Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation and uncertainty investigation of the NO2, CO and NH3 modeling over China under the framework of MICS-Asia III

Abstract. Despite the significant progress in improving chemical transport models (CTMs), applications of these modeling endeavors are still subject to large and complex model uncertainty. The Model Inter-Comparison Study for Asia III (MICS-Asia III) has provided the opportunity to assess the capability and uncertainty of current CTMs in East Asian applications. In this study, we have evaluated the multi-model simulations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and ammonia (NH3) over China under the framework of MICS-Asia III. A total of 13 modeling results, provided by several independent groups from different countries and regions, were used in this study. Most of these models used the same modeling domain with a horizontal resolution of 45 km and were driven by common emission inventories and meteorological inputs. New observations over the North China Plain (NCP) and Pearl River Delta (PRD) regions were also available in MICS-Asia III, allowing the model evaluations over highly industrialized regions. The evaluation results show that most models captured the monthly and spatial patterns of NO2 concentrations in the NCP region well, though NO2 levels were slightly underestimated. Relatively poor performance in NO2 simulations was found in the PRD region, with larger root-mean-square error and lower spatial correlation coefficients, which may be related to the coarse resolution or inappropriate spatial allocations of the emission inventories in the PRD region. All models significantly underpredicted CO concentrations in both the NCP and PRD regions, with annual mean concentrations that were 65.4 % and 61.4 % underestimated by the ensemble mean. Such large underestimations suggest that CO emissions might be underestimated in the current emission inventory. In contrast to the good skills for simulating the monthly variations in NO2 and CO concentrations, all models failed to reproduce the observed monthly variations in NH3 concentrations in the NCP region. Most models mismatched the observed peak in July and showed negative correlation coefficients with the observations, which may be closely related to the uncertainty in the monthly variations in NH3 emissions and the NH3 gas–aerosol partitioning. Finally, model intercomparisons have been conducted to quantify the impacts of model uncertainty on the simulations of these gases, which are shown to increase with the reactivity of species. Models contained more uncertainty in the NH3 simulations. This suggests that for some highly active and/or short-lived primary pollutants, like NH3, model uncertainty can also take a great part in the forecast uncertainty in addition to the emission uncertainty. Based on these results, some recommendations are made for future studies.
Leadership practices of departmental heads in Malaysian public universities

Abu Bakar Hashim, Mohd Anuar Abdul Rahman, Lokman Mohd Tahir, Khadijah Daud, Adibah Abd. Latif. Faculty of Education Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Email: daudjah@yahoo.com A university in the new millennium is in a state of flux. In this new paradigm, public universities are emulating the private sector in adopting business approach to create a market niche. Thus, the needs for new and effective model of leadership practices particularly at Malaysian academic department level, as the traditional leadership practices have become inadequate in aligning the national vision. Despite the importance of department heads’ leadership role in universities, there is hardly any guideline, grounded on firm theoretical foundations, to be used in leadership development program for academic administration. The purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship between department head leadership behavior and subordinates’ organizational commitment. A total of 430 academic staffs from Malaysian public universities were randomly selected to participate on this study. Finding of this study provide evidence to suggest that encouraging the heart of leadership behavior from Kouzes & Posner’s Transformational Leadership accounting for 55 percents direct positive relationship to academic staffs’ organizational commitment. In summary, the model seems to offer construct validity and intuitive appeal for application in Malaysian academic setting were the department heads should indeed lead as Kouzes & Posner suggested by encouraging the heart.
The relationships between need profiles, clinical symptoms, functioning and the well-being of inpatients with severe mental disorders.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to examine the subjective needs and their relationship with clinical symptoms, functioning and well-being of hospitalized patients with severe mental disorders. METHODS Using the Camberwell Assessment of Need, we surveyed 52 consecutive voluntarily readmitted inpatients aged 18-65 years fulfilling the ICD-10 criteria for schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders. Current levels of clinical symptoms, functioning and well-being were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Global Life Functioning inventory and the General Health Questionnaire, respectively. Spearman's correlation coefficients and t-test comparisons were performed to examine the relationships between the parameters of interest. RESULTS The basic needs of inpatients in food and accommodation were met in a greater extent than social needs ('sexual expression' and 'intimate relationships') and informational needs ('information on condition and treatment'). Patients' unmet needs were associated with current symptomatology severity rather than with the course of disorder. CONCLUSION In any course of illness, services must help patients in solution of their problem (met their needs) immediately after clinical improvement or alleviation of psychiatric symptoms.
Alterations in γ‐Aminobutyric Acid Receptor Sensitivity Following Acute and Chronic Ethanol Treatments

