Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interaction between lightning discharge and electrical tower

The paper deals with an interaction between a lightning stroke and electrical tower (pylon). The problem is handled via transmission line (TL) approximation which is shown to be well suited to account for the different arms and to treat the tower as a radial network of interconnected line conductors. This direct time domain technique is based on the FDTD (Finite Difference Time Domain) and the treatment of direct and indirect lightning strike on a pylon, respectively.
Changes in the concentration of adrenocorticotrophin and corticosteroid in the plasma of foetal sheep in the latter half of pregnancy and during labour.

The changes in plasma ACTH concentration of pregnant sheep and their foetuses during the latter half of pregnancy and during labour were studied. Before 140 days of gestation the mean concentration in foetal arterial plasma was 117+/-19 (S.E.M.) pg/ml which rose to a mean of 286+/-63 pg/ml. The rise in ACTH occurred at about the same time as, but not before, the rise in corticosteroid concentration in foetal plasma. The maternal plasma ACTH concentration did not change during the latter half of pregnancy and had a mean concentration of 64+/-9 pg/ml. During labour there was a progressive rise in the ACTH concentration in foetal plasma which was not associated with any corticosteroid changes. Ethanol did not suppress labour but reduced the ACTH concentration in foetal plasma.
Mindfulness-based stress reduction training is associated with greater empathy and reduced anxiety for graduate healthcare students.

INTRODUCTION Graduate healthcare students experience significant stressors during professional training. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a behavioural intervention designed to teach self-regulatory skills for stress reduction and emotion management. This study examines the impact of MBSR training on students from five healthcare graduate programs in a quasi-experimental trial. METHODS A total of 13 students completed the MBSR program and were compared with 15 controls. Both groups answered validated questionnaires measuring anxiety, burnout and empathy at baseline, at conclusion of the course (week 8) and 3 weeks post-course completion (week 11). RESULTS Significant decrease in anxiety at weeks 8 and 11 compared with baseline (P<0.001 and P<0.01, respectively) was observed using the Burns Anxiety Inventory. Significant increase in empathy at week 8 (P<0.0096) was observed using the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy. Week 11 demonstrated a decrease in empathy from baseline (not statistically significant) across all subjects. No significant differences in burnout scores at weeks 8 and 11 were observed between those in the intervention and control groups. CONCLUSIONS These results provide supportive evidence of MBSR as a behavioural intervention to reduce anxiety and increase empathy among graduate healthcare students.
Cognitive Engineering of Automated Assembly Processes

A cognitive control unit (CCU) for automated assembly systems aims to simulate human information processing at a rule‐based level of cognitive control. Focusing on the subtask of monitoring, a cognitive engineering approach for the design of the procedural knowledge base of the CCU is presented and a human‐centered simulation model of assembly processes on the basis of the cognitive architecture SOAR is introduced. The overall objective is to design and develop the system to conform to operators' expectations. To identify human assembly strategies to be included in the CCU, an empirical study with n = 16 participants was conducted and validated by an independent investigation with n = 25 persons. Furthermore, simulation models incorporating certain subsets of production rules were developed and evaluated regarding their goodness of prediction of human assembly behavior. The results show that the rule sets have a significant effect on the predictive power. The highest prediction accuracy was obtained with all identified assembly rules integrated. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Regulation of β-Amyloid Secretion by FE65, an Amyloid Protein Precursor-binding Protein*

The principal component of Alzheimer’s amyloid plaques, Aβ, derives from proteolytic processing of the Alzheimer’s amyloid protein precursor (APP). FE65 is a brain-enriched protein that binds to APP. Although several laboratories have characterized the APP-FE65 interaction in vitro, the possible relevance of this interaction to Alzheimer’s disease has remained unclear. We demonstrate here that APP and FE65 co-localize in the endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi and possibly in endosomes. Moreover, FE65 increases translocation of APP to the cell surface, as well as both αAPPs and Aβ secretion. The dramatic (4-fold) FE65-dependent increase in Aβ secretion suggests that agents which inhibit the interaction of FE65 with APP might reduce Aβ secretion in the brain and therefore be useful for preventing or slowing amyloid plaque formation.
Overseas‐based online pharmacies: a source of supply for illicit drug users?

