Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatially lagged predictors from a wider area improve PM2.5 estimation at a finer temporal interval—A case study of Dallas-Fort Worth, United States

Fine particulate matter, also known as PM2.5, has many adverse impacts on human health. However, there are few ground monitoring stations measuring PM2.5. Satellite data help fill the gaps in ground measurements, but most studies focus on estimating daily PM2.5 levels. Studies examining the effects of environmental exposome need accurate PM2.5 estimates at fine temporal intervals. This work developed a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to estimate the PM2.5 concentration at an hourly average using high-resolution Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) from the MODIS MAIAC algorithm and meteorological data. Satellite-acquired AOD data are instantaneous measurements, whereas stations on the ground provide an hourly average of PM2.5 concentration. The current work aimed to refine PM2.5 estimates at temporal intervals from 24-h to 1-h averages. Our premise posited the enabling effects of spatial convolution on temporal refinements in PM2.5 estimates. We trained a CNN to estimate PM2.5 corresponding to the hour of AOD acquisition in the Dallas-Fort Worth and surrounding area using 10 years of data from 2006–2015. The CNN accepts images as input. For each PM2.5 station, we strategically subset temporal MODIS images centering at the PM2.5 station. Hence, the resulting image-patch size represented the size of the area around the PM2.5 station. It thus was analogous to spatial lag in spatial statistics. We systematically increased the image-patch size from 3 × 3, 5 × 5, … , to 19 × 19 km2 and observed how increasing the spatial lag impacted PM2.5 estimation. Model performance improved with a larger spatial lag; the model with a 19 × 19 km2 image-patch as input performed best, with a correlation coefficient of 0.87 and a RMSE of 2.57 g/m3 to estimate PM2.5 at in situ stations corresponding to the hour of satellite acquisition time. To overcome the problem of a reduced number of image-patches available for training due to missing AOD, the study employed a data augmentation technique to increase the number of samples available to train the model. In addition to avoiding overfitting, data augmentation also improved model performance.
Size effect on the lattice parameters of nanocrystalline anatase

Crystallite size dependence on the lattice parameters of nanocrystalline anatase was examined by x-ray diffraction pattern analysis, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Raman spectroscopy. The lattice parameter a increased while the parameter c decreased with reducing crystallite sizes. However, the cell volume increased with decreasing crystallite size indicating an overall expansion due to confinement effect. The observed shift in Eg Raman mode (at 144 cm−1) was in accordance with an empirical phonon confinement model while no substoichiometric titania could be detected by XPS. It was concluded that the lattice expansion was purely due to electrostatic relaxation as a result of size confinement.
Paracrine Signals in Calcified Conditioned Media Elicited Differential Responses in Primary Aortic Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and in Adventitial Fibroblasts

Our goal was to determine if paracrine signals from different aortic layers can impact other cell types in the diabetic microenvironment, specifically medial vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and adventitial fibroblasts (AFBs). The diabetic hyperglycemic aorta undergoes mineral dysregulation, causing cells to be more responsive to chemical messengers eliciting vascular calcification. Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs)/AGE receptors (RAGEs) signaling has been implicated in diabetes-mediated vascular calcification. To elucidate responses shared between cell types, pre-conditioned calcified media from diabetic and non-diabetic VSMCs and AFBs were collected to treat cultured murine diabetic, non-diabetic, diabetic RAGE knockout (RKO), and non-diabetic RKO VSMCs and AFBs. Calcium assays, western blots, and semi-quantitative cytokine/chemokine profile kits were used to determine signaling responses. VSMCs responded to non-diabetic more than diabetic AFB calcified pre-conditioned media. AFB calcification was not significantly altered when VSMC pre-conditioned media was used. No significant changes in VSMCs signaling markers due to treatments were reported; however, genotypic differences existed. Losses in AFB α-smooth muscle actin were observed with diabetic pre-conditioned VSMC media treatment. Superoxide dismutase-2 (SOD-2) increased with non-diabetic calcified + AGE pre-conditioned VSMC media, while same treatment decreased diabetic AFBs levels. Overall, non-diabetic and diabetic pre-conditioned media elicited different responses from VSMCs and AFBs.
Adaptive Bayesian Regression Splines in Semiparametric Generalized Linear Models

