Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The seismicity of the Caribbean region

The hypocenters of approximately 500 Caribbean earthquakes were relocated using a digital computer. Since a large number of epicenters can now be located with an accuracy of about 10 km, the spatial distribution of earthquakes can be used in detailed investigations of the tectonics of deep-sea trenches, fault zones, and island arcs. A nearly continuous belt of shallow-focus seismicity can be traced from Central America to the Greater and Lesser Antilles and thence to northeastern Venezuela. In Venezuela intense sources of seismic activity are apparently associated with the El Pilar and Bocono fault zones. This study indicated a gap in the seismicity of northern South America between longitudes 64.5°W and 69°W. In addition to this area, several other segments of island arcs have acted as distinct tectonic units. These units are often bounded by major transverse features. About 30% of the events reported in this study were assigned focal depths greater than 70 km; earthquakes having depths as great as 200 km were detected. A zone of intermediate-depth earthquakes can be traced along the entire length of the Lesser Antilles. Most of the hypocenters in the Lesser Antilles are confined to a zone about 50 km wide which dips about 60° west. An intense source of intermediate earthquakes is located beneath the eastern end of Hispaniola. Much of the shallow-focus activity in the vicinity of the Puerto Rico trench is located beneath the south wall of the trench. Some activity was detected in the Puerto Rico trench itself, and several epicenters are associated with structural elements which strike WNW. Earthquake epicenters near the Virgin Islands indicate that the Anegada faul zone may be at least 400 km long.
“Always Look at the Clock”: Psychosocial Working Conditions in Outpatient Care—A Qualitative Study

Background: In view of demographic change, there is a growing need for qualified nursing professionals. More and more people in need of care prefer to be cared for at home. A shortage of skilled workers and constantly changing and increasing professional requirements are some of the consequences. The aim of this study is to generate further insights into work-related psychosocial stress factors and the resources of outpatient caregivers in their subjective perceptions to derive approaches for possible health-promoting interventions for practice and research that promote healthier and more sustainable work. In addition, coping strategies and needs should be inquired about in order to determine support offers. Methods: Using a semi-structured interview guide, thirty outpatient nursing professionals in Germany were interviewed in 2022. The subject of this interview was the psychosocial working conditions and resources in outpatient care. The collected data were evaluated by means of the Kuckartz qualitative content analysis. Results: This qualitative study identified work-related job demands and resources in outpatient care. The way nurses are treated in the companies they work for and the appreciation of patients were explored as important resources. Physical demands, the time factor, and dealing with personal fates are primarily mentioned as stress factors. The learning effect plays an important role in dealing with these. Conclusion: This study contributes to a better understanding of current job strain and resources as well as job satisfaction in outpatient care. In any case, it became clear that the nursing staff love their profession, which they see more as a vocation. Future quantitative studies are necessary to build on these findings. First ideas of implications for health promotion measures in research and practice have already been derived.
Principle of multi-focus infrared image fusion and definition quality parameter evaluation algorithm

The use of photoelectric sensors to image the infrared radiation of the tail flame of a jet type high-altitude high-speed unmanned aerial vehicle is one of the technical points for discovering high-altitude targets and anti stealth. The difference in distance between targets in the field of view, as well as the limitations in sensitivity and spectral characteristics of photoelectric sensors, result in multifocal infrared images produced by photoelectric sensors. In order to independently master the multi focus infrared image fusion technology and quality evaluation standards, and facilitate the subsequent integration of artificial intelligence technology, algorithm design, autonomous recognition and tracking, the author conducted a systematic and comprehensive research on it. This article is one of the important contents of these research works. Using the wavelet transform fast decomposition and reconstruction algorithm (DWT) to calculate the fusion results of multifocal infrared images under different rules; the evaluation function for image fusion effectiveness was provided, and verification and analysis were conducted; from the perspective of the final observer of the multi focus infrared image, the definition of image definition quality factor is independent of the test image, observation conditions and observer's knowledge level; the principle of objective evaluation of image fusion quality (PAC) is calculated, and simulation experimental results and analysis are provided.
Predictive value of machine learning for the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) in hospital intensive care units (ICU) patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Recent studies suggest machine learning represents a promising predictive option for patients in intensive care units (ICU). However, the machine learning performance regarding its actual predictive value for early detection in acute kidney injury (AKI) patients remains uncertain. Objective This study represents the inaugural meta-analysis aiming to investigate the predictive value of machine learning for assessing the risk of AKI among ICU patients. Methods PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were all thoroughly searched from inception to June 25, 2022. Eligible studies for inclusion were those concentrating on the predictive value and the development, validation, or enhancement of a prediction model for AKI patients in the ICU. Measures of effects, including c-index, sensitivity, specificity, and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs), were employed for analysis. The risk of bias in the included original studies was assessed using Probst. The meta-analysis in our study was carried out using R version 4.2. 0. Results The systematic search yielded 29 articles describing 13 machine-learning models, including 86 models in the training set and 57 in the validation set. The overall c-index was 0.767 (95% CI [0.746, 0.788]) in the training set and 0.773 (95% CI [0.741, 0.804]) in the validation set. The sensitivity and specificity of included studies are as follows: sensitivity [train: 0.66 (95% CI [0.59, 0.73]), validation: 0.73 (95% CI [0.68, 0.77])]; and specificity [train: 0.83 (95% CI [0.78, 0.87])], validation: 0.75 (95% CI [0.71, 0.79])]. Conclusion The machine learning-based method for predicting the risk of AKI in hospital ICU patients has excellent predictive value and could potentially serve as a prospective application strategy for early identification. PROSPERO Registration number ID: CRD42022362838.
Applying the Social-Ecological Framework to Link the Drivers of Intimate Partner Violence Among Women in the Caribbean and Their Risk for HIV Infection

