Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatiotemporal variability of solar radiation introduced by clouds over Arctic sea ice

Abstract. The role of clouds in recent Arctic warming is not fully understood, including their effects on the solar radiation and the surface energy budget. To investigate relevant small-scale processes in detail, the intensive Physical feedbacks of Arctic planetary boundary layer, Sea ice, Cloud and AerosoL (PASCAL) drifting ice floe station field campaign was conducted during early summer in the central arctic. During this campaign, the small-scale spatiotemporal variability of global irradiance was observed for the first time on an ice floe with a dense network of autonomous pyranometers. A total of 15 stations were deployed covering an area of 0.83 km×1.59 km from 4–16 June 2017. This unique, open-access dataset is described here, and an analysis of the spatiotemporal variability deduced from this dataset is presented for different synoptic conditions. Based on additional observations, five typical sky conditions were identified and used to determine the values of the mean and variance of atmospheric global transmittance for these conditions. Overcast conditions were observed 39.6 % of the time predominantly during the first week, with an overall mean transmittance of 0.47. The second most frequent conditions corresponded to multilayer clouds (32.4 %), which prevailed in particular during the second week, with a mean transmittance of 0.43. Broken clouds had a mean transmittance of 0.61 and a frequency of occurrence of 22.1 %. Finally, the least frequent sky conditions were thin clouds and cloudless conditions, which both had a mean transmittance of 0.76 and occurrence frequencies of 3.5 % and 2.4 %, respectively. For overcast conditions, lower global irradiance was observed for stations closer to the ice edge, likely attributable to the low surface albedo of dark open water and a resulting reduction of multiple reflections between the surface and cloud base. Using a wavelet-based multi-resolution analysis, power spectra of the time series of atmospheric transmittance were compared for single-station and spatially averaged observations and for different sky conditions. It is shown that both the absolute magnitude and the scale dependence of variability contains characteristic features for the different sky conditions.
Lung ultrasound is useful in oncohematologic patients with respiratory dysfunction admitted to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU): a pilot study.

AIMS This pilot study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of a sequential lung ultrasound score (LUS) in immunosuppressed patients with oncohematologic diseases and acute respiratory dysfunction hospitalized in an intensive care unit (ICU). MATERIALS AND METHODS LUS was calculated at ICU admission, after 24 h, 48 h and at discharge. A score ranging from 0 to 26 was attributed according to the number of B lines, presence of lung consolidation and pleural effusion. RESULTS Twenty-six patients were included. The median age was 50 years [interquartile range (IQR) 21] and 14 (54%) were male. LUS on the day of ICU admission was significantly higher in non-survivors compared to survivors (13 [5] vs 9 [9], respectively; p=0.047). The median delta LUS (LUS_D2 - LUS_D1) did not show difference between survivors and non-survivors (2 [0-7.5] vs 1 [-1.5 - 5], p=0.33). Among patients initially submitted to noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV), no difference in LUS at inclusion or after 24 h was found between those who succeeded or failed on this support. CONCLUSION The use of LUS to quantify lung aeration loss in oncohematologic patients hospitalized in an ICU due to acute respiratory dysfunction might be a helpful tool to predict the severity of the illness.
Ancient Handwritings Decomposition Into Graphemes and Codebook Generation Based on Graph Coloring

We present in this paper a new method of analysis and decomposition of handwritten documents into glyphs (graphemes) and their associated code book. The different techniques that are involved in this paper are inspired by image processing methods in a large sense and mathematical models implying graph coloring. Our approaches provide firstly a rapid and detailed characterization of handwritten shapes based on dynamic tracking of the handwriting (curvature, thickness, direction, etc.) and also a very efficient analysis method for the categorization of basic shapes (graphemes). The tools that we have produced enable paleographers to study quickly and more accurately a large volume of manuscripts and to extract a large number of characteristics that are specific to individual writer or specific era.
Intra-Abdominal Hypertension and Abdominal Compartment Syndrome in Liver Diseases

Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) is defined as an intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) above 12 mmHg. Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is defined as an IAP above 20 mmHg with evidence of organ failure. Moreover, IAH/ACS is a condition that can cause acute renal failure, respiratory failure, circulatory disease, gastrointestinal dys function, and liver failure due to elevated IAP. The incidence of IAH/ACS increases in the more critically ill patient and is associated with significantly increased morbidity and mortality. Ascites, blood, or tumors increase IAP. In liver cirrhosis, massive ascites is often encountered. Hence, preventing IAH/ACS conditions may improve outcomes of patients with liver disease.
Intra-catchment variability of surface saturation – insights from physically based simulations in comparison with biweekly thermal infrared image observations

Abstract. In this study, we explored the spatio-temporal variability of surface saturation within a forested headwater catchment using a combined simulation–observation approach. We simulated the occurrence of surface saturation in the Weierbach catchment (Luxembourg) with the physically based model HydroGeoSphere. We confronted the simulation with thermal infrared images that we acquired during a 2-year mapping campaign for seven distinct riparian areas with weekly to biweekly recurrence frequency. Observations and simulations showed similar saturation dynamics across the catchment. The observed and simulated relation of surface saturation to catchment discharge resembled a power law relationship for all investigated riparian areas but varied to a similar extent, as previously observed between catchments of different morphological and topographical characteristics. The observed spatial patterns and frequencies of surface saturation varied between and within the investigated areas and the model reproduced these spatial variations well. The good performance of the simulation suggested that surface saturation in the Weierbach catchment is largely controlled by exfiltration of groundwater into local topographic depressions. However, the simulated surface saturation contracted faster than observed, the simulated saturation dynamics were less variable between the investigated areas than observed, and the match of simulated and observed saturation patterns was not equally good in all investigated riparian areas. These mismatches between observations and simulation highlight that the intra-catchment variability of surface saturation must also result from factors that were not considered in the model set-up, such as differing subsurface structures or a differing persistence of surface saturation due to local morphological features like perennial springs.
Vitamin D status of healthy coastal fishermen of Bangladesh

Background and objectives: Vitamin D deficiency is now a global concern. Industrialization, urbanization and the decreasing participation in outdoor activities, with consequent sunlight deprivation, are thought to be the key factors in the increasing prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among general population of many countries. It is presumed that healthy, adequately sun-exposed people should maintain adequate vitamin D levels. However, studies within this population are scarce. Hence, this study was conducted to find out the actual vitamin D status in healthy, adequately sun-exposed population living in coastal district of Bangladesh. Material and Methods: One hundred and forty healthy fishermen living in costal district of Cox’s Bazar (21 0 25' North, 91 0 59' East) of Bangladesh were enrolled in this study. Relevant data and blood samples were collected during August 2018, one of the months with lower zenith angle and higher UV index. Chemiluminescent micro-particle immunoassay (CMIA) was used to measure 25-hydroxy vitamin D3. Other relevant biochemical parameters measured were random blood glucose (RBG), serum creatinine, albumin, calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH). Results: Mean vitamin D level of the study population was 27.04±7.20 ng/ml. Based on the cut off value of Endocrine Society, 70.7% of the study population had low vitamin D levels of which 26 (18.6%) and 73 (52.1%) were in vitamin D deficient (<20ng/ml) and insufficient (20 – 29.99 ng/ml) categories respectively. Vitamin D level was normal in 41 (29.3%) subjects. There was no significant difference in iPTH level between groups with low and normal vitamin D levels (p>.05, 95%CI= -5.68226, 1.21086). Conclusion: The unexpectedly high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in this healthy and adequately sun-exposed population raises the question regarding the validity of the current cutoff value being used to assess the vitamin D status of Bangladeshi population. Future studies should be carried out to determine nation-specific, local cutoff values for vitamin D sufficiency. IMC J Med Sci 2019; 13(2): 006. EPub date: 21 September 2019
Study on consumer preferences towards organic food in the market of Split

Since the nineties of the last century, ecological products have become increasingly important in the market, and given that scientists have pro and contra arguments of ecological breeding, the main purpose of this paper was to determine the consumer’s preferences towards ecological food; the importance of certain characteristics and deterrents on the purchase of organic food; in the market of Split. For this survey we randomly recruited 113 participants in Split, Croatia. Surveyed consumers when purchasing organic food of the greatest importance consider protection of the environment, and at the least important they retain the taste. The most significant constraint on purchasing organic food of surveyed consumers is the high cost of the product, and the least important is the lack of marketing. Given the size of the sample, surveyed consumers are a typical target group of consumers of organic food.
Decision-Making Modeling and Evaluation of E-Trust in B2C E-Commerce with Using Colored Petri Nets

