Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Two-Stage Stochastic Linear Programming Model for Tactical Planning in the Soybean Supply Chain

Background: The soybean market is representative of the world. Brazil is the largest producer and exporter of this crop and has low production costs but high logistical costs, which are influenced mainly by transport costs. Added to these characteristics, the disputed grain supply, the possibility of crop failure, and the randomness of some parameters that influence the soybean supply chain make decisions even more challenging. Methods: To mathematically model this problem, we carried out an analysis of the scientific production related to grain supply chain and the models used to address the problem, as well as a document analysis and a case study. Results: This paper proposes a new two-stage stochastic linear programming model with fixed recourse for tactical planning in the soybean supply chain from the perspective of the shipper under take or pay contracts over a one-year time horizon. The first-stage variables are the grain purchasing decisions and the volumes of rail and road transportation hired in advance. The model addresses 243 scenarios derived from four uncertainty sources: the purchase and sale prices of raw agricultural products on the spot market, the probability of crop failure, and the external demand. Conclusions: The model is successfully applied to a soybean trade firm in Brazil with expected gain of US$4,299,720 when using the stochastic model instead of the deterministic model. The stochastic model protected the firm from take or pay fines and crop failures, contracting a smaller volume of rail transport than what the company does.
Wildfire impacts on soil‐water retention in the Colorado Front Range, United States

This work examined the plot‐scale differences in soil‐water retention caused by wildfire in the area of the 2010 Fourmile Canyon Fire in the Colorado Front Range, United States. We measured soil‐water retention curves on intact cores and repacked samples, soil particle‐size distributions, and organic matter content. Estimates were also made of plant‐available water based on the soil‐water retention curves. Parameters for use in soil‐hydraulic property models were estimated; these parameters can be used in unsaturated flow modeling for comparing burned and unburned watersheds. The primary driver for measured differences in soil‐water retention in burned and unburned soils was organic matter content and not soil‐particle size distribution. The tendency for unburned south‐facing soils to have greater organic matter content than unburned north‐facing soils in this field area may explain why unburned south‐facing soils had greater soil‐water retention than unburned north‐facing soils. Our results suggest that high‐severity wildfire can “homogenize” soil‐water retention across the landscape by erasing soil‐water retention differences resulting from organic matter content, which for this site may be affected by slope aspect. This homogenization could have important implications for ecohydrology and plant succession/recovery in burned areas, which could be a factor in dictating the window of vulnerability of the landscape to flash floods and erosion that are a common consequence of wildfire.
Global fibrinolytic potential of black South Africans in the North West Province

iii OPSOMMING v CONTENTS vii LIST OF TABLES xi LIST OF FIGURES xiii LIST OF ADDENDA xiv LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS xv CHAPTER 1: Introduction 1 1.1. BACKGROUND 2 1.2. AIM AND OBJECTIVES 3 1.3. STRUCTURE OF THIS THESIS 4 1.4. RESEARCH TEAM AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO ARTICLES PRESENTED AS PART OF THIS THESIS 6 CHAPTER 2: Global fibrinolytic potential in black South Africans. 8 2.
Post-Infection Oscillometry and Pulmonary Metrics in SARS-CoV-2 Patients: A 40-Day Follow-Up Study

