nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
The role of operating parameters and oxidative damage mechanisms of advanced chemical oxidation processes in the combat against antibiotic resistant bacteria and resistance genes present in urban wastewater.
Venue: Water research
Year: 2018

An upsurge in the study of antibiotic resistance in the environment has been observed in the last decade. Nowadays, it is becoming increasingly clear that urban wastewater is a key source of antibiotic resistance determinants, i.e. antibiotic resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes (ARB&ARGs) Urban wastewater reuse has arisen as an important component of water resources management in the European Union and worldwide to address prolonged water scarcity issues. Especially, biological wastewater treatment processes (i.e. conventional activated sludge) which are widely applied in urban wastewater treatment plants, have been shown to provide an ideal environment for the evolution and spread of antibiotic resistance. The ability of advanced chemical oxidation processes (AOPs) e.g. light driven oxidation in the presence of H2O2, ozonation, homogeneous and heterogeneous photocatalysis, to inactivate ARB and remove ARGs in wastewater effluents has not been yet evaluated through a systematic and integrated approach. Consequently, this review seeks to provide an extensive and critical appraisal on the assessment of the efficiency of these processes in inactivating ARB and removing ARGs in wastewater effluents, based on recent available scientific literature. It tries to elucidate how the key operating conditions may affect the process efficiency, while pinpointing potential areas for further research and major knowledge gaps which need to be addressed. Also, this review aims at shedding light on the main oxidative damage pathways involved in the inactivation of ARB and removal of ARGs by these processes. In general, the lack and/or heterogeneity of the available scientific data, as well as the different methodological approaches applied in the various studies, make difficult the accurate evaluation of the efficiency of the processes applied. Besides the operating conditions, the variable behavior observed by the various examined genetic constituents of the microbial community, may be directed by the process distinct oxidative damage mechanisms in place during the application of each treatment technology. For example, it was shown in various studies that the majority of cellular damage by advanced chemical oxidation may be on cell wall and membrane structures of the targeted bacteria, leaving the internal components of the cells relatively intact/able to repair damage. As a result, further in depth mechanistic studies are required, to establish the optimum operating conditions under which oxidative mechanisms target internal cell components such as genetic material and ribosomal structures more intensively, thus conferring permanent damage and/or death and preventing potential post treatment re growth.
Hostility or hospitality? A review on violence, bullying and sexual harassment in the tourism and hospitality industry
Year: 2018

The present work reviews the current knowledge about violence, bullying and sexual harassment in the tourism and hospitality industry. It indicates the high prevalence of these aggressive behaviours, and identifies structural reasons, insufficient managerial skills and/or common beliefs as their causes. The negative impacts of bullying, violence and sexual harassment on employees include intentions to leave and psychological upset. These personal negative feelings and attitudes contribute to negative organizational performance indicators, such as high staff turnover rate and low profitability. In addition, the high prevalence of violence creates a negative image for the tourism and hospitality industry in general. The review shows that intervention plans are scattered in aims and time frames, focus mainly on managerial policies, and almost completely overlook immediate actions as well as guest violence. Given its importance, the low number of appropriate intervention tools, policies and agendas clearly suggests the urgent need for more research. The final section of the work provides an overview of three core themes that can potentially contribute to the development of an effective intervention agenda, namely, corporate social responsibility, social media and comparisons to other sectors.
Assessing air quality changes in large cities during COVID 19 lockdowns: The impacts of traffic free urban conditions in Almaty, Kazakhstan
Venue: Science of The Total Environment
Year: 2020

Number of cities worlwide experienced air quality improvements during COVID 19 lockdowns; however, such changes may have been different in places with major contributions from nontraffic related sources. In Almaty, a city scale quarantine came into force on March 19, 2020, which was a week after the first COVID 19 case was registered in Kazakhstan. This study aims to analyze the effect of the lockdown from March 19 to April 14, 2020 (27 days) on the concentrations of air pollutants in Almaty. Daily concentrations of PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, and BTEX were compared between the periods before and during the lockdown. During the lockdown, the PM2.5 concentration was reduced by 21% with spatial variations of 6 34% compared to the average on the same days in 2018 2019, and still, it exceeded WHO daily limit values for 18 days. There were also substantial reductions in CO and NO2 concentrations by 49% and 35% respectively, but an increase in O3 levels by 15% compared to the prior 17 days before the lockdown. The concentrations of benzene and toluene were 2 3 times higher than those during in the same seasons of 2015 2019. The temporal reductions may not be directly attributed to the lockdown due to favorable meteorological variations during the period, but the spatial effects of the quarantine on the pollution levels are evidenced. The results demonstrate the impact of traffic on the complex nature of air pollution in Almaty, which is substantially contributed by various nontraffic related sources, mainly coal fired combined heat and power plants and household heating systems, as well as possible small irregular sources such as garbage burning and bathhouses.
Coordinated Regional District Operation of Integrated Energy Systems for Resilience Enhancement in Natural Disasters
Venue: IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid
Year: 2019

