Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estimating Age-Specific Contraceptive Use for Spacing of Childbirth for All Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa from 1985 to 2030 Using a Bayesian Hierarchical Time Series Model

ESTIMATING AGE-SPECIFIC CONTRACEPTIVE USE FOR SPACING OF CHILDBIRTH FOR ALL COUNTRIES IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA FROM 1985 TO 2030 USING A BAYESIAN HIERARCHICAL TIME SERIES MODEL SEPTEMBER 2019 GREGORY B GURANICH B.Sc., UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST M.S., UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST Directed by: Professor Leontine Alkema Contraceptive usage for spacing of childbirth is an important indicator for understanding family planning practices as well as fertility transitions. Fertility transitions are especially important in sub-Saharan Africa where fertility remains high in many countries. However, estimates and short-term projections are generally not available for countries in this region. We developed a Bayesian hierarchical time series model to estimate and project usage of contraceptives for spacing by 5-year age groups for all countries in sub-Saharan Africa for the years 1985-2030. Estimating country-agev year specific usage is challenging due to limited data availability. We use Bayesian hierarchical models to share information across countries and spline regression to share information across age groups. Temporal changes are captured with logistic growth curves and autocorrelated distortion terms. Models are validated with out of sample exercises which test the model’s ability to project into the future as well as the models ability to estimate historical trends. Validation results show the model is well calibrated. Estimates reveal noteworthy variability across countries and across age groups.
Anthropogenic Air Pollution Delays Marine Stratocumulus Breakup to Open Cells

Marine stratocumulus cloud (Sc) decks with high cloud fraction typically breakup when sufficient drizzle forms. Cloud breakup leads to a lower cloud radiative effect due to the lower cloud amount. Here we use realistic Lagrangian large eddy simulations along a 3‐day trajectory, evaluated with satellite observations, to investigate the timing of Sc breakup in response to aerosol conditions. We show that the timing of the breakup is strongly modulated by the diurnal cycle and large‐scale meteorology but varies systematically with the initial aerosol concentration: the more polluted the clouds, the later the breakup. This indicates that the cloud radiative effect via cloud cover adjustments is not saturated, in contrast to the effect of aerosol on cloud albedo at fixed cloudiness, which weakens with increasing aerosol levels. The results also show that the cloud radiative impact of anthropogenic aerosol is strongest far from its origin over land.
Effect of natural coagulant on the treatment of polluted river water

The effectiveness of chemicals as coagulants is well-recognized. However, the disadvantages associated with their usage such as high procurement costs, detrimental effects on human health, production of large sludge volumes and the fact that they significantly affect pH of treated water. It is therefore desirable to replace these chemical coagulants with plant-based coagulants to counteract the aforementioned drawbacks. The objectives of the study are (i) to determine the characteristics of selected natural coagulants to be used in treating polluted river water, (ii) to investigate the effect of solvent on the selected natural coagulants towards performance of polluted river water treatment, (iii) to investigate the effect of pH and dosage of selected natural coagulants towards performance of polluted river water treatment, and (iv) to determine the effectiveness of using natural coagulant compared to chemical coagulant (alum) in treating polluted river water. The ability of three plant materials, which are Chestnut, Maize cob and Bagasse, to act as natural coagulants were tested using jar test. The paramater that been analysed are yield, moisture contents, coagulation activity and turbidity removal. The materials were extracted using different solvents of sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and deionized water in order to to obtain the active coagulant agent from natural coagulants. Based on the findings, in terms of yield and moisture content, bagasse is more applicable to be used compared to with maize cob and chestnut peel. In terms of extraction, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at 2.0 M was found to provide a high cogulation activity and turbidity removal of more than 90.0% compared to NaCl and deionized water extract. The study also found that Bagasse resulted in greater coagulation activity and turbidity removal at best condition pH and coagulant dosage of 7.5 and 90 mg/L, respectively. In comparison to the alum, the natural coagulant resulted in better removal whereby the alum only resulted in 64.1% turbidity removal, lesser than obtained by bagasse. Therefore, it can be concluded that natural coagulant in specific Bagasse poses a great chance in replacing chemical coagulant for the treatment of water.
Digital Content Consumption: a Finnish-Austrian Cross-Country Analysis

