Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling and characterizing acoustic signals from cavity clouds generated by marine seismic air-gun arrays: Implications for marine mammals

Marine seismic air-gun arrays generate not only low-frequency (<∼300 Hz) acoustic waves which benefit seismic imaging, but also high-frequencies up to tens of kilohertz. Although such high-frequencies are much weaker than the lowfrequency parts, they might impact cetacean species that are sensitive to acoustic signals in the high-frequency range (10−150 kHz). Ghost cavitation is believed to be the main underlying mechanism for such high-frequency (>10 kHz) acoustic signals. In this doctoral thesis, ghost cavitation phenomenon is studied through numerical modeling and field measurements. Ghost cavity cloud consists of several acoustically induced cavities which are formed due to the pressure drop caused by reflected pressure waves, i.e. ghost, from the sea surface. The thesis is a collection of several independent papers organized in chapters together with an introductory part (chapter 1) which reviews the key concepts that are relevant as background and motivation for the work presented. In chapter 2, A synthetic modeling scheme for simulation of acoustically induced cavitation in seismic air-gun arrays is developed. The growth and subsequent collapse of individual cavities around the array are modeled by bubble dynamic equations. The pressure fields generated by individual cavities are added to model the acoustic signal form the cavity cloud. To validate the modeling technique, the simulation results are compared to the field recorded data. In chapter 3, using the numerical modeling scheme, high-frequency emissions caused by ghost cavitation for two different air-gun arrays are compared. The developed numerical scheme has the potential to evaluate air-gun arrays regarding the amount of high-frequency ghost cavitation acoustic signal. In chapter 4, photographed ghost cavity cloud by a high-speed video camera in a field experiment are presented which provide an undebatable evidence of the phenomenon. Furthermore, the modeling scheme for the cavity cloud is further evaluated. In chapter 5, sound velocity within the cavity cloud was investigated using a kspace pseudo-spectral numerical method. Presence of several small vapor cavities has potential to significantly drop the sound speed of water within the cavity cloud at frequencies below the resonance frequencies of the cavities. It is shown that if the sound velocity drops within the cavity cloud, though for a short time (8-10 ms), it affects the far-field acoustic pressure. In the appendix, the effects of cavity collapses within the ghost cavity cloud on
Comparison and Accuracy of Carotid Plaque Analysis Between Two- and Three-Dimensional Ultrasound Imaging

Plaque characterization using traditional two-dimensional (2D) imaging and/or three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonographic (US) techniques is a new method for evaluating artery wall morphology and plaque risk stratification. The purpose of this study was to assess and compare 2D and 3D US, measuring the interobservation differences for specific plaque-imaging analyses. Phantoms that simulated various types of atherosclerotic plaque pathology were imaged and findings reported by three experienced sonographers. Interobservation agreement and subanalyses were created. For each type of plaque pathology, agreement was moderate; however, conformity increased with the application of 3D US versus 2D US alone. Agreement was best for the identification of fissures, ulcerations, and irregular plaque surface. Advanced sonographic techniques for carotid plaque imaging provide a reproducible method in the analysis and morphologic assessment of simulated carotid atheromatous lesions, with superior interobserver variability. Three-dimensional US improves visualization of some pathologies and may provide additional information in the evaluation and risk stratification of vulnerable carotid plaque.
An avian relative fatality risk index for Iberian species on wind farms based on zero inflated count models

Climate change is one of the greatest threats towards humankind and wildlife. This consciousness motivated the search for alternatives that could contribute to mitigate climate change. Betting on renewable energies seems to be a winning strategy adopted worldwide in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions responsible for global climate alterations and to improve nations’ energy independency. However, nowadays, these energy usages still have negative impacts, mostly on wildlife. Wind energy is even considered the greatest unintended human impact on avifauna. In this context, the aim of this thesis was to increase the knowledge about wind farms impacts on avifauna, which variables influence birds’ fatalities by collision with wind turbines and birds’ vulnerability. Models based on excessive zero counts were tested to understand which variables influence birds’ fatalities assessed on 25 Portuguese wind farms. This allowed to estimate the probability of mortality observation per species. The information obtained was used to build the fatality risk index that also considered the vulnerability factors, which give information of species conservation concern and resilience. Those indexes allow to prioritise the existing and limited conservation efforts on more vulnerable species. Models and indexes are also important for improving knowledge about wind energy impacts on wildlife and what can lead to reduce them, in order to achieve a sustainable and greener future.
Comparing Direct and Calculated Methods for LDL