This paper proposes a coordinated regional district operation of integrated energy system (IES) for enhancing resilience in extreme conditions. A bi directional flow model is established for regional district IES with the utilization of power to gas technologies which shows how regional and district IES can jointly enhance the IES resilience. The regional IES co optimizes power grid and natural gas networks, while the district IES coordinates the energy conversion and storage facilities. The district IES is modeled as an energy hub which supplies electricity to the regional IES. A tri level two stage robust model is established to accommodate random outages caused by natural disasters in both natural gas and electricity generation and delivery systems. A two level algorithm utilizing Benders decomposition and column and constraint generation algorithms is proposed to solve the robust IES problem. Numerical results tested on a 6 bus electrical 6 node natural gas system and a modified IEEE RTS 79 40 node natural gas system show the effectiveness of the proposed model and solution technique for enhancing the IES resilience.
Individual, expected diameters of the ascending aorta and prevalence of dilations in a study population aged 60 74 years: a DANCAVAS substudy
Venue: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging
Year: 2020

To determine individual, expected normal diameters of the ascending aorta (AAo) and prevalence of dilations based upon an absolute cut off point 40 mm) and individual cut off point 25% than expected normal) Non contrast computed tomography (CT) scans were obtained in 14,993 individuals (95.0% male, mean age 67.8 3.8) A sub group (n 291) had AAo diameter measured by transthoracic echocardiography. A prediction formula for AAo diameters was created from multivariate linear regression analysis based upon gender, age, and body surface area. An index was made by dividing observed diameters with predicted diameters. A size index 1.25 was defined as dilated. Prevalence of AAo dilations among males and females using 40 mm as cut off point were 10.6% and 2.1% (p 0.001) respectively, while 3.3% and 2.6% (p 0.305) using the size index 1.25, respectively. Proportion of agreement between cases of AAo dilations from the size index and 40 mm was 93.0% Using the size index as 'golden standard' for dilation, the sensitivity and specificity using 40 mm as cut off point for males were 100.0% and 92.4% respectively, while 75.0% and 99.9% respectively, for females. For males and females, the positive predicted values were 31.3% and 93.8% respectively; the negative predicted values were 100.0% and 99.3% respectively. An absolute echocardiographic size criterion of 40 mm entails a significant number of females with missed AAo dilation, and a large number of males are mistaken to have dilated AAo. Thus, AAo diameters should be evaluated in relation to gender, age and BSA. This study provides a formula for potential clinical implementation.
Effects of Testosterone Treatment on Quality of Life in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Venue: American journal of men's health
Year: 2020

Testosterone deficiency (TD) is common and impairs quality of life (QoL) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) However, there are no studies about whether testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can improve QoL in patients with CKD. Therefore, we investigated the effect of TRT on the QoL of patients with CKD and confirmed the safety of TRT. Twenty five male patients with stages III IV CKD whose serum testosterone levels were <350 ng/dl (TD) were enrolled and treated with testosterone gel for 3 months (group II) Age matched controls with stages III IV CKD and TD (group I) were recommended to exercise for the same period. Before and after the treatment, the BMI and handgrip strength were checked, serological tests were performed, and questionnaires were administered in both groups. Compared to baseline, there was no significant difference in serum testosterone levels, scores of the 36 Item Short Form Health Survey (SF 36) Aging Males' Symptoms Scale (AMS) and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and grip strength in group I after 3 months. In group II, a significant increase in testosterone, hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) was observed, and grip strength significantly increased after TRT. Significant improvement in scores of SF 36, AMS, and IPSS was also confirmed after TRT in group II. There was a significant difference in testosterone, Hb, Hct, grip strength, and scores of SF 36, AMS, and IPSS between the two groups after 3 months. The patients in group II showed positive results and continued with TRT. Therefore, we conclude that TRT safely improves the QoL and TD symptoms in patients with moderate to severe CKD.
Volatility forecasting of crude oil futures: The role of investor sentiment and leverage effect
Venue: Resources Policy
Year: 2019

