Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Regenerative rangeland management farmers in Spain: enthusiastic among a great diversity in farming conditions

ABSTRACT Regenerative Rangeland Management (RRM) is emerging as one of the most promising approaches to achieving sustainability of animal production at economic, social and environmental levels. The current bottleneck in RRM is a slow adoption rate, as the farmers’ views are still poorly studied and considered. We conducted individual surveys with 33 Spanish RRM farmers that collected multiple variables regarding general characteristics of farms, productive parameters, rangeland management and opinions around perceptions. We performed associative tests in order to detect the most important drivers of economic profitability and personal satisfaction. Among a wide diversity of farms, we found no features or management types associated with higher profitability, but rather a link to the level of intensification and degree of experience. About 93% of the farmers were mostly satisfied with RRM, even though they face difficulties – highlighting bureaucratic ones. To overcome such hurdles, we encourage improving the dialogue between farmers, researchers and institutions. This is the first state-level study on RRM in Spain, and one of the first analyses collecting farmers’ perceptions on this topic. Graphical abstract
Regulatory Networks of lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs in Response to Heat Stress in Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.): An Integrated Analysis

Climate change has become a major source of concern, particularly in agriculture, because it has a significant impact on the production of economically important crops such as wheat, rice, and maize. In the present study, an attempt has been made to identify differentially expressed heat stress-responsive long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the wheat genome using publicly available wheat transcriptome data (24 SRAs) representing two conditions, namely, control and heat-stressed. A total of 10,965 lncRNAs have been identified and, among them, 153, 143, and 211 differentially expressed transcripts have been found under 0 DAT, 1 DAT, and 4 DAT heat-stress conditions, respectively. Target prediction analysis revealed that 4098 lncRNAs were targeted by 119 different miRNA responses to a plethora of environmental stresses, including heat stress. A total of 171 hub genes had 204 SSRs (simple sequence repeats), and a set of target sequences had SNP potential as well. Furthermore, gene ontology analysis revealed that the majority of the discovered lncRNAs are engaged in a variety of cellular and biological processes related to heat stress responses. Furthermore, the modeled three-dimensional (3D) structures of hub genes encoding proteins, which had an appropriate range of similarity with solved structures, provided information on their structural roles. The current study reveals many elements of gene expression regulation in wheat under heat stress, paving the way for the development of improved climate-resilient wheat cultivars.
Breast, Prostate, Colorectal, and Lung Cancer Incidence and Risk Factors in Women Who Have Sex with Women and Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Analysis Using UK Biobank

Simple Summary In this analysis, we look at the number of new breast, lung, colorectal and prostate cancer diagnoses among women who have sex with women and men who have sex with men. In order to do this, we used data from UK Biobank, which is a research database that contains in-depth health information from approximately half a million people in the UK. We found no differences in the number of new cases for breast, prostate and colorectal cancer, but we did find that sexual minority adults have a higher risk for lung cancer, due to greater exposure to smoking. Abstract Background. There is limited evidence about cancer incidence for lesbian, gay and bisexual women and men, although the prevalence of cancer risk factors may be higher. Aim. To describe cancer incidence for four common cancers (breast, lung, colorectal and prostate). Methods. This project used UK Biobank participant data. We explored risk factor prevalence (age, deprivation, ethnicity, smoking, alcohol intake, obesity, parity, and sexual history), and calculated cancer risk, for six groups defined based on sexual history; women who have sex exclusively with men (WSEM), or women (WSEW), women who have sex with men and women (WSWM); men who have sex exclusively with women (MSEW), or men (MSEM), and men who have sex with women and men (MSWM). Results. WSEW, WSWM, MSEM, and MSMW were younger, more likely to smoke, and to live in more deprived neighbourhoods. We found no evidence of an association between sexual history and breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer in age-adjusted models. Lung cancer incidence was higher for WSWM compared with WSEM, HR (95%CI) 1.78 (1.28–2.48), p = 0.0005, and MSWM compared with MSEW, 1.43 (1.03–1.99), p = 0.031; after adjustment for smoking, this difference was no longer significant. Conclusions. Sexual minority groups have a higher risk for lung cancer, due to greater exposure to smoking.
The Hot Gas Filling Factor in Our Galaxy

Proceeding from the assumption that the hot interstellar gas component in our Galaxy is produced by supernova explosions and the associated stellar winds, we calculate its filling factor as a function of Galactic radius and height. The calculation is carried out numerically by following the time evolution of a realistic distribution of isolated supernova remnants and superbubbles in a stratified medium that includes thermal gas, cosmic rays, magnetic fields, and a gravitational field. Globally, the hot gas is found to occupy a rather small fraction of the interstellar volume. At the solar circle, this fraction is ≲20% at low altitude and falls off gradually above the dense gas layer. The outer Galaxy remains largely devoid of hot gas, whereas the inner Galaxy may contain a large-scale region (around R ~ 6.7 kpc, |Z| ~ 260 pc) entirely filled with hot gas.
Community Women’s Lifestyle and Eating Disorders in the Era of COVID-19 Pandemic: A 15-Year Follow-Up Study