The effects of acute and chronic ethanol ingestion on the binding of the inhibitory neurotransmitter 3H‐γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) was investigated in inbred strains of mice. Acute effects were analyzed in DBA/2J (alcohol avoiding) and C57BL/6J (alcohol preferring) mice, while chronic effects were analyzed in C57 mice. Acute ethanol (4 g/kg) produced a significant increase in the binding capacity of the low‐affinity γ‐aminobutyric acid binding site in both C57 (12%) and DBA (23%) mice, without significantly altering other binding parameters. The enhanced binding capacity may be responsible for the behavioral depression associated with ethanol use. Chronically treated C57 mice exhibited a decrease in the density of low‐affinity GABA receptor sites. These results suggest the possible involvement of γ‐aminobutyric acid synaptic function in the neuropharmacological effects of ethanol. The possibility that chronic ethanol administration may result in adaptation of γ‐aminobutyric acid receptors to the continuous presence of ethanol‐induced central nervous system depression is discussed.
Meconium stained amniotic fluid: antenatal, intrapartum and neonatal attributes.

OBJECTIVES To find out the incidence, outcome as well as antenatal, intrapartum and neonatal attributes of meconium stained amniotic fluid (MSAF). DESIGN Prospective study. SETTING Neonatal Unit of Hospital. SUBJECTS 1426 live births occurring in 1500 consecutive deliveries, over one year period. INTERVENTIONS In all babies born through MSAF, thorough oropharyngeal suction as soon as the head was delivered followed by immediate intratracheal intubation and suctioning in infants depressed at birth. RESULTS 204 (14.3%) deliveries had MSAF of which thick meconium was present in 141. Hepatitis in mother, fetal distress during labor and intrauterine growth retardation were significant factors associated with MSAF. One fifth of babies born through MSAF suffered severe birth anoxia compared to 5.6% in non-MSAF group. The consistency of meconium had direct bearing on the neonatal outcome. Severe birth asphyxia (SBA) occurred in 27.0 and 6.3% of babies with thick and thin meconium staining, respectively. Meconium aspiration syndrome was observed in 9 babies of thick meconium group and 8 of these were depressed at birth. All deaths occurred in thick meconium group and were associated with SBA. CONCLUSIONS Selective approach can be adopted for babies with MSAF reserving intratracheal suctioning at birth for depressed neonate or evidence of fetal distress in utero. Rest of the neonates only need careful observation after thorough oronasopharyngeal suctioning.
Human papilloma virus detection and typing in 334 lung cancer patients

Abstract Background. Unlike cervical, anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers, where high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) has long been known to play a major role, a causative link between HPV and lung cancer has been investigated for decades with discrepant results. Methods. Lung cancer patients eligible for surgical treatment were tested for the presence of HPV-DNA in excised, fresh frozen lung tumor tissue. Patients that tested positive were further examined for the presence of HPV-DNA in adjacent normal lung parenchyma. HPV detection and genotyping was performed using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based approach and allowed the typing of 13 “high-risk”-HPV-types and 2 “low-risk”-HPV-types. Results. Of the 334 tumor-DNA samples tested, 13 (3.9%) showed presence of HPV-DNA, of which 12 were of a high-risk HPV type (16, 33, 66). In those tested positive, HPV-DNA was not found in adjacent normal lung tissue. No correlation with smoking or EGFR/KRAS mutation status was seen, and only one of 84 squamous cell carcinomas was HPV-positive. Conclusion. We conclude that HPV is rarely associated with lung cancer in a Northern European population and in those tested positive, more functional studies are required to determine the role HPV plays in lung cancer oncogenesis.
Demographic and clinical characteristics of hypertensive patients in the internal medicine outpatient clinic of a university hospital in Rio de Janeiro.

