Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Landform features and seasonal precipitation predict shallow groundwater influence on temperature in headwater streams

Headwater stream responses to climate change will depend in part on groundwater‐surface water exchanges. We used linear modeling techniques to partition likely effects of shallow groundwater seepage and air temperature on stream temperatures for 79 sites in nine focal watersheds using hourly air and water temperature measurements collected during summer months from 2012 to 2015 in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, USA. Shallow groundwater effects exhibited more variation within watersheds than between them, indicating the importance of reach‐scale assessments and the limited capacity to extrapolate upstream groundwater influences from downstream measurements. Boosted regression tree (BRT) models revealed intricate interactions among geomorphological landform features (stream slope, elevation, network length, contributing area, and channel confinement) and seasonal precipitation patterns (winter, spring, and summer months) that together were robust predictors of spatial and temporal variation in groundwater influence on stream temperatures. The final BRT model performed well for training data and cross‐validated samples (correlation = 0.984 and 0.760, respectively). Geomorphological and precipitation predictors of groundwater influence varied in their importance between watersheds, suggesting differences in spatial and temporal controls of recharge dynamics and the depth of the groundwater source. We demonstrate an application of the final BRT model to predict groundwater effects from landform and precipitation covariates at 1075 new sites distributed at 100 m increments within focal watersheds. Our study provides a framework to estimate effects of groundwater seepage on stream temperature in unsampled locations. We discuss applications for climate change research to account for groundwater‐surface water interactions when projecting future thermal thresholds for stream biota.
Cost-effective appendectomy. Open or laparoscopic? A prospective randomized study.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to compare the outcome and cost-effectiveness of laparoscopic (LA) and open appendectomy (OA). METHODS Forty consecutive patients were randomized to either the LA (n = 19) or OA (n = 21) group. RESULTS The medians of operative times in the LA and OA groups were 31.5 and 41 min, respectively. The total operation room times were 91 and 82 min, respectively. There was no significant difference in postoperative pain or fatigue, but return to normal life was faster in the LA group (14 versus 26. 5 days). The median hospital costs per patient were 8,538 and 6,788 FIM ($1 US = 4.6 FIM) in the LA and OA groups, respectively; but the total costs among working patients were lower in the LA group (20, 963 versus 27,778 FIM) due to faster return to work. CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopic appendectomy is as safe as open appendectomy. The hospital costs are higher, but LA offers significant cost savings to the payer for working patients.
Function and Regulation of Ferredoxins in the Cyanobacterium, Synechocystis PCC6803: Recent Advances

Ferredoxins (Fed), occurring in most organisms, are small proteins that use their iron-sulfur cluster to distribute electrons to various metabolic pathways, likely including hydrogen production. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on ferredoxins in cyanobacteria, the prokaryotes regarded as important producers of the oxygenic atmosphere and biomass for the food chain, as well as promising cell factories for biofuel production. Most studies of ferredoxins were performed in the model strain, Synechocystis PCC6803, which possesses nine highly-conserved ferredoxins encoded by monocistronic or operonic genes, some of which are localized in conserved genome regions. Fed1, encoded by a light-inducible gene, is a highly abundant protein essential to photosynthesis. Fed2-Fed9, encoded by genes differently regulated by trophic conditions, are low-abundant proteins that play prominent roles in the tolerance to environmental stresses. Concerning the selectivity/redundancy of ferredoxin, we report that Fed1, Fed7 and Fed9 belong to ferredoxin-glutaredoxin-thioredoxin crosstalk pathways operating in the protection against oxidative and metal stresses. Furthermore, Fed7 specifically interacts with a DnaJ-like protein, an interaction that has been conserved in photosynthetic eukaryotes in the form of a composite protein comprising DnaJ- and Fed7-like domains. Fed9 specifically interacts with the Flv3 flavodiiron protein acting in the photoreduction of O2 to H2O.
Development of a 3D analytical solution to evaluate stresses in backfilled vertical openings

RESUME: La reponse mecanique du remblai place dans des ouvertures etroites est largement influencee par son inteaction avec les paroies adjacentes. Les travaux anterieurs portant sur les tranchees et les chantiers remblayes montrent que la theorie de l’effet d’arche peut etre utilisee pour estimer la pression dans les ouvertures etroites. Dans cet article, une solution analytique tridimensionnelle est proposee pour evaluer l'etat de contraintes dans le remblai le long des parois de l’ouverture. La solution, basee sur une generalisation de l’approche de Marston, est comparee avec des resultats numeriques et experimentaux de laboratoire tires de la litterature. L’article se termine par une discussion sur certaines caracteristioques et limitations de la solution analytique. ---------- ABSTRACT: The mechanical response of backfill in narrow openings is significantly influenced by its interaction with the surrounding walls. Previous work conduc ted on backfilled trenches and mining stopes indicates that the theory of arching can be used to estimate earth pressures in na rrow, vertical backfilled openings. In this report, a 3D analytical solution is proposed to evaluate the state of stress along the boundaries of the openings. The proposed solution, based on a generalized version of the Marston approach, is compared to numerical modeling and laboratory experimental results taken from the literature. A discussion follows on some particular features and limitations of the analytical solutions.
The costs and quality of operative training for residents in tympanoplasty type I

