Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impacts of estimated plume rise on PM2.5 exceedance prediction during extreme wildfire events: a comparison of three schemes (Briggs, Freitas, and Sofiev)

Abstract. Plume height plays a vital role in wildfire smoke dispersion and the subsequent effects on air quality and human health. In this study, we assess the impact of different plume rise schemes on predicting the dispersion of wildfire air pollution and the exceedances of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) during the 2020 western United States wildfire season. Three widely used plume rise schemes (Briggs, 1969; Freitas et al., 2007; Sofiev et al., 2012) are compared within the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) modeling framework. The plume heights simulated by these schemes are comparable to the aerosol height observed by the Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) and Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO). The performance of the simulations with these schemes varies by fire case and weather conditions. On average, simulations with higher plume injection heights predict lower aerosol optical depth (AOD) and surface PM2.5 concentrations near the source region but higher AOD and PM2.5 in downwind regions due to the faster spread of the smoke plume once ejected. The 2-month mean AOD difference caused by different plume rise schemes is approximately 20 %–30 % near the source regions and 5 %–10 % in the downwind regions. Thick smoke blocks sunlight and suppresses photochemical reactions in areas with high AOD. The surface PM2.5 difference reaches 70 % on the West Coast of the USA, and the difference is lower than 15 % in the downwind regions. Moreover, the plume injection height affects pollution exceedance (>35 µg m−3) predictions. Higher plume heights generally produce larger downwind PM2.5 exceedance areas. The PM2.5 exceedance areas predicted by the three schemes largely overlap, suggesting that all schemes perform similarly during large wildfire events when the predicted concentrations are well above the exceedance threshold. At the edges of the smoke plumes, however, there are noticeable differences in the PM2.5 concentration and predicted PM2.5 exceedance region. For the whole period of study, the difference in the total number of exceedance days could be as large as 20 d in northern California and 4 d in the downwind regions. This disagreement among the PM2.5 exceedance forecasts may affect key decision-making regarding early warning of extreme air pollution episodes at local levels during large wildfire events.
Possible Clinical Benefits of Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index Measurement in Urological Diseases

Abstract Many factors are considered to affect vascular physiology. It is known that one of the reasons for many diseases is a pathology at the microvascular level. Therefore, the relationship between endothelial dysfunction and many diseases is currently being investigated. The clinical evaluations of arterial stiffness have made it possible to perform necessary risk assessment regarding cardiovascular diseases. In this way, protective measures can be taken against microvascular pathologies in many organs. In this paper, we present a review of studies investigating the relationship between urological conditions and the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), a marker of arterial stiffness. As with erectile dysfunction, some studies have shown that conditions such as lower urinary tract symptoms, overactive bladder, and chronic kidney disease are also associated with an elevated CAVI. The association of erectile dysfunction and chronic kidney disease with vascular pathologies has been clearly demonstrated. In addition, lower urinary tract symptoms may be the first sign of silent vascular dysfunction. Assessing arterial stiffness with CAVI can help prevent future cardiovascular events in these patients.
Impact of the First and Second Lockdown for COVID-19 Pandemic on Preterm Birth, Low Birth Weight, Stillbirth, Mode of Labor, and of Delivery in Lombardy, Italy

We investigated the effect of lockdown measures implemented in Lombardy on selected obstetric and perinatal outcomes. Births that occurred during the two lockdowns imposed (i.e., the first from 16 March to 2 June 2020 and the second from 3 November 2020 to 5 April 2021) and the comparison periods (i.e., the first from 16 March to 2 June 2018 and the second from 3 November 2018 to 5 April 2019) were identified using regional healthcare databases. The distribution of births according to the selected outcomes was computed and the Chi-square test was used for testing differences in the periods compared. During the two lockdowns, we observed a lower proportion of low birth weight, from 6.8% in the comparison period to 6.1% in the first lockdown (p = 0.019), and from 6.5% to 6.1% in the second one (p = 0.109). The proportion of preterm births decreased from 6.8% to 6.3% in the first lockdown (p = 0.097), and from 6.2% to 6.0% in the second one (p = 0.172). No differences in stillbirth rate emerged for both lockdowns. Induction of labor was more frequent during both lockdowns, from 28.6% to 32.7% in the first (p < 0.0001), and from 29.9% to 33.2% in the second one (p < 0.0001). Cesarean section was less frequent during the second lockdown.
Privacy and Market Concentration: Intended and Unintended Consequences of the GDPR