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has had significant impacts on pulmonary function. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate pulmonary function and structure in patients 40 days post-SARS-CoV-2 infection, employing an array of testing methodologies including spirometry, plethysmography, forced oscillometry, and CT scanning. It also sought to establish potential correlations between these metrics and evaluate if forced oscillometry could provide additional value in post-infective lung function assessment. A 40-day post-infection follow-up observational study was conducted involving 66 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. The results revealed decreases in FVC and FEF25–75 with the increasing severity of COVID-19. Specifically, patients with severe symptoms exhibited statistically significant decreases in FVC (mean = 86.8) compared with those with mild symptoms (mean = 106.0; p = 0.018). The FEF25–75 showed a similar trend, with severe patients exhibiting a mean of 77.7 compared with 82.9 in the mild group (p = 0.017). Furthermore, resonant frequency (RF) increased with disease severity, with the severe group exhibiting a statistically significant increase (mean = 17.4) compared with the mild group (mean = 14.3; p = 0.042). CT scans showed an increase in ground-glass opacities with disease severity, with 81.8% of severe patients demonstrating this finding (p = 0.037). Multiple regression analysis revealed that Reactance at 4 Hz (X4), Forced Expiratory Flow 25–75% (FEF25–75), and Resonant Frequency (RF) were significantly related to COVID-19 severity. Specifically, for each unit increase in these factors, the risk of the event was estimated to increase by a factor of 3.16, 2.09, and 1.90, respectively. Conversely, Resistance at 4 Hz (R4) and Airway Resistance (RAW) were found to significantly decrease the event hazard, highlighting their potential protective role. Spirometry, plethysmography, and forced oscillometry are effective in assessing these changes. Forced oscillometry may be particularly beneficial in identifying subtle changes in lung function post-COVID-19. Further studies are warranted to validate these findings and develop strategies to manage post-infective pulmonary changes in SARS-CoV-2 patients.
Helicobacter pylori infection in Bamako (Mali): Polymorphism, diversity and prophage

Helicobacter pylori (Hp) is a bacteria associated with gastritis and gastric cancer (GC). Its prevalence is higher than 80% in Mali and affects the incidence of GC, which is a major cancer in the department of digestive surgery. VacA and CagA toxins are responsible of Hp strain polymorphism. With prophage, they are also associated with a region depending diversity. The aim of this study was to identify the variants of Hp strains and their prophage identity in Bamako (Mali). A total of 61 gastric biopsies were isolated in patients with gastric diseases. The extracted DNA was amplified by PCR targeting cagA, vacA (s, m) and phage integrase (int) genes. cagA and int amplicons were sequenced according to Sanger method. Hp was detected in 23 (37.7%) samples. A predominance of housewives, commercial workers, farmers and students was observed, confirming the importance of socio-economic conditions and the associated factors in Hp infection. Carcinogenic vacAs1m1 was the second dominant polymorph. This would explain the prevalence of Hp's GC in the country. The phylogenetic tree from cagA sequences has revealed the specific variants strain of Hp that causes gastritis in Mali (HpML). Their prophage integration protein shares more than 90% of its sequence with species of the Schmidvirus genus. Like the HpML probable strains, Malian’s Hp prophage (HpMLpΦ) is geographically clustered with hspWestAfrica1 (hpAfrica1). These results confirm the existence of probable Hp and bacteriophage specific strains to Mali and suggest that using the molecular diagnostics method for effective pathogen identification and rapid patient management.
Conservation Status of the Red-bellied Guenon (Cercopithecus erythrogaster erythrogaster) in the Western Dahomey Gap in Southwestern Benin and the Adjacent Togodo Forest Reserve, South Togo

