Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multimodal Transport in Nairobi, Kenya: Insights and Recommendations with a Macroscopic Evidence-Based Model

The limited street network in Nairobi, Kenya, is crowded with cars and matatus (informal transit). This paper studies the existing traffic performance using traffic simulation. Despite the poorly connected, asymmetric street network, there is a consistent relationship between aggregated traffic variables for the city center, namely the number of vehicles circulating in the network and the rate at which trips reach their destinations. This relation is called a macroscopic fundamental diagram (MFD), and shows how the capacity of Nairobi's streets compares to the capacity of streets in other cities. The MFD also shows how traffic delays will increase with continued growth in demand. This method of looking at traffic performance is also used to identify policies which will improve traffic conditions in Nairobi. These policies include metering the rate that vehicles enter the city, spreading peak demand, improving intersection operations, dedicating lanes to buses and matatus, and strategically adding redundant links to the network. If nothing is done, traffic conditions in Nairobi will get worse, but by monitoring traffic and adopting some cost-effective policies, the capacity of the network to serve trips can be substantially improved.
The effect of greenhouse gas concentrations and ice sheets on the glacial AMOC in a coupled climate model

Abstract. Simulations with the Max Planck Institute Earth System Model (MPI-ESM) are used to study the sensitivity of the AMOC and the deep-ocean water masses during the Last Glacial Maximum to different sets of forcings. Analysing the individual contributions of the glacial forcings reveals that the ice sheets cause an increase in the overturning strength and a deepening of the North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) cell, while the low greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations cause a decrease in overturning strength and a shoaling of the NADW cell. The effect of the orbital configuration is negligible. The effects of the ice sheets and the GHG reduction balance each other in the deep ocean so that no shoaling of the NADW cell is simulated in the full glacial state. Experiments in which different GHG concentrations with linearly decreasing radiative forcing are applied to a setup with glacial ice sheets and orbital configuration show that GHG concentrations below the glacial level are necessary to cause a shoaling of the NADW cell with respect to the pre-industrial state in MPI-ESM. For a pCO2 of 149 ppm, the simulated overturning state and the deep-ocean water masses are in best agreement with the glacial state inferred from proxy data. Sensitivity studies confirm that brine release and shelf convection in the Southern Ocean are key processes for the shoaling of the NADW cell. Shoaling occurs only when Southern Ocean shelf water contributes significantly to the formation of Antarctic Bottom Water.
Striping Delay-sensitive Packets over Multiple Bursty Wireless Channels

Multi-homed mobile devices have multiple wireless communication interfaces, each connecting to the Internet via a low speed and bursty WAN link such as a cellular link. We propose a packet striping system for such multi-homed devices — a mapping of packets by a gateway to multiple channels, such that the overall performance is enhanced. We model and analyze the striping of delay-sensitive packets over multiple burst-loss channels. We derive the expected packet loss ratio when FEC (Forward Error Correction) and retransmis-sions are applied for error protection over multiple channels. We next model and analyze the case when the channels are bandwidth-limited. We develop a dynamic programming-based algorithm that solves the optimal striping problem for the ARQ, the FEC, and the hybrid FEC/ARQ case.
Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) feed during spawning off Newfoundland and Labrador

We test a current assumption that Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) off Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, do not feed during the protracted spawning season (March–September). Stomach contents were analysed from 10 473 cod from four Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization regions (2J, 3K, 3L, and 3Ps) over 9 years from which gonads were also analysed to determine sex and maturity status. Adult cod in spawning condition did feed in all regions, usually at rates equivalent to or even greater than non-spawning fish and juveniles. Both sexes fed during spawning, though females consumed lesser amounts. Regional differences were evident. The total fullness index was greater in the northern (2J) than the southern (3Ps) region, with no consistent differences between spawners and non-spawners. The most southerly region (3Ps) exhibited the greatest prey diversity, the northern region (2J) the least. Shrimp was the major diet item in the northern regions. Capelin, zooplankton, crab, and other fish increased in importance to the south. Differences in prey items between non-spawning and spawning individuals of both sexes were possibly related to spawning behaviour. Models using consumption rates should not assume that cod do not feed during the protracted spawning season in these waters.
3D structure and evolution of an oblique system of relaying folds: the Ainsa basin (Spanish Pyrenees)