We show that websites’ vendor use falls after the European Union’s (EU’s) General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), but that market concentration also increases among technology vendors that provide support services to websites. We collect panel data on the web technology vendors selected by more than 27,000 top websites internationally. The week after the GDPR’s enforcement, website use of web technology vendors falls by 15% for EU residents. Websites are relatively more likely to retain top vendors, which increases the concentration of the vendor market by 17%. Increased concentration predominantly arises among vendors that use personal data, such as cookies, and from the increased relative shares of Facebook and Google-owned vendors, but not from website consent requests. Although the aggregate changes in vendor use and vendor concentration dissipate by the end of 2018, we find that the GDPR impact persists in the advertising vendor category most scrutinized by regulators. Our findings shed light on potential explanations for the sudden drop and subsequent rebound in vendor usage. This paper was accepted by Matthew Shum, marketing. Funding: Financial support from the Marketing Science Institute and the George Mason University Program on Economics & Privacy is gratefully acknowledged. Supplemental Material: The web appendix and data are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023. 4709 .
In-situ tumor vaccination by percutaneous ablative therapy and its synergy with immunotherapeutics: An update on combination therapy

Percutaneous tumor ablation is now a widely accepted minimally invasive local treatment option offered by interventional radiology and applied to various organs and tumor histology types. It utilizes extreme temperatures to achieve irreversible cellular injury, where ablated tumor interacts with surrounding tissue and host via tissue remodeling and inflammation, clinically manifesting as post-ablation syndrome. During this process, in-situ tumor vaccination occurs, in which tumor neoantigens are released from ablated tissue and can prime one’s immune system which would favorably affect both local and remote site disease control. Although successful in priming the immune system, this rarely turns into clinical benefits for local and systemic tumor control due to intrinsic negative immune modulation of the tumor microenvironment. A combination of ablation and immunotherapy has been employed to overcome these and has shown promising preliminary results of synergistic effect without significantly increased risk profiles. The aim of this article is to review the evidence on post-ablation immune response and its synergy with systemic immunotherapies.
Algorithms for normal forms for matrices of polynomials and ore polynomials

In this thesis we study algorithms for computing normal forms for matrices of Ore polynomials while controlling coefficient growth. By formulating row reduction as a linear algebra problem, we obtain a fraction-free algorithm for row reduction for matrices of Ore polynomials. The algorithm allows us to compute the rank and a basis of the left nullspace of the input matrix. When the input is restricted to matrices of shift polynomials and ordinary polynomials, we obtain fraction-free algorithms for computing row-reduced forms and weak Popov forms. These algorithms can be used to compute a greatest common right divisor and a least common left multiple of such matrices. Our fraction-free row reduction algorithm can be viewed as a generalization of subresultant algorithms. The linear algebra formulation allows us to obtain bounds on the size of the intermediate results and to analyze the complexity of our algorithms. We then make use of the fraction-free algorithm as a basis to formulate modular algorithms for computing a row-reduced form, a weak Popov form, and the Popov form of a polynomial matrix. By examining the linear algebra formulation, we develop criteria for detecting unlucky homomorphisms and determining the number of homomorphic images required.
The impact of the use of personal-protective-equipment on the minimization of effects of exposure to pesticides among farm-workers in India

