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It has been shown that the semi-arid environment of the Sahelian belt plays an important role in the global carbon uptake as the fluctuation of its primary productivity can be determinant for the global carbon uptake. The insect Schistocerca gregaria commonly known as the desert locust is a disturbance factor that can affect the vegetation productivity for consecutive seasons. In this study the de
This thesis explored the application of pre-trained transformer models in detecting suicidal ideation in social media posts. We leveraged social media data from platforms like Reddit and Twitter and applied a robust hyperparameter random search strategy to fine-tune and evaluate existing transformer models. Despite noise in the fine-tuning data, the models demonstrated high performance in identify
This thesis addresses the problem of horizontal incoherence between the first and second pillar of the European Union in its external relations. Horizontal coherence is an important concept for the European Union's legitimacy and strength. Internally, coherence is essential for the Union's democratic legitimacy, as democratic influx comes from the Council. Externally, to the extent incoher
Shared e-scooters are sometimes presented as a sustainable mobility option, but their environmental impact depends on their utilization. When utilization is low, idle e-scooters increase operational costs and decrease overall energy efficiency. This thesis explores whether neighborhood-level built environment and socio-demographic characteristics influence the usage efficiency of shared e-scooters
This master thesis investigates the legal foundations for training of artificial intelligence (AI) models using personal data, with an emphasis on compliance with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The core issue addressed is the lack of clear legal basis for AI training processes that involve the collection and use of personal data (gathered directly or indirectly thr
Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) play a vital role in AEM water electrolysis (AEMWE), a promising technology for hydrogen production. However, it remains challenging to develop AEMs that simultaneously achieve high OH− conductivity, robust alkaline stability, and sustained operational performance in AEMWE. In the present study, we report on a class of high-performance, readily synthesized AEMs base
Eighteen lichen species, one lichenicolous and two allied fungi are reported for the first time for Latvia (Europe). Bryoria smithii, Heterodermia speciosa, Phaeophyscia pusilloides and Ramalina europaea are new records for the Baltic countries. Comments on habitats and substrates of new records are provided.
Computational dosimetry using Monte Carlo radiation transport simulations was applied for the 2019 European Radiation Dosimetry Group (EURADOS) and Running the European Network of Biological and retrospective Physical dosimetry (RENEB) field test, an exercise of retrospective dosimetry techniques for a realistic small-scale radiological accident. The simulations were performed at four institutes,
Abstract in French:Cette recherche s'intéresse à la mobilisation transnationale de la diaspora autour du vote externe et à l'implication des organisations diasporiques dans le processus électoral du pays d'origine. Plusieurs approches expliquent la transnationalisation politique des groupes diasporiques ; cependant, elles ne parviennent pas à clarifier (1) comment certains moments historiques (parThis research is concerned with transnational diaspora mobilisation around external voting and diaspora organisations’ involvement in the homeland electoral process. There are several approaches that explain the political transnationalisation of the diasporic groups; yet, they fail to clarify (1) how some historical moments (e.g., extending the voting right to non-resident nationals) can generate
Soil aggregate stability has been asserted as an indicator of soil quality. Earthworms are essential for the stability of soil aggregates due to their activities, including burrowing and organic matter decomposition. In this study, we focused on how differences in plant litter quality influences earthworm abundance and composition and, subsequently, macroaggregate stability in an agroforestry ecos
Objective: Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is a severe neurodegenerative disease characterized by tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau protein and tufted astrocytes. Developing treatments for PSP is challenging due to the lack of disease models reproducing its key pathological features. This study aimed to model sporadic PSP-Richardson's syndrome (PSP-RS) using multi-donor midbrain organoids (M
Purpose: Mental illness due to longstanding stress is increasing. It has been shown that service users with mental illness may benefit from nature-based interventions (NBI), including equine-assisted therapy, to support their health, recovery, and activity level of daily life. However, the evidence base to support this is still weak. The aim was thus to evaluate and provide knowledge of the possib
Droughts present a significant global challenge, particularly to forest ecosystems in regions such as eastern New South Wales, Australia, which is known for its dry climate and frequent, intense droughts. Recent studies have indicated a notable increase in tree mortality and canopy browning across this area, especially during the recent extreme drought period culminating in the Black Summer of 201
PURPOSE: The predictive value of excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1) gene for survival and response to platinum-based chemotherapy in gastric cancer (GC) remains controversial. We performed a meta-analysis to clarify the precise estimation of the prognostic and predictive effect of ERCC1.METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, ScienceDirect, Wiley and
BACKGROUND: Little is known about whether the recommended, non-pharmacological treatments for chronic pain yield reductions in healthcare utilization, social costs and increased productivity in actual practice.METHODS: The primary aim of this study ( n = 232) was to conduct secondary analyses of health economic outcomes using data from national registries combined with clinical outcome data from
This article examines how more democratic forms of state-citizen engagement can be engineered under less than favorable political conditions, through the case of the Village Development Committees under the Left Front government in West Bengal, India. Our research shows that these Committees embodied empowered participatory governance ideals and made meaningful contributions to citizens' participa
Background: Non-β-hemolytic streptococci (NBHS) cause blood stream infections (BSI) which can be complicated by infective endocarditis (IE). To stratify the risk for IE in NBHS BSI and to guide the use of echocardiography in this condition, two risk stratification systems (RSSs), the HANDOC score (HANDOC), and the Chamat-Hedemand algorithm (CH-A) have been developed.Objectives: To compare the sens
Purpose: Incisional hernia (IH) after open liver surgery is a well-recognized complication. The clinical importance of IH detected on computed tomography in terms of objective abdominal wall discomfort and impairment of quality of life (QoL) is less well known. Methods: Patients who underwent curative surgery for colorectal liver metastases between 2010 and 2015 at a single center and were alive i
Background: Studies on national policies for biologics are warranted. Objectives: To map and compare national healthcare set-ups for prescription, start, switch, tapering, and discontinuation of biologic/targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in patients with psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis across Europe, and assess the healthcare set-ups in relation to c