Abstract: The distribution area of the red-bellied guenon ( Cercopithecus erythrogaster erythrogaster ) in the Dahomey Gap has not been fully documented. This study contributed to filling this information gap. Surveys were conducted in 21 villages located in the wetlands of southwestern Benin and southern Togo. We found that only a few small areas of forest along rivers and in swamps, difficult to access by humans, still sheltered primates. Three individuals of C. e. erythrogaster are reported for Toffangnanme forest (Nakidahohoue village), a flooded and degraded forest surrounded by fields, and nine C. e. erythrogaster from the National Park of Togodo in Togo (NPT). The NPT may serve as the main refuge habitat for the red-bellied guenons in the study region. Interviews with local people in the area suggested the possibility that these monkeys may occasionally disperse from this refuge, entering adjacent habitats situated in the territory of Benin where thickets and fallows fringing cornfields are known to periodically host primates. Major threats to the conservation of C. e. erythrogaster documented in the area include poaching for crop protection, bush meat and the organ trade, as well as hunting for medicinal use, in addition to the increasingly detrimental habitat degradation due to agriculture and fuel wood collection. Resume: L'aire de repartition du cercopitheque a ventre roux ( Cercopithecus erythrogaster erythrogaster ) dans le Dahomey Gap n'est pas encore bien cernee. Notre etude a permi a combler cette lacune. Des enquetes ont ete realisees dans 21 villages situes dans les zones humides du Sud-ouest Benin et au Sud Togo. Il ressort de nos investigations que seules les forets galeries et les milieux marecageux, difficiles d'acces a l'homme abritent encore des primates. Trois individus de C. e. erythrogaster ont ete observes a Nakidahohoue dans une foret marecageuse degradee, entouree de champs et jacheres et 9 C. e. erythrogaster ont ete observes dans le Parc National de Togodo au Togo (PNT). Le PNT constitue l'habitat principal des cercopitheques a ventre roux dans la zone d'etude. Les entretiens avec les populations de la zone d'etude revelent la possibilite que ces singes fassent des incursions periodiques depuis le PNT dans les habitats adjacents situes au Benin, constitues de fourrees et jacheres proches des champs de mais. Les principales menaces a la conservation de C. e. erythrogaster ont ete le braconnage pour la protection des cultures, le commerce de la viande boucanee et des organes, la chasse pour des usages medico-magique, la degradation de l'habitat par une agriculture extensive et le besoin en bois energie et bois d'œuvre.
Comparability strategy and demonstration for post-approval production cell line change of a bevacizumab biosimilar IBI305

Abstract High-producing cell line could improve the affordability and availability of biotherapeutic products. A post-approval production cell line change, low-titer CHO-K1S to high-titer CHO-K1SV GS-KO, was performed for a China marketed bevacizumab biosimilar IBI305. Currently, there is no regulatory guideline specifically addressing the requirements for comparability study of post-approval cell line change, which is generally regarded as the most complex process change for biological products. Following the quality by design principle and risk assessment, an extensive analytical characterization and three-way comparison was performed by using a panel of advanced analytical methods. Orthogonal and state-of-the-art techniques including nuclear magnetic resonance and high-resolution mass spectrometry were applied to mitigate the potential uncertainties of higher-order structures and to exclude any new sequence variants, scrambled disulfide bonds, glycan moiety and undesired process-related impurities such as host cell proteins. Nonclinical and clinical pharmacokinetics (PK) studies were conducted subsequently to further confirm the comparability. The results demonstrated that the post-change IBI305 was analytically comparable to the pre-change one and similar to the reference product in physicochemical and biological properties, as well as the degradation behaviors in accelerated stability and forced degradation studies. The comparability was further confirmed by comparable PK, pharmacodynamics, toxicological and immunogenicity profiles of nonclinical and clinical studies. The comparability strategy presented here might extend to cell line changes of other post-approval biological products, and particularly set a precedent in China for post-approval cell line change of commercialized biosimilars.
Assessment of COVID-19-related olfactory dysfunction and its association with psychological, neuropsychiatric, and cognitive symptoms

Purpose of review To provide a detailed overview of the assessment of COVID-19-related olfactory dysfunction and its association with psychological, neuropsychiatric, and cognitive symptoms. Recent findings COVID-19-related olfactory dysfunction can have a detrimental impact to the quality of life of patients. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, olfactory and taste disorders were a common but under-rated, under-researched and under-treated sensory loss. The pandemic has exacerbated the current unmet need for accessing good healthcare for patients living with olfactory disorders and other symptoms secondary to COVID-19. This review thus explores the associations that COVID-19 has with psychological, neuropsychiatric, and cognitive symptoms, and provide a framework and rationale for the assessment of patients presenting with COVID-19 olfactory dysfunction. Summary Acute COVID-19 infection and long COVID is not solely a disease of the respiratory and vascular systems. These two conditions have strong associations with psychological, neuropsychiatric, and cognitive symptoms. A systematic approach with history taking and examination particularly with nasal endoscopy can determine the impact that this has on the patient. Specific olfactory disorder questionnaires can demonstrate the impact on quality of life, while psychophysical testing can objectively assess and monitor olfaction over time. The role of cross-sectional imaging is not yet described for COVID-19-related olfactory dysfunction. Management options are limited to conservative adjunctive measures, with some medical therapies described.
Unraveling the Links between Chronic Inflammation, Autoimmunity, and Spontaneous Cervicocranial Arterial Dissection

