Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Short-term Effects of Fertilization on Total Soil CO2 Efflux, Heterotrophic, and Autotrophic Respiration of Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda L.)

Fertilization is a common, cost effective treatment for increasing forest productivity within managed forests of the southeastern United States. However, little is known about how fertilization affects the below-ground processes that drive soil CO2 efflux in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.). A thorough understanding of below-ground carbon dynamics is necessary for the estimation of net ecosystem productivity and the carbon storage potential of these managed systems. In April 2004, we began monitoring total soil CO2 efflux (EC), heterotrophic (RH), and root respiration (RR) in response to fertilization with diammonium phosphate (DAP). Respiratory components were measured prior to fertilization, weekly following fertilization, and bi-weekly after respiratory components stabilized using a dynamic closed chamber and an infrared gas analyzer. We found that EC differed significantly (P<0.0001) between fertilized and unfertilized plots, but the direction was dependent on date. In the early period of the study, fertilized plot values were lower than control plots. However, by the latter periods fertilized plot values returned to control levels except for one sampling date in March 2005 when fertilized plot values were greater then control plots. Heterotrophic respiration was consistently and significantly (P=0.0002) lower in fertilized plots. Root respiration was significantly (P=0.0597) increased in fertilized plots when analyzed over the study and showed a 20% increase due to fertilization. We concluded that an increase in RR and possibly root biomass was enough to balance the decrease in RH leading to no difference in EC later in the growing season. We performed a pair of greenhouse studies to observe the effects of fertilization in the form of diammonium phosphate (DAP) on RR. The objectives were to determine how nutrient additions initially affect RR in one-year-old loblolly pine seedlings. Secondly, we wanted to determine if Captan [N-(trichloromethylthio) cyclohex-4-ene-1, 2dicarboximide], a mild fungicide, could be used to reduce or eliminate ecto-mycorrhizae upon visual inspection. Both studies showed that initially, at a high rate (100 ppm N and 49 ppm P) of fertilization, RR was significantly (P<0.10) increased relative to seedlings that did not receive fertilization. This increase was only temporary with rates returning to, or decreasing below, control levels by the end of the study. No consistent trend was found between low (25 ppm N and 13 ppm P) and moderate (50 ppm N and 25 ppm P) rates of fertilization. Captan was shown to generally have no affect on RR. Captan and fertilization both showed (visual inspection) a decrease in fine-roots and mycorrhizae, which could explain the reduction in respiration rates observed in these treatments by the end of the studies. Dedication This document is dedicated to my loving wife Jennifer Tyree. Thank you for your never ending support and patience, without which, none of this could be possible.
Senescent cells in giant cell arteritis display an inflammatory phenotype participating in tissue injury via IL-6-dependent pathways

Objectives Age is the strongest risk factor of giant cell arteritis (GCA), implying a possible pathogenetic role of cellular senescence. To address this question, we applied an established senescence specific multimarker algorithm in temporal artery biopsies (TABs) of GCA patients. Methods 75(+) TABs from GCA patients, 22(−) TABs from polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) patients and 10(−) TABs from non-GCA/non-PMR patients were retrospectively retrieved and analysed. Synovial tissue specimens from patients with inflammatory arthritis and aorta tissue were used as disease control samples. Senescent cells and their histological origin were identified with specific cellular markers; IL-6 and MMP-9 were investigated as components of the senescent associated secretory phenotype by triple costaining. GCA or PMR artery culture supernatants were applied to fibroblasts, HUVECs and monocytes with or without IL-6R blocking agent to explore the induction of IL-6-associated cellular senescence. Results Senescent cells were present in GCA arteries at higher proportion compared with PMR (9.50% vs 2.66%, respectively, p<0.0001) and were mainly originated from fibroblasts, macrophages and endothelial cells. IL-6 was expressed by senescent fibroblasts, and macrophages while MMP-9 by senescent fibroblasts only. IL-6(+) senescent cells were associated with the extension of vascular inflammation (transmural inflammation vs adventitia limited disease: 10.02% vs 4.37%, respectively, p<0.0001). GCA but not PMR artery culture supernatant could induce IL-6-associated senescence that was partially inhibited by IL-6R blockade. Conclusions Senescent cells with inflammatory phenotype are present in GCA arteries and are associated with the tissue inflammatory bulk, suggesting a potential implication in disease pathogenesis.
Initial Experience with the Solitaire X 3 mm Stent Retriever for the Treatment of Distal Medium Vessel Occlusions