The structure of the Eocene Ainsa basin is dominated by kilometre-scale thrusts and folds that have trends at c. 70° to that of the main Pyrenean structures. Late uplift and erosion provide excellent exposure of this fold-and-thrust system and its growth strata. Field observations integrated with 2D seismic and well data support the 3D reconstructions presented in this paper. Structural reconstructions of pre- and syn-growth geometries contribute substantial improvements to the understanding of the structure of the area and provide a unique insight into the timing of Pyrenean structures. This study demonstrates that oblique features in the Ainsa basin can be grouped into two main systems: the La Fueba thrust system, an oblique-lateral ramp to one of the main Pyrenean thrusts, and the kilometre-scale folds of the Sobrabe system, a set of anticlines that grew as part of a relaying system of folds. In this study we propose a chronology of deformation based on the geometry of the basin fill, which has been used to frame the general tectonosedimentary evolution of the Ainsa basin. The relative timing of structures indicates that the La Fueba structures predate the Sobrarbe structures, which originated as orogen-parallel structures, and obliquity developed during the growth of these structures through clockwise vertical-axis rotation.
SMOS soil moisture data validation in the Aurajoki watershed, Finland

Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) level 2 soil moisture observations were validated by the soil moisture simulations of the Watershed Simulation and Forecasting System (WSFS) in the Aurajoki watershed located in Southwest Finland. The validation period included summer seasons 2010–2012. A new 2-layer soil moisture model was developed to simulate soil moisture in two layers, 10 cm thick surface layer and 80 cm thick sub-surface layer, due to low penetration depth of the satellite observations. Both layers of the model were divided into six classes of soil types to characterize the soil properties of the study catchment. The soil parameters for different soil types were estimated using the soil moisture observation network and other model parameters were calibrated against discharge observations. The WSFS with the 2-layer soil moisture model was found appropriate in reproducing observed discharges in the test site. Despite slight dry bias, the SMOS observations were consistent with the simulated surface soil moisture content, giving Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient of 0.77 and root-mean-square deviation of 0.076. The analysis of the SMOS level 2 data presents promising results for the satellite observations to be used as an indicator of the filling of the soil moisture storage in the WSFS.
The Perception of the Visual World.

Let's read! We will often find out this sentence everywhere. When still being a kid, mom used to order us to always read, so did the teacher. Some books are fully read in a week and we need the obligation to support reading. What about now? Do you still love reading? Is reading only for you who have obligation? Absolutely not! We here offer you a new book enPDFd the perception of the visual world to read.
Predictors for Neoatherosclerosis: A Retrospective Observational Study From the Optical Coherence Tomography Registry

Background—Recent studies have reported development of neoatherosclerosis (NA) inside the stents several years after stent implantation. The aim of this study was to determine the predictors for NA using optical coherence tomography. Methods and Results—From a total of 1080 patients who underwent optical coherence tomography, we identified 179 stents in 151 patients in which the mean neointimal thickness was >100 µm. The presence of lipid-laden neointima or calcification inside the stents was defined as NA in the present study. Patient characteristics, stent type, and time since stent implantation (stent age) were compared between stents with or without NA. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to assess the independent predictors. In univariate analysis, stent age ≥48 months (Odds ratio [OR], 4.48; [95% CI 2.68-9.65]; P<0.001), drug-eluting stents (OR, 2.66; [95% CI, 1.38–5.16]; P=0.004), age ≥65 years (OR, 1.91; [95% CI, 1.05–3.44]; P=0.032), current smoking (OR, 2.30; [95% CI, 1.10–4.82]; P=0.024), chronic kidney disease (OR, 4.17; [95% CI, 1.42–12.23]; P=0.009), and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockade use (OR, 0.42; [95% CI, 0.22–0.80]; P=0.008) were significant predictors. In multivariate analysis, stent age ≥48 months, all subtypes of drug-eluting stent, current smoking, chronic kidney disease, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockade use remained independent predictors for NA. Conclusions—In addition to the stent type and the stent age, patient characteristics, including current smoking, chronic kidney disease, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockade, were associated with the presence of NA. This result may support the importance of secondary prevention after stent implantation.
On the Design of Group Decision Processes for Electronic Meeting Rooms

