Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The moisture origin of dew: Insights from three sites with contrasting climatic conditions

Dew is one of the important moisture sources in many arid and semiarid regions. The knowledge of moisture origin of dew under various climatic conditions is still lacking. Isotopic variations can preserve information about moisture origin and formation mechanisms. Therefore, the isotopic compositions of dew and precipitation (δ2H, δ18O, δ17O, d‐excess, lc‐excess and 17O‐excess) were investigated at three sites with different climatic conditions (i.e., Gobabeb with extremely dry climate, Nice with Mediterranean climate and Indianapolis with humid continental climate). The results showed that there were three types of dew at Gobabeb: advective dew, groundwater‐derived dew, and shallow soil water‐derived dew, accounting for 27.3%, 45.4% and 27.3% of the dew events, respectively. The ultimate moisture sources of advective dew and the other two types of dew at Gobabeb were from the South Atlantic Ocean and a mixture of the Indian and South Atlantic Oceans, respectively. Dew in Nice included ocean‐derived dew from the North Atlantic Ocean with local evapotranspiration replenishment, and local‐derived dew, mainly from the continental Europe and Mediterranean Sea, accounting for 39.1% and 60.9% of the dew events, respectively. All the Indianapolis dew were likely local‐derived dew. Based on the moisture origins, the future dew trends were speculated under global warming. Dew frequencies at Gobabeb and Indianapolis under future climates are uncertain due to the concurrent increases in atmospheric water vapour and temperature. The local‐derived dew in Nice would likely decrease due to the decreasing precipitation and increasing drought, and the ocean‐derived dew under future climates is uncertain. This study provides a practical method to distinguish dew moisture sources, and such information is useful for future prediction of dew trends under climate change.
Estimations of Mass Fluxes for Cumulus Parameterizations from High-Resolution Spatial Data

Abstract The core of the mass flux formulation, on which the majority of the current cumulus parameterizations are based, is to transport physical variables by the so-called mass flux for individual physical components, such as convective updrafts, downdrafts, and environment. These parameterizations use horizontal means over the subdomains occupied by these physical components to define the mass fluxes and transported variables. However, evaluations of the mass flux formulation against high-resolution spatial data obtained from explicit numerical models reveal that it substantially underestimates vertical transport of heat, moisture, and momentum by deep convection. The present paper proposes an alternative approach, in which the effective values weighted toward extreme values are used both for the mass flux and the transported variable to obtain an accurate estimate of vertical transport. Statistically, the distribution of convective variables is so widely distributed within individual subdomains that t.
A Comparison of Near-Infrared Diode Laser Techniques for Airborne Hygrometry

Abstract High-frequency wavelength modulation spectroscopy and dual beam absorption noise canceler methods are compared for near-infrared laser detection of moisture at levels relevant to airborne hygrometry. Both techniques exhibit sensitivities exceeding −85°C frost point, with subsecond time response. The application of these techniques to airborne hygrometric instrumentation is discussed.
Comprehensive Quality Evaluation of Polygonatum cyrtonema and Its Processed Product: Chemical Fingerprinting, Determination and Bioactivity

Processing of Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) is a traditional pharmaceutical technology in Chinese medicine. Traditionally, proper processing of CHMs is necessary to meet the specific clinical requirements of different syndromes. Processing with black bean juice is considered one of the most important techniques in traditional Chinese pharmaceutical technology. Despite the long-standing practice of processing Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua (PCH), there is little research on the changes in chemical constituents and bioactivity before and after processing. This study investigated the influence of black bean juice processing on the chemical composition and bioactivity of PCH. The results revealed significant changes in both composition and contents during processing. Saccharide and saponin content significantly increased after processing. Moreover, the processed samples exhibited considerably stronger DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging capacity, as well as FRAP-reducing capacity, compared to the raw samples. The IC50 values for DPPH were 1.0 ± 0.12 mg/mL and 0.65 ± 0.10 mg/mL for the raw and processed samples, respectively. For ABTS, the IC50 values were 0.65 ± 0.07 mg/mL and 0.25 ± 0.04 mg/mL, respectively. Additionally, the processed sample demonstrated significantly higher inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase and α-amylase (IC50 = 1.29 ± 0.12 mg/mL and 0.48 ± 0.04 mg/mL) compared to the raw sample (IC50 = 5.58 ± 0.22 mg/mL and 0.80 ± 0.09 mg/mL). These findings underscore the significance of black bean processing in enhancing the properties of PCH and lay the foundation for its further development as a functional food. The study elucidates the role of black bean processing in PCH and offers valuable insights for its application.
DeapSea: Workflow-Supported Serious Game Design for Stroke Rehabilitation

