Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the quality of TROPOMI high-spatial-resolution NO2 data products in the Greater Toronto Area

Abstract. The TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) aboard the Sentinel-5 Precursor satellite (launched on 13 October 2017) is a nadir-viewing spectrometer measuring reflected sunlight in the ultraviolet, visible, near-infrared, and shortwave infrared spectral ranges. The measured spectra are used to retrieve total columns of trace gases, including nitrogen dioxide (NO2). For ground validation of these satellite measurements, Pandora spectrometers, which retrieve high-quality NO2 total columns via direct-sun measurements, are widely used. In this study, Pandora NO2 measurements made at three sites located in or north of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) are used to evaluate the TROPOMI NO2 data products, including a standard Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) tropospheric and stratospheric NO2 data product and a TROPOMI research data product developed by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) using a high-resolution regional air quality forecast model (in the air mass factor calculation). It is found that these current TROPOMI tropospheric NO2 data products (standard and ECCC) met the TROPOMI design bias requirement (< 10 %). Using the statistical uncertainty estimation method, the estimated TROPOMI upper-limit precision falls below the design requirement at a rural site but above in the other two urban and suburban sites. The Pandora instruments are found to have sufficient precision (< 0.02 DU) to perform TROPOMI validation work. In addition to the traditional satellite validation method (i.e., pairing ground-based measurements with satellite measurements closest in time and space), we analyzed TROPOMI pixels located upwind and downwind from the Pandora site. This makes it possible to improve the statistics and better interpret the high-spatial-resolution measurements made by TROPOMI. By using this wind-based validation technique, the number of coincident measurements can be increased by about a factor of 5. With this larger number of coincident measurements, this work shows that both TROPOMI and Pandora instruments can reveal detailed spatial patterns (i.e., horizontal distributions) of local and transported NO2 emissions, which can be used to evaluate regional air quality changes. The TROPOMI ECCC NO2 research data product shows improved agreement with Pandora measurements compared to the TROPOMI standard tropospheric NO2 data product (e.g., lower multiplicative bias at the suburban and urban sites by about 10 %), demonstrating benefits from the high-resolution regional air quality forecast model.
A Conjoint Approach to Understanding Online Buyers' Decisions towards Online Marketplaces

The marketplace-based e-commerce is the dominant type so far. Therefore, it is important to understand the decisional attributes and their relevance for online consumers when choosing marketplaces. However, little research is devoted to this issue. This paper outlines seven attributes of marketplace based on three theories, including ease of use, usefulness, logistics service quality, effectiveness of feedback mechanisms, effectiveness of escrow service, effectiveness of information security services, and effectiveness of dispute resolution mechanisms. Via conjoint analysis methodology, we find that for the whole sample effectiveness of dispute resolution is the most important attribute, whereas logistics service quality is the least important one. The results further reveal gender has impacts on the relative strength of each attribute: while male buyers think some attributes (i.e., effectiveness of dispute resolution mechanisms and effectiveness of information security services) are more important than others (i.e., logistics service quality), female buyers consider that each attribute is equally important. This study suggests that institutional theory and technology adoption model offer more relevant theoretical perspective than the logistics service theory for marketplace choice. Though having limitations including focusing on young users in one region, this paper offers several theoretical contributions to research and some insights for practice.
Use of 50-M Walk Test as a Tool to Assess Phase-1 Cardiovascular Rehabilitation after Acute Coronary Syndrome

Introduction: In 2009, Dias and colls made a contribution to this field by applying the first functional 50-M Walk Test (50MWT) in the Coronary Intensive care Unit (CICU), being able to direct the exercise prescription as well as evaluate the response to a cardiovascular rehabilitation program during hospitalization. As the Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Program 1 (CVR1) does not yet recommend the 50 MWT in CVR1 due to safety measures and cardiovascular repercussion on the program, the inclusion of this tool is necessary as it concerns a population at risk. Objective: Compare the functional response and cardiovascular 50 MWT in patients with ACS who underwent CVR1. Methodology: Single-arm clinical trial, conducted with ACS patients admitted to the CICU of a private Hospital in Salvador - Brazil, from 24 to 48 hours post-event. The inclusion criteria consisted ACS patients with medical permission to walk, and had not been submitted to acute surgical treatments, aged ≥ 18 years who were oriented in time and space. Exclusion criteria included patients with orthopaedic problems, neurological sequelae and the inability to walk independently. Results: A total of 66 patients were gathered to compare the response to tests before CVR1 and at the time of discharge; data of systolic arterial pressure (SBP), heart rate (HR), perceived exertion rate by the Borg Scale (BS), time and speed of walking were evaluated. Measurements were obtained in the supine, seated and orthostatic positions, at the end of the walk, after 5 minutes rest, and walking duration. Statistical significance for SBP, in the time of walking and BS was observed (p ≤ 0.05). HR presented no statistical significance; predominance was shown in the absence of adverse effects in 89.4% of patients. Conclusion: This sample proved that patients who underwent CVR1 program presented an impact on functional capacity interpreted by an increase in walking speed, perceived exertion rate decreased and better blood pressure control during hospital discharge. Furthermore, 50 MWT might safely be applied as a tool before beginning CVR1, and as a method of assessing cardiovascular repercussion in the hospital phase after the program.
Three-Dimensional Evaluation of Periodontal Remodeling During Orthodontic Treatment

