Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring the use of spatial concepts in the planning and development of the North West of England

This research explores the use of spatial concepts in sub-national land-use planning and economic development policy, and in the governance of these, by examining the application of policy from local, regional, national and European levels of government over the course of three decades. The research seeks to investigate how, and to what extent, spatial concepts have entered sub-national planning and development policy in order to better understand the ways in which policy has been able to account for the increased spatial complexity of contemporary social and economic life. The prospects of cities and regions have been dramatically altered by increasing economic globalisation, leading to a shift in understandings of urban and regional growth towards models and explanations that incorporate spatial concepts. These global scale changes are affecting patterns of economic and social activity in cities and regions in such a way as to alter the roles of, and relationships between, territories and places. Policy-makers thus face challenges relating to the nature of economic development interventions under shifting interpretations of distance, the problem of coordinating different policy areas towards shared territorial aims and the difficulty of managing spatial development processes that transcend administrative boundaries. Using as a case study region the North West of England, the thesis addresses these concerns by exploration of the roles played by a range of organisations lodged at a number of governmental scales and of the strategies used by these towards the achievement of planning and development aims. The thesis concludes that the integration of spatial concepts into the planning and development of the case study region is a process strongly mediated by political and other institutional agencies active there. The nature of spatial development policy is subject to the negotiated processes of the governance arena and the form taken by spatial strategies reflects the interaction of contemporary strategies with inherited and existing plans, strategies and spatial visions. It is suggested that the extent to which spatial development policy can address the spatial complexity of economic and social life in contemporary regions may be dependent upon the ability of policy-makers to engage in innovative and expedient solutions to spatial problems that span administrative boundaries and policy remits.
Computational Electrostatics Predict Variations in SARS-CoV-2 Spike and Human ACE2 Interactions

SARS-CoV-2 is a novel virus that crossed over into humans in 2019 and declared a pandemic in early 2020. To understand how the virus infects a new host, we need to understand the mechanistic functions involved with the binding process. To address this need, we generate homology models of SARS-CoV-2 spikes as monomer and trimer to determine the feasibility of reduced computational requirements by using monomer structures. We further generate homology models of the conserved region of SARS-CoV-2 spike subunit s1 noted as the receptor binding domain (RBD) and the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). To determine functional breadth of spike monomer, trimer and RBD in relation with ACE2, we apply Coulombs Law to determine an electric force between combinations with ACE2 across the range of pH from 3.0 to 9.0 in 0.1 increments. The results indicate that spike trimer should be used to determine mechanistic binding function and these data indicate that variations of spike sequence influence breadth of function. Our results also indicate the RBD has a broader range of function across pH compared to spike trimer, but is influenced by the range of function presented by the spike trimer.
On the Long‐Range transport of air pollutants from Europe to Africa

The general climatic conditions and the physiographic characteristics of the area around the Mediterranean Sea, result in the formation of a flow pattern which is from North to South during all seasons and mainly during summer. This flow transports polluted air masses from southern Europe towards Africa. This transport is being investigated with the combined use of an atmospheric and a Lagrangian dispersion model. Air pollutants released from sources located in southern Europe were found in the entire tropospheric region over North Africa. The time scales for such a transport were found to be four to six days. This kind of transport can have several implications ranging from degradation of the air quality in North African cities to the water budget and regional climatic change.
Sensitivity of the HSPF Model to Land Use/Land Cover Datasets

Abstract The Hydrological Simulation Program – FORTRAN (HSPF) in interface with the Better Assessment Science Integrating Point and Nonpoint (BASINS) was used to evaluate the impact on hydrology components of the Luxapallila Creek watershed due to different land use/land cover (LU/LC) databases. The 1,770-km2 watershed is located in Alabama and Mississippi. Simulation of the watershed processes were tested at the hillslope and at the watershed outlet for the period between 1985 and 2003. Three LU/LC databases were evaluated: the GIRAS, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), and the National Land Cover Data (NLCD). The three LU/LC databases showed that more than 70% of the watershed area is covered by forest. Forest areas produced small changes among databases. Forest cover mechanisms were the main source of water losses. The model was more sensitive to daily time steps than annual periods when the MODIS and NLCD datasets were compared to the GIRAS database. In general, the MODIS dataset showed a higher variation on hydrology simulations than the NLCD database when both LU/LC databases were compared to the GIRAS database.
Complete mesocolic excision and extended lymphadenectomy: Where should we stand?

