Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sustainability and Social-Ecological Systems: Navigating Oil Palm Cultivation and Sustainable Livelihoods

This study reports on the results of research undertaken to assess the role of oil palm cultiva-tion for local livelihoods in the sub-district of Karaket in Thailand. Oil palm cultivation has become a product of heated debate within the international community and various stakehold-ers have raised serious concerns over its environmental and social sustainability. Karaket has recently experienced substantial uptake of oil palms by independently operating smallholder farmers. As such, it served as interesting case to explore the main outcomes of oil palm culti-vation for local livelihoods; regarded to operate in a system at interface with the social and the ecological. Through placing such system outcomes in the context of economic, social and environmental sustainability, implications for sustainable local livelihoods were unveiled. The study was guided by its own conceptual model and relied on interpretive, qualitative case study evidence that put local stakeholders at the centre of investigation. Evidence showed that oil palm cultivation has created high social and economic value for sustainable livelihoods without seriously undermining the natural resource base. Data revealed that multiple interrelations between the contextual, governance, resource, and resource user system have created such values, and if beneficial system interrelations are strengthened, sustainability may be secured.
Characterization of wetland soils developed on limestones parent material In Cross River State, south eastern Nigeria

Wetland soils developed on limestone parent materials were characterized and classified. In the study, eight (8) profile pits were sunk in 3 sites within Cross River State in 2006, described and sampled according to FAO (1988) guidelines. The samples were analysed in the laboratory using routine methods. Results obtained for morphological studies and physicochemical analysis showed that the soils were generally deep to shallow, moderately well drained to poorly-drained with weak red to light grey, Dark reddish brown to reddish brown, yellowish brown in colour. The soils are weak, medium, and crumb, moderate and sub-angular blocky structure. The texture ranged from sandy loam, silt, loam, loamy sand, sandy clay and clay loam. Bulk density values ranged between 1.20 g/cm3 and 1.85 g/cm3 with a mean of 1.37 g/cm3. Particle density values ranged from 2.18 g/cm3 to 3.70 g/cm3 with a mean of 2.74 g/cm3. The soils showed total porosity of 50% on the average which indicated good soils for maximum plant growth. The soils are slightly alkaline to moderate alkaline in reaction. Organic matter, total nitrogen, Available phosphorus contents, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium contents were rated as low to moderate. An effective cation exchange capacity value of 10.36 cmol/kg was rated moderate with base saturation values above 82 per cent for these soils. The soils were classified as Inceptisols and Alfisols.
Association of overweight, obesity and risk of urinary incontinence in middle-aged and older women: a meta epidemiology study

Aims The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the potential correlation between obesity and overweight, and the vulnerability to urinary incontinence (UI) in women aged middle-aged and above. Methods We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase for observational studies published between the inception of the databases and April 25, 2023. A fixed-effects model was used when the P>0.1 and the I2 ≤ 50%. In cases where I2 ≥ 50% (indicating significant heterogeneity), a random-effects model was applied. For the purpose of evaluating publication bias, a funnel plot and Egger’s test were used. Stata 14.0 was used for all statistical analyses. Findings This meta-analysis includes 16 observational studies, covering29,618 individuals. The pooled analysis shows that being overweight(25 kg/m2≤BMI<30kg/m2) in middle-aged and elderly women is more likely to develop UI (OR=1.27; 95% CI: 1.17-1.37; I2 = 51.8%, P=0.013). Middle-aged and elderly women with obesity(30 kg/m2≤BMI<35 kg/m2) are significantly more likely to develop UI (OR=1.60; 95% CI: 1.42-1.81; I2 = 71.8%, P=0.000). In addition, the results indicated a higher probability of UI in middle-aged and older women with obesity class II (BMI≥35 kg/m2) (OR=1.85; 95% CI: 1.59-2.16; I2 = 48.1%, P=0.103). In subgroup analysis, there is no direct relationship between the obesity in middle-aged and elderly women and an increased risk of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) (OR=1.31; 95% CI: 0.99-1.74; I2 = 63.7%, P=0.011). In middle-aged and elderly women with obesity are more likely to develop urgent urinary incontinence (UUI) (OR=2.11; 95% CI: 1.54-2.89; I2 = 80.2%, P=0.000). Conclusion In this meta-analysis, overweight and obesity are associated with an increased risk of UI in middle-aged and elderly women. Obesity and overweight are independent risk factors for UI, as demonstrated by this study. Systematic Review Registration https://www.crd. york.ac. uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42023421986.
The Influence of Internal Climate Variability on Stratospheric Water Vapor Increases After Large‐Magnitude Explosive Tropical Volcanic Eruptions

