Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Club Cells—A Guardian against Occupational Hazards

Club cells have a distinct role in the epithelial repair and defense mechanisms of the lung. After exposure to environmental pollutants, during chronic exposure, the secretion of club cells secretory protein (CCSP) decreases. Exposure to occupational hazards certainly has a role in a large number of interstitial lung diseases. According to the American Thoracic Society and the European Respiratory Society, around 40% of the all interstitial lung disease is attributed to occupational hazards. Some of them are very well characterized (pneumoconiosis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis), whereas others are consequences of acute exposure (e.g., paraquat) or persistent exposure (e.g., isocyanate). The category of vapors, gases, dusts, and fumes (VGDF) has been proven to produce subclinical modifications. The inflammation and altered repair process resulting from the exposure to occupational respiratory hazards create vicious loops of cooperation between epithelial cells, mesenchymal cells, innate defense mechanisms, and immune cells. The secretions of club cells modulate the communication between macrophages, epithelial cells, and fibroblasts mitigating the inflammation and/or reducing the fibrotic process. In this review, we describe the mechanisms by which club cells contribute to the development of interstitial lung diseases and the potential role for club cells as biomarkers for occupational-related fibrosis.
EFFECT OF MINIMUM INPUTS OF INTEGRATED WEED CONTROL PROGRAMS IN WHEAT PRODUCTION UNDER NEWLY RECLAIMED SOIL CONDITIONS

Two field experiments were conducted at Salah Al-Abd village, El-Bostan region, El-Behera Governorate, Egypt during 2005/2006 and 2006/2007 seasons, to study the effect of weed control treatments (Harmony Extra herbicide (Thifensulfuron), applied at the rates of 24 and 18 g/fed. , hand weeding (twice) and unweeding (check), seeding systems (drilling and broadcasting, with recommended rate and 150 % of the recommended seeding rates for each method) and two nitrogen fertilizer levels (100 and 75 kg N/fed.) on the productivity of wheat under the conditions of new lands. Results indicate that using Harmony Extra herbicide at both rates was significant in reducing fresh weight of broadleaved weeds as well the significant increase in both of the number of kernels /spike, the number of spikes /m 2 and thus increase grain yield, from the back of resistance recommended to use the lower rate of this herbicide. There was significant effect for seeding system on fresh weight of broad leaved weeds, where it was noted that increasing seeding rate of wheat crop reduced fresh weight of broad leaved weeds as well as had a reduction in the number of kernels /spike, but it had an increase in number of spikes /m 2 thus, grain yield did not significantly affected. Decreasing nitrogen fertilizer levels caused significant reduction in fresh weight of broad leaved weeds, leading to a reduction in the number of spikes /m 2 , which was reflected on the reduction in grain yield.
Meso and microstructural evolution of the Mont Morion metaintrusive complex (Dent-Blanche Nappe, Austroalpine Domain, Valpelline, western Italian Alps)

The Mont Morion complex of the Dent Blanche nappe is interpreted as a multi-stadial Alpine km-scale shear zone. Permian intrusive rocks are transformed into white mica chlorite-bearing or glaucophane-bearing gneisses along high-strain horizons (100 m-thick), while within low-strain cores (100- to 1000 m-thick), metaintrusives preserve igneous features and xenoliths of amphibolites, acid granulites and biotite-bearing gneisses. Ten superposed evolutionary stages (1 to 10) occurred: from pre-Permian (1 and 2, only in pre-intrusive host rocks) to Permian-Triassic (3 and 4) and Mesozoic-Cenozoic (5 to 10). Stages 1 and 2 developed under amphibolite to granulite-facies conditions. During stage 3, the Mont Morion complex was intruded (P-range = 0.25-0.70 GPa at T between 600-760 degrees C). Stage 4 occurred under greenschist-facies conditions. Stages 5 and 6 are associated with the development of tectonitic-mylonitic km-scale domains under blueschist-facies conditions. Stage 7 is represented by folding of S 6 under greenschist-facies conditions. Metre-scale shear zones developed during stages 8, 9 and 10. The pre-Alpine part of the P-T-t-d path is interpreted as trace of post-collisional thinning Variscan continental crust, related to the upwelling of magmas (e.g. Mont Collon-Matterhorn gabbros; Arolla granites); the Alpine part of the P-T-t-d path is interpreted as record of continental crust subduction and exhumation, related to the Alpine oceanic-continental subduction and continental collision.
SIGN-BASED UNIT ROOT TESTS FOR EXPLOSIVE FINANCIAL BUBBLES IN THE PRESENCE OF DETERMINISTICALLY TIME-VARYING VOLATILITY

