Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validity study of oscillometric blood pressure measurement devices using an oscillometric waveform simulator

Blood pressure measurement is the most common measurement that is made in clinical practice. There is a large market for commercially available blood pressure devices, and in Germany alone, approximately 1.2 million blood pressure devices are sold annually for personal use. However, there are claims that a majority of blood pressure devices available on the European Union market have not been validated. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine differences between external and internal cuffs when using an oscillometric waveform simulator; to investigate blood pressure device validity and differences within models; and to examine how a simulator could be used in the acquisition of blood pressure devices, before these devices are implemented in the clinical domain. Methods: Two different models of blood pressure devices, 10 devices per model, were utilized. A simulator was used to generate 8 physiological oscillometric waveforms. Results: Differences between cuffs did not exceed acceptable measurement limits of ± 3 mmHg, however, many devices were excluded when using the internal simulator cuff. Neither model was able to produce valid measurements within ± 3 mmHg for all 8 simulations. Measurement errors ranged from -3 to 4 mmHg (Model 1), and -8 to 6 mmHg (Model 2). Differences within models showed significant differences for both Model 1 and Model 2. Conclusions: Many factors may have had an influence on the validity of the measurements obtained with both models, including: simulator and blood pressure device employment of differing proprietary algorithms, and measurement variability caused by a lack of pressure transducer calibration. Further studies are needed to increase the understanding of the oscillometric method and oscillometric waveforms, so that improved blood pressure devices and oscillometric waveform simulators can be designed.
A Survey of the Interstellar Medium in Early-Type Galaxies. III. Stellar and Gas Kinematics

We present gaseous and stellar kinematics for 14 gas-rich early-type galaxies. Half of the sample exhibit irregular gaseous velocity profiles; gas/star counter-rotation is visible in five galaxies. We also find five counter-rotating stellar cores, while five more galaxies display inner components kinematically decoupled from the main stellar body. We interpret our results as an indication that the ionized gas is of external origin, is generally not in equilibrium, and may have been acquired recently. The merging or accretion events that brought the gas into the galaxy have also affected the stellar kinematics.
The Downward Influence of Uncertainty in the Northern Hemisphere Stratospheric Polar Vortex Response to Climate Change

General circulation models display a wide range of future predicted changes in the Northern Hemisphere winter stratospheric polar vortex. The downward influence of this stratospheric uncertainty on the troposphere has previously been inferred from regression analyses across models and is thought to contribute to model spread in tropospheric circulation change. Here we complement such regression analyses with idealized experiments using one model where different changes in the zonal-mean stratospheric polar vortex are artificially imposed to mimic the extreme ends of polar vortex change simulated by models from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). The influence of the stratospheric vortex change on the tropospheric circulation in these experiments is quantitatively in agreement with the inferred downward influence from across-model regressions, indicating that such regressions depict a true downward influence of stratospheric vortex change on the troposphere below. With a relative weakening of the polar vortex comes a relative increase in Arctic sea level pressure (SLP), a decrease in zonal wind over the North Atlantic, drying over northern Europe, and wetting over southern Europe. The contribution of stratospheric vortex change to intermodel spread in these quantities is assessed in the CMIP5 models. The spread, as given by 4 times the across-model standard deviation, is reduced by roughly 10% on regressing out the contribution from stratospheric vortex change, while the difference between models on extreme ends of the distribution in terms of their stratospheric vortex change can reach up to 50% of the overall model spread for Arctic SLP and 20% of the overall spread in European precipitation.
UvA-DARE ( Digital Academic Repository ) Atmospheric parameters and chemical properties of red giants in the CoRoT asteroseismology fields