In 21 adult patients, two or three high-resolution computed tomography (HR-CT) examinations were performed before, during and after orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances. The time between the first, second, and third CT scanning varied according to the individual treatment or retention period from 12 to 36 months. Comparison of the CT examinations permits three-dimensional evaluation of osteoclastic and osteoblastic periodontal remodeling. The incidence of periodontal lesions, such as bone dehiscenses, fenestrations and root resorptions were assessed in relation to the initial periodontal situation and the applied orthodontic biomechanics. Anatomic risks were a small alveolar process, thin buccal or lingual bone plates, eccentric positioning of teeth, basally extended maxillary sinus, and progressive alveolar bone loss. Therapeutic risks were uncontrolled sagittal or vertical movements of the incisors and cortical or intermaxillary anchorage preparation. Orthodontically induced bone dehiscences were partly repaired by osteoblastic periodontal remodeling in the retention period. (Semin Orthod 2002;8:23-28.)
Clinicopathological Significance of SMAD4 Expression in Breast Cancer

Purpose: SMAD4 is a member of the SMAD family and acts as a central mediator of transforming growth factor beta signaling. Little is known about SMAD4 expression and its prognostic significance in breast cancer. We evaluated the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of SMAD4 expression in breast cancer. Methods: Two hundred and fifty-five patients with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast from 2000 to 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. We investigated SMAD4 expression using a tissue microarray-based immunohistochemical assay and evaluated the association between SMAD4 and prognosis of breast cancer. Results: High SMAD4 expression was positively associated with early stage (p=0.009), estrogen receptor positivity (p=0.026), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negativity (p=0.001). A significant difference in overall survival (OS) was associated with high SMAD4 expression in patients with T1 stage tumors (hazard ratio: 0.459, p=0.024). Conclusion: High SMAD4 expression was correlated with several favorable prognostic factors and was associated with favorable OS in T1 stage breast cancer. SMAD4 in breast cancer has potential prognostic significance, and further investigations and understanding about SMAD4 expression are needed.
Is There a Cost-Effective Means of Training Microenterprises?

Despite billions of dollars spent by policy institutions and academics, very few programs designed to increase managerial skills among microenterprises are cost-effective. This short paper highlights a mentorship program designed to provide managerial skills to Kenyan microenterprises, and it provides a detailed cost-benefit analysis. For each dollar spent on a treated firm, average profit increases by 1.63 USD; the result stems from both a higher program impact and lower cost relative to existing training programs. Motivated by this increased cost-effectiveness, the study then compares the program to the large literature focusing on “supply-side” interventions designed to increase managerial capacity in small firms, and it highlights particular margins on which mentorship improves on classroom training and also where training should focus.
Complete mitochondrail genome of Corydoras agassizii

Abstract We reported the complete mitochondrial genome yielded using next-generation sequencing of Corydoras agassizii in this study. The total length of the mitochondrial genome is 16,562 bp, with the base composition of 32.6% A, 25.9% T, 26.8% C, and 14.7% G, in several. It contains two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, and a 945 bp non-coding control region (D-loop region). The sequence of these genes is consistent with that found in the Siluriformes. The complete mitogenomes of C. agassizii and other 17 species of fish were constructed by phylogenetic analysis using Neighbour-Joining method. The topological structure indicated that species participating in the analysis belong to three groups (Siluridae, Loricariidae, and Callichthyidae) of nine genera, and the C. agassizii was clustered with other species from genus Corydoras. The external morphological characteristics of C. agassizii are consistent with the results of molecular classification, so the mitogenome can be used to identify Corydoras species in the future.
Usage Pattern of Drugs that are prescription in France and available OTC in Lebanon : Application on Antibiotics

