analyzes performed. For monitoring Legionella spp. it is very important that routine analyzes use fast and effective methods, allowing the detection of all living cells, including those that cannot be cultured. During the internship, a total of 14 water samples were collected from different matrices, such as showers, borehole supply and process water (cooling towers). These samples were subjected to research and quantification of Legionella spp. using the RT-PCR technique (method already accredited by the company) and Cultural Method. From the results obtained we can see that the cultural method tends to underestimate the presence of Legionella spp. This work thus reinforces the importance of using molecular biology and cultural methods in a complementary way in the detection, quantification and proper identification of microorganisms. Keywords: Water, Legionella, PCR method, Cultural method, Work safet

2D-WinSpatt-Net: a dual spatial self-attention Vision Transformer boosts classification of tetanus severity for patients wearing ECG sensors in low- and middle-income countries

Tetanus is a life-threatening bacterial infection that is often prevalent in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), Vietnam included. Tetanus affects the nervous system, leading to muscle stiffness and spasms. Moreover, severe tetanus is associated with autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction. To ensure early detection and effective management of ANS dysfunction, patients require continuous monitoring of vital signs using bedside monitors. Wearable electrocardiogram (ECG) sensors offer a more cost-effective and user-friendly alternative to bedside monitors. Machine learning-based ECG analysis can be a valuable resource for classifying tetanus severity; however, using existing ECG signal analysis is excessively time-consuming. Due to the fixed-sized kernel filters used in traditional convolutional neural networks (CNNs), they are limited in their ability to capture global context information. In this work, we propose a 2D-WinSpatt-Net, which is a novel Vision Transformer that contains both local spatial window self-attention and global spatial self-attention mechanisms. The 2D-WinSpatt-Net boosts the classification of tetanus severity in intensive-care settings for LMIC using wearable ECG sensors. The time series imaging—continuous wavelet transforms—is transformed from a one-dimensional ECG signal and input to the proposed 2D-WinSpatt-Net. In the classification of tetanus severity levels, 2D-WinSpatt-Net surpasses state-of-the-art methods in terms of performance and accuracy. It achieves remarkable results with an F1 score of 0.88 ± 0.00, precision of 0.92 ± 0.02, recall of 0.85 ± 0.01, specificity of 0.96 ± 0.01, accuracy of 0.93 ± 0.02 and AUC of 0.90 ± 0.00

COMPONDO UM “RETRATO DO INDIVÍDUO”: CLASSIFICAÇÃO E INTERVENÇÃO MEDIANTE FICHAS DE OBSERVAÇÃO COMPORTAMENTAL (1934-1939)

Resumo: A centralidade ocupada pela escola como espaço educativo no período correspondente às décadas iniciais do século XX estimulou a criação de novos instrumentos de mensuração e classificação que, utilizados no interior do espaço da escola, tinham por objetivo conhecer e classificar a população escolar, proporcionando formas mais eficazes de propagação de certo “modelo”, considerado ideal no processo de “transformação da criança em aluno” (Ó, 2006). Neste trabalho, utiliza-se como fonte as fichas de observação comportamental, produzidas no âmbito do Serviço de Ortofrenia e Higiene Mental (1934-1939), que funcionou nas escolas experimentais do Rio de Janeiro, tendo como chefe o médico Arthur Ramos. As fichas são compreendidas como instrumento que objetivava classificar, penetrar e intervir na individualidade e nas questões privadas da vida dos alunos, devendo compor “um retrato do indivíduo” e do ambiente social e familiar no qual estava inserido. Palavras-chave: Serviço de Ortofrenia e Higiene Mental. Fichas de observação comportamental. Arthur Ramos.