Overseas-based online pharmacies dispense prescription medications without a prescription, thus creating an alternative source of pharmaceuticals for people using illicit drugs. Health professionals need to be aware of this new drug source, which may change the rates and patterns of illicit drug use in Australia. Because of the nature of the Internet, this issue needs to be dealt with at both an international and a national level.
Mineralogical characterization of clay fraction of Chalan Beel soils of Bangladesh

Top soils of four different series viz Jaonia (Typic Haplaquept), Halti (Typic Haplaquept), Taras (Aeric Haplaquept) and Digli (Typic Haplaquept) developed on Atrai river alluvium were studied to investigate the clay mineralogical composition. X-ray diffraction technique was employed to identify and quantify the minerals. The XRD patterns were obtained with Ni-filter Cu kα - radiation at a scanning speed of 2o2θ min and the amount of minerals was estimated by XRD peak intensities at parallel powder mount. Mica was the dominant clay mineral (33 - 51%) in all soils, followed by quartz (13 -19%). The kaolinite contents were small (8 - 10%) over the soils. The occurrence of vermiculite in the Digli and Taras soils (9 and 7% respectively) indicates a considerable transformation of mica. There is very little or no smectite minerals in the soils which might be due to poor parent material and disappearance of smectite from the top soils. Appreciable amount of primary minerals like quartz and feldspars have also been observed in the clay fraction of the soils.
Potential savings from an evidence-based consumer-oriented public education campaign on prescription drugs.

OBJECTIVE To estimate potential savings associated with the Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs program, a national educational program that provides consumers with price and effectiveness information on prescription drugs. DATA SOURCES National data on 2006 prescription sales and retail prices paid for angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), β-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-coA) reductase inhibitors (statins). STUDY DESIGN We converted national data on aggregate unit sales of drugs in the four classes to defined daily doses (DDD) and estimated a range of potential savings from generic and therapeutic substitution. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We estimated that $2.76 billion, or 7.83 percent of sales, could be saved if use of the drugs recommended by the educational program was increased. The recommended drugs' prices were 15-65 percent lower per DDD than their therapeutic alternatives. The majority (57.4 percent) of potential savings would be achieved through therapeutic substitution. CONCLUSIONS Substantial savings can be achieved through greater use of comparatively effective and lower cost drugs recommended by a national consumer education program. However, barriers to dissemination of consumer-oriented drug information must be addressed before savings can be realized.
Transition between vegetative phases in maize: genetic effects and variances and associated markers

SUMMARY Transition from juvenile to adult vegetative phase in maize is associated with pest and disease resistance. However, reports are not consistent on the significance and relative importance of additive or dominance genetic effects and variances. The purpose of the present research was to elucidate the genetic effects and variances and to identify molecular markers associated with phase transition. Three cycles of divergent selection were carried out in a maize synthetic accelerating and delaying phase transition. Three and four inbred lines were released from the third cycles of late phase transition (LPT) and early phase transition (EPT), respectively. Generation mean analyses were performed from two LPT×EPT crosses in order to calculate genetic effects and variances. Markers associated with vegetative phase transition were identified by contrasting simple sequence repeat (SSR) alleles between LPT and EPT inbreds and selection cycles, and by testing whether drift could explain the allelic changes observed in the respective third cycles of selection. Juvenile traits are mainly regulated by additive genetic effects and variances, whereas adult traits have a complex regulation involving dominance and epistatic effects. Based on error variances, EPT improves phenotypic stability. The SSRs phi028, phi112 and umc1725 were associated with selection for phase transition, suggesting that these genome regions are involved in the regulation of vegetative phase transition of maize, although none of the genes previously associated with phase transition has been located in those regions.
Sleep difficulties and their impact on recovery following mild traumatic brain injury in children

Abstract Objective: To determine the frequency of sleep difficulties in children following mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) over time and explore the role of sleep on recovery and behaviour. Methods: Longitudinal study of 109 children aged between 8–16 years who had experienced a mild TBI, with an embedded case control study. Parents completed assessments of the child’s sleep quality, symptoms and behaviour at baseline, 1, 6 and 12 months post-injury. Regression analyses explored the impact of poor sleep on 12-month outcomes. Healthy control children were assessed at one time point for comparison to determine the longer-term impact of brain injury on sleep. Results: The number of children experiencing poor sleep quality peaked 1-month post-injury (39%), reducing to 28% 12-months post-injury. Poor sleep quality at 1-month was associated with increased frequency and severity of symptoms and poorer behavioural outcomes 1 year post-TBI. Cases with TBI were significantly more likely to have sleep difficulties 1-year post-injury than controls (Odds ratio = 3.09). Conclusions: Sleep difficulties are common following mild TBI in children and are predictive of longer-term outcomes. Identifying children with sleep difficulties post-injury and providing support to facilitate sleep may improve their longer-term functioning.
Competition between farmed and wild fish: The French sea bass and sea bream markets

ABSTRACT Aquaculture is contributing at an increasing rate to the world seafood supply. The interaction between fisheries and aquaculture is especially important for the seafood market where supply of wild and farmed fish can affect price dynamics. We examine market interactions in the French fresh sea bass and sea bream markets. We test for long-term price parity between farmed and wild products for these two species, applying a bivariate cointegration approach to market delineation. We also conduct the Law of One Price (LOP) test between price series. Our data base consists of monthly domestic price series for fish purchased by French households from 2007 to 2012. Our empirical results show that the fresh fish markets for whole wild and farmed sea bream are partially integrated, yet those for whole wild and farmed sea bass are not integrated. The substantially higher price for wild sea bass relative to farmed sea bass suggests that consumers may be more sensitive to seafood production processes when it comes to higher-value species.
A population-based, community estimate of total colon examination: the impact on compliance with screening for colorectal cancer