Background: Regulations usually distinguish between prescription-only (POM) and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. The former requires medical prescription; the latter are available for self-medication (SM) without a prescription. In Lebanon as in other Eastern Mediterranean countries, theoretically prescription medicines can easily be purchased without a prescription. Antibiotics are among the most commonly sold drug classes without prescription. The inappropriate use of antibiotics increases the rate of bacterial resistance and the frequency of treatment failure. This study is conducted to determine the usage pattern of antibiotics available as self-medication in Lebanon, compared with their use as prescription only drugs in France. Method: First, an extensive review of the published literature (1990–2015) was conducted using Pubmed, Web of Science, Cochrane and Google Scholar databases, for OTC medicine misuse and abuse in the Middle East. Antibiotics were among the most commonly misused medications. A cross sectional prospective field study was then conducted in Lebanon. Data was collected from patients seeking antibiotics with or without prescription in community pharmacies over a 1-year period (September 2015 to September 2016). In France, data was extracted from the EchantillonGeneraliste de Beneficiaires (EGB) database, the permanent 1/97 representative sample from the French national healthcare insurance system which contains all dispensed prescriptions in France. It was searched in 2013 to identify usage patterns of antibiotics, of 5 antibiotics most commonly used in Lebanon. Results: The average dispensing for these antibiotics was higher in France (18.6 DDD) than that in Lebanon (10.6DDD). However, the average number of dispensings in Lebanon was 3.39 per year, higher than that in France (2 per year). It was not different between participants with or without prescription. Coamoxiclav was widely consumed in Lebanon as both prescription and self-medication, whereas amoxicillin was the main antibiotic in France. 62.4% of patients used the right antibiotic and 80.1% used it in correct dosage. The duration of treatment in the follow up was inappropriate in the majority of cases (68.6%). When all of these three factors were summed together, it turned out that 83.6% of antibiotics were utilized inappropriately. Appropriateness in use was seen in 27.6% and 16.4% of the prescribed and non-prescribed antibiotics respectively. Conclusion: Misuse of antibiotics is a major driver in the development of antibiotic resistance, an issue for individuals and for public health. Obviously the observed self-medication or medically unsupervised utilization of antibiotics is a major risk. The first measures to take to reduce this are educational, for patients, pharmacists, prescribers, the pharmaceutical industry and the regulatory authorities.
Academic Mobbing in Relation to Leadership Practices: A New Perspective on an Old Issue

Abstract Constant pressures emanating from internal and external environments of the academy have resulted in many changes, one of which is the workplace mobbing, an old issue for the broader field of organization science but a relatively new phenomenon in the academic context. This study investigated the relationship between workplace mobbing and academic leadership and the results indicated that the more positive leadership there is in an institution, the less mobbing behaviors are observed.
Effect of neutralizing antibodies on biomarker responses to interferon beta: The INSIGHT study

Reply from the Author: I thank Drs. Counihan and Dineen for their interest in my article.1 Given the history of neck massage and sudden severe headache with a focal neurologic deficit, they contend that vertebral artery dissection and cerebral aneurysm should be initially considered in the differential diagnosis. Drs. Counihan and Dineen correctly note that clinical reasoning should be context-dependent and hypothesis-driven, but they did not consider all the information required for clinical reasoning in my patient. My patient had isolated horizontal diplopia 1 week after the neck massage. Even though vertebral artery dissection may be possible in a patient with headache and focal neurologic signs after neck massage, isolated horizontal diplopia as a focal neuralgic deficit should be an exception in vertebral artery dissection.4 Vertebral artery dissection often causes dizziness and focal neurologic signs from the lateral medulla.4 It would also be unusual that horizontal diplopia would develop 1 week after the aneurysmal rupture without headache in an otherwise healthy young woman. As Drs. Counihan and Dineen indicated, sudden severe headache after neck massage is unusual in IIH.2 I included vertebral artery dissection and aneurysmal rupture in the differential diagnosis of the patient.1 I believe that IIH should be the top differential in this young obese woman with symptoms and signs of increased intracranial pressure without other focal neurologic deficits, irrespective of suddenness or severity of the headache. Furthermore, since IIH is a diagnosis of exclusion, there is little risk. Although medical adage is useful and informative, it should be interpreted with caution in individual patients.
Education and post-communist transitional justice: negotiating the communist past in a memorial museum

ABSTRACT This paper examines the role of education within post-communist transitional justice. It focuses on the ways in which young Romanians negotiate the communist past during an educational visit to a memorial museum. The museum enabled these visitors to better understand the repression of the communist era and had limited impact in changing their attitudes towards communism, but it did provoke reflection upon and comparison between the present and the communist past. Visitors recognized the role of the museum as a site of memory within post-communist transitional justice, but were also critically aware of the limitations to what the museum could achieve. The implications of these findings for post-communist transitional justice are examined.
Genomic signals found using RNA sequencing support conservation of walleye (Sander vitreus) in a large freshwater ecosystem

