Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mathematical Models for Thermally Coupled Low Speed Flows

In this paper we review and clarify some aspects of the asymptotic analysis of the compressible Navier Stokes equations in the low Mach number limit. In the absence of heat exchange (the isentropic regime) this limit is well understood and rigorous results are available. When heat exchange is considered different simplified models can be obtained, the most famous being the Boussinesq approximation. Here a unified formal justification of these models is presented, paying special attention to the relation between the low Mach number and the Boussinesq approximations. Precise conditions for their validity are given for classical problems in bounded domains.
Interictal cortical excitability in migraine: A study using transcranial magnetic stimulation of motor and visual cortices

We performed transcranial magnetic stimulations of the motor and visual cortices in healthy controls (n = 27) and in patients suffering from migraine without (n = 33) or with (n = 25) aura between attacks. By using a 13‐cm circular coil placed over the vertex and recordings of the first dorsal interosseus muscle, we measured thresholds (at rest and during contraction), amplitudes of motor evoked potentials and cortical silent periods. Paired stimulations with short (1–20 msec) interstimulus intervals were performed to assess intracortical inhibition. The visual cortex was stimulated with the same coil placed over the occipital scalp (7 cm above the inion) and the prevalence and threshold of phosphene production was determined. In patients with migraine with aura, motor thresholds during isometric contraction were significantly higher, whereas the prevalence of stimulation‐induced phosphene production was lower compared with healthy controls. These changes were not correlated with attack frequency or disease duration. No differences were found between subject groups in thresholds at rest, motor evoked potential amplitudes, cortical silent periods, or response curves after paired stimuli. These results are in favor of cortical hypoexcitability rather than hyperexcitability in patients with migraine with aura between attacks.
Factors determining the formation of secondary inorganic aerosol: a case study in the Po Valley (Italy)

Abstract. Physicochemical properties of aerosol were investigated by analyzing the inorganic water soluble content in PM 2.5 samples collected in the eastern part of the Po Valley (Italy). In this area the EU limits for many air pollutants are frequently exceeded as a consequence of local sources and regional-scale transport of secondary inorganic aerosol precursors. Nine PM 2.5 -bound major inorganic ions (F − , Cl − , NO 3 − , SO 4 2− , Na + , NH 4 + , K + , Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ ) were monitored over one year in three sites categorized as semi-rural background, urban background and industrial. The acidic properties of the PM 2.5 were studied by applying the recently developed E-AIM thermodynamic model 4 (Extended Aerosol Thermodynamics Model). The experimental data were also examined in relation to the levels of gaseous precursors of secondary inorganic aerosol (SO 2 , NO x , NO, NO 2 ) and on the basis of some environmental conditions having an effect on the secondary aerosols generation processes. A chemometric procedure using cluster analysis on experimental [NH 4 + ]/[SO 4 2− ] molar ratio and NO 3 − concentration has been applied to determine the conditions needed for ammonium nitrate formation in different chemical environments. Finally, some considerations on the secondary inorganic aerosol formation and the most relevant weather conditions concerning the sulfate-nitrate-ammonium system were also discussed. The obtained results and discussion can help in understanding the secondary aerosol formation dynamics in the Po Valley, which is one of the most critical regions for air pollution in southern Europe.
Évaluation des contraintes zootechniques de développement de l’élevage bovin laitier en Algérie : cas de la wilaya de Médéa

L'etude a ete realisee en 2010, elle a porte sur 70 exploitations totalisant 1 454 bovins dont 822 vaches laitieres (dominees a 47% par la Montbeliarde, suivie d'animaux de type genetiquement croise a 36%, ainsi que les autres races dont : FFPN, Holstein, Fleckvieh et la Brune des Alpes) au niveau de la wilaya de Medea situee au coeur de l'Atlas tellien et reputee pour sa vocation agricole. Elle vise a cerner la situation actuelle de l'elevage bovin laitier dans le but de comprendre la logique de fonctionnement (.)
Relevant Criteria for Detecting Microsporidia in Stool Specimens

