Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatial Analysis of High-Resolution Radar Rainfall and Citizen-Reported Flash Flood Data in Ultra-Urban New York City

New York City (NYC) is an ultra-urban region, with over 50% impervious cover and buried stream channels. Traditional flood studies rely on the presence of stream gages to detect flood stage and discharge, but these methods cannot be used in ultra-urban areas. Here we create a high-resolution radar rainfall dataset for NYC and utilize citizen and expert reports of flooding throughout the city to study flash flooding in NYC. Results indicate that interactions between the urban area and land–sea boundary have an important impact on the spatial variability of both heavy rainfall and flooding, sometimes in contrast to results obtained for other cities. Top days of daily and hourly rainfall exhibit a rainfall maximum over the city center and an extended region of higher rainfall downwind of the city. The mechanism for flooding appears to vary across the city, with high groundwater tables influencing more coastal areas and high rain rates or large rain volumes influencing more inland areas. There is also a strong relationship between sewer type and flood frequency, with fewer floods observed in combined sewer areas. Flooding is driven by maximum one-hour to one-day rainfall, which is often substantially less rain than observed for the city-wide daily maximum.
Risk of bleeding in patients undergoing percutaneous endoscopic gastrotrostomy (PEG) tube insertion under antiplatelet therapy: a systematic review with a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM Patients undergoing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement often are under antiplatelet therapy with a potential thromboembolic risk if these medications are discontinued. This systematic review aims to assess if maintaining aspirin and/or clopidogrel treatment increases the risk of bleeding following PEG placement. METHODS A systematic search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and SCOPUS databases was developed for studies investigating the risk of bleeding in patients on antiplatelet therapy undergoing PEG tube insertion. Summary estimates, including 95 % confidence intervals (CI), were calculated. A fixed or random effects model was used depending on heterogeneity (I2). Publication bias risks were assessed by means of funnel plot analysis. RESULTS Eleven studies with a total of 6,233 patients (among whom 3,665 were undergoing antiplatelet treatment), met the inclusion criteria and were included in the quantitative summary.Any PEG tube placement-related bleeding was found in 2.67 % (95 % CI 1.66 %, 3.91 %) of the entire population and in 2.7 % (95 % CI 1.5 %, 4.1 %) of patients not receiving antiplatelet therapy. Pooled relative risk (RR) for bleeding in patients under aspirin, when compared to controls, was 1.43 (95 % CI 0.89, 2.29; I2 = 0 %); pooled RR for clopidogrel was 1.21 (95 % CI 0.48, 3.04; I2 = 0 %) and for dual antiplatelet therapy, 2.13; (95 % CI 0.77,5.91; I2 = 47 %). No significant publication bias was evident for the different medications analyzed. CONCLUSION Antiplatelet therapy was safe among patients undergoing PEG tube insertion. Future prospective and randomized studies with larger sample sizes are required to confirm the results of this study.
Sexual Orientation and Personality

Abstract The relation between sexual orientation and personality was examined in a meta-analysis with a total sample of 2,724 heterosexual men, 799 gay men, 157 bisexual men, 5,053 heterosexual women, 697 lesbian women, and 317 bisexual women. Self-ascribed masculinity-femininity (Self-M-F) and gender-related interests showed the largest heterosexual-homosexual differences (respective ds = .60 and 1.28 for men, and −1.28 and −1.46 for women) and the largest sex differences (respective ds = 2.83 and 2.65). Instrumentality and expressiveness showed much smaller heterosexual-homosexual and sex differences. Big Five traits showed a number of small-to-moderate heterosexual-homosexual and sex differences. Bisexual men were much more like gay men than like heterosexual men in their Self-M-F and gender-related interests, whereas bisexual women were intermediate between lesbian and heterosexual women. Homosexual participants were more variable on some gender-related traits than same-sex heterosexuals were. The gender inversion hypothesis—that gay men's traits tend to be somewhat feminized and that lesbians' traits tend to be somewhat masculinized—received considerable support. Results are discussed in terms of biological and psychosocial theories of gender and sexual orientation.
Response-specific slowing in older age revealed through differential stimulus and response effects on P300 latency and reaction time

