Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Introducing the urban wind island effect

Wind is a key component of the urban climate due to its relevance for ventilation of air pollution and urban heat, wind nuisance, as well as for urban wind energy engineering. These winds are governed by the dynamics of the atmosphere closest to the surface, the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). Making use of a conceptual bulk model of the ABL, we find that for certain atmospheric conditions the boundary-layer mean wind speed in a city can surprisingly be higher than its rural counterpart, despite the higher roughness of cities. This urban wind island effect (UWI) prevails in the afternoon, and appears to be caused by a combination of differences in ABL growth, surface roughness and the ageostrophic wind, between city and countryside. Enhanced turbulence in the urban area deepens the ABL, and effectively mixes momentum into the ABL from aloft. Furthermore, the oscillation of the wind around the geostrophic equilibrium, caused by the rotation of the Earth, can create episodes where the urban boundary-layer mean wind speed is higher than the rural wind. By altering the surface properties within the bulk model, the sensitivity of the UWI to urban morphology is studied for the 10 urban local climate zones (LCZs). These LCZs classify neighbourhoods in terms of building height, vegetation cover etc, and represent urban morphology regardless of culture or location. The ideal circumstances for the UWI to occur are a deeper initial urban boundary-layer than in the countryside, low-rise buildings (up to 12 m) and a moderate geostrophic wind (∼5 m s−1). The UWI phenomenon challenges the commonly held perception that urban wind is usually reduced due to drag processes. Understanding the UWI can become vital to accurately model urban air pollution, quantify urban wind energy potential or create accurate background conditions for urban computational fluid dynamics models.
Conversion of Staphylococcus epidermidis Strains from Commensal to Invasive by Expression of the ica Locus Encoding Production of Biofilm Exopolysaccharide

ABSTRACT To test if biofilm formation in Staphylococcus epidermidis is dependent on the polysaccharide intercellular adhesin, whose biosynthesis is driven by the ica locus, a plasmid containing the ica locus was transferred to three ica-negative strains. Using in vitro biofilm assays and a rat central venous catheter infection model, we confirmed the importance of the ica locus for biofilm production and pathogenesis of S. epidermidis.
Progressive nuclear factor‐κB activation resistant to inhibition by contraction and curcumin in mdx mice

Skeletal muscle of patients with Duchenne‐type muscular dystrophy and mdx mice exhibits elevated activity of the transcription factor NF‐κB (nuclear factor‐κB), which may play a role in muscle catabolism. We measured skeletal muscle NF‐κB activity in mdx mice at three ages (10 days, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks) to test the hypothesis that NF‐κB activity is elevated in an age‐dependent manner in these mice. In addition, we tested the hypothesis that NF‐κB activity could be reduced in mdx skeletal muscle by dietary supplementation with curcumin (1% w/v) or by fatiguing muscle contractions. We found that NF‐κB activity was elevated at 4 and 8 weeks of age but not at 10 days, and was resistant to inhibition by either fatiguing contractions or dietary curcumin. We conclude that NF‐κB activity is elevated in dystrophic skeletal muscle in an age‐related manner and is resistant to inhibition by physiological and pharmacological means. These findings are consistent with a role for NF‐κB activation in dystrophic muscle wasting but suggest that predicted interventions such as exercise or inhibitors of the early steps in the NF‐κ activation pathway may not be effective and that targeted research is needed to identify novel therapeutic strategies. Muscle Nerve, 2006
Periprocedural Anticoagulation Management of Patients With Venous Thromboembolism

Objective—Patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) often require temporary warfarin interruption for an invasive procedure. The incidence of thromboembolism and bleeding related to periprocedural anticoagulation management of such patients is unknown. Methods and Results—In a protocol-driven, inception cohort design study, all VTE patients (n=775) referred for periprocedural anticoagulation management (1997–2007) were followed-up to estimate the 3-month cumulative incidence of thromboembolism and bleeding. Patients were stratified by thrombus acuity (acute, <30 days; subacute, 31–90 days; or chronic ≥91 days). Decisions to provide “bridging” low-molecular-weight heparin were based on estimated thromboembolism and bleeding risk. Low-molecular-weight heparin was more often administered in acute (87%) and subacute (81%) VTE compared to chronic VTE (59%; P<0.001). The 3-month cumulative incidence of thromboembolism (1.8%), major hemorrhage (1.8%), and mortality (1.7%) were low and did not differ by management strategy. Active cancer was the only independent predictor of thrombotic recurrence (HR, 4.86; 95% CI, 1.6–14.5; P=0.005), major hemorrhage (HR, 6.8; 95% CI, 2.1–21.7; P=0.001), and death (HR, 32.7; 95% CI, 4.3–251.2; P=0.0008). Conclusion—Thromboembolism, bleeding, and death among VTE patients in whom anticoagulation is temporarily interrupted for an invasive procedure is low. Cancer patients require particular care given their propensity for both clotting and bleeding.
Ocular Neovascularization in Patients With Uveitis

