Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of spectral dispersion on clouds and precipitation in mesoscale convective systems

[1] The effects of spectral dispersion on clouds and precipitation in mesoscale convective systems have been studied by conducting 10 numerical simulations with different values of spectral dispersion (ɛ = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, and 1.0) in the clean, semipolluted, and polluted backgrounds. The simulation results show that spectral dispersion affects cloud microphysical properties markedly in each aerosol regime. With an increase in spectral dispersion, both the raindrop concentration and the rainwater content increase, while the mean radius of the raindrops diminishes substantially. Moreover, it is found that the effects of spectral dispersion on simulated precipitation differ in these three aerosol backgrounds and relative humidity. In the clean background and at relatively lower humidity, the average accumulated precipitation is reduced significantly with an increase in spectral dispersion. Precipitation varies nonmonotonically in the semipolluted background, increasing with spectral dispersion at smaller values, while decreasing at larger values. In the mean time, precipitation is continuously enhanced with increasing spectral dispersion in the polluted background. Furthermore, sensitivity tests demonstrate that the possible impacts of spectral dispersion on precipitation varies depending on the relative humidity. For instance, at high relative humidity, an increase in spectral dispersion even in a clean atmosphere leads to more precipitation. Our results could shed light on understanding the influences of aerosols on clouds and precipitation, especially the second aerosol indirect effect.
Autistic parents’ views and experiences of talking about autism with their autistic children

Little is known about how parents talk about autism with their autistic children, particularly among families in which both a parent and child are autistic. Using an online survey, we gathered quantitative and qualitative data from 34 autistic parents (most of whom had told their children about their diagnosis) to address this knowledge gap. There was considerable overlap between the views and experiences of the autistic parents in this study and the largely non-autistic parent samples in previous research. Specifically, parents emphasised the importance of being open and honest about the diagnosis, disclosing the diagnosis as early as possible, individualising discussions to children’s needs and framing the diagnosis positively. There were, however, areas in which the views and experiences of the current sample differed from previous research on non-autistic samples. First, our sample of autistic parents outlined the benefits of their own experiential expertise, which they felt resulted in heightened understanding and empathy with their children. Second, our sample tended not to express concerns about disclosure potentially having a negative impact. Finally, our participants did not express a want or need for professional support with disclosure. Instead, they reported feeling well equipped to support their children using their own knowledge and lived experience. Lay abstract Previous research examining how parents talk about autism with their children has tended to focus on parents who are not autistic themselves. We collected information on this topic from 34 autistic parents of autistic children (most of whom had told their children about their diagnosis). We found similarities, but also differences, between the views and experiences of autistic parents in this research and those reported in previous research (in studies of largely non-autistic parents). Similarities include the following: it is important to be open and honest about the diagnosis; the diagnosis should be introduced/discussed as early as possible; discussions should be tailored to each individual child’s needs; and we should not overlook the challenges associated with autism, but it is important to focus on positive aspects too. Differences include the following: autistic parents used personal experiences in conversations about autism, which was felt to result in increased understanding and empathy with their children; autistic parents overwhelmingly focused on more positive aspects of an autism diagnosis; our sample did not express concerns that discussions could have negative consequences too (e.g. making children more anxious); and autistic parents did not want or need professional support to talk about autism with their children (instead, they felt confident in using their own knowledge/experiences to guide discussions).
Keratan sulfate as a marker for medullary bone in fossil vertebrates

The ability to determine the sex of extinct dinosaurs by examining the bones they leave behind would revolutionize our understanding of their paleobiology; however, to date, definitive sex‐specific skeletal traits remain elusive or controversial. Although living dinosaurs (i.e., extant birds) exhibit a sex‐specific tissue called medullary bone that is unique to females, the confident identification of this tissue in non‐avian archosaurs has proven a challenge. Tracing the evolution of medullary bone is complicated by existing variation of medullary bone tissues in living species; hypotheses that medullary bone structure or chemistry varied during its evolution; and a lack of studies aimed at distinguishing medullary bone from other types of endosteal tissues with which it shares microstructural and developmental characteristics, such as pathological tissues. A recent study attempted to capitalize on the molecular signature of medullary bone, which, in living birds, contains specific markers such as the sulfated glycosaminoglycan keratan sulfate, to support the proposed identification of medullary bone of a non‐avian dinosaur specimen (Tyrannosaurus rex MOR 1125). Purported medullary bone samples of MOR 1125 reacted positively to histochemical analyses and the single pathological control tested (avian osteopetrosis) did not, suggesting the presence of keratan sulfate might serve to definitively discriminate these tissues for future studies. To further test these results, we sampled 20 avian bone pathologies of various etiologies (18 species), and several MB samples. Our new data universally support keratan sulfate as a reliable marker of medullary bone in birds. However, we also find that reactivity varies among pathological bone tissues, with reactivity in some pathologies indistinguishable from MB. In the current sample, some pathologies comprised of chondroid bone (often a major constituent of skeletal pathologies and developing fracture calluses in vertebrates) contain keratan sulfate. We note that beyond chemistry, chondroid bone shares many characteristics with medullary bone (fibrous matrix, numerous and large cell lacunae, potential endosteal origin, trabecular architecture) and medullary bone has even been considered by some to be a type of chondroid bone. Our results suggest that the presence of keratan sulfate is not exclusive evidence for MB, but rather must be used as one in a suite of criteria available for identifying medullary bone (and thus gravid females) in non‐avian dinosaur specimens. Future studies should investigate whether there are definite chemical or microstructural differences between medullary bone and reactive chondroid bone that can discriminate these tissues.
On a Monte Carlo method for neutron transport criticality computations