RNA sequencing is an effective approach for studying an aquatic species with little prior molecular information available, yielding both physiological and genomic data, but its genetic applications are not well-characterized. We investigate this possible role for RNA sequencing for population genomics in Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, walleye (Sander vitreus). Lake Winnipeg walleye represent the largest component of the second-largest freshwater fishery in Canada. In the present study, large female walleye were sampled via nonlethal gill biopsy over two years at three spawning sites representing a latitudinal gradient in the lake. Genetic variation from sequenced messenger RNA was analyzed for neutral and adaptive markers to investigate population structure and possible adaptive variation. We find low population divergence (FST = 0.0095), possible northward gene flow, and outlier loci that vary latitudinally in transcripts associated with cell membrane proteins and cytoskeletal function. These results indicate that Lake Winnipeg walleye may be effectively managed as a single demographically connected metapopulation with contributing subpopulations, and suggest genomic differences possibly underlying observed phenotypic differences. Because RNA sequencing data can yield physiological in addition to genetic information discussed here, we argue that it is useful for addressing diverse molecular questions in the conservation of freshwater species.
Bacterial and Archaeal Diversity in Sulfide-Bearing Waste Rock at Faro Mine Complex, Yukon Territory, Canada

Abstract Acid mine/rock drainage (AMD/ARD) is generated by the microbially-accelerated oxidative dissolution of sulfide minerals in working and abandoned mine sites, and some natural environments. Iron-oxidizing microorganisms (IOM) regenerate the oxidant Fe3+, while sulfur-oxidizing microorganisms (SOM) contribute to AMD/ARD by generating H2SO4 via the oxidation of elemental S and reduced inorganic sulfur compounds. Bacterial and archaeal diversity in 34 samples of sulfide-bearing waste rock recovered from three boreholes at the Faro Mine Complex (Yukon Territory, Canada; Pb/Zn production from 1969 to 1998) was investigated using high-throughput amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. A majority of the borehole pore water samples had circum-neutral or mildly alkaline pH (6.3 − 8.7), while some had low pH (3.3 − 5.2). Mean relative abundance of prokaryotic SOM/IOM accounted for 3.4% of the total amplicons. The acidophilic genera Alicyclobacillus and Acidithiobacillus were the most abundant sulfur- and iron-metabolizing prokaryotes detected, followed by neutrophilic and moderately acidophilic (non-iron-oxidizing) SOM. Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) were also detected, accounting for 0.6% of total reads. The presence of both acidophilic and neutrophilic prokaryotes catalyzing transformations of sulfur and iron in the same samples suggests development of microenvironments within the waste rock where dynamic biogeochemical transformations of these elements occur.
The Democrat Disaster: Hurricane Exposure, Risk Aversion and Insurance Demand

How do voters respond to heightened risk? Dominant theories expect accountability issues to surface or distributional conflict to intensify once threats become salient. Unsatisfactorily, these accounts rely on compound treatment effects of exposure not only to risk but also to direct losses or self-selection into unfortunate circumstances. To circumvent this, I use difference-in-differences estimates of hurricane nearly-hit areas in the US to study the effect of risk on vote choice. I find that Democrats' vote share decreases in both House and Senate races between 2002-2014 following a near-miss. Conventional explanations related to religiosity, authority, or competence fail to explain this effect. Instead, I propose Republican gains are driven by voters' spending on private insurance and increased willingness to take risks when spared from disaster. I therefore advance an alternative explanation of voting under risk by relying on novel data on hurricane trajectories, precinct electoral returns, risk-aversion, and private insurance inquiries. These results are politically meaningful not least because US general elections follow closely after the hurricane season.
A Theoretical Framework for Stability Regions for Standing Balance of Humanoids Based on Their LIPM Treatment

The aim of this paper is to construct a theoretical framework for stability analysis relevant to standing balance of humanoids on top of the linear inverted pendulum model, in which their dynamics between the center of mass (CoM) and the zero moment point (ZMP) is dealt with. Based on the well-known sufficient condition that the contact between the ground and the support leg is stable if the corresponding ZMP is always inside the supporting region, this paper aims at characterizing three types of the associated stability regions. More precisely, assuming no external force disturbances affecting the motion of the humanoids, the stability region of the initial CoM position and velocity values can be explicitly computed by solving a finite number of linear inequalities. The stability regions of time-invariant force disturbances such as impulsive force and constant force disturbances are also dealt with in this paper, where the former is exactly obtained through a finite number of linear inequalities while the latter is approximately derived by using an idea of truncation. Furthermore, time-varying force disturbances of finite energy and finite amplitude are concerned with, and their maximum admissible <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${l} _{2}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${l} _{\infty }$ </tex-math></inline-formula> norms are computed in this paper, where the former can be exactly obtained by solving the discrete-time Lyapunov equation while the latter is approximately derived through an idea of truncation. It is further shown for both the truncation ideas that the approximately obtained stability regions converge to the exact stability regions with an exponential order of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${N}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, where <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${N}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> is the truncation parameter. Finally, the effectiveness of the computation methods proposed in this paper is demonstrated through some simulation results.