Neovascularization is an infrequent but serious complication of uveitis. The retina and optic disk appear to be affected most often, although new blood vessels may arise from the iris, ciliary body, and choroid as well. Although neovascularization can usually be identified on careful clinical examination, some patients may require fluorescein angiography or UBM. Numerous neovascular growth and inhibitory factors have been identified experimentally. Clinically, however, uveitic neovascularization appears to be determined most directly by the severity of the inflammation and the presence of retinal nonperfusion. Virtually all patients with uveitic neovascularization deserve a trial of local or systemic corticosteroids. Laser photocoagulation can be considered in those patients who fail to respond to corticosteroid therapy, but only when retinal nonperfusion has been demonstrated on fluorescein angiography. Surgical excision of newly formed vessels is reserved for selected patients with CNV and uveitis, but should only be considered when corticosteroids and focal photocoagulation are ineffective or are otherwise contraindicated.
Developing a destination image through the perceptions of stakeholders: A case study

This study relates to the management of recreation and tourism in protected areas (PAs) and reflects a case study developed in the Natural Park of Serras de Aire e Candeeiros. Through the perceptions of stakeholders, the objective was to contribute to the definition of this PA destination's image. Mixed methods were used, employing the triangulation of data and samples. We found a connection between tangible and intangible factors in the Natural Park of Serras de Aire e Candeeiros image, as well as the main factors that characterize this PA. We advocate that a more complete understanding of stakeholder profiles is an important aspect beyond processual features in defining destination image.
Neonatal herpes infections in The Netherlands in the period 2006–2011

Abstract Objective: To monitor the incidence of neonatal herpes in The Netherlands between 2006 and 2011, as well as the adherence to the rather conservative Dutch prevention policy. Methods: Questionnaires were sent to all virology laboratories (n = 44), gynaecology and paediatrics departments of all hospitals in The Netherlands (n = 89). Questionnaires for the laboratories pertained to rates of proven cases of neonatal herpes; for the gynaecologists and paediatricians it pertained to rates of genital herpes during pregnancy and neonatal herpes, and their policy. For gynaecologists this concerned the risk of herpes simplex virus transmission in case of primary genital herpes during pregnancy or labour; for paediatricians it concerned the diagnostic policy in a neonate suspected of neonatal herpes. Results: For the period 2006–2011 38 cases of neonatal herpes were reported, yielding an incidence of 4.7 per 100 000 births. The estimated annual number of pregnant women with primary or recurrent genital herpes was 278. Of the responding gynaecologists and paediatricians, only 59% and up to 39%, respectively, reported a policy in accordance with the national guideline. Conclusions: The incidence of neonatal herpes in The Netherlands seems to have increased in the period 2006–2011. Combined with suboptimal guideline adherence this warrants strategies to improve awareness and subsequent adherence.
In vitro elucidation of suppression effects of composts to soil-borne pathogen Phytophthora nicotianae on pepper plants using 16S amplicon sequencing and metaproteomics

Abstract Compost production is a critical component of organic waste management. One of the most important properties of compost is its ability to suppress soil-borne pathogens such as Phytophthora nicotianae in pepper plants. Both the physico-chemical and biological properties of composts can be responsible for the suppression of pathogens, although biological properties are the main driver. In this study, we analyzed composts with various levels of suppressiveness against P. nicotianae. We analyzed both physico-chemical properties like pH and electrical conductivity and biological properties like microbial activity, amplicon sequencing and metaproteomics. We believed that the link between community structures and proteins could provide deep insights into the mechanism of compost suppressiveness. Our results indicate that there are differences between suppressive and non-suppressive composts at the phylogenetic level (sequencing) and at the functional level (based on analysis of the cluster of orthologous groups, COGs). The proteins identified were assigned to the carbohydrate process, cell wall structure and inorganic ion transport and metabolism. Proteobacteria could also be new indicators of P. nicotianae suppression.
Ethical branding as a discoursive resource for employee identity work: A case study

In recent years literature studying the use of corporate branding in the control of corporate culture has emerged, but as yet there is scant research on the relationship between branding and employee identity. This study addresses this research gap by analysing the effects of an ethical brand on the identity work of employees. Respondents were found to adopt the discourse of the brand in the construction of their identity projects. The empirical findings reveal that in the case of branding, specific modes of identity work appear to be far more influential than others. In particular it was observed that in the case study the brand informs the three modes of identity work: (1) ‘self-definition by delimitation’ (2) ‘self-definition as morally superior’ and (3) ‘providing a common sense of mission’.
Influencing Undergraduate Nursing Students' Attitudes Toward Mental Health Nursing: Acknowledging the Role of Theory

