Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The ecological structure of macroalgae community ( seagrass ) on various zones in the coastal waters of Nusalaut Island , Central Maluku District , Indonesia

The purpose of this research is to obtain data and information regarding the condition and diversity of macroalgae species in the waters of Nusalaut Island, Central Maluku District. The research was conducted in four locations on Nusalaut Island, namely Ameth, Nalahia, Sila, and Leinitu. The sample was collected by using intercept line transect method (1 m × 1 m and 25 cm x 25 cm) along the coastal areas. The ecological structure of the macroalgae community is determined from several ecological aspects, such as the index of diversity (H'), index of dominance (D), index of evenness (E), density (Ki), relative density (KRi), abundance (KLi), relative abundance KLRi), frequency of occurence (Fi), relative frequency of occurence (FRi), and important value index (INP). Gracilaria salicornia has the highest density and abundance at stations I and II, while Sargassum cinctum and Liagora viscida have the lowest density and abundance. The highest density at Station III is of Padina australis and the lowest is Gracilaria salicornia. The highest density at station IV is of Hypnea valentiae and the lowest is of Gracilaria corticata. The frequency of occurence of macroalgae species describes the macroalgae opportunities in the observation plot. The macroalgae of the Gracilaria genus have a dominant distribution, particularly G. salicornia. Regarding the distribution percentage of macroalgae cover, station I has the highest distribution percentage of macroalgae cover (varies) of 15 species out of a total of 17 species (all observation stations). Species Dictyopteris acrostichoides and L. viscida can only be found at station II and station IV. Species G. salicornia, Halimeda opuntia, H. valentiae, and P. australis can only be found at station III. Ecologically, macroalgae distribution is found in near residential area on station I. In addition to station I, other stations are coastal areas without settlement. Station I has the highest diversity index, station III has the highest evenness index, and the relative dominance index is the same for all four stations.
Prognostic value of PCSK 9 levels in patients with acute coronary syndromes

Cardiology Division, Geneva University Hospitals, Rue Gabrielle-Perret Gentil 4, Geneva 14 1211, Switzerland; First Clinic of Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa School of Medicine and IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino-IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, 6 viale Benedetto XV, 16132 Genoa, Italy; Department of Ambulatory Care and Community Medicine, Lausanne University, Lausanne, Switzerland; Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Laboratory Medicine Division, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland; Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, Clinical Trials Unit, Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Institute of Primary Health Care, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Applied Health Research Centre (AHRC), Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St Michael’s Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S, Canada; and Department of General Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
Development and validation of the higher-order finite-difference wind farm simulator , WInc 3 D

High-fidelity wind farm models typically employ large–eddy simulation (LES) formulations and turbine parametrisations (e.g. actuator disc models) to resolve the turbine wakes at spatial and temporal scales so that all flow features of engineering improtance are well–captured. Such features include the low frequency dynamic wake meandering, which plays a key role in the fatigue loading experienced by downstream turbines clustered in arrays. By the term ‘wind farm simulator’ (WFS) we refer to an integrated framework which offers these capabilities and can be used as a research tool to study wake–to–wake and turbine–to–wake interactions. In this work, we present a validation study for WInc3D, a WFS based on the powerful, sixth-order finite-difference flow solver, incompact3d. For our validation study, we use operational scenarios from the Horns Rev offshore wind farm. The comparison of the present model with existing supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) measurements and previous LES studies shows an overall good agreement.
On the crest factor for dissipative partial differential equations

In this work, we have introduced and then computed the so-called crest factor associated with solutions of dissipative partial differential equations (PDEs). By taking two paradigmatic dissipative PDEs, we estimated in an explicit and accurate manner the values of the crest factor of their solutions. We then analysed and compared the estimates as a function of the positive parameter which appears in the PDEs in space dimensions one and two. These estimates shed some light on the dynamics of the fluctuations of the solutions of the two model PDEs, and therefore provide a criterion for discerning between small and large potential excursions in space for the solution of any dissipative PDE. Being able to detect between small and large intermittent fluctuations is one of the hallmarks of turbulence. We believe that the crest factor is an appropriate tool for extracting space fluctuation features in solutions of dissipative PDEs.
Poly(ether-block-amide) copolymer membrane for CO2/N2 separation: the influence of the casting solution concentration on its morphology, thermal properties and gas separation performance

