Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of precipitation size distributions in km‐scale NWP simulations of intense precipitation: evaluation of cloud properties and surface precipitation

We investigate the sensitivity of simulated cloud properties and surface precipitation to assumptions regarding the size distributions of the precipitating hydrometeors in a one‐moment bulk microphysics scheme. Three sensitivity experiments were applied to two composites of 15 convective and 15 frontal stratiform intense precipitation events observed in a coastal midlatitude region (Belgium), which were evaluated against satellite‐retrieved cloud properties and radar‐rain‐gauge derived surface precipitation. It is found that the cloud optical thickness distribution was well captured by all experiments, although a significant underestimation of cloudiness occurred in the convective composite. The cloud‐top‐pressure distribution was improved most by more realistic snow size distributions (including a temperature‐dependent intercept parameter and non‐spherical snow for the calculation of the slope parameter), due to increased snow depositional growth at high altitudes. Surface precipitation was far less sensitive to whether graupel or hail was chosen as the rimed ice species, as compared to previous idealized experiments. This smaller difference in sensitivity could be explained by the stronger updraught velocities and higher freezing levels in the idealized experiments compared to typical coastal midlatitude environmental conditions. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Palliative Care Training in Cardiology Fellowship: A National Survey of the Fellows

Objectives: To address perspectives of cardiology fellows on the current state of palliative education and palliative and hospice resource utilization within their fellowship experiences. Methods: We conducted an online national survey of cardiology fellows during the 2015 to 2016 academic year. Survey questions aimed to assess perceived importance of palliative care education, level of palliative care education during fellowship, and the structure of palliative care support at respondent institutions. Responses were collected anonymously. A total of 519 programs, including subspecialty programs, were contacted. Results: We received 365 responses, a number that represents roughly 14% of all cardiology fellows nationwide during the 2015 to 2016 academic year. Fellows reported discordance in the quality of education between general cardiology and palliative care principles as it relates to care of the patient approaching the end of life. Fellows infrequently received explicit training nor were observed or mentored in delivering end-of-life discussions. Respondents reported an underutilization of palliative care and hospice resources during fellowship training and also a perception that attending faculty were not routinely addressing goals of care. Conclusions: Our survey results highlight a need for enhanced palliative care and end-of-life training experiences for cardiology fellows and also suggest underutilization of hospice and palliative care resources for patients with advanced cardiac diseases. These findings create a platform for future work that might: (1) confirm this training deficit, (2) lead to exploration of educational models that could reconcile this deficit, and (3) potentially help improve palliative care support for patients and families facing advanced heart disease.
The Mechanics of Injury to Isolated Protoplasts following Osmotic Contraction and Expansion.

Micro-osmotic manipulation was used to determine the influence of osmotic contraction on the expansion potential of individual protoplasts isolated from rye (Secale cereale L. cv Puma) leaves. For protoplasts isolated from leaves of nonacclimated plants (NA protoplasts), osmotic contraction in sufficiently hypertonic solutions (>1.53 osmolal) predisposed the protoplasts to lysis during osmotic expansion when they were returned to isotonic conditions (0.53 osmolal). In contrast, for protoplasts isolated from leaves of cold acclimated plants (ACC protoplasts), osmotic contraction in either 2.6 or 4.0 osmolal solutions was readily reversible. Following osmotic contraction, the resting tension (gamma(r)) of NA protoplasts was similar to that determined for protoplasts in isotonic solutions (i.e. 110 +/- 22 micronewtons per meter). In contrast, gamma(r) of ACC protoplasts decreased from 164 +/- 27 micronewtons per meter in isotonic solutions to values close to zero in hypertonic solutions. Following expansion in hypotonic solutions, gamma(r)'s of both NA and ACC protoplasts were similar for area expansions over the range of 1.3 to 1.6. Following osmotic contraction and reexpansion of NA protoplasts, hysteresis was observed in the relationship between gamma(r) and surface area-with higher values of gamma(r) at a given surface area. In contrast, no hysteresis was observed in this relationship for ACC protoplasts. Direct measurements of plasma membrane tension (gamma) during osmotic expansion of NA protoplasts from hypertonic solutions (1.53 osmolal) revealed that gamma increased rapidly after small increments in surface area, and lysis occurred over a range of 1.2 to 8 millinewtons per meter. During osmotic expansion of ACC protoplasts from hypertonic solutions (2.6 osmolal), there was little increase in gamma until after the isotonic surface area was exceeded. These results are discussed in relation to the differences in the behavior of the plasma membrane of NA and ACC protoplasts during osmotic contraction (i.e. endocytotic vesiculation versus exocytotic extrusion) and provide a mechanistic interpretation to account for the differential sensitivity of NA and ACC protoplasts to osmotic expansion from hypertonic solutions.
From Continuous Improvement to Collaborative Improvement: Scope, Scale, Skill and Social Networking in Collaborative Improvement

