Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exposure of Reproductive-Aged Women to Multiple Metals and Its Associations with Unexplained Recurrent Miscarriage

Exposure to heavy metals exerts toxic effects on female reproduction and embryo development. This study examined the exposure of patients with unexplained recurrent miscarriage (uRM) to multiple metals and the correlations among exposures to different metals. A total of 275 participants were enrolled, including 43 healthy women without previous miscarriage (the control group) and 232 uRM women (the case group); among these uRM women, 159 had two miscarriages (2M), 42 had three miscarriages (3M) and 31 had four or more miscarriages (≥4M). A total of 22 elements were measured in serum samples via inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. The levels of calcium (104.37 mg/L vs. 92.65/93.02/92.61/92.47 mg/L) and selenium (131.85 µg/L vs. 117.80/118.04/115.88/124.35 µg/L) were higher in the controls than in the total uRM group and the 2M, 3M and ≥4M subgroups. The level of vanadium was significantly lower in the controls than in the total uRM group (0.15 µg/L vs. 0.23 µg/L), and the level of lead was lower in the controls than that in the total uRM group and the 2M, 3M and ≥4M subgroups (0.01 µg/L vs. 0.28/0.18/0.63/0.34 µg/L). After adjusting for age, body mass index and education level, calcium and selenium exposure were consistently negatively associated with miscarriage, while lead exposure was positively associated with miscarriage. In addition, the correlations among exposures to different metals slightly differed between the control and uRM groups. Therefore, changes in some metal elements in the blood might be related to the risk of uRM.
Formulation of Snow Depth Algorithms for Different Regions of NW-Himalaya using Passive Microwave Satellite Data

Seasonal snows cover in NW-Himalaya plays an important role in hydrological and avalanche studies and also act as an indicator of climate change. However, due to ruggedness and inaccessibility of Himalayan terrain, it is very difficult to monitor the snow cover using conventional measurement techniques. Remote sensing based satellite data provide solution to monitor seasonal snow cover variations and to study snow cover characteristic. In this study brightness temperature (TB) of snow has been estimated using special sensor microwave imager (SSM/I) satellite data and the spectral and temporal variation of TB were studied. These TB values in combination with scattering index (SI) were used to detect the presence or absence of snow covered areas. The threshold values of TB and SI were estimated for snow cover area of different Himalayan ranges. Algorithms for snow depth estimation were developed using TB and ground observatories data from different ranges of the NW-Himalaya. The developed algorithms were validated using one year satellite data. A good correlation was observed between the predicated and manually observed snow depth values i.e. 0.84 for Karakoram, 0.77 for Great Himalayan range and 0.60 for Pir-Panjal.
Closer to a True Value for Heavy Metal Concentrations in Recent Antarctic Snow by Improved Contamination Control

Recent snow from two sites in the Antarctic Peninsula has been analyzed for Al, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. Measurement of full procedural blanks and of the extent of penetration of surface contamination has allowed a rigorous appraisal of both sampling and analytical methods. Whilst the particular samples of cored firn used here have been shown to be unsuitable due to penetration of surface contamination into their interiors, surface samples collected directly into acrylic tubes showed very limited penetration of contamination. The surface samples gave the following average concentrations: Al: 0.7±0.3 ng g−1, Cd: 0.26±0.09 pg g−1, Cu: 1.9±0.5 pg g−1, Pb: 6.3±3.3 pg g−1 and Zn: 3.3±1.7 pg g−1. The Pb concentration agrees well with data from other workers for recent snow from East Antarctica, while the values for Cd, Cu and Zn are about ten times lower than have been reported previously, even for ancient Antarctic ice. Although these data refer to only one site and a short time period, it is believed that they are representative of modern Antarctic snow. The true concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in ancient Antarctic ice are not yet established. However the following limits are suggested for increases over natural background levels due to anthropogenic emissions: Pb 1 to 40 times, Cd 1 to 180 times, Cu 1 to 4.5 times and Zn 1 to 6 times. These results indicate that contamination may have been responsible for reports of anomalous enrichment of several heavy metals in Antarctic snow.
A Descriptive Review of Medication-Overuse Headache: From Pathophysiology to the Comorbidities