We give a stochastic representation of the principal eigenvalue of some homogeneous neutron transport operators. Our construction is based upon the Feynman-Kac formula for integral transport equations, and uses probabilistic techniques only. We develop a Monte Carlo method for criticality computations. We numerically test this method on various homogeneous and inhomogeneous problems, and compare our results with those obtained by standard methods.
Consolidated Framework for Collaboration Research derived from a systematic review of theories, models, frameworks and principles for cross-sector collaboration

Cross-sector collaboration is needed to address root causes of persistent public health challenges. We conducted a systematic literature review to identify studies describing theories, models, frameworks and principles for cross-sector collaboration and synthesized collaboration constructs into the Consolidated Framework for Collaboration Research (CFCR). Ninety-five articles were included in the review. Constructs were abstracted from articles and grouped into seven domains within the framework: community context; group composition; structure and internal processes; group dynamics; social capital; activities that influence or take place within the collaboration; activities that influence or take place within the broader community; and activities that influence or take place both in the collaboration and in the community. Community engagement strategies employed by collaborations are discussed, as well as recommendations for using systems science methods for testing specific mechanisms of how constructs identified in the review influence one another. Researchers, funders, and collaboration members can use the consolidated framework to articulate components of collaboration and test mechanisms explaining how collaborations function. By working from a consolidated framework of collaboration terms and using systems science methods, researchers can advance evidence for the efficacy of cross-sector collaborations.
Is There a Risk-Return Tradeoff? Evidence from High-Frequency Data

This paper examines the intertemporal relation between risk and return for the aggregate stock market using high-frequency data. We use daily realized, GARCH, implied, and range-based volatility estimators to determine the existence and significance of a risk-return trade-off for several stock market indices. We find a positive and statistically significant relation between the conditional mean and conditional volatility of market returns at the daily level. This result is robust to alternative specifications of the volatility process, across different measures of market return and sample periods, and after controlling for macro-economic variables associated with business cycle fluctuations. We also analyze the risk-return relationship over time using rolling regressions, and find that the strong positive relation persists throughout our sample period. The market risk measures adopted in the paper add power to the analysis by incorporating valuable information, either by taking advantage of high-frequency intraday data (in the case of realized, GARCH, and range volatility) or by utilizing the market's expectation of future volatility (in the case of implied volatility index). Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diet and Lifestyle Changes During COVID-19 Lockdown in the United Arab Emirates: Results of a Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Lockdown measures were implemented in many countries to limit the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, such restrictions could precipitate unintended negative consequences on lifestyle behaviors. The main objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and determinants of unhealthy behavior changes during the COVID-19 lockdown among residents of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey of adults residing in the UAE was carried out during lockdown (n=2060). Using a multi-component questionnaire, the collected data included questions regarding the following lifestyle changes: Increased dietary intake, increased weight, decreased physical activity, decreased sleep, and increased smoking. An unhealthy lifestyle change score was calculated based on the number of unhealthy lifestyle changes each participant reported. In addition, sociodemographic and living conditions information was collected. Descriptive statistics as well as simple and multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the prevalence and determinants of the unhealthy lifestyle changes considered in this study.Results: Among the unhealthy lifestyle changes examined, increased food intake was the most common (31.8%), followed by decreased physical activity (30%), increased weight (29.4%), decreased sleep (20.8%), and increased smoking (21%). In addition to identifying the correlates of each of the aforementioned lifestyle changes, the results of the multiple regression linear analyses revealed the following correlates for the overall unhealthy lifestyle change score: females (β=0.32, CI: 0.22;0.42), living in an apartment (β=0.12, CI: 0.003;0.23) and being overweight/obese (β=0.24, CI: 0.15;0.32) had higher scores, while older adults (>40 years) had lower scores (β=-0.23, CI: -0.34;-0.12). Conclusion: The COVID-19 lockdown has resulted in a high prevalence of unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and practices among UAE residents. The findings of this study provided the evidence base for officials to design interventions targeting high-risk groups and aiming to improve healthy lifestyle factors among residents during the pandemic.
Environmental factors and occurrence of horseshoe crabs in the northcentral Gulf of Mexico

