Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Promoting flood risk reduction: The role of insurance in Germany and England

Improving society's ability to prepare for, respond to and recover from flooding requires integrated, anticipatory flood risk management (FRM). However, most countries still focus their efforts on responding to flooding events if and when they occur rather than addressing their current and future vulnerability to flooding. Flood insurance is one mechanism that could promote a more ex ante approach to risk by supporting risk reduction activities. This paper uses an adapted version of Easton's System Theory to investigate the role of insurance for FRM in Germany and England. We introduce an anticipatory FRM framework, which allows flood insurance to be considered as part of a broader policy field. We analyze if and how flood insurance can catalyze a change toward a more anticipatory approach to FRM. In particular we consider insurance's role in influencing five key components of anticipatory FRM: risk knowledge, prevention through better planning, property‐level protection measures, structural protection and preparedness (for response). We find that in both countries FRM is still a reactive, event‐driven process, while anticipatory FRM remains underdeveloped. Collaboration between insurers and FRM decision‐makers has already been successful, for example in improving risk knowledge and awareness, while in other areas insurance acts as a disincentive for more risk reduction action. In both countries there is evidence that insurance can play a significant role in encouraging anticipatory FRM, but this remains underutilized. Effective collaboration between insurers and government should not be seen as a cost, but as an investment to secure future insurability through flood resilience.
SOLARIZATION FOR THE CONTROL OF SOIL-BORNE PATHOGENS IN FOREST NURSERIES IN TEMPERATE CLIMATE

Soil solarization was carried out at three eucalyptus forest nurseries in Argentina in order to evaluate an alternative method for controlling damping-off of seedlings. The experiments were performed at forest nurseries, located in a temperate climate (province of Buenos Aires), infected with Fusarium (mainly F. oxysporum) and Pythium species, using single and double layers of transparent polyethylene film during summer months (January and February). Effectiveness of the treatments was evaluated using a biological assay enabling assessment of soil inoculum potential. Soil temperatures reached during solarization at the three nurseries were 44, 45 and 49°C, respectively. The soilborne pathogens were controlled within 4 weeks using a single layer in one of the nurseries and using a double layer in the two others. Although the temperatures generated in the soil were not very high, the results suggest that the antagonistic microflora present in the native virgin soils in Argentina and or biological processes may have contributed to the control of these pathogens.
MANET vs. ZigBee: Some simulation experiments at the seaport environment

The paper presents the results of some OPNET simulation experiments realized with an aim to benchmark MANET and ZigBee networks’ performances at the seaport environment. The MANET is formed among workers’ and supervisors’ personal digital assistants (PDAs). On the other side, the ZigBee is established between end-nodes or employees’ body central units (BCUs), which collect signals from several active and passive devices embedded into ID badges and personal protective equipment (PPE) pieces; several moving and fixed routers; and the coordinator mounted at the appropriate seaport location. The simulation experiments are realized over the layout of the Port of Bar (Montenegro) container and general cargo terminal by taking into account the real number of workers and supervisors engaged at the terminal per each shift. This research work should give an insight to the seaport’s managers and stakeholders into some advantages and disadvantages of these two considered wireless networks’ schemes, and to motivate them to provide conditions for implementing these or similar on seaport and backend info-communication solutions for uprising the level of occupational safety and overall seaport’s environmental management system.
Parallel Sequencing of Expressed Sequence Tags from Two Complementary DNA Libraries for High and Low Phosphorus Adaptation in Common Beans