ABSTRACT By using different staining techniques, 479 stool specimens from 212 diarrheic patients with AIDS were examined for microsporidian spores. Calcofluor fluorescence staining of 119 specimens revealed fluorescent ovoid structures of microsporidian size. Staining of these samples according to the method of Weber et al. (R. Weber, R. T. Bryan, R. L. Owen, C. M. Wilcox, L. Gorelkin, and G. S. Visvesvara, N. Engl. J. Med. 326:161–166, 1992) with trichrome produced six specimens with pinkish spores containing the characteristic microsporidian belt-like structure. The 6 specimens were processed for transmission electron microscopy, as were another 21 specimens which did not present the belt-like structure after trichrome staining but which looked highly suspicious after fluorescence staining. In these 21 samples, only fungal spores and, particularly, bacterial Clostridium spores were demonstrated, whereas in the 6 samples diagnosed positive after trichrome staining, the existence of microsporidia could be verified by electron microscopy. Based on our observations, we propose that the belt-like structure seen with the Weber stains in microsporidian spores corresponds to structures existing in priming-stage spores. The results suggest that routine microscopical fecal diagnosis for microsporidian infection should include a screening by fluorescence staining and, subsequently, a confirmatory viewing of fluorescence-positive samples after trichrome staining.
Transcription factor SOX‐5 enhances nasopharyngeal carcinoma progression by down‐regulating SPARC gene expression

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is prevalent in south‐eastern Asia, and its tumourigenesis is rather complex. The purpose of this research was to identify the pivotal genes that may be altered during the early stage of NPC progression. Eleven genes were selected by comparative microarray analysis of NPC versus normal nasomucosal cells. The expression of SPARC (secreted protein, acidic, cysteine‐rich) was statistically significantly down‐regulated in NPC cells. In exploring the mechanism underlying the decreased transcription of SPARC in NPC cells, we found that the transcription factor SRY (sex‐determining region Y)‐box 5 (SOX‐5) is up‐regulated in NPC cells. RNA interference of SOX‐5 by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) in NPC cells caused a dramatic increase in SPARC and chromosome immunoprecipitation assay showed that SOX‐5 can bind directly to the SPARC promoter, suggesting that SOX‐5 acts as a key transcriptional repressor of SPARC. We further demonstrated that shRNA knockdown of SOX‐5 suppressed the proliferation of NPC cells, as well as their migratory ability, which was also observed when SPARC was over‐expressed in NPC cells. Alternatively, blocking SPARC with an antagonistic antibody reversed the effects of SOX‐5 knockdown. In 66 NPC patients, over‐expression of SOX‐5 in tumour cells correlated clinically with poor survival. Our study suggests that SOX‐5 transcriptionally down‐regulates SPARC expression and plays an important role in the regulation of NPC progression. SOX‐5 is a potential tumour marker for poor NPC prognosis. Copyright © 2007 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Jurisdictional differences in opioid use, other licit and illicit drug use, and harms associated with substance use among people who tamper with pharmaceutical opioids.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS The harms associated with non-medical use of pharmaceutical opioid analgesics are well established; however, less is known about the characteristics and drug-use patterns of the growing and hidden populations of people using pharmaceutical opioids illicitly, including the frequency of pharmaceutical opioid injection. This paper aimed to undertake a detailed examination of jurisdictional differences in patterns of opioid use among a cohort of people who regularly tamper with pharmaceutical opioids in Australia. DESIGN AND METHODS Data were drawn from the National Opioid Medications Abuse Deterrence study. The cohort was recruited from New South Wales (NSW; n = 303), South Australia (SA; n = 150) and Tasmania (TAS; n = 153) to participate in face-to-face structured interviews collecting data on use of pharmaceutical opioids, benzodiazepines, other sedative drugs and illicit substances, as well as the harms associated with substance use. RESULTS TAS participants reported greater use and injection of certain pharmaceutical opioids (particularly morphine and methadone tablets), and limited heroin use, with lower rates of engagement in opioid substitution treatment, compared with NSW participants. NSW participants were more socially disadvantaged and more likely to report risky injecting behaviours and injecting-related injuries and diseases compared with SA and TAS participants. SA participants reported greater rates of pain conditions, greater use of pain-based services, as well as broader use of pharmaceutical opioids in regards to forms and route of administration, compared with NSW participants. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Distinct jurisdictional profiles were evident for people who tamper with pharmaceutical opioids, potentially reflecting jurisdictional differences in prescribing regulatory mechanisms and addiction treatment models.
Análise sobre a Relação do Mercado Acionário com as Variáveis Macroeconômicas no Período de 2004 a 2014

