Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of ENSO events on the interannual variability of Hadley circulation extents in boreal winter

The interannual variability of the boreal winter Hadley circulation extents during the period of 1979e2014 and its links to El Ni~no-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) were investigated by using reanalysis datasets. Results showed that the El Ni~no (La Ni~na) events can induce the shrinking (expansion) of Hadley circulation extent in the Southern Hemisphere. For the Northern Hemisphere, El Ni~no (La Ni~na) mainly leads to shrinking (expansion) of the Hadley circulation extent in the middle and lower troposphere and expansion (shrinking) of the Hadley circulation extent in the upper troposphere. The ENSO associated meridional temperature gradients have close relationship with the Hadley circulation extents in both Hemispheres. But in the Northern Hemisphere, the ENSO associated eddy momentum flux divergence plays more important role in affecting the Hadley circulation extent than the meridional temperature gradient because of the small local Rossby number. In the Southern Hemisphere, as the ENSO induced eddy momentum flux divergence is small, the meridional temperature gradient dominates the change of the Hadley circulation extent.
Are Smart-City Projects Citizen-Centered?

Smart cities have become a new urban model for thinking and designing cities in the connected society. It is time to ask ourselves what kind of city we want and need. There is still a long way to go in relation to the role of citizenship in the field of smart cities. This autoethnography reveals different contradictions found during the preparation of my doctoral thesis, which studied the citizens’ perception of smart city policies in a city in southern Spain, in my double role as a doctoral student/researcher and public manager. Many of the statements and conclusions of different scientific research contrasted with the reality that I was experiencing in my daily work. My conclusions can help in the current debate on which cities we want to build at a time when the population is concentrated in cities and where it is necessary to respond to not only the economic, but also the social and environmental problems posed by sustainability
PERCEPTUAL SEPARATION OF SPECTRALLY OVERLAPPING VOWELS

Previous research on vowel identification reported excellent intelligibility of spectrally adjacent vowels despite reduced acoustic separation in their formant frequencies and extensive talker variability. The current study questioned this status quo by introducing several sources of real-world variation in vowel production due to variable stress patterns, sound change, and talker age and gender. Controlling for talker and listener dialect, the study was conducted in a small Appalachian community in Southern United States. As expected, identification rates were lower and more variable across individual vowel categories when compared with previous reports that used citation-form stimuli. Perceptual separation of mid and low vowels was more challenging for listeners than separation of high and mid vowels, which was also reflected in the increased number of confusions with the neighbors. The study provides new evidence that the identities of neighboring vowels can be compromised when additional sources of variation alter their spectrotemporal properties.
Fixing Implicit Derivatives: Trust-Region Based Learning of Continuous Energy Functions

We present a new technique for the learning of continuous energy functions that we refer to as Wibergian Learning. One common approach to inverse problems is to cast them as an energy minimisation problem, where the minimum cost solution found is used as an estimator of hidden parameters. Our new approach formally characterises the dependency between weights that control the shape of the energy function, and the location of minima, by describing minima as fixed points of optimisation methods. This allows for the use of gradient-based end-to- end training to integrate deep-learning and the classical inverse problem methods. We show how our approach can be applied to obtain state-of-the-art results in the diverse applications of tracker fusion and multiview 3D reconstruction.
Enhancing Local Economic Development through tourism: Perspectives from a cohort of Got Ngetta rock climbers in Mid-North Uganda

There is a growing focus on domestic tourism as a complementary strategy to international tourism. This development places a responsibility on national and local authorities to enhance their tourism attractions by ensuring that prospective visitors get value for money. In particular, local governments stand to benefit from tourism due to its potential contribution to Local Economic Development (LED). Considering the various preferences and the evidence of inadequate awareness among would-be visitors in Uganda, the focus of this article is on how Ugandan authorities can enhance rock climbing for domestic tourists. Using a data from personal interviews and self-administered questionnaire administered randomly to visitors at Got Ngetta rock, strategies for enhancing domestic tourism through rock-climbing are examined. It is established that the challenges facing rock climbing tourism revolve around a dearth of user involvement, which brings about considerable disregard of available opportunities including minimising environmental and cultural damage, enhancing user satisfaction and taking advantage of long-term economic growth. This concern necessitates a broader and inclusive strategy. It is concluded that these strategies can help redefine user involvement as an impartial instrument for enhancing rock climbing tourism and boosting the local economy.
Two-Dimensional Carbon: A Review of Synthesis Methods, and Electronic, Optical, and Vibrational Properties of Single-Layer Graphene

