Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improvements in the split-window technique for land surface temperature determination

Land surface temperature (LST) retrievals obtained from NOAA Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) are of considerable importance for climatic research. However, the accurate evaluation of LST from space has been severely limited because of the difficulty in separating atmospheric from surface effects as the surface cannot be modeled as a black-body radiator. With this goal in mind, a novel extension of the split-window technique is presented in which the atmospheric contribution to the radiance measured by the satellite is investigated by the ratioing of covariance and variance of the brightness temperatures measured in channels 4 and 5 of AVHRR/2. Furthermore, the contribution of emissivity is evaluated from coefficients that depend on the spectral emissivities in both thermal channels. Using a wide range of simulations from an atmospheric radiative transfer model it is shown that the proposed algorithm provides an estimate of LST, to within 0.4 K if the spectral surface emissivity is known, which is better than that given by the currently used split-window algorithms for LST determination. Also the limitations on algorithm accuracy are discussed considering different values of noise equivalent temperature. Finally the authors present the preliminary results obtained using the proposed method from AVHRR data over a semi-arid region-of Northwestern Victoria in Australia provided by CSIRO, and a mountainous region of Northeast of France acquired in the frame of Regio Klimat Projekt. >
Oral contraceptives and non-contraceptive oestrogens in the risk of gallstone disease requiring surgery.

STUDY OBJECTIVE--The aim was to investigate the relationship between oral contraceptives, non-contraceptive oestrogens, and the risk of gallstone disease requiring surgery. DESIGN--This was a hospital based case-control study carried out between 1987 and 1990. Main outcome measures were frequency of consumption of oral contraceptives and non-contraceptive oestrogens, and the corresponding multivariate relative risk estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CI) in relation to various measures of use of the preparations. SETTING--A network including major teaching and general hospitals in the greater Milan area, northern Italy. SUBJECTS--Subjects were 235 women with gallstones requiring surgery and 538 controls admitted for acute diseases, other than digestive or hormonal diseases or those potentially influencing the use of female hormone preparations. MAIN RESULTS--For oral contraceptives, the relative risk for ever use was 0.8 with 95% CI 0.4 to 1.5. With reference to duration of use, the multivariate relative risk was 1.0 for less than two and 0.5 for two or more years of use. The relative risk was 1.7 (95% CI 0.6 to 4.7) in women who had last used the pill less than five years before diagnosis, but declined to 0.4 (95% CI 0.2 to 1.0) in those who had stopped more than five years before. With reference to oestrogen replacement treatment, the relative risk for ever use was 1.9 (95% CI 1.0 to 3.1). The relative risk, however, was not related to duration of use, since it was 1.8 for less than two and 1.5 for two or more years of use. Relative risk was higher for women who had last used non-contraceptive oestrogens 10 or more years before diagnosis (2.4) than for shorter periods since last use (1.3). CONCLUSIONS--On a clinical and public health scale, oral contraceptives and non-contraceptive oestrogens are unlikely to have an important influence in the aetiology of gallbladder disease.
Hypoglycemic effect of Rhizophora mucronata in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Abstract Rhizophora mucronata, plant of Mangroove family, found on the coastal region of India and used in treatment of various diseases. Different parts of plants are used in treatment of diabetes as folkloric medicine. The present study was designed to evaluate the hypoglycemic effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of R. mucronata. Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats were treated with RME (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) and glibenclamide (0.5 mg/kg). Blood glucose levels were evaluated for the acute and sub-acute studies and body weight of rats were also monitored. All the treatments showed the highly significant (p<0.01) hypoglycemic effect in both the acute and the sub-acute studies. RME and glibenclamide treated rats were maintained the body weight during the study period while as the body weight of diabetic rats had gone down. The result of this study scientifically proved the hypoglycemic folkloric use of leaves of R. mucronata in treatment of diabetes.
Commentary on Carr, Goranson, and Drummond (2014)

