Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The GlobMODEL Demonstrator: Assimilation of New Satellite Products in an Operational Meteorological Center

As part of its Data User Element programme, the European Space Agency funded the GlobMODEL project which aimed at investigating the scientific, technical, and organizational issues associated with the use and exploitation of remotely-sensed observations, particularly from new sounders. A pilot study was performed as a ldquodemonstratorrdquo of the GlobMODEL idea, based on the use of new data, with a strong European heritage, not yet assimilated operationally. Two parallel assimilation experiments were performed, using either total column ozone or ozone profiles retrieved at the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI). In both cases, the impact of assimilating OMI data in addition to the total ozone columns from the SCanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for Atmospheric CartograpHY (SCIAMACHY) on the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) ozone analyses was assessed by means of independent measurements. We found that the impact of OMI total columns is mainly limited to the region between 20 and 80 hPa, and is particularly important at high latitudes in the Southern hemisphere where the stratospheric ozone transport and chemical depletion are generally difficult to model with accuracy. Furthermore, the assimilation experiments carried out in this work suggest that OMI DOAS (Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy) total ozone columns are on average larger than SCIAMACHY total columns by up to 3 DU, while OMI total columns derived from OMI ozone profiles are on average about 8 DU larger than SCIAMACHY total columns. At the same time, the demonstrator brought to light a number of issues related to the assimilation of atmospheric composition profiles, such as the shortcomings arising when the vertical resolution of the instrument is not properly accounted for in the assimilation. The GlobMODEL demonstrator accelerated scientific and operational utilization of new observations and its results prompted ECMWF to start the operational assimilation of OMI total column ozone data.
An Atomistic/Continuum Coupling Method Using Enriched Bases

A common observation from an atomistic to continuum coupling method is that the error is often generated and concentrated near the interface, where the two models are combined. In this paper, a new method is proposed to suppress the error at the interface, and as a consequence, the overall accuracy is improved. The method is motivated by formulating the molecular mechanics model as a two-stage minimization problem. In particular, it is demonstrated that the error at the interface can be considerably reduced when new basis functions are introduced in a Galerkin projection formalism. The improvement of the accuracy is illustrated by two examples. Further, comparison with some quasi--continuum-type methods is provided.
Establishment of a murine model of malignant mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive tumour of the serosal cavities which is associated with previous asbestos exposure and is generally found to be resistant to conventional forms of therapy. Adequate scientific and clinical assessment of this disease has been severely limited by the relatively low incidence of mesothelioma and the lack of representative cell lines and animal models. The purpose of this study was to develop an asbestos‐induced murine model of MM both as an in vivo‐passaged malignancy and as in vitro‐established cell lines. Such a model system would be invaluable for use in the study of various cellular, molecular and genetic aspects of the disease, and for the pre‐clinical evaluation of potential therapeutic agents. BALB/c and CBA mice were injected intraperitoneally with crocidolite asbestos. Seven to 25 months after exposure, 35% of the mice developed mesothelioma (5 BALB/c, 9 CBA), as determined by standard cytological and histological parameters. From these primary tumours, 12 continuously growing cell lines (5 BALB/c, 7 CBA) were established in culture. All have been confirmed as mesothelioma by cytological and ultrastructural (electron microscopy) analyses. These lines have been in culture for 7 to 24 months and have achieved passages above 32 (range 32 to 106). As in the human disease, the murine mesothelioma lines vary in their morphology and growth rates (doubling times ranging from 14 to 30 hr). All cell lines produced tumours when injected into syngeneic mice. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Maudsley Staging Method for treatment-resistant depression: prediction of longer-term outcome and persistence of symptoms.

OBJECTIVE A recently proposed multidimensional method of staging treatment resistance in depression, the Maudsley Staging Method (MSM), has been shown to predict short-term outcome of treatment. This study tested whether the MSM predicts longer-term clinical outcome. We hypothesized that patients with higher scores on the MSM would experience a worse longer-term outcome in terms of time spent in a depressive episode and level of functional impairment. METHOD From May through July of 2008, we followed up patients with treatment-resistant depression discharged from an inpatient unit of an affective disorders service; all had MSM scores previously calculated from preadmission clinical data. We used the Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation (LIFE) chart to determine the monthly symptomatic course of depression blind to initial MSM scores. We employed a regression model to adjust for various confounding factors, including variable duration of follow-up, to determine the independent association of MSM scores with persistence of depressive disorder. RESULTS We assessed 62 of 80 eligible patients (78%) in a median follow-up duration (interquartile range) of 29.5 (19.0-52.5) months. The MSM independently predicted (1) being in an episode for 50% or longer of the follow-up duration (OR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.25 to 3.57), (2) being in an episode at the time of follow-up assessment (OR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.17 to 3.05), (3) being persistently in an episode throughout the follow-up period (OR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.14 to 3.54), and (4) total months spent in a depressive episode (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.06 to 1.40). The MSM also predicted functional impairment. Antidepressant count and the Thase and Rush model did not independently predict persistence of depression or functional impairment. CONCLUSION The MSM appears to have reasonable predictive validity regarding the longer-term course of illness, particularly persistence of depressive episodes. The MSM may be a useful, and possibly an improved, alternative to existing models of staging of treatment-resistant depression.
Characterization of pulse radiation by CRLH leaky-wave antennas using a time-domain Green’s function approach