Graphite has been widely used by humans for a large part of their history. Nevertheless, it has only recently been possible to isolate its basic unit: carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb structure on a single plane, namely graphene. Since its discovery, many techniques have been developed and improved to properly synthesize graphene and its derivatives which are part of the novel class of two-dimensional materials. These advanced materials have imposed themselves in nanotechnology thanks to some outstanding physical properties due to their reduced dimensions. In the case of graphene, its reduced dimension gives rise to a high electrical mobility, a large thermal conductivity, a high mechanical resistance, and a large optical transparency. Therefore, such aspect is of great scientific interest for both basic and applied research, ranging from theoretical physics to surface chemistry and applied solid state physics. The connection between all these fields is guaranteed by spectroscopy and especially by Raman spectroscopy which provides a lot of information about structural and electronic features of graphene. In this review, the authors present a systematized collection of the most important physical insights on the fundamental electronic and vibrational properties of graphene, their connection with basic optical and Raman spectroscopy, and a brief overview of main synthesis methods.
THE EFFECTS OF ANACRUSIS AND FOOT SIZE ON PRENUCLEAR PITCH ACCENTS IN NORTHERN IRISH ENGLISH (DERRY CITY)

Nuclear rises (L*H) are well documented in declaratives in northern Irish English, but H* has been more commonly attested in prenuclear accents (PNs). This paper presents some results from a study of 11 adult speakers (6F, 5M) from Derry City. 385 utterances were analysed in which the number of syllables in anacrusis and PN foot size varied systematically. PNs were judged auditorily and visually for each utterance, and timing of fo maxima and minima was measured. Phonological analysis of pitch accents suggests that PN type is strongly conditioned both by anacrusis and foot size. Tonal alignment analysis indicates that both anacrusis and foot size affect peak alignment, with a minor effect of foot size on L tone alignment. Results suggest H targets are prioritised over L, and reduced syllabic material motivates phonological deletion of L targets, with H* potentially a phonological replacement for L*H, which is preferred otherwise.
Cell-Free Osteochondral Scaffold for the Treatment of Focal Articular Cartilage Defects in Early Knee OA: 5 Years’ Follow-Up Results

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical results at five years’ follow-up of a tri-layered nanostructured biomimetic osteochondral scaffold used for focal articular cartilage defects in patients meeting the criteria of early osteoarthritis (EOA). The study population comprised 22 patients (mean age: 39 years), prospectively assessed before surgery, at 24 and 60 months’ follow-up. Inclusion criteria were: at least two episodes of knee pain for more than 10 days in the last year, Kellgren-Lawrence OA grade 0, I or II and arthroscopic or MRI findings according to the European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery & Arthroscopy (ESSKA) criteria. Clinical results demonstrated significant improvement in International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective and objective scores and in Tegner score, although activity level never reached the pre-injury level. The complication rate of this study was 8.3%. Two patients underwent re-operation (8.3%), while a comprehensive definition of failure (including both surgical and clinical criteria) identified four failed patients (16.6%) at this mid-term follow-up evaluation. The use of a free-cell osteochondral scaffold represented a safe and valid alternative for the treatment of focal articular cartilage defects in the setting of an EOA, and was able to permit a significant clinical improvement and stable outcome with low complication and failure rates.
Effects of Exchange Rate, Interest Rate, and Inflation on Stock Market Returns Volatility in Nigeria

This study employed GARCH (1.1) techniques to evaluate the existence of high stock market returns volatility, and the impact of the exchange rate, interest rate and inflation on stock market returns in Nigeria, using monthly series data from 1995 – 2014. Excessive volatility hinders the stock market from playing its role of Mobilizing, financial resources from surplus units to deficit units and may cause a financial crisis. The research finding shows that interest rate has a negative relationship with stock market returns, while the inflation rate and exchange rate have a positive relationship with stock market returns. The conclusion therefore is, there is high and persistent volatility in the Nigerian stock market returns. Exchange rate, interest rate, and inflation significantly impact stock market return volatility in Nigeria. The study recommends that regulatory authorities should take proactive steps to minimize stock market return in order to restore confidence in the market.
CAUDAL FIN SKELETON OF THE LATE CRETACEOUS LAMNIFORM SHARK, CRETOXYRHINA MANTELLI, FROM THE NIOBRARA CHALK OF KANSAS

The caudal fin morphology of the Late Cretaceous lamniform shark, Cretoxyrhina mantelli (Agassiz), was previously inferred from scale morphology, which suggested that it was capable of fast swimming. A specimen from the Niobrara Chalk of western Kansas is described here and offers new insights into the morphology of the caudal fin of the taxon. The specimen preserves the posterior half of the vertebral column and a series of hypochordal rays. These skeletal elements exhibit features suggesting that C. mantelli had a lunate tail and a caudal peduncle with a lateral fluke. The specimen also supports the idea that the body form of C. mantelli resembled that of the extant white shark, Carcharodon carcharias (Linneaus). Given a total vertebral count in Cretoxyrhina mantelli of about 230, this specimen suggests that the transition between precaudal and caudal vertebrae was somewhere between the 140th and 160th vertebrae. The estimated total body length of the specimen described here ranges from 640 cm to 700 cm, marking the largest C. mantelli individual estimated to date. New skeletal data from the specimen further supports the view that C. mantelli was an active shark capable of fast swimming.
Hospital social workers’ appraisal of, reaction to, and coping with a critical incident in their work environment: a descriptive study

