Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Late Cretaceous chronology of large, rapid sea-level changes: Glacioeustasy during the greenhouse world

We provide a record of global sea-level (eustatic) variations of the Late Cretaceous (99- 65 Ma) greenhouse world. Ocean Drilling Program Leg 174AX provided a record of 11- 14 Upper Cretaceous sequences in the New Jersey Coastal Plain that were dated by in- tegrating Sr isotopic stratigraphy and biostratigraphy. Backstripping yielded a Late Cre- taceous eustatic estimate for these sequences, taking into account sediment loading, com- paction, paleowater depth, and basin subsidence. We show that Late Cretaceous sea-level changes were large (.25 m) and rapid (K1 m.y.), suggesting a glacioeustatic control. Three large d 18 O increases are linked to sequence boundaries (others lack sufficient d 18 O data), consistent with a glacioeustatic cause and with the development of small (,10 6 km 3 ) ephemeral ice sheets in Antarctica. Our sequence boundaries correlate with sea-level falls recorded by Exxon Production Research and sections from northwest Europe and Russia, indicating a global cause, although the Exxon record differs from backstripped estimates in amplitude and shape.
Israeli parents' role in emergencies.

Abstract This study involved views of parents concerning whose role it was to take a sick child to the emergency department and their attributions of causes for the absence of a parent in such cases. Most parents in the sample of 511 saw this as a joint role, although the tendency was more pronounced among female respondents. Most of the suggested causes for absence involved external attributions based on stereotypic role expectations—work and army service for fathers and baby minding for mothers. Only a small minority explained mothers' absence by stereotypic, internal attributions involving fear and confusion. Joint attendance may be locally normative and socially desirable because it manifests a caring attitude. Only objective circumstances that differ between fathers and mothers according to their traditional roles are perceived as capable of causing undesirable absence.
1. Appropriateness of gastroscopy: dyspepsia.

Dyspepsia is a very common set of clinical symptoms. Clear-cut scientific evidence of the effectiveness of diag­ nostic schemes is unavailable for most clinical situations related to dyspepsia. For this and other reasons, practice patterns vary widely. The development of explicit detailed criteria of appropriateness of use of endoscopy is an at­ tempt to produce best available evidence (based on a vali­ dated panel process and expert j udgmen t ) where better evi­ dence is lacking, with the aim to assist the clinician in dai­ ly decision making.
Dementia and the Power of Music Therapy

Dementia is now a leading cause of both mortality and morbidity, particularly in western nations, and current projections for rates of dementia suggest this will worsen. More than ever, cost effective and creative non-pharmacological therapies are needed to ensure we have an adequate system of care and supervision. Music therapy is one such measure, yet to date statements of what music therapy is supposed to bring about in ethical terms have been limited to fairly vague and under-developed claims about an improvement in well-being. This article identifies the relevant sense of wellbeing at stake in the question of dementia therapies of this type. In broad terms the idea is that this kind of therapy has a restorative effect on social agency. To the extent that music arouses a person through its rhythms and memory-inducing effects, particularly in communal settings, it may give rise to the recovery of one's narrative agency, and in turn allow for both carer and patient to participate in a more meaningful and mutually engaging social connection.
Self-association of PAR-3-mediated by the Conserved N-terminal Domain Contributes to the Development of Epithelial Tight Junctions*

PAR-3 is a scaffold-like PDZ-containing protein that forms a complex with PAR-6 and atypical protein kinase C (PAR-3-atypical protein kinase C-PAR-6 complex) and contributes to the establishment of cell polarity in a wide variety of biological contexts. In mammalian epithelial cells, it localizes to tight junctions, the most apical end of epithelial cell-cell junctions, and contributes to the formation of functional tight junctions. However, the mechanism by which PAR-3 localizes to tight junctions and contributes to their formation remains to be clarified. Here we show that the N-terminal conserved region, CR1-(1–86), and the sequence 937–1,024 are required for its recruitment to the most apical side of the cell-cell contact region in epithelial Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. We also show that CR1 self-associates to form an oligomeric complex in vivo and in vitro. Further, overexpression of CR1 in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells disturbs the distribution of atypical protein kinase C and PAR-6 as well as PAR-3 and delays the formation of functional tight junctions. These results support the notion that the CR1-mediated self-association of the PAR-3-containing protein complex plays a role during the formation of functional tight junctions.
Quinidine sulfate therapy for the slow‐channel congenital myasthenic syndrome