Purpose of review: Medication-overuse headache (MOH) is an important problem worldwide, with different areas of controversy regarding its entity. This article reviews the risk factors, comorbidities, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, effective management, and prognosis of MOH by summarizing and integrating the results and findings from previously performed more than 15,000 studies (from 2010 to 2023) available from the scientific database of the University Medical Library in the University Clinical Center of Niš, which aimed to investigate and define the complexity of this type of headache. Recent finding: It has been proposed that all acute migraine medications can lead to MOH, with differences in the propensity of different agents to cause the problem. Early data suggests that triptans and other painkillers used for the acute treatment of migraine may be an exception. Recent studies show that practitioners and the general public are still largely unaware of the problem of medication overuse and its damaging effects. Summary: Although it is likely that MOH does occur, restricting the number of acute medications is necessary to prevent it. It is also possible that increasing amounts of acute medications are simply a reflection of poorly controlled headaches rather than a cause. Further research needs to be developed to identify more precise mechanisms for effective MOH management and its evolution.
Monitoring of an infiltration experiment using the self‐potential method

An infiltration test was performed from a ditch with the purpose of monitoring the evolution of the piezometric levels using self‐potential measurements made at the ground surface. We used a set of 18 piezometers and a network of 41 nonpolarizable (Pb/PbCl2) electrodes. The variations of the self‐potential signals are linearly correlated to the piezometric level changes with an apparent voltage coupling coefficient of −5.5 ± 0.9 mV m−1. We measured, independently of this infiltration test, the three material properties entering the macroscopic field equations. They are the resistivity distribution of the soil, its mean hydraulic conductivity, and its intrinsic streaming potential coupling coefficient (−5.8 ± 1.1 mV m−1). Then, we modeled numerically the infiltration test and the associated self‐potential signals using a two‐dimensional finite difference code. The numerical model reproduces fairly well the observed results. This investigation demonstrates the effectiveness of the self‐potential method in field conditions to monitor small variations (<0.60 m) of the water table. It offers for the first time a test of the electrokinetic theory in the field with independent evaluation of the material properties entering the field equations.
Vietnamese Teachers’ Perspectives of the Impact of Reflection-on-action Teaching on Educational Quality: A Grounded Theory Study

In the midst of Vietnam’s surge towards English bilingualism and traditional teacher-centric methodologies, the uncharted territory of on-action reflective teaching among English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers emerges as a potential avenue for enhancing pedagogical efficacy and holistic student development. This study delves into the qualitative examination of on-action reflective teaching among EFL teachers in Vietnam, a vital element of professional teaching that has not been adequately explored within the Vietnamese setting. The study is anchored on the model of reflective practice and the ecological systems theory, probing into the manner in which teachers involve themselves in on-action reflection and its subsequent impact on the caliber of teaching and learning. The data was gathered by means of semi-structured interviews with 15 teachers who teach English across various academic levels. The thematic analysis showed that the teachers participated in both individual and cooperative reflection. It was discovered that the ramifications of reflective teaching go beyond merely improving teaching efficacy to encouraging professional advancement, cultivating a culture of constant enhancement, and bolstering ethical teaching practices. The study emphasizes the importance of incorporating reflective practices into teacher professional development, nurturing a reflective atmosphere within schools, and establishing supportive policy structures. While the research provides valuable perspectives on reflective teaching in Vietnam, it also highlights areas requiring further exploration, such as extending the research to rural scenarios and utilizing diverse data gathering techniques.
CARACTERIZACION y ORIGEN DE LA FACIES GLAUCONITICA DE LA CUENCA DEL GUADALQUIVIR