CONTEXT Hypertension is one of the most important cardiovascular risk factors but its control is still a challenge for physicians all around the world. For blood pressure control to be improved, it is important to guarantee the quality of attendance provided for hypertensive patients, especially in teaching hospitals, where future physicians are being trained. OBJECTIVE To characterize the profile of hypertensive patients attending the internal medicine outpatient clinic of a university hospital in Rio de Janeiro,describing their cardiovascular risk and identifying flaws in the treatment provided for severely hypertensive patients, in order to implement an arterial hypertension management program. TYPE OF STUDY A descriptive cross-sectional population-based study. SETTING Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. METHODS The study was carried out over a period of four months, involving all the hypertensive patients under treatment in the outpatient unit. The attending physician obtained information relating to demographic features, cardiovascular risk factors, target organ damage, blood pressure levels, therapeutic regimens and compliance with treatment. Means and the respective standard deviations and proportions were used to describe the distribution of patient data. RESULTS Of the total number of patients seen, 24.2% (1,699 patients) were hypertensive. Women accounted for 65.0% of the patients. The mean age was 63.9 years. Dyslipidemia (49.2%) and diabetes (29.8%) were the most frequently reported risk factors and heart disease was the most prevalent end-organ damage. Seventy percent of the patients were classified as high cardiovascular risk. In spite of the high intensity treatment provided for the most severe patients (19.4% on a regimen of 3 or more antihypertensive drugs), the rate of blood pressure control was low (27%). CONCLUSIONS The patients with arterial hypertension under treatment at the university hospital had a profile of high cardiovascular risk and poor blood pressure control. Greater effort for improving hypertension control is needed, since this is the only way to reduce the morbidity and mortality rates of cardiovascular diseases.
Changes in Peritoneal Coagulation and Fibrinolysis after Discontinuation of Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis

♦ Objectives To study changes in peritoneal function after transfer from chronic peritoneal dialysis (CPD) to hemodialysis (HD), especially the effects on peritoneal coagulation, fibrinolytic markers, and mesothelium. ♦ Design Prospective observational study. ♦ Setting A tertiary-care university hospital. ♦ Patients Nine patients who transferred from CPD to HD were enrolled in the study after giving fully informed consent. ♦ Methods After transfer to HD, the peritoneal cavity was lavaged with low glucose PD solution once per day through PD catheters left in place. Thrombin–antithrombin III complex (TAT) was measured serially as a marker of peritoneal coagulation. As fibrinolytic markers, fibrinogen/fibrin degradation products (FDP) and plasmin–α2-antiplasmin complex (PIC) were assessed. Cancer antigen 125 (CA125) was measured as a marker of mesothelial cell mass. ♦ Results Levels of peritoneal TAT and FDP were much higher than plasma levels, indicating high local fibrin turnover. Transfer to HD induced a significant fall in mean peritoneal TAT, from 115.8 ± 52.1 to 60.7 ± 21.8 ng/mL, p < 0.05. Except for 1 patient with a 20-fold increase, mean peritoneal FDP decreased significantly, from 43.6 ± 11.1 to 19.6 ± 3.5 μg/mL, p < 0.05. Mean peritoneal PIC increased significantly, from 1.9 ± 0.4 to 3.9 ± 0.6 μg/mL, p < 0.05. Peritoneal CA125 increased from 156.4 ± 57.3 to 1426.2 ± 389.4 U/mL, p < 0.05. ♦ Conclusions Peritoneal fibrin turnover was accelerated on CPD and stabilized after transfer to HD. Transfer to HD also induced mesothelial regeneration.
Original Research: Survival of Bacterial Pathogens on Paper and Bacterial Retrieval from Paper to Hands: Preliminary Results

