Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Responses to steroids and bronchodilators in COPD in the ISOLDE trial: the fat lady sings on

Two new findings using data from the ISOLDE trial are presented in this issue of Thorax: (1) patients with COPD cannot be separated into discrete corticosteroid responders and non-responders, and (2) the response of an individual patient with COPD to a bronchodilator challenge on a single occasion does not predict whether or not the patient will benefit subsequently from that agent. Consistency is needed between North America and Europe as to the diagnosis of COPD and the criteria for inclusion in COPD trials.
Advection and diffusion in a variable‐salinity confining layer

A numerical model that simulates groundwater flow and solute transport for cases in which fluid properties are variable was applied in one dimension (vertical) to the shallow, low-permeability, clayey, confining layer in Donana National Park in southwestern Spain. The salinity in the 80-m-thick confining layer decreases from a brine near the land surface to fresh water near its base. Results of model simulations indicate that the system could be in or close to a steady state condition. The model calibration was very sensitive to small variations in individual model parameters and was nonunique in the sense that equally good calibrations could be achieved by compensatory joint perturbations in the permeability, diffusion coefficient, and overall governing hydraulic gradient. At present, there is probably an upward flow of the order of 1 mm yr−1 to 1 cm yr−1 and a balance in the solute flux between upward advection and downward diffusion. The time scale of calculated responses to changes in boundary conditions in this low-permeability system ranges from thousands to hundreds of thousands of years when considering extremes within the range of uncertainty of values of the evaluated parameters.
The Effect of Micropulse Laser in Treatment of Diabetic Macular The Effect of Micropulse Laser in Treatment of Diabetic Macular

Background : In the industrialized world, diabetic macular edoema (DME) is the leading cause of blindness in those under the age of 50. Diabetic retinopathy may begin to manifest in patients with type I (insulin-dependent) DM within 3 e 5 years after disease initiation. Nearly all diabetics will develop retinopathy by the age of twenty. Aim of the work : Is to evaluate the effect of subthershold micropulse laser (SMPL) in treatment of DME with central macular thickness less than 400 m . Patients and methods : A Prospective, interventional comparative study was done at the Ophthalmology department and clinic of EL Zahraa and Bab EL-Shariyia University Hospitals, Cairo, Egypt. Results : There was no clinically signi ﬁ cant difference between both groups as regard (BCVA, CMT and AMT) prelaser and after various period of follow-up. Among group I there were no statistically signi ﬁ cant changes regarding AMT and BCVA after 6 months except CMT which shows statistically clinically signi ﬁ cant changes denoting a high incidence of reduction of CMT. There were no statistically signi ﬁ cant clinical changes in group II regarding AMT, CMT and BCVA after 6 months of follow-up. Conclusion : SMPL laser 532 nm is an alternative as primary treatment for DME and can substitute intravitreal injection and conventional laser photocoagulation. No visible or invisible retinal scar seen clinical or by OCT after SMPL, so it is a safe procedure and can be repeated.
Origin and diagenetic history of a Lower Jurassic petroleum source rock, Middle Atlas, Morocco

The locality Aït Moussa (Boulemane province) exposes a seeping petroleum source rock of Pliensbachian to Earli-est Toarcian age. The case is an example of hemipelagic, peri-Tethyan low latitude source rock generation with type II kerogen. The source rock interval is an alternation of radiolarian wackestones and silty marls. It is characterised by early diagenetic hydraulic fractures, spans over about 2.5 meters with a mean TOC of 4%; T max =441 to 451˚C; HI ≈ 200 to 550 mg HC/g TOC. Early diagenetic, anoxic remineralisation of sedimentary organic matter induced hydraulic fracturing, calcite cementation, a negative shift of carbon and oxygen stable isotope values ( ∆ δ 13 C= -1.1; ∆ δ 18 O= -2.0), and a relative enrichment of the middle weight rare earth elements (REE). Progressive burial resulted in three generations of Fe-calcite cemented veins, three generations of replacive dolomite and concluded by ankerite replacing dolomite. Compaction ﬂuids induced a positive shift of δ 13 C values ( ∆ δ 13 C= +0.4) and a ﬂattening of the REE distribution pattern together with a general increase of the REE content, altogether likewise related to the dewatering of clay. Fe-bearing saddle dolomite represents the third generation of replacive dolomi-tisation (dol-3); it carries a highly positive Eu-anomaly (Eu/Eu*= 8.1) implying ascending hydrothermal
Paleocommunity reconstruction and accumulation of micromammalian remains (late Eocene, southern England)