Endovascular therapy (EVT) is the standard treatment for ischemic stroke caused by a large vessel occlusion (LVO). The effectiveness of EVT for distal medium vessel occlusions (MDVOs) is still uncertain, but newer, smaller devices show potential for EVT in MDVOs. The new Solitaire X 3 mm device offers a treatment option for MDVOs. Our study encompassed consecutive cases of primary and secondary MDVOs treated with the Solitaire X 3 mm stent-retriever as first-line EVT device between January and December 2022 at 12 European stroke centers. The primary endpoint was a first-pass near-complete or complete reperfusion, defined as a modified treatment in cerebral infarction (mTICI) score of 2c/3. Additionally, we examined reperfusion results, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores at 24 h and discharge, device malfunctions, complications and procedural technical parameters. Sixty-eight patients (38 women, mean age 72 ± 14 years) were included in our study. Median NIHSS at admission was 11 (IQR 6–16). In 53 (78%) cases, a primary combined approach was used as the frontline technique. Among all enrolled patients, first-pass mTICI 2c/3 was achieved in 22 (32%) and final mTICI 2c/3 in 46 (67.6%) patients after a median of 1.5 (IQR 1–2) passes. Final reperfusion mTICI 2b/3 was observed in 89.7% of our cases. We observed no device malfunctions. Median NIHSS at discharge was 2 (IQR 0–4), and no symptomatic intracranial hemorrhages were reported. Based on our analysis, the utilization of the Solitaire X 3 mm device appears to be both effective and safe for performing EVT in cases of MDVO stroke.
Edge Computing for Effective and Efficient Traffic Characterization

Traffic flow analysis is essential to develop smart urban mobility solutions. Although numerous tools have been proposed, they employ only a small number of parameters. To overcome this limitation, an edge computing solution is proposed based on nine traffic parameters, namely, vehicle count, direction, speed, and type, flow, peak hour factor, density, time headway, and distance headway. The proposed low-cost solution is easy to deploy and maintain. The sensor node is comprised of a Raspberry Pi 4, Pi camera, Intel Movidius Neural Compute Stick 2, Xiaomi MI Power Bank, and Zong 4G Bolt+. Pre-trained models from the OpenVINO Toolkit are employed for vehicle detection and classification, and a centroid tracking algorithm is used to estimate vehicle speed. The measured traffic parameters are transmitted to the ThingSpeak cloud platform via 4G. The proposed solution was field-tested for one week (7 h/day), with approximately 10,000 vehicles per day. The count, classification, and speed accuracies obtained were 79.8%, 93.2%, and 82.9%, respectively. The sensor node can operate for approximately 8 h with a 10,000 mAh power bank and the required data bandwidth is 1.5 MB/h. The proposed edge computing solution overcomes the limitations of existing traffic monitoring systems and can work in hostile environments.
Transluminal Pillars—Their Origin and Role in the Remodelling of the Zebrafish Caudal Vein Plexus

Intussusceptive pillars, regarded as a hallmark of intussusceptive angiogenesis, have been described in developing vasculature of many organs and organisms. The aim of this study was to resolve the question about pillar formation and their further maturation employing zebrafish caudal vein plexus (CVP). The CVP development was monitored by in vivo confocal microscopy in high spatio-temporal resolution using the transgenic zebrafish model Fli1a:eGPF//Gata1:dsRed. We tracked back the formation of pillars (diameter ≤ 4 µm) and intercapillary meshes (diameter > 4 µm) and analysed their morphology and behaviour. Transluminal pillars in the CVP arose via a combination of sprouting, lumen expansion, and/or the creation of intraluminal folds, and those mechanisms were not associated directly with blood flow. The follow-up of pillars indicated that one-third of them disappeared between 28 and 48 h post fertilisation (hpf), and of the remaining ones, only 1/17 changed their cross-section area by >50%. The majority of the bigger meshes (39/62) increased their cross-section area by >50%. Plexus simplification and the establishment of hierarchy were dominated by the dynamics of intercapillary meshes, which formed mainly via sprouting angiogenesis. These meshes were observed to grow, reshape, and merge with each other. Our observations suggested an alternative view on intussusceptive angiogenesis in the CVP.
Prejuicios de las enfermeras hacia la población inmigrante: una mirada desde el Sur de España.