This paper explores the role of investor sentiment and leverage effect on the predictability of crude oil futures market volatility over daily, weekly and monthly horizons. Based on the existing five HAR type models, we develop three kinds of new HAR type models by incorporating investor sentiment and/or leverage effect in the corresponding original HAR type models to examine this issue. We find that the investor sentiment and leverage effect have significant effects on volatility forecasting. In most cases, the leverage effect contains more in sample and out of sample information than the investor sentiment, however, the investor sentiment seems to have more out of sample information when forecasting the long term (i.e. 1 month) future volatility. Furthermore, taking into consideration both the investor sentiment and leverage effect in the original HAR type models produces better in sample fitting power and out of sample forecasting performance than the corresponding other three kinds of HAR type models. The results suggest that investor sentiment and leverage effect should be taken into consideration when forecasting the volatility of crude oil futures market.
Some Forecast Asymmetric GARCH Models for Distributions with Heavy Tails
Year: 2020

Crude oil prices are in uenced by a number of factors that are far beyond the traditionalsupply and demand dynamics such as West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Brent and Dubai. Thehigh frequency crude oil data exhibit non constant variance. This paper models and forecaststhe exhibited uctuations via asymmetric GARCH models with the three commonly used errordistributions: Student'stdistribution, normal distribution and generalized error distribution(GED) The Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) approach is used in the estimation ofthe asymmetric GARCH family models. The analysis shows that volatility estimates given bythe exponential generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (EGARCH) modelexhibit generally lower forecast errors in returns of WTI oil spot price while the asymmetricpower autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (APARCH) model exhibits lower forecasterrors in returns of Brent oil spot price, therefore they are more accurate than the estimatesgiven by the other asymmetric GARCH models in each returns.The results obtained fromthe volatility forecasts seem to be useful to oil future traders and policy makers who needto perceive apriori the eects of news on return volatilities before executing their trading,investments and political strategies for the economic wellbeing of the country.
"Mercedes Benz Sign" on CSF Cytology
Venue: European Neurology
Year: 2019

Cryptococcus meningitis is a potentially lethal disease, and cerebrospinal fluid cytology is crucial in establishing diagnosis. We report a novel and interesting morphological sign of Cryptococcus neoformansin CSF cytology resembling the logo of Mercedes Benz. The sign is highly suggestive of Cryptococcus infection and is a strong indicator for more specific tests and timely treatment.
Effects of perceived quality and satisfaction on brand loyalty in China: The moderating effect of customer orientation
Year: 2012

The domain of customer orientation, perceived quality and brand loyalty has been well documented in the Western market (for example, Europe and US) However, the afore mentioned themes are underexplored in the Chinese market. Therefore, this study investigates the effects of customer orientation, perceived quality and satisfaction on brand loyalty. Both perceived quality and customer satisfaction are hypothetically associated with brand loyalty through customer orientation acting as a moderating variable. Our study of 547 surveyed customers shows that endogenous constructs have an impact on brand loyalty. Our results present an alternative perspective on the moderating role of customer orientation. Conclusions and implications are drawn and discussed for brand loyalty development.
Approaches to treat immune hot, altered and cold tumours with combination immunotherapies
Venue: Nature Reviews Drug Discovery
Year: 2019

Immunotherapies are the most rapidly growing drug class and have a major impact in oncology and on human health. It is increasingly clear that the effectiveness of immunomodulatory strategies depends on the presence of a baseline immune response and on unleashing of pre existing immunity. Therefore, a general consensus emerged on the central part played by effector T cells in the antitumour responses. Recent technological, analytical and mechanistic advances in immunology have enabled the identification of patients who are more likely to respond to immunotherapy. In this Review, we focus on defining hot, altered and cold tumours, the complexity of the tumour microenvironment, the Immunoscore and immune contexture of tumours, and we describe approaches to treat such tumours with combination immunotherapies, including checkpoint inhibitors. In the upcoming era of combination immunotherapy, it is becoming critical to understand the mechanisms responsible for hot, altered or cold immune tumours in order to boost a weak antitumour immunity. The impact of combination therapy on the immune response to convert an immune cold into a hot tumour will be discussed.Immunoscore classifies cancers according to their immune infiltration. In this Review, Galon and Bruni provide a panel of therapeutic strategies to use, combine and develop to treat hot, altered and cold tumours.
Race Ethnicity and Culture in the Family and Youth Outcomes: Test of a Path Model with Korean American Youth and Parents
Venue: Race and social problems
Year: 2014

