Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Atmospheric dispersion modelling of particulate and gaseous pollutants affecting the trans-Manche region

This thesis describes the development of a methodology to determine large-scale and meso-scale atmospheric dispersion patterns. The research is only concerned with outdoor exposure to atmospheric pollutants and aims to identify pollution sources using dispersion modelling with the assistance of ground level measurements from British, French and other monitoring stations and remote sensing technology. Lagrangian Particle Dispersion (LPD) models compute trajectories of a large number of notional particles and can be used to numerically simulate the dispersion of a pollutant (passive tracer) in the planetary boundary layer. Two widely used atmospheric dispersion models were employed: the Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model by R. Draxler, and the model FLEXPART by Stohl et al. Both models possess forward tracking and inverse (or receptor-based) modes. Meteorological data output from the PSU/NCAR Mesoscale model (known as MM5), or datasets from the European Centre of Medium-range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) are used to drive the dispersion models. Linkage routines were developed to interpret the LPD codes with the required meteorological information. This study aims to determine whether current approaches and practice for atmospheric dispersion modelling are reliable, consistent and up-to-date. An intercomparison of the models FLEXPART and HYSPLIT is performed for known episodes to determine their accuracy, ease of use, effect of source specification and to investigate their sensitivity to input data and mesh resolution, and in particular the effect of different model formulations and assumptions followed by the models. The possibility of identifying emission sources in the near and far field is investigated, by modelling dispersion backwards in time, in particular the discrimination of multiple sources from receptor data is discussed. The effect of meteorological data resolution on the output of LPD models was evaluated and the most suitable methodology for better source definition was determined for different modelling scales, ranging from the intercontinental transport of airborne pollutants to simulating pollution episodes caused by local sources.
The neighborhood lattice for encoding partial correlations in a Hilbert space

Neighborhood regression has been a successful approach in graphical and structural equation modeling, with applications to learning undirected and directed graphical models. We extend these ideas by defining and studying an algebraic structure called the neighborhood lattice based on a generalized notion of neighborhood regression. We show that this algebraic structure has the potential to provide an economic encoding of all conditional independence statements in a Gaussian distribution (or conditional uncorrelatedness in general), even in the cases where no graphical model exists that could "perfectly" encode all such statements. We study the computational complexity of computing these structures and show that under a sparsity assumption, they can be computed in polynomial time, even in the absence of the assumption of perfectness to a graph. On the other hand, assuming perfectness, we show how these neighborhood lattices may be "graphically" computed using the separation properties of the so-called partial correlation graph. We also draw connections with directed acyclic graphical models and Bayesian networks. We derive these results using an abstract generalization of partial uncorrelatedness, called partial orthogonality, which allows us to use algebraic properties of projection operators on Hilbert spaces to significantly simplify and extend existing ideas and arguments. Consequently, our results apply to a wide range of random objects and data structures, such as random vectors, data matrices, and functions.
Cost-utility of collaborative care for the treatment of comorbid major depressive disorder in outpatients with chronic physical conditions