OBJECTIVE:Colorectal cancer screening is underutilized. Total colon examination (TCE), such as with colonoscopy, can have a significant effect on the measured compliance with screening, as colonoscopy may be able to be performed as infrequently as once every 10 yr. In a population-based survey we determined the prevalence and validated the self-reporting of TCE and assessed its impact on compliance with screening.METHODS:We interviewed an age- and sex-stratified random sample of 50- to 79-yr-old residents in two communities in southwestern Pennsylvania. Subjects reported ever having had and duration since last use of fecal occult blood testing (FOBT), flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS), rigid proctoscopy, barium enema, and colonoscopy. Self-reports of colorectal testing were validated via retrieval of procedure reports.RESULTS:Out of 1223 individuals sampled, 496 completed a telephone interview (40.6% overall and 58.3% of eligible contacts). In those without personal or family histories of colorectal cancer or personal histories of polyps (n = 377), 50%, 19.6%, 39.8%, and 17.5% reported ever having had FOBT, FS, barium enema, and colonoscopy, respectively. Thirty-one percent reported having FOBT within the previous year or FS within the previous 5 yr. Including TCE within the previous 5 yr increased the measured compliance to 39.7%. Compliance was significantly greater among subjects with family histories of colorectal cancer (62.9% vs 39.7%, odds ratio = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.3–5.2). Self-reports of recent colonoscopy were verified in 29 of 35 instances (83%). CONCLUSION:The prevalence of TCE in this population was significant, and including TCE substantially increased measured compliance with colorectal cancer screening. Self-reported use of colonoscopy was validated as accurate.
A novel waveguide-based radio frequency/microwave exposure system for studying nonthermal effects on neurotransmitter Release-finite-difference time-domain modeling

A research effort is underway to identify specific radio frequency/microwave parameters in the frequency range 0.75-1.12 GHz that can produce nonthermal effects on the release of catecholamines from cultured bovine adrenal medullary chromaffin cells, an established in vitro model of neural-type cells. A well-characterized exposure system is crucial for interpreting the biological outcomes of experiments. This paper describes a novel waveguide-based exposure system that permits perfusion of the cells with a temperature-controlled balanced salt solution for online monitoring of catecholamine release from the cells during radio frequency/microwave exposure. The finite-difference time-domain method was used to optimize the exposure conditions, the goal being to achieve the maximum possible homogeneity in the distribution of the specific absorption rate at the location of the cells in the waveguide. At a frequency of 1 GHz, optimal coupling of the radio frequency/microwave field into the region containing the cells was obtained only when the cells were placed at the location of the electric field maximum of the standing wave pattern, with the electric field parallel to the plane containing the cells. In this case, the specific absorption rate distribution was found to be the highest as well as homogeneous to within 30%.
Angular Dependence of SOI Transistor Response to Heavy Ion Irradiation

Experimental results showing angular dependence for charge collection in SOI transistors under heavy ion irradiation are presented. Geant4 and Synopsys Sentaurus simulations are performed to analyze these results in terms of direct ionization effects. The influence of the beam direction in relation to that of the transistor's channel on the transistor's response is underlined. Depending on the considered beam direction, deviation from the inverse-cosine law is shown to vary from 0% to 30%. These differences seem to be independent of the ion energy. However, the use of different ion species may hide this possible effect.
Hard- and soft-decision decoding beyond the half minimum distance---An algorithm for linear codes

A decoding algorithm for linear codes that uses the minimum weight words of the dual code as parity checks is defined. This algorithm is able to correct beyond the half minimum distance and has the capability of including soft-decision decoding. Results on applying this algorithm to quadratic residue (QR) codes, BCH codes, and the Golay codes (with and without soft-decision decoding) are presented.
Multiple oscillatory rhythms determine the temporal organization of perception

