Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Scale-dependent signatures of microbial co-occurrence revealed via multilayer network analysis

The composition of microbial communities underlies many ecosystem functions. Co-occurrence networks offer insights into the complexity of microbial interactions, particularly in highly diverse environments where direct observation is challenging. However, identifying the scale at which local and non-local processes structure co-occurrence networks remains challenging because it requires simultaneously analyzing network structure within and between local networks. Using the rumen microbiome of 1,012 cows in seven European farms, we built a multilayer network in which microbes (nodes) are linked within and between farms (layers), effectively creating a meta-co-occurrence network. At the local scale, we tested for a non-random transitive signature (the tendency of a microbe to close triangles) because transitivity indicates environmental similarities or interaction dependence. At the non-local scale, we tested for partner fidelity because if microbes tend to conserve their interaction partners more than expected by chance, co-occurrence is not determined locally. We further tested at which scale (farm vs. regional) the partition of microbes to modules of densely co-occurring microbes was prominent. Via comparison to shuffled networks, we discovered that, although core microbes appeared across the entire system, there were non-random signatures of local and non-local co-occurrence patterns. Microbes had transitive interactions and tended to conserved partners across farms. Microbes in four farms were clustered separately (each farm in a module), providing a signature for a strong but not complete influence of local processes. The genetic structure of cow populations partly explains modularity, indicating that environmental filtering is an important force shaping co-occurrence. Our results provide evidence for the scale at which interconnected co-occurrence networks are structured using a clear set of hypotheses. Our developed approach can also be used to explore local and non-local signatures in species interaction metanetworks or metacommunities.
An Archaeological Survey of the Roussolakkos Area at Palaikastro

In Part I, a survey of the Minoan town at Palaikastro recording architectural features and sherd densities is presented. The survey allows for the town limits to be drawn and the probable location of the town centre to be identified. Possible approach routes are noted and an extension of the town to the Promontory and East Beach areas is examined. Part II is a report on building materials at Palaikastro and the Minoan quarries at Ta Skaria, where large quantities of calcareous sandstone were extracted. A magnetic survey of the central, unexcavated part of the site is presented in Part III. A short report on ancient remains at Kouremonos is given in Part IV. Part V is a summary of the previous parts, pointing out important results such as the evidence for ribbon development along approach routes in MM III/LM I and the likelihood that almost 1,000 cubic metres of calcareous sandstone used in ashlar masonry were extracted from the Minoan quarries but remain unaccounted for at Palaikastro. An appendix describes in full two deposits disturbed by ploughing.
Revue Marocaine de Cardiologie The Moroccan Journal of Cardiology

Fractional flow reserve measurements (FFR) are widely used during coronary interventions for the guidance of revascularization. While multiple pressure guidewires have been validated and are constantly used for these measurements, two generations of microcatheters can be used in this indication presenting some benefits and inconvenient. The measurement of fractional flow reserve is based on the ratio of the coronary lesion upstream and downstream pressure with a threshold of 0.80 below which the lesion is considered functionally significant and should be revascularized following specific guidelines. The NAVVUS microcatheter is a monorail system that allow to use routine guidewires to cross the coronary lesions. The aim of this study is to compare the NAVVUS microcatheter to the pressure guidewire COMET of Boston Scientific. A total of 213 coronary artery lesions have been evaluated with one of these two coronary tools over a period of 4 years and half with 9,2% of crossing failure found with the NAVVUS microcatheter versus 0,7% in the COMET wire (p<0,001). Crossing failure was significantly correlated to the presence of coronary artery calcifications and coronary angulations. FFR values were comparable between the two groups, while the FFR measurements were significantly affected by the presence of coronary calcifications and lesions length. Our observations are in line with other studies reporting crossing failure of the NAVVUS microcatheter.
ANTIMICROBIAL EVALUATION OF NOVEL TRIPLE ANTIBIOTIC PASTE AND THE DIODE LASER BEAM EACH ALONE AND IN COMBINATION AGAINST ENTEROCOCCUS FAECALIS IN COMPARISON TO THE CONVENTIONAL TRIPLE ANTIBIOTIC PASTE

