Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Roughness of fault surfaces over nine decades of length scales

[1] We report on the topographic roughness measurements of five exhumed faults and thirteen surface earthquake ruptures over a large range of scales: from 50 μm to 50 km. We used three scanner devices (LiDAR, laser profilometer, white light interferometer), spanning complementary scale ranges from 50 μm to 10 m, to measure the 3-D topography of the same objects, i.e., five exhumed slip surfaces (Vuache-Sillingy, Bolu, Corona Heights, Dixie Valley, Magnola). A consistent geometrical property, i.e., self-affinity, emerges as the morphology of the slip surfaces shows at first order, a linear behavior on a log-log plot where axes are fault roughness and spatial length scale, covering five decades of length-scales. The observed fault roughness is scale dependent, with an anisotropic self-affine behavior described by four parameters: two power law exponents H, constant among all the faults studied but slightly anisotropic (H∥ = 0.58 ± 0.07 in the slip direction and H⊥ = 0.81 ± 0.04 perpendicular to it), and two pre-factors showing variability over the faults studied. For larger scales between 200 m and 50 km, we have analyzed the 2-D roughness of the surface rupture of thirteen major continental earthquakes. These ruptures show geometrical properties consistent with the slip-perpendicular behavior of the smaller-scale measurements. Our analysis suggests that the inherent non-alignment between the exposed traces and the along or normal slip direction results in sampling the slip-perpendicular geometry. Although a data gap exists between the scanned fault scarps and rupture traces, the measurements are consistent within the error bars with a single geometrical description, i.e., consistent dimensionality, over nine decades of length scales.
Mining Bipolar Argumentation Frameworks from Natural Language Text

We describe a methodology for mining topic-dependent Bipolar Argumentation Frameworks (BAFs) from natural language text. Our focus is on identifying attack and support argumentative relations between texts about the same topic, treating these texts as arguments when they are argumentatively related to other texts. We illustrate our methodology on a dataset of hotel reviews and outline some possible applications using the BAFs resulting from our methodology.
A Neural Network Classifier for Estimation of the Degree of Infestation by Late Blight on Tomato Leaves

Foliage diseases in plants can cause a reduction in both quality and quantity of agricultural production. Intelligent detection of plant diseases is an essential research topic as it may help monitoring large fields of crops by automatically detecting the symptoms of foliage diseases. This work investigates ways to recognize the late blight disease from the analysis of tomato digital images, collected directly from the field. A pair of multilayer perceptron neural network analyzes the digital images, using data from both RGB and HSL color models, and classifies each image pixel. One neural network is responsible for the identification of healthy regions of the tomato leaf, while the other identifies the injured regions. The outputs of both networks are combined to generate the final classification of each pixel from the image and the pixel classes are used to repaint the original tomato images by using a color representation that highlights the injuries on the plant. The new images will have only green, red or black pixels, if they came from healthy or injured portions of the leaf, or from the background of the image, respectively. The system presented an accuracy of 97% in detection and estimation of the level of damage on the tomato leaves caused by late blight. Keywords—Artificial neural networks, digital image processing, pattern recognition.
Plasma renin activity and aldosterone excretion rate in normal subjects. I. Effect of ethinyl estradiol and medroxyprogesterone acetate.

ABSTRACT Ethinyl estradiol (E.E.) was given 0.5 rag daily for 3 weeks to 13 normal subjects. Plasma renin activity (PRA) was measured before and during the first and third week of E.E. with the subjects under 3 combinations of sodium intake and body posture. Aldosterone excretion rate (AER) was measured in association with the PRA under normal and low Na intake. There was a slight but statistically insignificant increase in PRA during the first week of E.E. administration. However, there was a significant (p 0.02 or lower) increase in PRA values under all 3 combinations of sodium intake and posture and a significant increase in AER under both normal and low Na intake during the third week of E.E. administration. E.E. manufactured 6–7 yr before use caused a greater effect on PRA values than did E.E. manufactured within a year before use. Medroxyprogesterone acetate (M.P.A.) in doses of 20 mg daily for 3 weeks caused no apparent change in PRA. It did cause a significant decrease in urinary AER in the third .
Endotoxemia and Gram-negative bacteremia as predictors of outcome in sepsis: a meta-analysis using ROC curves