The design and development of a serious game are complex due to different and often numerous stakeholders involved. Different guidelines for general best practices exist, but those are not specific and often do not include therapists or patients as essential stakeholders especially in the context of individualisation of a serious games. Although there are a lot of serious games in the area of (stroke) rehabilitation, design guidelines and indications of what is important are quite scarce. Identifying individualisation possibilities to adapt a serious game to the specific needs of patients was identified to support and improve the design and outcome of serious game development. A literature research and the analysis of previously designed serious games created the foundation for this research. The identified configuration possibilities, additional requirements, and the developed workflow were then evaluated with the gathered insights of therapists trough an online survey. 20 generic configuration possibilities for therapists, as well as seven requirements, were identified and are presented, which can be used when designing a serious game in the context of stroke. In addition a workflow, called “DeapSea” is proposed for supporting the design as well. These results should be used as an addition to already established design recommendations to deliver an adaptable and flexible serious game in the area of stroke—helping to fulfill individual patient needs from the point of therapists and other involved medical stakeholders within the rehabilitation process.
A brief history of RT-PCR and our laboratory experience with SARS-CoV-2 analyses using RT-PCR

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is in vitro replication that allows accelerated amplification of certain sequences in small DNA fragments. A sensitive technique, only traces of DNA are needed for PCR to produce enough copies to be analyzed. In molecular diagnostic laboratories, rRT-PCR technique is applied to find target RNAs for the diagnosis of specific pathogens. Although the rRT-PCR method, which has high specificity and moderate sensitivity, is accepted by WHO as the gold standard test for the confirmation of COVID-19, there are many negative comments about this method that should be considered. While diagnosing SARS-CoV-2, it is possible to say that real-time PCR (RT-PCR) analysis is still valid but not sufficient to quickly distinguish similar infections. For this reason, there is a need for new analysis methods and new RT-PCR studies to be performed with newly developed unique rapid tests.
Prediction of prompt neutron spectra of the photon induced reactions on 238U and 232Th targets at incident energies from 4 to 22 MeV

The processing of experimental data for the photon induced reactions on 238U and 232Th investigated by quasi-monochromatic γ-ray beams (produced in Laser Compton scattering at the NewSUBARU facility) needs the prediction of prompt neutron spectra. They are obtained using reliable models and systematics, i.e. the most employed and well validated approach of the most probable fragmentation with input parameters provided by a recent systematic and fission chance probabilities based on nuclear reaction calculations performed with the EMPIRE code.
Determinants of auditor's ability to detect fraud with professional skepticism as moderation at the inspectorate general of the ministry of public works and public housing

The high number of fraud cases in Indonesia has caused huge losses. When fraud cases are disclosed by external parties, what often becomes the public spotlight is the failure of the internal auditor's role in detecting fraud. This study aims to examine the factors that influence the auditor's ability to detect fraud. The data used in this study is primary data sourced from the auditors of the Inspectorate General of the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (MPWH) with a total sample of 117 respondents. Data was obtained through a closed questionnaire. The sampling technique is random sampling. The analysis technique in this study is to use Moderated Regression Analysis (MRA), including the t-test and R2 test. The results of the analysis show that competence, independence, and whistleblowing have a positive and significant effect on the auditor's ability to detect fraud. The moderating effect of professional skepticism can strengthen the effect of competence and independence on the auditor's ability to detect fraud. On the other hand, professional skepticism does not moderate the effect of whistleblowing on the auditor's ability to detect fraud.
The Effect of Progestins on Cytokine Production in the Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Menopausal Women and Their Luminol-Dependent Chemiluminescence

Steroid hormones are the key regulators of inflammatory and autoimmune processes. The role of steroid hormones is mostly inhibitory in these processes. The expression of IL-6, TNFα, and IL-1β, as markers of inflammation, and TGFβ, as a marker of fibrosis, could be useful tools to predict the response of an individual’s immune system to the different progestins suitable for the treatment of menopausal inflammatory disorders, including endometriosis. In this study, the progestins P4 and MPA, as well as the novel progestin gestobutanoyl (GB), which possess potent anti-inflammatory properties towards endometriosis, were studied at a fixed concentration of 10 µM. Their influence on the production of the above cytokines in PHA-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) during 24 h incubation was evaluated by ELISA. It was found that synthetic progestins stimulated the production of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα and inhibited TGFβ production, while P4 inhibited IL-6 (33% inhibition) and did not influence TGFβ production. In the MTT-viability test, P4 also decreased PHA-stimulated PBMC viability by 28% during 24 h incubation, but MPA and GB did not have any inhibitory or stimulatory effects. The luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (LDC) assay revealed the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of all the tested progestins, as well as some other steroid hormones and their antagonists: cortisol, dexamethasone, testosterone, estradiol, cyproterone, and tamoxifen. Of these, tamoxifen showed the most pronounced effect on the oxidation capacity of PBMC but not on that of dexamethasone, as was expected. Collectively, these data demonstrate that PBMCs from menopausal women respond differently to P4 and synthetic progestins, most likely due to distinct actions via various steroid receptors. It is not only the progestin affinity to nuclear progesterone receptors (PR), androgen receptors, glucocorticoid receptors, or estrogen receptors that is important for the immune response, but also the membrane PR or other nongenomic structures in immune cells.
Global stabilization via nested saturation function for high‐order feedforward nonlinear systems with unknown time‐varying delays