This article considers the problem of testing for an explosive bubble in financial data in the presence of time-varying volatility. We propose a sign-based variant of the Phillips, Shi, and Yu (2015, International Economic Review 56, 1043–1077) test. Unlike the original test, the sign-based test does not require bootstrap-type methods to control size in the presence of time-varying volatility. Under a locally explosive alternative, the sign-based test delivers higher power than the original test for many time-varying volatility and bubble specifications. However, since the original test can still outperform the sign-based one for some specifications, we also propose a union of rejections procedure that combines the original and sign-based tests, employing a wild bootstrap to control size. This is shown to capture most of the power available from the better performing of the two tests. We also show how a sign-based statistic can be used to date the bubble start and end points. An empirical illustration using Bitcoin price data is provided.
Relict Blockstreams at Insteheia, Valldalen‐Tafjorden, Southern Norway: Their Nature and Schmidt Hammer Exposure Age

Two small relict blockstreams occur at Insteheia, a col at 910 m asl on the watershed between Valldalen and Tafjorden (Møre og Romsdal), southern Norway. Both blockstreams display morphological and sedimentological characteristics indicative of boulder accumulations that have moved downslope by solifluction, probably under a permafrost climatic regime. These comprise preferred orientation and dip patterns of boulders; inverse grading, with surface boulders overlying successively finer, well‐sorted cobble, pebble and fine‐grained (sand/silt dominated) sediment layers; imbrication, with the packing of small boulders behind larger boulders; and proximity to boulder‐strewn hillslopes whose constituent boulders (organised into lobes and terraces) feed downslope into the blockstreams. Schmidt hammer exposure ages indicate that the blockstreams were last active during the Younger Dryas Stadial‐Holocene transition. Blockstream development probably began at ~ 15 ka, following the Last Glacial Maximum, and lasted for ~ 5 ka. Since then any fine‐grained material within the near‐surface parts may have been progressively removed. The relatively rapid development of the blockstreams suggests that larger‐scale forms of considerably greater age in the southern hemisphere may also have formed rapidly and have been inactive for long periods. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of a fluorometric Cuboni test for the semi-quantitative measurement of urinary estrogen levels and pregnancy detection in mares

The aim of the present study was to develop a semi-quantitative urine pregnancy test for mares based on the Cuboni reaction and to verify the reliability of this test. The urine specimens were hydrolyzed by heating in the presence of hydrochloric acid. The resulting free estrogens were extracted from the urine matrix using toluene. Sulfuric acid was added to the toluene extract and the mixture was heated again. The lower layer in the test tube containing sulfuric acid was used for fluorescence measurements with excitation at 355 nm and measurement at 535 nm. The fluorometric Cuboni test revealed that the fluorescence counts in urine samples collected after the second trimester of gestation were significantly higher than those obtained from barren mares. The levels of estrogens, including equilin, estrone and estardiol-17β exhibited a dose-dependent increase in fluorescence counts, whereas other steroids, such as progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol, did not affect fluorescence. Heat treatment of urine samples with hydrochloric acid significantly increased the fluorescence counts in those collected after the second trimester of gestation compared to non-pregnant samples, implying the presence of large amounts of conjugated estrogens in pregnant mare urine. Fluorescence counts in urine samples obtained during pregnancy showed a positive relationship with estrone concentrations as measured by enzyme immunoassay. The results of the present study showed that the fluorometric Cuboni test facilitates urine fluorescence counts depending on the urinary estrogen content and is capable of discriminating between pregnancy and non-pregnancy states beyond the second trimester of gestation in mares.
Validation of Contact Measurement System for Wheelchair Tennis Propulsion Using Marker-Less Vision System

This study investigates the reliability of marker-less vision systems for contact detection between hand and hand-rim during wheelchair propulsion. The measurement system uses a camera collecting RGB and depth images. The hand is detected through Mediapipe, a software able to recognize the key points of the hand on the RGB image. Hand position is expressed with respect to the wheel. A classifier is used to determine if there is contact between hand and hand-rim. To validate this procedure, 17 non-disabled participants pushed the wheelchair on an ergometer during six tests, given by the combinations of holding a tennis racket in their right hand while propelling at three different speeds: 4, 5.4 km/h, and maximal sprint. Since validated contact detection methods are lacking in the literature, experts provided a reference by manually evaluating video recordings and force signals frame-by-frame. The results showed that the hand identification by Mediapipe is not influenced by the presence of the racket but by the speed. Contact events were detected in 99.5% of the cases. The mean error in contact time detection was −5 ms for the starts and 18 ms for the ends, the standard deviation was 48 ms for both, and the combined root mean square error (RMSE) was 48 ms for the starts and 50 ms for the ends. These values, once corrected for the systematic effects, lead to a standard uncertainty of approximately 0.05 s, corresponding to 15% of the average contact duration. The study highlights the potential use of marker-less vision systems for contact detection in wheelchair propulsion.
The Effectiveness of the Probing Prompting Learning Model on the Learning Outcomes of Fiqh at Vocational High School