Online content consumption behavior has significantly changed. In particular, the growing success of legal media service providers such as Youtube, Netflix, or Spotify, has led to new modes of consumption. Research, however, still focuses predominately on illegal streaming and downloading behavior and its impact on media companies' commercial success. In order to paint a more comprehensive picture, we report on a cross-country study conducted in Austria and Finland, which explored digital content consumption habits and sources, young adults' attitudes towards illegal sources, and the importance of price, legality, ease of use as well as ease of access, and its influence on people's consumption behavior. Results show that young adults predominately use legal Internet sources, with music streaming provider Spotify becoming increasingly more popular. Also, respondents prefer free-ofcharge (or advertisement-based) providers for which they still fall back to using illegal sources in cases where free alternatives are missing.
Advances in Quantifying Streamflow Variability Across Continental Scales: 2. Improved Model Regionalization and Prediction Uncertainties Using Hierarchical Bayesian Methods

The precise estimation of process effects in hydrological models requires applying models to large scales with extensive spatial variability in controlling factors. Despite progress in large‐scale applications of hydrological models in conterminous United States (CONUS) river basins, spatial constraints in model parameters have prevented the interbasin sharing of data, complicating quantification of process effects and limiting the accuracy of model predictions and uncertainties. Hierarchical Bayesian methods enable data sharing between basins and the identification of the causes of model uncertainties, which can improve model accuracy and interpretability; however, computational inefficiencies have been an obstacle to their large‐scale application. We used a new generation of Bayesian methods to develop a hierarchical version of a previous hybrid (statistical‐mechanistic) SPAtially Referenced Regression On Watershed attributes model of long‐term mean annual streamflow in the CONUS. We identified hierarchical (regional) variations in model coefficients and uncertainties and evaluated their effects on model accuracy and interpretability across diverse environments in 16 major CONUS regions. Hierarchical coefficients significantly improved spatial accuracy of model predictions, with the largest improvements in humid eastern regions, where uncertainties were approximately one third of those in arid western regions. Half of the coefficients varied regionally, with the largest variations in coefficients associated with water losses in streams and reservoirs. Our unraveling of the causes of model uncertainties identified a small latent process component of runoff that varies inversely with river size in most CONUS regions. Our study advances the use of hierarchical Bayesian methods to improve the predictive capabilities of hydrological models.
Serine Proteases Degrade Airway Mucins in Cystic Fibrosis

ABSTRACT Airway mucins are the major molecular constituents of mucus. Mucus forms the first barrier to invading organisms in the airways and is an important defense mechanism of the lung. We confirm that mucin concentrations are significantly decreased in airway secretions of subjects with cystic fibrosis (CF) who have chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. In sputum from CF subjects without a history of P. aeruginosa, we found no significant difference in the mucin concentration compared to mucus from normal controls. We demonstrate that mucins can be degraded by synthetic human neutrophil elastase (HNE) and P. aeruginosa elastase B (pseudolysin) and that degradation was inhibited by serine proteases inhibitors (diisopropyl fluorophosphates [DFP], phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride [PMSF], and 1-chloro-3-tosylamido-7-amino-2-heptanone HCl [TLCK]). The mucin concentration in airway secretions from CF subjects is similar to that for normal subjects until there is infection by P. aeruginosa, and after that, the mucin concentration decreases dramatically. This is most likely due to degradation by serine proteases. The loss of this mucin barrier may contribute to chronic airway infection in the CF airway.
Automatic Phase‐Picking Method for Detecting Earthquakes Based on the Signal‐to‐Noise‐Ratio Concept

The automatic phase‐picking detection of earthquakes is a challenge under the background of big data and strong noise circumstances. The short‐term average/long‐term average (STA/LTA) ratio is widely used to detect earthquake due to its simplicity and robustness. However, STA/LTA‐based methods may not perform well with noisy data. Based on the signal‐to‐noise‐ratio (SNR) concept, a short‐term power/long‐term power (STP/LTP) ratio method is proposed. The characteristic function and the detection thresholds of the STP/LTP method are given physical meanings. Through a sample analysis, the STP/LTP detection results of both the P and S phases are better than the results of the STA/LTA by means of mean deviation, standard deviations, distributions of detection results, error rate, and missed rate on different SNR levels. In general, the STP/LTP method inherits the simple characteristics of the STA/LTA method, and it is suitable for phase picking of low‐SNR seismic data.
Sixth-generation seismic hazard model of Canada: grid values of mean hazard to be used with the 2020 National Building Code of Canada

