Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Attainment of cholesterol target values in Greece: results from the Dyslipidemia International Study II

Introduction Current European guidelines recommend treatment with lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) to a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) target of < 70 mg/dl for patients at very high risk. LDL-C target attainment and use of LLTs in these patients in Greece is not known. Material and methods The Dyslipidemia International Study (DYSIS) II was a multicenter observational study. The coronary heart disease (CHD) cohort was divided into two groups based on treatment status (on LLT for ≥ 3 months or not on LLT). The acute coronary syndrome (ACS) cohort was evaluated at the time of admission and again 120 ±15 days after admission. Results In the CHD cohort (n = 499), 457 (91.6%) patients were on LLT. The LDL-C target value was attained by 26.5% of LLT users. Statin monotherapy was used by 77.5% of treated patients, with a mean ± SD atorvastatin dose equivalent of 24 ±16 mg/day. In the ACS cohort (n = 200), 159 (79.5%) patients were on LLT at admission. Mean ± SD LDL-C levels were 108 ±40 mg/dl at admission and 86 ±25 mg/dl at follow-up. LDL-C target value attainment rates were 16.2% at admission and 25.0% at follow-up. At admission, statin monotherapy was used by 86.8% of treated patients. The mean ± SD atorvastatin dose equivalent increased from 20 ±14 mg/day at admission to 29 ±15 mg/day at follow-up. The statin dose was associated with higher odds of LDL-C target value attainment (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02–1.08). Conclusions The LDL-C target attainment by very high risk patients in Greece is suboptimal. Increasing the statin dose or combining it with non-statins may improve target value attainment.
Women’s satisfaction of the Maltese breast screening programme : a cross-sectional survey

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women, 1 with 425,000 new cases diagnosed in Europe each year. 2 The latter posed a detrimental health problem for years in Malta and consequently, a National Breast Screening Programme was established in 2009. Previous studies regarding client satisfaction with mammography screening services have shown a large variability between different centres. High levels of client satisfaction within Screening Programmes encourage attendees to recommend breast screening to others, 3 while unsatisfied clients are less likely to comply with follow-up appointments. 3-4 Aim: To evaluate women’s satisfaction of the Maltese Breast Screening Programme (MBSP) in its prevalent call. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted by telephone to collect data retrospectively from a purposively defined, random sample of 380 women who had accepted to be screened until the time of study. The sample included women born between 1950 and 1954, comprising those who received a normal result and those recalled for further tests. Thematic analysis was applied to women’s qualitative responses. Results: The emergent five themes included accessibility, efficiency, perception, supportive care and acceptability. Women’s experiences of their screening appointment, care perception and overall programme were described in a very positive way (‘good service – 31.3%’, ‘excellent service – 68.7%’) with the majority of clients willing to re-attend and recommend the programme to others. For satisfaction related to screening appointments, 95.5% were very satisfied, 99.2% were very satisfied with the standard of care and 68.7% were very satisfied with the whole programme. However, a minority of participants (29.74%) faced difficulties in accessing the unit, resulting in less programme satisfaction. Those who found mammography ‘severely uncomfortable’ also found it ‘severely painful’ (67.6%), which had a less excellent result on client satisfaction. Women related this negatively to radiographers’ confidence, care and communication. More than half of participants experienced anxiety prior to mammography (56.3%) and higher anxiety (92.3%) when recalled. Conclusions: Our results concur with earlier studies showing high satisfaction among women in other breast screening programmes.
Assessment of demand for and utilization of dental services by insurance coverage in a developing oral health care system

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between demand for and utilization of dental services by insurance coverageamong adults in Iran.Methods A cross-sectional survey based on telephone interviews was done. A total of 6,029 adults participated in this study conducted inIran. The interviews were carried out using a structured questionnaire and covered dental visits, demographics and socio-economicbackground.Results Of 6,029 participants, 86% reported having health insurance, 58% had public, and 28% had both public and commercial insurance.Those with both public and commercial insurance coverage had higher odds for dental visits within the past 12 months [odds ratio (OR) =1.5], and for dental check-ups (OR = 1.5). Receipt of restorative and expensive services (OR = 1.4) was more likely by those with both publicand commercial insurance. Tooth extraction was more likely in subjects with no insurance coverage (OR = 1.6). Conclusion This study revealed a positive relationship between insurance coverage and demand for and utilization of dental services in acountry with a developing health care system.Keywords
Surface ice motion deviating toward the margins during speed‐up events at Gornergletscher, Switzerland