ABSTRACT Older age produces numerous changes in cognitive processes, including slowing in the rate of mental processing speed. There has been controversy over the past three decades about whether this slowing is generalized or process-specific. A growing literature indicates that it is process-specific and suggests it is most dramatic at the interface where a stimulus input is translated into a response output. We tested this hypothesis using a task in which young and older adult males made either compatible or incompatible responses to the word LEFT or RIGHT shown briefly and variously located in a 4 row × 6 column matrix surrounded by # signs or by letters chosen randomly from the sets A-G or A-Z. Processing speed was measured using P300 latency and reaction time. Experimental effects on these two measures provided support for the hypothesis in revealing that stimulus identification processes were preserved, whereas processes related to translating a stimulus input into a designated response output and then selecting that response were compromised in the elderly.
Protective effects of ginsenoside Rb 2 on myocardial ischemia in vivo and in vitro

Ginsenoside Rb2 is one of the major active components of Panax ginseng. There is little research about cardioprotective effect of ginsenoside Rb2. The aim of this study was to explore the cardioprotective effects of ginsenoside Rb2 on animal model of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury in vivo and H2O2-induced stress in H9c2 cells in vitro. Pretreatment with ginsenoside Rb2 (10 and 20 mg/kg) could significantly improve cardiac function, remarkably decrease infarct size from 29.84% to 17.34%, decrease the activities of CK-MB, LDH, and AST in serum. Meanwhile, ginsenoside Rb2 (10 and 20 mg/kg) significantly increased the activities of SOD, CAT and GSH-PX, and decreased the level of MDA in tissue (P < 0.05). Histopathological results demonstrated the protective effect of ginsenoside Rb2. Furthermore, the anti-apoptotic effect of ginsenoside Rb2 was confirmed by the results of TUNEL staining. Western blot analysis demonstrated that ginsenoside Rb2 up-regulated levels of Bcl-2, Procaspase-3, -9 expression and down-regulated level of Bax expression. In vitro, pretreatment with ginsenoside Rb2 (1, 3 and 10 μg/mL) prior to H2O2 exposure could increase cell viability of H9c2 cells. Pretreatment with ginsenoside Rb2 (1, 3 and 10 μg/mL) also increased the activity of SOD, and decreased the level of LDH in the cultured supernatant and the MDA level in H9c2 cells. These results indicated that ginsenoside Rb2 had cardioprotective effects both in vivo and in vitro. The mechanisms involved may be attributed to the scavenging of oxidative stress products, increasing the concentration of antioxidant defense enzymes and inhibiting cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
Peer review improves psychometric characteristics of multiple choice questions

Abstract Purpose: For new and emerging medical schools, developing a system to peer-review and evaluate the assessment processes through faculty development programs can be a challenge. This study evaluates the impact of peer-review practices on item analysis, reliability, and the standard error of measurement of multiple-choice questions for summative final examinations. Methods: This study used a retrospective cohort design of two consecutive academic years in 2012 and in 2013. Psychometric analyses of multiple-choice questions of three summative final examinations in Medicine, Pediatrics, and Surgery for sixth year medical students at the College of Medicine Taif University were used. Formal peer review of multiple-choice questions began in 2013, using guidelines from the National Board of Medical Examiners. Psychometric analyses of multiple-choice questions included item analysis (item difficulty and item discrimination) and calculation of internal-consistency reliability and the standard error of measurement. Data analyses were conducted using Stata. Results: Results showed significant improvement in psychometric indices, particularly item discrimination and reliability by . 14 and . 12 points, respectively, following the implementation of the peer review process across the three exams. Item difficulty remained unchanged for Pediatrics and Surgery. Conclusion: Peer-review practices of multiple-choice questions using guidelines can lead to improved psychometric characteristics of items; these findings have implications for faculty development programs in improving item quality, particularly for medical schools in early stages of transforming assessment practices.
Prognostic evaluation of patients undergoing living-donor liver transplant by APACHE II and MELD scores.

