Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatiotemporal Heterogeneity and the Key Influencing Factors of PM2.5 and PM10 in Heilongjiang, China from 2014 to 2018

Particulate matter (PM) degrades air quality and negatively impacts human health. The spatial–temporal heterogeneity of PM (PM2.5 and PM10) concentration in Heilongjiang Province during 2014–2018 and the key impacting factors were investigated based on principal component analysis-based ordinary least square regression (PCA-OLS), PCA-based geographically weighted regression (PCA-GWR), PCA-based temporally weighted regression (PCA-TWR), and PCA-based geographically and temporally weighted regression (PCA-GTWR). Results showed that six principal components represented the temperature, wind speed, air pressure, atmospheric pollution, humidity, and vegetation cover factor, respectively, contributing 87% of original variables. All the local models (PCA-GWR, PCA-TWR, and PCA-GTWR) were superior to the global model (PCA-OLS), and PCA-GTWR has the best performance. PM had greater temporal than spatial heterogeneity due to seasonal periodicity. Air pollutants (i.e., SO2, NO2, and CO) and pressure were promoted whereas temperature, wind speed, and vegetation cover inhibited the PM concentration. The downward trend of annual PM concentration is obvious, especially after 2017, and the hot spot gradually changed from southwestern to southeastern cities. This study laid the foundation for precise local government prevention and control by addressing both excessive effect factors (i.e., meteorological factors, air pollutants, vegetation cover) and spatial-temporal heterogeneity of PM.
Multi-stage Progressive Compression of Conformer Transducer for On-device Speech Recognition

The smaller memory bandwidth in smart devices prompts development of smaller Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) models. To obtain a smaller model, one can employ the model compression techniques. Knowledge distillation (KD) is a popular model compression approach that has shown to achieve smaller model size with relatively lesser degradation in the model performance. In this approach, knowledge is distilled from a trained large size teacher model to a smaller size student model. Also, the transducer based models have recently shown to perform well for on-device streaming ASR task, while the conformer models are efﬁcient in handling long term depen-dencies. Hence in this work we employ a streaming transducer architecture with conformer as the encoder. We propose a multi-stage progressive approach to compress the conformer transducer model using KD. We progressively update our teacher model with the distilled student model in a multi-stage setup. On standard LibriSpeech dataset, our experimental results have successfully achieved compression rates greater than 60% without signiﬁcant degradation in the performance compared to the larger teacher model.
Adjustments of Local Labour Markets to the COVID-19 Crisis: The Role of Digitalisation and Working-from-Home

Employment responses to the COVID-19 crisis differed widely across German local labour markets at the beginning of the pandemic, with differences in short-time work rates of up to 20 percentage points. We show that digital capital, and to a lesser extent working-from-home, were essential for the resilience of local labour markets. Using an empirical strategy that combines a difference-in-differences approach with propensity score weighting, we find that local exposure to digital capital reduced short-time work usage by up to 4 percentage points and the effect lasted for about 8 months. Working-from-home potential lowered short-time work rates, but only in local labour markets exposed to digital capital, and in the first four months of the pandemic when a strict lockdown was in place. Differences in unemployment rates across local labour markets were at most 2 percentage points and did not depend on digital capital or working-from-home potential.
Factors related to childbirth self-efficacy among primigravida in Yogyakarta