[1] High frequency ice flow measurements during speed-up events in Gornergletscher, Switzerland, revealed intriguing ice motion which has never been reported in detail before. During the summer 2005, more than a 100% flow speed increase was observed three times at four GPS stations installed across Gornergletscher. The speed-ups were accompanied by a decimeter scale surface uplift. Two of the events were triggered by intensive surface melt and rainfall, while the third one was due to the outburst of Gornersee, a glacier-dammed lake located 2 km upglacier. An interesting observation was ice motion deviating toward the side margins during the events. As the glacier accelerated, a transverse (cross glacier) velocity component was generated, turning the flow direction away from the central flow line toward the margins. When the glacier decelerated, the transverse velocity component reversed so that the ice flowed back to the azimuth of the initial flow direction. In the most significant case, the trajectory of the survey stake deviated from the original track by 0.2 m in the transverse direction. We hypothesize that the observed lateral ice motion was caused by locally elevated subglacial water pressure. When the ice sole decoupled from the bed at a part of the glacier, a point source of vertical displacement was transmitted to the surface through viscous ice. This caused the transverse as well as vertical surface motion, as observed in ground motion during magma intrusion. The hypothesis was tested with a two-dimensional ice flow model applied to the transverse glacier cross section. The model confirmed that the surface ice would move toward the margins as observed in Gornergletscher, if subglacial water pressure exceeded the ice overburden pressure over a limited part of the bed.
Phytochemical Profiling, Antibacterial Potential and GC-MS Analysis of Methanol Leaf Extract of Enicostemma axillare

Enicostemma axillare is a perennial herb found throughout India and common in coastal areas. It is commonly known as Vellarugu in Tamil, Chotachirayata in Hindi, Mamejavo in Gujarati and Nagajivha in Bengal. The plant possesses antiinflammatory (Sadique et al., 1987), hypoglycemic (Murali et al., 2002) and anticancer (Jyoti et al., 2003), antimalarial, antipyretic (Varier, 2001) properties. Further crude extract from these plants was used in folk medicine to treat diabetes mellitus, rheumatism, abdominal ulcers, hernia, swelling, itching and insect poisoning (Kirtikar and Basu, 1999). It is also used traditionally for blood purifier and to treat snake bites (Garg, 2000-2001). Infectious diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide (Gannon, 2000). The reemergence of deadly infectious diseases, and the increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistant strains presents a formidable threat to public health and welfare.
Time-lapse monitoring of climate effects on earthworks using surface waves

ABSTRACTThe UK’s transportation network is supported by critical geotechnical assets (cuttings/embankments/dams) that require sustainable, cost-effective management, while maintaining an appropriate service level to meet social, economic, and environmental needs. Recent effects of extreme weather on these geotechnical assets have highlighted their vulnerability to climate variations. We have assessed the potential of surface wave data to portray the climate-related variations in mechanical properties of a clay-filled railway embankment. Seismic data were acquired bimonthly from July 2013 to November 2014 along the crest of a heritage railway embankment in southwest England. For each acquisition, the collected data were first processed to obtain a set of Rayleigh-wave dispersion and attenuation curves, referenced to the same spatial locations. These data were then analyzed to identify a coherent trend in their spatial and temporal variability. The relevance of the observed temporal variations was also veri.
On multi-parametric bifurcations in a scalar piecewise-linear map

In this work a one-dimensional piecewise-linear map is considered. The areas in the parameter space corresponding to specific periodic orbits are determined. Based on these results it is shown that the structure of the 2D and 3D parameter spaces can be simply described using the concept of multi-parametric bifurcations. It is demonstrated that an infinite number of two-parametric bifurcation lines starts at the origin of the 3D parameter space. Along each of these lines an infinite number of bifurcation planes starts, whereas the origin represents a three-parametric bifurcation.
Chapter 2 Allergic Disease Epidemiology

© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015 A. Tao and E. Raz (eds.), Allergy Bioinformatics, Translational Bioinformatics 8, DOI 10.1007/978-94-017-7444-4_2 Abstract Allergic disease represents a spectrum of disorders characterized by abnormal sensitivity mediated by IgE. Approximately, 25 % of the population in industrialized countries suffers from some form of allergic disease such as allergic rhinitis (AR) or hay fever, allergic asthma, food allergy, allergic skin inflammation, and anaphylaxis, particularly in children and young adults. The sequelae of allergies may present in many organ systems and the manifestations of allergic disease are often associated with symptoms at multiple sites. In order to facilitate the implementation of effective treatment and prevention strategies, it is important and necessary for clinicians and other involved personnel to understand the epidemiology of allergic disease. This chapter focuses on the epidemiology of allergies causing asthma, AR, chronic urticaria (CU), eczema, drug allergies, IgE-mediated food allergies, allergic conjunctivitis, Henoch–Schönlein purpura, and eosinophilic gastroenteritis.
Protective Activity of Camel’s Milk and Urine Mixture ( Camelus dromedaries ) against Ethanol-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

