Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Temperature sensitivity of oxygen demand varies as a function of organic matter source

Dissolved oxygen (DO) impairment within coastal waters is widespread and rising temperatures may exacerbate low DO levels by enhancing organic matter (OM) degradation. Here, the temperature sensitivity of OM degradation was investigated as DO decay rates determined during standard five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) measurements conducted under different incubation temperatures. Sampling was conducted in the Waccamaw River watershed, South Carolina, a blackwater river with extensive forested wetland that also receives drainage from stormwater detention ponds associated with coastal development, thus providing different sources of contrasting OM composition. Temperature sensitivities were measured as Q10 temperature coefficients, which define how DO decay rates change with 10 degrees of warming. The average Q10 value for the wetland sites (2.14 ± 0.41) was significantly greater (p < 0.05) than those measured in either the River (1.49 ± 0.36) or stormwater ponds (1.41 ± 0.21). Furthermore, using Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change intermediate-to-very high temperature estimates for 2100 of +2.7 – 4.4°C, average predicted increases in DO decay rates for wetlands (~22-39%) are more than double the River (~11-18%) and stormwater pond rates (~9-16%). Our findings for inland, coastal waters agree with previous results for soils, suggesting that temperature sensitivities are variable across sites and increase with more complex, lower quality OM. Future modeling scenarios of DO utilization must therefore consider the influence of OM heterogeneity and the temperature sensitivity response of OM degradation across sources and region to better predict how climate change may impact oxygen impairment in aquatic ecosystems.
Consumer analysis and the role of information in sustainable choices: A natural experiment

“I shop therefore I am” (R. Campbell), or putting it differently, we are what we buy, and the way we make our purchases influences the future choices of economic decision-makers. Therefore, our decisions are crucial in defining the future sustainability of the whole system. Despite the plethora of initiatives introduced to enhance consumers' consciousness, the gap between ideal and real consumption attitude still exists and is a non-negligible problem, since subjects' sustainability intention is not always followed by sustainable consumption. Therefore, by employing a natural field experiment, the present work explores consumers' real behavior toward sustainable switching. Specifically, this study examines how the impact of targeted communication leads to a market basket sustainable shift. Indeed, we observe how the consumer's basket composition varies from control (where no targeted communication is included) to treatment (where specific and detailed communication is introduced through ad-hoc on-site banner signals). Results show the positive impact of the communication; after the introduction of the communication, the share of sustainable products is higher compared with the non-sustainable set of products. As a further extension, we consider the role played by product aesthetics: even if the effect is marked for sustainable products preserving the characteristics of the conventional substitute, such effect vanishes when a subset of radically different products is considered.
Performance evaluation of high‐resolution IMDAA and IMERG for detecting cloudburst events over the Northwest Himalayas

The main goal of this research is to assess the Indian Monsoon Data Assimilation and Analysis (IMDAA), a recently established high‐resolution (0.12° × 0.12°) reanalysis dataset, for observing cloudburst events over the Northwest Himalaya (NWH). In addition, a high‐resolution (0.1° × 0.1°) satellite estimate, the Integrated Multi‐satellitE Retrievals for Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) version 6 (IMERG‐V06B) (Final run), is validated against the IMDAA. The following is a summary of our significant findings. (1) Reanalysis data from the IMDAA detects 11 out of 16 cloudburst incidences. In addition, 10 events captured in the IMERG‐V06B data are a subset of those captured by IMDAA. According to contingency measures, the probability of detection (POD) of IMERG‐V06B at 99.99th percentile is 33.33%–63.39% along the geographical extent of NWH. When utilizing the improved probability of detection (IPOD) to account for time, the possibility of IMERG‐V06B detecting cloudburst occurrences ranges from 41.24% to 68.25%. (2) According to the finding, the IMDAA accurately detects cloudburst events in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), where data from the India Metrological Department (IMD) at a resolution of 0.25° × 0.25° have underperformed. As a result, we can deduce that IMDAA can be used to observe extreme events in the Himalayas. IMERG‐V06B is also relevant satellite data for monitoring cloudburst events and validating climate models.
Theoretical models for H II regions. I. Diagnostic diagrams

We have computed an extensive, homogeneous grid of theoretical photoionization models with conditions appropriate to observed H II regions. This grid has been used to develop a comprehensive set of theoretical diagnostic diagrams for H II regions which employ ratios of prominent emission lines to determine the ionization parameter within the nebula, and the ionization temperature of its exciting star(s). It is also possible to estimate the element-averaged metallicity in the nebula and stars from these diagnostics.
Exploring the Relationship Between Privatization in Public Service Delivery and Coproduction: Evidence from U.S. Local Governments