<p><strong><em>Background : </em></strong><em>Childbirth self-efficacy refers to a woman's self-confidence in her</em><em>ability to cope with labor and contributes significantly to her perception of pain during labor. Mothers with low self-efficacy felt nervous, felt they lacked strength, and expressed more fear, so that the labor process did not go smoothly and lasted longer, causing greater pain for both the mother and baby. Pregnant women with high childbirth self-efficacy had higher intention to attempt vaginal birth, while those choosing caesarean had lower self-efficacy beliefs. </em></p><p> </p><p><strong><em>Objectives : </em></strong><em>This study was to determine factors related childbirth self-efficacy among primigravida. <strong></strong></em></p><p><strong><em>Methods : </em></strong><em>This study used analytic observational method with cross sectional design. This research was conducted at Community Health Centers and two maternity clinics in Yogyakarta with 112 sample pregnant woman. They were recruited using a purposive sampling technique based on the criteria. The study used Childbirth Self-Efficacy (CBSEI) scale, the Fear of Childbirth (FOC) scale, and demographic data questionnaires. The independent sample t-test, ANOVA, pearson’s correlation coefficient, to determine the factors related childbirth self-efficacy. </em></p><p><strong><em>Results : </em></strong><em>The results of this study indicate that the factors associated with childbirth self-efficacy were antenatal class and prenatal yoga with a p value of 0.000 (p <0.05). In addition, there is a significant negative correlation between childbirth self-efficacy and fear of childbirth (r = -.34, p < .01). In other words, pregnant women with higher childbirth self-efficacy meant less fear of childbirth. </em></p><strong><em>Conclusions: </em></strong><em>Factors related childbirth self-efficacy were antenatal class, prenatal yoga, and fear of childbirth. <strong> </strong>The results of this study provided a better understanding of factors related childbirth self-efficacy. Based on the results, strategies to increase childbirth self-efficacy should focus on decreasing the level of fear of childbirth, which can be done by attending prenatal education and doing prenatal yoga. </em>
Non-native Perception of Japanese Singleton/Geminate Contrasts: Comparison of Mandarin and Mongolian Speakers Differing in Japanese Experience

Japanese is a quantity language that uses durational variation contrastively for both vowels and consonants. Therefore, correct use of contrastive length is important for efficient communication. However, it is widely acknowledged that length contrast is difficult for non-native speakers from diverse first language (L1) backgrounds. To examine the effects of L1 and Japanese learning experience on consonant length (i.e., short/singleton vs long/geminate) processing, we compared the perception of Japanese singleton/geminate by native speakers of Mandarin and Mongolian at different levels of Japanese experience. A group of 10 native Japanese speakers participated as controls. Neither Mandarin nor Mongolian uses consonant length contrastively, but Mongolian uses vowel length contrastively. Further, unlike Japanese and Mandarin, Mongolian frequently uses closed syllables and permits a wide range of consonants in coda position. The participants responded to 200 trials via the AXB discrimination task. All Mandarin groups, including the most advanced one, were significantly less accurate than the Japanese group. On the other hand, none of the Mongolian groups, including the one without Japanese experience, differed from the Japanese group. The most advanced Mandarin group was the closest to (and did not significantly differ from) the Mongolian groups, showing a positive effect of Japanese learning.
Investigating the influence of personality on acoustic-prosodic entrainment

It has long been observed that humans in interaction tend to adapt their behavior to become more similar to their interlocutors. Yet the reasons why such entrainment arises in some conversations and not others remain poorly understood. Early work suggests an inﬂuence of different personality traits on the degree of entrainment speakers engage in. However, some of these results have never been replicated to test their generalizability. Moreover, a recent ﬁnding draws into question whether these and other effects are strong enough to create differences between speakers that persist across multiple conversations. We investigate a variety of personality traits for their inﬂuence on a local form of acoustic-prosodic entrainment in two kinds of spontaneous conversation. To our knowledge, this is the ﬁrst attempt to detect such effects across several interactions per subject and the ﬁrst attempt to replicate some inﬂu-ential early work in a more natural context. We ﬁnd virtually no impact of personality, suggesting that prior results might not generalize to a more natural context or entrainment on other linguistic variables.
Gig Intentions in Management Students: Integrating JD-R in an Extended TPB Model

