Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of Optimum Information System for Health Management in Patients with Crohn's Disease

This paper is to develop optimum information system for health management in patients with Crohn's disease. The subjects of this paper were 124 patients who had been visited a general hospital which located in Chungnam area. As a result of this study, significantly positive changes of behaviors such as taking vegetables, drinking green tea, and practicing the healthy lifestyles of exercising diminished the progression rate of Crohn's disease. There was a significantly significant difference in hypertension control after information intervention(t=1.38, p=.032). This paper found that the health promoting behaviors in patients with Crohn's disease were increased by 68.92- 82.95% compared with previous status and the patients positively perceived on information system. Therefore, the information system for the prevention of Crohn's disease can be applied to any hospital which has health promotion center.
Introduction to the Special Issue on Rotational Seismology and Engineering Applications

Rotational seismology is an emerging field for studying all aspects of ro- tational ground motions induced by earthquakes, explosions, and ambient vibrations. It is of interest to a wide range of geophysical disciplines, including strong-motion seismology, broadband seismology, earthquake engineering, earthquake physics, seis- mic instrumentation, seismic hazards, seismotectonics, and geodesy, as well as to physicists using Earth-based observatories for detecting gravitational waves generated by astronomical sources (predicted by Einstein in 1916). In this introduction to the BSSA special issue on rotational seismology and engineering applications, we will include (1) some background information, (2) a summary of the recent events that led to this special issue, and (3) an overview of its 51 papers—27 articles, 11 short notes, 4 reviews, 6 tutorials, and 3 supplementary articles. Our comments on these 51 papers are very brief and give just a hint of what the papers are about. Papers in this special issue demonstrate that earthquake monitoring cannot be limited to measuring only the three components of translational motion. We also need to simultaneously measure the three components of rotational motion and the many components of strains. A golden opportunity to improve our understanding of earth- quakes lies in the near field of large earthquakes (within about 25 km of the earthquake ruptures), where nonlinear rock and soil response influences ground motions in a com- plicated way.
Monitoring Cotton (Gossypium sps.) Crop Condition through Synergy of Optical and Radar Remote Sensing

Morphological parameters like cotton height, branches, Leaf Area Index and biomass are mainly affected by the vegetation water content (VWC). Periodical assessment of the VWC and crop parameters is required for timely management of the crop for maximizing yield. The study aimed at using both optical and microwave remotely sensed data to assess cotton crop condition based on the above mentioned traits. Vegetation indices (VI) derived from ground based measurements (5 narrow band and 2 broad band VIs) as well as satellite derived reflectance (2 broad band VIs) were assessed. Regression models were derived for estimating LAI, biomass and plant water content using the ground based indices and applied to the satellite derived spectral index (from LISS-III) map to estimate the respective parameters. HH and HV polarization from RISAT-1 were used to derive Radar Vegetation Index (RVI). The coefficient of determination of the model for estimating LAI, biomass and vegetation water content of cotton with optical vegetation index as input parameter were found to be 0.42, 0.51 and 0.52, respectively. The correlation between RVI and plant height, date of planting in terms of the age of the crop and vegetation water content were found to range between 0.4 to 0.6. The fresh biomass from RVI showed spatial variability from 100 gm-2 to 4000 gm-2 while the dry biomass map derived from NDVI showed spatial variability of 50 to 950 g m-2 for the study area. Plant water content in the district varied from 65 to 85%. The correlation between optical vegetation index and RVI was not significant. Hence a multiple linear regression model using both optical index (NDVI and LSWI) and SAR index (RVI) was developed to assess the LAI, biomass and plant water content. The model showed a R2 of 0.5 for LAI estimation but not significant for biomass and water content. This study show cased the use of combined optical and microwave (C band) remote sensing for cotton condition assessment.
Signs of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bacillales: Bacillaceae) Infection in Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae): Koch's Postulates

Summary The basic step for establishing the causal agent of a disease involving microorganisms is the application of Koch's postulates. The aim of this work was to confirm that the mortality of Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) was due to Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bacillales: Bacillaceae) strains (GP780, GP139, GP209, GP528, GP782, GP300, GP777, and GP402) and to document the signs of infection caused by 4 of these strains (GP300, GP528, GP402, and GP77). Our results suggest that the strains that were tested in the bioassays were responsible for the observed aphid mortality and that the physical changes were induced by infection with B. thuringiensis.
Effective Use of Computed Tomography to Distinguish an Insurmountable Tortuosity of the Common Iliac Artery During the Trans-Femoral Approach