We consider the global stabilization problem for a class of high‐order feedforward time‐delay nonlinear systems. The nested saturation function method is inherently improved to develop a continuous controller, without the requirements on the memory of the past input and the prior information of the time‐varying delays. The proposed controller is less conservative in terms of the level of nonlinearities whose upper bounds include high‐order, low‐order, and linear terms. The design procedures are provided based on the sign function technique, the homogeneous domination idea, and the search of Lyapunov function. Finally, a simulation example is used to demonstrate the application of the obtained theoretical results. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stochastic Taylor Methods for Stochastic Delay Differential Equations

This paper demonstrates a systematic derivation of high order numerical methods from stochastic Taylor expansion for solving stochastic delay differential equations (SDDEs) with a constant time lag, r > 0 . The stochastic Taylor expansion of SDDEs is truncated at certain terms to achieve the order of convergence of numerical methods for SDDEs. Three different numerical schemes of Euler method, Milstein scheme and stochastic Taylor method of order 1.5 have been derived. The performance of Euler method, Milstein scheme and stochastic Taylor method of order 1.5 are investigated in a simulation study.
Attitudes of clients of Dutch pest controllers towards animal welfare in the management of liminal rodents

Rodent control tends to involve methods that cause animal suffering, but little attention has been paid to the animal welfare implications of rodent control. The aim of the current study was to gain insight into the opinions and attitudes of clients of Dutch pest controllers, regarding liminal rodents, rodent control, and rodent welfare. A better understanding of their attitudes may contribute to more ethical rodent management programmes. An online survey among 248 clients of Dutch pest controllers was carried out. Respondents, especially those within the agricultural sector, have a relatively negative attitude towards rats and mice. Respondents in the agricultural subgroup do not consider the welfare of liminal rodents important. They also think that the welfare impact of commonly used control methods is limited, and they have low tolerance levels for the presence of rodents. Respondents from other sectors have a far more positive attitude towards rats and mice, consider their welfare to be of greater importance, have a greater estimation of the welfare impact of control methods and show greater tolerance levels towards rodents. The respondents from the latter subgroup have a similar attitude compared to Dutch pest controllers participating in a previous survey. The findings of the current study firstly provide useful information for the further development and practical implementation of preventive control methods. Secondly, they provide input for a more animal-friendly rodent control and for the development of an assessment framework to support ethical decision-making. Finally, they can be helpful for further research and the communication and co-operation between professional pest controllers and their clients.
Prevalence and predictors of viral load suppression in adults living with HIV in the western region of Ghana: A cross-sectional study

Background Although antiretroviral therapy is beneficial and available free of cost to patients, several roadblocks still prevent patients from reaching viral suppression. This research aimed to determine the prevalence rate of viral suppression among people living with HIV in the western region of Ghana and identify the factors contributing to viral non-suppression. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 7199 HIV-positive adults. All data from the Sekondi Public Health Laboratory database was exported to Microsoft Excel and then verified and filtered before being exported to STATA 16.1. Viral non-suppression was modeled statistically using logistic regression. Results Viral load suppression was achieved in 5465 (75.91%) study participants who received antiretroviral treatment. However, 1734 participants (24.0%) did not achieve viral suppression. Patients with poor adherence to ARV (AOR 0.30; 95% CI 0.16, 0.58) and fair adherence to ARV (AOR 0.23; 95% CI 0.12, 0.45) were associated with a lower odd of viral non-suppression. Patients with six (6) months to two (2) years of treatment before viral load testing (AOR 0.67; 95% CI 0.46, 0.98) were also associated with a lower likelihood of viral non-suppression. Conclusions The rate of non-suppression was high, and the suppression rate fell short of the UNAIDS target. Poor ARV adherence, fair ARV adherence, and a treatment duration of six (6) months to two (2) years before viral load testing appear to be obstacles to viral load suppression. The research findings seem to suggest that viral load testing supports viral non-suppression. Therefore, using viral load tests to monitor medication's effects on health can motivate patients to adhere to their prescribed medication regimen. More research is needed to determine whether viral load testing can improve adherence. Given the high rate of virologic failure, the study highlights the importance of identifying antiretroviral resistance patterns.
Controlled Attenuation Parameter Is Associated with a Distinct Systemic Inflammatory Milieu after Clearance of HCV Infection