Purpose: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is highly prevalent in patients with a chronic physical condition, and this comorbidity has a negative influence on quality of life, health care costs, self-care, morbidity, and mortality. Research has shown that collaborative care (CC) may be a cost-effective treatment. However, its cost-effectiveness in this patient group has not yet been established. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-utility of CC for the treatment of comorbid MDD in chronically ill patients in the outpatient general hospital setting. The study was conducted from a health care and societal perspective. Patients and methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 81 patients with moderate-to-severe MDD were included; 42 were randomly assigned to the CC group and 39 to the care as usual (CAU) group. We applied the TiC-P, short-form Health-Related Quality of Life questionnaire, and EuroQol EQ-5D 3 level version, measuring the use of health care, informal care, and household work, respectively, at baseline and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months follow-up. Results: The mean annual direct medical costs in the CC group were € 6,718 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3,541 to 10,680) compared to € 4,582 (95% CI: 2,782 to 6,740) in the CAU group. The average quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained were 0.07 higher in the CC group, indicating that CC is more costly but also more effective than CAU. From a societal perspective, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was € 24,690/QALY. Conclusion: This first cost-utility analysis in chronically ill patients with comorbid MDD shows that CC may be a cost-effective treatment depending on willingness-to-pay levels. Nevertheless, the low utility scores emphasize the need for further research to improve the cost-effectiveness of CC in this highly prevalent and costly group of patients. for patients with chronic physical conditions, such as diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic heart failure (CHF), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with comorbid major depressive disorder (MDD). The researchers performed a randomized controlled trial as care manager; a consultation–liaison for diagnosis, supervision, and the prescription of antidepressant medication; and a medical specialist who provided treatment for the chronic physical condition. They found CC to be cost-effective with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of € 24,690 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY). Due to the high disease burden in this patient group, this may indicate that the CC model and setting may be preferable. However, the study was small, so replication in a larger study is warranted.
Amplifying Quiet Voices

Many Smart City projects are beginning to consider the role of citizens. However, current methods for engaging urban populations in participatory design (PD) activities are somewhat limited. In this article, we describe an approach taken to empower socially disadvantaged citizens, using a variety of both social and technological tools, in a Smart City project. Through analysing the nature of citizens’ concerns and proposed solutions, we explore the benefits of our approach, arguing that engaging citizens can uncover hyper-local concerns that provide a foundation for finding solutions to address citizen concerns. By reflecting on our approach, we identify four key challenges to utilising PD at an urban scale; balancing scale with the personal, who has control of the process, who is participating and integrating citizen-led work with local authorities. By addressing these challenges, we will be able to truly engage citizens as collaborators in co-designing their city.
A Preliminary Comparative Study of Visual Performance Between Two Newly Commercially Available Monofocal Intraocular Lenses Implanted During Cataract Surgery Clinical

Purpose: To compare visual outcomes of two newly developed monofocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) (I-Stream H and CT Lucia 211P) implanted in patients undergoing surgery for senile cataract. Methods: This prospective, comparative, single-center, randomized study included 94 eyes of 94 patients undergoing cataract surgery. Patients were randomized to receive the implantation of I-Stream H IOL (Group 1) or CT Lucia 211P IOL (Group 2). Each patient underwent a complete ocular examination before (V0), 1 month (V1), 3 months (V2) and 6 months (V3) after surgery, including visual acuity testing, objective refraction, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, contrast sensitivity testing and visual function index questionnaire (VF-14). Results: After surgery, a signi ﬁ cant increase of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), CS and VF-14 and a signi ﬁ cant decrease of SE were detected in both groups at each time point compared to baseline (always p<0.01). No signi ﬁ cant differences in the postoperative increase of BCVA (p=0.12), CS (p=0.21) and VF-14 (p=0.31) and decrease of SE (p=0.08) were detected comparing patients from Group 1 and Group 2 at V3. Mean and median prediction error, as well as absolute prediction error values, did not signi ﬁ cantly differ between the two groups (p>0.05). Eyes with an actual refraction within 0.25, 0.50 and 1 D were 53.1%, 85.1% and 100% for Group 1 and 55.3%, 87.2% and 100% for Group 2 (p>0.05). Conclusion: I-Stream H and CT Lucia 211P allowed a satis ﬁ ed recovery of visual function after senile cataract surgery; both IOLs were shown to have similar outcomes of visual performance. Clinical Ophthalmology is an international, peer-reviewed journal cover- ing all subspecialties within ophthalmology. Key topics include: Optometry; Visual science; Pharmacology and drug therapy in eye dis- eases; Basic Sciences; Primary and Secondary eye care; Patient Safety and Quality of Care Improvements. This journal is indexed on PubMed Central and CAS, and is the of ﬁ cial journal of The Society of Clinical Ophthalmology (SCO). The manuscript management system is completely online and includes a very quick and fair peer-review system, which is all easy to use. Visit http://www.dovepress. com/ testimonials.php to read real quotes from published authors.
IMPACT OF SHELTERBELTS ON GROUNDNUT PRODUCTION IN THERILANDS: A DECOMPOSITION ANALYSIS