An 81-year-old-man presenting with syncope as main complaint showed significantly elevated cardiac enzymes the following day, and was referred for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) via the right femoral artery. Significant tortuosity of the right common iliac artery with severe calcification hampered the catheter manipulation for PCI. This could have been predicted by calculating the median luminal centerline - straight line ratio from 3D computed tomography before the PCI procedure. Evaluation of the tortuosity of the common iliac and femoral arteries should precede all PCI procedures using the trans-femoral approach.
A 0 SPO TANEOUS RHYTHMICITY OF VE TRICULAR MUSCLE

The effect of electrolytes (Ca.K and Na) on idioventricular rhythm (IVR) produced by the second Stannius ligature in frog's heart has been studied. IVR appearance time decreased and rate and force of contraction increased with increasing concentration of Ca in the perfusing fluid, while a decreasing concentration showed the opposite effects. High as well as low concetration of le in the perfusing fluid produced a delayed appearance of rhythm and decreased the rate and force of IVR. The IVR did not appear in the absence of Ca, and when le concentration in the perfusion fluid wa increased to 4 times the normal.
Nepafenac in the Treatment of Ocular Inflammation Following Cataract Surgery (Pseudophakic Macular Oedema) – an Update

Cataract surgery is a hugely important means of preventing poor-quality vision or vision loss, especially in the elderly and people with diabetes. Pseudophakic macular oedema (PMO) is a comparatively infrequent complication occurring in 0.2–2.35% of patients, but the increasing scale of cataract surgeries worldwide makes it a widespread and significant problem. PMO can affect vision and, if untreated, can damage the retina and, less commonly, cause pain. Effective and convenient treatment for PMO, therefore, is an important issue. The pathophysiology of PMO is not fully understood, but may result from multiple factors including traction, irritation and disturbance of the blood–retinal barrier, leading to secretion of inflammatory factors which affect the posterior segment. Among the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used in the management of PMO is nepafenac (NPF). NPF is a unique prodrug and use of the 0.1% formulation given three times daily is supported by several key phase II and III clinical trials, in which prophylactic use resulted in lower incidence of PMO, better visual outcomes and lower central subfield macular thickness than vehicle alone. Several studies have also shown that 0.1% NPF provided superior efficacy compared with bromfenac, fluorometholone or ketorolac in the treatment of PMO. More recently, a 0.3% NPF formulation has been developed to provide more convenient once daily dosing. A phase III trial (n=819) showed that 0.3% NPF was non-inferior to 0.1% NPF in terms of inflammation and proportion or patients who were pain-free with similar safety profiles for both doses. Other evidence from phase II and III vehicle-controlled, non-comparative trials also indicate the equivalence of frequent 0.1% NPF and the less frequent 0.3% NPF dosing. Greater use of the more convenient 0.3% NPF formulation may help improve patient adherence and consequently provide better outcomes in PMO.
A strategy to address the task of seismic micro-zoning in landslide-prone areas

Abstract. As concerns landslide prevention and mitigation policies at the urban scale, the ability of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to combine multi-layered information with high precision enables technicians and researchers to devote efforts in managing multiple hazards, such as seismically induced instability in urbanized areas. As a matter of fact, many villages in the Italian Apennines, placed near high-energy seismic sources, are characterized by active sliding that are seasonally remobilized by rainfall. GIS tools can be useful whether accurate Digital Elevation Models (DEM) are available and detailed mechanical and hydraulic characterization of superficial deposits over significant portion of the urban territory is undertaken. Moreover, the classic methods for estimating the seismic-induced permanent displacements within natural slopes are drawn from the generalization of Newmark's method. Such method can be applied to planar sliding mechanism that can be considered still valid wherever shallow landslides are generated by an earthquake. The failure mechanism depends on the mechanical properties of the superficial deposits. In this paper, the town of Castelfranci (Campania, southern Italy) has been studied. This small town, hosting two thousand inhabitants, suffers from the seasonal reactivation of landslides in clayey soil deposits due to rainfall. Furthermore, the site is seismically classified by means of the peak ground acceleration (PGA) equal to 0.246 g with respect to a 475 yr return period. Several studies on the evolution of slopes have been undertaken at Castelfranci and maps have been drawn at the urban scale not taking into any account the seismic hazard. This paper shows possible seismically induced hazard scenarios within the Castelfranci municipal territory aimed at microzonation of level 2, by estimating the slope permanent displacements comparable to those caused by the strongest historical seismic event that hit this area: the 1980 Irpinia earthquake. To this aim, geotechnical characterization of local soils collected over the last 25 yr by local technicians have been used to predict possible permanent displacements by means of Newmark's sliding block approach. Two simplified relationships relating peak ground acceleration and Arias intensity to permanent displacements have been used and compared. Although similar results are drawn, the two analyses point out the most hazardous sectors of the Castelfranci urban area.
Electroactive polymer for artificial muscle application