Questions, Anyone? Other laboratorians may share concerns similar to yours. Mail your laboratory-related questions to: Laboratory Medicine, 2100 W Harrison St, Chicago, IL 60612; or by e-mail to: labmed@ascp.org We regret that we cannot respond to individual requests for information nor can we guarantee that questions submitted will be answered in print. Answers will be provided in this column only. How does the accuracy of direct low-density lipoprotein compare to tests that base measurement on cholesterol calculation?
Patient Preference for Community-based Rehabilitation Programs after Stroke

[Purpose] We evaluated the level of patient satisfaction for community-based rehabilitation programs using a modified questionnaire to identify subjective preferences and plan an optimal clinical program. [Subjects and Methods] Over a period of 12 weeks, 13 patients who had suffered a stroke participated in three exercise programs and two educational programs. The three exercise programs included a circuit exercise program, mat exercise program, and a game activity program, and they were performed weekly. The educational programs consisted of tapping and stresseducation programs. After 12 weeks, the satisfaction level for each program was analyzed using a five-point scale, with higher points meaning a higher level of satisfaction. [Results] Satisfaction was the highest in the mat exercise program and the lowest in the stress-education program, with a significant difference between these programs. There was no significant difference between the educational programs or among the exercise programs. [Conclusion] The findings suggest that patients prefer direct rehabilitation programs to improve function after a stroke. A mat exercise program could be used in clinical rehabilitation to increase the rate of participation and improve the therapeutic efficacy.
Hematological Reference Ranges for Apparently Healthy Blood Donors in Debre Markos, North West Ethiopia, 2016

Objective The aim of this study was to determine hematological reference ranges for apparently healthy blood donors in Debre Markos, North West Ethiopia. Result A total of 250 adults with the median age of 20 (range 18 to 48) years were recruited. The mean ± standard deviation of hematological values were white blood cells (WBC) count 6.34±1.82×103/µl (males) and 6.96±1.89×103/µl (females); absolute neutrophil count 3.57±1.47×103/µl (male) and 3.99±1.38×103/µl (females); absolute lymphocyte count, 2.09±0.64×103/µl (males) and 2.27±0.68×103/µl (females); absolute mid-sized cell count 0.68±0.36× 103/µl (males) and 0.70±0.37×103/µl (females); red blood cell (RBC) count 5.13±0.49×106/µL (males) and 4.57±0.36×106/µL (females) platelets, 255.86±65.96 × 103/µl (male) and 280.67±65.71× 103/µl (female).
Electric vehicles charging stations planning in transportation networks and their impact on power distribution systems

The insertion of Electric Vehicles (EVs) represents a positive and proactive alternative in the electrifying of transportation sector. Significant benefits for the environment are notable, since carbon emissions and noise pollution are largely reduced. By the other hand, EVs can be on the order of 80 to 90% efficient at converting electrical energy into forward motion, compared with internal combustion engine (ICE) based vehicles that reach around a 20% of efficiency. In the economic context, there is an important decrease in imported oil dependence, which promotes the development of other type of energy sources (renewable energy based sources) and stimulates the dynamics of other industrial sectors, i.e., lithium ion batteries fabrication, Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCSs) manufacturing, freight transportation, etc. However, the massive EVs charging will bring a tremendous pressure and impact on power distribution system, creating power quality problems and non-desired demand peaks, which addresses in power losses and voltage drops issues. In this sense, and with the objective to improve the power grid load factor, an EVs charging demand management strategy is needed, considering aspects related with EVs’ owners and utilities. Furthermore, the battery is another problem that affects the adoption of EVs, specifically for the freight transportation companies, due to the low distance autonomy in comparison to ICE based vehicles. Under these circumstances, EVCSs location could provide a virtual increase in the EV driving range, taking into account that the battery autonomy will not be improved at medium term. Considering the issues mentioned above, this thesis is divided in several chapters that address each problem separately. In first instance, a detailed literature review in regards with EVs and their relation with PDS and transportation networks is performed in Chapter 2. In Chapter 3 a probabilistic approach for the optimal charging of EVs in distribution systems is proposed. The costs of both demand and energy losses in the system are minimized, subjected to a set of constraints that consider EVs smart charging characteristics and operative aspects of the electric network. The stochastic driving patterns for EVs’ owners, battery capacity and active and reactive power demanded at load nodes are considered. The optimal charging
Effect of lycium barbarum polysaccharides on oxidative stress of diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetic rats