More than ever, companies are challenged to improve their performance and respond quickly and accurately to changes within the market. As competitive battlefield is moving towards the level of networks of organisations, the individual firm is an inadequate entity for identifying improvements. Therefore the concept of continuous improvement must be applied and used in inter-organisational settings, leading to the concept of collaborative improvement. However the process of applying and transferring CI to inter-organisational settings is fraught with intra- and inter-organisational change issues and working practices. For companies to be able to effectively manage and organise the process of collaborative improvement knowledge and understanding on the process itself is needed.
Acute effects of vibration on digital circulatory function in healthy men.

OBJECTIVES--To investigate the local and central pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the acute effects of unilateral vibration on the digital circulation of healthy men. METHODS--Finger blood flow (FBF) and finger skin temperature (FST) in thermoneutral conditions, and the percentage change in finger systolic pressure (FSP%) after local cooling from 30 to 10 degrees C were measured in the fingers of both hands in eight men (aged 23-47 years) who were not occupationally exposed to hand transmitted vibration. The right hand was exposed for 30 minutes to sinusoidal vibration with a frequency of 125 Hz and an acceleration of 87.5 m.s-2 rms (root mean square). A control condition consisted of exposure to static load only (10 N) without vibration. The measures of digital circulation were taken before exposure to vibration and static load and at 0, 30, 60, and 90 minutes after the end of each exposure. RESULTS--Exposure to static load caused no significant changes in FBF, FST, or FSP% in either the test right or the control left finger. Immediately after vibration exposure, there was a temporary increase in FBF in the vibrated right finger, whereas the non-vibrated left finger showed no vasodilation. In both the vibrated and non-vibrated fingers, FBF and FST were significantly reduced during the recovery time. A large variability between subjects was found for FBF and, to a lesser extent, for FST. In the vibrated right hand the decrease in FBF was significantly related to cold induced vaso-constriction in the digital vessels. Such a relation was not found in the non-vibrated left hand. CONCLUSIONS--The results of this investigation suggest that acute vibration can disturb the function of digital vessels through two different and opposite mechanisms. Vibration seems to produce local vasodilation and to trigger a central sympathetic reflex vasoconstriction that can be recorded in the ipsilateral and the contralateral finger to vibration. Both local and central vasoconstrictor mechanisms are likely to be involved in the responsiveness to cold found in the digital vessels of a vibrated finger.
Hybrid Therapy as First‐Line Regimen for Helicobacter pylori Eradication in Populations with High Antibiotic Resistance Rates

Hybrid therapy has recently attracted widespread attention. However, many issues require further exploration. For example, research in regions with high antibiotic resistance rates is limited, and the correlation between eradication efficacy and antibiotic resistance remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy, compliance, safety, and risk factors of hybrid therapy as first‐line regimen in a region with high antibiotic resistance rates.
POST‐TRAUMATIC HYPOTHALAMIC OBESITY—AN AUTOPSY CASE— †

