Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Value of Ultrasound in the Management of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome by Optimal PEEP

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome [ARDS] is usually associated with significant morbidities, and may need admission to intensive care unit [ICU]. Mechanical ventilation when indicated needs continuous monitoring. Aim of the work: To assess clinical value of ultrasonic monitoring in pulmonary recruitment and optimal positive end-expiratory pressure [PEEP] in cases of ARD. Methods: It included thirty patients with ARDS. All were subjected to clinical evaluation, X-ray chest, lung ultrasound and laboratory investigations. All patients underwent mechanical ventilation by increasing PEEP, starting at 5 mmHg then [6, 9, 12, and 15 mmHg] according to patient response with documentation of good response. At each PEEP, chest ultrasound was completed and results were correlated with respiratory functions. Results: Hypertension, diabetes, COPD and hypothyroidism were reported in 63.3%, 66.7%, 16.7% and 40.0% respectively. The rate of primary weaning success was 36.7%, and 30.0% achieved weaning success in the third trail; tracheostomy indicated for 13.3%, pneumothorax 10.0%, pleural effusion 6.7% and mortality rate was 33.3%. Increased PEEP was concomitant by progressive improvement of respiratory functions. In addition, there was progressive significant decrease of B-lines at different areas from right and left lungs. All effects were significant at PEEP 9. Conclusions: Gradual increments of PEEP helps to tailor the patient response on an individual basis. The use of readily available, portable ultrasound, permits the daily monitoring and could guide the treatment protocol.
Quality of evidence of anti-obesity pharmacotherapy: an overview of systematic reviews

The safety and effectiveness of main anti-obesity drugs are controversial, and there is no consensus among regulatory agencies regarding anti-obesity drugs. We undertook an overview of systematic reviews (SR) of randomized controlled trials (RCT) to summarize the quality of evidence related to anti-obesity drugs. Data sources included Medline, Scopus, The Cochrane Library and PROSPERO. Twenty-one SR (564 RCT; average of 2,356 participants per review) satisfied the inclusion criteria. Ten SR presented a high level of heterogeneity, and only five SR included sensitivity analyses. The most important limitations reported by the SR were a high level of attrition, a small sample size, and a short follow-up. Eight different outcomes for efficacy were used, 15 different outcomes for biomarkers were used, and nine different outcomes for safety were used. Conclusions: In conclusion, the quality of SR pertaining to anti-obesity drugs is low, and these reviews have a high level of heterogeneity. Future SR should present more detailed population inclusion criteria, larger sample sizes, and focus variables reported in a predefined anti-obesity core outcome set.
A multi-sourced assessment of the spatio-temporal dynamic of soil saturation in the MARINE flash flood model

Abstract. The MARINE hydrological model is a distributed model dedicated to flash flood simulation. Recent developments of the MARINE model are exploited in this work: on the one hand, formerly relying on water height, transfers of water through the subsurface now take place in a homogeneous soil column based on the volumetric soil water content (SSF model). On the other hand, the soil column is divided into two layers, which represent respectively the upper soil layer and the deep weathered rocks (SSF-DWF model). The aim of the present work is to assess the performances of these new representations for the simulation of soil saturation during flash flood events. An exploration of the various products available in the literature for soil moisture estimation is performed. The performances of the models are estimated with respect to several soil moisture products, either at the local scale or spatially extended: i) The gridded soil moisture product provided by the operational modeling chain SAFRAN-ISBA-MODCOU; ii) The gridded soil moisture product provided by the LDAS-Monde assimilation chain, based on the ISBA-a-gs land surface model and assimilating satellite derived data; iii) the upper soil moisture hourly measurements taken from the SMOSMANIA observation network; iv) The Soil Water Index provided by the Copernicus Global Land Service (CGLS), derived from Sentinel1/C-band SAR and ASCAT satellite data. The case study is performed over two French Mediterranean catchments impacted by flash flood events over the 2017–2019 period. The local comparison of the MARINE outputs with the SMOSMANIA measurements, as well as the comparison at the basin scale of the MARINE outputs with the gridded LDAS-Monde and CGLS data lead to the same conclusions: both the dynamics and the amplitudes of the soil moisture simulated with the SSF and SSF-DWF models are better correlated with both the SMOSMANIA measurements and the LDAS-Monde data than the outputs of the base model. The opportunity of improving the two-layers model calibration is then discussed. In conclusion, the developments presented for the representation of subsurface flow in the MARINE model enhance the soil moisture simulation during flash floods, with respect to both gridded data and local soil moisture measurements.
#Happyanniversary: Gender and age differences in spouses’ and partners’ Twitter greetings