Most studies suggest that COVID-19 has adversely affected the quality of life and mental health, including eating disorders. However, studies have yet to examine longitudinally the impact of COVID-19 on eating disorder symptomatic individuals. This study aims to examine longitudinally the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lifestyle and eating disorder symptoms of a symptomatic group of community-dwelling women. These women (n = 171) were enrolled in a longitudinal study, completed a COVID-19 modular self-report (post or Qualtrics, 2020/21), and participated in the current study. This study examined a 15th year follow-up. In 2020, 40% were tested for COVID-19. Of these, 87% had negative results; 5.3% self-isolated at home; 20.5% stopped working/studying in person; 28% continued online work/study; and 28% stopped work/studying in person. The pandemic affected sporting activities, music, and club activities (32.7% discontinued); 38% socialized in person; 16% socialized online; and 10% completely stopped socializing. Findings showed that the respondents showed no significant changes in levels of psychological distress (K10: 21.4 ± 9.8 vs. 19.0 ± 7.1, p < 0.171), and impaired quality of life (SF12: 50.9 ± 8.0 vs. 48.3 ± 9.5, p < 0.055) at 15-year follow-up. Eating disorder symptoms increased over time (EDE-Q global: 2.1 ± 1.4 vs. 2.9 ± 1.4, p < 0.013). Observed worsening of eating disorder-related symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic may be due to interrupted eating patterns, exercise restrictions and the absence of social support. Provision and access to interventions to support those affected by eating disorders are a high priority, especially during these times.
Plumes with non-monotonic mixing behaviour

Abstract We develop a model for the behaviour of continuous releases (plumes) of fluid which, upon mixing with the ambient fluid, undergo a non-monotonic change in density. This model serves as an analogue for the behaviour of volcanic eruption clouds and hydrothermal plumes. If, at the source, the plume is initially actually a negatively buoyant jet, but has the potential on mixing to become buoyant, we identify a criterion for collapse of the plume that is verified by experiment (see Woods and Caulfield, 1992). In a stratified environment, we show that a nonlinearly mixing plume always attains a lower maximum height than a conventional, Iinearly mixing plume whose initial buoyancy flux is equal to the potential buoyancy flux of the nonlinearly mixing plume. The potential buoyancy flux is defined as the maximum buoyancy flux that the plume fluid can develop through mixing at large distances from the source, as the mass flux becomes large due to entrainment. For sufficiently small initial mass fluxes, the.
Characterization of the L/sub p/ incremental gain for nonlinear systems

The incremental gain of a system operator is a Lipschitz constant for that operator with respect to an L/sub p/ space. In this paper we characterise the incremental gain in terms of a partial differential inequality similar to those arising in the Hill-Moylan-Willems theory of dissipative systems. Computational methods for estimating the incremental gain are discussed, including finite difference schemes and matrix inequalities. An example is presented.
Vibrational coupling mechanism and experimental study of rotor system with double-disk magnetic coupler

At present, the vibrational coupling mechanism of the rotor system with a double-disk magnetic coupler has not been sufficiently studied. Based on the mechanical impedance theory, the patterns of structural mass and stiffness distribution were quantitatively described, to establish the model for the vibrational coupling mechanism. Methods were proposed to determine the vibrational coupling point and to simulate the transient response to the interacting excitations, so as to analyze the potential vibrational coupling point and the dynamic response characteristics. Then, the Campbell diagram of the shared support-dual rotor system was combined with the mechanical impedance characteristics of the shared support. As a result, it was found that although the base vibration of the shared support was significantly amplified, the single-axis trajectory showed that both the output and input rotors were synchronized with the forward vortex motion, with almost no coupling between them. A double-disk magnetic coupler test bench with a rated power of 55 kW was designed to verify the experiments. The results showed that the vibration displacement occurred in a periodic variation pattern. Moreover, the maximum errors between the theoretical, simulated, and experimental values of the vibration displacement at different input speeds were less than 5%. The experiments verified the validity of the model for the vibrational coupling mechanism and the simulation of the transient response to the interacting excitation. The results of the study could be used as a basis for calculating the vibration of the rotor system with a double-disk magnetic coupler.
Optimal Protein Intake in Healthy Children and Adolescents: Evaluating Current Evidence