For countries with a high prevalence of HIV such as in the Caribbean, intimate partner violence (IPV) may increase the chances for acquiring HIV infection. Using secondary data, we compared findings from studies conducted in five Caribbean countries measuring the prevalence of gender-based violence among women in Grenada, Jamaica, Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. The Social-Ecological Framework was used to categorize women's dual risk for intimate partner violence and HIV. We found that younger age, lower education, childhood experiences of abuse, income dependency, controlling behaviors of partners, non-disclosure of violence, and early sexual experiences were associated with intimate partner violence. These factors also predispose women in the Caribbean to HIV infection. The Social-Ecological Framework is applicable to understanding the drivers of intimate partner violence and HIV infection at multiple levels and for the design and promotion of combined prevention interventions. Our study also demonstrated the applicability of the Social-Ecological Framework as an analytical and predictive model underscoring the need for increased coordination across multiple actors to strengthen advocacy, given the pervasiveness of harmful social norms and gender inequalities which undermine IPV and HIV control efforts.
A digital GIS update to the classic Ulbrich’s 1930 map of muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) population range expansion in Central Europe

Historical data sets are valuable for learning and developing new tools for understanding and predicting species spread and dispersal. We update the classic Ulbrich (1930) map of muskrat ( Ondatra zibethicus ) spread in Central Europe, converting it to a set of GIS maps. We illustrate the updated data by fitting a set of simple models that measure the rate of spread of species. We recover the classic findings of radial spread from previous studies and, with the finer-scale data, show when the traditional radial assumption of spread breaks down. We believe that our version of the Ulbrich data is a valuable tool for pedagogy and a type of digital playground for the design and development of new tools to estimate species spread and dispersal.
Estudo da interferência da camada limite planetária (CLP) no efeito da ilha de calor urbano (ICU) através da simulação urban weather generator (UWG)

Cada vez mais, nota-se a importância dos estudos climáticos em contextos urbanos. O efeito da Ilha de Calor Urbano (ICU) é influenciado pela urbanização, sendo cada vez mais frequente nas cidades. Nesse contexto, torna-se essencial avaliações do clima local e suas implicações. O objetivo do estudo é avaliar a influência da variação da altura da camada limite planetária (CLP) como dado de entrada do componente Urban Weather Generator. A delimitação espacial corresponde a uma área urbana do município de Anápolis, Goiás. A metodologia foi desenvolvida em cinco etapas: (1) definição do recorte e levantamento de dados; (2) modelagem da geometria; (3) definição das características construtivas das geometrias; (4) entrada de dados no DragonFly; e (5) simulação e análise dos resultados. Os resultados mostram as diferentes variações exercidas pelos parâmetros no modelo. De forma geral, há aumento da temperatura média durante todo o ano em relação ao arquivo climático meteorológico. A partir do modelo, observa-se que quanto menor a altura da camada limite noturna, maior é a temperatura média do ar. A variação da altura da camada limite noturna afeta mais os resultados das temperaturas médias do que a diurna. A partir do estudo, nota-se que a modificação do uso do solo com impermeabilização leva a mudanças significativas na temperatura da camada limite e na qualidade do ar. Assim, o estudo dos fenômenos climáticos se mostra importante, para análise dos efeitos adversos da urbanização no clima local e regional.
Unsupervised Learning-based Robust Optimization under Disjunctive Uncertainties