This study provides regional-scale data on drivers of horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) presence along the northcentral Gulf of Mexico coast and has implications for understanding habitat suitability for sparse horseshoe crab populations of conservation concern worldwide. To collect baseline data on the relationship between environmental factors and presence of horseshoe crabs, we surveyed four sites from the Fort Morgan peninsula of Mobile Bay, Alabama (AL) to Horn Island, Mississippi (MS). We documented number, size and sex of live animals, molts, and carcasses as metrics of horseshoe crab presence and demographics for two years. Data were compared to in situ and remotely sensed environmental attributes to assess environmental drivers of occurrence during the time of study. Overall, greater evidence of horseshoe crab presence was found at western sites (Petit Bois and Horn Islands) compared to eastern sites (Dauphin Island, Fort Morgan peninsula), mediated by a combination of distance from areas of high freshwater discharge and interannual variation in weather. Higher sex ratios also were found associated with higher occurrence, west of Mobile Bay. Land cover, particularly Bare Land and Estuarine Emergent Wetland classes that are common to western sites, was most predictive of live animal and to some extent carcass occurrence. Our findings suggest that small-scale variation in habitat quality can affect occurrence of horseshoe crabs in sparse populations where density is not a limiting factor. Data from molts and carcasses were informative to supplement live animal data and may be useful to enhance ecological assessment and support conservation and management in regions with sparse populations.
Lumbar canal stenosis and its clinical outcome after laminectomy

Introduction: Backache has been the scourge of mankind ever since man assumed the erect posture. The pain has troubled patients and treating doctors alike. Pin pointing the cause of backache and treating it successfully has been the constant endeavor of clinicians. Degenerative disease of the spine is one of the common and frequently encountered causes of low back pain in the elderly. Aim of the study: To compare the functional outcome in single level lumbar canal stenosis of fluorotic and non-fluorotic patients treated with decompressive laminectomy. Materials and Methods: All patients who presented to the hospital for back ache were evaluated clinically and MRI was done to identify the pathology and level of lesion. All patients identified as single level LCS was further investigated for serum and urinary Fluoride and then dividing the patients into two groups-Fluorotic Group (10 cases) and Non-Fluorotic Group (10 cases). Results: Caludication distance, visual analogue score, oswestry disability score and Japanese orthopedics association score increased in both group. Conclusion: Decompression laminectomy is considered as a gold standard treatment in the cases of lumbar canal stenosis when the conservative management doesn’t give proper relief to the patient.
Geostatistical Analysis of Contamination of Soils in an Urban Area in Ghana

 Abstract — Urbanization remains one of the unique predominant factors which is linked to the destruction of urban environment and its associated cases of soil contamination by heavy metals through the natural and anthropogenic activities. These activities are important sources of toxic heavy metals such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and lead (Pb), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn). Often, these heavy metals lead to increased levels in some areas due to the impact of atmospheric deposition caused by their proximity to industrial plants or the indiscriminately burning of substances. Information gathered on potentially hazardous levels of these heavy metals in soils leads to establish serious health and urban agriculture implications. However, characterization of spatial variations of soil contamination by heavy metals in Ghana is limited. Kumasi is a Metropolitan city in Ghana, West Africa and is challenged with the recent spate of deteriorating soil quality due to rapid economic development and other human activities such as “Galamsey”, illegal mining operations within the metropolis. The paper seeks to use both univariate and multivariate geostatistical techniques to assess the spatial distribution of heavy metals in soils and the potential risk associated with ingestion of sources of soil contamination in the Metropolis. Geostatistical tools have the ability to detect changes in correlation structure and how a good knowledge of the study area can help to explain the different scales of variation detected. To achieve this task, point referenced data on heavy metals measured from topsoil samples in a previous study, were collected at various locations. Linear models of regionalisation and coregionalisation were fitted to all experimental semivariograms to describe the spatial dependence between the topsoil heavy metals at different spatial scales, which led to ordinary kriging and cokriging at unsampled locations and production of risk maps of soil contamination by these heavy metals. Results obtained from both the univariate and multivariate semivariogram models showed strong spatial dependence with range of autocorrelations ranging from 100 to 300 meters. The risk maps produced show strong spatial heterogeneity for almost all the soil heavy metals with extremely risk of contamination found close to areas with commercial and industrial activities.
BIS Working Papers No 553 What drives the short-run costs of fiscal consolidation ? Evidence from OECD countries