This paper reports a set of experiments motivated by the observation that the design of group decision processes is crucial to the success of electronic meeting room usage. Decision processes can be designed with more emphasis either on exchanging meanings (discussing issues) or exchanging artefacts (generating and structuring topics). Our problem is that, given a particular case to be discussed in an electronic meeting room, we do not know how to design the meeting for best performance. The paper builds a framework for studying this problem based on the notion of communication mode. The experiments already made confirm that quality of results varies when different communication modes are used and show that meetings that do not exchange meanings result in solutions with inferior quality.
Recurrent Stroke in Minor Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack With Metabolic Syndrome and/or Diabetes Mellitus

Background We aimed to determine the risk conferred by metabolic syndrome (METS) and diabetes mellitus (DM) to recurrent stroke in patients with minor ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack from the CHANCE (Clopidogrel in High‐risk patients with Acute Non‐disabling Cerebrovascular Events) trial. Methods and Results In total, 3044 patients were included. Patients were stratified into 4 groups: neither, METS only, DM only, or both. METS was defined using the Chinese Diabetes Society (CDS) and International Diabetes Foundation (IDF) definitions. The primary outcome was new stroke (including ischemic and hemorrhagic) at 90 days. A multivariable Cox regression model was used to assess the relationship of METS and DM status to the risk of recurrent stroke adjusted for potential covariates. Using the CDS criteria of METS, 53.2%, 17.2%, 19.8%, and 9.8% of patients were diagnosed as neither, METS only, DM only, and both, respectively. After 90 days of follow‐up, there were 299 new strokes (293 ischemic, 6 hemorrhagic). Patients with DM only (16.1% versus 6.8%; adjusted hazard ratio 2.50, 95% CI 1.89–3.39) and both (17.1% versus 6.8%; adjusted hazard ratio 2.76, 95% CI 1.98–3.86) had significantly increased rates of recurrent stroke. No interaction effect of antiplatelet therapy by different METS or DM status for the risk of recurrent stroke (P=0.82 for interaction in the fully adjusted model of CDS) was observed. Using the METS (IDF) criteria demonstrated similar results. Conclusions Concurrent METS and DM was associated with an increased risk of recurrent stroke in patients with minor stroke and transient ischemic attack.
Computer-automated Evolution of an X-band Antenna for Nasa's Space Technology 5 Mission

Whereas the current practice of designing antennas by hand is severely limited because it is both time and labor intensive and requires a significant amount of domain knowledge, evolutionary algorithms can be used to search the design space and automatically find novel antenna designs that are more effective than would otherwise be developed. Here we present our work in using evolutionary algorithms to automatically design an X-band antenna for NASA's Space Technology 5 (ST5) spacecraft. Two evolutionary algorithms were used: the first uses a vector of real-valued parameters and the second uses a tree-structured generative representation for constructing the antenna. The highest-performance antennas from both algorithms were fabricated and tested and both outperformed a hand-designed antenna produced by the antenna contractor for the mission. Subsequent changes to the spacecraft orbit resulted in a change in requirements for the spacecraft antenna. By adjusting our fitness function we were able to rapidly evolve a new set of antennas for this mission in less than a month. One of these new antenna designs was built, tested and approved for deployment on the three ST5 spacecraft, which were successfully launched into space on March 22, 2006. This evolved antenna design is the first computer-evolved antenna to be deployed for any application and is the first computer-evolved hardware in space.
A Case of Contagious Ecthyma (Orf Virus) in a Nonmanipulated Laboratory Dorset Sheep (Ovis aries)