Occurrences of glauconite in Tertiary materials of the Guadalquivir basin have been known nearly a century. Recent studies indicate that the glauconite is stratigraphically concentrated in two levels: the lower one (Miocene) being at the boundary between a detrital-carbonate formation and the «Blue Clays»; the higher one (Pliocene) at the transition between the «Blue Clays» and the Huelva Sand Formation. Different glauconitizacion degrees of organic remains have been observed in both glauconitic level studied. The environmental conditions during sedimentation of glauconite materials as deduced from palaeontological and sedimentological data, suppose that glauconite pellets may have formed in an open-sublitoral environment at around 50 m deep.
Fracture Patterns on Kuh-e Asmari Anticline, Southwest Iran

Fracturing at air-photo scale on the Kuh-e Asmari anticline presents a simple pattern comprising two tension-fracture sets which clearly are related to Zagros folding. The absence of any marked shear-fracture sets is puzzling. Like all anticlines, this structure has its own inherent complexities. The identification of greater fracture lengths over azimuth classes corresponding to longitudinal fractures in the eastern part of the structure is suggestive of a relation to a larger, basement-controlled lineament. The recognition of such pre-Zagros features on reservoir structures may define zones of enhanced production potential. Photo-scale fractures show maximum densities over the plunging noses and central parts of the structure in that order. The contrast between the diversified small-scale, structure-unrelated patterns derived in an earlier study of the same anticline and the simple photo-scale pattern is most marked. Differing modes and times of genesis for the two scales of fracturing are proposed. The superficial nature of gravity faulting and dip-slope slumping, so prevalent in southwest Iran, suggests that fault and fracture patterns on surface structures may not be characteristic of their buried oil field counterparts. Such superficial features on surface Asmari structures results from unloading consequent on the stripping of the overlying Fars Group.
Mesozoic–Paleogene sedimentary facies and paleogeography of Tibet, western China: tectonic implications

In Early–Middle Triassic time, an abyssal sea covered most of the Songpan–Ganzi area, whereas a Central Tibetan Landmass, up to 400 km wide, may have stretched across the Lhasa and Western Qiangtang terrains. In Late Triassic time, the Songpan–Ganzi sea closed, the Central Tibetan Landmass receded westwards away from southern Western Qiangtang, a littoral environment dominated Eastern Qiangtang, middle Western Qiangtang, and southeastern Lhasa, a shelf environment existed only in northern and southeastern Western Qiangtang and northwestern Eastern Qiangtang, and abyssal flysch was spread along the eastern Bangonghu–Nüjiang zone. In Early–Middle Jurassic time, Songpan–Ganzi had become part of the Eurasian continent, abyssal flysch sediments stretched throughout the Bangonghu–Nüjiang zone, the Central Tibetan Landmass was only locally present in southwestern Lhasa, and the Tethyan epicontinental sea nearly covered all Tibet southwest of the Jinsajiang suture. In Late Jurassic time, oceanic flysch deposition existed only along the westernmost Bangonghu–Nüjiang zone, nearly all of Tibet was covered by coastal deposits, and shelf deposits existed only in northern Western Qiangtang and westernmost Lhasa. In the early stage of Early Cretaceous time, the majority of Qiangtang had become dry land, and a supralittoral environment dominated across the entire Lhasa terrain. However, during the late stage of the Early Cretaceous time, platform–shelf carbonates prevailed on southern Western Qiangtang and northern Lhasa. In Late Cretaceous time, the majority of Qiangtang had become emergent land, and a supratidal environment dominated Lhasa, the western rim of Western Qiangtang, and Tarim. In Paleogene time, the majority of Tibet became emergent land, and a supratidal environment existed only on the southern and western rims.
Theory of the optical properties of lake ice