Conclusion. A teaching hospital would incur more operation room costs on training surgical residents. Objective. To evaluate the increased operation time and the increased operation room costs of operations performed by surgical residents. As a model we used a very common surgical otology procedure – tympanoplasty type I. Subjects and methods. From January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2004, we included in this study 100 patients who received tympanoplasty type I in Taipei Veterans General Hospital. Fifty-six procedures were performed by a single board-certified surgeon and 44 procedures were performed by residents. We analyzed the operation time and surgical outcomes in these two groups of patients. The operation room cost per minute was obtained by dividing the total operation room expenses by total operation time in the year 2004. Results. The average operation time of residents was 116.47 min, which was significantly longer (p<0.0001) than that of the board-certified surgeon (average 81.07 min). It cost USD$40.36 more for each operation performed by residents in terms of operation room costs. The surgical success rate of residents was 81.82%, which was significantly lower (p=0.016) than that of the board-certified surgeon (96.43%).
Exploring the socio-emotional factors associated with subjective well-being in the unemployed

In this study, we examined the relations between dimensions of Perceived Emotional Intelligence (PEI) and classic constructs, such as social support, on depression, stress, and subjective well-being indicators (life satisfaction and happiness). The study also sought to determine whether PEI dimensions accounted for a significant portion of the variance beyond that of classic constructs in the study of depression, stress, and well-being outcomes in a sample of 442 unemployed subjects. Results indicated that social support and all PEI dimensions are found to be significant and negatively related to depression and stress, and these variables were also found to be significant and positively associated with life satisfaction and happiness. Additionally, results using regression analysis indicated that PEI, and specifically use of emotions and regulation of emotions, explain a significant amount of the variance of all outcomes after controlling for socio-demographics and social support dimensions. Finally, theoretical and practical implications of these constructs and their relation with psychological adjustment and well-being in unemployed people are discussed.
Pathloss Measurements and Modeling for UAVs Connected to Cellular Networks

This paper analyzes the radio channel between cellular network and Unmanned Aerial Vehichles (UAVs). The assessment is done by means of field measurements performed in a rural environment in Denmark. The tests were conducted in an operating LTE network (800 MHz), using a commercial cell phone placed inside the frame of a winged UAV. Trials were conducted with UAV flying at 5 different heights measured above ground level (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100m) and a pathloss regression line was obtained from the results. Thereafter, an analysis of downlink (DL) interference is performed for the reported measurements, which suggests that there is a height-related degradation on signal-to-interference levels. Three possible sources for this effect are also presented and discussed in this paper: expanded radio horizon at higher levels, line-of-sight (LOS) clearing and decreased obstruction of the first Fresnel zone. The importance of a better quantification of these factors are stressed as future work plans are described.
Groundwater-surface water interaction in a coastal aquifer system, Wairau plain, Marlborough, New Zealand

The groundwater system and spring-fed streams are key water resources of the Wairau Plain, Marlborough, New Zealand. Current pressures on these resources include an increase in groundwater extraction over time and a rise in nitrogen concentrations in shallow groundwater, due to land use. The spring-fed streams originate within the transition zone, which spans fluviatile Rapaura Formation gravel in the west and Dillons Point Formation sediments (mostly sands, silts and clays) in the east that were deposited in the Holocene marine incursion. The hydraulic links between land and water were demonstrated by groundwater budgets and three-dimensional (3D) models of shallow sediments and static groundwater pressure (SGP), developed from observations in a large number of wells. Groundwater recharge, sourced principally from the Wairau River but also from rainfall on the Wairau Plain, enters the unconfined gravel aquifer in the west as depicted by downwards vertical SGP gradients. Most of this recharge flows to the spring-fed streams, e.g., groundwater recharge from the Wairau River (7.0 m3/s) was similar to baseflow in the streams (7.1 m3/s) and was much larger than groundwater outflow across the eastern boundary of the zone (0.9 m3/s). The locations of spring-fed streams were commonly associated with: shallow Rapaura Formation gravels, i.e., within 4 m of the ground surface as calculated by a contiguous gravel surface derived from the 3D gravel lithology model; the boundaries between shallow gravel and shallow palaeochannels, which were typically in-filled by silts and clays; and upwards vertical SGP gradients that showed the potential for groundwater to flow to the ground surface. Co-management of land and water on the Wairau Plain is required to ensure the sustainability of the water resource in the long term and this approach is relevant to similar coastal aquifer systems in New Zealand.
Improving creative thinking skills and learning motivation through ethnomathematics-based interactive multimedia: An experimental study in primary school