The intensity and emotional demands of the health care environment place exceptionally high performance expectations and stress on hospital social workers. Critical Incident Stress (CIS), a specific type of stress associated with dramatic, emotionally overwhelming situations, known as Critical Incidents (CIs), produce several emotional and physical reactions that can threaten the well-being of the hospital social worker. CIS, as experienced by hospital social workers, is absent from the literature and not well understood. The purpose of this study was to describe how hospital social workers appraised, reacted to, and coped with CIs in their work environment. Lazarus and Folkman's (1984) theoretical framework of stress appraisal and coping was used to guide this descriptive study. A sample of 30 hospital social workers was recruited from two Vancouver tertiary care hospitals. Four instruments (Participant Information Sheet, Critical Incident Information Form, Emotional Appraisal Scale, and Ways of Coping Scale) were used to gain knowledge on how hospital social workers appraised, reacted to, and coped with CIs in their work environment. Quantitative data were coded, qualitative data were subjected to content analysis, and descriptive statistics calculated. Data revealed that hospital social workers encountered CIs in their work environment and that the majority of CIs centred on death-related events. The primary traits of events appraised as CIs were novelty, suddenness, and uncertainty. Respondents reacted to the CI with a variety of emotional (anxiety, fear, frustration, worry, anger) and physical reactions (feeling overwhelmed, fatigued, withdrawn, anxious, difficulty with sleeping), and although they experienced some discomfort, these reactions were not debilitating. Most hospital social workers indicated that their personal beliefs had been challenged by the CI and revealed that they were unsure as to what their social work role or function should have been during the event. However, despite this, respondents remained confident and comfortable with the decisions they made. Hospital social workers appeared to cope well with CIs, used a variety of emotionand problem-focused coping strategies, and reported few negative effects on their professional and/or personal lives. The top four coping strategies utilized by respondents were seeking social support, planful problemsolving, positive reappraisal, and self-control. The implications of the findings for hospital social work administration, social work training and education, hospital social work practice, and future research are discussed.
Amphiphilic Block Copolymer Micelles in Selective Solvents: The Effect of Solvent Selectivity on Micelle Formation

We investigated the micellar behavior of a series of asymmetric polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P4VP) block copolymers in different P4VP-selective alcoholic solvents. The micellar behavior was further correlated with the spectroscopic ellipsometry results obtained on swelling of PS and P4VP polymer films in the corresponding solvent vapors. The time-resolved (in situ) dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements, in combination with (ex situ) electron microscopy imaging, revealed information about the aggregation state of PS-b-P4VP BCP in different alcohols and the effect of heat treatment. The ellipsometry measurements allowed us to estimate the difference in solvent selectivity toward PS/P4VP pair. Both DLS and ellipsometric studies suggested that less polar alcohols (i.e., 1-propanol, 1-butanol, and 1-pentanol) are likely to be close to each other in terms of their selectivity toward PS/P4VP pair, whereas more polar ethanol and methanol show the highest and the lowest affinity toward P4VP, respectively.
OTT_A_198750 5335..5354

Guang Shi Hong Zhang Qiong Yu Chunmei Hu Youbo Ji 1Department of Hematology and Oncology, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Clinical Medicine, Changchun Medical College, Changchun 130031, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Pain, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, People’s Republic of China Background/aims: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second most prevalent type primary liver malignancy, accompanied by an increasing global incidence and mortality rate. Research has documented the contribution of the GATA binding protein-1 (GATA1) in the progression of liver cancer. Here, we aim to investigate the role of GATA1 in CCA stem cells via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway. Methods: Initially, microarray-based gene expression profiling was employed to identify the differentially expressed genes associated with CCA. Subsequently, an investigation was conducted to explore the potential biological significance behind the silencing of GATA1 and the regulatory mechanism between GATA1 and PI3K/AKT pathway. CCA cell lines QBC-939 and RBE were selected and treated with siRNA against GATA1 or/and a PI3K/ AKT pathway inhibitor LY294002. In vivo experiment was also conducted to confirm in vitro findings. Results: GATA1 exhibited higher expression in CCA samples and was predicted to affect the progression of CCA through blockade of the PI3K/AKT pathway. siRNA-mediated downregulation of GATA1 and LY294002 treatment resulted in reduced proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of CCA stem cells, together with impeded tumor growth, and led to increased cell apoptosis and primary cilium expression. Additionally, the siRNA-mediated GATA1 downregulation had an inhibitory effect on the PI3K/AKT pathway. LY294002 was manifested to enhance the inhibitory effects of GATA1 inhibition on CCA progression. These in vitro findings were reproduced in vivo on siRNA against GATA1 or LY294002 injected nude mice. Conclusion: Altogether, the present study highlighted that downregulation of GATA1 via blockade of the PI3K/AKT pathway could inhibit the CCA stem cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and tumor growth, and promote cell apoptosis, primary cilium expression.
Isolation of Clostridium perfringens type D from a suckling calve with ulcerative abomasitis Aislamiento de Clostridium perfringens tipo D en un ternero lactante afectado con abomasitis ulcerativa