Abstract This article presents a fully Bayesian approach to regression splines with automatic knot selection in generalized semiparametric models for fundamentally non-Gaussian responses. In a basis function representation of the regression spline we use a B-spline basis. The reversible jump Markov chain Monte Carlo method allows for simultaneous estimation both of the number of knots and the knot placement, together with the unknown basis coefficients determining the shape of the spline. Since the spline can be represented as design matrix times unknown (basis) coefficients, it is straightforward to include additionally a vector of covariates with fixed effects, yielding a semiparametric model. The method is illustrated with datasets from the literature for curve estimation in generalized linear models, the Tokyo rainfall data, and the coal mining disaster data, and by a credit-scoring problem for generalized semiparametric models.
Prognoses of Patients with Hormone Receptor-Positive and Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-Negative Breast Cancer Receiving Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy before Surgery: A Retrospective Analysis

Simple Summary To date there is no specific analysis providing comprehensive available evidence that can guide clinical treatment options for patients with hormone receptor-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2-negative (HR+/HER2−) breast cancer (BC) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). We conducted a retrospective study with 3070 consecutive HR+/HER2− BC patients after NAC and indicated that progesterone receptor (PR) negativity BC has a higher complete pathological response (pCR) and lower survival than PR positivity BC. PR may be used as an independent predictor for pCR and a prognosis of HR+/HER2− BC in the NAC setting. HER2-low tumors are not significantly associated with pCR or disease-free survival (DFS), but these patients have significantly lower overall survival (OS) than those with HER-0 tumors. Our research confirms the significance of PR and HER2 status associated with pCR and prognosis. Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the clinical characteristics, pathological response, and prognostic significance of hormone receptor-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2−) breast cancer (BC) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Methods: A survival analysis was performed to detect the factors related to recurrence and death in 3070 consecutive patients with HR+/HER2− BC who received NAC from 2011 to 2022. All patients received current “standard of care” following neoadjuvant therapy based on guidelines, including surgery and adjuvant endocrine therapy. HER2-low was defined as immunohistochemistry (IHC) 1+ or IHC 2+ and fluorescence in-situ hybridization-negative. Results: The complete pathological response (pCR) (ypT0/is ypN0) rate was 14.5%. The clinical tumor size (cT), ER scores, PR status, and Ki67 levels were related to pCR. The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 82.6% and 90.4%, respectively. PR, Ki67 levels, and postmastectomy radiotherapy were independent factors for DFS and OS, and the extranodal extension (ENE) correlated with DFS. However, pCR and HER2 status were related to OS. The pCR rate in PR negativity BC was significantly higher than that in PR positivity BC (21.1% vs. 12.2%, p = 0.000), but PR negativity BC had a poorer prognosis than PR positivity BC. HER2-low BC showed high ER scores (over 50%), PR positivity, large ypT, ENE, and lymphovascular invasion but a lower pCR rate than HER2-zero BC. Patients with HER2-low BC had shorter OS than those with HER2-zero BC (p = 0.037). However, there was no difference in DFS. Conclusions: Depending on PR status and HER2 status, patients with ER positivity and HER2 negativity exhibit different pathologic complete response rates to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and long-term outcomes, especially patients with PR negativity or HER2-low status.
Current Status of Obesity: Protective Role of Catechins