In the last decades Spain has turned into a receiver country of immigrants.This increase entails a rise in the cultural diversity in the society which is reflected in the change of the cultural profile of the users of the health public system. The aim of this study has been to approach the prejudices of the nurses towards the immigrant population. Methodology : Transversal quantitative study. Participants: Nursing professionals from the three public hospitals of Almeria. Data collection: Anonymous questionnaire. Results: More than 68% of the sample thinks that “we take advantage of the immigrants in order to offer them the most precarious jobs”, and they do not consider that there are some Spanish people unemployed because of the immigrants.Half of the sample agrees with the statement “the ethnic minorities constitute a source of social conflicts” and more than 80% relate immigration to delinquency. Conclusions: The social prejudices mark mostly the Nurses opinions. It´s necessary to develop some training and sensitization programs aimed to these professionals as a key to achieve a change towards these negative opinions.
Are BBA students ready for social entrepreneurship? an application of theory of planned behavior

Purpose – The aim of the study was to investigate the behavioral intentions of BBA students regarding their engagement in social entrepreneurship. Design/methodology/approach – To attain this purpose, a cross-sectional survey research design was used, and data were gathered from a sample of 205 respondents. Hypotheses were tested through the application of Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression analysis. Finding – This paper found a significant positive effect of subjective norms and perceived behavioral control on behavioral intention of social entrepreneurship. However, this paper found no significant influence of attitude towards social entrepreneurship on behavioral intention of social entrepreneurship. Practical Implications – In light of these findings, this paper provides both theoretical and practical implications for further understanding and fostering social entrepreneurship among BBA students.
Cow dung Vermicomposting: A Comparative Study on Physicochemistry and Biodegradability of Eudrilus eugeniae and Lumbricus rubellus

A comparative study on the vermicomposting ability and efficacy of two earthworm species (Eudrilus eugeniae and Lumbricus rubellus) on cow dung was carried out using standard methods. Data collected showed that there was an increase in the major nutrients content such as nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus as well as the electrical conductivity regardless of the vermibeds or treatment while there was a decrease in the total organic carbon, organic matter regardless of the vermibeds or treatment except the vermibed with cowdung only. The lignin content also decreased across all the vermibeds except the one with cowdung and L. rubellus. Vermicompost of cowdung + L. rubellus had highest concentrations of nitrogen (4.47±0.38) and phosphorus (114.64±0.648), cowdung +Eudrilus eugeniae had the highest potassium (26.7±0.849) while cowdung +dry grass+ Eudrilus eugeniae had the highest organic matter (33.15±0.919) and lignin (19.78±0.396) and cowdung only had the highest organic carbon. The result of the environmental parameters carried out showed that the cowdung+dry grass + E. eugeniae had the highest moisture (80.1±0.141), cowdung +dry grass+ L. rubellus had highest pH while cowdung+dry grass+E. eugeniae had the highest temperature (30.1±0.283). E. eugeniae showed a better decomposition rate with percentage decomposition of 79.90% while L. rubellus has 74.27%. However, there were significant differences (p<0.05) among the vemi-beds. In conclusion, the two species of earthworm L. rubellus and E. eugeniae are efficient in producing good nutrient quality vermicompost and are recommended for use in vermicomposting.
Paleoposition of the Intertropical Convergence Zone in the eastern Pacific inferred from glacial-interglacial changes in terrigenous and biogenic magnetic mineral fractions