As technology advances, there was a need for new motors that could generate force efficiently, which could be achieved by mimicking the ability of biological muscles. Artificial muscles using electroactive polymers had been researched and developed in the recent years due to the great potentials in areas like robotics, toys, medical industry and prostheses, biomimetic device and electromechanical systems (MEMs). Dielectric elastomers, an electronics type of electroactive polymer, had been widely studied due to the large strain and force that could be induced under a DC electric field. In this project, a single unit actuator was first created using the dielectric elastomer and different assembly configurations could then be explored to produce a larger force which was compatible to that of biological muscles.
Troubleshooting methods for the generation of novel pseudotyped viruses

A pseudotyped virus (PV) is a virus particle with an envelope protein originating from a different virus. The ability to dictate which envelope proteins are expressed on the surface has made pseudotyping an important tool for basic virological studies such as determining the cellular targets of the envelope protein of the virus as well as identification of potential antiviral compounds and measuring specific antibody responses. In this review, we describe the common methodologies employed to generate PVs, with a focus on approaches to improve the efficacy of PV generation.
Investigating the effects of posture and noise on speech production

In recent years, speech production research has benefitted greatly from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Two prob-lem areas can be identified in conjunction with MRI, however: (a) subjects are typically recorded in supine posture and (b) they have to produce speech in noise. This paper investigates both of these issues by comparing articulatory behavior in upright and supine posture, with and without noise. The production data are recorded using electromagnetic articulography (EMA) and ultrasound tongue imaging (UTI) simultaneously. Preliminary analysis of the EMA data suggests that speakers are affected by posture, noise, and the combination of both in different ways, and use different strategies in compensating for these effects.
Long-Term Treatment of Osteoarthritis Pain: Achieving a Balance Between Efficacy and Tolerability for a Successful Chronic Therapy

Throughout the world, in both developed and developing countries, arthritis is one of the most common causes of chronic pain (Catala et al., 2002; Elliott et al., 1999; Johannes et al., 2010; Tsang et al., 2008). The National Arthritis Data Workgroup estimates that 46.4 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with some form of arthritis based on analyses of data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III; 1991-1994), the 2003 to 2005 National Health Interview Survey, and 2005 US Census Bureau population estimates (Helmick et al., 2008; Lawrence et al., 2008). Within this group, approximately 27 million adults have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, making it the most common form of arthritis in the United States (Lawrence et al., 2008). The prevalence of osteoarthritis increases with age (Kopec et al., 2007; Lawrence et al., 2008; Sakalauskiene & Jauniskiene, 2010; Shane & Loeser, 2010). Based on data from approximately 4 million patients seen over a 1-year period in British Columbia, Canada, the estimated prevalence of osteoarthritis increases from approximately 7% in patients between 40 and 44 years of age to 26% in patients between 60 and 64 years of age and to 49% in patients between 80 and 84 years of age (Kopec et al., 2007). The prevalence of knee osteoarthritis is particularly high in the elderly, and knee osteoarthritis is a major cause of disability in elderly patients (Shane & Loeser, 2010). Based on data from NHANES III and the Framingham Osteoarthritis Study, the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis in the United States is estimated to be 14% in adults 26 years of age or older, 19% in those 45 years of age or older, 37% in those 60 years of age or older, and 44% in those over 80 years of age (Dillon et al., 2006; Felson et al., 1987; Lawrence et al., 2008). Osteoarthritis can have a negative impact on health-related quality of life and psychological well-being (Axford et al., 2008; Breedveld, 2004; de Bock et al., 1995; Jinks et al., 2007; Majani et al., 2005; Salaffi et al., 2005). Patients with osteoarthritis are often limited in their ability to participate in main daily activities (eg, household duties, employment, body care, ambulation, and sleep) and to maintain their independence (de Bock et al., 1995; Hunter et al., 2008; Jinks et al., 2007; Segal et al., 2004). Patients’ mental health has been shown to decrease progressively over time, and patients with more severe osteoarthritis pain are most likely to experience depression and to have difficulty coping with their disease (Axford et
Improving light-emitting diode performance through sapphire substrate double-side patterning

Abstract. Here, we present a new double-side patterned sapphire substrate methodology that improves the efficiency of gallium nitride-light emitting diodes (GaN-LEDs). The light extraction efficiency of GaN-based LEDs was analyzed through the use of a ray-tracing simulation. The extraction efficiency was simulated using patterned sapphire substrate LEDs with a variety of shapes, depths, sizes, and spacing. Through the optimal patterning of the various factors, high extraction efficiency was realized and subsequently improved upon. The thermal LED characteristics were analyzed through the use of the COMSOL general heat transfer module. The LEDs patterned on the sapphire substrate were fabricated using nano imprint lithography. We found that the output power of the double-side patterned LED was 52% greater than that of a flat LED. The thermal resistance of the double side patterned LED was 9.5 K/W less than that found for the flat LED.
The blind spot of relationships in consumer markets: the consumer proneness to engage in relationships

