Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A fast algorithm for the estimation of the equivalent hydraulic conductivity of heterogeneous media

Fast upscaling of hydraulic conductivity is a recurrent problem in modeling flow through heterogeneous porous media. We propose a new renormalization technique. It is based on the iterative application of the Cardwell and Parsons [1945] bounds on elementary groups of cells. The combination of the bounds with a heuristic formula allows anisotropy to be taken into account. The new technique is tested and compared with other fast techniques. Among the tested techniques the two most reliable ones are the tensorial renormalization and the new simplified renormalization. The numerical efficiency of the simplified renormalization leads us to recommend it when a diagonal tensor of equivalent conductivity is sufficient.
Low salivary cortisol and persistent aggression in boys referred for disruptive behavior.

BACKGROUND Persistent antisocial behavior in adulthood is often preceded by childhood-onset aggressive conduct disorder. Aggressive syndromes in both children and adults have previously been associated with abnormalities in peripheral responses to stress. One peripheral measure, salivary cortisol concentration, may reflect individual differences in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis that underlie propensities for aggression, socialization, and adaptation to stress. METHODS The relationship between salivary cortisol levels and aggression was tested in 38 clinic-referred school-aged boys. Persistent aggression was measured by collecting disruptive behavior disorder symptoms in 4 annual clinical evaluations and peer nominations of aggression in the first 2 annual evaluations. Salivary cortisol levels were measured during years 2 and 4 of the study. RESULTS Low cortisol levels were associated with persistence and early onset of aggression, particularly when measures of cortisol concentrations were pooled. Boys with low cortisol concentrations at both time points exhibited triple the number of aggressive symptoms and were named as most aggressive by peers 3 times as often as boys who had higher cortisol concentrations at either sampling time. CONCLUSIONS This suggests that low hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity is a correlate of severe and persistent aggression in male children and adolescents. A restricted (low) range of cortisol variability may be more indicative of persistent aggression than a low concentration of cortisol at any single point in time.
Biology without information.

Over these last few years once again the relationship between biology and information has been debated with great liveliness. The crucial points concern the meaning of the term 'information' and whether the so-called 'information talk' is really necessary inside biology. In what follows, I will proceed by first commenting on some points of the debate (§ 2), then showing that a bio-physical account of the process from the nucleotide sequences to the correlated amino acid sequences is possible (§ 3). In this way, I will suggest that a satisfying account of that process can be offered without entering the quicksand of information. With reference to the debate, it is worth emphasising that I place myself in the faction, just to quote some paradigmatic examples, of Sarkar (1996), Manher and Bunge (1997), Kitcher (2001), but also of Chargaff (1963), that is, in the faction of those who deny, even if starting from different presuppositions, any real philosophical and explicative value to the notion of information in contemporary molecular genetics. In particular, Sarkar (1996) points out that there is a sort of aut-aut. Aut we return to the old notion of specificity described in terms of new physics, i.e., Quantum Mechanics (but Sarkar [2000] seems to confess that he has no idea about what to do); aut we must look for a new account of information. In § 3, I will argue for the first horn of the disjunction and therefore against the second one. Meanwhile I will show how Quantum Mechanics is really relevant. It should be noted I sustain neither that the notion of information had no relevant historical and sociological role in the genesis of molecular genetics, nor that it has no didactical value in teaching molecular genetics. I simply claim that now to speak in terms of information is no longer necessary, though everyone should be free to follows the path he prefers, especially if it is consistent, unambiguous, and well argued.
Carbon Sequestration and Soil Aggregation in Center-Pivot Irrigated and Dryland Cultivated Farming Systems