Abstract A taphonomic study was conducted on disarticulated micromammalian bones and isolated teeth from a late Eocene (Priabonian) assemblage in the Headon Hill Formation (Solent Group, Hampshire Basin, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom). The aim was to understand accumulating mechanisms and additional postmortem agents that influenced and potentially biased the assemblage. Skeletal elements (N = 4296) belong to three marsupials, two glirid and two theridomyid rodents, two chiropterans, three nyctitheres, two omomyid primates, one pantolestid, and one apatothere. Surface modifications (i.e., etching, breakage, splitting, and impact marks) occur on bone, enamel, and dentine. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of surface modifications of each individual taxon resulted in recognition of several taphonomic agents. Predation of two theridomyid and at least two marsupial species by the mammalian carnivore Cynodictis cf. lacustris (also present in the fauna) is indicated by high proportions of etched remains, broken bones, and puncture marks. Variations within the assemblage in proportions of modified specimens or numbers of individuals are interpreted as reflecting differences in cause of death, habits, locomotor adaptations, and predator-prey relationships. The rodents, marsupials, and probably the nyctitheres are judged to have been living close to the site of deposition, justifying their previous use for isotope-based paleoclimate studies and demonstrating their participation in the local paleocommunity.
Reliability and Reproducibility of Skin Temperature of Overweight Subjects by an Infrared Thermography Software Designed for Human Beings

SUMMARY Introduction: The technical improvement and new applications of Infrared Thermography (IRT) with healthy subjects should be accompanied by results about the reproducibility of IRT measurements in different popula-tion groups. In addition, there is a remarkable necessity of a larger supply on software to analyze IRT images of human beings. Therefore, the objectives of this study were: firstly, to investigate the reproducibility of skin temperature (Tsk) on overweight and obese subjects using IRT in different Regions of Interest (ROI), moments and side-to-side differences (ΔT); and secondly, to check the reliability of a new software called Termotracker®, specialized on the analysis of IRT images of human beings. Methods: 22 overweight and obese males (11) and females (11) (age: 41,51±7,76 years; height: 1,65±0,09 m; weight: 82,41±11,81 Kg; BMI: 30,17±2,58 kg/m²) were assessed in two consecutive thermograms (5 seconds in-between) by the same observer, using an infrared camera (FLIR T335, Sweden) to get 4 IRT images from the whole body. 11 ROI were selected using Termotracker® to analyze its reproducibility and reliability through Intra-class Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and Coefficient of Variation (CV) values. Results: The reproducibility of the side-to-side differences (ΔT) between two consecutive thermograms was very high in all ROIs (Mean ICC = 0,989), and excellent between two computers (Mean ICC = 0,998). The re-liability of the software was very high in all the ROIs (Mean ICC = 0,999). Intra-examiner reliability analysing the same subjects in two consecutive thermograms was also very high (Mean ICC = 0,997). CV values of the different ROIs were around 2%. Conclusions: Skin temperature on overweight subjects had an excellent reproducibility for consecutive ther-mograms. The reproducibility of thermal asymmetries (ΔT) was also good but it had the influence of several factors that should be further investigated. Termotracker® reached excellent reliability results and it is a relia-ble and objective software to analyse IRT images of humans beings.
Early Tertiary evolution and sequence stratigraphy of the Faeroe-Shetland Basin: implications for hydrocarbon prospectivity

