Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Subgroup Balancing Propensity Score

We investigate the estimation of subgroup treatment effects with observational data. Existing propensity score matching and weighting methods are mostly developed for estimating overall treatment effect. Although the true propensity score should balance covariates for the subgroup populations, the estimated propensity score may not balance covariates for the subgroup samples. We propose the subgroup balancing propensity score (SBPS) method, which selects, for each subgroup, to use either the overall sample or the subgroup sample to estimate propensity scores for units within that subgroup, in order to optimize a criterion accounting for a set of covariate-balancing conditions for both the overall sample and the subgroup samples. We develop a stochastic search algorithm for the estimation of SBPS when the number of subgroups is large. We demonstrate through simulations that the SBPS can improve the performance of propensity score matching in estimating subgroup treatment effects. We then apply the SBPS method to data from the Italy Survey of Household Income and Wealth (SHIW) to estimate the treatment effects of having debit card on household consumption for different income groups.
National flood damage evaluation methods: A review of applied methods in England, the Netherlands, the Czech Republik and Germany

The focus of this guidance document is decision making under uncertainty in river basin management. Our purpose is to give hints for the analysis of decision situations in the HarmoniRiB case studies. The background of HarmoniRiB and thus of the case studies is the implementation of the EU-Water Framework Directive. The directive states the goal that all waters3 in the EU should reach a good status4 by 20155. In order to achieve this goal the member states need to set up river basin districts, each one having a management plan that includes a programme of measures which will achieve good status in the most costeffective manner. We conceptualize this management problem as a decision problem: Which measures should be selected for the programme of measures? The HarmoniRiB case studies are not able to cover all problems of the implementation of the EU-Water Framework Directive in all their complexity. They only investigate certain aspects of this problem. Therefore, we concentrate in this guidance document on a certain type of decision, the selection of management measures to reach a certain goal (this would usually be good status) for the case study river basins. Thereby we put a special focus on uncertainties.
Platelet-type 12-lipoxygenase deletion provokes a compensatory 12/15-lipoxygenase increase that exacerbates oxidative stress in islet β -cells

In type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune event increases oxidative stress in islet β cells , giving rise to cellular dysfunction and apoptosis. Lipoxygenases are enzymes that catalyze the oxygenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids that can form lipid metabolites involved in several biological functions including oxidative stress. 12-lipoxygenase and 12/15-lipoxygenase are related but distinct enzymes that are expressed in pancreatic islets, but their relative contributions to oxidative stress in these regions are still being elucidated. In this study, we used mice with global genetic deletion of the genes encoding 12-lipoxygenase ( arachidonate 12-lipoxygenase, 12S type [Alox12] ) or 12/15 lipoxygenase ( Alox15 ) to compare the influence of each gene deletion on β -cell function and survival in response to the β - cell toxin streptozotocin (STZ). Alox12 -/- mice exhibited greater impairment in glucose tolerance following STZ exposure than did wild-type mice (WT), whereas Alox15 -/- mice were protected against dysglycemia. These changes were accompanied by evidence for islet oxidative stress in Alox12 -/- mice and reduced oxidative stress in Alox15 -/- mice, consistent with alterations in the expression of the antioxidant response enzymes in islets from these mice. Additionally, islets from Alox12 -/- mice displayed a compensatory increase in Alox15 gene expression, and treatment of these mice with the 12/15-lipoxygenase inhibitor ML351 rescued the dysglycemic phenotype. Collectively, these results indicate that Alox12 loss activates a compensatory increase in Alox15 that sensitizes β cells to oxidative stress. These findings support the conclusion that Alox15 represents the more relevant target in efforts to protect β cells from oxidative stress.
Carbon-biosphere-climate interactions in the last glacial maximum climate

The total carbon inventory in the terrestrial biosphere in the last glacial maximum (LGM), 18 kyr ago, is analyzed in a series of experiments that examine the sensitivity of the inventory to vegetation distribution and carbon dynamics. The results show that for most forest vegetation types, carbon densities for the LGM are within 10% of their present-day values. Discrepancies between vegetation distributions simulated by two bioclimatic schemes are attributable to the assignation of vegetation types to climates with rare or no present-day analog. The model experiments, combined with palynogical data for regions with no present-day analog climate, yield to a decrease of 612{+-}105 Gt C compared to present day. 47 refs., 12 figs., 3 tabs.
The Accuracy of Measurement of Salinity, Oxygen and Temperature in the Deep Ocean