Substantial and prolonged enhancements in stratospheric water vapor (SWV) have occurred after large‐magnitude explosive tropical volcanic eruptions, with modified tropopause entry caused by aerosol‐absorptive heating. Here, we analyze the timing and longevity of heating‐driven post‐eruption SWV changes within CMIP6‐VolMIP short‐term climate‐response experiments with the UK Earth System Model (UKESM1). We find aerosol‐absorptive heating causes peak SWV increases of 17% (∼1 ppmv) and 10% (0.5 ppmv) at 100 and 50 hPa, at ∼18 and ∼23 months after a Pinatubo‐like eruption, respectively. We track the temperature response in the tropical lower stratosphere and identify the main SWV increase occurs only after the descending aerosol heating reaches the tropopause, suggesting a key role for aerosol microphysical processes (sedimentation rate). We explore how El Niño–Southern Oscillation variability modulates this effect. Post‐eruption SWV increases are ∼80% stronger for the La Nina phase compared to the ensemble mean. Tropical upwelling strongly mediates this effect.
The Velocity-Deviation Log: A Tool to Predict Pore Type and Permeability Trends in Carbonate Drill Holes from Sonic and Porosity or Density Logs

The velocity-deviation log, which is calculated by combining the sonic log with the neutron-porosity or density log, provides a tool to obtain downhole information on the predominant pore type in carbonates. The log can be used to trace the downhole distribution of diagenetic processes and to estimate trends in permeability. Laboratory measurements on over 300 discrete carbonate samples reveal that sonic velocity is a function not only of total porosity, but also of the predominant pore type. In general, there is an inverse porosity-velocity correlation, but significant deviations occur from this relationship for certain pore types. Frame-forming pore types, such as moldic or intrafossil porosity, result in significantly higher velocity values at equal total porosities than do pore types that are not embedded in a rigid rock frame, such as interparticle porosity or microporosity. The results of the laboratory measurements can be applied to expand interpretations of standard wireline-log data, as shown in this study on two drill holes through Neogene carbonates from the Great Bahama Bank. The velocity-deviation log is calculated by first converting porosity-log data to a synthetic velocity log using a time-average equation. The difference between the real sonic log and the synthetic sonic log can then be plotted as a velocity-deviation log. Because deviations are the result of the variability of velocity at a certain porosity, the deviation log reflects the different rock-physical signatures of the different pore types. Positive velocity deviations mark zones where velocity is higher than expected from the porosity values, such as zones where frame-forming pore types dominate. Zero deviations show intervals where the rock lacks a rigid frame, such as in carbonates with high interparticle porosity or microporosity. Negative deviations mark zones in which sonic log velocities are unusually low, caused, for instance, by a cavernous bore-hole wall, fracturing, or possibly by a high content of free gas. By tracing the velocity deviations continuously downhole, one can identify diagenetic zones that are characterized by these different pore types. In addition, this method can be used to observe permeability trends because pore types influence the permeability of the rock.
Raman spectroscopic investigation of two grains from comet 81P/Wild 2: Information that can be obtained beyond the presence of sp2‐bonded carbon