In this issue of the Journal of Threat Assessment and Management, Carr, Goranson, and Drummond draw (2014, pp. 4–22) attention to an important problem, namely, the stalking of mental health professionals (MHPs), and discuss some important issues related to management of this problem. I discuss 2 areas in need of further dialogue that arise from the discussion provided by Carr et al. (2014). The first issue is the need to expand our thinking about management from a focus on individual strategies to a focus on coordinated management plans. The second issue is the need for training institutions and professional associations to play a greater role in preparing MHPs to deal with what is clearly a known occupational hazard—stalking victimization.
Hyperlactatemia and the Outcome of Type 2 Diabetic Patients Suffering Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background. Increased lactate production is frequent in unregulated/complicated diabetes mellitus. Methods. Three groups, each consisting of 40 patients (type 2 diabetics with myocardial infarction, DM+AMI, nondiabetics suffering myocardial infarction, MI, and diabetics with no apparent cardiovascular pathology, DM group), were tested for pH, serum bicarbonate and electrolytes, blood lactate, and CK-MB. Results. Blood lactate levels were markedly higher in AMI+DM compared to MI group (4.54 ± 1.44 versus 3.19 ± 1.005 mmol/L, p < 0.05); they correlated with the incidence of heart failure (ρ = 0.66), cardiac rhythm disorders (ρ = 0.54), oxygen saturation (ρ = 0.72), CK-MB levels (ρ = 0.62), and poor short-term outcome. Lactic acidosis in DM+AMI group was not always related to lethal outcome. Discussion. The lactate cutoff value associated with grave prognosis depends on the specific disease. While some authors proposed cutoff values ranging from 0.76 to 4 mmol/L, others argued that only occurrence of lactic acidosis may be truly predictive of lethal outcome. Conclusion. Both defective glucose metabolism and low tissue oxygenation may contribute to the lactate production in diabetic patients with acute myocardial infarction; high lactate levels indicate increased risk for poor outcome in this population comparing to nondiabetic patients. The rise in blood lactate concentration in diabetics with AMI was associated with increased incidence of heart failure, severe arrhythmias, cardiogenic shock, and high mortality rate.
2. Lipid profile and nutritional evaluation of shrimps

The aim of this review is to present the shrimps (wild and cultured) lipid composition (focusing on the presence of lipid classes commonly found in shrimps) and carotenoids, as well as the PUFA/SFA, ω-3/ω-6 and EPA/DHA fatty acid ratios, in order to evaluate their fat nutritional value. Furthermore, certain aspects of the structures of natural phospholipids in the above mentioned organisms will also be reported.
Learning and memory for hierarchical relationships in the monkey: effects of aging.

Young and aged rhesus monkeys were tested on 2 versions of a transitive inference task measuring learning and memory for hierarchical relationships. Animals initially acquired 4 object discrimination problems arranged such that the relationship between the stimuli followed the hierarchy A > B > C > D > E. The second version of the task was similar but involved a series of 7 objects. Learning and memory for the hierarchical relationships were evaluated during probe trials in which novel pairs of nonadjacent items (e.g., B and D) were presented for a response. Standard task accuracy measures failed to distinguish young and aged subjects at any point in training. In contrast, response latency effects that are indicative of relational information processing in young monkeys were entirely absent in aged subjects. The findings highlight the value of a relational memory framework for establishing a detailed neuropsychological account of cognitive aging in the monkey.
Anal incontinence after vaginal delivery: a prospective study in primiparous women

Sir, We read with interest the recent article by Zetterstrom et al. (Vol 106, April 1999)’ which showed that infrequent voluntary flatus is a common symptom after vaginal delivery in primiparous women. The prevalence of anal incontinence for gas or feces appears to be more common than previously appreciated and represents an embarrassing social problem. Obstetric trauma is by far the most common cause of anal incontinence in women. The relationship between first childbirth and obstetric trauma is strong, but additional pregnancies and deliveries are aggravating factors as well as ageing and hormonal effects of the menopause. Recent reports showed that a new fecal incontinence and involuntary flatus are the immediate consequences of childbirth after vaginal delivery in primiand multiparous women’-’. These studies have questioned the need for further investigations on the duration of these symptoms. Between January 1998 and December 1998, 287 women (187 primipaxae and mulitparae, and 100 nulliparae) were questioned by one of the authors more than five years after vaginal delivery using a standard questionnaire about anal incontinence for flatus, liquid and solid stool. The questionnaires involved further detailed information on all previous childbirth, medical history, symptoms of urinary incontinence and questions on sexual behaviour. More than five years after childbirth, 20 women (10%) in the primiparae and multiparae groups were incontinent of flatus, but none of the nulliparae had such symptoms (P < 0.05). Twenty-seven women (14.4%) reported having fecal urgency and/or liquid stool since their first delivery, compared with three women (3%) in the nulliparous group (P c 0.05). Dyspareunia was reported by 15 women (7.5%) after vaginal delivery and only by one woman without childbirth (P < 0.05). Urinary incontinence of the first to second degree was reported by 82 women (40%) in the parous group and by 14 women (28%) in the nulliparous group. The majority of women reported the onset of symptoms after the initial delivery. We conclude that years after childbirth incontinence for feces (incontinence of the second to third degree) is rare, but incontinence for flatus and infrequent symptoms are common. The majority of women did not volunteer symptoms of altered anal incontinence at postnatal examination, because they thought the symptoms would eventually improve. Therefore obstetricians and midwives need to be aware of the importance of the problem and focus on potential aspects of reducing obstetric trauma (selective episiotomy, training of staff in perianal anatomy and repair). For all these reasons, we think that obstetricians should ask specifically about urinary and anal incontinence (silent affliction) as one important part of prevention in health care. Regardless of symptoms of anal and/or urinary incontinence, pelvic floor exercises are recommended in pregnancy, puerperium and later on in life.
Attitudes of Belgian Students of Medicine, Philosophy, and Law Toward Euthanasia and the Conditions for Its Acceptance