Debate regarding the risks and merits of complete mesocolic excision and extended lymphadenectomy is ongoing, particularly for right‐sided colon cancers. In this article, we hope to provide a succinct yet encompassing review of the relevant literature. We posit that complete mesocolic excision with D3 dissection is indicated in select patients with colon cancers, particularly those distal to the cecum.
Can observations of postglacial rebound tell whether the rheology of the mantle is linear or nonlinear

It has been argued that since a power-law mantle may appear to the postglacial rebound process as linear if the rebound stress is less than the ambient tectonic stress, therefore, observations of rebound cannot be used to determine whether the flow law in the mantle is linear or nonlinear. The purpose of this paper is to show that this may not be completely true if the rebound process sees the steady-state creep. It will be demonstrated that for sites near the centre of rebound, the relative sea level (RSL) observations cannot distinguish a Newtonian mantle from a Power-law mantle with large ambient stress. However, for sites outside the ice margin, the RSL signature for a power-law mantle is clearly distinguishable from that due to deep flow in a Newtonian mantle. This characteristic of power-law medium is independent of the ambient stress level and is unlikely to change with more complicated rebound models. If these results remain valid in future work, then RSL data near the ice margin can be used to argue against a steady-state power-law mantle.
A Survey of PICU Clinician Practices and Perceptions regarding Respiratory Cultures in the Evaluation of Ventilator-Associated Infections in the BrighT STAR Collaborative

OBJECTIVES: To characterize respiratory culture practices for mechanically ventilated patients, and to identify drivers of culture use and potential barriers to changing practices across PICUs. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey conducted May 2021–January 2022. SETTING: Sixteen academic pediatric hospitals across the United States participating in the BrighT STAR Collaborative. Subjects: Pediatric critical care medicine physicians, advanced practice providers, respiratory therapists, and nurses. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We summarized the proportion of positive responses for each question within a hospital and calculated the median proportion and IQR across hospitals. We correlated responses with culture rates and compared responses by role. Sixteen invited institutions participated (100%). Five hundred sixty-eight of 1,301 (44%) e-mailed individuals completed the survey (median hospital response rate 60%). Saline lavage was common, but no PICUs had a standardized approach. There was the highest variability in perceived likelihood (median, IQR) to obtain cultures for isolated fever (49%, 38–61%), isolated laboratory changes (49%, 38–57%), fever and laboratory changes without respiratory symptoms (68%, 54–79%), isolated change in secretion characteristics (67%, 54–78%), and isolated increased secretions (55%, 40–65%). Respiratory cultures were likely to be obtained as a “pan culture” (75%, 70–86%). There was a significant correlation between higher culture rates and likelihood to obtain cultures for isolated fever, persistent fever, isolated hypotension, fever, and laboratory changes without respiratory symptoms, and “pan cultures. ” Respondents across hospitals would find clinical decision support (CDS) helpful (79%) and thought that CDS would help align ICU and/or consulting teams (82%). Anticipated barriers to change included reluctance to change (70%), opinion of consultants (64%), and concern for missing a diagnosis of ventilator-associated infections (62%). CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory culture collection and ordering practices were inconsistent, revealing opportunities for diagnostic stewardship. CDS would be generally well received; however, anticipated conceptual and psychologic barriers to change must be considered.
Population genetic analysis of 12 X-STR markers in Slovakia