Most research designed to explore undergraduate nursing students' attitudes towards mental health nursing tends to uphold clinical experience as the decisive factor, with much less attention paid to the theoretical component. This paper presents the findings of a state-wide study conducted with undergraduate nursing students in Victoria, Australia. A pre- and post-test design was used to measure students' attitudes toward people with a mental illness and toward mental health nursing and their sense of preparedness for mental health practice. A questionnaire was administered at two time points; the first time point was following completion of the mental health nursing theoretical component, and the second was following the completion of clinical experience. An additional scale was added at the second time point to evaluate students' opinions about their clinical placement. The findings indicated significantly different attitudes and opinions depending on the university students attended. The amount of theory undertaken in the course accounts for some, but not all, of this variance. However, generally the students taking courses with a larger theoretical component tended to demonstrate higher scores (suggestive of more favourable attitudes) on all of the subscales, and that these differences were sustained following the completion of the clinical placement. These findings suggest that the amount of theory students receive in mental health nursing may be more influential than the relevant literature suggests.
Deep-vein thrombosis induced by tranexamic acid in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

To the Editor. —Although thrombotic complications in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) have been seen occasionally, 1-5 an association with deep-vein thrombosis during treatment with tranexamic acid has not been reported, to our knowledge. Report of a Case. —An 83-year-old man, previously healthy, developed a hematoma on his back after trauma. He was diagnosed as having chronic ITP because of a decrease in the platelet count to 40 × 10 9 /L (40 × 10 3 /mm 3 ) (normal, 117 to 327 × 10 9 /L [117 to 327 × 10 3 /mm 3 ]); prolongation of bleeding time to 9.5 minutes (normal, two to five minutes); numerous petechiae (by the Rumpel-Leede test); a decrease of platelet aggregation by adenosine diphosphate to 25% (normal, 40% to 80%); an increase of platelet-associated immunoglobulin to 35.9 ng/mL/10 7 platelets (normal, 9 to 20 ng/mL/10 7 platelets); and reduced production of platelets in
Thermomigration in eutectic tin-lead flip chip solder joints

The thermomigration of eutectic tin-lead flip chip solder joints under ambient temperatures of 20 degC, 100degC and 150degC was investigated in terms of microstructural evolution. No significant thermomigration occurred after 100 h at 20degC and at 100degC. Only microstructural coarsening was observed in solder joints for these cases. However, Pb thermomigration and phase segregation were observed in solder joints after only 50 h at 150degC. Measurements showed that the temperature difference between the chip side and the substrate side reached 8.1degC (a temperature gradient of about 2700degC/cm across the solder joints) at an ambient temperature of 150degC. It is believed that Pb atoms migrated from the chip side (the hot side) to the substrate side (the cold side) under a temperature gradient of 2700 degC/cm
Proinflammatory Role for let-7 MicroRNAS in Experimental Asthma*

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, non-coding RNAs that target and silence protein coding genes through 3′-UTR elements. Evidence increasingly assigns an immunosuppressive role for miRNAs in immunity, but relatively few miRNAs have been studied, and an overall understanding of the importance of these regulatory transcripts in complex in vivo systems is lacking. Here we have applied multiple technologies to globally analyze miRNA expression and function in allergic lung disease, an experimental model of asthma. Deep sequencing and microarray analyses of the mouse lung short RNAome revealed numerous extant and novel miRNAs and other transcript classes. Similar to mRNAs, lung miRNA expression changed dynamically during the transition from the naive to the allergic state, suggesting numerous functional relationships. A possible role for miRNA editing in altering the lung mRNA target repertoire was also identified. Multiple members of the highly conserved let-7 miRNA family were the most abundant lung miRNAs, and we confirmed in vitro that interleukin 13 (IL-13), a cytokine essential for expression for allergic lung disease, is regulated by mmu-let-7a. However, inhibition of let-7 miRNAs in vivo using a locked nucleic acid profoundly inhibited production of allergic cytokines and the disease phenotype. Our findings thus reveal unexpected complexity in the miRNAome underlying allergic lung disease and demonstrate a proinflammatory role for let-7 miRNAs.
Volatility Spillovers across Major Emerging Stock Markets

Emerging stock markets of Asia have become a matter of interest for international financial researchers and policy-makers during the last couple of decades. Series of reforms, increasing financial transparency and decreasing restrictions on transactions have made these markets better diversification opportunities for international investors. This paper examines independently as well the linkages of stock markets across the selected Asian countries. The volatility spillover is modelled through an asymmetric multivariate generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedastic model. In large number of empirical studies of risk return analysis, it is observed that economic stability and good perspectives have been key assets for the development of emerging markets. Diversification of funds to reduce portfolio risk is also one of the point of attraction to domestic and foreign institutional investors. In this work, risk and uncertainty is studied for selected stock markets of emerging economies of Asia. Data of daily stock prices of selected markets is collected for recent decade and detail autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (ARCH) and its generalised models are used to estimate conditional and asymmetric volatilities.
Partial Inhibition of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Replication by Type I Interferons: Impact of Cell-to-Cell Viral Transfer