Advances in imaging techniques have led to a rise in the diagnosis of spontaneous cervicocranial arterial dissection (SCCAD), which is now considered a common cause of stroke in young adults. However, our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying SCCAD remains limited. Prior studies have proposed various factors contributing to arterial wall weakness or stress as potential causes for SCCAD. A combination of biopsies, case reports, and case–control studies suggests that inflammatory changes and autoimmunity may play roles in the cascade of events leading to SCCAD. In this review, we examine the close relationship between SCCAD, chronic inflammation, and autoimmune diseases, aiming to explore potential underlying pathophysiological mechanisms connecting these conditions. While some relevant hypotheses and studies exist, direct evidence on this topic is still relatively scarce. Further investigation of the underlying mechanisms in larger clinical cohorts is needed, and the exploration of animal models may provide novel insights.
Wildtype peers rescue social play and 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalization deficits in juvenile female Cacna1c heterozygous rats

Background Healthy brain development depends on early social practices and experiences. The risk gene CACNA1C is implicated in numerous neuropsychiatric disorders, in which key characteristics include deficits in social functioning and communication. Recently, we reported sex-dependent impairments in social behavior and ultrasonic vocalizations (USV) in juvenile heterozygous Cacna1c+/− (HET) rats. Specifically, HET females displayed increases in rough-and-tumble play that eliminated the typically observed sex difference between male and female rats. Interestingly, female wild-type Cacna1c+/+ (WT) pairs also showed a similar increase in social play when housed with HET females, suggesting their behavior may be influenced by HET cage mates. This indicates that the genetic makeup of the social environment related to Cacna1c can influence social play, yet systematic studies are lacking. Methods In the present study, we housed juvenile females in MIXED- or SAME-genotype cages and tested them in a social play paradigm with a same- and opposite-genotype partner. Results The results show that the early social environment and the genotype of the play partner influence social play and 50-kHz USV emission. Experience with a WT play partner appears necessary for HET females to show comparable levels of play and 50-kHz USV emission. Same-genotype HET pairs played less and emitted fewer 50-kHz USV than same-genotype WT or opposite-genotype pairs; however, we found that the decrease in social play and 50-kHz USV in HET pairs can be rescued by playing with a WT partner. The effect was particularly prominent when the first play partner was WT, as we found it increased play and 50-kHz USV emission in all subsequent interactions with ensuing partners. Conclusion These findings suggest that the genetic makeup related to the social environment and/or social peers influences social play in Cacna1c+/− haploinsufficient rats. Specifically, our results show that WT peers can rescue behavior and communication alterations in Cacna1c female rats. Our findings have important implications because they show that the genetic makeup of the social environment can divulge phenotypic changes in genetic rat models of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Ultrastructure of oogenesis in two tropical oviparous Demospongiae (Porifera): Cinachyrella apion and Tethya maza