BackgroundPaper is omnipresent on hospital units, but few studies have examined the possible role of paper in the spread of nosocomial pathogens. ObjectiveTo determine by laboratory investigation how long bacterial pathogens can survive on office paper and whether bacteria can be transferred from hands to paper and back to hands in a "worst-case scenario. " MethodsSamples of four bacterial pathogens (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterococcus hirae) were prepared according to standard laboratory procedures. Sterile swatches of office paper were inoculated with the pathogens and bacterial survival was tested over seven days. To test the transmission of bacteria from one person's hands to paper and back to another person's hands, the fingertips of volunteers were inoculated with a nonpathogenic strain of E. coli; these volunteers then pressed the inoculum onto sterile paper swatches. Another group of volunteers whose hands had been moistened pressed their fingertips onto the contaminated paper swatches. Bacteria transferred to the moistened fingertips were cultivated according to standard laboratory procedures. ResultsThe four tested organisms showed differences in length of survival depending on environmental room conditions, but were stable on paper for up to 72 hours and still cultivable after seven days. Test organisms were transferred to paper, survived on it, and were retransferred back to hands. ConclusionPaper can serve as a vehicle for cross-contamination of bacterial pathogens in medical settings if current recommendations on hand hygiene aren't meticulously followed. Keywordscross-contamination, disinfection, finger pad method, hand antisepsis, hand hygiene, hospital-acquired infection, infection control, nosocomial infection, spread of pathogens, survival on inanimate surfaces
Adapting the Coping Strategies Index to measure food insecurity in the rural district of iLembe, South Africa

ABSTRACT Food insecurity is a global phenomenon that has seen an increase since 2015, thought to be a result of growing conflict- and climate-related shocks. While there are a number of different tools to measure household food security, there is no agreed global standard. This situation is reflected in South Africa where there is no nationally accepted tool to measure or evaluate food insecurity, even though quantitative food and nutrition variables are collected through household surveys. The Coping Strategies Index (CSI) is one tool that uses behaviors to measure food insecurity. The aim of this study is to adapt the CSI for implementation in the district of iLembe, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Focus-group discussions were employed with community members to discuss and rank twelve different coping strategies. The two coping strategies implemented earliest with the lowest severity scores were buying less preferred foods and purchasing food on credit. The coping strategies with highest severity score included going an entire day without eating, consuming seed stock, sending a child to eat elsewhere, and restricting food for working household members. Participants highlighted the need for improved water access and local seed programs to improve food security within their community and households.
Investment Under Uncertainty.

How should firms decide whether and when to invest in new capital equipment, additions to their workforce, or the development of new products? Why have traditional economic models of investment failed to explain the behavior of investment spending in the United States and other countries? In this book, Avinash Dixit and Robert Pindyck provide the first detailed exposition of a new theoretical approach to the capital investment decisions of firms, stressing the irreversibility of most investment decisions, and the ongoing uncertainty of the economic environment in which these decisions are made. In so doing, they answer important questions about investment decisions and the behavior of investment spending. This new approach to investment recognizes the option value of waiting for better (but never complete) information. It exploits an analogy with the theory of options in financial markets, which permits a much richer dynamic framework than was possible with the traditional theory of investment. The authors present the new theory in a clear and systematic way, and consolidate, synthesize, and extend the various strands of research that have come out of the theory. Their book shows the importance of the theory for understanding investment behavior of firms; develops the implications of this theory for industry dynamics and for government policy concerning investment; and shows how the theory can be applied to specific industries and to a wide variety of business problems.
Skeletal muscle glycolytic and oxidative enzyme capacities are determinants of insulin sensitivity and muscle composition in obese women