Obesity is a growing health concern in today’s society. Current estimates indicate that obesity occurs in both adults and young people. Recent research also found that the Hispanic population in the U.S. is 1.9 times more likely to be overweight as compared to their non-Hispanic population. Obesity is a multifactorial disease that has a variety of causes. All current treatment options incorporate dietary changes aimed at establishing a negative energy balance. According to current scientific research, multiple factors are involved with the development of obesity, including genetic, biochemical, psychological, environmental, behavioral, and socio-demographic factors. The people who suffer from obesity are far more likely to suffer serious health problems, such as stroke, diabetes, lung disease, bone and joint disease, cancer, heart disease, neurological disorders, and poor mental health. Studies indicate that multiple cellular changes are implicated in the progression of obesity, mitochondrial dysfunction, deregulated microRNAs, inflammatory changes, hormonal deregulation, and others. This article highlights the role that oxidative stress plays in obesity and current obesity-prevention techniques with an emphasis on the impact of catechins to prevent and treat obesity.
Magyarországi kistájak felszínborítás változékonysága és felszínborítás mozaikosságuk változása

Magyarország felszínborítása jelentősen átalakult az 1990-es évek óta. A felszínborítás területi változásai (Magyarországon az erdőterületek növekedése, szántók csökkenése) mellett az egyes felszínborítás foltok mérete és alakja is változott, jelentős hatást gyakorolva a tájban zajló ökológiai, hidrológiai, és eróziós folyamatokra. Ahhoz, hogy előre tudjuk jelezni a felszínborítás jövőbeli változásának tendenciáit ismernünk kell a táji egységeken (kistájakon) belül az 1990-es évek óta végbement változások jellemzőit (pl. gyakoriságát). Jelen tanulmány célja egyrészt a felszínborítás változások változékonyságágának számszerűsítése, másrészt a felszínborítás mozaikosságának változás elemzése kistáj léptékben 1990-2012 között. Minden kistájakon belül a felszínborítás foltokra eső felszínborítás változás foltok számát (azaz gyakoriságát) használtam a felszínborítás változékonyságának jellemzéséhez. A táj mozaikosságának változását pedig az adott kistájon belüli felszínborítás foltok átlagos méretének (Mean Patch Size) változásával jellemeztem. Eredményeink szerint a homoktalajú tájak (a Nyírség és a Duna-Tisza közének kistájain) volt a legnagyobb a felszínborítás változások gyakorisága. Ez összefügghet azzal, hogy a rossz vízgazdálkodási tulajdonságú homokterületeket sújtja a leginkább a szárazodás, így e területeken van a legnagyobb szükség a területhasználat változtatására, diverzifikálására, mely egyre mozaikosabb felszínborítást eredményez. Ezzel szemben a jó termőhelyi adottságú csernozjom talajú kistájakon (Pl. Mezőföldön) alig változott a felszínborítás az 1990-es évek óta fenntartva e tájak „agrársivatag” jellegét. A felszínborítás mozaikossága a már eleve mozaikos szerkezetű hegységperemi, és homokhátsági területeken nőtt a legjobban, és a jó termőtalajú területeken a legkevésbé. A kapott eredmények jól illeszthetők a kistájak földrajzi jellemzőit leíró „Magyarország Kistájainak Katasztere” adatbázisba.
Affine geometric proofs of the Banach Stone theorems of Kadison and Kaup

This approach was abandoned by Kadison because “the sparseness of knowledge concerning the pure states of an operator algebra makes this procedure seem difficult” [14, p. 326]. Instead he gives an intrinsic proof, depending mainly on spectral theory and the geometry of the underlying Hilbert spaces on which A and B act. Kadison points out that ρ preserves the quantum mechanical structure of the C∗-algebras, i.e., the linear structure and the power structure of self-adjoint elements. It follows, and this is significant for the viewpoint expressed in this paper, that T , given by (1.1), preserves powers of the form aa∗a, aa∗aa∗a, . , and hence, by polarization, that T preserves the triple product ab∗c+ cb∗a.
Methods of optical tomography in biomedicine