Introduction Although excessive use of pesticides and unsafe agricultural practices may contribute to numerous intoxications, the role of PPE (personal-protective-equipment) in the minimization of toxicological effects due to pesticide exposure has not been addressed so far. The present study aimed to assess the impact of the use of PPE on the minimization of effects of exposure to pesticides among farm-workers. Methods A community-based follow-up study with questionnaire-based survey and field observations was undertaken among farm-workers (n = 180) of Rangareddy district, Telangana, India. Biomarkers of exposure such as cholinesterase activity, inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, cortisol, and hs-C reactive protein), nutrients (vitamins A, E), liver function (total protein and A/G ratio, AST and ALT levels) were investigated in the laboratory by following the standard protocols. Results Farm-workers who had a mean farming exposure of 18 years of and who neither followed safe pesticide handling practices nor used PPE and also showed reluctance to obey good agricultural practices (GAPs). Inhibition of AChE (acetylcholine esterase) with increased inflammation was found among farm-workers as compared to their respective normal values when they have not used PPE. Linear regression statistical analysis revealed a profound effect on inhibition in the AChE activity and various inflammatory markers with the increase in the duration of pesticide exposure. Further, there was no effect of the duration of pesticide exposure on the levels of vitamins A, E, ALT, AST, total protein, and A/G ratio. Further, intervention studies carried out on the use of PPE provided (commercially available and cost-effective) for 90 days showed a significant reduction in the biomarker levels (p < 0.01). Conclusion This study demonstrated the importance of the use of PPE during pesticide applications and other agricultural tasks to minimize pesticide-associated adverse health effects.
EFL learners dropping out of blended language learning classes: A replication of Stracke (2007)

Abstract Studies with an explicit focus on dropouts in blended language learning (BLL) are rare and non-existent in the Asian context. This study replicates the early qualitative interview study by Stracke (2007), who explored why foreign language learners drop out of a BLL class. While the 2007 study was carried out in the German higher education context, we conducted this study at a university in Vietnam, where we conducted semi-structured interviews with five students who had left their blended English course after the first semester of study. Our findings indicate that the successful complementarity and integration of the blend components, the crucial role of teacher support and feedback within a learner-centred environment, interactive learning materials, a high level of interaction, and a good relationship between students and teachers are key for students’ perception of a successful blended class and retention. The lack of complementarity between the components of the blend remains a major reason for students’ dissatisfaction that resulted in them leaving the course in both the 2007 study and this study. Our study allows for a deep understanding of the reasons why Vietnamese EFL students leave a BLL course, thus providing some evidence for pedagogical adjustments for the delivery of current BLL classes in Vietnam and similar contexts. Understanding the reasons why students drop out can help improve the effectiveness of these programs and lead to higher retention rates, a reduction of costs (both financial but also emotional), an increase in student satisfaction, and a better student experience.
Fiscal impacts of electoral abstention: a study on the electorate biometric update in Brazilian municipalities

ABSTRACT Because electoral abstention may generate a difference between the preferences of general voters, i.e., those who are eligible to vote, and the preferences of effective voters, i.e., those who do vote, policies adopted by incumbents may differ according to differences in turnout rates across the electorate. The Brazilian biometric electorate update offers an innovative opportunity to explore exogenous variations in abstention rates, allowing us to verify its impact on public policies, especially local public expenditures. By combining propensity score matching, differences-in-differences and instrumental variables models, we find that the electorate biometric update decreased abstention rates in local elections in Brazil, which, in turn, changed local public spending composition towards expenditures on education. The remaining categories of public expenditures explored in this study, however, seem not to be affected by the change in the electorate composition.
Effect of Plumage Colour Genes on Body Measurements and Heat Tolerant Traits of Indigenous Chicken