Abstract– Raman analyses were performed of individual micrometer‐sized fragments of material returned to Earth by the NASA Stardust mission to comet 81P/Wild 2. The studied fragments originated from grains (C2054,0,35,91,0 and C2092,6,80,51,0) of two different penetration tracks that occurred in two different silica aerogel collector cells. All fragments of both particles have Raman spectra characteristic of amorphous sp2‐bonded carbon that are in general agreement with the results published in previous Stardust particle studies. The present study, however, does not focus on the discussion of specific details of the D and G band parameters, but rather reports on additional information that can be obtained from returned Stardust samples via Raman spectroscopy. Most notably, the Raman spectra show that all analyzed fragments of the particles were contaminated with the capture medium (i.e., aerogel). The silica aerogel is laced with organic aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon impurities that resulted in strong bands in the ∼ 2900 Δcm−1 spectral range (C‐H stretching modes). Aerogel bands are also found in the 1000–1600 Δcm−1 spectral range, where they overlap with the bands of the amorphous sp2‐bonded carbon. The peaks associated with the aerogel contamination differ between the two grains that originated from two different aerogel cells. In addition to the bands due to aerogel contamination and the always present sp2‐bonded carbon bands, fragments of particle C2092,6,80,51,0 also show Raman peaks for pyrrhotite and Fa30Fo70 olivine. Complete (up to 4000 Δcm−1) raw and baseline‐corrected Raman spectra of the Stardust particles are shown and discussed in detail.
Serum Insights: Leveraging the Power of miRNA Profiling as an Early Diagnostic Tool for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Simple Summary Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a prevalent and lethal disease. Circulating cell-free miRNA has the potential to serve as a biomarker for early detection as it reflects cancer characteristics. Through global miRNA profiling in serum samples from NSCLC patients and non-cancerous individuals, we identified 28 upregulated miRNAs in NSCLC and explored their relevance to NSCLC-related pathways. Harnessing an advanced machine-learning algorithm, we successfully developed a robust classifier capable of distinguishing NSCLC from non-cancerous cases. Our findings suggest that serum miRNAs hold promise as a valuable tool for early NSCLC diagnosis and offer valuable insights into NSCLC biology. To solidify these promising results, further validation in diverse patient cohorts is essential. Abstract Non-small cell lung cancer is the predominant form of lung cancer and is associated with a poor prognosis. MiRNAs implicated in cancer initiation and progression can be easily detected in liquid biopsy samples and have the potential to serve as non-invasive biomarkers. In this study, we employed next-generation sequencing to globally profile miRNAs in serum samples from 71 early-stage NSCLC patients and 47 non-cancerous pulmonary condition patients. Preliminary analysis of differentially expressed miRNAs revealed 28 upregulated miRNAs in NSCLC compared to the control group. Functional enrichment analyses unveiled their involvement in NSCLC signaling pathways. Subsequently, we developed a gradient-boosting decision tree classifier based on 2588 miRNAs, which demonstrated high accuracy (0.837), sensitivity (0.806), and specificity (0.859) in effectively distinguishing NSCLC from non-cancerous individuals. Shapley Additive exPlanations analysis improved the model metrics by identifying the top 15 miRNAs with the strongest discriminatory value, yielding an AUC of 0.96 ± 0.04, accuracy of 0.896, sensitivity of 0.884, and specificity of 0.903. Our study establishes the potential utility of a non-invasive serum miRNA signature as a supportive tool for early detection of NSCLC while also shedding light on dysregulated miRNAs in NSCLC biology. For enhanced credibility and understanding, further validation in an independent cohort of patients is warranted.
Clinical and Laboratory Response of Domiciled Dogs with Visceral Leishmaniasis Treated with Miltefosine and Allopurinol

Canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) remains a significant disease worldwide. In Brazil, its treatment is performed using miltefosine, which has demonstrated promising outcomes in dogs. This study represents the first attempt to treat and monitor dogs with CVL in natural conditions over the course of one year. The dogs were divided into two groups: G1 received miltefosine and allopurinol for 28 days, while G2 received miltefosine for 28 days, followed by allopurinol for one year. The follow-up involved clinical, hematological, and biochemical evaluations, as well as the detection of Leishmania DNA in skin and bone marrow samples. By the end of the follow-up, dogs in G2 exhibited improved staging compared to their initial conditions, whereas those in G1 showed worsened staging. Leishmania DNA in skin and bone marrow decreased between 6 and 12 months after treatment. Our observations indicate that the treatment using miltefosine reduces the detection of the parasite in the skin and bone marrow for up to one year following its administration. The continuous use of allopurinol contributes to control of the disease in dogs. These findings provide valuable insights into the response of dogs treated in natural conditions, offering essential information for veterinarians and public health authorities.
Determination of sea surface salinity and wind speed by L-band microwave radiometry from a fixed platform

