Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mineral dust aerosol from Saharan desert by means of atmospheric, emission, dispersion modelling

Abstract. The application of Numerical Prediction Models to mineral dust cycle is considered of prime importance for the investigation of aerosol and non-CO2 greenhouse gases contributions in climate variability and change. In this framework, a modelling system was developed in order to provide a regional characterization of Saharan dust intrusions over Mediterranean basin. The model chain is based on three different modules: the atmospheric model, the dust emission model and transport/deposition model. Numerical simulations for a selected case study, June 2006, were performed in order to evaluate the modelling system effectiveness. The comparison of the results obtained in such a case study shows a good agreement with those coming from GOCART model. Moreover a good correspondence was found in the comparison with in-situ measurements regarding some specific crustal markers in the PM10 fraction.
A method for discovering the knowledge of item rank from consumer reviews

When observing a collection of ranked items, we may be interested in the questions of why and how one item is ranked over another. This paper presents a method for discovering the knowledge about the rank of the items from consumer reviews. We formulate the questions of interest as a single biconvex minimization problem which has a relationship with SVM(Support Vector Machines). To facilitate the process of knowledge discovery, we propose a two-stage learning algorithm for discovering knowledge from small data. Finally, we evaluate the method by showing our simulation and experiment results.
Using Smartphones for Personal Counseling to Help People Quit Smoking

We present the design and evaluation of a smartphone app, QuittyLink, designed to help smokers reduce or stop smoking. Smoking cigarettes is a serious health risk and people who wish to quit often struggle to do so. It is well known that the most effective method of assisting smoking cessation is personal face-to-face counseling. However, this approach is only used by very few people wishing to quit for reasons such as inconvenience and personal shyness. In response to this we have created an app that provides personal counseling to users on their smartphone. The counseling content is authored by smoking cessation experts and is based on the user’s personal data and recent actual smoking behaviors collected through the smartphone. We deployed the QuittyLink app with people in their everyday lives to study how personal counseling on mobile phones would influence their smoking behaviors. We found that both the personal counseling and the ability to visualize and reflect on their own self-tracked smoking behaviors helped them form strategies to improve their ability to quit.
Competitive Priorities and Innovation in SMEs: A Brazil Multi-case Study

This study uses the qualitative approach and the multi-case study method to analyze the influence that the competitive advantages exerts in the innovation given the specific context of the research. Among the main results are the mains factors that generate innovative practices in the researched companies are quality, flexibility, delivery and cost, in this order of importance, as generators of innovation practices in the surveyed companies. The quality and flexibility were related to technological product and process innovations. In the non-technological innovations, quality influenced the marketing and organizational innovations. Flexibility generated marketing innovations and cost and delivery generated organizational innovation. The results of this research can make it easy to redirect future public innovation policies in small businesses. We discovered that innovation does not occur only through the acquisitions and heavy investments in technology. The strategic reorganization of the decision-taking processes can contribute to innovation.
Optimization of nutritional requirements and ammonium feeding strategies for improving vitamin B 12 production by Pseudomonas denitrificans

Statistical experiment design and data analysis were used to establish the major factors in a chemically defined medium and to develop an ammonium control strategy to optimize the specific vitamin B 12 production rate (Yp) of Pseudomonas denitrificans . Through Plackett-Burman design, the major factors of glucose, ammonium sulfate and KCl were selected as the significant factors affecting vitamin B 12 biosynthesis and these were further optimized by central composite design with response surface methodology. The maximum Yp of 34.2 μg/gDCW/h was obtained in batch cultivation under the estimated optimal initial composition of glucose (93.6 g/l), (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 (7.93 g/l) and KCl (1.24 g/l). Ammonium control strategies in fed-batch fermentation showed that when ammonium concentration was maintained at 40 mmol/l, the maximum Yp reached 36.0 ± 1.31 μg/gDCW/h, which was 57.2% higher than that of the control (22.9 ± 0.83 μg/gDCW/h). This ammonium control strategy successfully enhanced the industrial production, resulting in a stable high vitamin B 12 production of 212.02 ± 3.03 mg/l and Yp of 37.1 μg/gDCW/h. Key words : Statistical designs, Pseudomonas denitrificans, chemically defined medium, ammonium controlling strategy, vitamin B 12 .
Does the Radiotherapy Technique Have an Impact on the Survival of Patients with Cervical Cancer

RESULTS The median follow-up period was 37.5 months (range: 5.6–186 months). All patients received both external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and intracavitary brachytherapy. EBRT was delivered with conventional 2-dimensional radiotherapy or 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT). Eighty-seven percent of patients received cisplatinum-based chemotherapy during EBRT. Total or nearly total remission was achieved in 72% of patients. With a median follow-up duration of 37.5 months, 29% of patients died, 13% of patients had local-regional recurrence, and 25% of patients had distant metastasis. The 2-, 5-, and 10-year overall survival rates were 76%, 62%, and 47%, respectively, and the progression-free survival rates were 68%, 62%, and 58%, respectively. We evaluated prognostic factors for overall survival and progression-free survival. The most important prognostic factor was the radiotherapy technique. The survival curves were estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method, and differences were assessed using the log-rank test; a p-value<0.05 was considered significant.
Regulation of ion homeostasis in rice subjected to salt and alkali stresses