Since the New Public Management Movement, privatization has become a popular approach for delivering public services. However, few studies empirically assess the relationship between privatization of public service delivery and citizen participation in coproduction. Taking advantage of a national survey of U.S. local government chief administrators, this study aims to contribute to the literature by exploring the link between these two important mechanisms of public service provision. Our findings indicate that local governments are more likely to involve citizens in coproduction when a larger proportion of service delivery is privatized. Regarding various types of coproduction, privatization in public service delivery is positively associated with the likelihood of citizen involvement in co-planning, co-design, and co-assessment, but not in co-delivery. Finally, compared to for-profit service providers, involving nonprofit organizations in public service delivery is likely to create more opportunities for citizens to be involved in the coproduction of public services.
Food values: How they relate to legality

Introduction A value is an implicit principle that arises from judgments about everything around people, whereas a value system is a set of values ordered according to personal preferences. In this context, values can be seen as the adherence to an implicit or explicit set of rules, many of which are related to legality. In this study, legality is understood as the willingness of citizens to abide by the existing set of formal laws. A value system can guide consumers' food choices and provide information on their preferences. In this way, the citizens' food value system can influence the decisions of producers and policymakers. Methods The present study investigates the food value system of a sample of young adults using the Best-Worst Scale method. Results Values such as environmental impact rank high in their value system, indicating that adherence to a set of implicit rules and regulations concerning the environment are very important values when choosing food. Discussion Although adherence to a legal system that protects a public good (the environment) is considered an essential value, legality per se is not. This might suggest, on the one hand, a lack of awareness of legality issues in the Italian food system and, on the other hand, a strong interest in issues perceived as more urgent.
Hepatocellular carcinoma subtypes based on metabolic pathways reveals potential therapeutic targets

Introduction Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive malignancy with steadily increasing incidence rates worldwide and poor therapeutic outcomes. Studies show that metabolic reprogramming plays a key role in tumor genesis and progression. In this study, we analyzed the metabolic heterogeneity of epithelial cells in the HCC and screened for potential biomarkers. Methods The hepatic single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) datasets of HCC patients and healthy controls were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Based on data intergration and measurement of differences among groups, the metabolic epithelial cell subpopulations were identified. The single-cell metabolic pathway was analyzed and the myeloid subpopulations were identified. Cell-cell interaction analysis and single-cell proliferation analysis were performed. The gene expression profiles of HCC patients were obtained from the GSE14520 dataset of GEO and TCGA-LIHC cohort of the UCSC Xena website. Immune analysis was performed. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified and functionally annotated. Tumor tissues from HCC patients were probed with anti-ALDOA, anti-CD68, anti-CD163, anti-CD4 and anti-FOXP3 antibodies. Results We analyzed the scRNA-seq data from 48 HCC patients and 14 healthy controls. The epithelial cells were significantly enriched in HCC patients compared to the controls (p = 0.011). The epithelial cells from HCC patients were classified into two metabolism-related subpopulations (MRSs) – pertaining to amino acid metabolism (MRS1) and glycolysis (MRS2). Depending on the abundance of these metabolic subpopulations, the HCC patients were also classified into the MRS1 and MRS2 subtype distinct prognoses and immune infiltration. The MRS2 group had significantly worse clinical outcomes and more inflamed tumor microenvironment (TME), as well as a stronger crosstalk between MRS2 cells and immune subpopulations that resulted in an immunosuppressive TME. We also detected high expression levels of ALDOA in the MRS2 cells and HCC tissues. In the clinical cohort, HCC patients with higher ALDOA expression showed greater enrichment of immunosuppressive cells including M2 macrophages and T regulatory cells. Discussion The glycolytic subtype of HCC cells with high ALDOA expression is associated with an immunosuppressive TME and predicts worse clinical outcomes, providing new insights into the metabolism and prognosis of HCC.
Computer-assisted experiments with a laser diode

A laser diode from an inexpensive laser pen (laser pointer) is used in simple experiments. The radiant output power and efficiency of the laser are measured, and polarization of the light beam is shown. The h/e ratio is available from the threshold of spontaneous emission. The lasing threshold is found using several methods. With a data-acquisition system, the measurements are possible in a short time. The frequency response of the laser diode is determined in the range 10–107 Hz. The experiments are suitable for undergraduate laboratories and for classroom demonstrations on semiconductors.
Structural, Binding and Functional Properties of Milk Protein-Polyphenol Systems: A Review