A precise characterisation of the red giants in the seismology fields of the CoRoT satellite is a prerequisite for further in-depth seismic modelling. High-resolution FEROS and HARPS spectra were obtained as part of the ground-based follow-up campaigns for 19 targets holding great asteroseismic potential. These data are used to accurately estimate their fundamental parameters and the abundances of 16 chemical species in a self-consistent manner. Some powerful probes of mixing are investigated (the Li and CNO abundances, as well as the carbon isotopic ratio in a few cases). The information provided by the spectroscopic and seismic data is combined to provide more accurate physical parameters and abundances. The stars in our sample follow the general abundance trends as a function of the metallicity observed in stars of the Galactic disk. After an allowance is made for the chemical evolution of the interstellar medium, the observational signature of internal mixing phenomena is revealed through the detection at the stellar surface of the products of the CN cycle. A contamination by NeNa-cycled material in the most massive stars is also discussed. With the asteroseismic constraints, these data will pave the way for a detailed theoretical investigation of the physical processes responsible for the transport of chemical elements in evolved, lowand intermediate-mass stars.
Isolation of alkaline protease from Bacillus subtilis AKRS3

This research study was mainly focused on phenotypic, biochemical characterization, 16s rRNA sequence based species level identification of isolate and determination of the higher production of alkaline protease through optimization study (carbon, nitrogen, incubation period, temperature, pH and sodium chloride concentration), production by submerged fermentation and analytical studies (protease assay, protein and biomass estimation). The produced crude enzyme was been used for dehairing activity on goat and sheep hides. Primary screening was achieved by skim milk casein hydrolysis method. Microbiological, biochemical characterization and 16S rRNA phylogenetic analysis revealed that isolated bacterium was Bacillus subtilis AKRS3 with an optimum alkaline protease producing temperature, 37°C and pH 9.0. The maximum alkaline protease production was achieved at 24 h of incubation period. Among various nitrogen (organic and inorganic) sources, beef extract was found to be the best inducer for alkaline protease in the concentration of 1.5% as was reported for the maximum alkaline protease production. Effect of carbon sources for example xylose, on protease production proved high protease production than the other tested carbon sources and subsequently 2% concentration registered an optimum to enhance the protease production. The halotolerancy of B. subtilis AKRS3 for alkaline protease production indicated that 3% of sodium chloride was optimum to yield maximum protease activity. During production, agitation rate was 250 rpm at air flow rate of 1 VVM. Maximum protease activity of 42.7556 U/ml was observed at the end of 24 h cell free supernatant of fermentation broth. Crude alkaline protease was most active at 55°C, pH 9 with casein as substrate. According to our knowledge, this study demonstrated the first report on alkaline protease producing B. subtilis AKRS3 isolated from fish waste. The produced enzyme could be effectively used to remove hair from goat and sheep hide indicating its potential application in leather processing industry.
Antiapoptotic seminal vesicle protein IV inhibits cell-mediated immunity

The in vitro effect of the seminal vesicle protein IV (SV-IV) on the cytotoxic activity of human natural or acquired cellular immunity has been investigated by standard immunological procedures, a 51 Cr-release cytotoxicity assay, and labeled-ligand binding experiments. The data obtained demonstrate that: 1) fluoresceinated or [ 125 I]labeled SV-IV binds specifically to the surface of human purified non-adherent monuclear cells (NA-MNC); 2) SV-IV suppresses the cytotoxicity of Natural Killer (NK) against K562 target cells, that of IL-2-stimulated NK (LAK) against DAUDI target cells, and that of VEL antigen-sensitized CTLs against VEL target cells; 3) treatment of K562 target cells alone with SV-IV decreases their susceptibility to NK-induced lysis. These findings, by indicating that the protein SV-IV has marked in vitro inhibitory effect on NK, LAK and CTL cytotoxicity, provide a better understanding of its immune regulatory functions.
Evaluating the Roles of Visual Openness and Edge Effects on Nest-Site Selection and Reproductive Success in Grassland Birds