Abstract At depths greater than about 3000 db and between latitudes 20° and 50° the northeast Atlantic has a remarkably uniform θ–S relationship. Measurements of salinity made by different laboratories can be compared without resorting to simultaneous observations. Systematic differences between “high quality” measurements are about 0.003, considerably exceeding in situ variations. The origin of the differences is principally, we believe, due to variations in standard sea water. The concentration of dissolved oxygen is also remarkably uniform throughout the same region and has a value of 247 μmol kg−1 (5.67 ml l−1). The rms deviation of the best observations is only 1 μmol kg−1 (0.02 ml l−1). The above figures are for very careful researchers: most do considerably less well and are urged to reconcile their data against values put forward in the text of this paper. Recognizing temperature change in the deep northeastern Atlantic also requires the highest quality data. Institute of Oceanographic Sciences (I.
Good Animals in Bad Places: Evaluating Landscape Attributes Associated with Elk Vulnerability to Wolf Predation

Vulnerability of prey to predators is heavily influenced by their respective physical and behavioral characteristics; however their interactions with landscape, and climate, collectively termed “environmental vulnerability,” may also assume considerable importance. Little is known about the impact of environmental vulnerability in large mammal systems, where post-encounter vulnerability may assume more importance than encounter probability. This study utilized 18 years of survival and mortality data for radio-collared elk (Cervus elaphus), in concert with abundance, distribution, and habitat use data prior to and following restoration of wolves (Canis lupus) to Yellowstone National Park to evaluate the relationship between environmental attributes and elk mortality. We modeled the odds of mortality for 108 elk in 1257 animal sample intervals from 1991-2009 across a range of environmental conditions and gradients of wolf predation risk to evaluate: 1) The relationship between landscape, habitat, and environmental attributes and elk vulnerability to wolf predation and 2) Changes in the attributes related to elk mortality before and after wolf colonization. In the absence of wolf predation, mortality risk for elk was primarily associated with physical attributes of elk known to influence starvation mortality. Following wolf reintroduction mortality risk was more strongly associated with characteristics of the landscape and climate within an animal’s home range. These environmental influences resulted in substantial changes in distribution and abundance of elk in the study system and suggests environmental heterogeneity may have an important influence on wolf and elk distributions and dynamics.
Studies of the Antarctic climate with a stretched-grid general circulation model

A stretched-grid general circulation model (GCM), derived from the Laboratoire de Meteorologie Dynamique (LMD) GCM is used for a multiyear high-resolution simulation of the Antarctic climate. The resolution in the Antarctic region reaches 100 km. In order to correctly represent the polar climate, it is necessary to implement several modifications in the model physics. These modifications mostly concern the parameterizations of the atmospheric boundary layer. The simulated Antarctic climate is significantly better in the stretched-grid simulation than in the regular-grid control run. The katabatic wind regime is well captured, although the winds may be somewhat too weak. The annual snow accumulation is generally close to the observed values, although local discrepancies between the simulated annual accumulation and observations remain. The simulated continental mean annual accumulation is 16.2 cm y -1 . Features like the surface temperature and the temperature inversion over large parts of the continent are correctly represented. The model correctly simulates the atmospheric dynamics of the rest of the globe.
Current best practice for presenting probabilities in patient decision aids: Fundamental Principles

Background: Shared decision making requires evidence to be conveyed to the patient in a way they can easily understand and compare. Patient decision aids facilitate this process. This paper reviews current evidence for how to present numerical probabilities within patient decision aids. Methods: Following the 2013 review method, we assembled a group of 9 international experts on risk communication across Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, UK, and USA. We expanded the topics covered in the first review to reflect emerging areas of research. Groups of 2-3 authors reviewed relevant literature based on their expertise and wrote each section before review by the full authorship team. Results: Of 10 topics identified, we present 5 fundamental issues in this paper. While some topics resulted in clear guidance (presenting the chance an event will occur, addressing numerical skills), other topics (context/evaluative labels, conveying uncertainty, risk over time) continue to have evolving knowledge bases. We recommend presenting numbers over a set time period with a clear denominator, using consistent formats between outcomes and interventions to enable unbiased comparisons, and interpreting the numbers for the reader to meet the needs of varying numeracy. Discussion: Understanding how different numerical formats can bias risk perception will help decision aid developers communicate risks in a balanced, comprehensible manner, and avoid accidental ‘nudging’ towards a particular option. Decisions between probability formats need to consider the available evidence and user skills. The review may be useful for other areas of science communication where unbiased presentation of probabilities is important.
Fluctuations in antibody titers against enterovirus D68 in pediatric sera collected in a community before, during, and after a possible outbreak.