For the first-time to the authorspsila knowledge, pulse radiation by a LWA antenna has been characterized, using a novel time-domain Greenpsilas function approach. This characterization has been performed for both a CRLH LWA element and for a CRLH LWA array in the case of a Gaussian pulse modulated by a CW and by a chirp. In the former case, spectrograms have been computed and shown to be in perfect agreement with full-wave FDTD results. In the latter case, instantaneous beam motion under chirp-modulated pulse excitation has been described with possible application to instantaneous radar scanning. In all cases, the proposed method is extremely flexible and fast, because the time dependence of the fields is intrinsically contained in the Greenpsilas function and does not suffer of any restriction such as typical stability conditions in completely numerical time-domain methods.
Blood Flow Changes to the Femoral Head After Acetabular Fracture or Dislocation in the Acute Injury and Perioperative Periods

Objectives Acute blood flow to the femoral head has been postulated to be affected negatively by traumatic acetabular fracture or dislocation. To the best of our knowledge, a prospective study that has examined acute changes in blood flow to the femoral head with respect to the timing of reduction and the effect of open reduction and internal fixation after acetabular fracture or dislocations has not been performed. Design and Setting From June 1994 to February 1996, fifty-four consecutive patients with hip dislocations with or without fractures of the acetabulum were entered into this investigation. The patients were categorized into three groups: isolated dislocations, fractures or dislocations requiring open reduction and internal fixation, and isolated acetabular fractures without dislocation but requiring open reduction and internal fixation. Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scans were obtained after relocations and preoperatively and postoperatively after open reduction and internal fixation of displaced acetabular fractures. Results The median dislocation time for all patients flow was 4.00 hours (range 1 to 24 hours). SPECT scanning showed a low blood flow pattern in five (9.25 percent) patients. A low blood flow pattern was seen in patients with early and late relocation times. Open reduction and internal fixation was not statistically associated with an avascular pattern of blood flow. Forty-two (78 percent) of our patients were available for follow-up, with an average of 24.3 months and a minimum of one year. There was one false-positive, one false-negative, and thirty-eight true-negative scans. Conclusions A global loss of scintillation in the femoral head as determined by SPECT scanning occurs in some patients with hip dislocations and fractures or dislocations of the acetabulum in the early injury period. Changes in blood flow occurred in patients with short (one hour) and long (twenty-four hours) dislocation times. However, the development of avascular necrosis could not be predicted by early SPECT scanning. Until further multicenter studies are performed, SPECT scanning cannot be recommended on an acute or routine basis to predict those patients who will develop avascular necrosis. Operative approaches for open reduction of the hip and internal fixation of acetabular fractures do not appear to affect blood flow to the femoral head. Although a golden time to relocation cannot be fully established from this study, early relocation is advised to decrease the potential risk of vascular spasm, scarring, and subsequent avascular necrosis.
Flexural Ductility Behavior of Strengthened Reinforced Concrete Beams Using Steel and CFRP Plates

Reinforced concrete beams are commonly retrofitted using Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) plates as the technique is both inexpensive and unobtrusive. However, tests have shown that CFRP plates tend to debond at low strains, which can severely limit the ductility. Structural strengthening of beams subjected to flexure can be achieved using different retrofitting materials. The mostly used other retrofitting materials are; high strength galvanized steel plates (HSGS plates) and normal strength steel plates (NSS plates). This paper reports the behavior of retrofitted beams with each of these three materials. The experimental results of this study suggest that (HSGS plates) can be used to increase the strength of reinforced concrete structures with little, if any, loss of ductility.
ANTIGENIC DRIFT IN INFLUENZA A VIRUSES I . Selection and Characterization of Antigenic Variants of A / PR / 8 / 34 [ HON 1 ] Influenza Virus with Monoclonal Antibodies *