High protein intake might elicit beneficial or detrimental effects, depending on life stages and populations. While high protein intake in elder individuals can promote beneficial health effects, elevated protein intakes in infancy are discouraged, since they have been associated with obesity risks later in life. However, in children and adolescents (4–18 years), there is a scarcity of data assessing the effects of high protein intake later in life, despite protein intake being usually two- to three-fold higher than the recommendations in developed countries. This narrative review aimed to revise the available evidence on the long-term effects of protein intake in children and adolescents aged 4–18 years. Additionally, it discusses emerging techniques to assess protein metabolism in children, which suggest a need to reevaluate current recommendations. While the optimal range is yet to be firmly established, available evidence suggests a link between high protein intake and increased Body Mass Index (BMI), which might be driven by an increase in Fat-Free Mass Index (FFMI), as opposed to Fat Mass Index (FMI).
HI in Shell Galaxies and Other Merger Remnants

Abstract The few elliptical galaxies with detected HI almost all seem to have optical peculiarities as well, though these are often well hidden and require special image enhancement techniques to reveal them. In this paper we show several deep images of ellipticals with optical shells which are associated with HI, and suggest that mergers, or at least encounters with gas-rich galaxies, are responsible. We also show some disk galaxies with unusual faint extensions, some of them the kinds of interactions that may result in HI in ellipticals. These illustrations are drawn from an atlas of low surface brightness images of bright galaxies currently in preparation.
Visuo-Spatial Working Memory and Mathematical Skills in Children: A Network Analysis Study

Visuo-spatial working memory is one of the main domain-general cognitive mechanisms underlying mathematical abilities and their development in children. However, if visuo-spatial working memory involves different processes and components, then the term ‘mathematics’ refers to a broad concept that includes multiple domains and skills. The aim of this present study was to investigate the relationship between different visuo-spatial working memory components and several mathematical abilities in a sample of third- to fifth-grade Italian children. To assess the relationships between different visuo-spatial working memory components and different mathematical abilities, we relied on Network Analysis (NA). Results indicate that some but not all visuo-spatial working memory components are associated with some mathematical abilities.
Oceanic Kelvin Waves and the Madden–Julian Oscillation

Abstract The relationship between the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO), the dominant mode of intraseasonal variability in the tropical troposphere, and the Kelvin waves that dominate the variability of the equatorial thermocline in the central and eastern Pacific Oceans is explored. The Kelvin waves have period near 70 days, which is distinctly longer than the dominant period of the MJO (40–50 days). Their zonal wavelength is roughly the width of the Pacific basin, which is about twice the zonal scale of the zonal stress anomalies produced by the MJO across the western Pacific. Their eastward phase speed is about 2.3 m s−1, which is indistinguishable from the gravest baroclinic mode using the observed stratification in the Pacific. The stress anomalies that force the Kelvin waves are shown to be associated with the lower-frequency components of the MJO (i.e., periods greater than about 60 days). These stress anomalies move eastward at less than 5 m s−1 from the Indian Ocean to the date line, where their lo.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation on a Two-Phase Natural Circulation Test Facility

A geometrically similar model of the proposed Advanced Heavy Water Reactor being designed and built by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre has been conceived and built at Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. The basic objective of setting up such a facility and conducting experimental studies was to simulate the thermal-hydraulic behavior during the startup and also during part or full power operation. Owing to hydrodynamic instabilities observed in natural circulation system, it is necessary to know the stability boundaries. In this paper, the details of the experimental facility, experimental studies, and numerical simulations carried out using RELAP5/MOD 3.2 are discussed. Type I and type II stability boundaries and stable two-phase operation zones have been experimentally obtained at various pressures and inlet subcooling and the results are correlated using appropriate nondimensional numbers. Further, the experimental facility is modeled using the thermal-hydraulic code RELAP5/MOD 3.2. The single-phase pressure drops measured in the loop are used to estimate the appropriate loss coefficients used in the model. The model is then used to predict stability boundaries, and the predictions are compared with the experimental findings. The details of the experimental model and simulation results are presented. The capability of RELAP5/MOD 3.2 to predict the flow oscillations during instabilities is discussed.
Effect of Immunonutrition on the Liver Function Status of End-Stage Liver Disease Patients Waiting/Referred for Liver Transplant: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Malnutrition and liver dysfunction are commonly observed in patients with chronic liver disease. With the current surge in liver diseases, prompt nutritional planning will ensure the well-being of patients during the waiting period and will improve the clinical outcomes following liver transplantation (LT). We conducted this study to monitor the effect of immunonutrition on liver function parameters among end-stage liver disease (ESLD) patients referred for LT. Methodology In this randomized controlled trial, 144 ESLD patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly enrolled into control (CON) and intervention (INT) groups after obtaining informed consent. Three patients were lost to follow-up due to the COVID-19 lockdown. The INT group (n = 69) was provided with 100 g of immunonutrient and the CON group (n = 72) was provided with supervised diet advice. Liver function test (LFT) parameters such as total protein, albumin, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and prothrombin time/international normalized ratio before and after therapy at one month were checked in both groups. Results The majority of patients with the disease were males (83.3% in the CON group vs 76.8% in the INT group), having alcoholism as the etiology in both groups with 45.8% in the CON group and 56.5% in the INT group. The comparison of LFT parameters among ESLD patients during pre and post-therapy between the control and immunonutrition groups did not show any statistically significant difference in the LFT parameters between the INT and CON groups both at baseline and at one month. Conclusions The impact of immunonutrition on ESLD patients awaiting LT compared to supervised diet advice did not significantly improve liver function. The liver disease itself profoundly affects the level of nutrition; hence, nutritional assessment and early nutritional interventions can be instituted to improve clinical outcomes.
Novel Identification of the Collection of Pathogenic Fungal Species Verticillium with the Development of Species-Specific SSR Markers