Abstract Eight seismically resolvable packages have been identified in the Early Tertiary succession of the Faeroe-Shetland Basin. These packages are calibrated with the microfaunal and microfloral biostratigraphy, thus allowing correlation between wells and comparison with other basins. Mapping of the facies distribution within each package has allowed a detailed understanding of the evolution of the southwestern part of the basin, including the Quad 204 acreage. The development of the area can be related to the plate tectonic evolution of the North Atlantic and has highlighted implications for hydrocarbon exploration. In the earliest part of the Palaeocene (Sequences T10–T32) the position of the shelf/slope break was controlled by the underlying end Cretaceous fault induced topography. The depositional character of the submarine fans which accumulated in the basin is aggradational, collecting in basin floor deeps and progressively onlapping basin floor highs. Reservoir quality is initially controlled by depositional facies but is, essentially, excellent. Basinal muds, particularly regionally extensive maximum flooding surfaces, are believed to provide effective seals. Sequences T36–T40 are progradational in character, the position of the shelf/slope break advancing significantly beyond the positions of underlying Cretaceous fault scarps. This change in depositional character is related to thermal doming and rifting in the North Atlantic. The results of this uplift in the Faeroe-Shetland Basin also instigated a change in sediment provenance, volcanism and the deposition of extensive base-of-slope fan systems. Reservoir effectiveness remains excellent in these fan systems and potential seals are provided by downlapping, progradational shelf/slope systems. Sequences T45 and T50 represent flooding of the Palaeocene shelf systems as the thermal dome collapsed and rifting progressed. The overall control on Early Tertiary reservoir effectiveness in the Faeroe-Shetland Basin is depth of burial. In this part of the basin the Early Tertiary reservoir sands are generally buried at depths less than 2.5 km below sea-bed and reservoir quality remains excellent (porosity > 25% and permeability > 100 Md). The challenge to the oil industry is to understand the charge of this attractive hydrocarbon play.
Investigation on soil genesis and land suitability evaluation of Anarak region: a case study in Fars province

Land capability is governed by the different land attributes such as the types of soil, underlying geology, topography, hydrology, and etc. This study was conducted in order to study of soil genesis of Anarak region in Fars province. Using the findings of the semi-detailed soil studies for this area, 8 land units were selected. Results showed that climate and topography are two important soil forming factors affecting genesis, characteristics, and classification of soils. Soils of study area were classified as Calcixerepts, Haploxerepts (Inceptisols) and Xerorthents (Entisols). Moreover, land suitability evaluation study for some crops including irrigated wheat, barley and potato was carried out in the study area. Qualitative evaluation was carried out by means of parametric methods (Storie and Square root) and comparing land and climate characteristics with crop needs. Results of this investigation showed that the most important limiting factors in wheat and barley productions in study area included physical properties. Limiting factors in potato yield in the region along included soil physical properties and fertility. The land indices obtained for Barley was higher in comparison to irrigated wheat and potato. Minimum values of land indices observed in potato crop. It can be showed that the cultivation of potato cannot be recommended for this area.
On the effect of cloud inhomogeneity an area averaged radiative properties of contrails

Certainly cloud inhomogeneity is not only important for cumulus or stratocumulus clouds on which the focus of most of the current studies is. To show that the impact of contrail cirrus microphysical inhomogeneity on cloud albedo can be deduced, fields of ice water content, effective radius, number density, and size distribution of ice particles generated by large eddy simulations (LESs) have been used within two‐dimensional radiative transfer schemes to elucidate the effect of cloud inhomogeneity on area average radiative properties of contrails at evolution stages in the late dispersion regime. The results obtained indicate that differences in shortwave cloud albedo between homogeneous and inhomogeneous conditions remain small for fresh contrails but can become important if contrails would attain larger optical depths. In that case larger differences were obtained at which the albedo for horizontal homogeneous conditions is always larger than the corresponding value for inhomogeneous conditions.
Modeling mineral aerosol production by wind erosion: Emission intensities and aerosol size distributions in source areas