ABSTRACT Type I interferons (IFN) inhibit several steps of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) replication cycle. Some HIV proteins, like Vif and Vpu, directly counteract IFN-induced restriction factors. Other mechanisms are expected to modulate the extent of IFN inhibition. Here, we studied the impact of IFN on various aspects of HIV replication in primary T lymphocytes. We confirm the potent effect of IFN on Gag p24 production in supernatants. Interestingly, IFN had a more limited effect on HIV spread, measured as the appearance of Gag-expressing cells. Primary isolates displayed similar differences in the inhibition of p24 release and virus spread. Virus emergence was the consequence of suboptimal inhibition of HIV replication and was not due to the selection of resistant variants. Cell-to-cell HIV transfer, a potent means of virus replication, was less sensitive to IFN than infection by cell-free virions. These results suggest that IFN are less active in cell cultures than initially thought. They help explain the incomplete protection by naturally secreted IFN during HIV infection and the unsatisfactory outcome of IFN treatment in HIV-infected patients.
Productive activities and psychological well-being among older adults.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to test whether paid work and formal volunteering reduce the rate of mental health decline in later life. METHODS Using four waves of Health and Retirement Study data collected from a sample of 7,830 individuals aged 55 to 66, I estimated growth curve models to assess the effects of productive activities on mental health trajectories. The analytical strategy took into account selection processes when examining the beneficial effects of activities. The analyses also formally attended to the sample attrition problem inherent in longitudinal studies. RESULTS The results indicated that activity participants generally had better mental health at the beginning of the study. Full-time employment and low-level volunteering had independent protective effects against decline in psychological well-being. Joint participants of both productive activities enjoyed a slower rate of mental health decline than single-activity participants. DISCUSSION The results are consistent with activity theory and further confirm the role accumulation perspective. The finding that full-time work combined with low-level volunteering is protective of mental health reveals the complementary effect of volunteering to formal employment. Methodological and theoretical implications are discussed.
[Estimating the economic burden of osteoporotic vertebral fracture among elderly Korean women].

OBJECTIVES To estimate the economic burden of osteoporotic vertebral fracture (VF) from a societal perspective. METHODS From 2002 to 2004, we identified all National Health Insurance claims records for women >or= 50 years old with a diagnosis of VF. The first 6-months was defined as a "clearance period," Ysuch that patients were considered as incident cases if their first claim of fracture was recorded after June 30, 2002. We only included patients with >or= one claim of a diagnosis of, or prescription for, osteoporosis over 3 years. For each patient, we cumulated the claims amount for the first visit and for the follow-up treatments for 1 year. The hospital charge data from 4 hospitals were investigated to measure the proportion of the non-covered services. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 106 patients from the 4 study sites to measure the out-of-pocket spending outside of hospitals. RESULTS During 2.5 years, 131,453 VF patients were identified. The patients had an average of 3.38 visits, 0.40 admissions and 6.36 inpatient days. The per capita cost was 1,909,690 Won: 71.5% for direct medical costs, 20.6% for direct non-medical costs and 7.9% for indirect costs. The per capita cost increased with increasing age: 1,848,078 Won for those aged 50-64, 2,084,846 Won for 65-74, 2,129,530 Won for 75-84 and 2,121,492 Won for those above 84. CONCLUSIONS Exploring the economic burden of osteoporotic VF is expected to motivate to adopt effective treatment options for osteoporosis in order to prevent the incidence of fracture and the consequent costs.
Predicting Image Memorability Through Adaptive Transfer Learning From External Sources

Remembering images is an innate human capability. Camera images are captured by different people under varying environmental conditions, which leads to highly diverse image memorability scores. However, the factors that make an image more or less memorable are unclear, and it remains unknown how we can more accurately predict image memorability by using such factors. In this paper, we propose a novel framework called multiview transfer learning from external sources (MTLES) to predict image memorability. In this framework, we simultaneously leverage different types of visual feature sets and multiple types of predefined image attributes derived from external sources. In particular, to enhance representation ability of visual features, we construct connections between visual feature sets and higher level image attributes by transferring attribute knowledge from external sources. MTLES integrates weak learning through external sources, transfer learning, and multiview consistency loss with different types of feature sets into a joint framework. To better solve this joint optimization problem, we further develop an alternating iterative algorithm to deal with it. Experiments performed on the publicly available LaMem dataset demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.