Research and theory suggest that men, on average, are inhibited from expressing vulnerable emotions such as love, whereas women do so more readily. Based on theories of gender socialization and social media uses and gratifications, we conducted a content analysis of gender differences in the domain of wedding and other relationship anniversary greetings delivered on Twitter (N = 414 tweets). We tested for gender as well as age differences in three areas: symbolic (emoji), photographic, and verbal content. As hypothesized, women were more likely to use emojis than were men. Most tweeters who included photographs in their greetings used photos of themselves and their partners today, although some subgroups of men and women preferred photos from their weddings. Age-related differences were clear: young-adult tweeters preferred symbolic emojis to deliver their anniversary greetings, whereas older/middle-aged adults opted for verbal/textual communication, particularly in the areas of tribute and inspirational statements and humor. Results are discussed in terms of gender-role socialization, social and cultural norms, and modes of communication (e.g., written letters and notes, smartphone texts) during different historical eras.
Organic Fertilization, Green Manure, and Vetch Mulch to Improve Organic Zucchini Yield and Quality

A 2-year field experiment was carried out in a Mediterranean environment to study the effects of vetch (Vicia sativa L.) residue management strategies incorporating green manure (GM) using a roller-crimper (RC) and different organic fertilizers (municipal solid waste compost, anaerobic digestate, and a commercial organic fertilizer) on organic zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) yield and quality. Zucchini yield was influenced positively by the vetch residue management strategy, although the response was significantly different between years. The vetch cover crop increased marketable zucchini yield in the first year by 46.6% compared with the fallow (FA) treatment, indicating that this fertility-building crop could reduce off-farm nitrogen (N) fertilizer input for sub- sequent crops. Averaging over 2 years of the experiment, marketable zucchini yield increased by 15.2% and 38% with the RC mulch and GM plow-down, respectively, compared with the FA treatment, although differences were significant in the first year only. The application of organic fertilizers in vetch management plots increased market- able zucchini yield by 21.8% in the first year compared with the unfertilized control. This result is particularly relevant, because organic fertilizers were applied at '50% of the normal application rate for zucchini after taking into account biological N fixation attributable to the vetch. The concentrations of soil mineral N at harvest were 19, 27, and 28 mg·kg L1 for the RC, FA, and GM treatments, respectively. These mineral N concentrations indicated that a portion of applied organic fertilizer N, and N attributable tovetch(GMandRC),remainedinthesoilatharvest,suggestingthepotentialforleaching, which should be taken into account in the overall fertilization program. These research findings suggest that effective vetch cover cropmanagement andthe applicationoforganic fertilizers can improve yield and quality of organically managed zucchini.
Nanoscale membrane curvature sorts lipid phases and alters lipid diffusion