In practical industrial processes, uncertain parameters often affect the feasibility and optimality of production decisions. Robust optimization is a classical method for optimization under uncertainty and focuses on the construction of uncertainty sets. However, it is difficult to capture the uncertainty space with disjunctive structures accurately using a single uncertainty set, which will lead to conservative decisions. Therefore, considering the probability distribution information of data, this paper proposes an unsupervised learning-based data-driven robust optimization method under disjunctive uncertainties. Gaussian mixture model (GMM) is applied to extract the underlying Gaussian distributions of uncertainties. Then, support vector clustering (SVC) is employed to construct a union of data-driven uncertainty sets, which can depict disjunctive uncertainties more accurately. The tractable robust counterpart optimization problem is developed on the basis of derived uncertainty sets. A numerical example and an industrial case are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method and the influence of the regularization parameter on the optimization results is discussed.
Application of environmental decision analysis framework to identify potential E.coli sources in Lake Tuscaloosa Watershed, Alabama

Lake Tuscaloosa in the State of Alabama in the United States is an important water source for the region. It is an attraction for residential, commercial, and industrial developers. Recent studies and monitoring of the lake have shown high levels of E. coli bacteria in the upper parts of the lake during periods of high stream flow. The City of Tuscaloosa is currently facing a challenging situation: dealing with the increased development in the watershed and protecting the lake. The Environmental Decision Analysis Framework (EDAF) was used to study, analyze and develop alternatives to address the E.coli problem in the lake. After data were collected and analyzed using the model, it was found that the problem was mainly from the agricultural practices in the watershed such as feedlot operations and chicken farms. Better management plans should be put in place to operate and control these practices.
RESEARCH ADVANCES ON FISH SWIMMING CAPABILITY

Fish swimming capability and ecological behavior studies can be used as essential parameters for the design of fish passage facilities that would make the hydropower project play bigger function.This paper summarized the fish swimming classification and evaluation index for the fish swimming capability,and introduced the research methods for the fish swimming performance.The research methods were also compared with the self-designed instrument.Aiming at the fishway design,paper reviewed the abroad research achievements of evaluation models including optimum swimming speed model,maximum swimming speed model,jump height model and swimming endurance model etc.Finally,the applications of fish swimming capability in fishway design were described and research trend of fish swimming capability was prospected.This provides some basic reference for the design of fish passage facilities in hydroelectric power project and promotes the balance of ecosystem and protection of species diversification.
Fabrication and characterization of Orlistat Liquisolid tablets

The aim of the work was to improve the dissolution properties of the practically insoluble anti-obesity drug, Orlistat by utilizing liquisolid technique. Different liquisolid tablets were prepared by dissolving Orlistat in PG with Avicel PH 102 as carrier, Aerosol 200 as coating material and Sodium starch glycolate as disintegrating agent. Additives such as PVP, HPMC and HPG were incorporated into the formulations to improve dissolution characteristics. The formulated liquisolid tablets were evaluated for post compression parameters such as weight variation, hardness, friability, drug content and in-vitro dissolution studies. FT-IR study suggested that there was no chemical interaction between the drug and excipients. DSC was performed to evaluate the physicochemical properties of the liquisolid tablets, which confirm the conversion of crystalline form of the drug to the amorphous form in liquisolid tablets. The result showed that liquisolid formulation of Orlistat exhibited higher percentage of drug release than directly compressed tablets which show significant benefit of liquisolid tablet in increasing wetting properties and surface area of drug available for dissolution.
Liberalizm a urbanistyka

Locke w swoich rozważaniach nad prawami naturalnymi, szczególnie nad jednym konstytuującym pozostałe – prawem własności – za punkt wyjścia przyjmował ziemię. Według Locke’a w pierwotnym stanie natury każdy mógł posiąść tyle ziemi, ile był w stanie uczynić sobie poddaną pracą własnych rąk. Dzięki uczynieniu z ziemi użytku, jednostka stawała się właścicielem danej ziemi, nabywając do niej niezbyte, naturalne prawo własności. Urbanistyka, jako kreowanie struktury budynków, nie może obejść się bez gruntu. Kwestia doktryn, stanowiących o prawach własności tychże gruntów, wydaje się więc immamentnie związana z problemami, z jakimi borykają się dzisiejsze miasta. Droga, jaką polska urbanistyka przebyła od 1989 roku, to droga od działającego systemu, który był w stanie zapewnić użytkownikom w krótkim czasie dużą ilość mieszkań, a także adekwatną do nich ilość usług, miejsc pracy, a wszystko połączone sprawną komunikacją publiczną, do systemu, w którym urbanista, miasto oraz jego władze skrępowane są w działaniu indywidualistycznymi, często sprzecznymi z interesem społecznym interesami właścicieli gruntów. Chociaż oczywistym jest, że poprzedni system w zakresie planowania przestrzennego radził sobie o wiele lepiej ze spełnianiem podstawowych potrzeb społecznych jak mieszkanie, edukacja czy transport publiczny to nie jest zadaniem tego tekstu pochwała podejmowanych przed 1989 rokiem, często totalitarnych działań. Założeniem tego tekstu jest wykazanie wpływu, jaki na wygląd i funkcjonowanie polskich miast wywiera obecne w społeczeństwie, a także żywe w dyskusji publicznej przywiązanie do głoszonych przez liberalizm idei.
Analytical calculation of SPP generation with structured substrates