The slow‐channel congenital myasthenic syndrome (SCCMS) is caused by gain of function mutations in subunits of the end‐plate acetylcholine receptor (AChR). The mutations prolong the opening episodes of the AChR channel, leading to a depolarization block and an end‐plate myopathy. Because levels of quinidine sulfate attainable in clinical practice shorten the opening episodes of genetically engineered mutant SCCMS receptors in vitro, we tested the notion that the drug can be of benefit in SCCMS. We treated 6 SCCMS patients with quinidine sulfate in an open‐label trial, using objective clinical measures of muscle strength and repetitive stimulation studies as end points. One patient became allergic to quinidine after 7 days. The remaining patients tolerated the drug well and after 30 days of continuous therapy showed statistically significant improvement in muscle strength and in decrement of the compound muscle action potential elicited by repid rates of stimulation.
Real time gesture recognition and processing to control television set by hand beacon

The goal of this research is to develop a system for real time gesture recognition and classify the sign and send to TV. A continuous stream of hand signs images is recorded and has to be processed immediately. The camera that records these signs provides pictures in real-time conditions to a PC that has to classify the signs. Such systems should offer the possibility to command computers just using hand signs. To simplify the task the research tried to find a robust solution for recognizing signs correctly as well as make the computation faster and interface with television to supersede the remote controller. The system function is divided into four major parts. Firstly, from the hand gesture some features have been extracted. To calculate height and area of the gesture, centroid and distance of that centroid from the origin are the extracted feature. Secondly, an input array is formed using these features and converted it into formatted feature matrix. For this the decimal input matrix has been converted into binary matrix by using a ranging method. The test image is collected from the camera of the computer in real time environment. Then, this binary matrix is used as the input of a feed-forward back-propagation neural network and tries to find the decimal output from it and convert it into binary. Finally, that corresponding character of channel is sent through serial port to the television via web cam.
Synthetic Polymer-based Electrospun Fibers: Biofunctionalization Strategies and Recent Advances in Tissue Engineering, Drug Delivery and Diagnostics.

BACKGROUND Over the last decades, synthetic polymer-based electrospun nano/microfibers have emerged as potent materials in crucial biomedical applications such as tissue engineering, drug delivery and diagnostics. This is mainly attributed to versatility and reproducibility of the electrospinning (ES) process, as well as the high surface- to-volume ratio of the generated nanostructures. Appropriate functionalization with dedicated biomolecules (i.e. cell adhesive peptides, therapeutic molecules, bio-probes) is a critical requirement for the performances of such materials in their related application. METHODS We report on the different chemical methodologies for preparing biofunctionalized synthetic polymer fibers, on the basis of two main approaches: biomolecule introduction after ES process (post-ES) and before ES (pre-ES). We then focused on the latest implications of such materials in areas of tissue engineering, drug delivery and diagnostics. RESULTS This review describes the numerous immobilization strategies (either covalent or non-covalent) developed for designing biofunctionalized fibers, as well as their impact on their properties in dedicated application. The inputs of advanced conjugation tools ("clickable" chemistries, PEG linkers) for biofunctionalization are also highlighted. In the light of the literature, it appears that increasing research efforts are now devoted to multifunctional character and fiber combination with other materials (hydrogels, inorganic particles, microfluidic devices) for improved and tunable performances. CONCLUSION Owing to flexibility and robustness of ES process as well as advances in conjugation and polymer/material engineering, high degree of control over biofunctionalization can now be achieved, to fit as best as possible the requirements of the targeted application. The performances reached up to now augur well for the future of such class of materials.
Imitating the Child with Autism: A Strategy for Early Intervention?

Research indicates that imitation is a promising strategy for early intervention with children who have autism. Using a single case design we studied the effectiveness of an established imitation-based intervention, Intensive Interaction, for two 3-year-olds with autism. Outcome measures were the propensity to give social attention during imitation sessions and during free play with a researcher. Social attention did not increase over the course of the intervention phase for either child or during free play with the researcher. Thus, there was no evidence of intervention effectiveness.
Recent Developments and Challenges in Chemical Disease Control

Leadbeater A. (2015): Recent developments and challenges in chemical disease control. Plant Protect. Sci., 51: 163–169. The use of chemical fungicides to control plant diseases is an integral component of crop management. Although fungicides have been used to good effect in agriculture since the 1940s, the introduction of new fungicides is an es sential element to provide sustained control of major crop diseases. The need for new and innovative fungicides is driven, among other factors, by resistance management, regulatory hurdles, and increasing customer expectations. New fungicides can be discovered either within established mode of action groups, ideally with low resistance risk (robust modes of action), or in areas with completely novel modes of action. Compounds having a novel mode of action are of course of special interest, since they play a key role in resistance management strategies, but equally important are new fungicides with enhanced characteristics such as systemicity, curativity, and longevity of disease control. With the background of increasing registration hurdles, increasing costs, and increasing market needs, the current market position of major crop protection fungicides needs to be reviewed, along with the consideration of current and fu ture market needs. An analysis of the situation regarding new fungicidal compounds in late development or recently introduced to the market suggests that considerable innovation continues to be delivered in the chemical fungicide area. New modes of action are quite rare in some segments (major new fungicides are mainly SDHIs), but seem to be more frequently discovered for the control of oomycetes. Potential reasons for this are discussed.
Dialogue and experiment