In areas characterized by wind erosion and shifting sand dunes, shelterbelts can increase crop yields. Groundnut yields in southern India increased with the introduction and maturation of shelterbelts. Decomposition analysis attributed most of the yield increases to the shelterbelts themselves, with a small portion attributed to input use changes. While shelterbelt cost data are scarce, the estimated value of inputs saved due to shelterbelts suggested a net benefit stream that is initially negative but increasing into the indefinite future. Public investments in shelterbelts may be the most effective means of preventing land degradation.
The efficiency of water reservoirs at the region of the former Lake Karla in Thessaly to meet irrigation requirements

A tool for removing damaged fasteners and a method for making such tool wherein the tool (10) includes a first end (12) and a second end (14) with an outside surface (32) and an inside surface (40) defined between ends (12) and (14). A portion (46) of inside surface (40) is in the shape of an hexagonal frustum (54) that has a major end (58) and that includes spiral splines (25). Splines (25) have constant depth between the major end (58) and the minor end (56) of frustum (54) and the relief angle (£) of splines (25) decreases in the direction from minor end (56) toward major end (58). In the method for making the tool (10), a tubular section (118) is made from a tapered blank (91) by piercing one end of the tapered blank with a pierce punch (132). One end of the tubular section is then driven onto a splined punch (162) to provide splines in one end of the tubular section. The tubular section is then stripped off of the punch (162) by a kick-out sleeve (166) and extruded through a round-to-hexagonal extrusion insert (182) to provide portion (46) of the inner surface (40) with a tapered, hexagonal shape.
Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus: Rickettsiae infection in Brazil

ABSTRACT The tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus has been considered a major pest of cattle in tropical regions of the world, inducing significant economic impact on livestock activity. In Brazil, the scenarios of Spotted Fever (SF) epidemic cycles involve Amblyomma sculptum and Amblyomma aureolatum, transmitting Rickettsia rickettsii, as well as Amblyomma ovale, transmitting R. parkeri strain Atlantic Rainforest. However, other potentially pathogenic species of Rickettsia, as well as new species of ticks with vector potential, have been reported for Brazil. Thus, during SF focus investigation and environmental surveillance performed by Brazilian National Network of Environment Surveillance for Tick-borne Diseases between 2011 to 2017, ectoparasites were collected from vertebrate hosts and the environment in rural and urban areas of different Brazilian biomes. Here we analysed Rickettsiae infection in Rh. microplus and possible roles of this tick species in the maintenance and circulation of Rickettsia sp. in SF endemic areas. Cattle tick samples were naturally infected with R. rickettsii, R. parkeri, R. felis, R. tamurae, R. rhipicephali and R. bellii. The data in this study demonstrate that Rh. microplus acquires Rickettsia infection, including pathogenic species, and indicates this tick as suggested marker of Rickettsiae potential presence or circulation.
Impact of cloud radiative effects on the simulation of Tropical Pacific. Research Activities in Atmospheric and Oceanic Modelling.