Unusual optical properties of structured metal surfaces arise from plasmon resonances and interactions through surface plasmon-polariton waves (SPPs). Predicting these properties is generally challenging. However, simplifying the problem using harmonic Fourier components allows one to decompose the initial problem down to the problem of SPP generation by the finite-length sinusoidal grating. In this work, we propose an analytical method for the description of SPP generation with such gratings by utilising methods from the waveguide theory based on the Lorentz reciprocity theorem.
Application of Selected Methods to Modify Pyrolyzed Biochar for the Immobilization of Metals in Soil: A Review

Soil contamination through heavy metals (HMs) is a serious environmental problem that needs to be addressed. One of the methods of remediating soils contaminated with HMs and reducing the environmental risks associated with them is to immobilize these HMs in the soil using specific amendment(s). The use of biochar as an organic amendment can be an environmentally friendly and practically feasible option, as (i) different types of biomass can be used for biochar production, which contributes to environmental sustainability, and (ii) the functionality of biochar can be improved, enabling efficient immobilization of HMs. Effective use of biochar to immobilize HMs in soil often requires modification of pristine biochar. There are various physical, chemical, and biological methods for modifying biochar that can be used at different stages of pyrolysis, i.e., before pyrolysis, during pyrolysis, and after pyrolysis. Such methods are still being intensively developed by testing different modification approaches in single or hybrid systems and investigating their effects on the immobilization of HMs in the soil and on the properties of the remediated soil. In general, there is more information on biochar modification and its performance in HM immobilization with physical and chemical methods than with microbial methods. This review provides an overview of the main biochar modification strategies related to the pyrolysis process. In addition, recent advances in biochar modification using physical and chemical methods, biochar-based composites, and biochar modified with HM-tolerant microorganisms are presented, including the effects of these methods on biochar properties and the immobilization of HMs in soil. Since modified biochar can have some negative effects, these issues are also addressed. Finally, future directions for modified biochar research are suggested in terms of scope, scale, timeframe, and risk assessment. This review aims to popularize the in situ immobilization of HMs with modified biochar.
Characterization by imaging and high-density electrophysiology of substrates and ventricular arrhythmias

Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation is an effective treatment strategy for scar-related ventricular tachycardia (VT), resistant to anti-arrhythmic drugs and intracardiac defibrillator (ICD) placement. The goal of this thesis was to better understand and characterize the arrhythmogenic VT substrate in different cardiomyopathic processes: ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ICM), non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy (NICM), arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) and myocarditis. For this purpose, we combined high resolution imaging including different modalities and high resolution electrical mapping to better understand the structure-function relationship. We focused on multiple different aspects of VT ablation as outlined below. The first part of this thesis focuses on the role of multipolar mapping catheters and imaging to analyze their structural and functional relationship. We demonstrated superiority of high density mapping with multipolar mapping on conventional mapping in detection of scar, channels, local abnormal ventricular activity (LAVA) and sensitivity for near field signals. The second part of this thesis focuses on ablation of epicardial VT substrate. We demonstrated the efficacy and safety of epicardial only procedures in a highly selected population. We used imaging to have access to the exact anatomy of the heart, to image the substrate but also to increase the safety of ablation procedures by imaging the phrenic nerve and the coronary artery system. The third part of this thesis focuses on analysis of the mapping and ablation of potential targets for scar-related VT ablation. Within this context, we identified predictors of interesting ablation (LAVA) sites based on preprocedural imaging. We also analyzed the role of alternative strategies such as bipolar ablation, ethanol ablation and irrigated needle ablation to ablate intramural and intraseptal substrate, 18 often resistant ablation targets. Overall, we demonstrate that novel imaging, mapping and ablation techniques potentially improve the outcome of VT ablation.