Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detection of Slope Instability in Hong Kong Based on Multi-baseline Differential SAR Interferometry Using ALOS PALSAR Data

The monitoring of slope instability requires detailed observations of mass movements, which generally cannot be obtained by geodetic methods or global positioning systems (GPS). Differential synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometry has proven to be an effective way of measuring land deformation with millimeter accuracy over wide areas. Using data from the newly launched L-band ALOS PALSAR interferometer and the multi-baseline differential SAR interferometry technique, slope instability in Hong Kong was analyzed by means of measured surface displacement along look vectors. Owing to its enhanced vegetation penetration, less temporal decorrelation enabled the L-band data to improve spaceborne radar sensor land-surface deformation measurements. The results were validated by ENVISAT ASAR-derived outcomes and other ground survey data.
Differences by Victim Race and Ethnicity in Race and Ethnicity Motivated Violent Bias Crimes: A National Study

Differences by Victim Race and Ethnicity in Race and Ethnicity Motivated Violent Bias Crimes: A National Study Robert A. Tessler Chair of the Supervisory Committee: Ali Rowhani-Rahbar Department of Epidemiology Background. Over 80% of bias motivated violent victimization is motivated by race or ethnicity and over 50% of bias victimization occurs in Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW). Our aim was to determine the risk and health impacts of race/ethnicity motivated violent victimization by victim
Temporary Hearing Loss and Associated Factors Among Ayka Addis Textile Factory Workers in Oromia Region, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction The development of modern automated machines in industries has considerably decreased the physical burden of workers in addition to increasing the productivity of the industries resulting in noise pollution. Noise exposure above the limit value of 90 dB (A) is known to cause temporary hearing loss among exposed workers. Materials and Methods Institutional-based cross-sectional study design was employed for a total of 406 study participants using a simple random sampling technique from January 15 to April 30, 2019. The data collection methods were observational checklist and a self-administered questionnaire. The collected data were entered into EpiData software version 4.2 and exported to SPSS software version 21 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic analyses wwere used to identify the associated factors. Statistical significance was declared using a 95% confidence interval and a p-value of less than 0.05. Results A total of 388 study participants were included in the study with a response rate of 95.6%, of which 254 (65.5%) were females. The overall temporary hearing loss among the textile factory workers was found to be 49% with COR=1.53; 95% CI (1.15–2.03). The workers from the spinning department were 2.38 times more likely to develop temporary hearing loss after exiting from work than workers from the dyeing department (95% CI= (1.16–4.90). Similarly, workers from the knitting department were 3.67 times more likely to develop temporary hearing loss after exiting from work than workers from the dyeing department (95% CI=1.42–9.47). Conclusion The present study demonstrated that the workforce in the spinning and knitting departments of the textile factory had a high prevalence of temporary hearing loss than the workers in dyeing and garment working sections. Therefore, the textile factory should provide hearing protection devices to the workers.
Size distributions and statistical analysis of nitrate, excess sulfate, and chloride deficit in the marine boundary layer during GCE/CASE/WATOX

A high-volume sampler and a two-stage cascade impactor were used aboard the NOAA ship Mt. Mitchell to obtain a fine-particle-fraction and two coarse-particle-fraction size cuts of atmospheric marine boundary layer aerosol samples. Ion chromatography analysis yielded NO3−, S04=, Na+, and Cl− concentrations and, by calculation, excess sulfate (XSO4) and chloride deficit (Cld) concentrations. Statistical analysis of the July 1988 sample sets from the Bermuda and U.S. east coast areas showed that most of the observed coarse-particle Cld in the Bermuda-area samples may be associated with the equivalence sum of NO3− and XSO4. However, the coarse-particle Cld observed in the U.S. east coast samples is substantially greater than the equivalence sum of NO3− and XSO4 observed at this location. It is concluded that for the east coast sampling, about 13% of the observed 16.9 nmol XSO4 m−3 displaced Cl− in sea salt aerosol particles. For the Bermuda area, 15-20% of the observed 11.1 nmol XSO4 m−3 displaced Cl− in sea salt aerosol particles (nearly 30% of the observed Cld) despite a relatively low sea salt mass concentration under light wind speed conditions. Under more typical sea state and wind speed conditions for the western North Atlantic Ocean, substantially more XSO4 may displace chloride ions in sea salt aerosol particles.
Long-lasting disturbances in the equatorial ionospheric electric field simulated with a coupled magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere model