Este artigo possui como objetivo principal analisar a influencia das variaveis macroeconomicas sobre o mercado acionario. A pesquisa forneceu inicialmente a discussao conceitual demonstrando reacao teorica esperada no mercado acionario gerada por oscilacoes macroeconomicas. Em seguida, com os resultados colhidos de uma analise realizada por meio de um modelo de regressao linear pelos Metodos dos Minimos Quadrados Ordinarios (MQO), sobre uma base de dados mensal do periodo de 2004 a 2014, totalizando 132 amostras, tendo como variavel dependente, para representar o mercado acionario, o indice Ibovespa. Para exprimir as oscilacoes macroeconomicas foram selecionadas como variaveis independentes a taxa de câmbio media, a taxa de juros SELICOVER , o Indice de Precos ao Produtor Amplo (IPA) e o Produto Interno Bruto nominal (PIB), todas extraidas do Banco Central do Brasil (BACEN) e do Instituto de Pesquisa Economica Aplicada (IPEA). Desta forma, constatou-se que foi significativa a participacao do mercado acionario na economia, o qual possui grande relevância as empresas que necessitam de recursos para produzirem, assim como aos agentes superavitarios que buscam remuneracao pelo capital investido. Acrescenta-se, ainda, que os resultados obtidos foram profundamente expressivos, uma vez que nao apenas confirmou o posicionamento teorico, como tambem demostrou que a influencia e extremamente alta, pois o valor encontrado do R² induziu que as oscilacoes das variaveis macroeconomicas explicam 93,10% da oscilacao da bolsa de valores. Com isso, nao restam duvidas que os resultados deste estudo sao significativos e contribuem para fomentar as discussoes sobre a volatilidade do mercado acionario em face da atual crise economica.
Elemental Mixing State of Aerosol Particles Collected in Central Amazonia during GoAmazon2014/15

Two complementary techniques, Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscopy/Near Edge Fine Structure spectroscopy (STXM/NEXAFS) and Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX), have been quantitatively combined to characterize individual atmospheric particles. This pair of techniques was applied to particle samples at three sampling sites (ATTO, ZF2, and T3) in the Amazon basin as part of the Observations and Modeling of the Green Ocean Amazon (GoAmazon2014/5) field campaign during the dry season of 2014. The combined data was subjected to k-means clustering using mass fractions of the following elements: C, N, O, Na, Mg, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Ni, and Zn. Cluster analysis identified 12 particle types across different sampling sites and particle sizes. Samples from the remote Amazon Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO, also T0a) exhibited less cluster variety and fewer anthropogenic clusters than samples collected at the sites nearer to the Manaus metropolitan region, ZF2 (also T0t) or T3. Samples from the ZF2 site contained aged/anthropogenic clusters not readily explained by transport from ATTO or Manaus, possibly suggesting the effects of long range atmospheric transport or other local aerosol sources present during sampling. In addition, this data set allowed for recently established diversity parameters to be calculated. All sample periods had high mixing state indices (χ) that were >0.8. Two individual particle diversity (Di) populations were observed, with particles 0.5 µm particles having a Di of ~3.6, which likely correspond to fresh and aged aerosols, respectively. The diversity parameters determined by the quantitative method presented here will serve to aid in the accurate representation of aerosol mixing state, source apportionment, and aging in both less polluted and more developed environments in the Amazon Basin.
Gynaecological and Reproductive Health Issues in HIV-Positive Women Gynécologiques et de santé génésique des femmes séropositives

