Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Take a load off: skeletal implications of sedentism in the feet of modern body donors

Abstract Background and Objectives Modern biocultural environments continue to place selective pressures on our skeletons. In the past century, a major cultural pressure has been the rise in sedentism. However, studies considering the effects of sedentism on the foot have largely considered pathological changes to the gross foot without particular regard for the pedal skeleton. To address this gap in the literature, temporal trends in the development of osteoarthritis and entheseal changes on the tarsals and metatarsals were analyzed in the context of biodemographic data for recent modern humans. Methodology The sample utilized for this project is comprised of 71 individuals from the William M. Bass Donated Skeletal Collection, with birth years ranging from 1909 to 1993. Temporal trends in osteoarthritis and entheseal changes were determined via ANCOVA, using year of birth as the explanatory variable and biodemographic variables (age, sex, stature, body mass index and tibial robusticity) as covariates. Results Results indicate that entheseal changes and osteoarthritis have decreased over time, and these trends are statistically significant. Temporal trends in pedal entheseal changes and osteoarthritis vary by sex. Conclusions and Implications The increase in sedentary behavior over time has usually been framed as a net negative for human health and well-being. However, considered in isolation, the decrease in entheseal changes and osteoarthritis presented here might be considered a positive development as they suggest overall less stress on the modern human foot. This study also has the potential to inform the health sciences and general public about biocultural contributors to modern foot health.
Urban geography III

Geologists are considering in earnest whether to mark the emergence of a new geological epoch – characterized by human impacts on the geology of the planet – as the dawn of the Anthropocene. In this third of three urban geography progress reports, I identify interrelated elements of what I call ‘Anthropocene thinking’ – non-linearity, reworked temporalities, and ontologies of systemicity – that invite the perceived need for ‘anticipatory governance’ and pervade contemporary urban theory and governance. This is exemplified, I argue, by two current trends in urban governance: the promotion of smart and resilient cities.
Geology of Piemonte region (NW Italy, Alps–Apennines interference zone)

ABSTRACT The geological map of Piemonte Region (Italy) is a graphic representation of the geology of the region, grounded on a large geodatabase, that can be also browsed as an interactive scalable map (GeoPiemonte Map) using a WebGIS application. The Map, produced at 1:250,000 scale, is the first original release of the ‘GeoPiemonte Map’ project. The geological data represented on the map derive from a thorough revision of available geological maps and literature, integrated with unpublished original data. The revision and harmonisation of existing and new data have been based on explicit criteria used for the classification of geologic units and their representation on the Map. These criteria firstly aimed at providing a lithostratigraphic, hierarchic subdivision of Piemonte geologic units and describing them using shared concepts and vocabularies, consistent with IUGS Descriptive Standards for the Geosciences.
Dietary of different forms of Humulus scandens on growth performance and intestinal bacterial communities in piglets

Abstract The present study was aimed at elucidating the effects of feeding different forms of Humulus scandens (Hu) on performance and bacterial communities in piglets. A total of 160 piglets were divided into four groups: (1) a control (CG, basal diet); (2) a basal diet with Hu pulp (HS), basal diet + Hu pulp; (3) a basal diet with Hu juice (HSJ), basal diet + Hu juice; and (4) a basal diet with Hu residue (HSR), basal diet + Hu residue. Results showed that HS, HSJ, and HSR supplementation led to rich average daily gain (ADG) and poor feed conversion ratio (FCR) during 28 to 70 d of age, increased 120 d body weight (BW), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and ADG and decreased FCR during 71 to 120 d of age. Three experiment groups presented greater (P < 0.05) IgA, IgG, and IgM and lower (P < 0.05) glucose, and blood urea nitrogen. The content of diamine oxidase significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in HS group. The crude protein and crude fiber digestibility were improved (P < 0.05) in HS group and the Ca digestibility was increased (P < 0.05) in HS and HSJ groups. HSR supplementation improved the abundance of Firmicutes and decreased the abundance of Bacteroidetes. Hu supplementation with different forms increased the proportion of Lactobacillus in cecum content. These results indicated that supplemental feeding of Hu with different forms improved serum immunity, nutrient digestibility, and bacterial communities in piglets, promoting growth and development, which may be regarded as a reference for developing novel feed resources for piglets.
A causal and nonlinear relationship between trade credit policy and firm value: evidence from an emerging market