This study was aimed to examine the effect of plumage colour genes on the body measurements and heat tolerant traits of indigenous chicken. A total of two hundred (200) adult chicken with different plumage colours comprising of black, white, red, brown and grey of both sexes reared by smallholder farmers with similar management system in Lafia, Nasarawa state, Nigeria were randomly sampled. Data were collected randomly at five (5) different locations in Lafia as thus: Kwandere, Shabu, Sabon Pegi, Tudun Gwandara and Tudun Amba respectively. Six body traits and four heat tolerant traits were measured on each bird: body length, breast circumference, thigh circumference, foot length, total leg length, wing length and Body temperature, Rectal temperature, pulse rate and respiratory rate. There was significant difference (P<0.05) for thigh circumference. The highest values for thigh circumference was observed for the white and grey plumage coloured chicken although not significantly different for those of brown plumage coloured. No significant differences were observed for the body length, breast circumference, wing length, foot length and total leg length for all the plumage coloured chicken. There was significant difference (P<0.05) for respiratory rate and heat stress index. The highest respiratory rate and heat stress index was observed for the white plumage coloured chicken. The white plumage coloured chicken were thermally stressed due to their inability to absorbed and withstand heat. No significant differences were observed for the remaining four plumage colours. Higher values of thigh circumference are the characteristics of meatiness in chicken. The coloured plumage chicken (Black, red, brown and grey) from this study possess the ability to better survive and adapt to heat stress due to their tendencies to absorbed heat compared to their white plumage coloured counterpart.
Coupled WRF/Unified Noah/Urban-Canopy Modeling System

In order to better represent the physical processes involved in the exchange of heat, momentum, and water vapor in urban environment in mesoscale model, an UCM is coupled to the WRF model. The main purpose of the coupled model is to improve the description of lower boundary conditions and to provide more accurate forecasts for urban regions. The UCM is a single layer model which has a simplified urban geometry. Some of the features of the UCM include, shadowing from buildings, reflection of short and longwave radiation, wind profile in the canopy layer and multi-layer heat transfer equation for roof, wall and road surfaces (Kusaka and Kimura, JAM, 2004).
Practical R-R Interval Editing for Heart Rate Variability Analysis Using Single-Channel Wearable ECG Devices

Recent innovations in wearable devices have expanded the usage opportunities of single-channel electrocardiography (ECG) recordings in a daily life environment and enabled a variety of indirect daily activity monitoring based on heart rate variability (HRV). In general, wearable ECGs rarely undergo visual inspection by medical experts and therefore may contain noise or artifacts. Although noise/artifact-induced changes in ECG waveforms are known to cause misdetection of the QRS complex (i.e., the most distinguishable ECG components comprised of Q wave, R wave, and S wave), its complete suppression might be technically impossible. Since misdetection occurs in the QRS complex unit, we propose reframing the traditional HRV analysis flow by subdividing the R-R interval (RRI) editing into four steps in accordance with the processing detail (i.e., identification and editing) and its target unit (i.e., QRS complex or RRI). In addition, as a dubious QRS complex identification method for practical use, we utilize the amplitude at the detected point assuming the use of a single-channel wearable ECG without a reference. Initial evaluations using pseudo/real ECG datasets including ECGs with noise/artifacts show that the proposed processing/unit-based subdivision is theoretically effective for improving HRV calculation accuracy, and that the dubious QRS complex identification method for practical use also maintains this effect. Our study starting from practical HRV analysis using single-channel wearable ECG devices encourages reexamining each step in HRV analysis through the interdisciplinary research of clinical medicine and engineering/informatics that reveals the relationship of every two adjacent steps from the perspective of theory and practice.
Phonolite associated with organic compound and potassium solubilizing bacteria in tomato cultivation