Author(s): Yu, Jin-Yi; Mechoso, Carlos R | Abstract: Sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the eastern equatorial Pacific have a pronounced annual variation. The SSTs are warmer than the annual mean in the first half of the year (warm phase) and colder in the latter half (cold phase). The warm phase is not identical to the cold phase with opposite sign. For example, SST anomalies in the warm phase have stronger westward propagation and larger amplitude than those in the cold phase. Also, the strongest SST anomalies in the cold phase last longer than those in the warm phase. The reasons for this "temporal asymmetry" are investigated by performing sensitivity experiments with the UCLA coupled ocean-atmosphere general circulation model (GCM), in which an idealized, time-independent distribution of Peruvian stratus clouds is prescribed at different seasons of the year.The results suggest that the annual evolution of SSTs over the eastern equatorial Pacific is highly sensitive to the annual variation of Peruvian stratus. It is found that Peruvian cloudiness affects the surface wind speed in the equator through local meridional circulation. The strength of surface wind determines the correlationship between SST and surface evaporation over the eastern equatorial Pacific. The observed negative correlation, which is needed to produce the observed temporal asymmetry, can be simulated by the coupled GCM only when the observed annual variation of Peruvian stratus cloudiness is prescribed in the model.A simulation with the revised version of the UCLA coupled GCM, in which the parameterization of marine stratus clouds is improved, shows significant improvement in the simulated annual cycle and interannual variability. Results from this simulation confirm the findings obtained from the sensitivity study.
how psychological distance of a study sample in discrete choice experiments affects preference measurement: a colorectal cancer screening case study

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate to what extent the outcomes of a discrete choice experiment (DCE) differ based on respondents’ psychological distance to the decision at hand. Methods: A DCE questionnaire regarding individuals’ preferences for genetic screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) within the Dutch national CRC screening program was created. The DCE contained nine D-efficient designed choice tasks and was distributed among two populations that differ in their psychological distance to the decision at hand: 1) a representative sample of the Dutch general population aged 55–65 years, and 2) a sample of Dutch individuals who attended an information appointment regarding colonoscopies following the detection of blood in their stool sample in the CRC screening program. The DCE consisted of four attributes related to the decision whether to participate in genetic screening for CRC: 1) risk of being genetically predisposed, 2) risk of developing CRC, 3) frequency of follow-up colonoscopies, and 4) survival. Direct attribute ranking, dominant decision-making behavior, and relative importance scores (based on panel MIXL) were compared between the two populations. Attribute level estimates were compared with the Swait and Louviere test. Results: The proportion of respondents who both ranked survival as the most important attribute, and showed dominant decision-making behavior for this attribute, was significantly higher in the screened population compared to the general population. The relative importance scores of the attributes significantly differed between populations. Finally, the Swait and Louviere test also revealed significant differences in attribute level estimates in both the populations. Conclusion: The study outcomes differed between populations depending on their psychological distance to the decision. This study shows the importance of adequate sample selection; therefore, it is advocated to increase attention to study sample selection and reporting in DCE studies.
Self-Interference-Cancellation in Full-Duplex Systems

This chapter provides a brief overview of several important concepts related to SI-cancellation techniques to form a solid background for the following chapters. We first discuss the nature of the self-interference (SI) channel which leads to the use of the analog RF cancellation stage and the digital cancellation stage. We describe both stages and state their advantages and limitations. The next part presents a quick survey on self-interference channel estimation. We then discuss the transmitter impairments that can degrade the SI-cancellation performance and the existing methods to mitigate them. The last part presents recent advances in precoding for SI-cancellation. 2.1 SI Channel Modelling Various measurements have been done to characterise the SI channel. Consider the simple and popular architecture using the same antenna to transmit and receive via a 3-port circulator, the dominant paths of the SI channel come from the leakage through the circulator and the internal antenna reflections due to the impedance mismatch between the isolator and the antenna. On the other hand, external reflections from closely-located objects may occur with much larger delays and weaker levels compared to the dominant paths since they travel longer distances. It was reported in [1] that the external reflections are about 30 dB lower than the leakage and antenna reflections paths. When using two different antennas to transmit and receive, the line-of-sight (LoS) components and the path coming from the electromagnetic waves reflected from the transceiver structure represent the most significant paths [2, 3]. Figure 1.4 represents the different reflections that constitute the SI channel for the two antenna configurations. In both cases, the internal reflections are static since they depend on the structure of the transceiver while the external reflections vary according to the surrounding environment. In general, the power delay profile (PDP) of the SI channel is written as [1]: PDP.t; / D m1ı. t m1 / C m2ı. t m2 / C L X
hsa_circ_0003998 promotes cell proliferation and invasion by targeting mir-326 in non-small cell lung cancer