Previously, we reported a hospital-based epidemiological study on enterovirus (EV)-D68 infection among children during the autumn of 2015, which indirectly inferred an outbreak in Sendai, Japan. In the present study, we collected sera from children (aged 0-6 years; without symptoms of infectious diseases) in the Sendai community during four sample collection periods (1 year before, 6 months before, immediately after, and 1 year after the possible outbreak period). Immunity levels against EV-D68 infection in the children were analyzed by assaying the neutralization antibody titers of the sera. Further, it was confirmed that the immunity levels considerably increased during the possible outbreak period and gradually waned over 1 year in the absence of another outbreak. These results provide background information that supports the results of our previous hospital-based surveillance.
2019 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of chronic coronary syndromes.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a pathological process characterized by atherosclerotic plaque accumulation in the epicardial arteries, whether obstructive or non-obstructive. This process can be modified by lifestyle adjustments, pharmacological therapies, and invasive interventions designed to achieve disease stabilization or regression. The disease can have long, stable periods but can also become unstable at any time, typically due to an acute atherothrombotic event caused by plaque rupture or erosion. However, the disease is chronic, most often progressive, and hence serious, even in clinically apparently silent periods. The dynamic nature of the CAD process results in various clinical presentations, which can be conveniently categorized as either acute coronary syndromes (ACS) or chronic coronary syndromes (CCS). The Guidelines presented here refer to the management of patients with CCS. The natural history of CCS is illustrated in Figure 1.
An analysis of the 1985 Chilean tsunami

Abstract To understand the trans‐Pacific tsunamis, a study is undertaken with reference to the Chilean tsunami of 1985. The 1985 Chilean tsunami is a reminder of the severe coastal hazards in the northwest Pacific due to the 1960 Chilean tsunami. First an overview is given about the 1985 tsunami. One should designate the regions near the antipodes as a hazardous area in the planning of mitigation measures. The maximum amount of warning time available in Japan for Chilean tsunamis is less than 24 h.
Using Impurity and Depth for Decision Trees Pruning

Mostpruningmethodsfor decisiontreesminimizeaclassification error rate. In uncertaindomains,somesubtreeswhich donot lessentheerrorratecanberelevantto pointoutsomepopulationsof specificinterestor to givea representationof a largedatafile. Weproposehereanew pruningmethod(called pruning)which takesinto account the complexity of sub-treesand which is able to keepsub-treeswith leavesyielding to determinaterelevant decisionrules,even whenkeepingtheseonesdoes not increasetheclassificationefficiency.
Llannau, llysoedd, and llociau: identifying the early medieval landscape of Gower

ABSTRACT This paper offers a detailed study of the landscape of the Gower peninsula in south Wales in the early medieval period. It attempts to identify the key settlements of the elite (the llysoedd) and the church (the llannau). It does this by the careful scrutiny of the evidence from Gower itself and selected, apt parallels from adjacent, betterunderstood, areas. Whilst this approach is standard, it has not been utilised in the limited number of historical studies of Gower and so the results are novel. In addition to identifying early llysoedd and churches it identifies a number of extensive tracts of cattle pasture (the llociau). All were key elements in the multiple estates into which the landscape was organised. Elements of this pattern could have their origins in the late Roman era. Crucial in the identification of these sites has been the idea of the boundary — defensive, divine and practical — which served to demark and divide space and society.
Rhode Island aquaculturists' perceptions of eco-labeling certification programs

Eco-labeling is a communication tool that allows producers to demonstrate to consumers that they comply with a set of environmental and social criteria by placing an eco-label on their product. Since global aquaculture production is increasing and bivalve mollusks comprise a large share of the world aquaculture production, ecolabeling certification has been suggested as a tool for creating a market for products that are produced with minimal negative environmental and social impacts. Because eco-labeling certification programs for bivalve aquaculture are currently voluntary in the United States, producers’ opinions of these programs influence their current and future involvement in these programs. Rhode Island (RI), where aquaculturists almost exclusively raise bivalves, provided a valuable case study for understanding aquaculturists’ opinions of ecolabeling certification programs for shellfish aquaculture. The primary objective of this study was to investigate RI bivalve mollusk aquaculturists’ perceptions of eco-labeling certification programs to explore the potential role of eco-labeling in RI aquaculture. To meet this objective, the study focused on four research areas to 1. ) gather basic characteristics of RI aquaculture producers, farms and products; 2. ) learn if RI aquaculturists participate or plan to participate in eco-labeling programs, and their perceptions of eco-labeling; 3. ) discover perceived incentives and disincentives for participation in eco-labeling programs; and 4. ) understand how RI aquaculturists feel about government regulations of aquaculture. To explore these research areas, the researcher interviewed twelve RI aquaculturists, in which participants were asked a combination of openand closed-ended questions. Data in this study was summarized by descriptive statistics and open-ended questions were coded by themes that emerged. Results showed that while nearly all respondents support eco-labeling programs, none of the respondents currently participate in eco-labeling certification programs, and only one aquaculturist plans to seek eco-labeling certification within the next five to ten years. This study found that most aquaculturists were unaware of the eco-labeling programs available for aquaculture and unsure about how they would choose between certification programs. Most aquaculturists would be more likely to certify their products with an eco-label if their competitors sought certification and most aquaculturists would be more likely to seek certification if they were involved in developing the certification standards. Obtaining a price premium from certification was the strongest incentive for participation in eco-labeling programs, while certification costs and additional recordkeeping required for certification were identified as the strongest disincentives. Management recommendations were provided for eco-labeling certification programs, aquaculturists, academics, and government regulators, as well as recommendations for future studies.
Trends of NAO and AO and their associations with stratospheric processes