Introduction: Local antibiotic administration has been investigated in addition to employing laser disinfection in light of the progress of non-instrumentation endodontic treatment, lesion sterilization, and tissue healing. Methods: 96 single-rooted teeth were collected. At the CEJ point, their crowns were severed. The root canals were prepared to work up to file F3 ProTaper in length. The smear layer was removed using EDTA 17% and sodium hypochlorite 2.5% for 5 minutes, and composite was then utilized to close the apical foramen. The teeth were sterilised for 15 minutes at 121°C in an autoclave. The adverse control was then represented by 16 samples. The remaining samples spent 21 days submerged in an E. faecalis-containing solution. The samples were devided into 6 groups: group A received an 810 nm Diode laser beam, group B conventional TAP treatment, group C conventional TAP treatment + a diode laser, group D novel TAP treatment, group E novel TAP treatment + a diode laser beam, and group F control. Each group was divided two to test the impact of the intervention after one day and seven days. Results: The negative control had the largest amount of bacteria (8687.501352.47), followed by laser (670.62221.22), old paste + laser (503.28186.12), old paste + laser (322.89150.85), and new paste + laser (195.6289.51), while new paste (64.0656.90) had the lowest amount. Conclusion: When compared to utilizing Laser alone, employing a new Triple antibiotic paste has a promising inhibitory impact on biofilm formation and the development of the E. faecalis bacteria.
Preliminary analysis of the relationship between serum lutein and zeaxanthin levels and macular pigment optical density

Purpose: To assess the relationship between combined serum lutein and zeaxanthin (L + Z) concentration and macular pigment optical density (MPOD), and to investigate the effect of L + Z + docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) dietary supplementation on the spatial distribution of MPOD. Methods: Twenty healthy fellow eyes with unilateral wet age-related macular degeneration or chronic central serous chorioretinopathy were included. All participants received a dietary supplement for 6 months that contained 20 mg L, 1 mg Z, and 200 mg DHA. The best-corrected visual acuity and contrast sensitivity (CS) were measured at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months. Serum L + Z concentrations were measured at baseline and at 3 months. MPOD was calculated at each time point using fundus autofluorescent images. Results: Serum L + Z concentration was correlated with MPOD at 1 ° –2 ° eccentricity at baseline ( r = 0.63, P = 0.003) and 3 months ( r = 0.53, P = 0.015). Serum L + Z concentration increased by a factor of 2.3 ± 1.0 ( P , 0.0001). At 6 months, MPOD was significantly higher compared to the baseline level at 0 ° –0.25 ° ( P = 0.034) and 0.25 ° –0.5 ° ( P = 0.032) eccentricity. CS improved after 3 or 6 months of L + Z + DHA supplementation ( P , 0.05). Conclusion: Juxtafoveal MPOD was associated with serum L + Z concentration. Foveal MPOD was increased by L + Z + DHA dietary supplementation.
ASSESSING YOUTH PERCEPTIONS AND KNOWLEDGE OF MODERN AGRICULTURE: A CASE OF YOUTH IN TANO NORTH MUNICIPALITY OF AHAFO REGION

Agriculture is the backbone of many countries economies, particularly in underdeveloped ones, and Ghana is no different. It is unknown why, despite Ghana's rising unemployment rate, young people are uninterested in agricultural-related jobs. The objective of this study was to assess youth perceptions and knowledge of modern agriculture in Tano North Municipality of the Ahafo Region. The data were obtained from 350 randomly selected youth using a questionnaire and analysed using a Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS v. 25). The study revealed that the youth had positive perceptions of modern agriculture and a good degree of understanding of it in terms of profitability of agriculture, and job creation. Reduced yield due to poor harvest, pests, disease, poor soil fertility, poor irrigation facilities, irregular rainfall, inadequate land, inadequate capital/income, lack of quality farming inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and lack of proper marketplace to sell farm products are the main factors affecting youth’s lack of willingness to participate into agriculture. Transforming the agriculture sector by providing technical, financial, and farming inputs support to farmers, particularly young people, may help the government solve issues such as private sector development, youth unemployment, and even food insecurity. Since economic perceptions were discovered to have a strong influence on the youth's intention to participate in agriculture, the study recommends that efforts be increased to raise awareness of the lucrative business opportunities and remunerative employment that the agricultural sector offers to attract more members of the youth into agriculture.
A Systematic Review of 21st Century Teaching and Learning Interest in Mathematics Using PRISMA

Mathematics requires inquisitiveness, logical reasoning, and comprehension of how things fit together. However, prior research has shown three fundamental reasons for mathematics difficulty among primary school students: mathematical language, conceptual comprehension, and talents. This survey study intends to discover trends in the effect of 21st-century learning on primary school students' passion for mathematics teaching and learning in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (P.R.I.S.M.A.) guidelines. Through the S.C. O.P.U.S. base article, 69 publications published between 2018 and 2023 that are related to 21st Century Learning have been identified. In addition, this study identifies 24 inclusion criteria publications and 45 exclusion criteria papers with supporting evidence. The trend-focused character of this study is shown by the analysis and categorization of each of these articles into three primary categories: a) preparation of teaching and learning techniques, b) Student motivation and learning environments, and c) student achievement. The results suggest that 21st-century learning and teaching strategies may help educators and academics detect research patterns based on three chosen topics.
Automated Insect Identification through Concatenated Histograms of Local Appearance Features Feature Vector Generation and Region Detection for Deformable Objects