Although irrigation is considered a benefi ciary management for increasing soil organic C (SOC) stocks in (semi)arid environments, our understanding of the impact of irrigation on soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics in the fi eld remains limited. We investigated the effect of irrigation on soil C storage in relation to soil aggregation by measuring C stocks of bulk soil and different aggreagate fractions in the top 20-cm layer of center-pivot irrigated vs. dryland farming systems in semiarid southwestern Nebraska. The irrigated fi elds (IRR) showed increased C inputs and larger SOC stocks than the dryland cultivated fi elds (DRY). Fractionation of bulk soil samples into non-microaggregate-associated particulate organic matter (free POM) and microaggregate-associated POM, silt, and clay fractions indicated that the larger bulk SOC stock under IRR was explained solely by an increase in microaggregate-associated C storage Wet sieving of bulk soil showed that microaggregation was remarkably low under DRY and did not increase under IRR, suggesting that the protection of microaggregates inside macroaggregates was no prerequisite for C sequestration under IRR. The results of this study confi rm the potential of irrigation to increase soil C stocks through preferential sequestration of C inside microaggregates, but question our understanding of the mechanisms underlying this preferential sequestration. Abbreviations: cPOM, coarse particulate organic matter (>250 µm); DRY, dryland cultivated treatment; iPOM, intramicroaggregate particulate organic matter; IRR, center-pivot irrigated treatment; mClay, microaggregate-associated clay fraction; micro-C, microaggregate-associated C; mSilt, microaggregateassociated silt fraction; NV, native vegetation; POM, particulate organic matter; SOC, soil organic carbon; SOM, soil organic matter; TOC, total organic carbon.
Evidence-Based Interventions in Fall Prevention

SUMMARY Falls and fall-related injuries, prevalent among older adults, not only have devastating consequences for older adults in terms of morbidity and mortality, but are also associated with high health care costs. Studies have found that multifactorial intervention strategies can effectively prevent and/or reduce falls among older adults. The purpose of this article is to describe evidence-based intervention strategies for community-dwelling older adults. Fall prevention efforts are clearly an important area of health promotion and injury prevention, and evidence presented in this article provides support for effective intervention strategies. Home health care professionals can play a significant role in such intervention strategies. However, further research is needed to clarify which groups will benefit most from specific intervention programs.
Experimental Investigations on Carrier Transport in Si Nanowire Transistors: Ballistic Efficiency and Apparent Mobility

As devices continue scaling down into nanometer regime, carrier transport becomes critically important. In this paper, experimental studies on the carrier transport in gate-all-around (GAA) silicon nanowire transistors (SNWTs) are reported, demonstrating their great potential as an alternative device structure for near-ballistic transport from top-down approach. Both ballistic efficiency and apparent mobility were characterized. A modified experimental extraction methodology for SNWTs is adopted, which takes into account the impact of temperature dependence of parasitic source resistance in SNWTs. The highest ballistic efficiency at room temperature is observed in sub-40-nm n-channel SNWTs due to their quasi-1-D carrier transport. The apparent mobility of GAA SNWTs are also extracted, showing their close proximity to the ballistic limit as shrinking the gate length, which can be explained by Shur's model. The physical understanding of the apparent mobility in SNWTs is also discussed using flux's scattering matrix method.
Architectionis, somatotopic organization, and ipsilateral cortical connections of the primary motor area (M1) of owl monkeys