Background: Circular RNAs represent a new class of noncoding RNAs involved in the development of cancer. However, little is known about their role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: We examined hsa_circ_0003998 levels in 60 NSCLC tissues by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and analyzed the clinicopathologic significance of hsa_circ_0003998 expression. The effect of small interfering RNA-mediated hsa_circ_0003998 knockdown on proliferation and invasion was analyzed in A549 and H1299 cells in vitro. Moreover, the target genes of hsa_circ_0003998 were further explored by bioinformatic analysis, dual luciferase reporter assays, and rescue experiments. Results: Hsa_circ_0003998 upregulation was associated with larger tumor size and lymph node metastasis and also correlated with shorter overall survival of NSCLC patients. Functional experiments showed knockdown of hsa_circ_0003998 restrained cell proliferation and invasion in NSCLC cells. In particular, hsa_circ_0003998 upregulated the expression of miR-326 target gene Notch1 through sponging miR-326. Furthermore, the tumor-inhibiting effect of hsa_circ_0003998 silencing was blocked by miR-326 inhibitor. Conclusion: hsa_circ_0003998/miR-326/Notch1 pathway regulates the progression of NSCLC.
Human synovia contains trefoil factor family ( TFF ) 2 peptides 1-3 although synovial membrane only 3 produces TFF 3 : implications in osteoarthritis and 4 rheumatoid arthritis 5

Objective: In the past we demonstrated that trefoil factor family peptide 3 (TFF3) supports 19 catabolic functions in diseased articular cartilage widening the knowledge of the functional 20 spectrum of TFF peptides. The findings revealed that TFF3 is a multifunctional peptide with the 21 ability to link inflammation with tissue remodeling processes in articular cartilage and suggest that 22 TFF3 is a factor in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) and septic arthritis. As in joint physiology 23 and diseases such as OA also the synovial membrane (SM) of the joint capsule plays a central role 24 we here analyzed the ability of SM to produce and secrete TFF peptides and compared healthy SM 25 as well as its secretion product synovial fluid (SF) with SM and SF from patients suffering from OA 26 or rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: RT-PCR, quantitative RT-PCR, Western blot and ELISA 27 were used to measure the expression of TFF1, -2 and -3 in healthy SM and in SM from patients 28 suffering from OA or RA. For tissue localization we investigated all three TFF peptides (TFF1-3) in 29 differently aged human SM of healthy donors by means of immunohistochemistry. Results: Only 30 TFF3 but not TFF1 and -2 was expressed in SM from healthy donors as well as tissue samples from 31 patients with OA or RA on protein and mRNA level. In contrast, all three TFFs were detected in all 32 samples of SF on protein level. No significant changes were observed for TFF1 at all. TFF2 was 33 significantly upregulated in RA samples in comparison to OA samples. TFF3 protein was 34 significantly downregulated in OA samples in comparison to healthy samples and in cases of RA 35 significantly upregulated compared to OA. In contrast, in SM TFF3 protein was not significantly 36 regulated. Conclusion: The data demonstrate the production of TFF3 in SM. Unexpectedly SF 37 contains all three known TFF peptides. As neither articular cartilage nor SM produce TFF1 and TFF2 38 we speculate that these originate with high probability from blood serum. As TFF3 was not 39 significantly regulated in SM samples under diseased conditions and the relative protein 40 concentration of TFF3 was in total about 14-fold (healthy: 26-fold, OA: 6-fold, RA: 14-fold) lower in 41 SM compared to SF we hypothesize that other joint structures like articular cartilage and diffusion 42 from blood serum play a more important role in the regulation of TFF3 in healthy, OA and RA. 43 Downregulation of TFF3 in SF but upregulation of TFF3 in SM (not statistically significant) in cases 44 of OA suggests hypothetically the attempt of SM to compensate for a disturbed or changed TFF 45 transport from the blood which is seemingly increased for TFF2 in case of RA. 46 Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 14