Expressed sequence tags (ESTs) have proven useful for gene discovery in many crops. In this work, our objective was to construct complementary DNA (cDNA) libraries from root tissues of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grown under low and high P hydroponic conditions and to conduct EST sequencing and comparative analyses of the libraries. Expressed sequence tag analysis of 3648 clones identified 2372 unigenes, of which 1591 were annotated as known genes while a total of 465 unigenes were not associated with any known gene. Unigenes with hits were categorized according to biological processes, molecular function, and cellular compartmentalization. Given the young tissue used to make the root libraries, genes for catalytic activity and binding were highly expressed. Comparisons with previous root EST sequencing and between the two libraries made here resulted in a set of genes to study further for differential gene expression and adaptation to low P, such as a 14 kDa praline‐rich protein, a metallopeptidase, tonoplast intrinsic protein, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) citrate synthase, and cell proliferation genes expressed in the low P treated plants. Given that common beans are often grown on acid soils of the tropics and subtropics that are usually low in P these genes and the two parallel libraries will be useful for selection for better uptake of this essential macronutrient. The importance of EST generation for common bean root tissues under low P and other abiotic soil stresses is also discussed.
Atomic data on inelastic processes in low-energy manganese-hydrogen collisions

Aims. The aim of this paper is to calculate cross sections and rate coefficients for inelastic processes in low-energy Mn + H and Mn + H− collisions, especially, for processes with high and moderate rate coefficients. These processes are required for non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (non-LTE) modeling of manganese spectra in cool stellar atmospheres, and in particular, for metal-poor stars. Methods. The calculations of the cross sections and the rate coefficients were performed by means of the quantum model approach within the framework of the Born-Oppenheimer formalism, that is, the asymptotic semi-empirical method for the electronic MnH molecular structure calculation followed by the nonadiabatic nuclear dynamical calculation by means of the multichannel analytic formulas. Results. The cross sections and the rate coefficients for low-energy inelastic processes in manganese-hydrogen collisions are calculated for all transitions between 21 low-lying covalent states and one ionic state. We show that the highest values of the cross sections and the rate coefficients correspond to the mutual neutralization processes into the final atomic states Mn(3d54s(7S)5s e 6S), Mn(3d54s(7S)5p y 8P◦), Mn(3d54s(7S)5s e 8S), Mn(3d54s(7S)4d e 8D) [the first group], the processes with the rate coefficients (at temperature T = 6000 K) of the values 4.38 × 10−8, 2.72 × 10−8, 1.98 × 10−8, and 1.59 × 10−8 cm3/s, respectively, that is, with the rate coefficients exceeding 10−8 cm3/s. The processes with moderate rate coefficients, that is, with values between 10−10 and 10−8 cm3/s include many excitation, de-excitation, mutual neutralization and ion-pair formation processes. In addition to other processes involving the atomic states from the first group, the processes from the second group include those involving the following atomic states: Mn(3d5(6S)4s4p (1P◦) y 6P◦), Mn(3d54s(7S)4d e 6D), Mn(3d54s(7S)5p w 6P◦), Mn(3d5(4P)4s4p (3P◦) y 6D◦), Mn(3d5(4G)4s4p (3P◦) y 6F◦). The processes with the highest and moderate rate coefficients are expected to be important for non-LTE modeling of manganese spectra in stellar atmospheres.
Use of the Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST) in defining functional recovery in bipolar I disorder. Post-hoc analyses of long-term studies of aripiprazole once monthly as maintenance treatment

Purpose There is growing agreement that definitions of “recovery” in bipolar-I disorder (BP-I) should include functional outcomes beyond sustained symptomatic remission. In this post-hoc analysis, we assessed functional recovery rates according to the validated Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST) in participants with BP-I after 52 weeks of maintenance treatment with aripiprazole once monthly (AOM). Patients and methods Rates of functional recovery with AOM 400 were investigated in two 52-week studies. NCT01567527 was a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized-withdrawal study and NCT01710709 was an open-label study. Functional recovery, assessed at the end of the respective maintenance phases, was defined as a total FAST score of ≤11 for 8 consecutive weeks. Results Post-hoc analyses included 229 patients from the randomized-withdrawal study (AOM 400 n=116; placebo n=113). The open-label study included 402 patients (including 321 de novo patients and 81 rollover patients who had completed the randomized-withdrawal study). In the randomized-withdrawal study, functional recovery was achieved by 30.2% (n=35) of the AOM 400 group compared with 24.8% (n=28) in the placebo group. The difference was not statistically significant (p=0.39). In the open-label study, 36% (n=116) of de novo patients and 43% (n=35) of rollover patients had functionally recovered after 52 weeks of AOM 400 treatment. Conclusion These data highlight the utility of a sustained FAST total score of ≤11 as a definition of recovery and emphasize the possibility of achieving this ambitious treatment goal with effective long-term treatment.
CHARACTERIZE DIFFUSION TENSOR IMAGING DATA