This study was implemented at the University of Khartoum to investigate the protective effect of camel milk mixed with camel urine against alcohol-induced liver damage in Wistar albino rats. The reasons for combining camel milk and urine together are because that in Sudan this combination is used extensively in traditional medicine and they claimed that this combination cures a lot of diseases including liver disease and jaundice; 25 Wister Albino rats of both sexes were brought and divided into 5 groups. Group 1 (control group) received normal saline, group 2 received ethanol 10% at dose of (0.5 g/100g body weight) and group 3 rats received Silymarin (5 mg/100g body weight) plus ethanol 10% (0.5 g/100g). Group 4 received a mixture of camel milk and urine (1:1) at the rate of 2 ml/100g and group 5 rats were administered with the mixture of camel’s milk and urine as in group 4 plus ethanol 10% (0.5 g/100g). All treatments given by an oral intubation, experiment lasts for 28 days, rats were euthanized, serum samples and liver sections obtained. Oral administration of 10% ethanol (0.5 g/100g) induced liver damage which was clear in group 2 in a form of generalized necrosis, fatty change and congestion, beside high elevation of serum enzymes (AST, ALT, and ALP). Giving camel’s milk and urine mixture to group 5 with ethanol 10% (0.5 g/100g), resulted in significant reduction of levels of serum enzymes (AST, ALT, and ALP) and in stabilization of serum metabolites (total protein, albumin and bilirubin). The degree of reduction was lower when significantly compared to (Silymarin + ethanol) group, and all results were verified by the histopathological changes. Hepatoprotective effects of camel’s milk and urine mixture were recorded and this could be attributed to antioxidant activity or to its chelate effects on toxicants. Drinking raw camel milk and urine mixture, it was used extensively in traditional medicine in Sudan and it was found safe without any ill effect.
Confounded Observational Learning with Common Values

We analyze observational learning when a fraction of players are naive and act based exclusively on their private information. Rational players are uncertain about the true proportion of naive players. They simultaneously learn about this proportion and about the payoff-relevant state. Confounded learning emerges as a robust phenomenon in this environment, and could be globally stable-there’re environments where public beliefs eventually settle down to confounded learning with positive probability, starting from almost all current beliefs. We also show that correct learning is always globally stable. In contrast, correct learning may not be globally stable when it arises due to heterogeneous preferences as in Smith and Sørensen (2000).
A Pilot Study of Post-Hurricane Katrina Floodwater Pumping on Marsh Infauna

PURPOSE: The Interagency Performance Evaluation Taskforce (IPET) is presently evaluating the performance of hurricane protection and damage reduction systems and consequences of structural failures to the New Orleans area following Hurricane Katrina. This evaluation includes determining environmental impacts to habitat and other biological resources. This report presents preliminary data concerning the effects of pumping of floodwaters on assemblages of benthic invertebrates in the immediate vicinity of the pumping stations in wetlands near Chalmette and Violet, Louisiana. BACKGROUND: On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the coasts of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, resulting in significant physical damage and loss of life. Levees were breached or overtopped, resulting in massive flooding in the City of New Orleans and adjacent areas. Large portions of Saint Bernard Parish were flooded when levees were overtopped by bay waters from the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet channel and Lake Borgne. Floodwaters were subsequently pumped from affected areas into marshes in the vicinity of Chalmette and Violet, Louisiana. Concerns have been expressed regarding the potential for undesirable environmental impacts on the marsh ecosystem due to elevated salinity and contaminants. To address some of these issues, sampling events were conducted after the storm, including a pilot study to compare benthic invertebrate assemblages of sites in the immediate vicinity of active and inactive pumping stations. Benthic invertebrates are a critical part of estuarine food chains, providing forage for economically and ecologically important finfish and shellfish species and are routinely monitored as part of environmental assessments. The sampling effort reported herein represents a pilot study; that is, an initial effort to discern large-scale patterns in benthic assemblage distributions and determine minimal sample size for potential future studies. Key points… What effect did Hurricane Katrina floodwaters have on benthic invertebrates close to the pumping stations in wetlands near Chalmette and Violet, Louisiana? Did floodwaters pumped on wetlands elevate salinity and contaminants? A pilot sampling study set out to answer these questions. Samples were taken at four pumping stations 3-1/2 months after Hurricane Katrina. Study results suggest that floodwater pumping did indeed affect assemblages of invertebrates. Stations where no pumping occurred had fewer numbers of animals and greater similarity in species composition than actively pumped sites. Study results provide the data needed for statistical power testing and minimum sample size calculations. These results can be used to design alternatives for potential future studies.
Efficacy and safety of prophylactic intravenous dexmedetomidine on opioid-induced cough : a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Opioid is widely used during general anesthesia but undesirable coughing can occur after an intravenous injection. Previous literature has examined the efficacy of administration of dexmedetomidine for the management of opioid-induced cough (OIC), but these results have been inconsistent. Therefore, the effectiveness and safety of prophylactic intravenous dexmedetomidine on OIC needs further investigation. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed to identify all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared dexmedetomidine with normal saline about the reduction in the incidence of OIC. I2 statistics were used to assess statistical heterogeneity, and fixed or random effects models were chosen to calculate the pooled risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The funnel plot, Begg test, and Egger test were used to assess potential publication bias. Results: We summarized 14 RCTs with a total of 2514 participants. Overall, prophylactic dexmedetomidine reduced the incidence of OIC [pooled RR=0.416; 95% CI: 0.353 to 0.491; P=0.096; heterogeneity test, I2=34.9%]. Sub-group analysis indicated a significant reduction in the incidence of fentanyl-induced cough (FIC) and remifentanil-induced cough (RIC). Further sub-group analysis indicated that the lowest effect dose of dexmedetomidine for preventing the prevalence of OIC was 0.1 μg/kg. Dexmedetomidine used for preventing OIC is relatively safe. Conclusions: Our available data confirmed the effectiveness and safety of prophylactic dexmedetomidine for the prevention of OIC during induction. The lowest effective dose of dexmedetomidine on the risk of OIC appeared to be 0.1 μg/kg. Due to existed potential publication bias, larger RCTs are warranted.
Surface Oxide Films on Titanium Alloys Regenerated in Hanks' Solution