Results of the research carried out at the Institute of Applied Physics US (IAP RAS) in collaboration with the Nizhny Novgorod Medical Academy are presented. The obtained data demonstrate capabilities of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Polarization-Sensitive OCT (PS OCT), and Optical Coherence Microscopy (OCM) for biomedicine. Also we present our first results on Frequency-Domain Optical Diffusion Tomography (FD ODT) and Frequency-Domain Fluorescence Diffusion Tomography (FD FDT). OCT, CP OCT and OCT are high-resolution (3- 15 mcm) techniques used for visualization of near surface objects (at depths up to 2 mm). ODT and FDT have lower resolution (4-8 mm), but they allow investigation at depths up to 5-10 cm.
Dynamic Response and Impact Force Calculation of PC Box Girder Bridge Subjected to Over-Height Vehicle Collision

The dynamic response of a prestressed concrete box girder bridge under the impact of an over-height vehicle is studied using the numerical simulation method. The finite element analysis software LS-DYNA is used to simulate the collision between the bridge superstructure and an over-height truck. Further, a parametric analysis is carried out to investigate the influence of six factors, i.e., girder configuration, vehicle speed, vehicle mass, impact angle, concrete strength and strand prestress, on both local damage and overall performance of the bridge. The numerical analysis results show that the girder configuration, vehicle speed, vehicle mass and impact angle have obvious effects on both local damage and the overall behavior of the PC box girder bridge. Whereas, the concrete strength and strand prestress only have a certain effect on the local damage at the impact area with very limited influence on the overall behavior of the bridge. In addition, based on the results obtained from the numerical simulation and parametric analysis, a formula for predicting the peak and average impact force of the prestressed concrete box girder bridge under the over-height vehicle impact is developed. The proposed impact force formula comprehensively accounts for the influence of the vehicle speed, vehicle mass and impact angle and can accurately predict the impact force generated under different working conditions, which confirms the promising prospect of the proposed formula in practical applications.
Comparison of Invasive Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma versus Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm: A National Cancer Database Analysis

Simple Summary This study aimed to compare the characteristics, management, and overall survival of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) vs. invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) using the National Cancer Database in the US. This study included 101,190 patients, with 100,834 having PDAC and 356 having IPMN. The results showed that PDAC was more aggressive than IPMN, with a lower proportion of patients undergoing surgery but a higher proportion receiving chemotherapy or radiation. The median overall survival for PDAC was 8.3 months and for IPMN it was 33.4 months. Surgery was found to improve overall survival, and efforts should focus on facilitating surgical treatment for better outcomes. Abstract Background: Current evidence on overall survival (OS) between invasive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) is limited to single-center reports. We aimed to compare the characteristics, management, and OS of invasive PDAC vs. IPMN using a national United States (US) database. Methods: Invasive PDAC or IPMN adult (≥18 years) patients were identified in the National Cancer Database (2004–2016). OS was assessed with the Kaplan–Meier method and the stratified log-rank test. Results: We included 101,190 patients (100,834 PDAC, 356 IPMN). A higher proportion of PDAC vs. IPMN patients had clinical N1 (36.8% vs. 15.7%, p < 0.001) and M1 disease (41.2% vs. 5.9%, p < 0.001). A lower proportion of PDAC patients underwent surgery (25.5% vs. 80.3%, p < 0.001), but a higher proportion received chemotherapy (65.4% vs. 46.1%, p < 0.001) or radiation (25.3% vs. 20.5%, p = 0.04). A higher proportion of surgical patients with PDAC vs. IPMN underwent margin-positive resection (23.0% vs. 14.0%, p = 0.001). The median OS for PDAC vs. IPMN was 8.3 vs. 33.4 months. In the stratified analysis for N0M0 disease, the median OS for PDAC vs. IPMN was 12.8 vs. 43.3 months, for N1M0, it was 11.5 vs. 17.0 months, while for M1, it was 4.0 vs. 7.0 months. In both diagnoses, surgery yielded improved OS, while stratified analysis in the surgical cohort demonstrated similar findings. Conclusions: Invasive PDAC is more aggressive than invasive IPMN, yet in the case of metastasis, OS is equally poor. Excellent long-term OS is achievable with surgical resection in highly selected cases, and efforts should focus on facilitating surgical treatment.
SELFDECOMPOSABILITY PERPETUITY LAWS AND STOPPING TIMES