An approximately 5-month-old laboratory wether, originating from a local vendor with a closed flock and maintained on a preventative medicine plan, presented with a continuum of lesions from hemorrhagic papules, vesicles, and pustules, to multifocal necrotic scabs at the commissure of the lips, medial canthus of the left eye, and distal prepuce. A presumptive diagnosis of Orf virus (ORFV) was made and the sheep was euthanized. A full necropsy was performed, and histopathological evaluation of affected tissues revealed multifocal-to-coalescing necrotizing and proliferative cheilitis and dermatitis with eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies. Electron microscopy findings revealed degenerate keratinocytes containing numerous typical 200–300 nm wide cytoplasmic parapoxvirus virions, confirming the diagnosis of ORFV. We believe that this animal developed a clinical case of ORFV either due to an adverse reaction to an ORFV vaccine, or this animal had a case of preexisting ORFV which manifested after arrival at our facility.
Efeitos do exercício na densidade mineral óssea

This paper reviews the results of studies that investigate the effects of physical activity on bone mineral density. Being the physical activity one of the factors with influence in the bone mineral density (BMD) the determination of which sporting modalities are more related with the bone stimulation it can be indispensable for prevention and treatment of the osteoporosis. These studies conclude that the effects of exercise and sport practice in the bone metabolism result from the mechanical load applied to the skeletal structure. Better results in bone metabolism are related to higher intensities of mechanical load. Tension generated by muscular contraction during strength training presents the greatest benefits in bone remodeling. Otherwise, the strenuous exercise can bring negative results to the bone, especially in females.
The European Summer of 2003: Sensitivity to Soil Water Initial Conditions

Abstract The European summer of 2003 is used as a case study to analyze the land surface role in augmenting the local temperature anomalies. Using the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) analysis and the 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40) climate, it is shown that in the months preceding the extreme summer events, positive anomalies in the surface shortwave radiation and a large precipitation deficit indicated an impending dry summer in early June. The use of soil water analysis values as possible predictors for drought is currently limited by the systematic attenuation of its seasonal cycle. Several numerical simulations with the ECMWF atmospheric model have been used to explore the atmospheric model sensitivity to the initial soil water conditions. The atmospheric response to large initial perturbations in the root zone extends up to month 2 and is nonlinear, and larger for drier regimes. Perturbations to the whole soil depth increase the amplitude of the atmospheric anomaly and ext.
Mass psychogenic illness in nationwide in-school vaccination for pandemic influenza A ( H 1 N 1 ) 2009 , Taiwan , November 2009 – January 2010

investigated 23 clusters of mass psychogenic illness after vaccination (MPIV) in the nationwide in-school vaccination programme against the 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1). The median age of the 350 ill students (68% female) was 13 years. Intense media coverage of these events has driven public concerns about the safety of the pandemic influenza vaccine. In the future, countries should incorporate surveillance and communication strategies for MPIV in their pandemic preparedness plans. The 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus is highly transmissible in schools, and mathematical modelling suggests that vaccinating 70% of schoolchildren could mitigate a pandemic [1]. In Taiwan, schoolchildren (first to 12th grade) are among the priority groups to receive the pandemic influenza monovalent vaccine. On 16 November 2009, the government began a nationwide in-school influenza vaccination (NISIV) programme against pandemic influenza, using an inactivated vaccine without adjuvant (Adimmune Corporation, Taichung, Taiwan). Children under the age of nine years (first to third grade) received two doses, separated by approximately four weeks; children aged 10 years or older (fourth grade or higher) received one dose. the government was notified that within two hours of pandemic influenza vaccination , a cluster of adverse events marked by dizziness, nausea and weakness occurred in 46 (7%) of the 692 schoolchildren aged 12 to 15 years who had received the vaccine at a middle school. Students were transported by ambulance to nearby hospitals and believed the illness was caused by the vaccine. Of the 46 ill students (26 female), physical and laboratory examinations found no organic cause for the reported symptoms. Forty-five patients recovered spontaneously and were discharged from the emergency department within 12 hours; one patient was hospitalised but discharged the following day. Public health officials reviewed the school vaccination process and found that all recommended procedures had been followed. It was concluded that this incident was a case of mass psychogenic illness after vaccination (MPIV) [2]. In response to safety concerns that might arise as the NISIV programme proceeded, we conducted enhanced surveillance to identify and investigate potential clusters of MPIV. Utilisation data on pandemic influenza vaccines were analysed to assess the impact of MPIV on vaccine coverage among schoolchildren. Each day, starting 23 November 2009, potential clusters of MPIV were retrospectively and prospectively identified through a search of two sources: (i) reports on adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) received by the national passive surveillance system jointly operated by the Taiwan Centers for Disease …
Gyrokinetic investigation of the nonlinear interplay of Alfvén instabilities and energetic particles in tokamaks