This research aimed to determine the effect of ethnomathematics-based interactive multimedia to creative thinking skills and learning motivation of elementary school students. This research used quasi experiment of quantitave approach. This research was conducted at Gentan 01 Public Elementary School, Purbayan 01 Public Elementary School, and Kudu 01 Public Elementary School. The data collection method used test, questionnaires, and documentation. The stages of data analysis include conducting multivariate normality tests, homogeneity tests of variance and covariance matrices, pretest data balance tests, and hypothesis testing with multivariate analysis of variance. The research showed that Multivariate Tests output obtained a sig. value of 0,0001<0,05 or hypothesis is rejected. This means that there was a difference in the average of creative thinking skills and learning motivation between the experimental class and control class. Therefore, it can be concluded that ethnomathematics-based interactive multimedia impacted creative thinking skills and learning motivation simultaneously (together).
Osteomyelosclerosis, anemia and extramedullary hematopoiesis in mice lacking the transcription factor NFATc2

Background Nuclear factors of activated T cells (NFAT) are transcription factors that are central to cytokine production in activated T cells and regulate the development and differentiation of various tissues. NFATc2 is expressed in hematopoietic stem cells and regulated during myeloid commitment in a lineage-specific manner. The biological role of NFATc2 in hematopoiesis is, however, unclear. Design and Methods In the present study, we analyzed steady-state hematopoiesis in young (<3 months) and old (>12 months) mice lacking NFATc2. Complete blood counts were performed in the peripheral blood, bone marrow and spleen. Using cytological and histological analyses, the blood cell differential was determined. Colony-formation assays were used to determine the differentiation potential of hematopoietic cells. Bone cell cultures were derived from the bone marrow, and bone remodeling markers were determined in the serum. Results NFATc2−/− mice older than 12 months were anemic and thrombocytopenic. The bone marrows of these mice showed a markedly reduced number of hematopoietic cells, of which megakaryocytic and erythroid lineages were most affected. While the number of hematopoietic progenitor cells in NFATc2-deficent bone marrow was reduced, the myeloid differentiation potential of these cells remained intact. Aged NFATc2−/− mice showed ossification of their bone marrow space and developed extramedullary hematopoiesis in the spleen. Ex vivo differentiation assays revealed an intrinsic defect of NFATc2-deficient stromal cells, in which NFATc2−/− osteoblasts differentiated more efficiently than wild-type cells, whereas osteoclast differentiation was impaired. Conclusions Our data suggest that NFATc2 may play a role in the maintenance of steady-state hematopoiesis and bone remodeling in adult organisms.
Extracellular vesicles from bone marrow mesenchymal stem/stromal cells transport tumor regulatory microRNA, proteins, and metabolites

Human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (hMSCs) have been shown to support breast cancer cell proliferation and metastasis, partly through their secretome. hMSCs have a remarkable ability to survive for long periods under stress, and their secretome is tumor supportive. In this study, we have characterized the cargo of extracellular vesicular (EV) fraction (that is in the size range of 40-150nm) of serum deprived hMSCs (SD-MSCs). Next Generation Sequencing assays were used to identify small RNA secreted in the EVs, which indicated presence of tumor supportive miRNA. Further assays demonstrated the role of miRNA-21 and 34a as tumor supportive miRNAs. Next, proteomic assays revealed the presence of ≈150 different proteins, most of which are known tumor supportive factors such as PDGFR-β, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2. Lipidomic assays verified presence of bioactive lipids such as sphingomyelin. Furthermore, metabolite assays identified the presence of lactic acid and glutamic acid in EVs. The co-injection xenograft assays using MCF-7 breast cancer cells demonstrated the tumor supportive function of these EVs. To our knowledge this is the first comprehensive -omics based study that characterized the complex cargo of extracellular vesicles secreted by hMSCs and their role in supporting breast cancers.
Mitochondrial Structure, Function and Dynamics Are Temporally Controlled by c-Myc