Canada's 6th Generation seismic hazard model is the basis for the seismic design provisions in the 2020 National Building Code of Canada. The 2020 code uses mean ground motions of spectral acceleration at 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0 and 10.0 second periods, peak acceleration and peak velocity for a variety of site conditions. Users of the 2020 code access seismic hazard values by using the 2020 National Building Code of Canada Seismic Hazard Tool which provides values for any site located in Canada. The online tool accomplishes this through the interpolation of a pre-calculated dataset. This Open File provides that dataset for users who may wish to access those values directly, and describes the interpolation methods used.
Residential Surrounding Greenspace and Mental Health in Three Spanish Areas

Exposure to greenspace has been related to improved mental health, but the available evidence is limited and findings are heterogeneous across different areas. We aimed to evaluate the associations between residential exposure to greenspace and specific psychopathological and psychosomatic symptoms related to mental health among mothers from a Spanish birth cohort. Our study was based on data from 1171 women participating in two follow-ups of a population-based cohort in Valencia, Sabadell, and Gipuzkoa (2004–2012). For each participant, residential surrounding greenspace was estimated as the average of the satellite-based Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) across different buffers around the residential address at the time of delivery and at the 4-year follow-up. The Symptom Checklist 90 Revised (SCL-90-R) was applied to characterize mental health at the 4-year follow-up. We developed mixed-effects logistic regression models controlled for relevant covariates to evaluate the associations. Higher residential surrounding greenspace was associated with a lower risk of somatization and anxiety symptoms. For General Severity Index (GSI), obsessive–compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, and psychoticism symptoms, we generally observed protective associations, but none attained statistical significance. Findings from this study suggested a potential positive impactof greenspace on mental health.
response to reviewer 2

Regarding the point “Why did the Authors use linear velocity during GC analysis? This option of gas flow in the column caused an increasing reduction in flow at high temperatures and makes results impossible to reproduce”, In Constant flow injection mode, the linear flow rate stays at its optimum despite changes in gas viscosity caused by temperature programming. In the method of GC a constant velocity of 1 mL/min was used for the helium carrier as it is recommended for MS detectors and the only problem of constant flow mode with the same column and the same carrier gas that it requires at higher temperatures higher pressure, which the instrument in this case could provide. Beside the reproducibility of quality control results are maintained through the entire study. Constant flow can give better (more consistent) separations but not necessarily faster separations.
Smart stitching: adding lateral priors to ensemble inversions as a post-processing step

Summary The last decade has seen extensive development of Bayesian geophysical inversion methods which produce ensembles of models as outputs. Many of these are limited to producing 1D or very simple and narrow models. It is well established that tying such narrow inversions together using lateral priors can significantly improve inversion results. Such laterally constrained inversion can, however, be complicated to code and add computational overhead. For this reason, available Bayesian geophysical inversion codes often do not include lateral priors as an option. I introduce a simple and easy to use method that allows lateral priors to be added to Bayesian ensemble inversion results as a post-processing step. This method has the potential to extend the use of many existing inversion codes and results. It can significantly reduce computational costs when practitioners want to experiment with different lateral priors. The method is demonstrated using synthetic magnetotelluric data and VTEM data from Cloncurry in Queensland.
Residual Service Life Estimation and its Importance for Pretensioned Concrete (PTC) Bridges in Coastal Cities

Many pre-tensioned concrete (PTC) bridges are experiencing premature chloride-induced corrosion. Hence, it is crucial to estimate their residual service life and update it with newer data on a periodic basis to plan for corrosion prevention or control measures and ensure safety of existing bridges. Critical chloride threshold (Cl th) is one of the parameters necessary to estimate the corrosion initiation period. However, quantitative estimates on Clth for prestressing (PS) steel are not well-reported in literature. This paper presents experimental data on the Clth of PS steel, the chloride diffusion coefficient (Dcl), and surface chloride concentration (Cs) of concrete samples obtained from a PTC bridge girder in a coastal city in India. For estimation of Cl th, 5 specimens were cast with PS steel wires embedded in ordinary Portland cement (OPC) mortar containing 30% of Class F fly ash (similar composition as that of the bridge girder). They were cured for 28 days and then subjected to cyclic wet-dry exposure using simulated concrete pore solution containing 3.5% sodium chloride. (Linear polarization resistance (LPR) tests were performed at the end of each exposure cycle, corrosion initiation was detected using statistical methods, and Cl th was determined). Using the determined Cl th and Dcl, and other relevant parameters, the cumulative distribution functions of time to corrosion initiation was developed. It was found that the average time to corrosion initiation was about 40 years, whereas the structure was designed for 120 years. Also, it was estimated that the corrosion products will accumulate within the interstitial space between the 7 wires in a strand and will not flow through the concrete cover and reach the concrete surface (showing rust stains) until about 5% of strand is corroded (about 10 years). This indicates a dire need for regular data collection, updating the residual life estimates, which will help in developing corrosion prevention strategies for PTC structures.
Study design and methods for a wetland condition assessment on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fee-title lands in the Prairie Pothole Region of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana, USA