Alkali stress has shown a strong effect on K/Na homeostasis than salt stress in many plants. In this study, rice seedlings were subjected to salt stress (NaCl:Na2SO4 = 9:1; pH 5.45) or alkali stress (NaHCO3:Na2CO3 = 9:1; pH 9.05). The contents of Na , K, and inorganic anions and organic acids in the stressed seedlings were then measured. Then, the expression of some genes related to K/Na metabolism such as OsHKT, OsNHX and OsHAK families, the SOS pathway and OsAKT1 were assayed to investigate ion homeostasis and the regulative functions of these genes in rice alkali-tolerance. The results indicated that, alkali stress clearly reduced the contents of inorganic anions in rice, induced the massive influx of Na and a deficiency of K in roots, and disrupted Na/K homeostasis and charge balance compared with salt stress (NaCl:Na2SO4 = 9:1; pH 5.45). Salt stress only has small effects on the OsHAK, OsNHX and OsHKT families and the OsAKT1 and SOS pathways in rice, but alkali stress strongly stimulated their expression in roots and shoots. These findings suggested that the rice OsHKT family, OsNHX family and SOS pathway might play important roles in protecting shoots from high-Na injury caused by alkali stress, especially in controlling Na transport from roots to shoots. Under alkali stress, the overexpression of OsHAKs and OsAKT1 might contribute to the release of K from roots to shoots or the K uptake by roots and maintain the potassium nutrition supply of shoots. The responses of these genes to alkali stress indicated that they might play important roles in rice alkali tolerance. Therefore, we propose that these genes have the potential for use in alkali tolerance and should be investigated further.
Borderline functioning and life trauma: a structural approach

Material and methods: The research project was based on a sequential design. It included an exploratory study with 206 persons experiencing exclusion and marginalization, followed by a confirmatory study with 195 persons. We present the confirmatory study results, as well as a meta-analysis of both studies. Both studies were based on an integrated quantitative and qualitative research methodology, combining a semi-structured biographical interview, psychometric scales (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Index of WellBeing) and a projective test (Rotter Incomplete Sentences Blank). We developed original rating scales for the semi-structured interview and the answers to the Rotter test, allowing a step from qualitative analysis to inferential and multidimensional statistics.
Transfer ImageNet for Medical Image Analyzing Using Unsupervised Learning

˗˗Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) is powerful tool for image analyzing. It has demonstrated its success in multiple tasks. But requirement of large amount of annotated samples prohibits its widely using in medical image analyzing. This project explores using unsupervised convolutional auto-encoder (CAE) for fine-tuning CNN trained on ImageNet for medical images analyzing. The fine-tuned CNN then is test on a task for landmark estimation. Compared with CNN without unsupervised fine-tuning, CNN adjusted by CAE achieves 22% less average error on four landmarks.
Updates on Metabolism in Lactic Acid Bacteria in Light of “Omic” Technologies

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) comprise highly diverse bacterial genus and species characterized with a common feature, the ability to produce lactic acid from the fermentation of carbohydrates. Sugar metabolism of LAB together with other metabolic capacities such as proteolytic activity, production of aroma compounds and bioactive peptides, have been exploited throughout the world in the processing by fermentation of various food types, including milk, meat and plants. These bacteria are essential for the preservation of food and for maintaining and/or enhancing its organoleptic and nutritional quality. Studies on the wide metabolic capacity of LAB considering the use of different carbon and nitrogen sources and exploring their complex regulatory circuits are the main areas of current research on these bacteria. Moreover, high-throughput technologies and the exponentially growing data bases of complete genome sequences of different LAB species, as well as all other large-scale omic-techniques combined with systems biology, bring about a constant need for updating current knowledge in LAB biology. Furthermore, it addresses strategies to exploit such knowledge into the rational design and use of LAB strains with increased industrial and consumer functionality.
Predicting bid prices by using machine learning methods

ABSTRACT It is well-known that empirical analysis suffers from multicollinearity and high dimensionality. In particular, this is much more severe in an empirical study of itemized bids in highway procurement auctions. To overcome this obstacle, this article employs the regularized linear regression for the estimation of a more precise interval for project winning bids. The approach is put to the test using empirical data of highway procurement auctions in Vermont. In our empirical analysis, we first choose a set of crucial tasks that determine a bidder’s bid amounts by using the random forest variable selection method. Given the selected tasks, project bid forecasting is conducted. We compare our proposed methodology with the least square linear model based on the bias and the standard root mean square error of the bid estimates. There is evidence supporting that the suggested approach provides superior forecasts for an interval of winning bids over the competing model. As far as we know, this article is the first attempt to provide reference bids of highway construction contracts.
Comparison of the dielectric properties for doped and undoped TiO2 thin films