We investigate how the short-term effects of fiscal consolidation on output and employment vary with the state of the business cycle, monetary policy, public debt, the current account, and private credit. By examining the response of a large number of variables, we are also able to shed light on the transmission channels of fiscal policy. Our main finding is that short-term output multipliers are below unity, even in states in which multipliers are expected to be larger (eg when the output gap is negative or monetary policy tight). Key offsetting factors that reduce the size of multipliers and explain differences across states are the extent to which the external sector improves and monetary policy eases.
Reduced Antibacterial Drug Resistance and blaCTX-M β-Lactamase Gene Carriage in Cattle-Associated Escherichia coli at Low Temperatures, at Sites Dominated by Older Animals, and on Pastureland: Implications for Surveillance

Antibacterial resistance poses a significant threat to human and animal health and global food security. Surveillance for resistance on farms is important for many reasons, including tracking impacts of interventions aimed at reducing the prevalence of resistance. ABSTRACT Little is known about the drivers of critically important antibacterial resistance in species with zoonotic potential present on farms (e.g., CTX-M β-lactamase-positive Escherichia coli). We collected samples monthly between January 2017 and December 2018 on 53 dairy farms in South West England, along with data for 610 variables concerning antibacterial usage, management practices, and meteorological factors. We detected E. coli resistant to amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, streptomycin, and tetracycline in 2,754/4,145 (66%), 263/4,145 (6%), 1,475/4,145 (36%), and 2,874/4,145 (69%), respectively, of samples from fecally contaminated on-farm and near-farm sites. E. coli positive for blaCTX-M were detected in 224/4,145 (5.4%) of samples. Multilevel, multivariable logistic regression showed antibacterial dry cow therapeutic choice (including use of cefquinome or framycetin) to be associated with higher odds of blaCTX-M positivity. Low average monthly ambient temperature was associated with lower odds of blaCTX-M E. coli positivity in samples and with lower odds of finding E. coli resistant to each of the four test antibacterials. This was in addition to the effect of temperature on total E. coli density. Furthermore, samples collected close to calves had higher odds of having E. coli resistant to each antibacterial, as well as E. coli positive for blaCTX-M. Samples collected on pastureland had lower odds of having E. coli resistant to amoxicillin or tetracycline, as well as lower odds of being positive for blaCTX-M. IMPORTANCE Antibacterial resistance poses a significant threat to human and animal health and global food security. Surveillance for resistance on farms is important for many reasons, including tracking impacts of interventions aimed at reducing the prevalence of resistance. In this longitudinal survey of dairy farm antibacterial resistance, we showed that local temperature—as it changes over the course of a year—was associated with the prevalence of antibacterial-resistant E. coli. We also showed that prevalence of resistant E. coli was lower on pastureland and higher in environments inhabited by young animals. These findings have profound implications for routine surveillance and for surveys carried out for research. They provide important evidence that sampling at a single time point and/or single location on a farm is unlikely to be adequate to accurately determine the status of the farm regarding the presence of samples containing resistant E. coli.
Estimating pastoralists willingness to pay for artificial insemination in arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya

Effective promotion of artificial insemination (AI) by private providers in pastoral areas requires stakeholders’ opinion in shaping the direction of their adoption. A structured questionnaire was administered to 384 pastoralists in Kajiado and Narok counties, Kenya to elicit data on willingness to pay for AI services. Double bounded contingent valuation methodology was adapted in computing their willingness to pay for AI services. Results revealed that 90% of farmers were aware of AI of which 51.7 and 50.5% were willing to pay for the services in Kajiado and Narok counties respectively, for an average of Kenya Shillings 1, 853, reflecting a premium of 23.6% placed on AI by pastoralists with reference to the base price of Kenya Shillings (KES) 1,500 offered for exotic breeds in Kenyan highlands. Awareness, herd size and access to extension services significantly increase farmers’ willingness to pay unlike farm income. The study recommends utilization of existing extension networks of community animal health workers to ensure relevant information about AI is disseminated among pastoralists and perform free AI trials on lead pastoralists’ animals to earn others’ confidence. Key words: Artificial insemination, willingness to pay, pastoralists, adoption, contingency valuation, awareness, Maasai.