A radiative transfer model is developed to illustrate the processes which determine the spectral albedo and transmission of lake ice. The calculated spectral albedo is dominated by specular reflection from the ice surface in the near infrared, whereas multiple scattering by bubbles below the surface dominates the visible albedo. Adding a snow cover to lake ice will normally increase the visible albedo, but may reduce the albedo in some regions of the near infrared if the sun is low, by reducing the specular reflection. In a preliminary test of the model, spectral albedo was measured on the natural ice cover of a frozen lake. The measurements are explained using the radiative transfer model applied to the air bubble size distribution measured in the same ice. The uncertainty in measurement of bubble size distribution leads to uncertainty in the theoretical albedo which is much larger than the error due to approximations used in derivation of the model.
Rheological transitions in high‐temperature volcanic fault zones

Silicic magma experiences shear‐induced brittle fracturing during its ascent, resulting in the formation of a magmatic fault at the conduit margin. Once the fault is formed, frictional behavior of the fault controls the magma ascent process. We observed torsional deformation of a magmatic fault gouge in situ at temperatures of 800 and 900°C using synchrotron radiation X‐ray radiography. The torsional deformation rate was set at 0.1–10 rpm, corresponding to equivalent slip velocities of 2.27 × 10−5–1.74 × 10−3 m s−1 and shear strain rates of 0.014–1.16 s−1. The normal stresses used were 1, 5, and 10 MPa. The magmatic fault showed frictional sliding as well as viscous flow even above the glass transition temperature. The transition between frictional sliding and viscous flow depends on temperature, deformation rate, and normal stress on the fault. At 900°C, the fault showed viscous deformation at a normal stress of 10 MPa, while frictional sliding was predominant at 800°C. We propose the ratio of timescales of fault healing and deformation as a criterion for transition between frictional sliding and viscous flow. The experimentally calibrated criterion infers that frictional sliding is predominant from ~500 m in depth during explosive eruption; this may explain rapid magma ascent without efficient outgassing. Frictional heating would in turn enhance fault healing, resulting in the reverse transition from frictional sliding to viscous flow, followed by deceleration of magma ascent. Therefore, cyclic transitions between frictional sliding and viscous flow are a possible explanation for the cyclic behavior of lava effusion.
CORPORATE SPECIFIC ATTRIBUTES AND THE PERFORMANCE OF LISTED FIRMS IN SELECTED SUB-SAHARA AFRICA COUNTRIES

The paper investigated the effect of corporate specific attributes on financial performance by employing samples from listed non-financial firms in Sub-Sahara African countries of Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa between the periods of 2012-2021. The study sourced data from annual reports of non-financial firms in Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa. The model evidenced that, the series are evenly spread, are not faced with multi-collinearity issues, and that the robust fixed effect model is appropriate for the study since the p-value of the Hausman Test estimated at 0.000 is below 0.05 significant level. Evidently, the results obtain from the fixed effect regression shows that, firm size has an inconsiderable (insignificant) positive effect on firm performance both in Kenya and Nigeria. However, it has an insignificant negative effect on firm performance in the case of South Africa. Again, liquidity (current ratio) has an insignificant positive effect on firm performance. Furthermore, asset tangibility has a negative and insignificant effect on the performance of understudied firms in Kenya but reduce the performance of understudied firms in Nigeria. In the case of South Africa, asset tangibility improves the performance of South African firms minimally. However, only leverage was consisted in the three sampled firms in that leverage has a negative and significant effect on the performance of firms in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. Meanwhile, cash-flow from operations exerted direct yet considerable effect on understudied firms in Kenya but had adverse yet negligible effect on understudied firms in Nigeria. Hence, the paper submits that, managers of SSA firms should endeavor to reinvest profitability into the firm, which will increase the growth of the company and enhance financial performance. Keywords: Corporate Specific Attributes, Performance, Listed Firms, Sub-Sahara Africa Countries.
Socioeconomic patterns in climate data