The prognostic value of the detection of endotoxin in plasma of patients with suspected Gram-negative sepsis is unclear despite numerous studies. Sixteen studies have reported endotoxemia detection and blood culture results with outcome data for 1937 patients with suspected Gram-negative sepsis. Comparisons of the fatality rates for the subgroups of patients with, respectively, either endotoxemia (group 3), or Gram-negative bacteremia (group 2), or both detected (group 1), versus the fatality rate for the subgroup of patients with these factors absent (group 4), were made based on summary odds ratios (and 95% CI). Summary odds ratios for the comparison of group 2 versus group 4 and group 3 versus group 4 were non-significant (2.2; 0.9-5.8 and 2.0; 0.8-4.8, respectively). The summary odds ratio was significant for group 1 versus group 4 (3.6; 2.1-6.3), and more so among studies in which non-Enterobacteriaceae were common among the Gram-negative blood culture isolates (4.8; 2.1-10.7). Endotoxemia, like Gram-negative bacteremia, is a weak prognostic indicator. Endotoxemia appears to have most prognostic significance when it is detected in the co-presence of Gram-negative bacteremia. The differing interpretations among published studies could be attributed to the variability in types of Gram-negative bacteremia observed.
Olanzapine plus fluvoxamine and olanzapine alone for the treatment of an acute exacerbation of schizophrenia

Abstract The objective of the present study was to compare the efficacy and adverse effects of olanzapine plus fluvoxamine and those of olanzapine alone, in schizophrenic patients with acute exacerbation. A randomized, placebo‐controlled, 6‐week trial was carried out at a University Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. The efficacy and adverse effects were assessed biweekly by using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersogelser side‐effect scale, respectively. Twenty schizophrenic patients with acute exacerbation were randomly assigned to receive olanzapine plus fluvoxamine or olanzapine alone. The study found that the means of BPRS total and BPRS general psychopathology score changes were significantly larger in olanzapine plus fluvoxamine group (P = 0.037 and P = 0.045, respectively). The incidence of treatment adverse effects is comparable. In conclusion, the study findings suggest that fluvoxamine augmentation to olanzapine is well tolerated and more effective than olanzapine alone for short‐term (6‐week) treatment of an acute exacerbation of schizophrenia. Due to a number of limitations, further studies are warranted to confirm.
Naloxone distribution and cardiopulmonary resuscitation training for injection drug users to prevent heroin overdose death: A pilot intervention study

Fatal heroin overdose has become a leading cause of death among injection drug users (IDUs). Several recent feasibility studies have concluded that naloxone distribution programs for heroin injectors should be implemented to decrease heroin overdose deaths, but there have been no prospective trials of such programs in North America. This pilot study was undertaken to investigate the safety and feasibility of training injection drug using partners to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and administer naloxone in the event of heroin overdose. During May and June 2001, 24 IDUs (12 pairs of injection partners) were recruited from street settings in San Francisco. Participants took part in 8-hour training in heroin overdose prevention, CPR, and the use of naloxone. Following the intervention, participants were prospectively followed for 6 months to determine the number and outcomes of witnessed heroin overdoses, outcomes of participant interventions, and changes in participants’ knowledge of overdose and drug use behavior. Study participants witnessed 20 heroin overdose events during 6 months follow-up. They performed CPR in 16 (80%) events, administered naloxone in 15 (75%) and did one or the other in 19 (95%). All overdose victims survived. Knowledge about heroin overdose management increased, whereas heroin use decreased. IDUs can be trained to respond to heroin overdose emergencies by performing CPR and administering naloxone. Future research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of this peer intervention to prevent fatal heroin overdose.
No . 1504 Nash bargaining for log-convex problems