Regional fat distribution is an important determinant of insulin resistance in obesity. In the current study, the relationship between skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity, mid‐thigh muscle composition, and the metabolic profile of muscle was investigated. Muscle composition was assessed by computed tomography of the mid‐thigh, and by activities of marker enzymes of aerobic‐oxidative and glycolytic pathways and muscle fiber typing using biopsies of the vastus lateralis muscle. Muscle with reduced Hounsfield attenuation on computed tomography scans was increased in proportion to obesity, and was strongly related to insulin resistance, reduced muscle oxidative capacity, and increased anaerobic and glycolytic capacities by muscle. These findings suggest that as part of its expression of insulin resistance, skeletal muscle of obese individuals is also poorly equipped for substrate oxidation and manifests increased storage of fat. —Simoneau, J.‐A. , Colberg, S. R. , Thaete, F. L. , Kelley, D. E. Skeletal muscle glycolytic and oxidative enzyme capacities are determinants of insulin sensitivity and muscle composition in obese women. FASEB J. 9, 273–278 (1995)
User experiences of online community support for mental ill health

This doctoral study explores the use of online user-led community support forums for people with diagnosed and self-diagnosed mental ill health. The study is a qualitative analysis of three online forums and four semi-structured interviews incorporating twenty-nine participants. There is a lack of research into online communities using multiple methods, and my study uses two methods, virtual ethnography and semi-structured interviews, to ensure that there is a breadth and diversity to the research, allowing participants to choose different ways to participate. The thesis is framed within the context of austerity measures in the United Kingdom, and cuts in funding for many aspects of mental health social care. Negative attitudes to mental health issues by members of society and policymakers can lead to an increase in people isolated through lack of formal service support. The study explores the use of a particular form of support, online community support forums, an area that is currently experiencing a growth in research. My original contribution to knowledge is that peer-to-peer online communities enable people to construct their own mental health narrative by combining the lived experience of others with their own experience. By doing so, people can escape the social labelling, the stigma, and recreate a sense of self out of, or detached from, the medical and social discourses. This study highlighted how online forums can restore sociality and how online communities help people to clarify their own mental health narrative. As such, online forums and communities contribute to and are a new aspect of the health pathway. This research therefore, helps to inform gaps in health pathways, so that more suitable, cost-effective online resources can be created to reduce the effects of mental illness and support those who are unable to find support elsewhere.
Use of cardiac procedures and outcomes in elderly patients with myocardial infarction in the United States and Canada.

BACKGROUND Acute myocardial infarction is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and Canada. We performed a population-based study to compare the use of cardiac procedures and outcomes after acute myocardial infarction in elderly patients in the two countries. METHODS We compared the use of invasive cardiac procedures and the mortality rates among 224,258 elderly Medicare beneficiaries in the United States and 9444 elderly patients in Ontario, Canada, each of whom had a new acute myocardial infarction in 1991. RESULTS The U.S. patients were significantly more likely than the Canadian patients to undergo coronary angiography (34.9 percent vs. 6.7 percent, P< 0.001), percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (11.7 percent vs. 1.5 percent, P<0.001), and coronary-artery bypass surgery (10.6 percent vs. 1.4 percent, P<0.001) during the first 30 days after the index infarction. These differences in the use of cardiac procedures narrowed but persisted through 180 days of follow-up. The 30-day mortality rates were slightly but significantly lower for the U.S. patients than for the Canadian patients (21.4 percent vs. 22.3 percent, P=0.03). However, the one-year mortality rates were virtually identical (34.3 percent in the United States vs. 34.4 percent in Ontario, P= 0.94). CONCLUSIONS Short-term mortality after an acute myocardial infarction was slightly lower in the United States than in Ontario, but these differences did not persist through one year of follow-up. The strikingly higher rates of use of cardiac procedures in the United States, as compared with Canada, do not appear to result in better long-term survival rates for elderly U.S. patients with acute myocardial infarction.