Titanium and some of its alloys are successfully used for biomaterials. The surface oxide films on these materials play important roles in maintaining corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. In this study, Ti‐6Al‐4V, Ti‐56Ni, and Ti‐ xZr (x = 0, 25, 50, 60, 75, 100) alloys in mass% were abraded and kept for 300 s in water and Hanks’ solution. The regenerated surface oxide film in Hanks’ solution was characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. As a result, phosphate ions were preferentially taken up in the surface oxide film during regeneration. Ions constituting Hanks’ solution other than calcium and phosphate were absent from the surface oxide film. In the case of titanium and Ti‐ 6Al‐4V, calcium phosphate was formed on/in the surface oxide film regenerated in Hanks’ solution. However, Ti‐56Ni, Ti‐Zr, and zirconium did not form calcium phosphate on themselves but formed phosphate without calcium. These results are in good agreement with those for titanium alloys immersed in Hanks’ solution.
Effects of a Rotating Aerodynamic Probe on the Flow Field of a Compressor Rotor

An investigation of distortions of the rotor exit flow field caused by an aerodynamic probe mounted in the rotor is described in this paper. A rotor total pressure Kiel probe, mounted on the rotor hub and extending up to the mid-span radius of a rotor blade channel, generates a wake that forms additional flow blockage. Three types of high-response aerodynamic probes were used to investigate the distorted flow field behind the rotor. These probes were: a split-fiber thermo-anemometric probe to measure velocity and flow direction, a total pressure probe, and a disk probe for in-flow static pressure measurement. The signals acquired from these high-response probes were reduced using an ensemble averaging method based on a once per rotor revolution signal. The rotor ensemble averages were combined to construct contour plots for each rotor channel of the rotor tested. In order to quantify the rotor probe effects, the contour plots for each individual rotor blade passage were averaged into a single value. The distribution of these average values along the rotor circumference is a measure of changes in the rotor exit flow field due to the presence of a probe in the rotor. These distributions were generated for axial flow velocity and for static pressure.
The appropriateness of k-Sparse autoencoders in sparse coding

Learning of representations usually happens in different ways. Sometimes it persuades sparsity thus enhances performance through the task categorization. The sparse elements entail the learning algorithms that relate to the sparse-coding. Sometimes the algorithms have neural training networks with sparsity penalties and fines. The k-sparse autoencoder (KSA) model appears linear. The appropriateness of the model in sparse coding forms the foundation of this paper. Most important, the model appears speedily encoded and easily trained. Given these advantages, the model is suited for solving large-size issues or problems. We used openly available Mixed National Institute of Standard and Technology Database (MINST) and NYU Object Recognition Benchmark (NORB) dataset in supervisory and un-supervisory learning tasks to validate the hypothesis. The result of the paper shows that the traditional algorithms cannot resolve large size problems for sparse coding as the k-Sparse autoencoder model. Keywords—k-sparse autoencoder (KSA), Sparsity, algorithms, Sparse-coding
Isolated Congenital Megacystitis (ICM): A rare case report

Isolated congenital Megacystitis represents a rare variant of fetal Megacystitis without other associated anomalies. The aetiology is not clear. Various methods of management have been described in literature. We report a case of isolated congenital Megacystitis, Considerations for the evaluation and management of this rare entity are discussed. Keywords: Megacystitis, Congenital, Hydronephrosis, Case report