The precise spatiotemporal control of nanoscale membrane shape and composition is the result of complex interplay of individual and collective molecular behaviors. Here, we employed single-molecule localization microscopy and computational simulations to observe single-lipid diffusion and sorting in model membranes with varying compositions, phase, temperature, and curvature. Supported lipid bilayers were created over 50-nm radius nanoparticles to mimic the size of naturally occurring membrane buds, such as endocytic pits and the formation of viral envelopes. The curved membranes recruited liquid-disordered lipid phases while altering the diffusion and sorting of tracer lipids. Disorder-preferring fluorescent lipids sorted to and experienced faster diffusion on the nanoscale curvature only when embedded in a membrane capable of sustaining lipid phase separation at low temperatures. The curvature-induced sorting and faster diffusion even occurred when the sample temperature was above the miscibility temperature of the planar membrane, implying that the nanoscale curvature could induce phase separation in otherwise homogeneous membranes. Further confirmation and understanding of these results are provided by continuum and coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations with explicit and spontaneous curvature-phase coupling, respectively. The curvature-induced membrane compositional heterogeneity and altered dynamics were achieved only with a coupling of the curvature with a lipid phase separation. These cross-validating results demonstrate the complex interplay of lipid phases, molecular diffusion, and nanoscale membrane curvature that are critical for membrane functionality. Significance Nanoscopic membrane organization and dynamics are critical for cellular function but challenging to experimentally measure. This work brings together super-resolution optical methods with multiscale computational approaches to reveal the interplay between curvature, composition, phase, and diffusion in model membranes. We report that curvature can induce phase separation in otherwise homogeneous membranes and that the phase-curvature coupling has a direct implication on lipid mobility. This discovery advances our understanding of the fundamental membrane biophysics that regulate membrane activities such as endocytosis and viral budding.
Clustered functional domains for curves and corners in cortical area V4

The ventral visual pathway is crucially involved in integrating low-level visual features into complex representations for objects and scenes. At an intermediate stage of the ventral visual pathway, V4 plays a crucial role in supporting this transformation. Many V4 neurons are selective for shape segments like curves and corners; however, it remains unclear whether these neurons are organized into clustered functional domains, a structural motif common across other visual cortices. Using two-photon calcium imaging in awake macaques, we confirmed and localized cortical domains selective for curves or corners in V4. Single-cell resolution imaging confirmed that curve- or corner-selective neurons were spatially clustered into such domains. When tested with hexagonal-segment stimuli, we find that stimulus smoothness is the cardinal difference between curve and corner selectivity in V4. Combining cortical population responses with single-neuron analysis, our results reveal that curves and corners are encoded by neurons clustered into functional domains in V4. This functionally specific population architecture bridges the gap between the early and late cortices of the ventral pathway and may serve to facilitate complex object recognition.
A multicenter study of a contrast-enhanced ultrasound diagnostic classification of breast lesions

Purpose To evaluate a classification model of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and examine the characteristics of patients with false-negative diagnosis. Patients and methods A retrospective secondary analysis of a multicenter trial of CEUS for breast cancer diagnosis (from August 2015 to April 2017) was undertaken. Patients (n=1,023) with Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System 4–5 lesions on B-mode ultrasound underwent CEUS. Pathological diagnoses were available from surgical or biopsy specimens for correlation. Lesion maximum diameter (LMD), distance to the papilla (DtP), distance from the superficial edge of the lesion to the skin (DtS), distance from the deep edge of the lesion to the pectoralis muscle (DtPM), and body mass index (BMI) were evaluated. Results Median age and BMI were 48.0 and 41.2 years and 23.2 and 22.4 kg/m2 for patients with malignant and benign lesions, respectively. Overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CEUS for malignancy were 89.4%, 65.3%, and 75.8%, respectively. The patients with true-positive and false-negative diagnosis (ie, with malignant lesion) were older than those with false-positive and true-negative diagnosis (ie, with benign lesion). Patients with true-positive and false-positive diagnoses had higher BMI than patients with true-negative and false-negative diagnoses (P=0.004). Patients with true-positive and false-negative diagnoses had larger LMD and DtP, as well as smaller DtS and DtPM. Conclusion Older age, higher BMI, larger LMD and DtP, and smaller DtS and DtPM were associated with malignant lesions on CEUS. Patients with these characteristics should undergo further imaging.
Durability of Waste Metal Bottle Caps Aggregate Concrete