Magnetic properties are increasingly used for paleoclimatic and paleoceanographic studies. Utilizing recently developed proxies, an environmental magnetic study was conducted on the uppermost 12 m sediments of Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Site U1337 in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. This interval is above the Fe-redox boundary, and covers the past ∼800 k.y. The site is located near the present southern boundary of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), and is thus expected to be sensitive to variations of the ITCZ position. The ratio of anhysteretic remanent magnetization susceptibility to saturation isothermal remanent magnetization ( k ARM /SIRM), first-order reversal curve diagrams, and IRM acquisition curves indicate that the magnetic mineral assemblage consists of a dominant biogenic component and a minor terrigenous component. Two groups, the biogenic soft (BS) and hard (BH), are identified for the biogenic component, and probably correspond to different magnetofossil morphology. The BH component, probably carried by elongated magnetofossils, increases in sediments of glacial periods, which are probably in less oxic conditions due to increased ocean productivity. This demonstrates that magnetofossil morphology, which can be discriminated by the rock magnetic technique, is a sensitive indicator of slight oxic-suboxic environmental fluctuations in sediments. Temporal variations of the terrigenous component, most likely transported as eolian dust, were estimated from the k ARM /SIRM ratio and S ratio (ratio of a moderate field IRM to SIRM, representing relative contribution of lower- and higher-coercivity magnetic minerals); significant glacial-interglacial variations occurred at marine isotope stage (MIS) 10 and before, but not after. In addition, coeval upcore increases in sedimentation rates and the BH component were observed, suggesting increased productivity. These observations may indicate that the position of the ITCZ was more southward than today ca. 250 ka and before.
High precision 3D measurement with few images based on deep learning

Fringe projection profiling (FPP) is a technique to obtain the three-dimensional shape of an object by projecting periodic fringes onto its surface and analyzing the modulated fringes.The goal of this technique is to quickly and accurately obtain the three-dimensional shape of an object with as few fringe patterns as possible. This paper combines the fringe analysis steps of fringe projection profiling and deep learning, the proposed DARUNet network (Dense and Residual U-Net) introduces Dense Block and Residual Block on the basis of U-Net. Only three modulated fringe patterns with different frequencies need to be captured as the input of the DARUNet network, the network outputs the numerator and denominator of the wrapped phase corresponding to each frequency. After some post-processing, the three-dimensional shape of the object can be obtained. Deep learning relies on high-quality datasets, so this paper compares two methods for temporal phase unwrapping: Multi-frequency (hierarchical) and Multi-wavelength (heterodyne). The Multi-frequency method, which demonstrated superior performance, was chosen to create a high-precision 3D measurement dataset. Experiments show that the proposed network has higher precision in predicting the wrapped phase than U-Net and its series networks, and predicting the numerator and denominator of wrapped phase by fringes is also the optimal route for 3D reconstruction technology based on deep learning, this method achieves a high level of precision with a phase error of less than 0.1 radians and a depth error of less than 0.3 mm. Therefore, the method employed in this paper enables high-precision 3D measurements using only three frames of fringe patterns.
Neuronal activity in posterior parietal cortex area LIP is not sufficient for saccadic eye movement production

It is widely recognized that the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) plays a role in active exploration with eye movements, arm reaching, and hand grasping. Whether this role is causal in nature is largely unresolved. One region of the PPC appears dedicated to the control of saccadic eye movement—lateral intraparietal (LIP) area. This area LIP possesses direct projections to well-established oculomotor centers and contains neurons with movement-related activity. In this study, we tested whether these neurons are implicated in saccade initiation and production. The movement-related activity of LIP neurons was tested by recording these neurons while monkeys performed a countermanding task. We found that LIP neuronal activity is not different before the execution or the cancelation of commanded saccades and thereby is not sufficient for the initiation and production of saccades. Consistent with the evolutionarily late emergence of the PPC, this finding relegates the role of this PPC area to processes that can regulate but not trigger eye movements.
Meat Yield Prediction of Cattle (Yakanaji) Slaughtered at the Abattoir Unit of University of Benin Teaching and Research Farm, Benin City, Nigeria