In May 1999, the European Space Agency (ESA) selected SMOS (Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity) as an Earth Explorer Opportunity mission. One of its goals is the generation of global sea surface salinity (SSS) maps. The satellite sensor is an L-band interferometric radiometer with full-polarimetric capability called MIRAS. The retrieval of SSS from microwave measurements is based on the fact that the brightness temperature (TB ) of seawater is a function of the dielectric constant, temperature and sea surface state (roughness, foam…). The sensitivity of TB to SSS is maximum at L-band, but it is necessary to quantify the other effects to have reliable SSS retrieval. In order to improve the present understanding of these effects on TB , ESA sponsored the Wind and Salinity Experiment (WISE) 2000 and 2001 field campaigns. These experimental results are of great importance for the development of sea surface emissivity models that will be used in the future SMOS SSS retrieval algorithms. This paper presents the influence of the emissivity models on the derived SSS from the data obtained in both campaigns. It also presents the impact on the retrieved SSS of using in situ measured or satellite derived wind information, or even simultaneously estimating the wind speed from the measured multi-angular TB .
One Earth: The Equilibrium between the Human and the Bacterial Worlds

Misuse and abuse of antibiotics on humans, cattle, and crops have led to the selection of multi-resistant pathogenic bacteria, the most feared ‘superbugs’. Infections caused by superbugs are progressively difficult to treat, with a subsequent increase in lethality: the toll on human lives is predicted to reach 10 million by 2050. Here we review three concepts linked to the growing resistance to antibiotics, namely (i) the Resistome, which refers to the collection of bacterial genes that confer resistance to antibiotics, (ii) the Mobilome, which includes all the mobile genetic elements that participate in the spreading of antibiotic resistance among bacteria by horizontal gene transfer processes, and (iii) the Nichome, which refers to the set of genes that are expressed when bacteria try to colonize new niches. We also discuss the strategies that can be used to tackle bacterial infections and propose an entente cordiale with the bacterial world so that instead of war and destruction of the ‘fierce enemy’ we can achieve a peaceful coexistence (the One Earth concept) between the human and the bacterial worlds. This, in turn, will contribute to microbial biodiversity, which is crucial in a globally changing climate due to anthropogenic activities.
Melting and diffusion processes in closed-system migmatization

Estimated variations in mineral concentrations across leucosomes suggest that leucosomes are generated during anatexis by a diffusive exchange between the leucosome and the mesosome, and not by the migration of melt from the mesosome. However, the presence of melt is a precondition for the diffusive exchange to take place. Initially a crack is formed due to shear stress. The formation of a crack allows a diffusive exchange to take place through the melt, which causes melting of minerals situated near the crack. The diffusive exchange of material is less efficient in the mesosome where the melt is isolated at grain corners and edges. The microcline enrichment of some granitic leucosomes is thought to be due to the diffusive depletion of the mesosome caused by growth of alkali feldspar during the consolidation of the migmatite. In general, it seems unnecessary to invoke concentrations of water in the leucosome or the intrusion of external fluids or magmas for migmatite formation.
The Mechanical Properties of an Interlocked Low-Porosity Aggregate

Synopsis If coarse grained marble is heated to around 6OO°C the anisotropy of thermal expansion of calcite causes almost complete separation at grain boundaries. The resulting material retains its shape and consists of a mass of crystals in contact, with a porosity of about 4%, very small direct tensile strength and the mechanical analysis and permeability to water of a sand. It may be regarded as a laboratory model of randomly jointed rock and perhaps of bad and broken rock in general. It has frequently been suggested that soil mechanics theory may be applied to such rock. This Paper examines the mechanical properties of the heated marble and shows that they different from those of soils. A small amount of confining pressure varies the triaxial strength rapidly, the initial slope of the Mohr envelope being of the order of 65° and the strength finally increasing to over 80% of that of the original rock. Young's modulus also increases with confining pressure but only to about 30% of that of original rock.
Diagnostic and prognostic calculations of the North Atlantic circulation and sea level using a sigma coordinate ocean model