A 45‐year‐old housewife sustained a blow to the occipital region In a traffic accident about 2 years and 3 months prior to death. Autopsy revealed lesions of softening in the hypothalamus, left thalamus, frontal lobe (especially on the left), and base of the left temporal lobe. Following the head trauma, a marked Increase of appetite was noted, with obesity, hypogonadism, and mild elevation of temperature. No diabetes insipidus was noted whatsoever. Based on data from physical and pathological examination, the relationship between function and morphology in the human hypothalamus was discussed.
Comparison of intrarenal renin‐angiotensin system activity in diabetic versus non‐diabetic patients with overt proteinuria

The intrarenal renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) has been reported to be activated in chronic proteinuria patients. This study aimed to compare intrarenal RAS activity between diabetic nephropathy (DN) and non‐diabetic nephropathy (NDN) patients with overt proteinuria.
SLEEP LOGS OF YOUNG ADULTS WITH SELF-SELECTED SLEEP TIMES PREDICT THE DIM LIGHT MELATONIN ONSET

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a sleep log parameter could be used to estimate the circadian phase of normal, healthy, young adults who sleep at their normal times, and thus naturally have day-to-day variability in their times of sleep. Thus, we did not impose any restrictions on the sleep schedules of our subjects (n=26). For 14 d, they completed daily sleep logs that were verified with wrist activity monitors. On day 14, salivary melatonin was sampled every 30 min in dim light from 19:00 to 07:30h to determine the dim light melatonin onset (DLMO). Daily sleep parameters (onset, midpoint, and wake) were taken from sleep logs and averaged over the last 5, 7, and 14 d before determination of the DLMO. The mean DLMO was 22:48±01:30 h. Sleep onset and wake time averaged over the last 5 d were 01:44±01:41 and 08:44±01:26 h, respectively. The DLMO was significantly correlated with sleep onset, midpoint, and wake time, but was most strongly correlated with the mean midpoint of sleep from the last 5 d (r=0.89). The DLMO predicted using the mean midpoint of sleep from the last 5 d was within 1 h of the DLMO determined from salivary melatonin for 92% of the subjects; in no case did the difference exceed 1.5 h. The correlation between the DLMO and the score on the morningness–eveningness questionnaire was significant but comparatively weak (r=−0.48). We conclude that the circadian phase of normal, healthy day-active young adults can be accurately predicted using sleep times recorded on sleep logs (and verified by actigraphy), even when the sleep schedules are irregular.
Specificity of Intersubunit General Anesthetic-binding Sites in the Transmembrane Domain of the Human α1β3γ2 γ-Aminobutyric Acid Type A (GABAA) Receptor*♦

Background: General anesthetics of diverse chemical structure potentiate GABAA receptors by binding to unknown sites. Results: A photoreactive barbiturate identifies intersubunit-binding sites distinct from, but homologous to, sites identified by photoreactive etomidate analogs. Conclusion: Propofol, barbiturates, and etomidate analogs bind with variable selectivities to two classes of sites. Significance: This study helps define the diversity of GABAA receptor general anesthetic-binding sites. GABA type A receptors (GABAAR), the brain's major inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors, are the targets for many general anesthetics, including volatile anesthetics, etomidate, propofol, and barbiturates. How such structurally diverse agents can act similarly as positive allosteric modulators of GABAARs remains unclear. Previously, photoreactive etomidate analogs identified two equivalent anesthetic-binding sites in the transmembrane domain at the β+-α− subunit interfaces, which also contain the GABA-binding sites in the extracellular domain. Here, we used R-[3H]5-allyl-1-methyl-5-(m-trifluoromethyl-diazirynylphenyl) barbituric acid (R-mTFD-MPAB), a potent stereospecific barbiturate anesthetic, to photolabel expressed human α1β3γ2 GABAARs. Protein microsequencing revealed that R-[3H]mTFD-MPAB did not photolabel the etomidate sites at the β+-α− subunit interfaces. Instead, it photolabeled sites at the α+-β− and γ+-β− subunit interfaces in the transmembrane domain. On the (+)-side, α1M3 was labeled at Ala-291 and Tyr-294 and γ2M3 at Ser-301, and on the (−)-side, β3M1 was labeled at Met-227. These residues, like those in the etomidate site, are located at subunit interfaces near the synaptic side of the transmembrane domain. The selectivity of R-etomidate for the β+-α− interface relative to the α+-β−/γ+-β− interfaces was >100-fold, whereas that of R-mTFD-MPAB for its sites was >50-fold. Each ligand could enhance photoincorporation of the other, demonstrating allosteric interactions between the sites. The structural heterogeneity of barbiturate, etomidate, and propofol derivatives is accommodated by varying selectivities for these two classes of sites. We hypothesize that binding at any of these homologous intersubunit sites is sufficient for anesthetic action and that this explains to some degree the puzzling structural heterogeneity of anesthetics.
Twin pregnancy in a tertiary referral unit--analysis of trends in the 1990s