Euthanasia is legal in Belgium if due care criteria are met, which is judged by committees including physicians, ethicists, and jurists. We examined whether students in these disciplines differ in how they judge euthanasia as an acceptable act. A cross-sectional, anonymous e-mail survey revealed that they have similar attitudes and accept its legalization. Therefore, joint decision-making of physicians, ethicists, and lawyers regarding euthanasia seems to have a common attitudinal base in Belgium. However, they differ to some extent regarding the conditions they put forward for euthanasia being acceptable. Philosophy of life (religion) was an independent predictor of these attitudes.
Parental Attributions for the Behavior Problems of Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Objective: The authors examined parental attributions for child behavior problems in 63 married couples of children and adolescents (aged 3–20 years) with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Both child-referent attributions (i.e., beliefs about causes related to the child or adolescent) and parent-referent attributions (i.e., beliefs about causes related to the parent) were examined along the dimensions of locus, stability, and controllability. Parent and child/adolescent factors related to parental attributions were identified, and the associations between parental attributions and parenting burden were explored. Method: Mothers and fathers independently completed self-reported measures of parental attributions, parenting burden, and child behavior problems. Couples jointly reported on their son or daughter’s severity of autism symptoms, intellectual disability status, age, and gender. Results: Parents tended to attribute the behavior problems of their child/adolescent with an ASD to characteristics that were not only internal to and stable in the child/adolescent but also controllable by the child/adolescent. Mothers were more likely to attribute their son or daughter’s behavior problems to characteristics that were less internal to and less stable in the child/adolescent with an ASD than were fathers. In addition, parents with a higher level of symptoms of the broader autism phenotype, parents of younger children, and parents of children/adolescents with intellectual disability, a higher severity of autism symptoms, and a higher severity of overall behavior problems were more likely to attribute their son or daughter’s behavior problems to characteristics that were more internal to and stable in the child/adolescent and factors that were less controllable by the child/adolescent. Parental attributions were related to parents’ level of parenting burden. Implications: Findings have implications for designing appropriate interventions and services for families of children and adolescents with ASDs.
Evaluating the Psychometric Properties of a Scale to Measure Medical Students' Career‐related Values

Purpose To develop and validate a survey instrument to measure medical students' career-related values. Method A literature review yielded seven content domains that consistently correlated with medical students' career choices: biosocial orientation, bioscientific orientation, academic interest, prestige, income, desire to avoid role strain, and desire for role support. Item pools for the content domains were developed by examining previously published questionnaires and research and by interviewing health professionals, medical students, and premedical students. The instrument was tested in two phases. In phase 1, a 96-item questionnaire was mailed to all 847 students at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine. Results were submitted to item analysis and exploratory factor analysis. Construct validity of the questionnaire was assessed by (1) seeing if the seven scales correlated to one another in expected directions, (2) correlating students' survey responses with their self-reported interests in primary care, surgery, or radiology, and (3) seeing if anticipated sex differences were realized across the seven content domains. In phase 2, a random subgroup of 134 students was sent the final 46-item instrument twice to determine its short-term test—retest reliability. Results In phase 1, 670 students (79.2%) returned usable questionnaires. Seven scales corresponding to the content domains emerged from factor analyses. Cumulatively, they accounted for 43.9% of the variance in students' responses, and their internal consistency coefficients ranged from . 71 to . 87. All scales correlated with one another in the directions expected and, with two exceptions, at highly significant levels. High scores on bioscientific orientation, prestige, and income scales correlated positively with students' interest in surgery or radiology careers, but correlated negatively with their interest in primary care. High scores on biosocial orientation and avoid role strain scales correlated positively with students' interest in primary care, but correlated negatively with students' interest in surgery or radiology. Women had higher scores than did men on biosocial orientation, avoid role strain, and role support scales and lower scores on bioscientific orientation, academic interest, prestige, and income. Of these, all but the difference in role support scores were highly significant. In phase 2, 89 students (66%) returned questionnaires. Test—retest reliability for the seven scales ranged from . 83 to . 92. Conclusions The seven scales pertaining to students' career-related values collectively demonstrated high internal consistency, short-term test—retest reliability, and evidence of construct validity. If predictive validity can be demonstrated in future research, the scales could have important applications for researchers, guidance counselors, and students, and they might also be useful to administrators who wish to identify students interested in primary care earlier in the students' training.
Process and Outcomes of School Nurse Case Management for Students With Asthma