ABSTRACT. In some species, habitat edges (ecotones) affect nest-site selection and nesting success. Openness, or how visually open a habitat is, has recently been shown to influence grassland bird density and may affect nest-site selection, possibly by reducing the risk of predation on adults, nests, or both. Because edge and openness are correlated, it is possible that effects of openness have been overlooked or inappropriately ascribed to edge effects. We tested the roles of edges and visual openness in nest-site selection and nesting success of two grassland passerines, the Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) and Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis), in the Champlain Valley, Vermont. We also evaluated the sensitivity of our results to alternative definitions of edge on our landscape. Bobolink (n = 580) and Savannah Sparrow nests (n = 922) were located on seven hay fields and three pastures from 2002 to 2010. Both species avoided placing nests near edges and in less open habitat compared with expectations based on random placement. When the effects of openness and edge were separated, less open habitats were still avoided, but edge responses were less clear. These results were robust to different definitions of habitat edge. We found no strong relationships between either openness or edges and reproductive success (numbers of eggs and fledglings, percentage of eggs producing fledglings, and nest success), although there may be an edgespecific openness effect on timing of reproduction (clutch completion date). Our results support openness as an important factor in nest-site selection by grassland birds.
Biological control of air-sea CO2 fluxes: effect of photosynthetic and calcifying marine organisms and ecosystems

A simple expression enables prediction of the effect of photosynthetic and calcifying systems on air-sea CO2 exchange at all spatial scales (from organism to ecosystem). Input data are: gross primary production (P,), respiration (R), net calcification (G) and the ratio of CO? released to C a C 0 3 precipitated ( W ) ; the output IS the amount of dissolved inorganic carbon (F,,? ) whlch needs to be exchanged with the atmosphere to balance b~ologically med~a ted changes in the concentration of d~ssolved inorganic carbon In an open sea water system: Fro? = -Pg + R + VG. Coral reef data were used in the model to illustrate the relatlve influence of organic and inorganic carbon metabolism on ocean-atmosphere COZ cycling. A coral reef comprised of calcareous and non-calcareous organisms can be shown to act a s a sink for atmospheric CO2 when excess (= net) production is high and C a C 0 3 precipitation 1s low. These charactenstlcs are not typical of actively developing reef systems whlch typically exhibit a nearly balanced organic carbon metabolism (PgIR = 1) and relatively high rates of calcification. In these circumstances, reef communities can be expected to cause CO2 evasion to the atmosphere. This prediction is confirmed by the only existing measurement of air-sea CO2 flux in a coral reef system.
Traps and Thresholds in Pastoralist Mobility 12

Thresholds in asset accumulation dynamics can drive a wedge between households able to pursue relatively high-return, asset-based economic activities and those forced into lower return alternatives. While some evidence has been found for such thresholds amongst pastoralist communities in the arid and semi-arid rangelands of northern Kenya, relatively less is known about the mechanisms behind such poverty trap phenomena. The setting is particularly suitable for such a study because there is one primary high-return livelihood, mobile pastoralism, based on a scalar primary asset stock, livestock. Sustainable pastoralism involves livestock movements in response to the bimodal rainfall distribution. I develop and provide empirical tests for the implications of a simple model capturing the idea that the bifurcation in asset dynamics is driven by a threshold in the incentive to engage in mobile pastoralism. Additional evidence is presented regarding pastoralist movement patterns. Data collected on pastoralist concerns allows us to look at the e¤ect of subjective beliefs on subsequent mobility and movement behavior.
Toeplitz operators on Bergman spaces with locally integrable symbols

We study the boundedness of Toeplitz operators $T_a$ with locally integrable symbols on Bergman spaces $A^p(\mathbb{D})$, $1 < p < \infty$. Our main result gives a sufficient condition for the boundedness of $T_a$ in terms of some ``averages'' (related to hyperbolic rectangles) of its symbol. If the averages satisfy an ${o}$-type condition on the boundary of $\mathbb{D}$, we show that the corresponding Toeplitz operator is compact on $A^p$. Both conditions coincide with the known necessary conditions in the case of nonnegative symbols and $p=2$. We also show that Toeplitz operators with symbols of vanishing mean oscillation are Fredholm on $A^p$ provided that the averages are bounded away from zero, and derive an index formula for these operators.
Theme development in qualitative content analysis and thematic analysis