The ipsilateral cortical connections of primary motor cortex (M1) of owl monkeys were revealed by injecting WGA‐HRP and fluorescent tracers into M1 sites identified by intracortical microstimulation. In some of the same animals, the extent and somatotopic organization of M1 was determined by making detailed microstimulation movement maps and relating the results to cortical architectonics. Thus, delineation of M1 was based on a combination of physiological and anatomical characteristics. M1 comprised most, but not all, of the cortex rostral to area 3a where movements were evoked at low levels of current (40 μA or less). Analysis of somatotopic patterns and architectonics placed some of the low‐threshold sites in a ventral premotor field (PMV) and the dorsomedially situated supplementary motor area (SMA). Movements were also reliably elicited from a dorsal premotor area (PMD) at higher currents. M1 was characterized by a somatotopic global organization, representing hindlimb, trunk, forelimb, and face movements in a mediolateral sequence, and a mosaic local organization, with a given movement typically represented at several different sites. Architectionically, M1 was characterized by the absence of a granular layer IV and the presence of very large layer V pyramidal cells. However, M1 was not uniform in structure: pyramidal cells were larger caudally than rostrally, a feature we used to distinguish caudal (M1c) and rostral (M1r) subdivisions of the area. M1 resembles Brodmann's area 4, although the rostral subdivision has probably been considered as part of area 6 by some workers. Tracer injections of M1 revealed somatotopically distributed connections with motor areas PMD, PMV, and SMA, as well as in somatosensory areas 3a, 1, 2, and S2. Weaker connections were with area 3b, posterior parietal cortex, the parietal ventral area (PV), and cingulate cortex. M1r and M1c differed connectionally as well as architectonically, M1c being connected primarily with somatosensory areas, while M1r was strongly connected with both non‐primary motor cortex and somatosensory cortex. These results indicate that M1 interacts directly with at least three non‐primary motor areas and at least six somatosensory areas.
Applications of a tight-binding total-energy method for transition and noble metals: Elastic constants, vacancies, and surfaces of monatomic metals.

A recent tight-binding scheme provides a method for extending the results of first principles calculations to regimes involving $10^2 - 10^3$ atoms in a unit cell. The method uses an analytic set of two-center, non-orthogonal tight-binding parameters, on-site terms which change with the local environment, and no pair potential. The free parameters in this method are chosen to simultaneously fit band structures and total energies from a set of first-principles calculations for monatomic fcc and bcc crystals. To check the accuracy of this method we evaluate structural energy differences, elastic constants, vacancy formation energies, and surface energies, comparing to first-principles calculations and experiment. In most cases there is good agreement between this theory and experiment. We present a detailed account of the method, a complete set of tight-binding parameters, and results for twenty-nine of the alkaline earth, transition and noble metals.
Reformulation of Current Recommendations for Target Serum Lithium Concentration According to Clinical Indication, Age and Physical Comorbidity

Background: There have been significant changes in the nature of psychiatric patient populations and patterns of drug prescribing in mood disorders since serum lithium monitoring was introduced. It seems opportune to review current guidelines for target lithium concentration given the decline in lithium monotherapy and increase in the numbers of older people and those with comorbid physical disease administered lithium. Method: A review was made of the literature of lithium monitoring and target serum concentration in mood disorders, older people, and comorbid physical illness. Results: Current guidelines, which generally recommend a target serum concentration of 0.5/0.6 to 1.1/1.2 mmol/L, have a number of limitations. A target lithium level of > 0.8 mmol/L is inappropriate given poor tolerability, and adequate efficacy when combination lithium-antipsychotic therapy is used at this or lower levels. Guidelines have largely failed to match specific clinical indications to serum levels, and to consider comorbid physical illness factors known to be associated with lithium toxicity. Conclusion: For most patients, a target serum lithium concentration range of 0.5–0.8 mmol/L, varying according to clinical indication, age and concurrent physical status, seems most appropriate in enhancing efficacy and minimizing adverse effects. The lower end of this range (0.5–0.6 mmol/L) is recommended for patients 50 years and over; those with diabetes insipidus, renal impairment or thyroid dysfunction; those administered diuretics, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)/COX-2 inhibitors; and in the prophylaxis of bipolar depression and management of acute unipolar depression. The higher end of this range (0.7–0.8 mmol/L) is recommended in the management of acute mania and prophylaxis of mania.
Multicarrier modulation for data transmission: an idea whose time has come