A dust production model (DPM) is obtained by combining preexisting models of saltation and sandblasting, the two processes that lead to mineral aerosol release in arid areas. From a description of the soil characteristics and wind conditions, the DPM allows computation of the amounts of aerosol released and of their size distributions. Semiquantitative comparisons of the model outputs with the few field data available in the literature validate its main implications. The first one is that the aptitude of a soil to release particles smaller than 20 μm depends on (1) the dry size distribution of aggregates constituting its loose fraction, (2) its roughness length, and (3) the wind velocity. The second implication is that the size distribution of aerosols released in source areas also strongly depends on these parameters.
K0-consolidation in a triaxial cell and evaluation of in-situ K0 for marine clays with various characteristics

A series of K0-consolidation tests in a triaxial cell was carried out for marine clays collected from different areas in the world in order to investigate the behavior during K0-consolidation tests and evaluate K0-values that are required for laboratory tests with recompression techniques, FEM analysis using elasto-plastic constitutive equations, etc. It was confirmed that the famous equation K0NC = 1-sinφ' is useful; however, the definition of φ' should be concerned. Inthe case using φ' corresponding to a critical state line, i.e. (q/p)max, the equation underestimates K0NC by 0.05 ; in contrast, in the case using φ' corresponding to a peak strength, i.e. (q)max, the equation overestimates K0NC by 0.05. This study proposes a procedure for estimating the in-situ K0-value. For a representative undisturbed clay sample, K0-consolidation and K0-overconsolidation tests (i.e. SHANSEP test) are consecutively carried out to obtain the K-OCR relationship. Using the profile of OCR obtained from a series of oedometer tests, the K-value corresponding to the OCR can be calculated as the in-situ K0. The K0-values obtained from both the K0-overconsolidation test corresponding to the OCR in the laboratory and the flat dilatometer test (DMT test) in the field compared well.
Self-Calibrating Method for Estimating Solar Radiation from Air Temperature

Procedures are introduced for self-calibrating an equation for estimating solar radiation (\iR\i\ds) in the absence of measurements. The self-calibration is based on computed clear sky solar radiation envelopes and uses daily maximum and minimum air temperature. The resulting calibration can predict both daily and monthly average \iR\i\ds parameters in evapotranspiration equations. The method was tested at nine locations in the United States representing low, medium, and high elevations, semi-arid and subhumid climates and ocean locations and was generally accurate, especially when predicting monthly \iR\i\ds. Prediction of daily \iR\i\ds was less accurate, but was scattered evenly about the 1:1 relationships with measured \iR\i\ds. The self-calibration procedure was about as accurate on a monthly basis as ratios of \iR\i\ds to extraterrestrial radiation from regional stations. The self-calibration procedure was more accurate than fixed calibration coefficients. The method is both simple and conservative because it is constrained by computed clear-sky solar- radiation curves.
Developing large-scale forcing data for single-column and cloud-resolving models from the Mixed-Phase Arctic Cloud Experiment

[1] This study represents an effort to develop Single-Column Model (SCM) and Cloud-Resolving Model large-scale forcing data from a sounding array in the high latitudes. An objective variational analysis approach is used to process data collected from the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program (ARM) Mixed-Phase Arctic Cloud Experiment (M-PACE), which was conducted over the North Slope of Alaska in October 2004. In this method the observed surface and top of atmosphere measurements are used as constraints to adjust the sounding data from M-PACE in order to conserve column-integrated mass, heat, moisture, and momentum. Several important technical and scientific issues related to the data analysis are discussed. It is shown that the analyzed data reasonably describe the dynamic and thermodynamic features of the Arctic cloud systems observed during M-PACE. Uncertainties in the analyzed forcing fields are roughly estimated by examining the sensitivity of those fields to uncertainties in the upper-air data and surface constraints that are used in the analysis. Impacts of the uncertainties in the analyzed forcing data on SCM simulations are discussed. Results from the SCM tests indicate that the bulk features of the observed Arctic cloud systems can be captured qualitatively well using the forcing data derived in thismore » study, and major model errors can be detected despite the uncertainties that exist in the forcing data as illustrated by the sensitivity tests. Lastly, the possibility of using the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts analysis data to derive the large-scale forcing over the Arctic region is explored. « less
SAR and temperature in neonate models resulting from exposure to a 7T head coil