OBJECTIVES We hypothesized that the combination of APACHE II and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease systems would work satisfactorily in patients admitted to intensive care unit after living-donor liver transplant. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data were retrospectively collected from the database of our surgical team. The study included 38 patients (hepatitis B virus cirrhosis, 47.4%; hepatocellular carcinoma, 28.9%; other diseases, 23.7%). Laboratory values were obtained. Vital signs, Glasgow Coma scale scores, and urine output were abstracted. Variables included age, sex, acute physiology score, APACHE II score, APACHE II-predicted intensive care unit and hospital mortality, predicted length of intensive care unit, and hospital stay. Patients' actual length of intensive care unit and hospital stays, intensive care unit and hospital discharge status, and discharge location were recorded. Standardized mortality ratios were calculated. Discrimination and calibration of APACHE II were assessed. All patients were divided into 3 groups: Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score: >25, 18 to 25, and <18. Predicted hospital mortality was calculated and compared. RESULTS Mean APACHE II scores of survivors and non-survivors were 13.03 and 23.67. Mean risk of death was 7.05% and 25.07%. APACHE II scores and risk of death between survivors and non-survivors was significantly different (P <.001). The cutoff value of APACHE II score and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score in the receiving operating characteristic curve was 20 and 25. Patients with APACHE II scores greater than 20 or Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores greater than 25 had higher predicted hospital mortality after living-donor liver transplant. CONCLUSIONS The modified APACHE II model provides an accurate prognosis of patients receiving a living-donor liver transplant. The combined application of Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score and APACHE II score can improve the predictive accuracy.
High-Performance Pentacene Thin-Film Transistors Fabricated by Printing Technology

A high-performance bottom-contact pentacene thin-film transistor (TFT) is realized with its channel and electrodes fabricated by a simple printing process. By applying reverse offset printing of a nanosilver paste ink to the source/drain electrodes and organic vapor-jet printing to the thin pentacene layer, TFTs with a channel length of 20 μm are realized in a precise yet relatively simple fashion. The oxide formed during the processing of the silver ink is shown to help reduce the injection barrier between the source and pentacene, making it possible to realize high-performance bottom-contact TFTs without special treatment for the electrodes.
From tumor lymphangiogenesis to lymphvascular niche

Metastasis in sentinel lymph nodes indicates the initial spread of tumors from a primary site. The recent discovery of tumor‐associated growth of lymphatic vessels clarified that tumor lymphangiogenesis actively promotes enhanced draining/sentinel lymph node metastasis. Studies of experimental carcinogenesis have further established that tumors continue to induce lymphangiogenesis in metastatic foci such as draining lymph nodes. Lymphangiogenesis within draining lymph nodes probably contributes to enhanced distant lymph node and distant organ metastases. Lymph node lymphangiogenesis has recently been identified in several human malignancies, such as cutaneous malignant melanoma. Tumor‐associated lymphangiogenesis thus has potential significance not only at the primary site, but also in lymph nodes. Primary tumors induce new lymphatic vessel growth in draining lymph nodes before metastasis. The remarkable enlargement of sinusoidal lymphatic endothelium might facilitate tumor cell transport to the lymph nodes, and potentially contribute to the migration, residence, and/or survival of metastatic tumor cancer stem cells by inducing a specific tumor microenvironment. Therefore, the novel concept of ‘lymphvascular niche’ is proposed herein to explain lymphatic network expansion. This concept might help to improve understanding of the molecular mechanism of lymph node metastasis, and change therapeutic approaches to treating cancer metastasis. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 983–989)
Dynamic Spectrum C 0-Access ( DSCA ) With Dirty Paper ( DPC ) For Cognitive Radio Networks

In the current architecture of dynamic spectrum access, which is also known as opportunistic spectrum access, secondary user can only access the spectrum when there is no existence of primary carrier. The resurgence of primary user compels the secondary user to vacate the spectrum so that communication of primary user shall not be disturbed. Eventually, this disrupts the secondary user results the poor Quality of Service. In this thesis, architecture for dynamic spectrum access, termed as Dynamic Spectrum Co-Access (DSCA) is developed, to enable the primary user and the secondary user to simultaneously access licensed spectrum. With DSCA, secondary users transparently incentivize primary users through increasing the primary user performance, so that secondary users can access spectrum simultaneously with primary users. This is realized by using the special pre coding techniques called Dirty Paper Coding (DPC) to preserve signal over the interference. For that, a mathematical model is formulated to determine the minimum incentives for the spectrum co-access, computational analysis of region of co-access is done to determine where the secondary users that can co-access with a given primary user.
Evolutionary Learning of Goal-Driven Multi-agent Communication