Alfvén Eigenmodes (AE) are global instabilities excited by energetic particles (EP) in magnetic fusion devices. AE can redistribute the EP population across flux surfaces, making the plasma heating less effective, and leading to additional loads on the walls. The interplay of AEs and EPs is investigated by means of gyrokinetic particle-in-cell simulations, with a nonperturbative approach. The global nonlinear codes ORB5 and EUTERPE are used for such studies. Both wave-particle and wave-wave nonlinearities are considered and various aspects of the nonlinear dynamics are addressed separately, by artificially switching off other nonlinearities. When concentrating on the wave-particle nonlinearity, a detailed study of the saturation is performed, as a consequence of the redistribution of the EP population in phase-space. A comparison with GK-MHD hybrid codes is also presented. When allowing wave-wave nonlinearities to occur with a zonal structure, the saturation level of the AE is observed to be drastically reduced. As a consequence, a much lower redistribution of EP is observed with respect to the case where only the wave-particle nonlinearity is allowed. Finally, numerical simulations of multiple modes with different toroidal mode number are also presented.
Effect of pretreatment with ICRF-187 on the total cumulative dose of doxorubicin tolerated by beagle dogs.

Studies were made of the influence of ICRF-187 on the functional and morphological effects of very large cumulative doses of doxorubicin given over a prolonged period of time. Adult beagles of either sex (6.2-11.6 kg) were given doxorubicin (1.75 mg/kg i.v.) either alone or 15 min after ICRF-187 (25 mg/kg, i.v.) at 3-week intervals. Control dogs received ICRF-187 (25 mg/kg, i.v.) or 0.9% saline without doxorubicin. Of eight animals receiving doxorubicin alone, five died; two after a total dose of 12.25 mg/kg and three after 14 mg/kg; three others were in poor condition at the time of euthanasia after 14 mg/kg. Of eight animals receiving both ICRF-187 and doxorubicin, four died; two after 35 mg/kg, one after 43.75 mg/kg, and one after 52.5 mg/kg; two other dogs were euthanized after 43.75 mg/kg because of difficulties encountered in giving i.v. injections, and two dogs survived a total dose of 52.5 mg/kg. All control dogs survived. None of the treatment or control groups developed consistent echocardiographic changes or alterations in mean arterial pressure. By 300 days after onset of treatment, dogs given ICRF-187 and doxorubicin developed significant prolongation of the PQ interval; by 550 days, surviving dogs in this group developed ventricular premature contractions. Each animal receiving doxorubicin alone had severe myocardial lesions (lesion score 3+). Of the animals given ICRF-187 and doxorubicin, one that received 35 mg/kg doxorubicin had no lesions; of four given 43.75 mg/kg, three had no lesions and one had minimal lesions (lesion score 1+); of three given 52.5 mg/kg, one had minimal (lesion score 1+), and two had moderate (lesion score 2+) lesions. Control animals had no myocardial lesions. Thus, ICRF-187 provided significant protection when administered with doxorubicin over a period of 90 weeks, and made it possible to give doses of doxorubicin which otherwise would have been lethal.