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a highly sensitive MRI method that unveils the changes in brain microstructures. By estimating the movement of protons through different areas of complexity in the brain, DTI provides a remarkable contrast between white matter and grey matter fibers three-dimensionally (3D), as tissues differ in causing restriction to the movement of water protons. Particularly after neuropathology, DTI reveals significant changes in the measured parameters. However, the contrast provided by DTI, reflecting the organization of fibers is not clearly understood. In addition, there has been a gap thus far, in direct characterization of DTI due to limitations in planar images of histology. In this work, we first improved the two-dimensional (2D) histological characterization of DTI data. 2D Fourier analysis was applied to the digital photomicrographs of myelin and GFAP stainings in order to probe the changes that occur after status epilepticus in rats. It revealed a significant change in the fiber orientations and anisotropy after status epilepticus as compared to the controls in the CA3b region in the hippocampus, concurring with DTI results. With the aim of providing the third-dimension to the histological characterization, we implemented Fourier analysis in stacks of serial block face scanning electron microscopy (SBEM). It gives a distinct advantage of providing all the obstacles (membranes) for the water diffusion. Consequently, we obtained anisotropy and orientation for the grey and white matter in 3D at the same level of DTI voxels. After traumatic brain injury, we observed a remarkable decrease in 3D anisotropy, ipsilaterally to the injury both in the cortex and external capsule. This decrease was associated with an increase in the number of reactive astrocytes and axonal damage. The development of a novel method for 3D Fourier analysis of SBEM is the first step in the validation of DTI data for future studies focused on detecting the changes in brain tissue after pathological conditions.
THE FIRST DETECTION OF BLUE STRAGGLER STARS IN THE MILKY WAY BULGE

We report the first detections of Blue Straggler Stars (BSS) in the bulge of the Milky Way. Proper motions from extensive space-based observations along a single sight line allow us to separate a sufficiently clean and well-characterized bulge sample such that we are able to detect a small population of bulge objects in the region of the color–magnitude diagram commonly occupied by young objects and blue stragglers. Variability measurements of these objects clearly establish that a fraction of them are blue stragglers. Out of the 42 objects found in this region of the color–magnitude diagram, we estimate that at least 18 are genuine BSS. We normalize the BSS population by our estimate of the number of horizontal branch stars in the bulge in order to compare the bulge to other stellar systems. The BSS fraction is clearly discrepant from that found in stellar clusters. The blue straggler population of dwarf spheroidals remains a subject of debate; some authors claim an anticorrelation between the normalized blue straggler fraction and integrated light. If this trend is real, then the bulge may extend it by three orders of magnitude in mass. Conversely, we find that the genuinely young (<5 Gyr) population in the bulge, must be at most 3.4% under the most conservative scenario for the BSS population.
Outcomes of surgical management of dysplastic oral mucosal lesions versus observation: A systematic analysis