Since doing any transaction in online environment requires mutual trust, thus, according to an electronic-environment that lack face-to-face meeting of both parties and the possibility of visible and physical touch of what is being traded, the security and trust will lead to doing transaction with the acceptance of risk. This issue is the major challenge in gaining trust in e-commerce. In this paper, decision-making in e-commerce was modeled and then the level of trust in e-commerce was assessed using CP-Nets by identifying, introducing and evaluating the variables affecting decision-making. The results of the study indicate that corporate factors and business model have the greatest impact on customers' decision-making to trust or distrust in e-commerce for fulfilment of every e-transactions.
COPD_A_228958 225..233

1Department of Public Health and Nursing, NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway; 2Centre for Clinical Documentation and Evaluation (SKDE), Northern Norway Regional Health Authority, Tromsø, Norway; 3Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway; 4Clinic of Thoracic and Occupational Medicine, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway; 5Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Department of Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; 6Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; 7School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada; 8HUNT Research Centre, Department of Public Health and Nursing, NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Levanger, Norway; 9K.G. Jebsen Center for Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Public Health and Nursing, NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
Quality Management System and Environmental Management System: What is Its Role in Manufacturing Industry

Management standards are internationally recognized and have been widely used by various manufacturing industries in industrial estate, which are environmental management systems and quality management systems. There is guarantee of product quality and existence of environmental performance guarantees in accordance with procedures that must be adhered to so that it can convince various parties related to stressed business professionals. Utilization of two types of standards is expected to increase business competitiveness, especially in manufacturing industry. In addition, quality management systems and environmental management systems are market demand in business competition to provide quality products, safe for consumers, and meet various safety and environmental preservation requirements. The company's efforts to develop management systems through monitoring and measurement, compliance obligations, operational controls, and environmental issues so as to improve environmental performance are an important part of the application of environmental management standards. Continuous improvement, customers focus and relationship management is an effort to increase customer satisfaction so as to improve competitiveness in the manufacturing industry through application of quality management. Commitment from various available resources is needed to be able to implement two management systems consistently. Research was conducted to test the effect of environmental management and quality management systems on corporate identity and its impact on the competitiveness of manufacturing industry. Hypothesis testing to answer this research is done through structural equation modelling. Findings obtained in this study that environmental management system and quality management system have significant effect on corporate identity and have significant impact on competitiveness of manufacturing industry. To strengthen the competitiveness of manufacturing industry by implementing environmental management system and quality management system consistently as a company's effort to have an identity to add value and be accepted by consumers.
Design and Manufacturing of Vermicompost Cleaning Machine

Vermicomposting is an innovative technology trend that has attracted many young entrepreneurs. It makes use of certain kind of earthworms to convert organic solid waste into vermicompost. Vermicomposting pit consist of worm casting, undigested organic matter and live worms altogether. The manual process of separation of vermicast and live worms is a very time consuming and cumbersome process. Therefore, in this paper design schemes for manufacturing of vermicompost cleaning machine has been introduced. The end result depict that the vermicompost cleaning machine requires a lot less time and labor as compared to manual cleaning. Keywords—Vermicomposting; worm castings; earthworms; seive;
“A MULTIDIMENSIONAL QUALITY OF EMPLOYMENT INDEX PROPOSAL USING A LABOUR SURVEY IN CENTRAL AMERICA”