Polyphenols (PP) are linked to health benefits (e.g., prevention of cancer, cardiovascular disease and obesity), which are mainly attributed to their antioxidant activity. During digestion, PP are oxidised to a significant degree reducing their bio-functionality. In recent years, the potential of various milk protein systems, including β-casein micelles, β-lactoglobulin aggregates, blood serum albumin aggregates, native casein micelles and re-assembled casein micelles, to bind and protect PP have been investigated. These studies have yet to be systematically reviewed. The functional properties of the milk protein-PP systems depend on the type and concentration of both PP and protein, as well as the structure of the resultant complexes, with environmental and processing factors also having an influence. Milk protein systems protect PP from degradation during digestion, resulting in a higher bioaccessibility and bioavailability, which improve the functional properties of PP upon consumption. This review compares different milk protein systems in terms of physicochemical properties, PP binding performance and ability to enhance the bio-functional properties of PP. The goal is to provide a comprehensive overview on the structural, binding, and functional properties of milk protein-polyphenol systems. It is concluded that milk protein complexes function effectively as delivery systems for PP, protecting PP from oxidation during digestion.
Relationship Between Socio-Demographics, Study Skills and Distress Among Pakistani School Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Purpose The increasing prevalence of distress among students is of global concern. Several factors such as school and family environment and ineffective study skills could influence mental health. The study explored the rate of distress symptoms among school students’ and its relationship with their study skills, stressors and demographic factors. Methods In this cross-sectional analytical study, a sample of 215 students from a community school participated in the study. Three questionnaires, demographic questionnaire, Study Skills Inventory and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using Student’s t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and stepwise linear regression. Results Response rate was 70% (n = 150). A high proportion of respondents (75%) was distressed (mean 27.28 ± 8.77). Correlation analysis showed that distress (K10 score) was negatively related to study skills (SSI total score) (r = −0.247, p = 0.002). The rate of distress symptoms was higher among female students (79%) compared to their male counterparts (72%). The factors associated with distress included negative association of teachers’ level of help to develop competencies (p = 0.000, β = −0.278, R2 = 0.249), unfavorable school environment (p = 0.000, β = 0.285, R2 = 0.123), inability to cope with studies (p = 0.005, β = 0.205, R2 = 0.038), family problems (p = 0.014, β = 0.184, R2 = 0.173) and lower study skills (p = 0.031, β = −0.164, R2 = 0.270). The overall regression analysis explained 33.6% of the variance (corrected R2 = 0.336). Conclusion Higher than expected levels of distress (75%) was found in immigrant school students. Poor study skills have a significant relationship with distress. Learning environment and related stress factors were associated with distress among students. Based on the findings, it is recommended that stakeholders in education address the hidden curriculum, as it is usually unacknowledged and might affect students’ wellbeing, and move from student centered to an interpersonal relation-centered education.
Medication overuse headache and substance use disorder: A comparison based on basic research and neuroimaging

It has yet to be determined whether medication overuse headache (MOH) is an independent disorder or a combination of primary headache and substance addiction. To further explore the causes of MOH, we compared MOH with substance use disorder (SUD) in terms of the brain regions involved to draw more targeted conclusions. In this review, we selected alcohol use disorder (AUD) as a representative SUD and compared MOH and AUD from two aspects of neuroimaging and basic research. We found that in neuroimaging studies, there were many overlaps between AUD and MOH in the reward circuit, but the extensive cerebral cortex damage in AUD was more serious than that in MOH. This difference was considered to reflect the sensitivity of the cortex structure to alcohol damage. In future research, we will focus on the central amygdala (CeA), prefrontal cortex (PFC), orbital-frontal cortex (OFC), hippocampus, and other brain regions for interventions, which may have unexpected benefits for addiction and headache symptoms in MOH patients.
Evaluation of T2-prepared blood oxygenation level dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging with an event-related task: Hemodynamic response function and reproducibility

T2-prepared (T2prep) blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) functional MRI (fMRI) is an alternative fMRI approach developed to mitigate the susceptibility artifacts that are typically observed in brain regions near air-filled cavities, bleeding and calcification, and metallic objects in echo-planar-imaging (EPI) based fMRI images. Here, T2prep BOLD fMRI was evaluated in an event-related paradigm for the first time. Functional experiments were performed using gradient-echo (GRE) EPI, spin-echo (SE) EPI, and T2prep BOLD fMRI during an event-related visual task in 10 healthy human subjects. Each fMRI method was performed with a low (3.4 × 3.4 × 4 mm3) and a high (1.5 mm isotropic) spatial resolution on 3T and a high resolution (1.5 mm isotropic) on 7T. Robust activation were detected in the visual cortex with all three fMRI methods. In each group of fMRI scans (3T low resolution, 3T high resolution, and 7T high resolution), GRE EPI showed the highest signal change (ΔS/S), largest full-width-at-half-maximum (FWHM) and longest time-to-peak (TTP) extracted from the hemodynamic response functions (HRF), indicating substantial signal contribution from large draining veins which have longer response times than microvessels. In contrast, T2prep BOLD showed the lowest ΔS/S, smallest FWHM, and shortest TTP, suggesting that T2prep BOLD may have a purer T2-weighted BOLD contrast that is more sensitive to microvessels compared to GRE/SE EPI BOLD. This trend was more obvious in fMRI scans performed with a lower spatial resolution on a lower field (3T with a 3.4 × 3.4 × 4 mm3 voxel). Scan-rescan reproducibility in the same subjects was comparable among the three fMRI methods. The results from the current study are expected to be useful to establish T2prep BOLD as a useful alternative fMRI approach for event-related fMRI in brain regions with large susceptibility artifacts.
Optical Tomography of a Sunspot. III. Velocity Stratification and the Evershed Effect