Trends of NAO and AO are shown, along with trends of various stratospheric fields and dynamical processes, including geopotential height, temperature and zonal wind, as well as EP flux and its divergence, based upon 30 years (1968–1997) of NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis data. Monthly trends are estimated by using linear regression. The NAO trends are similar to the AO trends in February and March, but different in other months, particularly in May and June. Comparing the variation by month of stratospheric trends with that of the NAO and AO index, we find that the largest trends of stratospheric fields and processes are in the same active season (JFM) as that in NAO and AO, but with the timing of peak of the trends somewhat different, the stratospheric trends leading the NAO and AO trends by one month. We also find a significant trend of equatorward refraction of mid‐latitude planetary waves in January.
Effect of the difference between surface and terrain models on gravity field related quantities

Topographic masses have a strong impact on the medium and short wavelength components of the gravitational signal generated by the mass of the Earth, thus digital terrain models (DTM) are routinely involved in gravity field modelling. In this study the verification of the Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) and the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer Global Digital Elevation Model (ASTER GDEM) which is a joint product of METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan) and NASA has been done by comparing them to the points of the horizontal and vertical control networks of Hungary. SRTM data fit better to geodetic ground control points than ASTER GDEM, since some artefacts have been found in ASTER elevation set which impede further use of the latter without any pre-processing. Since SRTM is an “unclassified” surface model including all those points which reflected the scanning radar signal thus tree canopy height has been compared to the differences of SRTM and DTM elevations in a hilly test area in Hungary where a local and accurate DTM having 20 m × 20 m horizontal resolution was available. Considerable agreement was indicated between forest height and model differences. Model differences were evaluated to determine their effect synthetically on gravity related quantities. Their influence on geoid height is insignificant, but the change of the investigated second derivatives of the potential is considerable.
Contrasting food web linkages for the grazing pathway in three temperate forested streams using 15 N as a tracer

Nitrogen is a critical element controlling the productivity and dynamics of stream ecosystems and many streams are limited by the supply of biologically available nitrogen. The authors are learning more about the fate of inorganic nitrogen entering streams through {sup 15}N tracer additions. The Lotic Intersite Nitrogen Experiment (LINX) is studying the uptake, cycling, and fate of {sup 15}N-NH{sub 4} in the stream food web of 10 streams draining different biomes. Using the {sup 15}N tracer method and data from 3 sites in the study, the authors can differentiate patterns in the cycling of nitrogen through the grazing pathway (N from the epilithon to grazing macroinvertebrates) for 3 temperate forested streams. Here, they quantify the relationship between the dominant grazer and its proposed food resource, the epilithon, by comparing {sup 15}N levels of grazers with those of the epilithon, as well as the biomass, nitrogen content, and chlorophyll a standing stocks of the epilithon in 3 streams.
The glacigenic deposits of Western Lleyn, North Wales: Terrestrial or marine?

This paper describes a complex sequence of glacigenic sediments occupying a faultbounded depression at Aberdaron Bay, western Lleyn. The sequence offers an insight into sedimentary environments during deglaciation of the Irish Sea Basin. A lower stratified diamict association (LDA) containing contorted units of fine sand/silt and displaying strong, consistent clast fabrics, is overlain by an upper diamict association (UDA) with weaker fabrics and extensive sand and gravel layers and channel fills. Certain characteristics of the sequence can be explained by a glacimarine depositional model, but there are several problems. In particular, the geometry of the sediments is difficult to explain without recourse to the melting of buried ice. An alternative model that overcomes these problems involves the decay of a terrestrial glacier containing reworked marine sediments. Supraglacial sediment flows released during decay of thinner ice covering the surrounding hills (UDA) would have rapidly buried a thick stagnant ice mass in the Aberdaron depression, facilitating slow melting and release of basal meltout till (LDA). A model is presented that accounts for the stagnation and in situ decay of a debris-rich Irish Sea glacier, and which could explain many of the deposits and landforms surrounding the Irish Sea Basin without recourse to high relative sea-levels.