Introduction In the United Kingdom the incidence of twin pregnancy has increased in recent years from 10 per 1000 in 1982 to 13·6 per 1000 in 1995 (Office of National Statistics 1995a). The increasing usage of ovulation induction and in vitro fertilisation has accounted principally for this increase. The incidence has increased particularly in older women (Office of National Statistics 1995b). A similar trend has been seen in the United States, with twins accounting for 1·8% of live births in 1971, 2·3% in 1990 and 2·7% in 1997 (Kiely, 1999). This study aims to assess trends in twin pregnancy in terms of prevalence, maternal age, parity, mode of delivery and gestation at delivery.
Aberrant brain activation during a response inhibition task in adolescent eating disorder subtypes.

OBJECTIVE Behavioral and personality characteristics associated with excessive inhibition and disinhibition are observed in patients with eating disorders, but neural correlates of inhibitory control have not been examined in adolescents with these disorders. METHOD Thirteen female adolescents with binge eating and purging behaviors (i.e., bulimia nervosa or anorexia nervosa, binge eating/purging type);14 with anorexia nervosa, restricting type; and 13 healthy comparison subjects performed a rapid, jittered event-related go/no-go task. Functional magnetic resonance images were collected using a 3 Tesla GE scanner and a spiral pulse sequence. A whole-brain three-group analysis of variance in SPM5 was used to identify significant activation associated with the main effect of group for the comparison of correct no-go versus go trials. The mean activation in these clusters was extracted for further comparisons in SPSS. RESULTS The binge eating/purging group showed significantly greater activation than the healthy comparison group in the bilateral precentral gyri, anterior cingulate cortex, and middle and superior temporal gyri as well as greater activation relative to both comparison and restricting type anorexia subjects in the hypothalamus and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Within-group analysis found that only the restricting type anorexia group showed a positive correlation between the percent correct on no-go trials and activation in posterior visual and inferior parietal cortex regions. CONCLUSIONS The present study provides preliminary evidence that during adolescence, eating disorder subtypes may be distinguishable in terms of neural correlates of inhibitory control. This distinction is consistent with differences in behavioral impulsivity in these patient groups.
Suicide amongst Irish Migrants in Britain: A Review of the Identity and Integration Hypothesis

Background: Studies have consistently reported higher rates of suicide amongst Irish migrants in Britain than in the population as a whole. Leavey offers a hypothetical model to explain such rates that incorporates lack of social cohesion and integration meshed with the inability to establish an authentic identity and other contributory factors. Material: Systematic review methodologies are used to examine the central tenets of this explanatory framework. Some of the macro-level ecological associations in the model are critically evaluated in the context of findings from the 1991 Census and government social and household panel surveys. Discussion: The evidence base suggests that statements on social isolation and reluctance to use health care services are questionable and Irish migration is shown to be much more heterogeneous than the model suggests. Only small positive, and as yet unreplicated, associations have been established between identity and health behaviour in a non-representative sample and evidence is lacking of Irish stoicism and anti-Irish racism as putative risk factors. Epidemiological studies show that adjusting suicide rates for social class explains virtually none of the excess in Irish migrants, although higher risks for unmarried persons are reported. Explanations in the literature for higher rates of migrant suicide are discussed. Conclusions: Studies based on individual-level analysis and record linkage are urgently needed to explain the high rates.
Insulin stimulates binding of phosphofructokinase to cytoskeleton and increases glucose 1,6-bisphosphate levels in NIH-3T3 fibroblasts, which is prevented by calmodulin antagonists.