Abstract Background: During the last 20 years, X-chromosomal STR markers have become widely used in forensic genetics and paternity testing. Nevertheless, to exploit their full potential in any given population, a reliable reference dataset needs to be established. Since no relevant studies concerning these markers have been performed on the Slovak population so far, we decided to analyse several commonly used markers in this population. Aim: To create an informative set of Slovak population data concerning X-STR markers. Subjects and methods: We genotyped 378 individuals and analysed 12 loci (DXS10148, DX10135, DXS8378, DXS7132, DXS10079, DXS10074, DXS10103, HPRTB, DXS10101, DXS10146, DXS10134 and DXS742) localised in four distinct linkage groups. Results: Our analysis showed that the most informative marker is DXS10135 (PIC = 0,927) and the most informative linkage group (LG) is LG1 with 149 different haplotypes. This analysis also confirmed linkage disequilibrium for two pairs of markers (DX10101-DX10103 and DX10101-HPRTB) within LG3 in female samples. No statistically significant departure from HWE was observed for any locus. Moreover, the interpopulation comparison of 8 European populations based on haplotype frequencies showed no statistically significant FST values in any LG, except for LG2 in comparison with the German population. Conclusion: We created a haplotype database for forensic analyses and kinship testing in Slovakia, as well as the CE dataset which can be used to further increase the decision power in similar analyses in the future.
Utility of devices for onychomycosis: a review

Abstract Onychomycosis is difficult to treat due to long treatment durations, poor efficacy rates of treatments, high relapse rates, and safety issues when using systemic antifungal agents. Device-based treatments are targeted to specific regions of the nail, have favorable safely profiles, and do not interfere with systemic agents. They may be an effective alternative therapy for onychomycosis especially with increasing reports of squalene epoxidase gene mutations and potential resistance to terbinafine therapy. In this review, we discuss four devices used as antifungal treatments and three devices used as penetration enhancers for topical agents. Lasers, photodynamic therapy, microwaves, and non-thermal plasma have the capacity to inactivate fungal pathogens demonstrated through in vivo studies. Efficacy rates for these devices, however, remain relatively low pointing toward the need to further optimize device or usage parameters. Ultrasound, nail drilling, and iontophoresis aid in improving the permeability of topical agents through the nail and have been investigated as adjunctive therapies. Due to the paucity in clinical data, their efficacy in treating onychomycosis has not yet been established. While the results of clinical studies point toward the potential utility of devices for onychomycosis, further large-scale randomized clinical trials following regulatory guidelines are required to confirm current results.
Radar backscatter from stationary breaking waves

Radar backscatter measurements from stationary breaking waves were used to examine how the surface roughness generated by wave breaking affects radar backscatter at moderate incidence angles. Stationary breaking waves were generated by submerging a stationary hydrofoil in a uniform flow. X band radar backscatter measurements were made at numerous streamwise positions along the stationary breaking waves from an incidence angle of 45° for horizontal transmit and receive polarization (HH) and vertical transmit and receive polarization (VV) looking both upwave and downwave. The radar returns increased substantially, and the HH-to-VV polarization ratio approached unity near the breaking crests. This radar signature is consistent with those observed in the field. Detailed optical measurements of the breaking surfaces revealed that the observed radar returns near the breaking crests were the result of increased incoherent backscatter from the small-scale surface roughness generated by the breaking waves, although surface tilt effects also modified the radar return. Scattering models based upon the small perturbation solution performed well in the wake of the stationary breaking crest, but they significantly underestimated the HH-to-VV polarization ratio near the breaking crest. More advanced scattering solutions such as the integral equation method produced more accurate results in regions containing the largest surface roughness. These findings suggest that incoherent backscatter from surface disturbances produced by deep water breaking waves may be the source of the high radar returns and small polarization ratios observed from the ocean at moderate incidence angles.
Nighttime magnetic field fluctuations in the topside ionosphere at midlatitudes and their relation to medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances: The spatial structure and scale sizes