This study examines whether there is a causal and nonlinear relationship between trade credit policy and firm value. In line with this purpose, the 2005Q1 - 2018Q4 period data is examined for 103 companies operating in the manufacturing industry in an emerging market, Borsa Istanbul, and the relationships revealed. The nonlinear relationship between trade credit and firm value has been proved with the Two-step System GMM (Generalized Moment of Methods) and causality with Dumitrescu - Hurlin (2012) heterogeneous panel causality tests. According to the findings, a nonlinear (inverted U-shaped) relationship has been found between trade credit policy and firm value. Moreover, the values of firms that have moved away from optimum trade credit levels are also negatively affected. One of the original aspects of this study is that the bidirectional causal relationship between trade credit policy and firm value has been revealed.
Pondering Collaborative School Board Roles in Alleviating Dropout among Learners with Physical Disabilities in Schools

The present paper explores collaborative school board roles in alleviating dropout among Children with Physical Disabilities (CwPDs) in primary schools in Lesotho. An interpretive approach with a qualitative case study design provided insight into how school board members interpret and understand their roles and responsibilities and shed light on school boards' strategies to alleviate dropout of CwPDs. In-depth individual interviews were conducted to obtain rich and accurate data from 10 participants from two purposively selected mainstream primary schools. Bronfenbrenners' bio-ecological systems theory and Telford's collaborative leadership theory were used in the study. Through a process of thematic analysis, apparent themes emerged. Findings reveal that many school board members lack the necessary knowledge and skills to address the needs of CwPDs. The research concludes that CwPDs drop out of school because of poor infrastructure, ineffective collaboration, and unclear school policies. It is recommended that through forging collaboration between school board members and other role players, a transformation of policies, in-service training for school boards, and raising disability awareness and dropout among CwPDs can be better alleviated.
SHRIMP U-Pb zircon dating of the Triassic Ermaying and Tongchuan formations in Shanxi, China and its stratigraphic implications

Sensitive High Resolution Ion Microprobe (SHRIMP) U-Pb dating was carried out using zircons from tuffs in the Ermaying and Tongchuan formations of Shanxi, China. The results show weighted mean ages of 245.9±3.2 Ma for a sample from Member II of the Ermaying Formation, 243.1±3.9 Ma for a sample from Member I of the Tongchuan Formation, and 238.6±2.6 Ma and 234.6±6.5 Ma for two samples from the upper part of Member II of the Tongchuan Formation. These ages indicate that the lower part of the Ermaying Formation, which contains the Shaanbeikannemeyeria assemblage, is mostly likely Lower Triassic in age, whereas, the Tongchuan Formation is likely late Anisian to Ladinian, Middle Triassic.
The Effect of Capital Requirements on Banking Risk

Using a two simultaneous equations model, we analysed the impact of capital requirements on bank risk-taking at Lebanese banks. Using a panel data set of 41 commercial banks between 1996 and 2008, we found that higher capital requirements are associated with increase in risk. We also found a positive correlation between bank profitability and increase in capital, which suggests that Lebanese banks rely on retained earnings to meet capital requirements. The competitive pressures seem to have no impact on bank capitalisation or bank risk-taking. Our findings showed that larger banks tend to hold lower capital and have better capability to control risk, mainly through diversification. Finally, we observed that funding decisions are correlated with risk-taking.
Detailed magnetic monitoring of the enhanced magnetism of ferrihydrite along its progressive transformation into hematite