Se describe un brote de abomasitis ulcerativa asociada con infeccion por Clostridium perfringens tipo O en terneros lactantes. Seis terneros Holstein, de 2 semanas de edad, murieron despues de presentar anorexia y apatia. Otros animales del mismo establecimiento habian muerto de la misma forma seis meses antes. A la necropsia el abomaso estaba muy distendido con contenido fluido y oscuro, la mucosa estaba edematosa y presentaba gran cantidad de ulceras milimetricas y habian depositos de fibrina en la serosa. En el ciego de un animal se observaron extensas areas de infarto. En frotis de la mucosa abomasal se observaron bacilos cortos Gram positivos, no esporulados, aislandose de ella un cultivo rico de C. Perfringens tipo D. Es probable que la baja inmunidad de los terneros debido a falta de calostro y estres alimenticio, haya sido el predisponente para la infeccion por C. Perfringens tipo D.
Evidence from the French municipal elections

Using a new database of French municipalities that covers 821 towns and 2 elections (2001 and 2008), we examine how the budget structure, degree of electoral competition and the economic context affect the share of votes for the incumbent. We assess the specificities created by the two-round process under French electoral rule (a dual ballot under plurality rule). We show that in the first round of the electoral process, spending on equipment can influence the voter, and that electoral competition has a strong impact on the incumbent’s score. In the second round, the incumbent’s vote is affected more by national considerations and local budget variables have no effect. We show that the dynamics between the first and the second rounds are intense. The results suggest that the determinants of each round in a two-round electoral process are different. JEL classification: D72 H72 H76
Quality of life and its relationship with quality of diet among elderly people in urban areas of Markazi province, Iran

Background: In recent years, changes in the composition of Iranian population into aged population have increased the need for more information about the quality of life (QOL) of this group. Proper planning for this age group for increasing their quality of life depends on the identification of factors associated with QOL. The aim of the current study was to assess the quality of life and its relationship with the quality of diet in elderly people aged 60 years and more living in the urban areas of Markazi province. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 165 elderly people in the urban areas of Markazi Province in 2010. Data obtained via general and QOL (SF-36) questionnaires and three 24-hour recalls on food. The quality of diet was measured using Healthy Eating index. Results: The means of total SF-36, physical and mental components scores were 55.66, 51.32 and 57.30, respectively. Additionally, the average overall healthy eating index score was 82.83. The results showed that the total, physical, and mental components of SF-36 scores in the elderly were positively associated with the healthy eating index but not significantly (P=0.2). QOL and diet scores were significantly associated with age, sex, education, previous employment, income, leisure activities, exercise, insurance, smoking, present disease, and drug consumption (P<0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that the QOL in the elderly was not related to their quality of diet.
Effect of walking program on bone mass density, body composition and some of blood factors in obese and thin girls

Amis: Osteoporosis is considered as a widespread problem for women, which causes bone fractures after simple trauma. In long term, exercise can reduce the risk of osteoporosis. This study aimed to investigate the effect of walking program on bone mass density in prevention of bone loss and osteoporosis in obese and thin girls. Materials & Methods: 40 non-athlete obese and thin girls of Gilan University who were volunteered to participate in the study were randomly divided into four experimental and control groups. The measurements of bone mass density or BMD (hip and spine), body composition (weight, fat mass percentage, fat free mass) and blood variables (phosphorus, calcium, serum estrogen) were done before and after the intervention. Experimental groups performed an exercise program that included 30 minutes walking with heart rate intensity of 50 to75 %, 3 sessions per week for two months. The data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. Results: bone mass density in both experimental groups slightly increased after two months. But this increase was not significant (p>0.05). Also no significant change was observed in blood factors of young girls comparing to basic value (p>0.05). But, walking program had significant effect on all components of body composition in obese and thin girls (p<0.05). Conclusion: long term and intensive walking program has positive effects on BMD and its effective factors in young girls.