OBJECTIVE To study the effect of lyciam barbaram polysaccharides(LBP) on oxidative stress of diabetic nephropathy(DN) in type 2 diabetic rats.METHODS Type 2 diabetic rats were induced by high-sucrose-high-fat diet with a low dose of STZ(35 mg·kg-1) injecting into abdominal cavity,and were dievided into 4 groups: normal group;diabetic group without intervention;diabetic group with intervention orally by a low dose LBP(250 mg·kg-1·d-1);diabetic group with intervention orally by a large dose LBP(1 000 mg·kg-1·d-1). The index of oxidative stress in diabetic nephropathy and the oxidative index;renal function alteration in LBP groups were observed.The factor netated to antioxygen index was analyzed.RESULTS SOD was reduced during the period of diet with high-sucrose-high-fat in comparison with control group.In diabetic rats,after 12 weeks,SOD、SOD/MDA were reduced in comparison with control group while MDA was increased.SOD、SOD/MDA increased and MDA induced by the low dose LBP intervention,and renal function was improved.The levels of serum glucose,triglyceride,cholesterol,low density lipoprotein,blood urea nitrogen,serum creatinine,urine microalbumin,and the ratio of kidney weight/body weight negatively correlated with SOD/MDA.CONCLUSION Oxidative stress is one of the factors in the development of DN,A low dose LBP can clear away oxygen radicals and protect the kidney of diabetic rats.
Opponensplasty by the Camitz's method

In this report the usefulness of the Camitz's method for opponensplasty was discussed.In the last 5 years we have practiced opponensplaysty by the Camitzs method on 11 hands in 11 cases, which consist of 7 cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, 3 cases of traumatic lesion and 1 case of congenital anomaly. Of these cases, 3 were male and 8 were female patients, ranging in age from 7 to 79 years old (48 years and 6 months old on the average). The postoperative time ranges from 6 months to 4 years 7 months (2 years 2 months on the average). The results of this procedure were evaluated by examining the angle of palmar abduction, nail angle, pinchable range, pinching force and buttoning ability.The angle of palmar abduction was obtained of more than 40 degrees in all cases. The nail angle was obtained of more than 120 degrees in 7 cases and less than 120 degrees in 4 cases. In pinchable range, pulp pinch was freasible with more than third finger. Pinching force over 3kg and satisfactory buttoning function were acqired by all of the cases except one cases, which had 1kg of pinching force because of imperfect repair of the injured flexor pollicis longus tendon.In conclusion, the Camitz's method may be a useful procedure for opponense insufficiency due to low median nerve palsy in not only young patients but also aged ones.
Economic and Biophysical Implications of Alternative Street-tree Spacings in Halifax, Canada

Municipalities establish, maintain, and administer trees on the rights of way along streets. Trees in between sidewalks and the curb, or in special tree pits where there is no tree lawn, are called street trees. They provide many benefits to urban residents, such as improved air quality, energy savings, increased property value, shade to pedestrians, and reduced vehicle accidents, noise, and crime. Many North American cities have tree establishment, care, and protection manuals for the management of street trees. However, street-tree spacing is usually a weak consideration in such manuals. I am interested to question how far apart trees are in current street-tree populations, how far apart new trees should be planted from each other, and what factors should influence decisions on street-tree spacing. The main objective of this study was to characterize street-tree spacings in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Tree data were collected from 188 randomly selected street segments in the urban core. A total of 2,162 street trees was measured for their species, diameter at breast height (DBH), crown diameter, and distance to adjacent tree(s) in the row. Altogether, 53 species were identified with an average spacing of 15.4 m. As expected from previous studies, the street-tree canopy was dominated by Norway maple (Acer platanoides) (39% by stem count), American elm (Ulmus americana) (21%), and little-leaf linden (Tilia cordata) (12%). This study will be useful to city planners in considering tighter spacings of street trees for maximizing ecosystem services.
Expression of Growth Factor Related to Angiogenesis on Prostatic Hyperplasia in Rats