Previous studies suggested that electric and/or magnetic field fluctuations observed in the nighttime topside ionosphere at midlatitudes generally originate from quiet time nocturnal medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs). However, decisive evidences for the connection between the two have been missing. In this study we make use of the multispacecraft observations of midlatitude magnetic fluctuations (MMFs) in the nighttime topside ionosphere by the Swarm constellation. The analysis results show that the area hosting MMFs is elongated in the NW‐SE (NE‐SW) direction in the Northern (Southern) Hemisphere. The elongation direction and the magnetic field polarization support that the area hosting MMFs is nearly field aligned. All these properties of MMFs suggest that they have close relationship with MSTIDs. Expectation values of root‐mean‐square field‐aligned currents associated with MMFs are up to about 4 nA/m2. MMF coherency significantly drops for longitudinal distances of ≥1∘.
The utility of adaptive eLearning data in predicting dental students’ learning performance in a blended learning course

Objectives To examine the impact of dental students’ usage patterns within an adaptive learning platform (ALP), using ALP-related indicators, on their final exam performance. Methods Track usage data from the ALP, combined with demographic and academic data including age, gender, pre- and post-test scores, and cumulative grade point average (GPA) were retrospectively collected from 115 second-year dental students enrolled in a blended learning review course. Learning performance was measured by post-test scores. Data were analyzed using correlation coefficients and linear regression tests. Results The ALP-related variables (without controlling for background demographics and academic data) accounted for 29.6% of student final exam performance (R2=0.296, F(10,104)=4.37, p=0.000). Positive significant ALP-related predictors of post-test scores were improvement after activities (β=0.507, t(104)=2.101, p=0.038), timely completed objectives (β=0.391, t(104)=2.418, p=0.017), and number of revisions (β=0.127, t(104)=3.240, p=0.002). Number of total activities, regardless of learning improvement, negatively predicted post-test scores (β= -0.088, t(104)=-4.447, p=0.000). The significant R2 change following the addition of gender, GPA, and pre-test score (R2=0.689, F(13, 101)=17.24, p=0.000), indicated that these predictors explained an additional 39% of the variance in student performance beyond that explained by ALP-related variables, which were no longer significant. Inclusion of cumulative GPA and pre-test scores showed to be the strongest and only predictors of post-test scores (β=18.708, t(101)=4.815, p=0.038) and (β=0.449, t(101)=6.513, p=0.038), respectively. Conclusions Track ALP-related data can be valuable indicators of learning behavior. Careful and contextual analysis of ALP data can guide future studies to examine practical and scalable interventions.
(De)Stigmatizing Depression on Social Media: The Role of Responsibility Frames

Responsibility frames on social media could shape recipients’ responses toward people with depression, which is crucial for the public (de)stigmatization of the mental disorder. Thus, the present study examines the effects of different responsibility frames (individual, social, combination) in Instagram-posts about depression on respondents’ related attributions as well as their emotional and behavioral reactions toward people suffering from the illness. Our online-experiment (N = 1,015) revealed that frames emphasizing the responsibility of one’s social network (e.g. family, friends and professionals) for depression, i.e. social frames, strengthened participants’ attributions to the social network, i.e. social attributions, most effectively. Individual frames, however, primarily intensified individual attributions to those affected by depression. Contrary to previous findings, a combination frame did not prove to increase recipients’ social attributions more than a one-sided social frame. For emotional and behavioral responses, we did not find any effects of responsibility frames compared to the control group–possibly due to buffering effects of the narrative structure of the Instagram posts.
The Notre Dame arc and the Taconic orogeny in Newfoundland