This research is an effort to improve fiqh learning using the probing prompting learning model to increase effectiveness in the learning system at the vocational school level. Through this approach students can develop a deep understanding of fiqh concepts more interactively and reflectively. Students need to understand religious concepts more maturely at the vocational school level. This study used an experimental research method consisting of an experimental class and a control class with the technique of collecting learning outcomes using an instrument test in the form of a Posttest only and the analysis used is Mann Whitney to analyze ordinal data which may be relevant in the context of driving questions and student responses which can be measured ordinally or qualitatively, to differentiate student responses between groups that use probing prompting and the control group, which produces asymp.sig <0.05, then Ho is rejected and Ha is accepted. Then the results obtained by the researchers used the Mann-Whitney test with SPSS 25, namely 0.00 <0.05, which means that Ho was rejected and Ha was accepted that it can be concluded that the Probing Prompting Learning learning model is effective for class X student learning outcomes at SMK Muhamadiyah Sambungmacan, Central Java.
Potential and viscous flows past an oil boom: The instability problem

An important problem in oil spill containment by booms is the instability of the oil-water interface at the boom. This instability, which represents the conditions under which oil can escape under the boom, is investigated. Both the potential and viscous-flow models for thin slicks in two-dimensions are developed. Analytical instability formulas are derived using the velocity potentials for attached and detached flows due to uniform current past a flat plate in finite and infinite water depths. To understand the effect of viscosity on the instability criterion, the full Navier-Stokes equations are solved by the fractional-step method in time domain to determine the pressure gradients along the boom. The numerically obtained viscous instability criterion is then compared with the potential-flow and experimentally determined instability criteria. The results show that the viscous flow model predicts a larger region of stability. It is numerically discovered from the instability criterion that the oil droplets at the boom, between the free surface and down to about 40% of the boom height can never escape, regardless of the current strength. It is also shown that the instability criterion depends weakly on the high Reynolds number. Reanalysis of the previous experimental data confirm these numerical findings.
Investigating the protective effects of mindfulness-based attention training on mind wandering in applied settings

Introduction Mind wandering, a phenomenon in which attention drifts away from the task-at-hand, is associated with deleterious effects on performance and well-being. As such, efforts to curb mind wandering are warranted. Recently, mindfulness training (MT) has been found to protect against mind wandering. Yet, many MT programs are at risk of falling off the implementation cliff due to challenges implementing these programs in applied settings. To mitigate against this, early-stage research in small convenience samples may be necessary to spur stakeholder engagement and collaboration. Herein, the effects of MT on mind wandering were examined via an internal meta-analysis of early-stage studies of a manualized, context-adaptable short-form MT program, referred to as Mindfulness-Based Attention Training (MBAT). Methods Five longitudinal studies (N = 304) were conducted in a variety of organizational cohorts. Self-reported mind wandering and meta-awareness, as well as accuracy (A’) and response time variability (intra-individual coefficient of variation, ICV) during performance of the sustained attention to response task (SART) were assessed at baseline (T1) and 4 weeks later (T2) in MBAT and no-training participants. Results Standardized mean change (SMC) from T1 to T2 significantly differed between MBAT and no-training groups for mind wandering (ΔSMC = −0.387, p < 0.001), meta-awareness (ΔSMC = −0.374, p < 0.001), and ICV (ΔSMC = −0.376, p = 0.043), suggesting potential protective effects in self-reported and performance-based metrics of mind wandering. Discussion These results serve as preliminary proof-of-concept support for MBAT’s protective effects on mind wandering. Further, they suggest that MBAT is amenable to implementation across a variety of applied and organizational settings and warrants additional research employing larger sample sizes in randomized controlled designs.
Effectiveness and safety of darvadstrocel in patients with complex perianal fistulizing Crohn’s disease: a systematic review

Background Managing complex perianal fistulizing Crohn’s disease (CD) remains challenging, despite current medical and surgical treatment approaches. Darvadstrocel, a therapy utilizing adipose-derived stem cells, shows promise in promoting tissue regeneration and healing, offering a novel and effective treatment for fistula management. Method A systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed and Scopus to identify studies involving patients with complex perianal fistulizing CD treated with darvadstrocel. Results In total, 2 randomized controlled trials (RCT), 5 observational studies with retrospective data collection and 2 observational studies with prospective design were included in the final review. Data from the European ADMIRE-CD RCT demonstrated that darvadstrocel is superior to placebo in terms of clinical and imaging improvement over both the short and long term. These findings align with the prospective studies analyzed in this systematic review. The rate of treatment-emergent adverse events in the ADMIRE-CD trial’s RCTs was similar in both the darvadstrocel and control groups, with perianal abscess being the most common adverse event up to 52 weeks after drug administration. Retrospective studies indicated no side-effects beyond 52 weeks. Conclusions Darvadstrocel appears to be a new, potentially effective and safe treatment option for the management of complex perianal fistulas. However, more randomized clinical trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of the drug.
Metabolic Pathway Engineering Improves Dendrobine Production in Dendrobium catenatum