This paper describes a computer vision approach to automated rapid-throughput taxonomic identification of stonefly larvae. The long-term goal of this research is to develop a cost-effective method for environmental monitoring based on automated identification of indicator species. Recognition of stonefly larvae is challenging because they are highly articulated, they exhibit a high degree of intraspecies variation in size and color, and some species are difficult to distinguish visually, despite prominent dorsal patterning. The stoneflies are imaged via an apparatus that manipulates the specimens into the field of view of a microscope so that images are obtained under highly repeatable conditions. The images are then classified through a process that involves (a) identification of regions of interest, (b) representation of those regions as SIFT vectors [1], (c) classification of the SIFT vectors into learned “features” to form a histogram of detected features, and (d) classification of the feature histogram via state-of-the-art ensemble classification algorithms. The steps (a) to (c) compose the concatenated feature histogram (CFH) method. We apply three region detectors for part (a) above, including a newly developed principal curvature-based region (PCBR) detector. This detector finds stable regions of high curvature via a watershed segmentation algorithm. We compute a separate dictionary of learned features for each region detector, and then concatenate the histograms prior to the final classification step. Send offprint requests to: Tom Dietterich, 1145 Kelley Engineering Center, Corvallis, OR 97331-5501, USA, tgd@eecs.oregonstate. edu We evaluate this classification methodology on a task of discriminating among four stonefly taxa, two of which, Calineuria and Doroneuria, are difficult even for experts to discriminate. The results show that the combination of all three detectors gives four-class accuracy of 82% and three-class accuracy (pooling Calineuria and Doroneuria) of 95%. Each region detector makes a valuable contribution. In particular, our new PCBR detector is able to discriminate Calineuria and Doroneuria much better than the other detectors.
Evaluation of conservation targeting indices on a claypan watershed

Research shows that conservation practices are more effective when they are applied to critical areas that generate the greatest amounts of contaminant loads in watersheds. Using targeting indices is one method to identify these areas in watersheds. The main objective of this study was to compare two targeting indices designed to identify critical areas most vulnerable to contaminant transport by surface runoff, the Soil Vulnerability Index (SVI) and Conductivity Claypan Index (CCI), using a claypan watershed in terms of areas they classified as critical and in terms of how input parameters used by each affected classification of watershed areas. Index critical area classifications were compared by comparing the distribution of vulnerability classifications determined by each index throughout the watershed, using contingency tables to measure agreement between indices, and determining whether indices were identifying known critical areas in the watershed. The effect of input parameters on index classifications was assessed by relating the variability in input parameters used by each index to differences in classification of watershed areas and by evaluating indices using SSURGO and DEM slope sources. Comparison of watershed classifications found that the CCI consistently classified a greater amount of high and moderately high 18 vulnerability areas compared with the SVI. It classified 20.6% more watershed area in these categories using SSURGO slopes and 28.9% more watershed area in these categories using DEM slopes. Even though the CCI classified a greater percentage of high vulnerability areas, contingency tables showed that the majority of areas classified as high vulnerability by the SVI were also classified as high vulnerability by the CCI. Comparing SVI and CCI watershed classifications with those of known critical areas in the watershed provided evidence that the CCI was able to identify critical areas not identified by the SVI. Analysis of variability in input parameters found that there was little variability in input parameters used by the SVI. Slope was the parameter with the most variability, and the SVI was the most sensitive to this parameter. The CCI had the most variability in the depth to claypan (CD) and slope parameters. Variability in the CD parameter allowed the CCI to classify critical areas not classified as critical by the SVI. The results illustrate effects of using a site-specific targeting index that is sensitive to local conditions.
50th Anniversary Celebration Collection — Minireview Combined Oral Contraceptives As Victims of Drug Interactions S

Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) are widely used in women of reproductive age in the United States. Metabolism plays an important role in the elimination of estrogens and progestins contained in COCs. It is unavoidable that a woman using COCs may need to take another drug to treat a disease. If the concurrently used drug induces enzymes responsible for the metabolism of progestins and/or estrogens, unintended pregnancy or irregular bleeding may occur. If the concurrent drug inhibits the metabolism of these exogenous hormones, there may be an increased safety risk such as thrombosis. Therefore, for an in-vestigational drug intended to be used in women with reproductive potential, evaluating its effects on the pharmacokinetics of COCs is important to determine if additional labeling is necessary for managing drug-druginteractions(DDIs)betweenthe concomitantproduct andthe COCs. It is challenging to determine when this clinical drug interaction studyis needed, whether an observed exposure change of progestin/ estrogen is clinically meaningful, and if the results of a clinical drug interaction study with one COC can predict exposure changes of unstudied COCs to inform labeling. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of metabolic pathways of estrogens and pro-gestins contained in commonly used COCs and known interactions of these COCs as victim drugs and we discuss possible mechanisms of interactions for unexpected results. We also discuss recent advances, knowledge gaps, and future perspectives on this important topic. The review will enhance the understanding of DDIs with COCs and improve the safe and effective use ofCOCs.
Incident Management, FAST-TRAC Phase IIB Deliverables