MULTI-AGENT systems are a common paradigm for building distributed systems in different domains such as networking, health care, swarm sensing, robotics, and transportation. Systems are usually designed or adjusted in order to reflect the performance trade-offs made according to the characteristics of the mission requirement. Research has acknowledged the crucial role that communication plays in solving many performance problems. Conversely, research efforts that address communication decisions are usually designed and evaluated with respect to a single predetermined performance goal. This work introduces Goal-Driven Communication, where communication in a multi-agent system is determined according to flexible performance goals. This work proposes an evolutionary approach that, given a performance goal, produces a communication strategy that can improve a multi-agent system's performance with respect to the desired goal. The evolved strategy determines what, when, and to whom the agents communicate. The proposed approach further enables tuning the trade-off between the performance goal and communication cost, to produce a strategy that achieves a good balance between the two objectives, according the system designer's needs.
Induction of proliferation and apoptotic cell death via P2Y and P2X receptors, respectively, in rat glomerular mesangial cells.

BACKGROUND Cell surface receptors for adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP; P2 receptors) have been subdivided into two families: ligand-gated ion channels (P2X1-7) and G-protein-coupled (P2Y1-8) receptors. We investigated the potential role of P2 receptors on rat glomerular mesangial cells. METHODS To investigate cell proliferation, DNA synthesis was assayed by measuring [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA. For detecting apoptosis, morphological features, DNA fragmentation, and exposure of phosphatidylserine on the outside surface of the cell membrane were investigated. Expression of mRNA and distribution of receptors were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, respectively. RESULTS ATP triggered a dose-dependent increase in DNA synthesis. This response was also induced by uridine triphosphate (UTP), an agonist equipotent with ATP at P2Y2 and P2Y4 receptors; both P2Y2 and P2Y4 mRNA are expressed in glomerular mesangial cells and isolated glomeruli. In contrast, the P2X7 receptor agonist 2'-83'-O-(4-benzoyl benzoyl) ATP (BzATP) caused a decrease in cell number. BzATP produced DNA cleavage and exposure of phosphatidylserine on the outside of the cell membrane. P2X7 receptors were distributed heterogeneously in unstimulated cells. The expression of P2X7 mRNA was maintained at a low level, but was induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha. CONCLUSIONS Stimulation of glomerular mesangial cells via P2Y2 and/or P2Y4 and via P2X7 receptors can induce proliferation and apoptotic cell death, respectively. The balance between proliferation and apoptosis will depend on the relative stimulation and expression of these P2 receptor subtypes, and could play an important role in normal and abnormal glomerular function.
Labile Zinc and Zinc Transporter ZnT4 in Mast Cell Granules: Role in Regulation of Caspase Activation and NF-κB Translocation1

The granules of mast cells and other inflammatory cells are known to be rich in zinc (Zn), a potent caspase inhibitor. The functions of granular Zn, its mechanism of uptake, and its relationship to caspase activation in apoptosis are unclear. The granules of a variety of mast cell types fluoresced intensely with the Zn-specific fluorophore Zinquin, and fluorescence was quenched by functional depletion of Zn using a membrane-permeable Zn chelator N, N, N′, N′-tetrakis (2-pyridyl-methyl)ethylenediamine (TPEN). Zn levels were also depleted by various mast cell activators, including IgE/anti-IgE, and Zn was rapidly replenished during subsequent culture, suggesting an active uptake mechanism. In support of the latter, mast cells contained high levels of the vesicular Zn transporter ZnT4, especially in the more apical granules. Immunofluorescence and immunogold labeling studies revealed significant pools of procaspase-3 and -4 in mast cell granules and their release during degranulation. Functional depletion of Zn by chelation with TPEN, but not by degranulation, resulted in greatly increased susceptibility of mast cells to toxin-induced caspase activation, as detected using a fluorogenic substrate assay. Release of caspases during degranulation was accompanied by a decreased susceptibility to toxins. Zn depletion by chelation, but not by degranulation, also resulted in nuclear translocation of the antiapoptotic, proinflammatory transcription factor NF-κB. These findings implicate a role for ZnT4 in mast cell Zn homeostasis and suggest that granule pools of Zn may be distinct from those regulating activation of procaspase-3 and NF-κB.
Aspheric Micro-monovision LASIK in Correction of Presbyopia and Myopic Astigmatism: Early Clinical Outcomes in a Chinese Population.