The present work is focused on the study of the effect that the casting solution concentration has on the morphology and gas separation performance of poly(ether-block-amide) copolymer membranes (Pebax® MH 1657). With this aim, three different concentrations of Pebax® MH 1657 in the casting solution (1, 3 and 5 wt%) were used to prepare dense membranes with a thickness of 40 µm. The morphology and thermal stability of all membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, rotational viscometry and thermogravimetric analyses. An increase in crystallinity was notable when the amount of solvent in the Pebax® MH 1657 solution was higher, mainly related to the polymer chains arrangement and the solvent evaporation time. Such characteristic seemed to play a key role in the thermal degradation of the membranes, confirming that the most crystalline materials tend to be thermally more stable than those with lower crystallinity. To study the influence of their morphology and operating temperature on the CO2 separation, gas separation tests were conducted with the gas mixture CO2/N2. Results indicated that a compromise must be found between the amount of solvent used to prepare the membranes and the crystallinity, in order to reach the best gas separation performance. In this study, the best performance was achieved with the membrane prepared from a 3 wt% casting solution, reaching at 35°C and under a feed pressure of 3 bar, a CO2 permeability of 110 Barrer and a CO2/N2 selectivity of 36.
Gender and societies: a grassroots approach to women in science

Women are under-represented in science. We show that the extent of the gender gap varies depending on the status of the position in question and there are simple steps that can be taken to improve diversity. We analyse data on the activities of over 30 science societies spanning four countries and five distinct discipline areas. Our results show that women tend to be equally represented in lower status roles and awards, e.g. student prizes and editorships, but under-represented in higher status roles, e.g. late-career awards and chief editorships. We develop a simple mathematical model to explore the role of homophily in decision making and quantify the effect of simple steps that can be taken to improve diversity. We conclude that, when the stakes are low, efforts to tackle historic gender bias towards men have been at least partially successful, but when the stakes are higher male dominance is often still the norm.
Human-mediated disturbance in multitrophic interactions results in outbreak levels of North America's most venomous caterpillar

Anthropogenic environmental change is predicted to disrupt multitrophic interactions, which may have drastic consequences for population-level processes. Here, we investigate how a large-scale human-mediated disturbance affects the abundance of North America's most venomous caterpillar species, Megalopyge opercularis. Specifically, we used a natural experiment where netting was deployed to cover the entire canopies of a subset of mature southern live oak trees (Quercus virginiana) to exclude urban pest birds (grackles and pigeons), throughout an 8.1 km2 area encompassing a medical centre in Houston, Texas. We used this experimental exclusion to test the following hypothesis: release from avian predators increases caterpillar abundance to outbreak levels, which increases the risk to human health. Results from a multi-year survey show that caterpillar abundance increased, on average, more than 7300% on netted versus non-netted trees. Thus, increases in caterpillar abundance due to anthropogenic enemy release increase human exposure to this venomous pest, and should be considered a health threat in the area. This study emphasizes the unforeseen consequences of ecological disturbance for species interactions and highlights the importance of considering ecology in urban planning.
The Causal Role of the Lateral Prefrontal Cortex for Task-order Coordination in Dual-task Situations: A Study with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Dual tasks are characterized by the requirement for additional task-order coordination processes that schedule the processing order of two temporally overlapping tasks. Preliminary evidence from functional imaging studies suggests that lateral pFC (lPFC) activation correlates with implementing these task-order coordination processes. However, so far, it is unclear whether the lPFC is also causally involved in coordinating task order during dual-task performance and which exact mechanisms are implemented by this brain region. In this study, we addressed these open issues by applying online TMS during a dual-task situation. For this purpose, participants performed a dual task in fixed-order blocks with a constant order of tasks and in random-order block, in which the order of tasks varied randomly and thus demands on task-order coordination were increased. In Experiment 1, TMS of the lPFC compared with control TMS conditions impaired dual-task performance in random-order blocks, whereas performance in fixed-order blocks was unaffected by TMS. In Experiment 2, we tested for the specificity of the lPFC TMS effect on task-order coordination by applying TMS over the preSMA. We showed that preSMA TMS did not affect dual-task performance, neither in fixed-order nor in random-order blocks. Results of this study indicate that the lPFC, but not the preSMA, is causally involved in implementing task-order coordination processes in dual-task situations.
Successful Treatment of Super-Refractory Status Epilepticus with High-Intensity Electroconvulsive Therapy – A Case Report and Review of the Current Literature