The use of rock dust in Brazil has been studied and encouraged to reduce the Brazilian dependence on the foreign market for chemical fertilizers and as an alternative to organic agriculture. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of using phonolite rock powder and organic compound, associated with inoculation with the potassium solu-bilizing bacteria (KSB) of the genus Burkholderia on the chemical characteristics of the soil, macro and micronutrients in the aerial part, and tomato productivity. The experiment was installed in pots in a greenhouse, using a randomized block design in a 5 × 2 factorial arrangement, representing five doses of phonolite added in an organic compound, with the presence or absence of inoculation with the strain 100-13. The nutrient contents in the soil and the aerial part and the production of tomato were evaluated. Differences were observed between the doses of the organic compound and the phonolite associated with the inoculation. The treatments containing the highest doses of an organic compound provided better levels of nutrients in the soil and the aerial part, and in the tomato productivity. The inoculation with the bacterial strain improved the release of potassium from the powder of the phonolite rock.
The Invasive Anemone Condylactis sp. of the Coral Reef as a Source of Sulfur- and Nitrogen-Containing Metabolites and Cytotoxic 5,8-Epidioxy Steroids

The Condylactis-genus anemones were examined for their proteinaceous poisons over 50 years ago. On the other hand, the current research focuses on isolating and describing the non-proteinaceous secondary metabolites from the invasive Condylactis anemones, which help take advantage of their population outbreak as a new source of chemical candidates and potential drug leads. From an organic extract of Condylactis sp. , a 1,2,4-thiadiazole-based alkaloid, identified as 3,5-bis(3-pyridinyl)-1,2,4-thiadiazole (1), was found to be a new natural alkaloid despite being previously synthesized. The full assignment of NMR data of compound 1, based on the analysis of 2D NMR correlations, is reported herein for the first time. The proposed biosynthetic precursor thionicotinamide (2) was also isolated for the first time from nature along with nicotinamide (3), uridine (5), hypoxanthine (6), and four 5,8-epidioxysteroids (7–10). A major secondary metabolite (−)-betonicine (4) was isolated from Condylactis sp. and found for the first time in marine invertebrates. The four 5,8-epidioxysteroids, among other metabolites, exhibited cytotoxicity (IC50 3.5–9.0 μg/mL) toward five cancer cell lines.
A Cross-Sectional, Observational Study of the Clinico-Epidemiological Profile of Female Pattern Hair Loss in Western India and its Association with Metabolic Syndrome

Background: The increasing prevalence of female pattern hair loss (FPHL) is an alarming concern. There are many studies on FPHL in the world literature but there is a dearth of Indian data on the same. Aims and objectives: The present study aims to ascertain the demographic variables and clinical features of FPHL in Western India and its association with metabolic syndrome (MetS) to add over and above the existing data. Materials and Methods: Ninety females who were diagnosed with FPHL were included after approval of the institutional ethics committee. Demographic details, detailed history, and clinical features were noted, following which a few blood investigations for diagnosis of MetS were advised and evaluated. Results: Our study population's age ranged from 17 to 65 years, with the mean age of 34.7 ± 1.3 years. According to the Basic and Specific (BASP) classification, The basic pattern prevalence as found in our study was 46.7% for M type, 35.6% for L type, and 17.7% for C type. The FPHL severity score revealed that 82 (91.1%) had advanced disease at presentation. Prevalence of MetS was found to be 34.4% and had a significant correlation with age of onset in years (p=0.041) and severity score (p=0.013) implying that it leads to an early onset and greater severity of FPHL. Conclusion: FPHL is increasingly common among Indian women, who frequently present with a bitemporal recession of the hairline. Calculation of the female pattern hair loss severity index (FPHL-SI) can help in the categorization of patients and assessment of prognosis. MetS should be actively looked for in patients of FPHL and managed accordingly.
Hydromagnetic Taylor–Couette flow at very small aspect ratio

The work of Benjamin, Mullin, Pfister and others on the non-uniqueness of solutions of the Navier–Stokes equation in Couette flow at small aspect ratio has revealed the existence of ‘anomalous’ 1-cell modes. A natural question to ask is whether these ‘anomalous’ modes are robust enough to survive the application of a body force, such as an externally applied magnetic field. We find that the answer is positive, although, with increasing magnetic field, steady 2-cell flows are generally more stable than 1-cell states. We also show that new time-dependent flows are easy to excite at relatively low Reynolds numbers compared to the case without a magnetic field, and we present two such flows.