This study examined the interplay of parental racial ethnic socialization and youth multidimensional cultural orientations to investigate how they indirectly and directly influence youth depressive symptoms and antisocial behaviors. Using data from the Korean American Families Project (220 youths, 272 mothers, and 164 fathers, N 656) this study tested the relationships concurrently, longitudinally, and accounting for earlier youth outcomes. The main findings include that racial ethnic socialization is significantly associated with mainstream and ethnic cultural orientation among youth, which in turn influences depressive symptoms (but not antisocial behaviors) More specifically, parental racial ethnic identity and pride discourage youth mainstream orientation, whereas cultural socialization in the family, as perceived by youth, increases ethnic orientation. These findings suggest a varying impact of racial ethnic socialization on the multidimensional cultural orientations of youth. Korean language proficiency of youth was most notably predictive of a decrease in the number of depressive symptoms concurrently, longitudinally, and after controlling for previous levels of depressive symptoms. English language proficiency was also associated with a decrease in depressive symptoms, implying a benefit of bilingualism.
EU Defence Integration and Nuclear Weapons: A Common Deterrent for Europe?
Year: 2010

Nuclear weapons remain the unquestioned core of the defence postures of both France and the United Kingdom. At the same time, the European Union is progressively enhancing its Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) notably through the establishment of a European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) Yet, despite evident progress in the CFSP, whose ultimate purpose is to lead to a 'common defence policy' EU member states still deal with nuclear issues on a predominantly national basis. What is the alleged purpose of European nuclear forces? How is the raison d'etre of the French and British nuclear deterrents conceptualized against the background of progressing European (defence) integration? This article examines the construction of the rationale of the French and British nuclear forces and their compatibility with the emerging European defence policy, particularly with regard to a hypothetical integration of both arsenals into a common deterrent. Could and should a 'European nuclear deterrent' be envisaged as the final stage in the framing of a European defence?
Gestalt Therapy Applied: A Case Study with an Inpatient Diagnosed with Substance Use and Bipolar Disorders.
Year: 2017

The aim of the present paper is to open the discourse regarding the unmet needs of specific patients, especially those with substance use disorder and/or personality disorder where 'multimorbidities' and/or 'overdiagnosis' and/or 'diagnosis overlap' are frequent. An additional aim is to review the main therapeutic purpose and concepts of Gestalt therapy which might be appropriate in the treatment of these patients often characterized by their difficulties in being aware and in contact in the 'here and now' Methods I first start with an overview of Gestalt therapy concepts. Then, I illustrate Gestalt's 'here and now' and awareness concepts applied during 18 sessions with an inpatient diagnosed with substance use and bipolar disorders. In addition, the patient had to face an open criminal charge, was regarded as having an antisocial personality disorder and argued suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.  After this two month therapy period, the patient entered for the first time a daily rehabilitation program in the community, where he was doing well (this after a few prior hospitalizations) The awareness development in the 'here and now' through which different contact styles and cycles of experiences are experienced is a process that allowed the patient to start experiencing contact with himself, his true needs and his environment. This contributed to his well being improvement, led and supported his rehabilitation and reinsertion within the society and decrease his relapses, either with drugs or criminal activities.  The therapist's awareness and contact with themselves and their environment are reflected in the therapist's relaxed but awake and aware state of mind as well as their wise, spontaneous and mindful approach.
COMBinatorial Oligonucleotide FISH (COMBO FISH) with Uniquely Binding Repetitive DNA Probes.
Venue: Methods in molecular biology
Year: 2020

During the last decade, genome sequence databases of many species have been more and more completed so that it has become possible to further develop a recently established technique of FISH (Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization) called COMBO FISH (COMBinatorial Oligo FISH) In contrast to standard FISH techniques, COMBO FISH makes use of a bioinformatic search in sequence databases for probe design, so that it can be done for any species so far sequenced. In the original approach, oligonucleotide stretches of typical lengths of 15 30 nucleotides were selected in such a way that they only co localize at the given genome target. Typical probe sets of about 20 40 stretches were used to label about 50 250 kb specifically. The probes of different lengths can be composed of purines and pyrimidines, but were often restricted to homo purine or homo pyrimidine probe sets because of the experimental advantage of using a protocol omitting denaturation of the target strand and triple strand binding of the probes. This allows for a better conservation of the 3D folding and arrangement of the genome. With an improved, rigorous genome sequence database analysis and sequence search according to statistical frequency and uniqueness, a novel family of probes repetitively binding to characteristic genome features like SINEs (Short Interspersed Nuclear Elements, e.g. ALU elements) LINEs (Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements, e.g. L1) or centromeres has been developed. These probes can be synthesized commercially as DNA or PNA probes with high purity and labeled by fluorescent dye molecules. Here, new protocols are described for purine pyrimidine probes omitting heat treatment for denaturation of the target so that oligonucleotide labeling can also be combined with immune staining by specific antibodies. If the dyes linked to the oligonucleotide stretches undergo reversible photo bleaching (laser induced slow blinking) the labeled cell nuclei can be further subjected to super resolution localization microscopy for complex chromatin architecture research.