In the probability theory limit distributions (or probability measures) are often characterized by some convolution equations (factorization properties) rather than by Fourier transforms (the characteristic functionals). In fact, usually the later follows the first one. Equations, in question, involve the multiplication by the positive scalars $c$ or an action of the corresponding dilation $T_{c}$ on measures. In such a setting, it seems that there is no way for stopping times (or in general, for the stochastic analysis) to come into the "picture". However, if one accepts the view that the primary objective, in the classical limit distributions theory, is to describe the limiting distributions (or random variables) by the tools of random integrals/functionals then one can use the stopping times. In this paper we illustrate such a possibility in the case of selfdecomposability random variables (i.e. Levy class L) with values in a real separable Banach space. Also some applications of our approach to perpetuity laws are presented; cf. \cite{Du1}, \cite{ED1}, \cite{GG1}. In fact, we show that all selfdecomposable distributions are perpetuity laws.
Bridging the Gap Between Research and Practice of Engagement: Toward a Collaborative Human Resource Development

The Problem As the discourse around employee engagement has continued to emerge as an interdisciplinary, intercultural, and interprofessional concept, the gap between research and practice of engagement still remains, making collaboration among HRD scholars and practitioners in developing an engaged workforce a huge challenge. The Solution To fill the gap between research and practice on engagement, ontological, epistemological, and focal views of various perspectives on engagement are reviewed. Conceptual commonalities and differences in the multiple definitions, theories, and frameworks of employee engagement are also discussed. By exploring the divergence and convergence in the engagement discourse, a common ground for collaborative HRD in developing an engaged workforce is identified. Finally, implications for HRD research and practice are provided. The Stakeholders The intended audience for this article is HRD scholars, practitioners, and employers interested in developing an engaged workforce and workplace.
Understanding the Perspectives of Latino Adults Who Smoke on Physical Activity: A Qualitative Study

Smoking and sedentary lifestyle frequently co-occur among Latinos. Evidence suggests that moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) may enhance smoking cessation rates. However, this synergistic phenomenon has not been studied among Latinos, the largest minority group in the United States. This qualitative study consisted of semi-structured interviews in English or Spanish with Latino adults who smoke (n = 20) to understand their perspectives on physical activity. Participants were recruited using community-based recruitment strategies. The Health Belief Model was used as a framework for qualitative theoretical analysis. Multiple perceived benefits (e.g., mood management, strategy to quit smoking), susceptibility (e.g., risk of cardiovascular diseases, physical impairment), and barriers (e.g., lack of social support, low financial resources) of being physically active were identified. Moreover, multiple cues to action to do physical activity (e.g., being a role model, spending time with family and friends) were identified. These factors provide concrete operational strategies to address smoking cessation and physical activity among Latinos. Further research is needed on how best to integrate these perspectives into smoking cessation interventions.
Economic and environmental comparison of conventional and conservation agriculture in South African wheat production

ABSTRACT Global wheat yields must increase to meet current and rising global demand despite the increasing threats to production resulting from climate change. One climate change adaptation strategy in wheat production in the Western Cape of South Africa is conservation agriculture (CA). Using a data set of 1,043 plot-level wheat observations collected at Langgewens and Tygerhoek research farms from 2002 to 2020, this study conducts a stepwise Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to estimate the environmental and economic impacts of switching from conventional wheat production to CA’s zero tillage (zero-till) and no-tillage (no-till) systems. The results indicate that CA is more profitable and has a higher environmental efficiency, than conventional tillage wheat production. In Langgewens, zero-till and no-till are respectively 113% and 55% more efficient than conventional tillage when comparing the environmental impact of producing one kg of wheat. Findings also suggest that, compared to 100% conventional tillage wheat production, the adoption of CA systems has led to reductions in environmental damage valued between R269.2 and R402.5 million in the Western Cape.