"Abstract: This paper discusses the compatibility of Martin Buber’s dialogic method and active Gestalt therapy interventions, which are called experiments. The authors trace a brief history of the distinction between different psychotherapy systems which focus on the therapeutic relationship on the one hand or on active behavioural interventions on the other. They submit Gestalt therapy as a modality that integrates these seeming polarities, and they discuss the theoretical and practical consistency between the dialogic method, Gestalt therapy’s change theory (‘the paradoxical theory of change’), the phenomenological method, and Gestalt therapy experiments. It is the authors’ opinion that Gestalt therapy experiments do not aim for preset behavioural goals, but that they are in complete alignment with Gestalt therapy’s dialogic attitude. A definition of the term Gestalt therapy experiment is given, and its different uses are illustrated. The concept of resistance is examined in light of Gestalt therapy’s treatment philosophy. Indications as well as cautions regarding the use of Gestalt therapy experiments are outlined and different types of experiments, including specific examples, are provided. Key words: Gestalt therapy, dialogic method, experiments, paradoxical theory of change, contact, awareness. "
Pathology and Clinical Presentation of Friction Injuries: Case Series and Literature Review

BACKGROUND: Effective wound management is dependent, in part, on identification and correction of causative factors. Trunk wounds can be caused by pressure, shear, moisture, friction, or some combination of these factors. Wounds caused by moisture and/or friction are frequently mislabeled as pressure ulcers. CASE SERIES: This article presents a series of 45 patients who developed skin injuries on the medial buttocks and/or posterior thighs that the author believes were caused primarily by friction damage to the skin. The lesions were not located over palpable bony prominences and are therefore unlikely to be pressure ulcers. They were not located in skin folds and are unlikely to represent intertriginous dermatitis. Clinical data related to these 45 patients are presented, as are the location and characteristics of the lesions. These characteristics are discussed in relation to current literature regarding the pathology and clinical presentation of wounds caused by pressure, moisture, and friction. CONCLUSION: It is critical for wound clinicians and staff nurses to accurately identify the etiology of any wound. Wounds located on fleshy prominences exposed to repetitive friction should be labeled as friction injuries.
Delay-dependent stabilization conditions of positive continuous-time systems

The synthesis of state feedback controller problem for the class of linear continuous-time systems with time-varying delay is solved by maintaining the positivity of the studied system in the closed-loop. Our state-feedback law is formulated by giving sufficient conditions in terms of LMIs. A numerical example with two types of time delay function is used in order to show the effectivness of our proposed method.
The Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC)

This paper was first published in Mathematical Tables and Other Aids to Computation just after the ENIAC was announced in 1946. It was the major source of technical information about the machine for the scientific world of the time. Even today it ranks as one of the classic descriptions of the ENIAC. This paper is reprinted by the kind permission of the American Mathematical Society and the National Academy of Sciences.
Defective Phagocytosis in Anaplasma phagocytophilum- Infected Neutrophils

ABSTRACT Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection induces functional neutrophil changes. Using both Candida albicans and fluorescent-aggregate phagocytosis assays, we examined whether neutrophil and dimethyl sulfoxide-differentiated HL-60 cell infection impairs internalization. A. phagocytophilum infection significantly decreased phagocytosis compared to that of controls (P < 0.05). This further impairment of neutrophil function may promote opportunistic infections and exacerbate disease.
The K2/Spice Phenomenon: emergence, identification, legislation and metabolic characterization of synthetic cannabinoids in herbal incense products

Abstract In 2008, the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) detected unregulated, psychoactive synthetic cannabinoids (SCBs) in purportedly all-natural herbal incense products (often known as K2 or Spice) that were being covertly abused as marijuana substitutes. These drugs, which include JWH-018, JWH-073 and CP-47,497, bind and activate the cannabinoid receptors CB1R and CB2R with remarkable potency and efficacy. Serious adverse effects that often require medical attention, including severe cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and psychiatric sequelae, are highly prevalent with SCB abuse. Consequently, progressively restrictive legislation in the US and Europe has banned the distribution, sale and use of prevalent SCBs, initiating cycles in which herbal incense manufacturers replace banned SCBs with newer unregulated SCBs. The contents of the numerous, diverse herbal incense products was unknown when SCB abuse first emerged. Furthermore, the pharmacology of the active components was largely uncharacterized, and confirmation of SCB use was hindered by a lack of known biomarkers. These knowledge gaps prompted scientists across multiple disciplines to rapidly (1) monitor, identify and quantify with chromatography/mass spectrometry the ever-changing contents of herbal incense products, (2) determine the metabolic pathways and major urinary metabolites of several commonly abused SCBs and (3) identify active metabolites that possibly contribute to the severe adverse effect profile of SCBs. This review comprehensively describes the emergence of SCB abuse and provides a historical account of the major case reports, legal decisions and scientific discoveries of the “K2/Spice Phenomenon”. Hypotheses concerning potential mechanisms SCB adverse effects are proposed in this review.
RESOURCE ALLOCATION IN SENSOR NETWORKS USING DISTRIBUTED CONSTRAINT OPTIMIZATION