Gig economy is being increasingly popular globally across the sectors, positions and types of jobs. Despite the growing awareness of the benefits and challenges associated with gig jobs, little is known about what drives the younger generation to take up gig careers. The present study attempts to address this gap and better explain gig work intentions through extended TPB theory. The study rests on the premise that job seekers’ attitude towards gig jobs, belief in self-efficacy and the prevailing social norms influences the decision to make a gig career choice. Apart from these basic constructs of TPB model, impact of two additional factors (gig personality traits and gig work environment consisting of gig job demands and gig job resources based on JD-R model) on gig job intentions was measured to get a deeper understanding on predictors of gig jobs choices. Based on analysis of 471 responses from business management students studying in NIRF listed business schools in India, the study empirically reveals that all three basic constructs-gig job attitude, gig self-efficacy and social norms significantly influence management student’s gig job intentions. Gig job demands had a significant negative whereas gig job resources had a positive relationship with gig job intentions. The three personality traits did not have any direct significant relationship with gig job intentions. But the mediating role of gig job attitude between gig personality traits was also confirmed. The findings of the study contribute to literature on factors driving choice of gig jobs. It has huge implications for policy makers, organizations, business schools as well as society in general.
Clinicopathological features and prognosis associated with breast cancer laterality: a nationwide study from the Korean Breast Cancer Society

Purpose Although breast cancer is known to show a left predominance, the clinical characteristics and causes underlying this finding remain unclear. In addition, no related studies on breast cancer laterality have been conducted in patients with breast cancer in Korea. Therefore, we aimed to analyze differences in breast cancer laterality and the associated clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis among Korean patients with breast cancer. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis using large-scale data on clinicopathological factors and prognosis differences related to breast cancer laterality from the Korean Breast Cancer Society Registration system. The left-to-right ratio (LRR) of breast cancer was calculated through binomial distribution, and factors related to breast cancer laterality were identified through logistic regression analysis. In addition, the differences in the survival rates for left and right breast cancers were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model. Results In 171,500 patients, the LRR was 1.031 (95% confidence interval, 1.022–1.041; P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that the ratio of left breast cancer was related to age, body mass index (BMI), location, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status. The survival rate of patients with left and right breast cancers showed no significant difference. Conclusion A large-scale analysis revealed a left predominance in breast cancer laterality in Korean patients. Over time, this predominance gradually decreased. Age, BMI, location, and HER2 status affected breast cancer laterality. However, while left breast cancer showed relatively aggressive characteristics, it was not associated with a difference in the survival rate.
Quantitative Analysis of Plant Cytosolic Calcium Signals in Response to Water Activated by Low-Power Non-Thermal Plasma

Non-thermal plasma technology is increasingly being applied in the plant biology field. Despite the variety of beneficial effects of plasma-activated water (PAW) on plants, information about the mechanisms of PAW sensing by plants is still limited. In this study, in order to link PAW perception to the positive downstream responses of plants, transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings expressing the Ca2+-sensitive photoprotein aequorin in the cytosol were challenged with water activated by low-power non-thermal plasma generated by a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) source. PAW sensing by plants resulted in the occurrence of cytosolic Ca2+ signals, whose kinetic parameters were found to strictly depend on the operational conditions of the plasma device and thus on the corresponding mixture of chemical species contained in the PAW. In particular, we highlighted the effect on the intracellular Ca2+ signals of low doses of DBD-PAW chemicals and also presented the effects of consecutive plant treatments. The results were discussed in terms of the possibility of using PAW-triggered Ca2+ signatures as benchmarks to accurately modulate the chemical composition of PAW in order to induce environmental stress resilience in plants, thus paving the way for further applications in agriculture.
Association of socio-economic status with obesity and hypertension among the adult Angami Naga of Nagaland, NorthEast India

Background Prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has been observed to be rapidly increasing in developing countries. The impact of urbanization has led to the transition of lifestyle and the so-cio-economic status of many tribal communities in India, who used to be known for the prevalence of underweight and chronic energy deficiencies (CED). Objective The present study aims to assess the prevalence of obesity and hypertension in relation with the socio-economic status among the adult Angami Naga of Nagaland. Sample and methods A cross-sectional sample of 194 (108 males and 86 females) adult Angami Naga from Kohima district, Nagaland partic-ipated in the study. Information was collected on household’s socio-economic particulars. Anthropometric data on height (cm) and body weight (kg), and on both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured on each participant. Relative weight status was evaluated
On the Choice of Interpolation Scheme for Neural CDEs