Under certain aging conditions, ferrihydrite evolves into hematite through intermediate products of enhanced magnetism. Although the magnetic properties of the end product, hematite, are to date satisfactorily known, those of ferrihydrite (and especially the products of its progressive aging) are not sufficiently explored. To this end, magnetic experiments, conducted mostly by using alternating magnetic fields, have been performed. The results reveal that two‐line ferrihydrite exhibits conspicuous low‐temperature spin glass behavior, a new finding that, on the other hand, could be expected given the previous microstructural observations that described this mineral as a very disordered gel. Upon aging, a progressive increase of the effective magnetic moment per iron ion is detected, in agreement with previous observations that ascribed ferrimagnetic character to an intermediate crystalline phase (sometime called ferriferrihydrite) that disappears just before the full transformation into hematite. Transmission electron microscopy observations suggest that this intermediate crystalline phase nucleates at the expense of the primordial gel, remaining physically attached to it until complete transformation into hematite. This microstructural picture appears well supported as, upon aging, the glassy magnetic dynamics found in ferrihydrite persists for the aged products even when dispersed in a nonmagnetic matrix, very likely because part of the so grown ferrimagnetic nanoparticles form aggregates within remains of the nontransformed gel. We propose a coherent model of ferrihydrite aging, based on integrated microstructural and magnetic observations, which is useful for the identification of aging products in geological and biological environments.
From river to shelf, anatomy of a high‐frequency depositional sequence: The Late Pleistocene to Holocene Tiber depositional sequence

The Late Pleistocene/Holocene Tiber delta succession represents the most recent and one of the best preserved, high‐frequency/low‐rank depositional sequences developed along the Latium continental margin of the Italian peninsula. Several previous studies have established a robust data set from which it has been possible to describe the stratigraphic architecture of the entire Tiber depositional sequence from the landward to seaward sectors and over a distance of 60 km. The Tiber depositional sequence shows many characteristics found in other Late Pleistocene to Holocene deltaic and coastal successions of the Mediterranean area. The stratigraphic architecture of the Tiber depositional sequence is controlled mainly by glacioeustasy, although factors such as tectonic uplift, volcanism and subsidence, exert an influence at a local scale. The resulting depositional model allowed discussion of some important points such as: (1) the genesis of the Tiber mixed bedrock‐alluvial valley, extending from the coastal plain to the innermost portion of the shelf, recording (i) multiple episodes of incision during relative sea‐level fall, and (ii) a downstream increase of depth and width of the valley during the base‐level fall and the subsequent base‐level rise; (2) the different physical expression of the Tiber depositional sequence boundary from landward to seaward, and its diachronous and composite character; (3) the maximum depth reached by the Tiber early lowstand delta at the end of the sea‐level fall is estimated at ca 90 m below the present sea‐level and not at 120 m as suggested by previous works; (4) the backward position of the Tiber late lowstand delta relative to the deposit of early lowstand; (5) the change of the channel pattern and of the stacking pattern of fluvial deposits within the Lowstand Systems Tract, Transgressive Systems Tract and Highstand Systems Tract. All of these features indicate that the Late Pleistocene/Holocene Tiber delta succession, even if deposited in a short period of time from a geological point of view, represents the result of the close interaction among many autogenic and allogenic factors. However, global eustatic variations and sediment supply under the control of climatic changes can be considered the main factors responsible for the stratigraphic architecture of this sedimentary succession, which has been heavily modified by human activity only in the last 3000 years.
Genomic Epidemiology of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in a County Jail