Objective To study the effect of angiogenesis's regulatory factors on the benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in rat model.Methods Twenty SD rats were randomly divided into the normal control group (group A,n=10) and BPH model group (group B,n=10). At the 30th day after treatment,the weights of the prostates were measured,and the morphological changes were examined under light microscope, the mRNA expressions of vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF),epidermal growth factor (EGF),basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and transforming growth factor-b1 (TGF-β_1) were analyzed by means of RT- PCR.Results The prostate index of group B was significantly higher compared with group A (P0.01);the remarkable prostatic hyperplasia in group B was noted by microscopy;the expression levels of VEGF,EGF and bFGF mRNA in group B were up-regulated,while TGF-β_1 was down-regulated compared with groups A (P0.01). Conclusion The increased expressions of VEGF,EGF,bFGF and decreased expression of TGF-β_1 participate in processions of BPH rats and promote renew of blood vessel by impacting multiplication of endodermis cell of blood vessel.
Trends of poisoning among children at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal

Background :Pediatric poisoning is a common medical emergency and also associated with a high morbidity and mortality in children. In developing countries like India, poisoning emergencies are becoming a major cause of mortality in infants and toddlers. Among the various studies conducted on poisoning in our country, the study on poisoning is predominantly on adults and hence this study is taken up to understand the incidence of childhood poisoning cases. Method : A ten year retrospective study from January 1999 to December 2008 was conducted at the Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, to comprehend the magnitude of childhood poisoning cases at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal. Results : Insecticide poisoning was the most predominant poisoning followed by venomous bites. Conclusion : Our study examines the most common poison involved and route of intake among children to identify specific ages at risk and give suggestions so as to reduce the morbidity and mortality.
长江的生物多样性危机——水利工程是祸首,酷渔乱捕是帮凶

长江是我国第一大河流，全长达6300 km. 长江是一条生命之河，它的活力来自于干流、支流、湖泊和湿地的血脉沟通形成的独特生命系统. 长江流域是世界生物多样性的热点区域，分布有鱼类400余种，其中纯淡水鱼类350种左右，特有鱼类多达156种. 长江中下游是东亚季风气候下形成的洪泛平原区域，湖泊星罗棋布，并与江河相连，生活有珍稀水生哺乳动物——白鱀豚和江豚. 1980s初中下游湖泊面积约有23123 km2. 19501970年间，沿江大建闸节制，除鄱阳湖（2933 km2）和洞庭湖（2625 km2）等外，绝大多数湖泊失去了与长江的自然联系，江湖阻隔使支撑长江鱼类的有效湖泊面积减少了76%. 1981年，长江上建成了第一个大坝——葛洲坝；2003年，三峡大坝开始蓄水. 长江干流的渔业捕捞量从1954年的43万t下降到1980s的20万t，最后到2011年的8万t（降幅为81%）. 与此完全不同的是，1950s以来，洞庭湖和鄱阳湖的渔产量分别在2~4万t之间徘徊. 长江干流的饵料生物丰度不足两湖的1/7，因此干流对物种的承载力十分有限，以鱼为生的白鱀豚和江豚种群的衰退属于情理之中，加上酷捕误杀，白鱀豚已经灭绝，江豚也危在旦夕. 葛洲坝的建设阻挡了鲟鱼和胭脂鱼等的生殖洄游通道，中华鲟和白鲟的灭绝已近在咫尺. 长江上游建有1万多座水坝，大部分鱼类的生存受到威胁. 根据对长江生物多样性危机成因的粗略估算，节制闸和水电站等水利工程'贡献'了70%，酷渔乱捕等其它因素'贡献'了30%. 所谓的生态调度、鱼道或人工放流等也难以拯救膏肓之疾，即使在长江干流十年禁渔也难有根本改观. 如果鄱阳湖和洞庭湖相继建闸，将使长江中下游的渔业资源量进一步衰退，江豚的灭绝在所难免，其它物种的灭绝将难以预料. 长江在哭泣，众多的物种需要生态文明的呵护!
Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA EARTH SCIENCES DIVISION Active Magmatic Degassing in the NW Geysers High-Temperature Reservoir