Reproduction is a key step for propagation of any species. Consequently, gametogenesis is crucial, as it links one generation to the other. Oogenesis is influenced by different factors, but it is usually related to the quality and quantity of the food and the capacity of the female to convert these resources into egg production. In Demospongiae (Porifera), oocytes vary in several aspects (e.g., origin, size, and vitellogenic pathways). However, data on oocyte morphology is still fragmentary, and the ultrastructural organization of reproductive cells has been investigated only in a few species, mainly of viviparous sponges. Here, we aimed to comprehend the oogenesis of two tropical oviparous demosponges (Cinachyrella apion and Tethya maza) using light and electron microscopy. In both species, oocytes seemed to originate from archaeocytes. Oocytes of C. apion were surrounded by a collagenous matrix and nurse cells containing many lipid vesicles. The increase of biosynthetic organelles, concomitantly with the presence of yolk vesicle in the ooplasm, indicated that the vitellogenesis was carried out through the mixed pathway. The oocytes of T. maza were surrounded by a follicle cell membrane and nurse cells containing yolk vesicles. The absence of characteristic biosynthetic organelles in the egg of this species indicated that vitellogenesis occured through the heterosynthetic pathway. The oogenesis of C. apion is similar to other species of the genus, while the follicle membrane and nurse cells surrounding the oocytes of T. maza are not observed in any other species of Tethya. These accessory cells were considered to have a trophic role during the oogenesis of the studied species. Moreover, the presence of these accessory cells may have ecological significance, as they accelerate the egg's production through trophic support of the growing oocyte.
Nerve Conduction Differences in a Large Clinical Population: The Role of Age and Sex

Background: The normal limits of nerve conduction studies are commonly determined by testing healthy subjects. However, in comprehensive real-life nerve conduction electrodiagnostic (EDX) evaluations, multiple nerves are tested, including normal nerves, for purposes of comparison with abnormal ones. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the average values of normal nerve conduction studies in a large population and examined the influence of age and sex. Methods: EDX parameters were extracted from an electronic database of studies performed from May 2016 to February 2022. Established normal values were used to determine the classification of a nerve study as normal. Results: We identified 10,648 EDX reports with 5077 normally interpreted nerve conduction studies (47.6%) of which 57% (n = 2890) were for females. The median age of studies with no abnormalities was 45.1 years (range < 1 to 92) overall and 42.5 years (range: 0.16 –89.5 years) for males and 47.5 years (range:<1 –91.7) for females. Correlations between age and amplitude, latency, and velocity (p < 0.001) were observed in most nerves. Amplitude correlated negatively with age in adults in all nerves with a mean of –0.44 (range: –0.24 to –0.62). However, in the pediatric population (age < 18 years), amplitude as well as velocity increased significantly with age. In the adult cohort, sex differences were noted, where females had higher mean sensory nerve action potentials in ulnar, median, and radial evaluations (p < 0.001). In older patients (aged > 70 years) with normally interpreted EDX studies (845 records of 528 patients), sural responses were present in 97%. Conclusions: This real-life study confirms that advanced aging is associated with decreased nerve conduction amplitudes, increased latency, and the slowing of conduction velocity. The findings also indicate higher sensory amplitudes and conduction velocities in females. Sural nerve responses were identified in most adults over age 70.
Does Corporate Environmental Responsibility
Promote the Improvement of Corporate
Economic Performance?
– Based on the Perspective of Green Reputation

With the rapid development of the economy and the introduction of environmental policies, increasingly serious environmental problems are getting more and more attention. Studying how to motivate enterprises to actively fulfil their environmental responsibilities and establish the concept of green development is the key to achieving sustainable development. This paper selects a sample of large steel enterprises of the China Iron and Steel Industry Association from 2008 to 2017, and explores the effect of environmental responsibility of industrial enterprises on corporate economic performance and the transmission mechanism based on the perspective of the mediating effect of green reputation. The results show that corporate environmental responsibility (CER) has a significant positive effect on corporate performance. Green reputation has a significant mediating effect in the impact of corporate environmental responsibility on economic performance. In addition, the differences in the mediating effects of green reputation between corporate environmental responsibility and economic performance are explored in depth from the perspectives of regional heterogeneity and ownership heterogeneity. Finally, based on the findings, the paper suggests that corporate policy makers should balance environmental and economic benefits in their management, and promote the establishment of management systems and production methods that use environmental protection as a value leader and growth driver.