Background: The aim was to investigate the outcomes of surgical management versus observation of dysplastic oral mucosal lesions. Method: Twenty-one papers met the a priori inclusion criteria, resulting in a total of 1943 lesions in 1599 patients. Epithelial dysplasia was grouped as “low-grade” and “high-grade”. Clinical outcome was established as the proportion of lesions with complete response, partial response, no response, malignant transformation, and recurrence/new lesions. Data on surgical intervention versus no treatment/observation was statistically analyzed. Results: Surgical management was provided in 80% of all lesions, versus observation in 20%. Following removal of lesions reported in studies without dysplasia, low grade dysplasia was reported in 59.9% of the oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs), and high-grade dysplasia in 40.1% of lesions. In the analysis, overall malignant outcome was 4.99%, and was similar in both the observation and surgical management groups (p = 0.554). The overall successful outcome (complete and partial responses) for all treatment was 45.31%, persistence or recurrences were observed in 27.99% of all OPMDs. In low grade lesions, there was no correlation between the complete or partial responses (p = 0.446), and the number of malignant transformation and recurrences/new lesions (p = 0.310). Similarly, in high grade lesions, no correlation was observed between the complete or partial responses (p = 0.140), and the number of malignant transformation and recurrences/new lesions (p = 0.673). Further analyses revealed no differences between the outcomes of surgical treatment and observation in low risk group (p = 0.358) and in high risk group (p = 0.258). Conclusion: This analysis shows that OPMDs treated by either surgical removal or observation alone have similar risks of malignant transformation irrespective of the degree of dysplasia, indicating the need for active surveillance of all dysplastic OPMDs. *Correspondence to: Pelin Güneri, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, School of Dentistry, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey, Tel: +902323881081; Fax: +902323880325; E-mail: peleen_2000@yahoo.com
Impacts of maternal nutritional plane on umbilical artery hemodynamics, fetal and placentome growth in sheep

The present study aimed to examine the impact of maternal nutritional plane on umbilical hemodynamics. Ewes (n = 15) were assigned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments [control (CON; 100% of NRC requirements), restricted (RES; 60% of CON) or overfed (OVR; 140% of CON)] beginning on day 40 of gestation. Umbilical artery hemodynamics, fetal growth and placentome growth were measured on days 40, 45, 52, 80, 94 and 108 of gestation by Doppler ultrasonography. The percentage change in umbilical artery pulsatility and resistance indices remained steady through day 80 of gestation, and then decreased (P 0.05) on days 80 and 94 of gestation, and then decreased (P < 0.01) by day 108 of gestation. Maternal plane of nutrition can impact umbilical resistance indices, and ultimately may impact blood flow to the fetus.
S ep 2 01 6 Massive MIMO and Waveform Design for 5 th Generation Wireless Communication Systems

This article reviews existing related work and identifies the main challenges in the key 5G area at the intersecti on of waveform design and large-scale multiple antenna systems, also known as Massive MIMO. The property of self-equalization is introduced for Filter Bank Multicarrier (FBMC)-based Mass ive MIMO, which can reduce the number of subcarriers required by the system. It is also shown that the blind channel tracking property of FBMC can be used to address pilot contamination – one of the main limiting factors of Massive MIMO systems. Our findings shed light into and motivate for an entirely new research line towards a better understanding of waveform de sign with emphasis on FBMC-based Massive MIMO networks.
Title Management of osteoporosis in patients hospitalized for hipfractures

Hip fracture is associated with high morbidity, mortality, and economic burden worldwide. It is also a major risk factor for a subsequent fracture. A literature search on the management of osteoporosis in patients with hip fracture was performed on the Medline database. Only one clinical drug trial was conducted in patients with a recent hip fracture. Further studies that specifically address post-fracture management of hip fracture are needed. The efficacy of anti-osteoporosis medication in older individuals and those at high risk of fall is reviewed in this paper. Adequate nutrition is vital for bone health and to prevent falls, especially in malnourished patients. Protein, calcium, and vitamin D supplementation is associated with increased hip BMD and a reduction in falls. Fall prevention, exercise, and balance training incorporated in a comprehensive rehabilitation program are essential to improve functional disability and survival. Exclusion of secondary causes of osteoporosis and treatment of coexistent medical conditions are also vital. Such a multidisciplinary team approach to the management of hip fracture patients is associated with a better clinical outcome. Although hip fracture is the most serious of all fractures, osteoporosis management should be prioritized to prevent deterioration of health and occurrence of further fracture. Keyword Osteoporosis
Detection of Time-Intervals in Biomedical Signals Using Template Matched Filter