The dielectric properties of TiO 2 thin films have been investigated on ITO/TiO 2 /Au structures for a large domain of signal frequencies (10 2 Hz-10 6 Hz). At 100Hz, the values of the electric capacitance increases from 5.22nF to 22nF, by doping with Nb (0.35 at. %) and to 10.2nF by doping with Ce (0.4 at. %). This increase is correlated with the increase of the dielectric constant of the film. At 100 Hz, the dielectric constant increase from 83.6 for the undoped sample, to 179 by doping with Ce and to 108, by doping with Fe. Nb impurities determine a large increase of the dielectric constant, till 371, which is very important in fabricating capacitors. The dependence of dielectric loss versus frequency was also examined.
Serum Soluble ST2 as a Novel Inflammatory Marker in Acute Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND Soluble ST2 (sST2) receptor is secreted and detectable in human serum, which acts as a decoy receptor for interleukin (IL)-33 to prevent IL-33-mediated Th2 immune responses. Recently, elevated serum sST2 has been found to be a novel biomarker in cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure and atherosclerosis. Here, we studied the role of sST2 in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and its relationship with several inflammatory markers. METHODS The study included 112 patients with first-ever acute ischemic stroke, who were admitted within 48 hours after stroke onset. The serum levels of sST2 and IL-33 were measured with ELISA and the severity of AIS patients was evaluated based on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score. The cerebral infarct volume was calculated according to the Pullicino formula based on the cranial CT scan or MRI. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and serum amyloid A protein (SAA) were measured using the latex-enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay. RESULTS The serum sST2 level was significantly increased in patients with AIS compared to the control patients without AIS. In addition, the concentration of serum sST2 increased with the infarct volume and the severity of AIS evaluated based on the NIHSS score. Furthermore, the sST2 level correlated positively with the inflammatory marker hs-CRP. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that sST2 may be used as a novel diagnostic and predicting inflammatory marker in AIS.
NUMERICAL SYNTHESIS DESIGN OF COUPLED RES- ONATOR FILTERS

This paper proposes a methodology for numerically synthesizing element values of coupled resonator filters. These element values are compatible in retrieving coupling matrix of a cross-coupled quadruplet structure (also known as the folded structure). Differed from direct synthesis by matrix rotation, numerical solution has been adopted here to its equivalent coupling model. For varied specified return loss, numerical solutions of these element values have been derived and their accuracy is verified with their analytical counterparts to be extended for stringent design requirement. In addition, multiple sets of data are tabulated and categorized for efficient filter synthesis design under different specified pass-band return loss. In the end, an example quadruplet filter is designed, fabricated and measured for validation of the presented synthesis design methodology.
Advancing CRM Initiatives with Knowledge Management 1

In recent years, companies have integrated their customer relationship management (CRM) and knowledge management (KM) efforts because they realize that KM plays a key role in CRM success. In this article we analyze the performance outcomes of these efforts. For this purpose, we will present a cross-case analysis which is complemented by quantitative data derived from a survey among CRM executives in the German-speaking area. The case studies that we conducted can be considered “good practices” that enhance CRM initiatives by applying knowledge for, from or about customers. From the case studies’ findings we identify key success factors for implementing knowledge-based CRM initiatives by means of an orchestrated approach that considers strategy, processes, systems and change management aspects. Apart from these practical recommendations, we also discuss further research issues in the domain of customer knowledge management.
Distribution and habitats of the alien invader freshwater snail Physa acuta in South Africa

This article focuses on the geographical distribution and habitats of the invader freshwater snail species Physa acuta as reflected by samples taken from 758 collection sites on record in the database of the National Freshwater Snail Collection (NFSC) at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University. This species is currently the second most widespread alien invader freshwater snail species in South Africa. The 121 different loci (1/16- degree squares) from which the samples were collected, reflect a wide but discontinuous distribution mainly clustered around the major ports and urban centres of South Africa. Details of each habitat as described by collectors during surveys were statistically analysed, as well as altitude and mean annual air temperatures and rainfall for each locality. This species was reported from all types of water-bodies represented in the database, but the largest number of samples was recovered from dams and rivers. Chi-square and effect size values were calculated and an integrated decision tree constructed from the data which indicated that temperature, altitude and types of water-bodies were the important factors that significantly influenced the distribution of P. acuta in South Africa. Its slow progress in invading the relatively undisturbed water-bodies in the Kruger National Park as compared to the recently introduced invader freshwater snail species, Tarebia granifera, is briefly discussed.
A Description of Variation in Fecundity Between Two Populations of Wolf Spider Rabidosa rabida in Searcy Arkansas Using Brood Size Measurements