Neural controlled differential equations (Neural CDEs) are a continuous-time extension of recurrent neural networks (RNNs), achieving state-of-the-art (SOTA) performance at modelling functions of irregular time series. In order to interpret discrete data in continuous time, current implementations rely on non-causal interpolations of the data. This is fine when the whole time series is observed in advance, but means that Neural CDEs are not suitable for use in online prediction tasks , where predictions need to be made in real-time: a major use case for recurrent networks. Here, we show how this limitation may be rectified. First, we identify several theoretical conditions that control paths for Neural CDEs should satisfy, such as boundedness and uniqueness. Second, we use these to motivate the introduction of new schemes that address these conditions, offering in particular measurability (for online prediction), and smoothness (for speed). Third, we empirically benchmark our online Neural CDE model on three continuous monitoring tasks from the MIMIC-IV medical database: we demonstrate improved performance on all tasks against ODE benchmarks, and on two of the three tasks against SOTA non-ODE benchmarks.
Neurosarcoidosis of the Cauda Equina

Background and Objectives Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease affecting the nervous system in 3%–5% of cases. It can affect almost any component of the nervous system. Involvement of the cauda equina is an understudied phenotype, and questions remain regarding its natural history and optimal approach to management. This study aims to study the long-term clinical evolution of neurosarcoidosis affecting the cauda equina, response to treatment, and clinical and radiographic outcomes. Methods Patients with neurosarcoidosis treated at Emory University between January 1, 2011, and December 8, 2021, were retrospectively evaluated for manifestations of cauda equina disease and included if disease of the cauda equina could be substantiated by MRI or EMG. Results Of 216 cases, 14 (6.5%) involved the cauda equina. The median age was 49.5 years, and most were female (85.7%) and African American (64.3%). Chronic (>28 days) presentations were most common (78.6%), but acute (<7 days, 14.3%) and subacute (7–28 days, 7.1%) were also seen. The median modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at nadir was 3 (range 2–4). Symptoms were asymmetric in 78.6% and included leg numbness (85.7%), leg weakness (64.3%), perineal numbness (35.7%), pain (42.3%), and incontinence (21.4%). On MRI, the cauda equina enhanced in 100%, appeared nodular in 78.6%, and was diffusely involved in 71.4%. Coexisting myelitis was common (cervical 28.6%, thoracic 35.7%, and conus medullaris 28.6%). Intracranial inflammation included leptomeningitis (71.4%) and cranial neuropathies (57.1%). Electrodiagnostic studies were conducted in 3 with only one showing features consistent with a radicular process. Serum and CSF angiotensin-converting enzyme levels were elevated in 38.5% and 0.0%, respectively. CSF white blood cell and protein were elevated in 92.9%. Corticosteroids were tried in all patients with durable stabilization or improvement in only 3 (21.4%). Second-line agents associated with improvement included methotrexate/infliximab (3/4, 75%), methotrexate (3/4, 75.0%), and azathioprine (1/1, 100%). During a median follow-up of 22.5 months, the final median mRS score was 3. Relapses occurred at a median of 6 months in 21.4%. In 9 patients with MRI follow-up, 6 improved (66.7%), 1 stabilized (11.1%), and 2 worsened (22.2%). Discussion Characteristic features of cauda equina involvement by neurosarcoidosis include chronically delayed presentations, nodular enhancement on MRI, poor response to corticosteroids, and substantial resultant neurologic disability.
EB_A_361946 83..114