Sufficient knowledge is available about the definition, details and differences of qualitative content and thematic analysis as two approaches of qualitative descriptive research. However, identifying the main features of theme as the data analysis product and the method of its development remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to describe the meaning of theme and offer a method on theme construction that can be used by qualitative content analysis and thematic analysis researchers in line with the underpinning specific approach to data analysis. This methodological paper comprises an analytical overview of qualitative descriptive research products and the meaning of theme. Also, our practical experiences of qualitative analysis supported by relevant published literature informed the generation of a stage like model of theme construction for qualitative content analysis and thematic analysis. This paper comprises: (i) analytical importance of theme, (ii) meaning of theme, (iii) meaning of category, (iv) theme and category in terms of level of content, and (v) theme development. This paper offers a conceptual clarification and a pragmatic step by step method of theme development that has the capacity of assisting nurse researchers understand how theme is developed. As nursing is a pragmatic discipline, nurse researchers have tried to develop practical findings and devise some way to “do something” with findings to enhance the action and impact of nursing. The application of a precise method of theme development for qualitative descriptive data analysis suggested in this paper helps yield meaningful, credible and practical results for nursing.
Random Walk Hypothesis : Evidence from Market Efficiency of the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange

This study examined whether the share prices of companies listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange follow the Random Walk Hypothesis. The research was motivated by the fact that investors are interested in knowing whether past share prices have a propensity to forecast future share prices. The period covered by the research was January 2014 to December 2014. The main objective of the study investigated the possibility that share prices follow the Random Walk Hypothesis. The data was analysed using the Chisquare Test, the Runs Test and the Auto-correlation Test. The findings showed that changes in share prices on the ZSE refute the Random Walk Hypothesis. The study concluded that share price shifts follow some pattern or trend and that historical price changes can be used to predict future price movements. The study also concluded that the ZSE provides an opportunity for investors to create wealth as they take advantage of its weak-form inefficiency.
Anti-tubercular drug resistance and predictors of relapse pulmonary tuberculosis, Nepal

Introduction: Relapse cases of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and drug resistance is increasing in National Tuberculosis Centre (NTC), National Tuberculosis Control Programme, Nepal (NTP) and the predictors of relapse PTB is multi-factorial. Initial drug resistant was found to be associated with high relapse cases, so public awareness for regularity of drug intake is highly recommended. Age, sex, occupation, smoking, alcoholism may be important risk factor for relapse. The study aims to determine the prevalence, anti-tubercular drug resistance and predictors of relapse pulmpnary tuberculosis (PTB) cases. Materials and methods: Suspected relapse PTB patients were enrolled and microscopy, culture and drug susceptibility testing were done for all culture positive cases. Result and conclusion: Prevalence of relapse PTB was 45.5% (n=127). M. tuberculosis isolates resistant to at least one anti-TB drug were 25.4% (n=31), 35.5% (n=11) were mono resistant and 64.5% (n=20) were poly resistant. Multi-drug resistance were 14% (n=17). The farmer (OR=1.96), who rest at home (OR=1.12), smokers (OR=1.48), alcoholics (OR=1.73) and those who were on irregular drugs (OR=4.10) were at high risk of relapse PTB. Almost half of patients studied had relapse PTB and drug resistance was noteworthy. Close monitoring and follow up, adherence of treatment and risk factors identified should be addressed to reduce relapses and emergence of drug resistance.
Well-Being Dynamics and Poverty Traps