This paper looks at the nature of relationships between consumers and firms, developing a dyadic conceptual model for consumer markets where both parties are taken into consideration. We question whether a relationship is necessarily the preferred state from the customer's perspective or if this is only in the mind of the seller. This topic appears to remain the blind spot of relationships in consumer markets. The empirical data is gathered from interviews and focus group discussions embedded in three cases from banking, mobile communications and retailing services. The paper shows that customers may differ in terms of the types of relationships they require and in how they may want to transact or relate. We conclude that different situations are likely to coexist with different consumers, which makes it hard to establish a general pattern of consumer market relationships.
The Sidewalk Problem

We propose a benchmark problem for cooperative stochastic games and interactive decision making. The sidewalk problem consists of two agents, each navigating toward their own goal, where the paths of the separate agents intersect. This requires one or both agents to deviate from the optimal path in order to avoid collision. Because both agents are dynamic, there is a need for prediction and/or replanning. We formulate the problem as a stochastic game, and provide details for implementing the problem in both discrete and continuous state and action spaces. We evaluate popular algorithms on variants of the problem, and we discuss generalizations and suggest other benchmark problems for cooperative stochastic games and interactive decision making.
Numerical solution to nonlinear Tricomi equation using WENO schemes

Nonlinear Tricomi equation is a hybrid (hyperbolic-elliptic) second order partial differential equation, modelling the sonic boom focusing. In this paper, the Tricomi equation is transformed into a hyperbolic system of first order equations, in conservation law form. On the upper boundary, a new mixed boundary condition for the acoustic pressure is used to avoid the inclusion of the Dirac function in the numerical solution. Weighted Essentially Non-Oscillatory (WENO) schemes are used for the spatial discretization, and the time marching is carried out using the second order accurate Runge-Kutta total-variation diminishing (TVD) scheme. 1. Nonlinear Tricomi Equation The weak shock wave focusing at a smooth caustic has been elucidated as a result of the concern about the focusing of sonic boom induced by maneuvering supersonic aircraft. Guiraud [6] elaborated a consistent theory including both diffraction and nonlinear effects at first order and leading to the nonlinear Tricomi equation. In a review report, Coulouvrat [5] extended the previous results to a three-dimensional heterogeneous medium. Hunter and Keller [8] showed that the nonlinear Tricomi equation occurs for the general case of weakly nonlinear wave solutions of a system of hyperbolic equations. Kandil and Zheng [10] solved the nonlinear, non-conservative Tricomi equation using a frequency-domain scheme, a time domain scheme and a time domain with overlapping grid scheme. A conservative form of the nonlinear Tricomi equation with the pressure potential as the dependent variable has been developed and solved using a time-domain scheme. The four schemes have been applied to several incoming waves which include an N -wave, a Concorde aircraft wave and symmetric and asymmetric flat-top and ramp-top waves. Kandil and Khasdeo [11] investigated the effects of several parameteres (longitudinal size fo the computational domain, the incoming shock footprint width and its level of strength) on the computational solution to the nonlinear Tricomi equation. According to the catastrophe theory [4], the pressure near the fold caustic can be shown to be a function of two independent variables only: the distance to the 2000 Mathematics Subject Classification. 76Q05, 35L60, 35L65, 65M22.
Invasive African clawed frog Xenopus laevis in southern South America: key factors and predictions

The African clawed frog Xenopus laevis is one of the most widely distributed amphibians in the world. It has invaded an area of approximately 21,200 km2 since its naturalization in Chile in the early 1980s. Currently, there is scant knowledge on the factors and processes underlying its distributional pattern. We constructed a bioclimatic niche model considering areas susceptible to be invaded (coarse model). At a local scale, we explored topographic, ecological, and anthropic variables, to identify which of these have the greatest predictive power for the expansion of this African species in southern South America. Not surprisingly, the projection of the distribution of Xenopus laevis laevis in southern Africa had the highest probabilities associated with the mediterranean area of the Cape region. From the habitat projection on southern South America, we predict high habitat suitability for this species in the mediterranean region of Chile. Nonetheless, the coastal desert of northern Chile, the Atlantic coasts of Argentina (32° to 54° S), Uruguay, southern Brazil, the north-central part of Argentina (22° to 35° S) and the central-southern region of Bolivia, are potentially suitable as well. At a local scale, we confirm that lentic aquatic environments, with slow drainage and murky waters, highly connected, human-disturbed, and part of an irrigation system of small streams and canals, account for the highest probabilities of successful establishment of X. laevis within the area of invasion. Based on our habitat suitability models, we expect the African clawed frog to invade farther north and farther south in Chile. We warn that the pet trade and subsequent release of African clawed frog to the wild pose a serious invasion risk to other countries of the southern cone of South America.