The North Atlantic circulation and sea surface height, determined from hydrographic and wind stress data are calculated with a free surface, primitive equation ocean model. The model grid, a vertical sigma - coordinate and horizontal curvilinear orthogonal system, makes it possible to resolve coastal regions with complicated topography that were unresolved in previous calculations. When running in a diagnostic mode, in which the temperature and the salinity fields are fixed and equal to the Levitus annual mean fields, the vertically integrated North Atlantic circulation is very similar to though more detailed than that obtained from previous calculations using simpler diagnostic models. On the other hand, the meridional, zonally averaged flows and the poleward heat transport from the purely diagnostic calculations are noisy and unrealistic. However, short prognostic calculations of only 30 days following the diagnostic run allow intensification of the western boundary current and removal of noise due to inconsistencies between the hydrographic data and bottom topography and produce a more realistic meridional circulation and poleward heat transport, with a maximum value of 1.2×1015 W which is, comparable to estimates based on observations. The calculated sea level along the North America continent agrees with previous estimates but provides more spatial detail. Analysis of the dynamic adjustment process shows that this process is dominated by the effect of bottom topography through the action of the bottom pressure torque. This study is a first step in applying a realistic numerical model, previously used primarily for estuaries and coastal regions, to basin-scale ocean problems.
Validation of the HeLD-14 functional oral health literacy instrument in a general population

Background Oral health literacy (OHL) is recognized as an important determinant of oral outcomes. Measuring OHL with a valid and reliable instrument that accurately captures the functional nature of this construct across cultures is needed. The short version of the Health Literacy in Dentistry scale (HeLD-14) shows promise as an appropriate instrument due to its inclusion of comprehensive domains hypothesized to comprise OHL. While studies validating the instrument in several languages have occurred, the number of dimensions in the various analyses range from one to seven. Validation of the HeLD-14 in a general English-speaking population is also lacking. The purpose of this study was to explore and confirm the dimensionality of the HeLD-14 in a general US English-speaking population. Methods The psychometric properties of HeLD-14 were evaluated in a sample of 631 participants attending the Minnesota State Fair. Construct validity was assessed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) followed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on the data set split into two groups. Internal consistency reliability was assessed using the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Concurrent validity was established between the HeLD-14 and the Oral Health Inventory Profile (OHIP-5) using Pearson’s correlation. Results EFA found, and CFA reinforced, a unidimensional structure of the HeLD-14. Cronbach’s alpha was acceptable at 0.92. Fit assessment also supported a unidimensional structure, comparative fit index = 0.992, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.991, root mean square error of approximation = 0.065, and standardized root mean square residual = 0.074. Concurrent validity analyses showed that the HeLD-14 correlated with the OHIP-5. Conclusions The HeLD-14 is a unidimensional reliable and valid instrument for measuring the oral health literacy in the general US English-speaking adult population.
An improved direct shear apparatus for sand

A conventional direct shear apparatus (DSA) has been modified to improve its articulation by moving the point of shear load application to the sample centre. Jewell's symmetrical arrangement has been adopted for a 100 mm square shearbox, resulting in increased dilation rate and reduced rotation. Testing using coarse Leighton Buzzard sand has enabled the performance of the modified DSA to be optimised by exploring different test configurations. Optimum results were obtained with a substantial initial gap between the shearbox frames of 5D50, the use of thin rubber edging strips to contain the sand, and the omission of grid plates at the sample boundaries. Upper-frame rotations persist during testing, but have almost no effect on measured parameters. A framework of relationships between parameters measured in a direct shear test ((ϕ′ds)p, ψp and (ϕ′ds)Id) and relevant plane strain parameters ((ϕ′ps)p and ϕ′crit) is set out, based on Rowe's flow rule and Davis's (1968) relation. Stroud's simple shear apparatu.