Several algorithms have been proposed for solving constraint satisfaction and the more general constraint optimization problem in a distributed manner. In this paper we apply two such algorithms to the task of dynamic resource allocation in the sensor network domain using appropriate abstractions. The aim is to effectively track multiple targets by making the sensors coordinate with each other in a distributed manner, given a probabilistic representation of tasks (targets). We present simulation results and compare the performance of the DBA and DSA algorithms under varying experimental settings.
The influence of dexamethasone administered prenatally on cartilage of newborn spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus) offspring

Considering the negative effects of glucocorticoid treatment, especially during fetal development it is important to investigate effectors decreasing such disadvantages. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of prenatally administered dexamethasone (Dex), a synthetic glucocorticoid, on the histomorphometry of the femur in the offspring of spiny mice. The study was performed on 24 pregnant spiny mice. The time of the experiment included the prenatal period between the 20th day of gestation until birth (pregnancy lasts on average of 36–38 days). The mice from the experimental group received dexamethasone per os in a dose of 125 mg/kg birth weight daily. At the end, the newborns from the experimental and control group were weighted and euthanized. Maternal Dex treatment resulted in a 17% decrease in birth weight in newborns. Dex administration significantly reduced the thickness of the hypertrophy zone of the growth plate by 34% and total thickness by 8,7%. In addition, Dex decreased the number of cells in the articular cartilage by 27% and significantly decreased their diameter by 5%. Dex also affected the structure and spatial distribution of thick and thin collagen fibers, lowering the proportion of thin fibers compared with the control group. Moreover, Dex treatment considerably lowered the amount of proteoglycans in articular and growth cartilages. Exposure to glucocorticoids in pregnant spiny mice affects cartilage development by accelerating maturity of collagen fibers and growth plate, presumably along with further disruption of longitudinal growth of long bones.
An efficient diagnosis march-based algorithm for coupling faults in SRAM

This paper presents an applying of march test algorithms to diagnose coupling faults (CFs) of SRAMs memories. Two phases of test algorithm is used to identify all the CFs. At Phase 1 march Cd is used to detect and diagnosis partially of the CFs. The March Distinguish Algorithm (MDA) is used in phase 2 to identify the identical fault syndromes which cannot be identified by the march Cd. Therefore, the proposed test algorithms which (13N + 3N/4N) read/write operations for a bit-oriented SRAM can achieve full diagnose.
Socioeconomic and psychological factors associated with nonadherence to treatment in inflammatory bowel disease patients: Results of the ISSEO survey

Background: Adherence to treatment is a key condition in preventing relapses in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aims of this study were specifically to study socioeconomic and psychological factors and adherence to treatment in a large cohort of patients. Methods: A questionnaire concerning demographic, clinical, and psychosocial characteristics was mailed to 6000 IBD patients belonging to the French association of IBD patients (AFA). The questionnaire was also available on the Website of the AFA for nonmember patients to answer. Good adherence to treatment was defined as taking ≥80% of prescribed medication. Socioeconomic deprivation was assessed using the specific EPICES score (http://www.cetaf.asso.fr) developed in France. Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale. Results: A total of 1069 women and 594 men (43.6 ± 15.4 years) completed the questionnaire; 1450 (87.2%) of them belonged to the AFA. In all, 1044 had Crohn's disease, 36 indeterminate colitis, and 583 ulcerative colitis. Adherence ≥80% was reported by 89.6% of patients. Factors associated with good adherence were: older age (P < 0.01), treatment with anti‐tumor necrosis factor (TNF) (P < 0.0001), membership in the AFA (P = 0.006). Nonadherence increases with smoking (P = 0.02), constraints related to treatment (P < 10−9), anxiety (P < 10−6), and moodiness (P < 10−5). There were no differences in adherence for the following: gender, type of IBD, activity and severity of the disease, socioeconomic deprivation, marital status, education level, and depression. Conclusions: In this large cohort of IBD patients, psychological distress and constraints related to treatment decrease adherence to treatment, while membership in a patients' association improves it. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2011;)