[1] The Magnetosphere-Thermosphere-Ionosphere-Electrodynamics General Circulation model of Peymirat et al. [1998] is used to investigate ionospheric-wind-dynamo influences on low-latitude ionospheric electric fields during and after a magnetic storm. Simulations are performed with time-varying polar cap electric potentials and an expanding and contracting polar cap boundary. Three influences on equatorial electric fields can be of comparable importance: (1) global winds driven by solar heating; (2) direct penetration of polar cap electric fields to the equator that are partially shielded by the effects of Region-2 field-aligned currents; and (3) disturbance winds driven by high-latitude heating and ion-drag acceleration. The first two influences tend to have similar magnetic local time (MLT) variations in a steady state, while the disturbance-wind influence tends to have the opposite MLT variations. The nighttime disturbance winds at upper midlatitudes that affect the global ionospheric wind dynamo are predominantly westward after the simulated magnetic storm. The nighttime winds drive an equatorward dynamo current that tends to charge the low-latitude ionosphere positively around midnight, which can lead to reductions or reversals of the normal equatorial night-side east-west electric fields. The simulations partly support the theories of the so-called “disturbance dynamo” [Blanc and Richmond, 1980] and “fossil wind” [Spiro et al., 1988], both of which predict long-lasting disturbances in the equatorial eastward electric field associated with magnetic storms. However, the simulations do not support the element of fossil wind theory that links the disturbance-wind influence on equatorial electric fields to polar cap contraction following the storm. The simulations show a stronger wind-produced enhancement of steady state shielding than predicted by the model of Forbes and Harel [1989], due to the fact that the disturbance winds extend well equatorward of the Region-2 currents.
A K (cid:2) /Na co-binding state: Simultaneous versus competitive binding of K (cid:2) and Na (cid:2) to glutamate transporters

Plasma membrane–associated glutamate transporters play a key role in signaling by the major excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. Uphill glutamate uptake into cells is energetically driven by coupling to co-transport of three Na (cid:2) ions. In exchange, one K (cid:2) ion is counter-transported. Currently accepted transport mechanisms assume that Na (cid:2) and K (cid:2) effects are exclusive, resulting from competition of these cations at the binding level. Here, we used electrophysiological analysis to test the effects of K (cid:2) and Na (cid:2) on neuronal glutamate transporter excitatory amino acid carrier 1 (EAAC1; the rat homologue of human excitatory amino acid transporter 3 (EAAT3)). Unexpectedly, extracellular K (cid:2) application to EAAC1 induced anion current, but only in the presence of Na (cid:2) . This result could be explained with a K (cid:2) /Na (cid:2) co-binding state in which the two cations simultaneously bind to the transporter. We obtained further evidence for this co-binding state, and its anion conductance, by analyzing transient currents when Na (cid:2) was exchanged for K (cid:2) and effects of the [K (cid:2) ]/[Na (cid:2) ] ratio on glutamate affinity. Interest-ingly, we observed the K (cid:2) /Na (cid:2) co-binding state not only in EAAC1 but also in the subtypes EAAT1 and -2, which, unlike EAAC1, conducted anions in response to K (cid:2) only. We incorpo-rated these experimental findings in a revised transport mechanism, including the K (cid:2) /Na (cid:2) co-binding state and the ability of K (cid:2) to activate anion current. Overall, these results suggest that differentiation between Na (cid:2) and K (cid:2) does not occur at the binding level but is conferred by coupling of cation binding to conformational changes. These findings have implications also for other exchangers.
Impact of Pharmacists to Improve Patient Care in the Critically Ill: A Large Multicenter Analysis Using Meaningful Metrics With the Medication Regimen Complexity-ICU (MRC-ICU) Score*

OBJECTIVES: Despite the established role of the critical care pharmacist on the ICU multiprofessional team, critical care pharmacist workloads are likely not optimized in the ICU. Medication regimen complexity (as measured by the Medication Regimen Complexity-ICU [MRC-ICU] scoring tool) has been proposed as a potential metric to optimize critical care pharmacist workload but has lacked robust external validation. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that MRC-ICU is related to both patient outcomes and pharmacist interventions in a diverse ICU population. DESIGN: This was a multicenter, observational cohort study. SETTING: Twenty-eight ICUs in the United States. PATIENTS: Adult ICU patients. INTERVENTIONS: Critical care pharmacist interventions (quantity and type) on the medication regimens of critically ill patients over a 4-week period were prospectively captured. MRC-ICU and patient outcomes (i.e., mortality and length of stay [LOS]) were recorded retrospectively. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 3,908 patients at 28 centers were included. Following analysis of variance, MRC-ICU was significantly associated with mortality (odds ratio, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.08–1.11; p < 0.01), ICU LOS (β coefficient, 0.41; 95% CI, 00.37–0.45; p < 0.01), total pharmacist interventions (β coefficient, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.04–0.09; p < 0.01), and a composite intensity score of pharmacist interventions (β coefficient, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.11–0.28; p < 0.01). In multivariable regression analysis, increased patient: pharmacist ratio (indicating more patients per clinician) was significantly associated with increased ICU LOS (β coefficient, 0.02; 0.00–0.04; p = 0.02) and reduced quantity (β coefficient, –0.03; 95% CI, –0.04 to –0.02; p < 0.01) and intensity of interventions (β coefficient, –0.05; 95% CI, –0.09 to –0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Increased medication regimen complexity, defined by the MRC-ICU, is associated with increased mortality, LOS, intervention quantity, and intervention intensity. Further, these results suggest that increased pharmacist workload is associated with decreased care provided and worsened patient outcomes, which warrants further exploration into staffing models and patient outcomes.
Seasonal Change and Nitrogen Cycling in a Patchy Negev Desert: a Review