A sound understanding of poverty traps—defined as poverty that is self-reinforcing due to the poor's equilibrium behaviors—and their underlying mechanisms is fundamentally important to the development of policies and interventions targeted to assist the poor. We review the theoretical and empirical evidence on single equilibrium and multiple equilibria poverty traps at the macro-, meso-, and, especially, microlevels. In addition we review the literature exploring the various mechanisms that have been posited to perpetuate poverty. We find sufficient evidence to support the poverty traps hypothesis, suggesting that policies designed to interrupt those self-perpetuating mechanisms merit serious attention.
A Multiscale Numerical Study of Hurricane Andrew (1992). Part IV: Unbalanced Flows

Abstract Despite considerable progress in understanding the hurricane vortex using balanced models, the validity of gradient wind balance in the eyewall remains controversial in observational studies. In this paper, the structure and development of unbalanced forces and flows in hurricanes are examined, through the analyses of the radial momentum and absolute angular momentum (AAM) budgets, using a high-resolution (i.e., Δx = 6 km), fully explicit simulation of Hurricane Andrew (1992). It is found from the radial momentum budgets that supergradient flows and accelerations, even after temporal and azimuthal averaging, are well organized from the bottom of the eye center to the upper outflow layer in the eyewall. The agradient accelerations are on average twice greater than the local Coriolis force, and caused mainly by the excess of the centrifugal force over the pressure gradient force. It is shown by the AAM budgets that supergradient flows could occur not only in the inflow region as a result of the inw.
SSX MHD plasma wind tunnel

A new turbulent plasma source at the Swarthmore Spheromak Experiment (SSX) facility is described. The MHD wind tunnel configuration employs a magnetized plasma gun to inject high-beta plasma into a large, well-instrumented, vacuum drift region. This provides unique laboratory conditions approaching that in the solar wind: there is no applied background magnetic field in the drift region and has no net axial magnetic flux; the plasma flow speed is on the order of the local sound speed ( M ~ 1), so flow energy density is comparable to thermal energy density; and the ratio of thermal to magnetic pressure is of order unity (plasma β ~ 1) so thermal energy density is also comparable to magnetic energy density. Results presented here and referenced within demonstrate the new capabilities and show how the new platform is proving useful for fundamental plasma turbulence studies.
Evidence-Based Practice of Weaning from Ventilator : A Review

Mechanically ventilated patients should have a daily assessment relating to their ability to be weaned from ventilatory support. A spontaneous breathing trial helps to identify patients who may be successfully extubated and the available evidence would suggest this should be in the form of an intermittent T-piece or a minimal-level pressure support trial for 30 minutes. Noninvasive ventilation can have a role in reducing the duration of mechanical ventilation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients but should not be used to treat extubation failure.
Life Cycle of Numerically Simulated Shallow Cumulus Clouds. Part II: Mixing Dynamics

This paper is the second in a two-part series in which life cycles of six numerically simulated shallow cumulus clouds are systematically examined. The six clouds, selected from a single realization of a largeeddy simulation, grow as a series of pulses/thermals detached from the subcloud layer. All six clouds exhibit a coherent vortical circulation and a low buoyancy, low velocity trailing wake. The ascending cloud top (ACT), which contains this vortical circulation, is associated with a dynamic perturbation pressure field with high pressure located at the ascending frontal cap and low pressure below and on the downshear side of the maximum updrafts. Examination of the thermodynamic and kinematic structure, together with passive tracer experiments, suggests that this vortical circulation is primarily responsible for mixing between cloud and environment. As the cloud ACTs rise through the sheared environment, the low pressure, vortical circulation, and mixing are all strongly enhanced on the downshear side and weakened on the upshear side. Collapse of the ACT also occurs on the downshear side, with subsequent thermals ascending on the upshear side of their predecessors. The coherent core structure is maintained throughout the ACT ascent; mixing begins to gradually dilute the ACT core only in the upper half of the cloud’s depth. The characteristic kinematic and dynamic structure of these simulated ACTs, together with their mixing behavior, corresponds closely to that of shedding thermals. These shallow simulated clouds, however, reach a maximum height of only about four ACT diameters so that ACT mixing differs from predictions of self-similar laboratory thermals.