The Taconic orogeny in Newfoundland consisted of three accretionary events (Taconic 1, 2, and 3). Taconic 1 is represented by ca. 495 Ma, west-directed obduction of the infant-arc Lushs Bight oceanic tract (510–501 Ma) onto the peri-Laurentian Dashwoods microcontinent. Subduction is inferred to have initiated at a spreading center abandoned during an inboard ridge jump responsible for separation of Dash-woods from Laurentia and opening of the Humber seaway. Clogging of the subduction zone by Dashwoods forced subduction to step back into the Humber seaway. Inception of the new subduction zone led to formation of the ca. 490 Ma Baie Verte oceanic tract. Closure of the Humber seaway formed the Notre Dame arc (489–477 Ma) built on Dashwoods and the coeval Snooks Arm arc built on the Baie Verte oceanic tract. Sea-way closure led to collision (Taconic 2) between the arcs and Laurentia, which caused significant shortening of the Notre Dame arc. After a magmatic gap of 7–10 m.y. , the Notre Dame arc records a voluminous flare-up of predominantly tonalite magmatism (464–459 Ma) during the waning stages of Taconic 2. Magmatism overlaps with deformation and includes both arc and non-arc-like tonalite. This flare-up was related to break-off of the oceanic lithosphere of the downgoing slab. The rapidly upwelling asthenosphere that replaced the broken-off slab induced melting in the subarc mantle and arc infrastructure. Taconic 3 is represented by 455–450 Ma accretion of a peri-Laurentian arc that had formed after the ca. 480 Ma initiation of west-directed subduction in the Iapetus Ocean outboard of the Dashwoods microcontinent.
Intraseasonal mixed-layer heat budget in the equatorial Atlantic during the cold tongue development in 2006

[1] Estimating the mixed-layer heat budget is a key issue for understanding the cold tongue development in the eastern equatorial Atlantic. A high-resolution ocean regional model is used to diagnose the mixed-layer heat budget online during the EGEE-3 experiment from May to August 2006. The heat budget shows the major role of the horizontal advection and turbulent mixing in the mixed-layer temperature balance in the cold tongue. The surface net heat flux and entrainment processes play a minor role. The equatorial cooling is mainly induced by low-frequency advection, which is balanced by high-frequency zonal and meridional advections. The high-frequency advections are organized in patterns along the northern edge of the cold tongue, where they are associated with strong sea surface temperature gradients and well-developed tropical instability waves in the western Atlantic. Special attention is paid to the wind energy flux, which controls horizontal advection and turbulent mixing. We suggest that the wind energy flux drives the vertical velocity, which in turn adjusts the mixed-layer depth, its stratification, and the vertical shear of the horizontal current. Although vertical advection is not essential in providing cold water in the Atlantic cold tongue, it is shown that the vertical velocity plays a central role in preconditioning the mixed layer and maximizes the turbulent mixing.
Vulvovaginal atrophy in the CRETA study: the healthcare professionals’ perception

Abstract Objectives The objective is to assess the perception of gynecologists regarding patients’ adherence to vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) treatments, to evaluate the gynecologists’ opinions on what their patients think about treatment adherence, and to compare the gynecologists’ opinions with the patients’ own perceptions within the CRETA study. Methods Spanish gynecologists who participated in the CRETA study were asked to fill out an online 41-item questionnaire to evaluate their views on VVA management. Results From 29 centers across Spain, 44 gynecologists completed the survey. Their mean age was 47.2 years old, two-thirds of them were women, and the average professional experience was over 20 years. According to the gynecologists, the therapy most frequently used by VVA-diagnosed women was vaginal moisturizers (45.5%), followed by local estrogen therapy (36.4%) and ospemifene (18.2%). Nevertheless, ospemifene was viewed as the therapeutic option with the most efficacy, easiest route of administration, shorter time to symptom improvement, lower percentage of dropouts, and higher treatment adherence. Conclusions Spanish gynecologists are in general agreement with their patients regarding VVA treatment preferences and the main issues for adherence and effectiveness. However, there is an opportunity for doctor–patient communication improvement. Among the three therapeutic options evaluated, ospemifene is regarded as offering some competitive advantages.