Noble gas isotope abundances in steam from selected wells of the Coldwater Creek field of the NW Geysers, California, show mixing between a nearly pure mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) type magmatic gas with high 3HeJ4He and low radiogenic AI (R/Ra > 8.3 and 40*AIJ4He < 0.07), and a m~atic gas diluted with crustal gas (R/Ra < 6.6 and 40 AIJ4He > 0.25). Gases with the highest magmatic component are from wells producing entirely (or in large part) from the high-temperature reservoir {HTR), while gases with the most crustal dilution are generally produced from the overlying normal vapor-dominated reservoir. The MORE type magmatic gas is interpreted to show (among other things) that {1) part of the high gas of the HTR in the NW Geysers is supplied ·by active degassing of an underlying magma body indicated by earlier geophysical studies; (2) the HTR was formed by rapid heating and boiling of existing reservoir liquid caused by injection of magma; and (3) the large-scale convection found in the south and central Geysers does not exist in the northwest part of the field.
A new method of integrating epidemiological and health services modelling techniques for studying infectious diseases : an example using HIV/AIDS

Since the introduction in 1996 of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for treating individuals infected with HIV, morbidity and mortality among individuals who access care in a timely fashion have dramatically decreased. As a result, patterns of health services utilization have shifted from hospitalizations and acute care services to outpatient services and medications. An additional implication of increased HAART coverage has been a reduction in HIV-1 viral load amongst treated individuals. Tiidividuals with lower viral load are less likely to transmit HIV infection to uninfected individuals. A resulting hypothesis is that increasing treatment with HAART—either by treating individuals earlier in their infection or by expanding treatment coverage rate to a greater proportion of infected individuals—could potentially lead to reduced rates of HIV transmission. To date, the results of ecological studies and mathematical modelling studies have been consistent with this hypothesis. The objectives in this dissertation were: to build a computational tool that could be used to answer complex questions regarding the economics of HIV during the HAART era in British Columbia (BC), Canada; and to address specific economic questions relevant to the current treatment of HIV in BC. The particular questions of interest included: the monthly costs associated with various categories of health services utilization and the correlation between categories (Chapter 3); the expected long-term incidence and costs associated with hospitalizations after initiation of HAART (Chapter 4); the lifetime direct medical costs associated with an individual infected with HIV during the HAART era (Chapter 5); and the cost-effectiveness of a strategy to increase HAART coverage from 50% to 75% of clinically eligible individuals, accounting for individual-level and population-level effects of HAART (Chapter 6). These questions were addressed using a variety of statistical and
A Clinical Study of Thermotherapy of HIFU in Combination with Chemotherapy on Treating Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

Objective:To observe the proximate efficacy and toxicity of thermotherapy of high intensive focus ultrasound (HIFU) in combination with chemotherapy (Gemcitabine and Fluorouracil) on treating advanced pancreatic cancer. Methods: Forty patients with advanced pancreatic cancer were randomly divided into group A (chemotherapy+HIFU)and group B (chemotherapy alone). Results:The effective rate in group A was 50% and 31.25% in group B. There was a significant difference between two groups (P0.05). The main toxicities had Icukopenia and thrombocytopenia. Conclusion: Thermotherapy of HIFU in combination with chemotherapy is a feasible and well-tolerated scheme on treating advanced pancreatic cancer.
Some challenges and opportunities for grazing dairy cows on temperate pastures

Abstract Grazing plays an important role in milk production in most regions of the world. In this review, some challenges to the grazing cow are discussed together with opportunities for future improvement. We focus on daily feed intake, efficiency of pasture utilization, output of milk per head, environmental impact of grazing and the nutritional quality to humans of milk produced from dairy cows in contrasting production systems. Challenges are discussed in the context of a trend towards increased size of individual herds and include limited and variable levels of daily herbage consumption, lower levels of milk output per cow, excessive excretion of nitrogenous compounds and requirements for minimal periods of grazing regardless of production system. A major challenge is to engage more farmers in making appropriate adjustments to their grazing management. In relation to product quality, the main challenge is to demonstrate enhanced nutritional/processing benefits of milk from grazed cows. Opportunities include more accurate diet formulations, supplementation of grazed pasture to match macro‐ and micronutrient supply with animal requirement and plant breeding. The application of robotics and artificial intelligence to pasture management will assist in matching daily supply to animal requirement. Wider consumer recognition of the perceived enhanced nutritional value of milk from grazed cows, together with greater appreciation of the animal health, welfare and behavioural benefits of grazing should contribute to the future sustainability of demand for milk from dairy cows on pasture.