Fetal Heart Rate Variability (FHRV) is a reliable quantitative marker of autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity of the fetus and its analysis has gained importance in medical research and clinical applications. Fetal Electrocardiograph (FECG) is clinically used to help doctors diagnose various diseases. One of the popular measurements is FHR and other physiological parameters. World wide, the standard method of monitoring the fetus during labor is the display of continuous fetal heart rate (FHR) and the uterine activity with the help of cardiotocogram (CTG). By analysis and appropriate interpretation of changes in the CTG obstrician hope to prevent the delivery of dead or impound babies who had suffered as a result of a lack of oxygen during labor and delivery. These signals are analyzed using an automatic PC-Based virtual instrument in LabVIEW. A template matching technique works well in the calculation of R-R interval of the ECG/FECG data and peaks of the biomedical signals.
Long-term effects of land use on soil aggregate stability

A b s t r a c t. In the study presented here, the long-term effects of two land uses of forest and tea garden on soil aggregate stability as an indicator of soil quality were investigated at three landscapes in Lahijan, North Iran. In each landscape, soil samples were collected from two slope positions and two depths of adjacent forest and tea garden, and were analyzed for their physical and chemical properties including aggregate size distributions by dry and wet sieving. Soil properties and aggregate stability indices were compared for the two land uses by the algorithms of nested design. The results showed that organic matter content, hydraulic conductivity, field capacity moisture content, mean weight diameter, and geometric mean diameter of the soil aggregates were significantly lower for the tea garden than for the forest, while bulk density and fractal dimension of aggregates were higher. Traffic and cultural operations, combined with increased organic matter decomposition in the tea garden, disintegrated the large aggregates into smaller aggregates (0.25-0.5 mm), resulting in a lower proportion of large aggregates in these soils. All measured soil properties were statistically the same for two depths of 0-15 and 15-30 cm, except for organic matter, field capacity and permanent wilting point. There were also no differences between two slope positions regarding the soil properties. K e y w o r d s: land use, aggregate stability, soil erosion, slope position, humid climate
Antioxidant Composition of a Selection of Italian Red Wines and Their Corresponding Free-Radical Scavenging Ability

This study correlates the antioxidant composition profiles and the overall antioxidant capacities of 36 Italian red wine samples. The samples were fully characterized by chromatographic and spectrophotometric techniques. The overall antioxidant capacity was determined by titrating a solution of the semistable free radical DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) with each wine sample followed by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and then measuring the resulting decrease in DPPH-signal. The antioxidant activities of the samples were expressed as (
MEASURING SYSTEM OF HEMODYNAMIC PARAMETERS USING ELECTRICAL IMPEDANCE

Tissue bioimpedance measurement technique is currently applied in a wide range of measurements with biomedical applications, such as characterization of human body composition, measurements of hemodynamic parameters, lung, brain, etc. Tissue impedance can be modified function the frequency of the injected current. Therefore, bioimpedance measurement should be performed in a wide range of frequencies. This paper proposes a measurement system which is composed of a microcontroller, a programmable waveform generator and a voltage controlled current source. Microcontroller is controlling the whole system to schedule and to generate a sine wave, the frequency band 100 Hz to 100 kHz. Then, this signal is converted to current using a current controlled voltage source type based on Howland circuit. Bioimpedance signal acquisition on computer was achieved by using a USB data acquisition device NI 6009. For signal processing of bioimpedace, user interface and display LABVIEW and MATLAB were used. The MATLAB software was developed to analyze some vascular hemodynamic parameters. This device is able to acquire and process signals from both the electrical impedance of the central (heart) and peripheral (upper or lower limbs). This technique is a non-invasive and cost-effective method to measure and analyze hemodynamics, which would present for physiologist very important information for critical and continuous care of patients with hemodynamic disorders.