We report here a novel mechanism of insulin action in cultures of NIH-3T3 fibroblasts. Our experiments revealed that in these cells, insulin induced a rapid and transient increase in cytoskeleton-bound phosphofructokinase (EC 2.7.1.11), the rate-limiting enzyme in glycolysis, with a corresponding decrease in soluble (cytosolic) activity. Insulin also induced a slower increase in the levels of glucose 1,6-bisphosphate, the potent activator of cytosolic glycolysis. Both the rapid and the slower stimulatory actions of insulin were prevented by treatment with structurally different calmodulin antagonists, which strongly suggest that calmodulin is involved in these effects of insulin. The present and our previous experiments in muscle suggest that rapid, Ca2+-calmodulin-mediated increase in the binding of glycolytic enzymes to cytoskeleton, as well as the slower increase in glucose 1,6-bisphosphate, may be a general mechanism, in different cells, in signal transduction of insulin.
The efficacy of hyaluronic acid in postextraction sockets of impacted third molars: A pilot study

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of local hyaluronic acid (HA) administration to surgically remove impacted third molar sockets and measure pain, swelling, and trismus. Materials and Methods: The study included a total of 25 healthy patients aged 18-29 years with asymptomatic bilaterally impacted lower third molars. All cases have been performed under local anesthesia. In the study group, 0.8% HA (Gengigel®) was applied in the postextraction sockets of the right third molars and in the control group nothing was applied to the extraction sockets of the left third molars. Postoperative pain, trismus, and swelling were evaluated on the 1st, 3rd, and 7th postoperative days. Results: No difference was determined between groups in facial swelling and maximum mouth opening. However, the amount of pain significantly reduced in HA groups according to visual analog scale (P = 0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that HA can produce an analgesic action in postextraction sockets after surgical removal of impacted teeth and therefore it has a clinical benefit to reduce usage of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs after dentoalveolar surgery.
SE Brazil

The geochemical composition of sediment pore water was investigated in comparison with the composition of sediment particles and surface water in an estuary within one of the most industrialized areas in Latin America (Santos-Cubatão estuarine system, SE Brazil). Pore and surface waters presented anomalously high levels of F −, NH4+, Fe, Mn and P due to two industrial point sources. In the summer, when SO4/ Cl − ratios suggested an enhanced sulfate reduction, the higher dissolved levels observed in pore waters for some metals (e.g., Cu and Ni) were attributed to reductive dissolution of oxidized phases. Results evidenced that the risks of surface water concentration increase due to diffusion or advection from pore water are probably dependent on coupled influences of tidal pumping and groundwater inputs.
Antioxidant activity and chemical composition of Juniperus excelsa ssp. polycarpos wood extracts

Abstract Extracts from the wood of Juniperus excelsa ssp. polycarpos were analysed for their antioxidant activity using the DPPH method and compared with ascorbic acid and butylated hydroxytoluene. The most active extracts were analysed for their chemical composition using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Acetone extract was found to be moderately active as an antioxidant agent at 58.38%, which was lower than the value of vitamin C (98.56%) at the concentration of 14.20 mg/mL. The major components identified in the acetone extract as trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatives were pimaric acid TMS (24.56%), followed by α-d-glucopyranoside,1,3,4,6-tetrakis-O-(TMS)-β-d-fructofuranosyl 2,3,4,6-tetrakis-O-(TMS) (21.39%), triflouromethyl-bis-(TMS)methyl ketone (9.32%), and cedrol (0.72%). The dissolved water:methanol (1:1 v/v) partitioned from acetone extract afforded 12 fractions; among them, the F9 fraction was found to have good antioxidant activity (88.49%) at the concentration of 14.20 mg/mL. The major compounds identified in F9 fraction were α-d-glucopyranoside, 1,3,4,6-tetrakis-O-(TMS) (20.22%) and trifluoromethyl-bis-(TMS)methyl ketone (5.10%).