The sesquiterpene alkaloid dendrobine, widely recognized as the main active compound and a quality control standard of medicinal orchids in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, demonstrates diverse biological functions. In this study, we engineered Dendrobium catenatum as a chassis plant for the production of dendrobine through the screening and pyramiding of key biosynthesis genes. Initially, previously predicted upstream key genes in the methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway for dendrobine synthesis, including 4-(Cytidine 5′-Diphospho)-2-C-Methyl-d-Erythritol Kinase (CMK), 1-Deoxy-d-Xylulose 5-Phosphate Reductoisomerase (DXR), 2-C-Methyl-d-Erythritol 4-Phosphate Cytidylyltransferase (MCT), and Strictosidine Synthase 1 (STR1), and a few downstream post-modification genes, including Cytochrome P450 94C1 (CYP94C1), Branched-Chain-Amino-Acid Aminotransferase 2 (BCAT2), and Methyltransferase-like Protein 23 (METTL23), were chosen due to their deduced roles in enhancing dendrobine production. The seven genes (SG) were then stacked and transiently expressed in the leaves of D. catenatum, resulting in a dendrobine yield that was two-fold higher compared to that of the empty vector control (EV). Further, RNA-seq analysis identified Copper Methylamine Oxidase (CMEAO) as a strong candidate with predicted functions in the post-modification processes of alkaloid biosynthesis. Overexpression of CMEAO increased dendrobine content by two-fold. Additionally, co-expression analysis of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) retrieved one regulatory transcription factor gene MYB61. Overexpression of MYB61 increased dendrobine levels by more than two-fold in D. catenatum. In short, this work provides an efficient strategy and prospective candidates for the genetic engineering of D. catenatum to produce dendrobine, thereby improving its medicinal value.
Statistical processing of polarization diversity images

Polarization diversity active imaging techniques have the appealing feature of revealing contrasts that do not appear in conventional intensity images. However, the intensity images provided by the system are in general not useful due to their perturbation by atmospheric turbulence and spatial inhomogeneity of laser sources. It is thus preferable to process only the image that represents the degree of polarization (DOP) of the reflected light. In this chapter, the analysis will be devoted to the particular case of purely depolarizing materials which are defined by their property of having diagonal coherency matrices whatever the incident state of polarization. We discuss some statistical results of the "Orthogonal State Contrast Image" (OSCI) which is nothing but the degree of polarization when the coherency matrix is diagonal. We also analyze some estimation properties useful for image processing. These results are illustrated on target detection and segmentation processing tasks. We demonstrate that simple but still very efficient algorithms can be developed.
Assessing the Impacts of Land Use-Cover Change on Hydrology of Melka Kuntrie Subbasin in Ethiopia, Using a Conceptual Hydrological Model

The growth of population and its effect on the land use-cover change have been influencing the hydrology of the sub basin by changing the magnitude of stream flow and groundwater flow. In this paper, the likely land use-cover change impacts on hydrology of the Melka Kuntrie sub basin in the Upper Awash River Basin have been evaluated using the semi-distributed HBV hydrological model and Landsat imageries for two different periods. ArcGIS was used to generate the land use-cover maps from Landsat 5 TM and 7 ETM+ acquired, in the year 1986 and 2003, respectively. The land use-cover maps were generated using the Maximum Likelihood Algorithm of Supervised Classification. The accuracy of the classified maps was assessed using contingency matrix. The result of this analysis showed that the cultivated land has expanded from 1986 to 2003. The land use in 2003, which was mostly converted to agriculture land from forest, grass, or shrub land, showed an increased stream flow in the main rainy season, while the stream flow in dry or small rainy season indicted inconsistency from month to month. In the same time, there was a decrease in evapotranspiration in 2003 land use. The stream flow increased by the 2003 land use was 25% in June, 4% in July, 6% in August and 9% in September that corresponded to 0.065 mm/day in June, 0.077 mm/day in July, 0.07 mm/day in August and 0.039 mm/day in September for the main rainy season as compared to the 1986 land use. The model calibration was carried out using observed hydrometeorological data from 1991 to 2004 and the validation period was from 2005 to 2008. The performance of the HBV model for both calibration and validation was reasonable well and the Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency was 0.86 and 0.78 for calibration and validation, respectively.