Glaucoma is a common condition that relies on careful clinical assessment to diagnose and determine disease progression. There is growing evidence that glaucoma is associated not only with loss of retinal ganglion cells but also with degeneration of cortical and subcortical brain structures associated with vision and eye movements. The effect of glaucoma pathophysiology on eye movements is not well understood. In this review, we examine the evidence surrounding altered eye movements in glaucoma patients compared to healthy controls, with a focus on quantitative eye tracking studies measuring saccades, fixation, and optokinetic nystagmus in a range of visual tasks. The evidence suggests that glaucoma patients have alterations in several eye movement domains. Patients exhibit longer saccade latencies, which worsen with increasing glaucoma severity. Other saccadic abnormalities include lower saccade amplitude and velocity, and difficulty inhibiting reflexive saccades. Fixation is pathologically altered in glaucoma with reduced stability. Optokinetic nystagmus measures have also been shown to be abnormal. Complex visual tasks (eg reading, driving, and navigating obstacles), integrate these eye movements and result in behavioral adaptations. The review concludes with a summary of the evidence and recommendations for future research in this emerging field.
THE PRESENT POSITION AND PROBLEMS OF TERTIARY --_. 1 PALAEOBOTANY IN INDIA

Since the second quarter of the nineteenth century, when fossil plants began to be collected in India, almost all the earlier work in Indian palaeobotany was carried out on Mesozoic and Palaeozoic fossils. Progress in Tertiary palaeo botany really started in the early thirties of thc present century. The contributions have mainly been on the structure of individual fossils, mostly petrifactions, from the Deccan Intertrappean beds and from the Middle Tertiary strata of Assam and South India. Of late, some papers on the leaf impressions and pollen and spores have also ap peared. At the present stage it is desirable that Tertiary plants are studied collectively as floras. This will help in solving a number of problems related to stratigraphy, palaeogeography and palaeoecology during the Tertiary period in India.
AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE EFFECTS OF DIESEL AND JET-A1 FUEL BLENDS ON COMBUSTION, ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND EXHAUST EMISSIONS IN A DIRECT INJECTION DIESEL ENGINE

: In this study, an experimental investigation was performed in order to determine the effects of Jet-A1(A100), diesel fuel and Jet-A1/diesel fuel blends (A25, A50, A75) including 25% Jet-A1/75% diesel, 50% Jet-A1/50% diesel and 75% Jet-A1/25% diesel by volume respectively on combustion and engine performance in a single cylinder, direct injection diesel engine. For this purpose, the test engine was run at four different brake torques (7.5, 11.25, 15 and 18.75 Nm) at maximum brake torque engine speed (2200 rpm). The variation of cylinder pressure, heat release rate, ignition delay, combustion duration and exhaust emission were investigated in a naturally aspirated direct injection diesel engine fueled with diesel-Jet-A1 fuel blends. The test results showed that ignition delay time decreased with the increase of brake torque. Maximum in-cylinder pressure was retarded versus crank angle with the increase of brake torque. NO x emissions decreased with the increase of amount of Jet-A1 in the test fuels, but CO and soot emissions increased. It was also found that combustion duration increased when Jet-A1 (A100) fuel was used compared to A25, A50, A75 test fuels. In conclusion, Jet-A1 aviation fuel can be utilized via mixing with diesel fuel in diesel engines.
The Chromosphere in Coronal Holes and the Quiet-Sun Network: An He I (584 Å) Full-Disk Scan by SUMER/SOHO

A raster scan by Solar Ultraviolet Measurements of Emitted Radiation/Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) of the full solar disk containing over 2 million individual spectra of the He I line at 584 Å provides the possibility to study small- and large-scale variations of intensity, line shift, and line width. New striking features are the enhanced line width and the blueshifts in the coronal holes as well as the long-known reduced intensity there. The relation of intensity versus line shift and the variation of the line shift in the coronal holes indicate that the blueshifts in the holes are not consistent with a uniform outflow. The observations suggest that optical depth effects might be responsible for the observed blueshifts and line widths. These results motivate new observations by SOHO and ground-based facilities.