The general technique of parallel transmission on many carriers, called multicarrier modulation (MCM), is explained. The performance that can be achieved on an undistorted channel and algorithms for achieving that performance are discussed. Ways of dealing with channel impairments and of improving the performance through coding are described, and implementation methods are considered. Duplex operation of MCM and the possible use of this on the general switched telephone network are examined. <<ETX>>
Comparison of lidocaine, lidocaine-morphine, lidocaine-tramadol or bupivacaine for neural blockade of the brachial plexus in fat-tailed lambs.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the onset time and duration of action of lidocaine, lidocaine-morphine, lidocaine-tramadol or bupivacaine for a neural blockade of the brachial plexus in fat-tailed lambs. STUDY DESIGN Prospective, randomized, crossover, experimental study. ANIMALS Seven healthy female fat-tailed Ghezel lambs weighing 27.0 ± 2.2 kg (mean ± SD). METHODS Each lamb was administered four treatments for brachial plexus block (BPB): lidocaine 2% (5 mg kg(-1)) (LID), lidocaine 2% combined with morphine (0.1 mg kg(-1)) (LIDMO), lidocaine 2% combined with tramadol (1 mg kg(-1)) (LIDTR) or bupivacaine 0.5% (1.25 mg kg(-1)) (BUP), for a total treatment volume of 0.25 mL kg(-1). The brachial plexus was located with a peripheral nerve stimulator, and the treatment volume was injected in increments. Treatments were randomized and separated by at least 7 days. Onset and duration of a sensory block of the distal thoracic limb were evaluated using superficial and deep pin pricks and pinching of the skin with haemostatic forceps. RESULTS The mean duration of sensory block was 100 ± 38 minutes in LID, 103 ± 35 minutes in LIDMO, 79 ± 28 minutes in LIDTR, and 335 ± 134 minutes in BUP. The mean duration of sensory and motor blocks in BUP were significantly longer compared with other treatments (p < 0.05). No clinical signs of local anaesthetic toxicity were noticed, and the rectal temperature did not differ significantly from baseline values in any treatments. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The addition of morphine or tramadol to lidocaine did not affect the duration of antinociception of lidocaine for brachial plexus block in fat-tailed lambs. Administration of bupivacaine provided a prolonged duration of action without obvious adverse effects.
Handling the Dilemma of Self-Determination and Dementia: A Study of Case Managers’ Discursive Strategies in Assessment Meetings

In assessment meetings concerning care services for people with dementia, Swedish case managers face a dilemma. On the one hand, according to the law, the right to self-determination of every adult citizen must be respected, but on the other hand cognitive disabilities make it difficult to fulfill obligations of being a full-fledged citizen. In this article, we examine 15 assessment meetings to identify discursive strategies used by case managers to handle this dilemma. We also examine how these affect the participation of persons with dementia, and indicate implications of our study for social work practice and research.
Skeletal Muscle Atrophy, a Link between Depression of Protein Synthesis and Increase in Degradation*

Both proteolysis-inducing factor (PIF) and angiotensin II have been shown to produce a depression in protein synthesis in murine myotubes concomitant with an increased phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2α). Both PIF and angiotensin II were shown to induce autophosphorylation of the RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR), and an inhibitor of this enzyme completely attenuated the depression in protein synthesis and prevented the induction of eIF2α phosphorylation. The PKR inhibitor also completely attenuated the increase in protein degradation induced by PIF and angiotensin II and prevented the increase in proteasome expression and activity. To confirm these results myotubes were transfected with plasmids that express either wild-type PKR, or a catalytically inactive PKR variant, PKRΔ6. Myotubes expressing PKRΔ6 showed no increase in eIF2α phosphorylation in response to PIF or angiotensin II, no depression in protein synthesis, and no increase in protein degradation or increase in proteasome expression. Induction of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway by PIF and angiotensin II has been linked to activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Inhibition of PKR prevented nuclear migration of NF-κB in response to both PIF and angiotensin II, by preventing degradation of the inhibitor protein I-κB. Phosphorylation of PKR and eIF2α was also significantly increased in the gastrocnemius muscle of weight losing mice bearing the MAC16 tumor, suggesting that a similar process may be operative in cancer cachexia. These results provide a link between the depression of protein synthesis in skeletal muscle and the increase in protein degradation.
Supportive Care Needs of Women With Gynecologic Cancer