We introduce log-convexity for bargaining problems. With the requirement of some basic regularity conditions, log-convexity is shown to be necessary and sufficient for Nash’s axioms to determine a unique single-valued bargaining solution up to choices of bargaining powers. Specifically, we show that the single-valued (asymmetric) Nash solution is the unique solution under Nash’s axioms without that of symmetry on the class of all regular and log-convex bargaining problems, but this is not true on any larger class. We apply our results to bargaining problems arising from duopoly and the theory of the firm. These problems turn out to be log-convex but not convex under familiar conditions. We compare the Nash solution for log-convex bargaining problems with some of its extensions in the literature.
Psychological disabilities amongst patients with port wine stains

In a questionnarie study to assess psychological disabilities in 110 patients with port wine stains, 71 completed questionnaires were analysed. The questionnaire revealed a high level of psychological morbidity resulting from a feeling of stigmatization amongst these patients that was not apparent in casual social intercourse. In contrast, standard psychological screening tests for psychiatric illness, depression or anxiety revealed that these patients had similar or less evidence of morbidity than controls or other patient groups. It would appear that patients with port wine stains suffer a considerable degree of psychological morbidity which they suppress. This may be related to a need to hide their port wine stain.
Why is hypertension so frequently uncontrolled in secondary prevention?

Objective To analyze blood pressure (BP) control in secondary prevention. Design Individual data of two cross-sectional studies on preventive cardiology (PRATIK and ESPOIR studies conducted, respectively, in general practice and with private cardiologists) were analyzed. Setting Primary care. Participants Patients both with treated hypertension and coronary disease. Main outcome measures Risk factors, treatments, cardiovascular history and BP were recorded. Each population was divided in three groups: group I, no other risk factor; group II, one or two risk factors; group III, three or more risk factors or diabetes. Results A total of 1423 and 2596 patients, respectively, recruited in general practice and by cardiologists were analyzed. Of these, 473 (33.24%) and 1060 (40.83%) patients, respectively, had controlled hypertension. Among uncontrolled hypertensives, more than 50% had borderline isolated systolic hypertension. Associated risk factors negatively affect hypertension control, which had been achieved in a lower percentage of patients in group III than in group I (general practice, 26.28 versus 42.20%; cardiological practice, 32.42 versus 56.13%). In general practice, the percentage of patients receiving beta-blockers was significantly lower in group III. Among individuals with uncontrolled hypertension, only 17.58 and 26.69% received at least three-drug treatment including diuretics in general and in cardiological practice, respectively. Conclusion The negative influence of associated risk factors and the under-use of combination therapy contribute to poor BP control. In addition the high frequency of borderline isolated systolic hypertension suggests that the prerequisite to improve hypertension control should be to convince practitioners of the beneficial effect of tight systolic BP control (below 140 mmHg) in secondary prevention.
Effects of supplemental vitamin E in diet of Japanese quail on male reproduction, fertility and hatchability

1. Two experiments were conducted to examine the effect of feeding higher supplemental vitamin E (VE) concentrations on male reproductive variables, fertility and hatchability of quails. 2. In experiment 1, sixty 5-week-old male quails, reared in individual cages, were fed male breeder diets supplemented with 0, 75, 150, 225 or 300 IU α-tocopherol acetate/kg. At 10 weeks, observations on cloacal gland size, foam production, testes weight and blood samples for testosterone estimation were taken. 3. In experiment 2, 50 male and 50 female cage-reared quails (5 weeks old) were fed male breeder and layer rations, respectively, supplemented with 0, 75, 150, 225 or 300 IU/kg. At 13 weeks, 9 different mating pairs (5 pairs/group) were formed. Group 1 contained one control male and one control female in each of 5 pens. In groups 2 to 5, control males were paired with females on supplements of 75, 150, 225 or 300 IU/kg. In groups 6 to 9, control females were paired with males on supplements of 75, 150, 225 and 300 IU/kg. During subsequent adaptation and egg collection periods, each of 10 d, control layer ration was fed to all groups. All the eggs laid during the 10-d egg collection period were incubated artificially to estimate fertility and hatchability. The trial was repeated at 15 weeks. 4. Adult male quails receiving moderate supplemental VE (75 and 150 IU/kg) had a higher cloacal gland index, quantity of foam secretion, testicular weight and plasma testosterone than quails fed on either VE-deficient or more highly supplemented diets (225 and 300 IU α-tocopherol acetate/kg). 5. It was concluded that a supplement of 75 IU VE/kg in maize/soybean diet could provide the best reproductive performance of male breeder quails. Cloacal gland index, quantity of foam secretion, testicular weight and plasma testosterone can serve as indirect indicators of testicular activity and fertilising ability in quails. Supplemental VE did not affect the fertility and hatchability of male and female Japanese quails.
Negative regulator of sigma G-controlled gene expression in stationary-phase Bacillus subtilis