There have been many studies that have examined the impact of school-based asthma programs on students with asthma. However, most studies do not provide adequate elaboration on the components of the program. Therefore, replication of these programs is difficult. This study examines the process of school nurse case management, which includes the development of individualized goals and the provision of specific interventions. The process is then linked to several outcomes (parent perception, quality of life, and academic success). The study demonstrates the complexity of case management provided by school nurses and how goal attainment is related to the outcomes. The study supports policy recommendations that advocate for the importance of professional school nurses in improving the health and well-being of students with asthma.
Impaired effects of interleukin-1 beta on fever and thermogenesis in genetically obese rats.

Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) is an endogenous peptide which induced fever (1.8 degrees C rise in colonic temperature) when injected interacerebroventricularly (i.c.v., 80ng human recombinant IL-1 beta) into conscious lean rats. IL-1 beta also stimulated resting oxygen consumption (VO2) by 38 percent, in vitro thermogenic activity (mitochondrial GDP binding) of brown adipose tissue (BAT) by almost two-fold, and blood flow to brown fat (assessed from the distribution of radiolabelled microspheres) by nine-fold in lean animals. Genetically obese Zucker rats showed only small increases in temperature (0.5 degrees C), VO2 (15 percent) and blood flow to BAT (less than two-fold), and no change in GDP binding, but exhibited normal thermogenic responses to i.c. v. injection of corticotrophin releasing factor (GRF). The results indicate that the obese Zucker is insensitive to the central effects of interleukin; this may explain the reduced febrile responses to endotoxin which have previously been reported.
An inside look into the factors contributing to medication errors in the clinical nursing practice

Background: Medication errors constitute a considerable concern for the patients and healthcare professionals. Therefore, in recent years there have been remarkable efforts through research papers to assess the etiology of medication errors. Aim: To review the current literature related to the individual and the organizational factors that contribute to the occurrence of medication errors in the clinical nursing practice. Method and material: A combination of various search terms: medication errors, contributing/etiologic/risk factors, nurses and nursing was used to search through the Pubmed database. For the involvement of an article in the existing review, specific inclusion criteria were set such as published in English the period between January 1990-December 2012. Results: A total of 13 original research articles were included. The contributing factors to the occurrence of medication errors in clinical nursing practice include and system related subcategories. Two tables are provided. The first outlines the basic features of the research articles that were included in this review and the second one portrays the frequent (top 5) contributing factors to medication errors, placed according to their type and significance. Study’s findings suggest that both individual and organizational factors are major determinants of medication errors. Conclusion: Medication errors by nurses are a type of patient malpractice, where the identification of contributing factors is vital. Since both categories of causality (individual and health system related) of medication errors contribute the same to their occurrence, consequently their address and resolution are of critical importance.
On necessary conditions for stability of interconnected iISS systems

This paper investigates necessary conditions for stability of nonlinear systems made of feedback interconnection of two iISS subsystems. The integral input-to-state stability (iISS) is a dissipative property which includes the input-to-state stability (ISS) as a special case. It is proved that at least one subsystem needs to be ISS for global asymptotic stability of the feedback loop when two subsystems are not completely specified and only their supply rates are available. In contrast, the situation where ODEs describing subsystems are available does not exclude pairs of subsystems which are only iISS. This paper further investigates necessary conditions for global asymptotic stability, and proves that the nonlinear small-gain condition is necessary in the case of unspecified iISS subsystems described with supply rates. When one of the two subsystems is given as a specific ODE, the nonlinear small-gain condition is no longer necessary, while the linear small-gain condition is necessary in the case of linear systems. For nonlinear systems, the necessity recovers only if the supply rate fits the known subsystem tightly in the shape as well as the magnitude