The quality of employment is a much-neglected issue in developing countries, especially in Latin America. However, the increased awareness on the importance of the qualitative dimensions of employment for well-being has pushed for a renewed attention on this issue in the Region. This new interest on a broader understanding of employment changing profiles faces the challenge of creating a conceptually accurate, empirically plausible and policy-relevant measurements. To addresses this challenge, this work builds on the Alkire and Foster's (2011) method to construct a composite Quality of Employment Index (QoE) and explore on its outcomes across six Central American countries based on a labour survey dataset. The dataset used for this empirical illustration is the Encuesta Centroamericana sobre Condiciones de Trabajo y Salud (ECCTS) a regional labour conditions and health survey applied in the selected countries in 2011. This paper aims to reflect the complex and multidimensional nature of the quality of employment by addressing key dimensions identified in the literature and promoted by different stakeholders. In particular, the index encompasses four dimensions considered to be crucial to this concept, and that can be measured based on the data available: quality of labour earnings, employment stability, employment security and employment conditions. The Index results allow ranking the countries according to their quality of index performance. The QoE Index results enable us to list the selected countries according to their different performance; with Guatemala and Honduras presenting poor results in the overall measurement, El Salvador and Nicaragua in the middle range of achievement, and Panama and Costa Rica with the highest performance. The QoE Index presents several advantages as it delivers a measure simple to estimate and easy to understand. This Index is also decomposable in subgroups and according to each dimension and indicator contributions to the overall quality of employment results. At the same time, this work comprises a discussion of the limitations regarding data availability to extend this methodology to other countries, and debate on the advantages of the index in comparison to other indicators.
Proposal of a simplified criterion to estimate second order global effects in reinforced concrete buildings

Resumo This work proposes a new simplified parameter for the calculation of second order global effects, based on the Galerkin’s Method by Weighted Residuals. The proposed criterion was analysed based on 21 planar frames associated with shear wall, reaching results that present satisfactory accuracy compared to the second order global analysis, even for cases where the γz coefficient is greater than 1.30.
The impact of changes in labor relations on mortality rates in Russia

Purpose. The purpose of the study is to assess the indicators characterizing a comprehensive change in social and labor relations in Russia for the period 1992-2016 and the subsequent change in the indicators of total mortality and mortality of the working-age population. Methodology/approach. Economic analysis and grouping of empirical data, construction of dynamic series and their visualization were performed. The research period is the entire postSoviet stage of social and labor relations development, i.e. from 1992 up to the present. Results. 1) the complex impact of the change in the state of social and labor relations on the population mortality rates and on the development of existing proven dependencies was estimated; 2) previously identified deferred impact of the income factor on the working age population mortality rate was confirmed; a similar influence of the labor conditions factor was revealed; 3) the influence of the working day's duration factor was observed; 4) the coincidence of the changes trends in the population death rate with the stages of social and labor relations transformation was confirmed: proto-transformation, partial transformation and complete transformation. Conclusions. Practitioners can use these results in developing directions to reduce mortality and improve working life quality; researchers can use these results as a basic hypothesis for determining the degree of mortality rates dependence on social and labor relations indicators.
Applications of Tropical Geometry in Deep Neural Networks

Applications of Tropical Geometry in Deep Neural Networks Motasem H. A. Alfarra This thesis tackles the problem of understanding deep neural network with piecewise linear activation functions. We leverage tropical geometry, a relatively new field in algebraic geometry to characterize the decision boundaries of a single hidden layer neural network. This characterization is leveraged to understand, and reformulate three interesting applications related to deep neural network. First, we give a geometrical demonstration of the behaviour of the lottery ticket hypothesis. Moreover, we deploy the geometrical characterization of the decision boundaries to reformulate the network pruning problem. This new formulation aims to prune network parameters that are not contributing to the geometrical representation of the decision boundaries. In addition, we propose a dual view of adversarial attack that tackles both designing perturbations to the input image, and the equivalent perturbation to the decision boundaries.
Cash is King Revaluation and the Medium of Exchange in Merger Bids

Returns to merger announcements are commonly used to measure the expected value created by mergers. We provide evidence that a signi cant portion reects, instead, a revaluation of the target. Using a sample of unsuccessful merger bids from 1980 to 2008, we show that targets of cash o¤ers are revalued by +15% after deal failure. Stock bids, on the other hand, do not seem to provide target information: targets with equity o¤ers revert to their pre-announcement levels after deal failure. The results are not driven by future takeover activity since cash targets are not signi cantly more likely to receive future merger bids. The results are also independent of the speci c type of reason for deal failure. Our ndings, as well as the observed value changes in acquirers, are consistent with cash bids indicating target undervaluation while stock bids signal acquirer overvaluation. JEL classi cation: G14, G34, D03, D82