In some media, Bacillus subtilis can maintain a prolonged stationary growth phase; however, in other media, nutrient depletion triggers a complex differentiation that culminates in production of a dormant endospore. This differentiation requires the expression of many genes. We found that during the stationary phase in media in which the cells do not form endospores and do not normally express these sporulation-essential genes, a recessive mutation in spoIIAB caused increased transcription of a set of genes essential for sporulation. Evidently, the wild-type product of spoIIAB acts during the stationary phase to prevent expression of additional sporulation-specific genes.
Impact of diabetes mellitus on epicardial and microvascular flow after fibrinolytic therapy.

BACKGROUND Patients with diabetes are at increased risk of death after acute myocardial infarction, independent of other baseline risk factors and more severe coronary artery disease. We studied the angiographic and electrocardiographic responses to thrombolytic agents in patients with diabetes; in particular ST-segment resolution as a measure of microvascular flow. METHODS Angiography was performed in 2588 patients at 90 minutes after thrombolytic agent administration as well as after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) 4, 10A, 10B, and 14 trials. Electrocardiographic parameters were assessed at baseline and at 90 minutes in the TIMI 14 trial. RESULTS Compared with those without diabetes, patients with diabetes (347/2588 [13.4%]) were older, more often female, heavier, and less often smokers, and they had higher systolic blood pressure on admission. At angiography, they more frequently had 3-vessel disease, well-developed collateral vessels, more distal culprit lesions, and smaller reference segment diameters. In the infarct-related artery, there was no relationship between diabetes and TIMI 3 flow at 90 minutes (55.4% vs 59.0% without diabetes) or after PCI, (83.7% vs 84.2%, both P = NS). Corrected TIMI frame counts were also similar at both time points. However, there was less frequent complete ST-segment resolution among diabetic patients after thrombolysis (38.6% vs 49.2%, adjusted P =.04). CONCLUSION Thrombolysis and adjunctive/rescue PCI achieved equal rates of epicardial flow in patients with and without diabetes. However, diabetic patients had less complete ST-segment resolution, suggesting impaired microvascular flow. Abnormal microvascular flow may contribute at least in part to the poorer outcomes observed in patients with diabetes and acute myocardial infarction.
A new MRI method, tested in vitro for the assessment of thermal coagulation and demonstrated in vivo on focused ultrasound ablation

A new MRI method is described. It is implemented for the assessment of thermal coagulation after thermal treatment. The method does not require injection of a contrast agent. The image is based on the amount of magnetization exchange between macromolecules and water in the tissue. Coagulated tissue has a faster magnetization exchange rate, forming the new contrast. In this study, the new imaging method is shown to have good contrast between coagulated and untreated excised tissues of porcine liver and muscle. The method is also successfully demonstrated in vivo in rat thigh muscle thermally treated with focused ultrasound. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Friedreich's Ataxia 1976 — An Overview