Abstract Background In the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, correctional facilities are potential hotspots for transmission. We examined the genomic epidemiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) early in the pandemic in one of the country's largest urban jails. Methods Existing SARS-CoV-2 isolates from 131 detainees at the Cook County Jail in Chicago, Illinois, from March 2020 through May 2020 were analyzed by whole-genome sequencing. Contemporaneous isolates from Rush University Medical Center (Chicago, Illinois) and the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) were used to identify genetic clusters containing only jail isolates. Transmission windows were identified for each pair of detainees using the date of the SARS-CoV-2–positive test and location data to determine if detainees overlapped in the jail, within a specific building, or within particular living units during transmission windows. Results We identified 29 jail-only clusters that contained 75 of the 132 SARS-CoV-2 isolates from detainees; of these clusters, 17 (58.6%) had individuals who overlapped in the jail during putative transmission windows. Focusing on specific buildings revealed that 2 buildings, a single- and double-cell style of housing. were associated with having detainees infected with similar SARS-CoV-2 genomes during their infectious time period (P < .001). Conclusions Our findings suggest that there was transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the jail, in the setting of extensive importation of COVID-19 from the community. Numerous infection control practices at intake and during incarceration were implemented in the jail to limit viral spread. Our study shows the importance of genomic analysis in this type of settings and how it can be utilized within infection control protocols.
Factors Influencing The Duration Of Illness to Mortality In Confirmed COVID-19 Patients Admitted to Hospitals Across Riau Province

This study aims to look at the factors associated with the length of illness to death in COVID-19 patients being treated in hospitals throughout Riau Province. Researchers used secondary data sourced from data from the Online Hospital at the Riau Provincial Health Office. The overall cumulative survival probability for dying was 6.2%, with an overall median survival time of 20 days (IQR: 17-22). The lowest median survival time is the initial saturation value variable, which is 4 days (IQR: 2-5), the use of a respirator is 5 days (IQR: 3-6), and ICU care is 8 days (95% CI: 8-9) ). The final results of multivariate analysis showed that old age had a 1.7 times risk of experiencing death HR 1.747 (95% CI: 1.386-2.202), a low initial saturation value had a 1.6 times risk of experiencing death HR 1.627 (95% CI: 1.155-2.292), care units in the ICU have a 1.9 times risk of dying with HR 1.911 (95% CI: 1.439-2.538) and patients who use respirators have a 1.4 times risk of dying with HR values 1.463 (95% CI: 1.051-2.037). Improvement and readiness of referral health facilities in Riau Province is something that deserves attention as a preventive effort in facing the possibility of the next emerging disease.
A SYNOPTIC CLIMATOLOGY OF TORNADOES IN VIRGINIA

Although tornadoes are microscale meteorological features, their occurrence is linked to the larger synoptic-scale environment. Most conceptual models of synoptic situations that give rise to tornadoes are based on conditions prevalent in the Great Plains of the United States. However, tornadoes develop in many different synoptic environments, particularly when they form beyond the boundaries of “Tornado Alley. ” Tornado occurrences in the state of Virginia are identified from 1951 through 1992. Using upper air data for the nearest site and observation time, a synoptic classification is produced via application of principal components analysis and cluster analysis. The five resulting synoptic classes each exhibit distinctive thermodynamic and flow conditions that serve as air-mass paradigms for tornado occurrence in Virginia. The groups include thermodynamic/northwest flow air masses, a mixed thermodynamic/dynamic category, a polar front jet situation, cool season midlatitude cyclone events, and Great Plai.
Levels of Immunoglobulins among iron deficiency anemic children in Sana’a City Yemen