Summary To generate a climate data set, temperature data collected at the Earth’s surface must be adjusted to remove non-climatic effects such as urbanization and measurement discontinuities. Some studies have shown that the post-1980 spatial pattern of temperature trends over land in prominent climate data sets is strongly correlated with the spatial pattern of socioeconomic development, implying that the adjustments are inadequate, leaving a residual warm bias. This evidence has been disputed on three grounds: spatial autocorrelation of the temperature field undermines significance of test results; counterfactual experiments using model-generated data suggest such correlations have an innocuous interpretation; and different satellite covariates yield unstable results. Somewhat surprisingly, these claims have not been put into a coherent framework for the purpose of statistical testing. We combine economic and climatological data sets from various teams with trend estimates from global climate models and we use spatial regressions to test the competing hypotheses. Overall we find that the evidence for contamination of climatic data is robust across numerous data sets, it is not undermined by controlling for spatial autocorrelation, and the patterns are not explained by climate models. Consequently we conclude that important data products used for the analysis of climate change over global land surfaces may be contaminated with socioeconomic patterns related to urbanization and other socioeconomic processes. Research Supported by Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Grant Number 430002
Seasonal Variation in Airtightness of Two Detached Houses

: Fan pressurization tests on two unoccupied houses were conducted once every two weeks for a period of a year (May 1982 to July 1983) to determine the seasonal variation in airtightness. Both houses are of insulated wood frame construction. House No. 1 was built with more insulation than is required by the local building code, and a polyethylene vapor barrier was applied with special care to improve its airtightness. House No. 2, a less airtight house, was built with various wall construction features and a polyethylene vapor barrier in only two walls. Indoor relative humidity, indoor and outdoor air temperatures, and moisture content of the stud and top plates of the wood framing were measured at the time of airtightness testing to determine whether a correlation exists between these factors and house airtightness. The results indicate that air leakage varies throughout the year, with the minimum value in late summer and fall and the maximum value in winter and early spring. The difference is more pronounced in the leakier house. There is also indication of a rough correlation between envelope airtightness and indoor humidity ratio.
Linking Mechanisms of Vitamin D Signaling with Multiple Sclerosis

Environmental triggers often work via signal transduction cascades that modulate the epigenome and transcriptome of cell types involved in the disease process. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system being characterized by a combination of recurring inflammation, demyelination and progressive loss of axons. The mechanisms of MS onset are not fully understood and genetic variants may explain only some 20% of the disease susceptibility. From the environmental factors being involved in disease development low vitamin D levels have been shown to significantly contribute to MS susceptibility. The pro-hormone vitamin D3 acts via its metabolite 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) as a high affinity ligand to the transcription factor VDR (vitamin D receptor) and is a potent modulator of the epigenome at thousands of genomic regions and the transcriptome of hundreds of genes. A major target tissue of the effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 and VDR are cells of innate and adaptive immunity, such as monocytes, dendritic cells as well as B and T cells. Vitamin D induces immunological tolerance in T cells and reduces inflammatory reactions of various types of immune cells, all of which are implicated in MS pathogenesis. The immunomodulatory effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 contribute to the prevention of MS. However, the strength of the responses to vitamin D3 supplementation is highly variegated between individuals. This review will relate mechanisms of individual’s vitamin D responsiveness to MS susceptibility and discuss the prospect of vitamin D3 supplementation as a way to extinguish the autoimmunity in MS.
What future for science?

Consideration of science in the future is dependent on an understanding of that future. A study of the future is an interdisciplinary effort by a holistic rather then a specialised scholar. That research has been carried out, from many global environmental reports in the 1960s through the many, increasingly complex, computer models of the 1970s, to today. The forecast of increasing global damage and disruption, with a tipping point around 2030, is proving robust. This critical analysis is disregarded. Science in New Zealand is no longer organised by scientists, as was the case in the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, and subsequently the critical and questioning approach required to comprehend the future is lacking. Independent and questioning science in New Zealand does not have a viable future without a change in policy direction to recover the scientific enterprise.