Fecundity, a very important population variable, can be estimated by measuring the number of juveniles hatching out of individual egg sacs. Rabidosa rabida is a large wolf spider that is common in Arkansas and much of the eastern portion of North America. This study attempts to expand previous estimates of variation in fecundity made for this species by Reed and Nicholas in Mississippi. In an attempt to determine baseline variation in a common arthropod predator, we hypothesized that a significant variation would be found in fecundity estimates between two populations of R. rabida in Arkansas. We also hypothesized that this variation would be similar to the variation reported in Mississippi. Two populations of R. rabida were collected in late August and early September of 2016. The egg sacs were allowed to hatch while both the mothers and juveniles were placed in alcohol, with the exception of twenty from each mother which were photographically measured. A comparison was made between the two populations and between variation measured by Reed and Nicholas. We found significant variation between brood size of the two populations in Arkansas similar in magnitude to what was found in Mississippi. We did not find any significant difference in size of juveniles or mothers between the two locations similar to what was found in Mississippi. Observing patterns in these traits provide a starting point for comparison to future measurements which may aid in quantifying differences in populations. A lack of descriptive data for arthropod species has been a challenge in ecological and conservation studies.
THE CONCENTRATION EFFECT OF MAGNETIC IRON OXIDE NANOPARTICLES ON TEMPERATURE CHANGE FOR HYPERTHERMIC DRUG RELEASE APPLICATIONS VIA AC MAGNETIC FIELD

NANOPARTICLES ON TEMPERATURE CHANGE FOR HYPERTHERMIC DRUG RELEASE APPLICATIONS VIA AC MAGNETIC FIELD Seyed Nasr Tabatabaei, Sylvain Martel Nanorobotics Laboratory, Department of Computer and Software Engineering, École Polytechnique de Montréal, CANADA ABSTRACT: Magnetic Nanoparticles (MNP) can be used as nano-sized heat sources that are capable of dissipating uniformly distributed heat at the target tissue when they are placed in an AC magnetic field. They can be integrated along with anticancer medications inside thermo-sensitive gel type micro-carriers where they can be used as hyperthermic drug release agents and trigger release upon change in their temperature. In this work we tested the rate of change of temperature versus time for three concentration groups of 10, 25 and 50 mg Fe/ml magnetic fluid nanoparticles. Promising results demonstrated a linearly increasing trend between concentration of MNP and temperature change.
Multiculturalism and Growth: Skill-Specific Evidence from the Post-World War II Period

This paper empirically revisits the impact of multiculturalism (as proxied by indices of birthplace diversity and polarization among immigrants, or by epidemiological terms) on the macroeconomic performance of US states over the 1960-2010 period. We test for skill-specific effects of multiculturalism, controlling for standard growth regressors and a variety of fixed effects, and accounting for the age of entry and legal status of immigrants. To identify causation, we compare various instrumentation strategies used in the existing literature. We provide converging and robust evidence of a positive and significant effect of diversity among college-educated immigrants on GDP per capita. Overall, a 10% increase in high-skilled diversity raises GDP per capita by 6.2%. On the contrary, diversity among less educated immigrants has insignificant effects. Also, we find no evidence of a quadratic effect or a contamination by economic conditions in poor countries.
A Comparative Evaluation of Traceability in CJK Internet

In this paper, we evaluate the traceability in IP traceback systems(IP-TBSs) by deployment simulation. In general, the traceabil- ity of attack sources or attack paths is expected to improve with the number of autonomous systems(ASes) participate in such systems. How- ever, since there are various types of AS, such as core AS and leaf AS, the traceability would be would be aected by the types of network topology and/or the deployment scenario. Herein, we employ 3 types of emulated Internet topologies that resemble the inter-AS topology in China, Japan, and South Korea. We use 4 types of deployment scenarios to estimate the traceability of attack sources and attack paths. On the basis of the obtained results, we discuss the deployment scenario in each network region and demonstrate our scenario used in the eld test conducted in the scal year 2009.
The Significance of Liquid Biopsy in Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal types of cancer. The 5-year survival rate for PDAC remains low because it is always diagnosed at an advanced stage and it is resistant to therapy. A biomarker, which could detect asymptomatic premalignant or early malignant tumors and predict the response to treatment, will benefit patients with PDAC. However, traditional biopsy has its limitations. There is an urgent need for a tumor biomarker that could easily and repeatedly sample and monitor, in real time, the progress of tumor development. Liquid biopsy could be a tool to assess potential biomarkers. In this review, we focused on the latest discoveries and advancements of liquid biopsy technology in pancreatic cancer research and demonstrated how this technology is being used in clinical applications.