Status epilepticus (SE) is a severe neurological condition in which epileptic activity is prolonged or recurring, and the likelihood of spontaneous seizure cessation decreases over time. Evidence on the appropriate treatment regimen in therapy-refractory cases is still sparse. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is known as a last resort treatment for SE due its anticonvulsant properties mediated by an increase in seizure threshold during the course of a treatment series. We examined the effects of ECT in a 61-year-old male patient with new-onset super-refractory SE (SRSE), for whom previous extensive efforts to achieve seizure control had failed. To achieve reliable seizure inductions in ECT concomitantly with an extended anticonvulsant treatment, we established a high-intensity ECT protocol: bitemporal ECT was conducted at a double-dosage setting (200% stimulation energy; equivalent to a mean charge of 1,031 mC) including three seizure stimulations during each treatment session on consecutive days until SRSE termination. After the first course of ECT, temporary seizure cessation was reached but lasted for only several days. A second course of ECT was then initiated, using the identical regimen but followed by tapering sessions every other day. Again, the SRSE terminated and after regaining consciousness the patient could be transferred to an acute rehabilitation facility. SRSE cessation can successfully be achieved by means of high-intensity ECT even after six weeks of prolonged SE and exhausted anticonvulsant pharmacotherapeutic strategies. As controlled clinical trials in the area of SRSE are still lacking, the relative significance of a high-intensity ECT protocol in this clinical setting has yet to be determined.
Histopathology and elastography discordance in evaluation of breast lesions with acoustic radiation force impulse elastography

Purpose It is known that, besides its benefits, ultrasound (US) elastography may show discordance findings, leading to biopsy, so this technique has some limitations. The purpose of the present study was to compare histopathological results and shear wave velocity (SWV) values in patients, to reveal discordance findings, and to investigate its statistical significance in making the decision for biopsy with SWV values. Material and methods A total of 190 patients presenting with breast lesions were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 39.87 ± 13.56 years. All morphological features of lesions were evaluated by B-mode US. The mean SWV values were measured using the region of interest (ROI) through all lesions with ARFI elastography. An ultrasound-guided Tru-Cut needle biopsy was performed, and histopathologic data were obtained. Results The SWV values of false positive benign lesions, such as: granulomatous mastitis, sclerosing adenosis, chronic inflammation, fat necrosis, fibrotic breast tissue, and scar tissue, were as high as the SWV values of malignant lesions. Sensitivity was found as 91.6% and specificity as 40.9% for SWV values in ARFI US. Conclusions Our results showed that breast lesions showed false positivity (59.1%) and false negativity (8.3%) in ARFI US. Elastography is useful and sensitive in the evaluation of breast lesions, but some benign lesions may mimic malignant lesions; thus, this information should not be underestimated in biopsy decision-making for elastography users.
Buccal mucosal graft versus penile skin flap urethroplasty for long segment penile urethral stricture: a prospective randomized study

Introduction The aim of this study was to analyze the outcomes of dorsolateral onlay buccal mucosal graft (BMG) and ventral onlay local penile skin flap (LPF) urethroplasty in the management of long segment penile urethral stricture (PUS). Material and methods Through a prospective study conducted between October 2014 and May 2018, 84 patients with long segment PUS were randomly assigned to receive either dorsolateral onlay BMG (Group 1 which included 42 patients) or ventral onlay PSF urethroplasty (Group 2 which included 42 patients). The success rate and surgical outcomes were compared in both groups. Results The success rate was 92.9% in Group 1 and 85.7% in Group 2 (p = 0.5). Postoperative short segment urethral stricture at the site of proximal anastomosis was reported in 3 patients in Group 1. Six patients in Group 2 were considered as a treatment failure, 3 of them due to recurrence of long segment urethral stricture after 6 months, and 3 patients developed ring urethral stricture at the site of proximal anastomosis managed by direct vision internal urethrotomy. Conclusions On an intermediate term follow-up, dorsolateral onlay BMG and ventral onlay LPF provide similar success rates in penile urethroplasty, with essentially comparable postoperative morbidity. However, further studies with bigger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods may be required to determine subtle differences between both techniques.
The role of tracheal ultrasonography in confirming endotracheal tube placement in respiratory intensive-care unit patients