Gynecologic cancers often place a heavy emotional and physical burden on patients. However, there is a lack of information about the types of supportive care needs that these patients have, the services that are available, and whether patients want help with their needs. The aims of this cross-sectional, descriptive study were to (1) identify the supportive care needs (physical, emotional, social, spiritual, psychological, informational, and practical) of women with gynecologic cancer who attended a comprehensive, outpatient cancer center in Ontario, Canada, and (2) determine if patients wanted assistance in meeting those needs. A total of 103 patients participated in this study by completing a self-report questionnaire. Sixty-five of the women were no longer on treatment at the time of completing the survey. Eight of the top 10 most frequently reported needs were nonphysical, such as fears about the cancer returning or spreading. The data indicated that a range of needs remained unmet for this patient group. However, identifying the presence of a need did not necessarily mean that a patient wanted to have assistance with the need. Suggestions for practice and future research are offered to assist healthcare professionals in providing care to these patients.
A controlled study on the effect of beta-glucan-rich oat bran on serum lipids in hypercholesterolemic subjects: relation to apolipoprotein E phenotype.

The effects of beta-glucan-rich oat bran on serum lipids and lipoproteins were examined in a randomized 8-week study. After a 4-week run-in phase, subjects with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia [serum total cholesterol (TC) 5.5-8.5 mmol/l] on cholesterol-lowering diets were randomly allocated to an oat bran (10.3 g beta-glucan/day) or wheat bran group. Thirty-six subjects (20 in the oat bran group, 16 in the wheat bran group) completed the study. The diet was identical in both groups during the trial and no significant changes in body weight were found. Serum TC and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) significantly declined in the oat bran group during the first 4 weeks from 7.03 +/- 0.81 to 6.72 +/- 0.97 (p = 0.028) and from 4.90 +/- 0.69 to 4.61 +/- 0.89 mmol/l (p = 0.038), respectively, but at 8 weeks the values were not significantly different from baseline. Changes in serum TC were mainly confined to those who ate at least two-thirds of the planned daily dose of oat bran. In wheat bran group no changes were observed in serum TC or LDL-C levels. Apolipoprotein A1 and B did not change significantly in either group. Only subjects with apolipoprotein E 3/3 phenotype (n = 12) had hypocholesterolemic response to oat bran at 4 weeks, but no change was found in those with apolipoprotein E 4/4 or 4/3 (n = 7). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Expectation, Disappointment, and Exit: Evidence on Reference Point Formation from an Online Marketplace

We study disappointment and platform exit among new bidders in an online auction marketplace. In particular, we study a hybrid auction format with a “Buy-It-Now” option, which, when executed, will abruptly end the auction and cancel any standing bids. When this happens, if the formerly leading bidder is new to the platform, then they are 6 percentage points more likely to exit the marketplace for every additional day they spent in the lead. This is rationalized by disappointment-averse bidders with outside options and rational expectations about the likelihood of winning. Our explanation is validated by three ancillary predictions: when expectations are lowered by higher competing bids, there is no effect; sensitivity of exit is declining in prior experience; and, for bidders who do not exit, time in the lead during the first experience predicts a subsequent preference for fixed-price, rather than auction, listings.
Correlative analysis of social support with anxiety and depression in men undergoing in vitro fertilization embryo transfer for the first time

Objective To explore the correlation between the level of social support and the extent of anxiety and depression in Chinese men undergoing in vitro fertilization embryo transfer (IVF-ET) for the first time, in order to provide a basis for male mental health counselling. Methods Self-administered questionnaires covering general health status, anxiety (self-rating anxiety scale), depression (self-rating depression scale) and social support (social support rating scale) were completed by men undergoing their first round of IVF-ET. Results A total of 502 completed questionnaires were considered valid and were analysed. The anxiety, depression and social support scores for men undergoing their first round of IVF-ET were significantly higher than those for Chinese normative data. Social support was inversely correlated with anxiety and depression. Conclusions These findings suggest that health care professionals should provide specific psychological counselling to Chinese men undergoing their first round of IVF-ET, in order to improve their psychological health and to facilitate increased levels of social support.