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) manages wetlands and grasslands for wildlife habitat throughout the central North American Prairie Pothole Region (PPR). PPR wetlands, or potholes, are widely recognized as critical habitats for North American migratory waterfowl, waterbirds, and other wildlife. Potholes also provide other ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, flood mitigation, filtration of pollutants, groundwater recharge, nutrient retention, and recreational opportunities. Wetland condition assessments have been completed nationally at coarse scales, but focused, regionwide assessments of the biological condition of potholes managed by the FWS are lacking. Therefore, FWS personnel require information pertaining to the biological condition and status of wetlands on FWS fee-title lands in the PPR to support management, restoration, and acquisition efforts. The biological condition of wetlands typically is reflected by their plant communities, and these communities correspond to past and current management and anthropogenic disturbances; thus, plant communities are a suitable surrogate of wetland condition. This report describes the study design, selection of sample sites, and field survey methods for a wetland condition assessment for FWS fee-title lands in the PPR of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana. Various spatial databases were gathered (for example, National Wetlands Inventory) to identify and assess potholes on FWS fee-title lands and to facilitate the selection of study sites. A spatially balanced, siteselection process resulted in the inclusion of 125 temporarily and 125 seasonally ponded potholes distributed across the area of interest; the first 100 for each classification were considered the primary study sites, whereas the remaining 25 were considered an oversample to replace those deemed not appropriate 1U.S. Geological Survey. 2North Dakota State University. 3U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. for sampling by field crews. Study sites were within native prairie and reseeded grasslands on FWS National Wildlife Refuges and Waterfowl Production Areas and are distributed among the primary physiographic subregions of the PPR: the Glaciated Plains, Missouri Coteau, and Prairie Coteau; a small number of sites also are within the Lake Agassiz Plain and Turtle Mountains. Site assessment protocols, vegetation survey methods, data analyses, and condition categories (for example, poor, good, very good) for the wetland assessment are based on the North Dakota Rapid Assessment Method and an Index of Plant Community Integrity developed for potholes. Results of the wetland condition assessment will aid FWS staff in assessing past and current management and help to identify priority areas for future management and acquisition.
Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with intratumoral injection of iodized oil and ethonol for middle-advanced stage hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE) combined with intratumoral injection of iodized oil and ethanol for middle-advanced stage hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). Methods Sixty-one patients with middle-advanced stage HCC were randomized into trial and control groups.Patients in trial group were treated by TACE combined with intratumoral injection of iodized oil and ethanol;those in control group were treated by TACE alone.The overall response rate,progression free survival(PFS) and media survival tiem(MST)were compared between two groups.Results The overall response rate in trial group was significantly higher than that in control group(64.5% vs 40.0%,P=0.049). The PFS rate in trial group and in control group was 10 months and 7 months(χ2=4.821,P=0.028),respectively.The MST in trial group and in control group was 17 months and 14 months(P=0.061),respectively.No serious complications were observed in both groups.Conclusion TACE combined with intratumoral injection of iodized oil and ethanol may increase the overall response rate and prolong tumor progression time in patients with middle-advanced stage hepatocellular carcinoma.
Features of concrete creep numerical modeling in the calculation of building structures

The paper presents a study and justification of the concrete creep computational model for use in computer calculations of concrete and reinforced concrete structures of arbitrary complexity, with a possible change in the intensity of the current load over time. The computational model is based on the generalized Maxwell-Wiechert model of the viscoelastic material. The model was verified on the basis of data from experimental studies of concrete creep, was justified and calibrated in accordance with the requirements of regulatory documents for calculations of concrete and reinforced concrete structures, taking into account the material creep. The paper focuses on the situation where the creep of the material leads to a dangerous change in the structural scheme of a building, which in turn can cause its destruction. Verification of the creep computational model and calculation of structures using the selected computational model was carried out in the SIMULIA Abaqus software environment.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: A Brief History

A similar pattern of altered growth and morphogenesis, referred to as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), was reported in 1973 in eleven unrelated children all of whom were born to chronic alcoholic women who continued to drink heavily throughout pregnancy (Jones, Smith, Ulleland, & Streissguth, 1973; Jones & Smith, 1973). Soon after those initial reports, evidence became available indicating that an association between heavy maternal alcohol consumption and serious problems in the offspring was not a new observation.