Iron deficiency (ID) is a common cause of anemia worldwide. The importance of iron deficiency as a public health problem is based ultimately on the seriousness of its consequences on health. This case-control study aimed to evaluate the levels of immunoglobulins (IgM and IgG), and their association with hematological parameters, iron indices, total and differential leukocyte count among children with iron deficiency anemia (IDA). This study was conducted during a period of six months; starting in December 2021 and ending in May 2022. During this period, 136 samples were collected from preschool-aged children (<5 years) who attended outpatient pediatric clinics in Al-Sabeen hospital for maternity and childhood and other private pediatric clinics in Sana'a city, Yemen. Sixty-eight IDA and 68 age and sex-matched healthy children were enrolled and a complete history was obtained. Clinical examination, C-reactive protein, albumin test, complete blood count, iron profile tests and immunoglobulins assays were performed. The results of the present study revealed that, serum levels of IgM and IgG in IDA group were significantly lower than those in control group (p= 0.001). Total leukocyte count and percentage of eosinophils were significantly increased (p= 0.01, 0.001, respectively), in contrast, percentages of lymphocytes and monocytes were significantly decreased (p= 0.002, p= 0.04, respectively) in IDA than control group. However, there were no statistically significant differences in percentages of neutrophils, basophils and platelets count between the two groups (p=0.47, 1.00, 0.07, respectively). Serum levels of IgM were correlated with levels of Hb, HCT, RBCs, MCV, MCH, RDW, iron indices and percentage of eosinophils (p<0.05). However, serum levels of IgG were correlated with levels of all hematological parameters, iron indices and percentage of eosinophils (p<0.05). It can be concluded from these results that the IDA is associated with humoral immunity and may predict increased susceptibility to infections.
Smart pilot points using reversible‐jump Markov‐chain Monte Carlo

Pilot points are typical means for calibration of highly parameterized numerical models. We propose a novel procedure based on estimating not only the pilot point values, but also their number and suitable locations. This is accomplished by a trans‐dimensional Bayesian inversion procedure that also allows for uncertainty quantification. The utilized algorithm, reversible‐jump Markov‐Chain Monte Carlo (RJ‐MCMC), is computationally demanding and this challenges the application for model calibration. We present a solution for fast, approximate simulation through the application of a Bayesian inversion. A fast pathfinding algorithm is used to estimate tracer travel times instead of doing a full transport simulation. This approach extracts the information from measured breakthrough curves, which is crucial for the reconstruction of aquifer heterogeneity. As a result, the “smart pilot points” can be tuned during thousands of rapid model evaluations. This is demonstrated for both a synthetic and a field application. For the selected synthetic layered aquifer, two different hydrofacies are reconstructed. For the field investigation, multiple fluorescent tracers were injected in different well screens in a shallow alluvial aquifer and monitored in a tomographic source‐receiver configuration. With the new inversion procedure, a sand layer was identified and reconstructed with a high spatial resolution in 3‐D. The sand layer was successfully validated through additional slug tests at the site. The promising results encourage further applications in hydrogeological model calibration, especially for cases with simulation of transport.
The Spatial Distribution of Stable Isotopes in YamzhoYumco Lake

In a study made of Yamdrok Lake(Yamzho Yumco)in western Tibetan Plateau,the spatial variation of hydrogen and oxygen stable isotopes at the lake surface and along the vertical profile of the lake water were investigated,and the characteristics of spatial variation of the stable isotopes and the inner circulation process of the lake water were discussed.A total of 587water samples were analyzed in terms of stable isotopes.This analysis showed that the spatial variation of the stable isotopes of the lake water varied with small amplitude.However,the inner circulation process of the lake water was clearly demonstrated by the stable isotope distribution. Theδ18 O and d-excess values of the lake water showed consistent spatial variations. Lowδ18 O values were observed in the area with river inflow into the lake,while the highestδ18 O and lowest d-excess values were recorded in the mid-eastern part of the lake.Such a spatial difference indicated that in the water circulation process the lake water smoothly flowed from the river entrance to the middle part of the lake and was ultimately evaporated there.Furthermore,a spatial difference was also observed in the northwestern and southwestern part of the lake.The lowerδ18 O value in the northwestern part of the lake was supposed to be closely related to the inflow of the glacial-melted water from the Karuxung River while the lower value of the southwestern part indicated the water inflow from Pumo Yongcuo Lake(Pumo Yum Tso Lake). The vertical difference inδ18 O value of the lake water was limited,which suggested that the lake water was well-mixed vertically.