Although the c-Myc (Myc) oncoprotein controls mitochondrial biogenesis and multiple enzymes involved in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), the coordination of these events and the mechanistic underpinnings of their regulation remain largely unexplored. We show here that re-expression of Myc in myc−/− fibroblasts is accompanied by a gradual accumulation of mitochondrial biomass and by increases in membrane polarization and mitochondrial fusion. A correction of OXPHOS deficiency is also seen, although structural abnormalities in electron transport chain complexes (ETC) are not entirely normalized. Conversely, the down-regulation of Myc leads to a gradual decrease in mitochondrial mass and a more rapid loss of fusion and membrane potential. Increases in the levels of proteins specifically involved in mitochondrial fission and fusion support the idea that Myc affects mitochondrial mass by influencing both of these processes, albeit favoring the latter. The ETC defects that persist following Myc restoration may represent metabolic adaptations, as mitochondrial function is re-directed away from producing ATP to providing a source of metabolic precursors demanded by the transformed cell.
Explaining the emergence of echo chambers on social media: the role of ideology and extremism

The emergence of politically driven divisions in online discussion networks has attracted a wealth of literature, but also one which has thus far been largely limited to single country studies. Hence whilst there is good evidence that these networks do divide and fragment into what are often described as “echo chambers”, we know little about the factors which might explain this division or make networks more or less fragmented, as studies have been limited to a small number of political groupings with limited possibilities for systematic comparison. This study seeks to remedy this deficit, by providing a systematic large scale study of fragmentation on Twitter which considers discussion networks surrounding 59 different political parties in 11 different countries. It shows that political party groupings which are further apart in ideological terms interact less, and that individuals and parties which sit at the extreme ends of the ideological scale are particularly likely to form echo chambers. Indeed, exchanges between centrist parties who sit on different sides of the left-right divide are more likely than communication between centrist and extremist parties who are, notionally, from the same ideological wing. In light of the results, theory about exposure to different ideological viewpoints online is discussed and enhanced.
International Journal of Human Sciences

: Throughout history, the phenomenon of suicide has been discussed and questioned from various perspectives that contributed to the formation of multiple conceptions about the theme. Currently, from a scientific point of view, this phenomenon is seen as a scientific problem, and also a public health problem. The Internet today has brought an extensive range of information resources and services that can be easily accessed by those who have it. It provides a platform that enables people to express themselves freely, sharing experiences and reports about personal experiences and feelings in the various social networks that it allows them to form. Among the themes addressed on these networks is suicide. The present study aimed to perform a phenomenological analysis of the discourses about suicide on virtual social networks, considering that the publications made generally reflect the individual’s perception about the phenomenon addressed. The research is exploratory in nature and qualitative in approach, and sought the discourses about suicide in the social networks Twitter and Facebook. From the data analysis, meaning units that relate suicide around themes such as religion, courage and cowardice, depression, failure of society, unbearable pain, and the need for support to individuals with suicidal behavior emerged. In this communication, we intend to present the results of this study, which shows how people in general understand suicide.
Robustness of image-based visual servoing with respect to depth distribution errors

This paper concerns the stability analysis of image-based visual servoing with respect to uncertainties on the depths of the observed object. In the recent past, research on image-based visual servoing has been concentrated on potential problems of stability and on robustness with respect to camera calibration errors. Only little attention, if any, has been devoted to the robustness of image-based visual servoing to depth estimation errors. It is generally believed that a rough approximation of the depth distribution is sufficient to ensure the stability of the control law. In this paper, we prove that the robustness domain is not so wide and that an extern care must be taken when approximating the depth distribution.
Cosmography with strong lensing of LISA gravitational wave sources

Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) might detect gravitational waves from mergers of massive black hole binaries strongly lensed by intervening galaxies. The detection of multiple gravitational lensing events would provide a new tool for cosmography. Constraints on cosmological parameters could be placed by exploiting either lensing statistics of strongly lensed sources or time-delay measurements of lensed gravitational wave signals. These lensing methods do not need the measurement of the redshifts of the sources and the identification of their electromagnetic counterparts. They would extend cosmological probes to redshift z≲ 10 and are then complementary to other lower or higher redshift tests, such as Type Ia supernovae or cosmic microwave background. The accuracy of lensing tests strongly depends on the formation history of the merging binaries, and the related number of total detectable multiple images. Lensing amplification might also help to find the host galaxies. Any measurement of the source redshifts would allow us to exploit the distance–redshift test in combination with lensing methods. Time-delay analyses might measure the Hubble parameter H0 with an accuracy of ≳10 km s-1 Mpc−1. With prior knowledge of H0, lensing statistics and time delays might constrain the dark matter density (δΩM≳ 0.08, due to parameter degeneracy). Inclusion of our methods with other available orthogonal techniques might significantly reduce the uncertainty contours for ΩM and the dark energy equation of state.