PURPOSE To analyze early clinical outcomes of aspheric micro-monovision LASIK for correction of presbyopia and myopia with or without astigmatism. METHODS Prospective, non-comparative case series of 80 eyes of 40 patients with a mean age of 43.4 ± 4.9 years (range: 38 to 63 years) treated bilaterally using an aspheric micro-monovision protocol. The target refraction was plano for the distance eye and between -0.75 and -2.25 diopters (D) for the near eye. Visual acuity, ocular aberrations, contrast sensitivity, corneal topography, amplitude of accommodation, binocular sensorial function, and satisfaction score questionnaires were evaluated at 3 months after surgery. RESULTS Three months after surgery, the mean spherical equivalent (SE) refraction in the distance eye was -0.08 ± 0.27 D, whereas the attempted and achieved SE in the near eye were -1.41 ± 0.28 and -1.32 ± 0.35 D, respectively. Ninety-three percent of eyes were within ±0.50 D of target correction of SE. The uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) after surgery was -0.10 ± 0.06 logMAR (20/15.5), 0.22 ± 0.12 logMAR (20/34), and -0.11 ± 0.06 logMAR (20/15), for distance eyes, near eyes, and binocularly, respectively. Ninety-five percent of patients achieved simultaneously uncorrected distance visual acuity 0.0 logMAR (20/20) or better and uncorrected near visual acuity J2 (20/25) or better. Stability was achieved from 1 week of follow-up. The overall satisfaction score for surgery was 92 ± 6. CONCLUSIONS The aspheric micro-monovision protocol provided a well-tolerated and effective means for treating myopic astigmatism and alleviating presbyopic symptoms simultaneously. [J Refract Surg. 2016;32(10):680-685. ].
Short communication: Predicting cation exchange capacity from hygroscopic moisture in agricultural soils of Western Europe

Soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) depends on the extent and negative charge density of surfaces of soil mineral and organic components. Soil water sorption also depends on the extent of such surfaces, giving thus way to significant relationships between CEC and hygroscopic moisture (HM) in many soils. In this work, we explored whether CEC could be accurately predicted from HM in agricultural soils of Mediterranean and humid temperate areas in Western Europe. For this purpose, we examined 243 soils across a wide variation range of their intrinsic properties. Soil CEC was determined using 1 M ammonium acetate at pH 7 and HM at an equilibrium air relative humidity (RH) of 43% (HM 43 ). Most of the variation of soil CEC was explained by HM 43 through a linear function (CEC = 1.4 + 0.78HM 43 ; R 2 = 0.962; standard deviation = 2.30 cmol c /kg). Coefficients of the regression equation were similar for subgroups of soils differing in moisture regime, clay mineralogy, carbonate content and organic carbon content. Therefore, soil hygroscopic moisture measurements at a fixed RH level provided a simple, robust, inexpensive method for predicting soil CEC.
Understanding the Use of Twitter for Teaching Purposes in Saudi Arabian Universities

The increased use of Twitter in Saudi Arabia has opened new opportunities in higher education teaching. However, there exists a lack of studies which examine academics' thoughts on Twitter use for teaching purposes. For this study, a questionnaire was distributed to academics in Saudi Arabian universities in order to explore their experiences and opinions regarding Twitter use in teaching. The results of the questionnaire indicated that the top three teaching activities Twitter was used for were: sharing resources, posting important information, and enabling students to ask questions. Positive experiences of using Twitter in teaching focused on: accessibility, the dissemination of important information, student engagement, and the sharing of opinions and ideas. Negative experiences highlighted issues such as a lack of Internet connections, the distracting nature of tweeting, privacy, the small size of tweets, and time management. What this study highlighted was the use of Twitter in higher education teaching was still in the experimental stages of implementation.