Significance To reduce the complexity of our sensory environment, the perceptual system discretizes information in different ways. In the time domain, this is evident when stimuli that are presented very close in time are sometimes faithfully perceived as different entities, whereas they are integrated into a single event at other times. Using multivariate decoding of electroencephalography data, we show that integration and segregation of stimuli over different time scales (a few tens vs. a few hundreds of milliseconds) do not rely on a single sampling rhythm; instead, they depend on the phase of prestimulus oscillations at different frequency bands in right posterior-parietal channels. These findings suggest the existence of a specific mapping between oscillations and temporal windows in perception. Incoming sensory input is condensed by our perceptual system to optimally represent and store information. In the temporal domain, this process has been described in terms of temporal windows (TWs) of integration/segregation, in which the phase of ongoing neural oscillations determines whether two stimuli are integrated into a single percept or segregated into separate events. However, TWs can vary substantially, raising the question of whether different TWs map onto unique oscillations or, rather, reflect a single, general fluctuation in cortical excitability (e.g., in the alpha band). We used multivariate decoding of electroencephalography (EEG) data to investigate perception of stimuli that either repeated in the same location (two-flash fusion) or moved in space (apparent motion). By manipulating the interstimulus interval (ISI), we created bistable stimuli that caused subjects to perceive either integration (fusion/apparent motion) or segregation (two unrelated flashes). Training a classifier searchlight on the whole channels/frequencies/times space, we found that the perceptual outcome (integration vs. segregation) could be reliably decoded from the phase of prestimulus oscillations in right parieto-occipital channels. The highest decoding accuracy for the two-flash fusion task (ISI = 40 ms) was evident in the phase of alpha oscillations (8–10 Hz), while the highest decoding accuracy for the apparent motion task (ISI = 120 ms) was evident in the phase of theta oscillations (6–7 Hz). These results reveal a precise relationship between specific TW durations and specific oscillations. Such oscillations at different frequencies may provide a hierarchical framework for the temporal organization of perception.
The dangers of heparin flushes

Heparin is undoubtedly a useful medicine in the battle against ill-health. However, besides being used for prophylaxis, heparin is also widely used to flush intravenous peripheral and central lines in an attempt to keep them patent. There is evidence to suggest that heparin flushes are a serious risk to patients without providing any commensurate benefits. For example, at a London hospital, vials containing several doses of the medicine were on two separate occasions administered in their entirety to two different patients. This resulted in the patients receiving 25 000 IU of heparin rather than the intended dose of 5000 IU and requiring medical intervention to remedy the situation. Fortunately neither incident resulted in any long-term harmful effects. However, on another occasion this same error in the same hospital “resulted in death from cerebral haemorrhage”. 1 More recently in the UK, four young patients were admitted to an acute trust’s day bed unit to undergo diagnostic tests. As young children do not tolerate invasive procedures very well when awake, the tests were to be carried out under general anaesthesia. As part of the procedure the consultant paediatric anaesthetist was to administer a heparin flush. However, owing to human error and systems failures, each child was inadvertently administered 25 000 IU of heparin—that is, a dose 500 times greater than that which had been intended. None of the children involved in these incidents were reported to have experienced any lasting effects. However, the seriousness …
The Effectiveness of Short- and Long-Term Psychodynamic Group Psychotherapy on Self-Concept: Three Years Follow-Up of a Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract We compared differences in self-concept change across three years after short-(STG) and long-term (LTG) psychodynamic group psychotherapy, in a mixed sample of outpatients. Self-concept was assessed at baseline and three years later, using the Structural Analysis of Social Behavior Questionnaire. Vector scores Affiliation and Autonomy were primary, and the eight cluster scores–self-free, self-affirm, self-love, self-protect, self-control, self-blame, self-attack, and self-neglect–were secondary outcome measures. Within group univariate analyses showed change in LTG across three years on the vector scores Affiliation and Autonomy, while STG only changed on Autonomy. Comparisons between STG and LTG demonstrated a significantly larger improvement in Affiliation in LTG than in STG. This difference was explained by a higher improvement in the cluster scores of self-blame, self-attack, and self-neglect in LTG, dimensions that weight negatively on the Affiliation score. Patients with more serious self-neglect and harsh, punitive self-attack/self-blame may profit more in long-term than in short-term groups.
The Natural History of Chronic Actinic Dermatitis: An Analysis at a Single Institution in the United States

BackgroundChronic actinic dermatitis is a photosensitivity disorder with scant epidemiologic data. Case series in Europe have previously shown that improvement or resolution of chronic actinic dermatitis occurs over time in most patients. However, the natural history of chronic actinic dermatitis in patients in the United States has not been studied. ObjectiveTo study the natural history of chronic actinic dermatitis in patients in the United States. MethodsWe performed a retrospective chart review and telephone questionnaire after a 3- to 19-year follow-up period. ResultsOf 20 patients with chronic actinic dermatitis, 7 patients (35%) experienced resolution and an additional 11 patients (55%) experienced improvement of their photosensitivity to sunlight during the follow-up period. The proportion of patients experiencing improvement or resolution of their chronic actinic dermatitis increased at 5, 10, and 15 years after diagnosis. ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that abnormal photosensitivity to sunlight in chronic actinic dermatitis improves or resolves over time in most patients in New York. The rates of improvement or resolution in our patients in New York are similar to the rates in case series in Europe despite likely patient demographic differences.