BACKGROUND: Women constitute over 60 percent of the HIVinfected population in sub-saharan Africa. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has improved the life span of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Advances in scientific knowledge and management of the HIV-positive pregnant woman have also led to reduction in the risk of motherto-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV. The gynaecological and reproductive health needs and care of the HIV-positive woman are poorly appreciated, suboptimal and largely neglected, with potential to negatively affect their quality of life and efforts at control of the HIV epidemic. OBJECTIVE: To review the contemporary gynaecological and reproductive health problems and management of the HIVpositive woman. METHODS: A review of local and international publications on gynaecology / reproductive health and HIV from indexed / online journals and relevant websites using Pubmed and Google search in the period between 1980 and March 2009. RESULTS: The HIV-positive woman suffers increased frequency and severity of pelvic infections and cervical premalignant and malignant lesions. Relapses and treatment failures of these conditions are common among these patients. Infertility and contraception are also challenges to the HIVpositive woman. Gynaecological and reproductive health care is an integral part of the comprehensive health care needs of the HIV-positive woman. CONCLUSION: In addition to antiretroviral treatment, HIVpositive women should be provided regular screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), cervical cytology, counselling and services for infertility and contraception. Appropriate attention to the gynaecological and reproductive health needs of the HIV-positive woman will improve her general health status and quality of life and contribute to reduction in the incidence of HIV infection. WAJM 2010; 29(3): 135–142.
Prevalence of thrombus, spontaneous echo contrast, and atrial stunning in patients undergoing cardioversion of atrial flutter. A prospective study using transesophageal echocardiography.

BACKGROUND Several studies have shown that patients undergoing cardioversion of atrial fibrillation have a high prevalence of of atrial thrombus and spontaneous echo contrast and frequently develop atrial stunning after restoration of sinus rhythm. These findings are strongly associated with increased risk of embolism in these patients. However, little is known about the prevalence of these markers of thromboembolism in patients undergoing cardioversion of atrial flutter. METHODS AND RESULTS We performed transesophageal echocardiography in 47 consecutive, nonanticoagulated patients scheduled for elective cardioversion of atrial flutter. In patients who underwent successful cardioversion, mitral inflow velocity was recorded by transthoracic pulsed Doppler examination immediately after restoration of sinus rhythm. All patients were men (mean age, 65 +/- 10 years). Mean duration of flutter was 4 +/- 9 weeks. Atrial thrombus and/or spontaneous echo contrast were found in 16 patients (34%). Left atrial thrombus was seen in 5 patients (11%), either with (n = 4) or without spontaneous contrast. Of 40 patients with successful cardioversion, atrial mechanical activity was absent in 28% immediately after restoration of sinus rhythm. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that contrary to traditional teaching, atrial thrombus and spontaneous contrast are not uncommon in patients with atrial flutter and cardioversion may be associated with increased risk of thromboembolism.
Antigen‐independent accumulation of activated effector/memory T lymphocytes into human and murine tumors

Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) display activation markers and their presence is often associated with a favorable outcome. The role of tumor antigens in T cell recruitment into tumors is unclear. In an attempt to address this issue, we purified lymphocytes from breast tumor or nontumor, mammary tissue from patients, and normal mammary tissue from healthy individuals. In all groups, including healthy individuals, the majority of cells displayed an effector/memory (CD45RAlo/CD27+/−) phenotype and quite surprisingly the early and transient activation marker CD69, thus, questioning the tumor antigen specificity of TIL. Because the human repertoire is diverse, the T cells found in the tumors could recognize both self/tumor and environmental antigens through cross‐reactivity. To test this hypothesis, we used two anti‐male HY monospecific TCR transgenic mouse models. We found an infiltration of HY negative tumors by the CD4+ and CD8+ monoclonal T cells after priming with HY positive cells in the periphery. Thus, the presence of activated effector/memory T lymphocytes in tumors can be independent of reactivity against tumor antigens. These results suggest that to find activated effector T cells in a tissue does not always mean that a specific immune response is taking place. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
How Organizations Foster the Creative Use of Resources