This paper assessed the effects of Waste Metal Bottle Caps (WMBC) aggregates on the durability characteristics of concrete. WMBC used were obtained from local drinking points in Kano, Nigeria. The WMBC were prepared with its edges folded with hammer and plier and characterized for use in concrete of 1:2:4 mix ratio and water cement ratio of 0.55 containing WMBC aggregates as partial substitute of granite aggregate of 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50% respectively. A total of seventy two (72) number 100 mm x 100 mm x 100mm cubes of hardened concrete were tested for compressive strength at the age of 3, 7, 28, 56 days of curing in accordance with standard procedure. Crushed samples of the cubes of WMBC concrete from the compressive strength test at 28 days curing for the six mixes were weighed and exposed in 5 % concentration of sulphuric acid (H 2 SO 4 ) medium and weight retained recorded at 7 days interval until the 28 th day, to determine the resistance of WMBC concrete to sulphuric acid aggression. Also, eighteen number 100 mm x 100 mm x 100 mm cubes of WMBC concrete were tested for water absorption at 28 days curing. A total of thirty six number 100 mm x 100 mm x 100 mm cubes of WMBC concrete cured for 28 days were subjected to elevated temperature of 200 o C for 1 and 2 hours, respectively and were also tested for compressive strength. The results of the investigations showed that WMBC aggregates were predominantly of Fe 2 O 3 (97.7 %), smooth but denser than normal aggregates. The compressive strength and water absorption of concrete containing WMBC aggregate decreased with increase in WMBC content. However, up to 30 % WMBC could be suitable for partial substitution of coarse aggregate in concrete in normal environment. The resistance of up to 20 % WMBC concrete exposed to sulphuric acid environment is similar to that of normal aggregate concrete and slightly lower for higher content of WMBC aggregates. WMBC concrete exposed to elevated temperature experienced higher compressive strength loss than that of concrete made with crushed granite aggregate. The compressive strength loss of WMBC concrete at elevated temperature range from 8.9 % to 22 % and 22 % to 39.1 %, as opposed to compressive strength loss of control samples of 2.9 % and 10.3 %, for 1 and 2 hours exposure respectively.
Effect of storage temperature and gas permeability of packaging film on the growth of lactic acid bacteria and Brochothrix thermosphacta in cooked meat emulsions

The effect of gas permeability of packaging film on the growth of lactic acid bacteria and Brochothrix thermosphacta in cooked meat emulsions stored at 0, 8 and 15 1C was investigated. The estimated parameters from Gompertz equation for the assayed temperature–oxygen permeability combinations showed LAB development to be significantly greater than those of B. thermosphacta. The influence of the two sources of variation (oxygen permeability of packaging film and temperature) on the growth parameters of LAB and B. thermosphacta was analysed showing a significant effect (Po0:001) of the temperature on both bacterial population while the film permeability had only a significant influence (Po0:001) on B. thermosphacta growth. Under the conditions of this study the packaging film influenced the maximum counts and growth rates of both organisms. Since the inhibition of B. thermosphacta occurred when the meat product was vacuum-packaged in films possessing high oxygen permeability and the effect of pH was found not to be associated with the growth inhibition, accumulation of hydrogen peroxide produced by LAB may possibly be one of the main factors responsible for B. thermosphacta inhibition. Shelf-life of vacuum-packaged cooked meat emulsions in high oxygen transmission rate films will be guarantied and a temperature abuse will not result in an increase of spoilage by LAB. r 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
COMPARISON OF METHANOGENESIS BETWEEN SUNFLOWER AND CORN STALKS MIXED WITH PIG MANURE AT DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES

The gas production effect of two kinds of straws mixed with pig manure via anaerobic fermentation under two sets of temperatures 32°C and 52°C has been studied in this experiment. In the process, sunflower and corn straw were used as raw materials with activated sludge as inoculum in a batch anaerobic fermentation reactor. The results showed that the average methane content of sunflower straw reached 62.55% at 37°C, which was 20.41% higher than that of sunflower straw at 52°C.The cumulative methanogenic yield of corn stalks was higher than that of sunflower stalks at different temperatures. The cumulative methane production of corn stalks was the highest at 52°C, and 67.99 L of methane was produced in 54 days. The cumulative methane production of sunflower stalks was the lowest at 52°C, and the methane production was 34.09 L in 53 days. The results showed that corn stalks produce more methane than sunflower stalks and are more suitable for high temperature anaerobic fermentation. On the other hand, sunflower stalks were found suitable for medium temperature fermentation.
The Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE): A Qualitative Study evaluating Nursing Student’s Experience

This study evaluates the clinical competences and decision making of students before they enter the clinical setting. Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) becomes an integral evaluation method in nursing fields. Because the OSCE is a new experience for most students, it is important as educators, that we explore this assessment from perspective of the student. A descriptive design was utilized for collecting the data that are necessary to answer the research question. The sample consisted of 60 students who finished the 1st year theortical and clinical teaching course of Basic Nursing and were evaluated by OSCE. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with students. Analysis revealed three main themes: quality of instruction and organization of objective structured clinical examination, perception about the formal of OSCE, and Evaluation of quality of OSCE performance. The majority of the students appreciate the format of OSCE. The study highlighted that there are more need for Students' orientation period about OSCE to be planned in a form of a written check list of what would be expected of them and what they expect, and training sessions on OSCE procedure. and relieving their emotional stress during implementation of OSCE. The implementation of OSCE at Faculty of Nursing, Alneelain University was a useful experience for students, and was considered a valuable and worthy for further enhancement. Which need careful consideration by academic faculty developing this type of evaluation.
Using remote sensing to determine spatio-temporal variations in winter wheat growing area in the North China Plain.

Agricultural land uses affect land surface energy and water balance. The North China Plain(NCP) is one of the most important agricultural regions in China and is experiencing a severe water shortage due to decades of excessive extraction of groundwater for crop irrigation. The precise determination of the distribution of the land areas under different crops in NCP does not only provide the basic information needed for evaluating agricultural water consumption in space but also improve agricultural planning for sustainable water resources management. In this study, we established a method for agricultural land use classification using MODIS NDVI data time-series. Raw 16-day composite NDVI data were first processed using HANTS filtering and then sampled the time-series pattern of NDVI for different croplands based on ground truth data. The typical phenological characteristics of the main crops were determined based on field-monitored phenological data in agro-meteorological stations in the study area. Then multiple cropping index(MCI) was induced based on the NDVI time-series to distinguish land areas under wheat-corn double cropping system. Finally, the cultivated area under winter wheat in NCP for the period of 2000–2013 was extracted by using the CART algorithm. The result was validated with county agricultural statistics data, which showed a statistically significant correlation for the 13-year period with correlation coefficient of 0.94 at 95% confidence level. The probability of consistency less than 40% between the re-mote-sensing derived cultivated area and agricultural statistics data for the study period was less than 15% for the municipalities in the study area. Agricultural land use frequently changed(about yearly) due to crop rotation, price fluctuation, water limitation, etc. This made it difficult to evaluate agricultural land use change from only comparison of agricultural land use maps for any set of years. Thus in this study, the land use change for different crops was evaluated based on multi-year cropping probability comparison, which composed of actual counts of number of years of wheat cultivation in the study period, with high cultivation probability reflecting dominant crop distribution. Through comparison of the differences in wheat cultivated probability maps for the periods of 2000–2006 and 2007–2013, it was noted that wheat cultivated areas significantly increased in Henan and Shandong Provinces, but significantly decreased in the north part and Heilonggang region of Hebei Plain. These changes were mainly considered to be driven by groundwater conditions and national policies for increased grain production, leading to extensive land reclamation in Henan and Shandong.