Background Maintaining patent airway with tracheal intubation is frequently indicated at ICUs. Many tools can help to assure that the endotracheal tube (ETT) is properly placed, but each one of these tools has its limitations and cannot be applied in every patient. Aim of this study The aim of the study was to assess the role of tracheal ultrasonography in confirming ETT placement in ICU patients. Patients and methods This study included 200 patients (120 men and 80 women with a mean age of 49.1±12.4) with an indication of intubation at the respiratory ICU at Zagazig University Hospitals from January 2016 to March 2018. Ultrasonography of the trachea and capnography were done in addition to clinical assessment to confirm correct placement of ETT with taking capnography as the gold standard method for detecting the place of ETT. Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography against capnography in confirming proper endotracheal intubation were calculated. Results Of the 200 patients studied, 177 patients had confirmed ETT in the trachea by both capnography and tracheal ultrasonography; seven patients had confirmed ETT in the trachea by capnography only, and 16 patients had ETT outside the trachea by both capnography and tracheal ultrasonography. The sensitivity and specificity tracheal ultrasound were 96.2 and 100%, respectively. The time (s) needed to confirm the ETT position by clinical assessment, tracheal ultrasonography, and capnography was 19.21, 15.13, and 12.89, respectively, with highly significant statistical difference between them (P<0.001). Conclusion Tracheal ultrasound can be a rapid and safe tool to confirm correct endotracheal tube placement.
Ovarian Cystectomy: Stitching or Cauterizing – A Comparison Study of Anti-Mullerian Hormone Level Pre- and Postoperatively

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the influence of laparoscopic management in an ovarian cyst as measured by serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels, by comparing cautery and suturing techniques. Subjects and Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Hasanuddin University/Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital, and several private hospitals in Makassar, Indonesia, from January 1, 2016, to January 31, 2018. A total sample of 90 subjects diagnosed with ovarian cysts underwent cystectomy by laparoscopy. Serum AMH level was examined in all participants both preoperatively and 1-month postoperatively. Participants were divided into two groups based on cautery and suturing techniques used in the surgery. Serum AMH levels obtained were statistically analyzed and compared between cautery and suturing groups. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The research result indicated a significant decrease of AMH level in each sample groups using cautery and suturing techniques; however, it was not significantly different if both methods were statistically compared (mean AMH: 1.13 ± 0.34 and 1.02 ± 0.15, with P> 0.05). Both the groups showed a greater decrease with a significant result in endometriotic cyst type and when adhesion was present during laparoscopy (P < 0.05). Other parameters such as unilateral/bilateral cyst and variety of cyst size were not showing significant differences (P > 0.05). Conclusions: This study showed that serum AMH levels clearly decreased after operative laparoscopy for different types of ovarian cysts in female patients; however, there is no significant difference regardless of surgical procedures.
Third-hand smoke exposure and results

Diseases and deaths due to smoking are still a major public health problem, which is still the leading cause of death in the world. Today, the harmful effects of active smoking and second hand cigarette smoke on health are clearly known. However, the concept of third-hand smoke (THS) exposure, a new concept, is a relatively new definition in the area of environmental and public health. The third-hand smoke (THS) consists of residual cigarette smoke gases and particles that settle on the surface. Studies evaluating the presence of tobacco specific nitrosamines (TSNA) in house dust samples have shown that THS is an important source of exposure to TSNA. Investigations on animals estimating human exposure, it has been found that THS contains tobacco smoke compounds, which can stay for months on internal surfaces and in dust for months, and that it is re-released into the air as gaseous. In addition, surface chemicals in the surroundings and in dust can produce additional toxins as a result of various chemical reactions. Although it is premature to estimate the health impacts of THS as a whole, the health effects of TSNAs have been previously reported in the literature. Future studies should be directed at investigating the biological effects and consequences of THS on humans. This article will address the implications of THS exposure and the results of current studies conducted in this area.
Sleep hygiene awareness: Its relation to sleep quality among medical students in King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Background/Objective: Sleep hygiene (SH) is considered to be an effective method to treat sleep disturbances, especially among adolescents and young adults. This study aimed to find out the relationship of SH awareness and its importance in overall sleep quality among medical students and to assess the prevalence of sleep disturbance among them. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the College of Medicine, King Saud University during the period between April and July 2016. A total of 225 students participated in this study and were recruited by a convenience sampling method. Two validated questionnaires were used, Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess sleep quality and the Sleep Beliefs Scale (SBS) to assess the awareness of students about SH. Data were entered into, and analyzed by SPSS Version 20. Results: Overall, more than half of the participants, 113 (56.5%), had a poor sleep quality. Sixty one (30.5%) students got excellent score in SH awareness and the rest of the participants (n = 139; 69.5%) scored poor/intermediate. Thirty-five (57.4%) poor sleepers and 42.6% of good sleepers scored excellent in SH awareness. Conclusion: This study showed a higher prevalence of sleep disturbance among medical students and no significant correlation between SH awareness and good sleep quality, which means that SH awareness may not necessarily ensure a good sleep quality.