It is well establ ished tha t the hemagglu t in in (HA) 1 molecule of influenza virus is highly var iable and frequently exhibi ts ant igenic changes (1-3). In na ture the spontaneously ar is ing mutan t s are l ikely to be overgrown by the paren t virus, unless the muta t ion provides the var ian t wi th a selective growth advantage, such as the abi l i ty to replicate in the presence of antibodies tha t neutral ize the parenta l virus s t rain. This is thought to be the basis of the minor ant igenic changes (drift) tha t occur continuously in na ture in a par t i a l ly immune host population dur ing interpandemic periods and tha t sporadical ly lead to new epidemic virus strains. Exper imenta l support for this mechanism of ant igenic drift has been obtained in many previous studies in which ant igenic var iants have been shown to emerge if influenza virus is grown, in vivo or in vitro, in the presence of subneutra l iz ing doses of ant i -vi ra l an t i se rum (4-8). Antigenic drift, however, is stil l l i t t le understood at the molecular level. I t is not known, for example, whether a single amino acid subst i tut ion in the ant igenic site of the HA is sufficient to cause a detectable ant igenic drift or, as suggested by Fazekas de St. Groth (9), to induce a t ransi t ion from an exist ing to a subsequent epidemic virus strain. In the present study, ant igenic var iants were selected from a cloned prepara t ion of PR8 virus by means of a monoclonal hybr idoma antibody (10). Under these exper imenta l conditions, var iant viruses could be selected in a single egg passage. The ant igenic changes exhibited by these na tu ra l ly occurring mutan t s were del ineated by means of monoclonal antibodies.
Localized intersections computation for solid modelling with straight homogenous generalized cylinders

This paper reports progress in the development of a solid modelling system combining straight homogeneous generalized cylinders through set operations. Two basic components of this system are the modules which compute the set operations between primitives and display the resulting solids using ray tracing. These two modules are also very computationally intensive as they involve a large number of surface-surface and ray-surface intersections computations. We introduce a novel hierarchical representation for straight homogeneous cylinders called Box Tree. The Box Tree is analogous to a Quadtree in parameter space. It is an exact boundary representation which describes the surface of the associated generalized cylinder by a hierarchy of enclosing boxes. We use the Box Tree to efficiently compute the set operations and ray tracing algorithms by localizing the search for intersections to the regions where they may occur. We discuss complexity issues and illustrate the performances of our modelling system on a variety of examples.
Finding the first among equals: role of cognitive styles in entrepreneurial decision-making of novices

Effectuation theory explains how expert entrepreneurs differ in decision-making during situations of high uncertainty and low information availability. Exploring the cognitive reasoning behind effectual decision-making offers fertile ground for research as well as teaching entrepreneurship. Cognitive styles have proved to be useful in studying information processing and decision-making of individuals. With increasing attention being paid to entrepreneurial, cognition, researchers have also studied the role cognitive styles in entrepreneurial decision-making. Using a sample of 400 university students from Germany and the Netherlands we investigate the relationship between the participants' cognitive style and their preference for making Causal versus Effectual decision-making. We find a strong relationship between the causal decision-making and the cognitive style index score as well as the affordable loss aspect of effectuation through our ANOVA analysis. We present our case for why these relationships matter in designing entrepreneurship education.
Screening of Agaricus bisporus (Lange, Imbach) Strains and the Casing Variables for Quality Mushroom Production in Spain

Production and quality parameters of three commercial strains of cultivated mushroom Agaricus bisporus (Lange, Imbach) were evaluated. A correlation matrix was made between the main parameters. Blancochamp BL-40, a smooth white hybrid, generally produced the greatest number of mushrooms and provided the highest yield, and its firm mushrooms showed high protein, dry matter, and soluble solid content. Pla. 8.9, a midrange hybrid type, produced mushrooms with a high protein, soluble solid, and ash content. The third strain assayed was Gurelan 45, which produced large, firm off-white mushroom crops. A correlation matrix was made between the main param- eters. In regard to the other parameters considered, no strain stood out from the others. The Rioja-type casing produced the greatest number of mushrooms, although these were smaller and harvested earlier than those produced in other casing mixtures. Soil without additives produced the largest mushrooms, which also had a higher dry matter content, were firmer, and contained more soluble solids. The other casing materials, binary mixtures of soil with sphagnum or black peat, produced mushrooms of intermediate values. The correlation matrix showed that the higher the number of mushrooms, the greater the overall yield, the smaller the size, and the earlier the first flush. It was also observed that a higher content in dry matter was correlated with firmer texture, greater contents in soluble solid and protein, and lower pH and ash content.
Prognostic Factors of Multiple Sclerosis in Lebanon