ABSTRACT Nitrogen cycling in the Negev Desert is concentrated in brief periods of intense microbial activity following rainfall events. In the Negev, plant litter accumulates under shrub patches during the dry period (May–October). In addition, nitrogen originating from dust deposition and snail feces, accumulates. The wetting period may be divided into two subperiods, one at the beginning of the rainy season (November–January) and the second at the end of the rainy season and beginning of spring (February–April). The accumulation of fresh plant litter in the shrub patches may be critical for preserving nitrogen for the beginning of the rainy season (34.4 g N m−2 a−1). This includes the amount of nitrogen input that is intercepted by the shrub patch within the overland water runoff (0.15 g N m−2 a−1), wind borne dust that is deposited on the biological soil crusts (0.09 g N m−2 a−1), N-fixation (4.32 g N m−2 a−1), and annual plant litter (0.73 g N m−2 a−1). The loss is by denitrification processes (2 g N m−2 a−1) and ammonia volatilization (0.1 g N m−2 a−1). Nitrogen that is associated with accumulated plant litter may be released as ammonia and nitrates by microbial decomposition in the spring, at the last part of the rainy season. This is ideal for optimization of the efficiency of nitrogen cycling in relation to the whole ecological system, since there is rapid plant growth in the Negev Desert, from February to mid April. The amount of snail feces found in the shrub patches was 20% of the total organic matter. This has been found to be the major component of the nitrogen budget (38.4 g m−2 a−1). In this manner the crust patches foster the increase in productivity and diversity of the shrub patches and assist them in becoming “islands of fertility. ”
The development and decline of phytoplankton blooms in the southern Benguela upwelling system. 1. Drogue movements, hydrography and bloom development

A drogue was placed in a patch of newly upwelled water on five different occasions between 1979 and 1981 in order to follow the temporal sequence of events after upwelling. The drogue moved over distances of 67 – 200 km within 4–7 days at mean speeds of 18–39 cm·s−1. Drogue movement was variable and generally in the direction of the prevailing wind. However, significant "up wind" movement occurred when the drogue was entrained in counter-currents. Variations in hydrographic parameters at the start of each sequence, and in the bottom mixed layer along the drogue tracks, indicate that upwelling source waters are not always uniform. However, nutrient concentrations in source water were high (mean concentrations for nitrate, silicate and phosphate were 20,8, 16,6 and 1,88 mmoln·m−3 respectively), whereas oxygen (4,0 dm3·m−3) and chlorophylls a (0,6 mg·m−3) concentrations were low. Once conditions stabilized, phytoplankton blooms developed rapidly in the upper layers, the cycle of bloom development and decline.
Sensitivity experiments on True Polar Wander

Using sensitivity experiments based on the position of subductions and of superplumes, we derive models for the temporal evolution of 3‐D mass anomalies in the mantle and compute the associated inertia perturbations and polar wander. We show that although the large length‐scale mantle dynamics during the Earth's history may have been dominated by coupled supercontinent‐superplume cycles, subductions alone are sufficient to trigger major True Polar Wander (TPW) episodes, or rotation of the whole lithosphere and mantle with respect to the Earth's rotation axis. We present two examples. We speculate that the distribution of continents with respect to the equator on the Earth's surface is driven by episodic subductions during the Wilson cycle: alternating fast subduction girdles around continents and upwellings during the divergence phases, with both reduced or stopped subductions activity around continents and moderate inter‐continental subductions during the convergence phases, lead to successive equatorial or polar distributions of continents, both configurations being separated by strong episodes of TPW. Finally, using plate reconstructions and geologic maps, over the period 1100–720 Ma, the period of amalgamation and destruction of the Rodinia supercontinent, we explain with our model the observed large eastward/westward and poleward/equatorward motions of the rotation axis.
Poor relationship between N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and level of consciousness following intentional ingestion of eucalyptus oil

concentrations of ibotenic acid and muscimol have been found in Amanita multisquamosa samples, supporting comparisons to Amanita muscaria [4]. Ibotenic acid exerts excitatory central nervous system (CNS) effects while muscimol produces CNS depression [5]. Symptoms may appear within 30–120min and can last 10–24 h [4,5]. Symptomatic and supportive care is indicated [5]. Our patient had a cardiac conduction abnormality of unknown etiology. Comprehensive molecular characterization of other toxins in Amanita multisquamosa has not been elucidated, therefore this exposure cannot be ruled out as a potential cause. Our case involved a rare exposure to Amanita multisquamosa resulting in clinically significant neurological toxicity.
Correlated protein conformational states and membrane dynamics during attack by pore-forming toxins