The stratification with optical depth of the line-of-sight (LOS) velocity of a simple, isolated, round sunspot observed with the Advanced Stokes Polarimeter (ASP; Elmore et al.) presented here completes this series of papers that investigates the stratification in optical depths of such a typical sunspot. These results have been obtained through the use of the SIR technique (Stokes Inversion based on Response functions of Ruiz Cobo & del Toro Iniesta). From these data we have confirmed that there are strong downflowing velocities at log τ5 = 0 that coincide spatially with the places where the magnetic field points downward (Westendorp Plaza et al.). Further confirmation is obtained by the application of the same method on a different sunspot, already analyzed with the Milne-Eddington inversion technique (Stanchfield, Thomas, & Lites). These downflows reconcile observations that have detected Evershed velocities outside sunspots together with suggestions of the possible return of the flow within the penumbra. The Evershed flow seems to be concentrated in elevated channels not thicker than 1 or 2 scale heights that are mostly located in the space between magnetic spines, i.e., in places where the magnetic field is more inclined, weaker in the inner-middle penumbra, and stronger in the outer penumbra and beyond the visible limits of the sunspot. This conclusion is based upon the tight correlation found between LOS velocities and the (reported in the second paper of this series) magnetic field strength and zenith angle. The upstreaming material is seen in the inner penumbra and the downstreaming in the outer penumbra. A strong increase with optical depth has been obtained for the LOS velocities that provides indications of the superposition of Evershed channels along the LOS. The differential opacity effect between the center-side and the limb-side penumbra, already reported in the second paper in this series, is also seen in the velocity maps and has suggested the comparison of the vertical mass flux through the upstreaming zones (mostly seen in the center side) and the downstreaming zones (mostly seen in the limb side), obtaining a fairly good balance between the two.
A one-sided test for testino homogeneity of scale parameters against simple ordered alternative

In an earlier paper the authors (1997) extended the results of Hayter (1990) to the two parameter exponential probability model. This paper addressee the extention to the scale parameter case under location-scale probability model. Consider k (k≧3) treatments or competing firms such that an observation from with treatment or firm follows a distribution with cumulative distribution function (cdf) Fi(x)=F[(x-μi)/Qi], where F(·) is any absolutely continuous cdf, i=1,…,k. We propose a test to test the null hypothesis H0:θ1=…=θk against the simple ordered alternative H1:θ1≦…≦θk, with at least one strict inequality, using the data Xi,j, i=1,…k; j=1,…,n1. Two methods to compute the critical points of the proposed test have been demonstrated by talking k two parameter exponential distributions. The test procedure also allows us to construct simultaneous one sided confidence intervals (SOCIs) for the ordered pairwise ratios θj/θi, 1≦i
A Narrative Review of the Lesser Known Medications for Treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome and Pathogenetic Implications for Their Use

Background: There are several well-known treatments for Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), including dopamine agonists (pramipexole, ropinirole, rotigotine), anticonvulsants (gabapentin and its analogs, pregabalin), oral or intravenous iron, opioids and benzodiazepines. However, in clinical practice, treatment is sometimes limited due to incomplete response or side effects and it is necessary to be aware of other treatment options for RLS, which is the purpose of this review. Methods: We performed a narrative review detailing all of the lesser known pharmacological treatment literature on RLS. The review purposefully excludes well-established, well-known treatments for RLS which are widely accepted as treatments for RLS in evidence-based reviews. We also have emphasized the pathogenetic implications for RLS of the successful use of these lesser known agents. Results: Alternative pharmacological agents include clonidine which reduces adrenergic transmission, adenosinergic agents such as dipyridamole, glutamate AMPA receptor blocking agents such as perampanel, glutamate NMDA receptor blocking agents such as amantadine and ketamine, various anticonvulsants (carbamazepine/oxcarbazepine, lamotrigine, topiramate, valproic acid, levetiracetam), anti-inflammatory agents such as steroids, as well as cannabis. Bupropion is also a good choice for the treatment of co-existent depression in RLS because of its pro-dopaminergic properties. Discussion: Clinicians should first follow evidence-based review recommendations for the treatment of RLS but when the clinical response is either incomplete or side effects are intolerable other options can be considered. We neither recommend nor discourage the use of these options, but leave it up to the clinician to make their own choices based upon the benefit and side effect profiles of each medication.