This study investigated the meat yield of cattle (Yakanaji) slaughtered at the abattoir unit of University of Benin Teaching and Research Farm, Benin City, Nigeria. Data from 74 Cattle to measure body length longitudinal, body length oblique, withers height, hip height ,hip length, heart girth, chest width, chest depth, hip width and shin circumference. Results obtained show the average longitudinal body length of 130.15cm, withers height value was 124.82cm, heart girth 143.65cm having. The highest correlation between meat yield and body measurements was in hip width (0.78), heart girth (0.74), hip length (0.72) and chest depth (0.71). The high values for coefficients of determination between meat yield and the linear body measurements of the entire cattle in this study indicated that the variables or their combination could be used to estimate or predict the live body weight of these cattle. Results of the OLS regression with R2=0.75, showed that the explanatory variables explain 75% of the changes in the dependent variable, meat yield and it showed significant positive relationship for hip length and hip width, while other variables were insignificant (p≥0.05) with the prediction equations derived being Y= a+0.05HLT+1.20 HPW. Using factor analysis, two factors were extracted and accounted for 64% of total variance in the present study with the first component accounting for 54% of total variance. The results indicated the use of morphometric traits as reliable independent predictors of meat yield and can be used in abattoirs as well as breeding programs.
Evaluation of Current Community Pharmacist Practice in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Study from Patients’ Perspective (PART I)

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the current practice of community pharmacists from patients' and pharmacists' perspectives in Saudi Arabia. This paper presents the patients' perspective. Methods: A self-administered cross-sectional survey was developed to collect responses from patients in Saudi Arabia from February to April 2021. The questionnaire comprised several statements related to the best practice in community pharmacy. Patients' responses to each statement were scored using a 5-point Likert scale. Higher scores represented the greater extent to which the pharmacists perform the best practice in a community pharmacy setting and vice versa. Findings: The data of 233 participants were included in the analysis. The majority of the participants were female (67%) and Saudi nationals (96%). The minimum mean score was related to the statement: pharmacist discusses with you about herbal medications or vitamin supplements. The maximum mean score was related to the statement: Pharmacist explains to you about the dose of medications and when to take them. Participants who were <20 years old had a significantly highest mean score, whereas those above 40 years old had the least mean score, P = 0.001. Participants from the Eastern region had a significantly highest mean score, compared to South region participants who had the least mean score, P = 0.009. Conclusion: A gap in the current practice and the best practice of community pharmacists was found. The policymakers can utilize these findings to provide targeted professional development opportunities for the practicing community pharmacists to improve the overall service and care for the patients.
BENTHIC FAUNA OF SHADEGAN WETLAND

Biological response and ecological indices of benthic communities, such as greater mortality of foraminifera and shell abnormalities, have been used to document pollution effects on ecosystems. Shadegan Wetland was damaged from a deposition of huge amounts of soot and products of burning oilwells of Kuwait as well as chronic exhaust fumes of refinery and industrial furnaces. In this investigation, community structure and changes in indices of the macro- and meio-fauna of the Shadegan wetland were studied in 2004. Recorded salinity ranged from 4.1 to 63.1 ppt. Salinity varied significantly among sampling stations. pH of the water fluctuated between 6.8 to 8.7. Dissolved oxygen (DO) content of water at the sampling stations ranged from 5.3 to 7.8 mg / l. The maximum and minimum (19.6 and 7 NTU) water turbidities were recorded at the sampling stations 7 and 10, respectively. The maximum and minimum TOM (23.17% and 8.45%) were recorded at stations 3 and 9, respectively. The results of sediment texture analysis showed that soil type in the study area was mostly silty–clay. The highest and the lowest rate of sediment with silty – clay texture were 89.76% and 49.28%, respectively. 18 species of macrobenthos were identified. Gastropods comprised more than 50% of the individuals of macrobenthos populatiopns. Aquatic insects (22%), Crustaceans (11%), Polychaetes and Acaris (each with 5.5%) were the other dominant groups in abundance, respectively. The results showed the highest (984 / m 2 ) and the lowest (26/m 2 ) abundance of macrobenthos were recorded at the stations 10 (Rogbeh) and 8 (Doragh creek), respectively. The results showed that meiobenthos displayed a higher biodiversity than macrobenthos. Ostracodes, Nematods and Foraminifera were the most dominant groups. Many