Significance Listeriolysin O (LLO), a pore-forming toxin expressed by Listeria monocytogenes, plays a critical role in assisting bacteria escape the phagocytic vacuole. To evolve a suitable defense mechanism against LLO-mediated infections, a microscopic understanding of the process of vacuole disruption and consequent immune evasion is needed. Using a combination of imaging and dye-leakage kinetics on giant unilamellar vesicles along with atomistic simulations, we illustrate the intimate coupling between membrane-bound LLO conformations, pore formation, and phospholipid reorganization implicated in the leakage kinetics. This study has direct bearing on our understanding of membrane disruption by pore-forming toxins and lipid-reorganization events known to play an important role in signal transduction in cells. Pore-forming toxins (PFTs) are a class of proteins implicated in a wide range of virulent bacterial infections and diseases. These toxins bind to target membranes and subsequently oligomerize to form functional pores that eventually lead to cell lysis. While the protein undergoes large conformational changes on the bilayer, the connection between intermediate oligomeric states and lipid reorganization during pore formation is largely unexplored. Cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDCs) are a subclass of PFTs widely implicated in food poisoning and other related infections. Using a prototypical CDC, listeriolysin O (LLO), we provide a microscopic connection between pore formation, lipid dynamics, and leakage kinetics by using a combination of Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) measurements on single giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). Upon exposure to LLO, two distinct populations of GUVs with widely different leakage kinetics emerge. We attribute these differences to the existence of oligomeric intermediates, sampling various membrane-bound conformational states of the protein, and their intimate coupling to lipid rearrangement and dynamics. Molecular dynamics simulations capture the influence of various membrane-bound conformational states on the lipid and cholesterol dynamics, providing molecular interpretations to the FRET and FCS experiments. Our study establishes a microscopic connection between membrane binding and conformational changes and their influence on lipid reorganization during PFT-mediated cell lysis. Additionally, our study provides insights into membrane-mediated protein interactions widely implicated in cell signaling, fusion, folding, and other biomolecular processes.
Normal variations in personality are associated with coital orgasmic infrequency in heterosexual women: a population-based study.

INTRODUCTION As many as 20-30% of women report an inability to orgasm during sexual intercourse. Some female sexual problems have been reported to cluster with psychological and social problems. Underlying personality type may play a role in the development or maintenance of such problems. AIM The aim of this study was to investigate whether certain domains of personality are associated with female coital orgasmic infrequency. To our knowledge this is the first such study in a large unselected population. METHODS A total of 2632 women (mean age 51) from the TwinsUK registry completed questionnaires relating to personality and sexual behavior. Personality domains were assessed using the validated Ten-Item Personality Index (TIPI). Coital orgasmic frequency was measured using a seven-point Likert scale. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Using logistic regression, we investigated whether variations in five domains of personality are associated with female coital orgasmic infrequency. Discordant twin analysis was used to verify findings. RESULTS Introversion (odds ratio [OR] 2.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7-3.7), emotional instability (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.3-3.1), and not being open to new experience (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.6-3.6) were significantly associated with orgasmic infrequency, whereas indices of agreeableness and conscientiousness were not significantly associated with orgasm frequency. CONCLUSION Specific personality subtypes appear to be significant risk factors for orgasmic infrequency. Consideration of these behavioral risk factors may need to be incorporated into research into female orgasmic disorder, and possible approaches to its treatment.
Psychological care of children and adolescents with diabetes

A substantial research base developed over the past four decades provides evidence for the significant role of psychosocial factors in the management of type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents (1–6). This chapter reviews the main findings from the studies of psychological adjustment, psychiatric disorders, neurocognitive and educational functioning, family dynamics, social support, stress and coping, quality of life, and behavioral interventions in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Based on these research findings, recommendations for optimal psychological care are offered. The research base for the psychological care of young people with type 2 diabetes is sparse. Therefore, this chapter does not address type 2 diabetes specifically. The International Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) Consensus Guidelines 2000 stated that ‘‘Psychosocial factors are the most important influences affecting the care and management of diabetes’’ and went on to make the following three general recommendations (7):