ABSTRACT Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) has a variable disease course. Identifying early predictive prognostic factors is of paramount importance. Most of the data on these factors however comes from studies performed in western countries. Such data is lacking in the Arab World. The objective of this study is to identify early predictors of disability among MS patients in Lebanon. Methods: 75 relapsing-remitting MS patients with 5 year follow-up from disease onset were selected from Project MS Lebanon database. The following parameters were studied as potential causes of early disability as defined by an EDSS ≥3, after five years from disease onset: age at onset of MS, gender, interval between first and second attack, residual deficit after first attack, initial symptoms, treatment for at least 1 year in the first 5 years, and the number of relapses in the first 2 and 5 years. Results: Patients with incomplete recovery from the first relapse were 11.66 times more likely to have a higher EDSS after 5 years (CI = 2.02–67.31, p = .001). Furthermore, the number of relapses during the first 5 years was also an independent predictor of EDSS ≥ 3 at 5 years (p = .024). Other factors were not shown to predict a worse outcome. Conclusion: Overall, early predictors of disability in MS among the Lebanese population were not very different from similar predictors in western countries.
Advanced MRI Analysis for Computer-Aided Diagnosis of Dementia

In dit proefschrift heb ik meerdere aspecten van het verbeteren van MRI-analyses voor computerondersteunde diagnose van dementie behandeld, met name gericht op het valideren en verbeteren van zulke methoden zodat deze uiteindelijk in het ziekenhuis gebruikt kunnen worden.
A dialectic view on Open Innovation

The paradigm of Open-Innovation allows software companies new forms of interactive innovation and its diffusion across socio-cultural boundaries. This process constitutes and is constituted by a heterogeneous network of interacting actors. In this interaction, seeds for innovation will be created and have to be adopted by the participants of the respective network. This paper studies the concept of Open Innovation from a dialectic perspective on innovation seeds, which regards diffusion and adoption as intertwined. Traditionally, innovation research mainly focuses on transferring processes, but in order to reflect on the interactive character of Open Innovation across socio-cultural boundaries, one has to enlarge this perspective. In this paper we have developed a theoretic model which integrates also the aspect of translation and transformation. Based on this theoretical understanding we have figured out competences to adopt innovation seeds that have been developed in a crosscultural setting. At the end of the paper we show how this model can be used to study empirically the behavior of a software company adopting externally created seeds.
Addressing the needs of Nicaraguan older adults living on the edge: A university–community partnership in international service-learning

ABSTRACT Nicaragua is a very low-income country entering a period of rapid aging with limited geriatric training for health care professionals. To help build capacity and to enhance student learning, a short-term international service-learning program was implemented in 2004 in partnership with the Jessie F. Richardson Foundation and Nicaraguan community stakeholders. Graduate and undergraduate students at Portland State University complete coursework for one term in the United States then travel to Nicaragua for about two weeks to participate in educational, research, and service activities, primarily in group homes for older Nicaraguans. Students learn about global aging, gerontology, community development, service learning, and Nicaraguan history and culture, then apply their gerontology-related knowledge by training direct care staff, older adults and their family members, and students. The authors describe the impetus for and evolution of the program, students’ evaluation of the program, faculty observations on program benefits and challenges, lessons learned, and future plans.
Antibiotic sensitivity patterns and molecular characterization of P . multocida vaccine strain and field isolates

A study was conducted to compare in-vitro antimicrobial sensitivity patterns of the vaccine strain and field isolates of Pasteurella multocida. Three strains of P. multocida isolated from cattle and buffalo, were confirmed by biochemical tests and P. multocida specific Multiplex HSB-PCR. All the three field isolates belonged to P. multocida type B: 2 with amplified products of 460bp and 590 bp. The vaccine strain and isolates were tested against 17 different antibiotics by disc diffusion. Absolute resistance was observed among the field isolates to several antibiotics. The vaccine strain was resistant to amoxicillin, ofloxacin, sulfadiazine, streptomycin and cefuroxime. Isolate PB1 was resistant to sulfadiazine, streptomycin, cefoperazone, cephotaxime and oxytetracycline; PB2 was resistant to amoxicillin, ampicillin, sparfloxacin, ofloxacin, sulfadiazine, cefuroxime, cephotaxime, oxytetracycline and ciprofloxacin; PC1 was resistant to enrofloxacin, cefuroxime, cefperazone and cephotaxime. The most effective antibiotics against the vaccine and field strains were pefloxacin, ofloaxcin, trimethoprim and sparfloxacin. The study has revealed the emergence of multidrug resistant field strains of P. multocida.
To post-edit or not to post-edit? Estimating the benefits of MT post-editing for a European organization

In the last few years the European Parliament has witnessed a significant increase in translation demand. Although Translation Memory (TM) tools, terminology databases and bilingual concordancers have provided significant leverage in terms of quality and productivity the European Parliament is in need for advanced language technology to keep facing successfully the challenge of multilingualism. This paper describes an ongoing large-scale machine translation post-editing evaluation campaign the purpose of which is to estimate the business benefits from the use of machine translation for the European Parliament. This paper focuses mainly on the design, the methodology and the tools used by the evaluators but it also presents some preliminary results for the following language pairs: Polish-English, Danish-English, Lithuanian-English, English-German and English-French.