Using a multi-year qualitative study, I explain how employees at a fast-growing retail organization used creative resourcing—that is, the manipulation and recombination of objects in novel and useful ways to solve problems. I induce two core organizational processes (autonomous resourcing and directed resourcing) that explain how organizations foster ongoing creative activities in response to different perceived resource endowments. In doing so, I add clarity to a mixed literature that argues on the one hand that limited resources foster creativity, and on the other, that abundant resources foster creativity. Instead, I reorient the questions that scholars ask by shifting the conversation away from variance-explanation models and towards understanding organizational processes, specifically around how employees use resources in dynamic ways and how managers enable them to do so. My study unpacks how the link between resources and creativity is rooted deeply in the actions of managers and employees embedded in organizations over time. In elaborating theory around these actions, I contribute to scholarly and practitioner understanding around how organizations foster creativity in a variety of resource environments
Blood cholesterol and apolipoprotein B levels in relation to intakes of animal and plant proteins in US adults

Few studies have examined the association between specific sources of protein and blood lipids in a national sample of adults. We examined this relationship in a sample of adults 20 years and older who participated in phase 1 (1988–91) of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a representative sample of the United States non-institutionalized population. After excluding those participants who reported having been told they had high blood cholesterol concentrations, the final sample size was 6228. Mean intakes of different sources of proteins, as a percentage of total protein, were compared in quartiles of blood lipids. Intakes were adjusted for age, sex and race. Additional adjustments were made for other dietary variables, recall day, BMI, smoking, and income. We observed a lower percentage meat, fish and poultry (MFP) protein intake, including a lower percentage of beef and pork protein, among persons in the lowest quartile of serum total cholesterol and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) concentrations than among persons in the higher quartiles. The percentage of plant protein intake was higher in the lowest quartile than in the highest quartile of serum cholesterol. We also observed a higher percentage of fruit protein intake with lower serum cholesterol and ApoB concentrations. We conclude that in this cross-sectional sample, consumption of MFP proteins was consistently higher among persons with higher cholesterol concentrations while consumption of plant proteins was consistently higher among persons with lower cholesterol concentrations. Our findings support the importance of assessing intake of specific protein sources, especially in studies that address dietary intake in relation to blood lipids.
Contribution of subjective balance confidence on functional mobility in subjects with chronic stroke

Purpose. To examine the contribution of subjective balance confidence, balance ability, motor impairments and muscle strength to the timed ‘Up & Go’ (TUG) scores of 78 subjects with chronic stroke using cross-sectional design. Methods. Functional mobility was measured in terms of TUG scores. Balance ability and subjective balance confidence were assessed with the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the activities-specific balance confidence (ABC) scale, respectively. Stroke-specific motor impairment and muscle strength of lower extremity were measured using the Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment lower extremity (FMA-LE) scores and hand-held dynamometer. Results. We found that the TUG scores had the highest negative correlation with subjective balance confidence. After controlling for use of walking aids, significant partial correlations were identified between the TUG scores and subjective balance confidence and balance ability. Applying linear regression model, the TUG scores showed association with subjective balance confidence and balance ability, independently. The motor impairments and muscle strength, however, were not significant predictors of TUG scores. The whole model could explain 63.0%% of the variance in the TUG scores. Conclusions. Our results support that improving both subjective balance confidence, in addition to functional balance training could be crucial in promoting functional mobility of community-dwelling stroke survivors.