Purpose To investigate safe limits for neonatal imaging using a 7T head coil, including both SAR and temperature predictions. Methods Head-centered neonate models were simulated using finite-difference time-domain based electromagnetic and thermal solvers. The effects of higher water content of neonatal tissues compared to adults, position shifts, and thermal insulation were also considered. An adult model was simulated for comparison.
Financial Flexibility and Health Sector Firm Performance in ASEAN-5 Countries: Moderate Role of Directors with MD Degree

Under uncertain circumstances, Financial ﬂexibility plays a crucial role in strategic adjustment for businesses and is also vital for ﬁrms in developing countries with high volatility stock markets. With increasing public attention to the health sector as the pandemic progresses, the question arises whether healthcare companies should be led by directors with medical backgrounds or not. This study investigates the impact of ﬁnancial ﬂexibility on the performance of enterprises in the health sector in ASEAN-5 countries with the moderating role of directors with medical doctor (MD) degrees. Data for 2015–2020 from health sector ﬁrms listed on the stock exchange of ﬁve ASEAN countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Singapore) were collected and analyzed using the time-series regression technique. Analysis was conducted using Stata software. The study ﬁnds that ﬁnancial ﬂexibility has no inﬂuence on health sector ﬁrms’ performance in ASEAN-5 countries, and directors with MD degree has no moderating effect.
Dual-Wavelength Phosphorimetry for Determination of Cortical and Subcortical Microvascular Oxygenation in Rat Kidney

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Capital Controls or Exchange Rate Policy? A Pecuniary Externality Perspective

In the aftermath of the global financial crisis, a new policy paradigm has emerged in which old-fashioned policies such as capital controls and other government distortions have become part of the standard policy toolkit (the so-called macro-prudential policies). On the wave of this seemingly unanimous policy consensus, a new strand of theoretical literature contends that capital controls are welfare enhancing and can be justified rigorously because of second-best considerations. Within the same theoretical framework adopted in this fast-growing literature, we show that a credible commitment to support the exchange rate in crisis times always welfare-dominates prudential capital controls as it can achieve the first best unconstrained allocation. In this benchmark economy, prudential capital controls are optimal only when the set of policy tools is restricted so that they are the only policy instrument available.
Enamel matrix protein derivatives: role in periodontal regeneration

: The role of regenerative periodontal therapy is the reconstitution of lost periodontal structures, ie, new formation of root cementum, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone. The outcome of basic research has pointed to the important role of enamel matrix protein derivative (EMD) in periodontal wound healing. Histologic results from animal and human studies have shown that treatment with EMD promotes periodontal regeneration. Moreover, clinical studies have indicated that treatment with EMD positively influences periodontal wound healing in humans. The goal of this paper is to review the existing literature on EMD.
Assessing Clustering in a Social University Network Course

A collection of data is gathered from surveys held in a Spring Course of the Economic Faculty in the University “Ismail Qemali” of Vlora, Albania. The data set for each student contains the names of the other students through which he/she have a “social relationship”. This relationship includes frequent communications, discussions on exercise solutions, and sitting usually close to each other in the class. We have constructed. At the end of the course, a final network based on this type of relationship. We are particularly interested on the clustering coefficient of this network and assessing it’s “significance”, in the sense of being somehow unusual or unexpected. Simulated random graph models, using R platform, are used to test the “significance” of the o bserved clustering coefficient.