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is closely associated with lipid metabolism defects along with a high prevalence of hepatic steatosis. After HCV clearance, steatosis persists in many patients. However, the reasons behind this phenomenon are not completely clear. To investigate the association between 92 soluble inflammatory mediators (SIMs) and the steatosis grade, we made use of a cohort of 94 patients with chronic HCV infection who cleared HCV after direct-acting antiviral agent (DAA) treatment. Patients were classified into three groups according to their controlled attenuation parameter (CAP). CAP is associated with ALT, γ-GT and liver stiffness after HCV clearance. While stem cell factor (SCF) and tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 12 (TWEAK) levels were significantly reduced in patients with CAP > 299 dB/m, the levels of fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-21 and interleukin-18 receptor 1 (IL-18R1) were higher in those patients at week 96 after virus clearance. These four markers also showed a linear correlation with CAP values. FGF-21 levels correlated with CAP only after HCV clearance. Taken together, these four biomarkers, namely SCF, TWEAK, FGF-21 and IL-18R1, are associated with CAP status after virus clearance. A potential role of these proteins in the pathogenesis of post-sustained viral response (SVR) nonalcoholic steatohepatitis requires further investigation.
Continuity with respect to the domain for the Laplacian : a survey

In this paper, we present several results of continuity with respect to the domain for the solution of problems with the Laplacian. We consider the usual homogeneous Dirichlet problem, then the Poisson problem and, at least, the Neumann problem. Some different kinds of convergence of the domains are taken in account and we always assume the minimum of regularity for the domains.
Playing Spent!: FGWC Experiences of Poverty Simulation Games

First-generation and working-class (FGWC) students bring a different set of life experiences to the classroom than students of privilege. As an instructor from an FGWC background, I use the poverty simulation game Spent! to make economic stratification understandable to students who have led lives of economic privilege and bring FGWC representation to the classroom in a way that honors their unique cultural capital. Despite a tendency toward consciousness raising for students of privilege, poverty simulation can still be a liberatory learning exercise for FGWC students when the cultural capital they bring to the classroom from their lived experience is valued and honored during the activity rather than objectified and subordinated. During the activity, as privileged students express shock at the realities of living paycheck to paycheck, FGWC students confidently share their situated knowledge of poverty. Building on prior assessments of the value of simulation games in the classroom, this article expands this knowledge by specifically looking at the experiences of FGWC students in addition to their more privileged peers in the context of Spent!
A general strong law of large numbers for non-additive probabilities and its applications

In this paper, with the notion of independence for random variables under upper expectations, we derive a strong law of large numbers for non-additive probabilities. This result can be seen an extension version of Theorem 3.1 that Chen et al. [A strong law of large numbers for non-additive probabilities. Int J Approx Reason. 2013;54:365–377] yielded. Furthermore, two applications of our result are given.
Assessing The Extent of Disclosure and Information Asymmetry in Malaysian Zakat Institutions

The issue of accountability has attracted numerous debates in academic literature across the globe, including Religious Non-Profit Organisations (RNPOs), which in this case are zakat institutions (ZIs). As revealed in previous literature, zakat payers (ZPs) and zakat recipients (ZRs) have discussed the accountability and transparency of zakat institutions (ZIs) in disclosing zakat disbursement information. Since ZIs fall under the jurisdiction of various Malaysian states, this study believes that the issue has emerged due to inconsistencies in disclosure practices among zakat institutions. This study has gained insight into the accountability of zakat institutions (ZIs) when reporting zakat activities via annual reports. It also examined the existence of information asymmetries between agency parties realising such inconsistencies and the limited number of studies in this area. The findings from the semi-structured interviews showed that ZIs' accountability level was still unsatisfactory, as revealed by individual zakat payers (IZPs) and ZRs. Among the issues highlighted were inadequate information and the availability and accessibility of information. It was also found that there was asymmetrical information among agency parties. The study's results have enriched the existing corpus of knowledge on accountability from an Islamic perspective and agency theory in the context of zakat disclosure.