Selecting the most appropriate traffic control strategy for incident congestion management can have a major impact on the extent and duration of the resulting congestion. This research investigated the effective-nesses of several control strategies on various incident conditions. The selected control strategies representing possible ITS technologies included traffic metering (ATMS), traffic diversion (ATIS), and traffic diversion with signal timing modification (ATIS/ATMS). The analysis was conducted on a hypothetical dense grid surface street network. Mid-block incidents of various durations were tested. The results indicated that the ATIS/ATMS based solution can reduce congestion duration up to 27 minutes, with a saving of 261 vehicle-hours of delay. A sensitivity analysis was performed to obtain the effectivenesses of various control strategies under different demand levels. Several alternate diversion plans and control variables for initiating signal modification were also tested.
Edinburgh Research Explorer Differential regulation of the alpha-globin locus by Kruppel-like factor 3 in erythroid and non-erythroid cells

Background: Krüppel-like Factor 3 (KLF3) is a broadly expressed zinc-finger transcriptional repressor with diverse biological roles. During erythropoiesis, KLF3 acts as a feedback repressor of a set of genes that are activated by Krüppel-like Factor 1 (KLF1). Noting that KLF1 binds α -globin gene regulatory sequences during erythroid maturation, we sought to determine whether KLF3 also interacts with the α -globin locus to regulate transcription. Results: We found that expression of a human transgenic α -globin reporter gene is markedly up-regulated in fetal and adult erythroid cells of Klf3 − / − mice. Inspection of the mouse and human α -globin promoters revealed a number of canonical KLF-binding sites, and indeed, KLF3 was shown to bind to these regions both in vitro and in vivo . Despite these observations, we did not detect an increase in endogenous murine α -globin expression in Klf3 − / − erythroid tissue. However, examination of murine embryonic fibroblasts lacking KLF3 revealed significant de-repression of α -globin gene expression. This suggests that KLF3 may contribute to the silencing of the α -globin locus in non-erythroid tissue. Moreover, ChIP-Seq analysis of murine fibroblasts demonstrated that across the locus, KLF3 does not occupy the promoter regions of the α -globin genes in these cells, but rather, binds to upstream, DNase hypersensitive regulatory regions. Conclusions: These findings reveal that the occupancy profile of KLF3 at the α -globin locus differs in erythroid and non-erythroid cells. In erythroid cells, KLF3 primarily binds to the promoters of the adult α -globin genes, but appears dispensable for normal transcriptional regulation. In non-erythroid cells, KLF3 distinctly binds to the HS-12 and HS-26 elements and plays a non-redundant, albeit modest, role in the silencing of α -globin expression.
Optimal harvest strategy for even‐aged stands with price uncertainty and risk of natural disturbances

We present a reservation price model to examine the joint impacts of natural disturbances and stumpage price uncertainty on the optimal harvesting decision for even‐aged forest stands. We consider a landowner who manages a loblolly pine stand to produce timber and amenities, under age‐dependent risk of wildfires and uncertainty in future timber prices. We show that the incorporation of risk of wildfires decreases the optimal reservation prices. The inclusion of risk of wildfires leads to lower land values and reduces the mean harvest age compared with the case of no‐risk of wildfires. Higher economic gains are obtained with the reservation price strategy compared with the deterministic rotation age model—a difference in the land value of $2,326 ha−1 (21%) between the two approaches.
Impact of ethanol expansion on the cattle feeding industry

Impact of Ethanol Expansion on the Cattle Feeding Industry. (May 2007) Erin Daley, B.S., California Polytechnic State University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Joe L. Outlaw The U.S. has a history of producing surplus corn, but the current and projected growth in ethanol production combined with strong feed and export demand is causing an overall increase in corn utilization. Although livestock feeders are projected to remain the largest users of corn, corn utilization can be reduced if ethanol co-products are used to replace a portion of corn in finishing rations. The objective of this study was to determine the economic trade-offs for cattle feeders when facing higher corn prices and increasing supplies of ethanol co-products. A stochastic partial budget model was used to determine the impact on the cost of gain when ethanol co-products are substituted into rations at varying inclusion rates. The model was built for all four major cattle feeding states: Texas, Nebraska, Kansas, and Colorado. Ration scenarios were developed for each state, based on the research results of feedlot nutrition and personal communication with feedlot operators. The various scenarios were simulated to determine the impacts of changing corn prices, corn processing costs, cattle performance, and feeding and transportation costs for Wet Distiller’s Grains with Solubles (WDGS) on the key output variable, cost of gain. The model results indicated when 15 percent WDGS (on a dry matter basis) replaces a portion of corn and protein supplement, the simulated cost of gain is lower