The genus Verticillium is a group of ascomycete fungi that includes several pathogenic plant species. In 2011, a new taxonomic classification, proposed by Inderbitzin and coworkers (2011), re-defined the genus as Verticillium sensu stricto. The objective of our study was the re-classification of the fungal species held in the culture collection in the Slovenian Institute of Hop Research and Brewing in accordance with the newly established taxonomy. With the PCR marker system proposed by Inderbitzin and coworkers in 2011, we re-classified 88 Verticillium isolates out of the 105 samples that are held in the institute’s bank, which were obtained from different geographic locations in Europe, North America, and Japan, and from different host plants, including alfalfa, cotton, hop, olive, potato, and tomato. However, the PCR marker for the V. dahliae identification proved to be less specific, and it resulted in the positive amplification of Gibellulopsis nigrescens, V. isaacii, and V. longisporum. To enable the accurate distinction of the fungi, the SSR and LAMP markers were added to the analyses. The 12 newly identified SSR markers, which were used in simplex PCR reactions or in combination, enabled the accurate identification of all included Verticillium isolates and could potentially be used as biomarkers for rapid and easy species identification.
Stability of piecewise-deterministic Markov processes

We study a form of stability for a general family of non-diffusion Markov processes, known in the literature as piecewise-deterministic Markov process (PDMP). By stability here we mean the existence of an invariant probability measure for the PDMP. It is shown that the existence of such invariant probability measure is equivalent to the existence of a /spl sigma/-finite invariant measure for a Markov kernel G linked to the resolvent operator U of the PDMP, satisfying a boundedness condition or, equivalently, a Radon-Nikodym derivative. Here we generalize existing results of the literature since we do not require any additional assumptions to establish this equivalence. Moreover, we give sufficient conditions to ensure the existence of such /spl sigma/-finite measure satisfying the boundedness condition. They are mainly based on a modified Foster-Lyapunov criteria for the case in which the Markov chain generated by G is either recurrent or weak Feller. To emphasize the relevance of our results, three examples are studied in Dufour and Costa (1999) and in particular, we are able to generalize the results obtained by Costa (1990) and Davis (1993) on the capacity expansion model.
Pre-Analytical Evaluation of Streck Cell-Free DNA Blood Collection Tubes for Liquid Profiling in Oncology

Excellent pre-analytical stability is an essential precondition for reliable molecular profiling of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in oncological diagnostics. Therefore, in vitro degradation of ctDNA and the additional release of contaminating genomic DNA from lysed blood cells must be prevented. Streck Cell-Free DNA blood collection tubes (cfDNA BCTs) have proposed advantages over standard K2EDTA tubes, but mainly have been tested in healthy individuals. Blood was collected from cancer patients (n = 53) suffering from colorectal (n = 21), pancreatic (n = 11), and non-small-cell lung cancer (n = 21) using cfDNA BCT tubes and K2EDTA tubes that were processed immediately or after 3 days (BCTs) or 6 hours (K2EDTA) at room temperature. The cfDNA isolated from these samples was characterized in terms of yield using LINE-1 qPCR; the level of gDNA contamination; and the mutation status of KRAS, NRAS, and EGFR genes using BEAMing ddPCR. CfDNA yield and gDNA levels were comparable in both tube types and were not affected by prolonged storage of blood samples for at least 3 days in cfDNA BCTs or 6 hours in K2EDTA tubes. In addition, biospecimens collected in K2EDTA tubes and cfDNA BCTs stored for up to 3 days demonstrated highly comparable levels of mutational load across all respective cancer patient cohorts and a wide range of concentrations. Our data support the applicability of clinical oncology specimens collected and stored in cfDNA BCTs for up to 3 days for reliable cfDNA and mutation analyses.