SUMMARY: The prospective investigation of 50 cases of possible Friedreich's ataxia has permitted the clinical and biochemical delineation of the typical disease and an hypothesis on its pathogenesis. A tentative definition of the disorder could read: “Friedreich's ataxia is a progressive degenerative disease always inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion and characterized by a cardiomyopathy and a ganglioneuropathy with dying back phenomenon. It is probably secondary to a defect in the membrane transport of taurine and β -alanine and/or a defect in the regulation of pyruvate oxidation. ” The existence of two pathogenetically distinct distinct entities with the same phenotype is a strong possibility.
Distribution and Variable Expression of Secretory Pathway Protein Reticulocalbin in Normal Human Organs and Non-neoplastic Pathological Conditions

Reticulocalbin (RCN) is one member of the Ca2+-binding proteins in the secretory pathway and is localized in the endoplasmic reticulum. RCN may play a role in the normal behavior and life of cells, although its detailed role remains unknown. Overexpression of RCN may also play a role in tumorigenesis, tumor invasion, and drug resistance. The new antibody for human RCN is used in the distribution of RCN in normal human organs of fetuses and adults with or without inflammation. Immunohistochemical examination demonstrated a broad distribution of RCN in various organs of fetuses and adults, predominantly in the endocrine and exocrine organs. However, RCN expression was heterogeneous in each constituent cell of some organs. Among non-epithelial organs, vascular endothelial cells, testicular germ cells, neurons, and follicular dendritic cells showed strong staining. Plasma cells were the only RCN-positive cells among hematopoietic and lymphoid cells. In inflammatory conditions, RCN expression was enhanced in both epithelial and non-epithelial cells. Heterogeneous expression of RCN indicates that the amount of RCN needed for cell behavior and life may be variable, depending on each cell type and, therefore, RCN may be helpful in establishing the cell origin of neoplasms in some organs. However, further study is needed to establish the significance of RCN in tumorigenesis and in some peculiar features of neoplasms.
Optimising enteral nutrition in critically ill patients by reducing fasting times

Background Enteral nutrition is currently the route of choice for feeding critically ill patients with a functioning gut but delivery is commonly associated with disruptions. Common reasons for interruptions to enteral nutrition are fasting for diagnostic procedures, surgery and airway management. These interruptions result in significant calorie deficits that are associated with increased complications. We aimed to describe the specific interruptions in our patient group and the impact they have on nutrition delivery before and after implementation of a fasting guideline. Methods A service improvement project was undertaken over two different time points, 1 year apart, to evaluate the effectiveness of a fasting guideline in a general/trauma ICU in a London teaching hospital. Results There were 62 interruptions to enteral nutrition delivery with the first data collection and 64 in the second. Prolonged fasting before and after surgery and airway procedures were initially identified as the two most important causes of delays. Implementation of the fasting guideline resulted in statistical and clinical improvements in reducing fasting for airways procedures. The calorie deficit also statistically and clinically decreased as a result of the guideline. Conclusions We conclude that the introduction of a simple guideline stipulating reduced fasting times before ICU procedures can result in less time lost in feed interruptions and improved enteral nutrition delivery.
Striving for Better Medical Education: the Simulation Approach

Abstract Medical simulation is a rapidly expanding area within medical education due to advances in technology, significant reduction in training hours and increased procedural complexity. Simulation training aims to enhance patient safety through improved technical competency and eliminating human factors in a risk free environment. It is particularly applicable to a practical, procedure-orientated specialties. Simulation can be useful for novice trainees, experienced clinicians (e.g. for revalidation) and team building. It has become a cornerstone in the delivery of medical education, being a paradigm shift in how doctors are educated and trained. Simulation must take a proactive position in the development of metric-based simulation curriculum, adoption of proficiency benchmarking definitions, and should not depend on the simulation platforms used. Conversely, ingraining of poor practice may occur in the absence of adequate supervision, and equipment malfunction during the simulation can break the immersion and disrupt any learning that has occurred. Despite the presence of high technology, there is a substantial learning curve for both learners and facilitators. The technology of simulation continues to advance, offering devices capable of improved fidelity in virtual reality simulation, more sophisticated procedural practice and advanced patient simulators. Simulation-based training has also brought about paradigm shifts in the medical and surgical education arenas and ensured that the scope and impact of simulation will continue to broaden.