Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in Carbon Storage of Masson Pine Forests along a Latitudinal Gradient with Different Stand Structures in Southern China

ABSTRACT The spatial patterns of carbon pool in landscape vary greatly with variation of forest structures and climate conditions. In this field study, the carbon storage in overstory, understory, litter layer of plants and soil carbon in forests was investigated in 26-28 year-old Masson pine (Pinus massoniana) pure and mixed forests along a latitudinal gradient (20–30 °N) crossing Hunan and Guangxi provinces of China, during the period of May 2015–August 2017. We found that the total carbon storage in Masson pine forests ranged 88.92–149.41 Mg/ha, of which 54.03% occurred in aboveground compound and 45.97% occurred belowground. The overall total carbon storage distribution was 34.62–68.72 Mg/ha, 3.82–10.19 Mg/ha, 2.37–3.96 Mg/ha, and 6.06–12.08 Mg/ha in stems, branches, leaves, and roots, respectively. The carbon storage in the overstory of forest stands and forest soils significantly decreased with increasing latitude, while the carbon storage in the understory and litter of the forest stands significantly increased as the latitude increased. The overall carbon storage significantly decreases by 8.26 Mg/ha in Masson pine forests as the latitude increased by one degree. The carbon storage increased by 8.43% in Masson pine mixed forests compared to the pure forest stands after the transformation from the pure forest stands into the mixed forest stands ∼ 15 years later. The results of changes in carbon storage in the studied forests with the latitudinal gradient could be attributed to variations in hydrothermal conditions with changing latitudes. The forest structure with different tree species composition was another important factor regulating carbon storage in forest ecosystems at the same latitude. The results provided a scientific basis for better understanding of latitudinal variation and spatial distribution of carbon storage in Masson pine forest stands with optimal forest stand structures in subtropical region of China.
Short-Term Postfire Effects on Ground-Dwelling Arthropods and Soil Attributes in a Semiarid Grassland Ecosystem, Northwestern China

ABSTRACT Fire-induced effects on biota activity and diversity, and soil attributes, could have implications for biodiversity conservation and recovery of semiarid grassland ecosystems. Here, we examined the abundance and diversity of ground-dwelling arthropods, and soil attributes in burned and unburned grasslands in the semiarid Nanhuashan Natural Reserve in western Loess Plateau of China. Arthropods and soil were sampled in springtime one year after fire disturbance. We found no significant differences in total abundance of ground-dwelling arthropods between burned and unburned grasslands. However, the taxonomic richness and the Shannon index of ground-dwelling arthropods were found to be significantly greater in burned than unburned grasslands. Postfire effects also indicated significant differences in dominance hierarchy among taxa within functional groups as a consequence of increasing predatory abundance but decreasing phytophagous one from unburned to burned grasslands. Likewise, soil bulk density declined, whereas soil C/N increased significantly from unburned to burned grasslands. In conclusion, fire could promote the taxonomic richness and the diversity of ground-dwelling arthropods, thus being indicators of positive effect of fire disturbance on biodiversity conservation of semiarid grassland ecosystems of northwestern China. However, soil bulk density and soil C/N could be susceptible to fire-driven changes of soil attributes.
Exploring Sonification Mapping Strategies for Spatial Auditory Guidance in Immersive Virtual Environments

Spatial auditory cues are important for many tasks in immersive virtual environments, especially guidance tasks. However, due to the limited fidelity of spatial sounds rendered by generic Head-Related Transfer Functions (HRTFs), sound localization usually has a limited accuracy, especially in elevation, which can potentially impact the effectiveness of auditory guidance. To address this issue, we explored whether integrating sonification with spatial audio can enhance the perceptions of auditory guidance cues so user performance in auditory guidance tasks can be improved. Specifically, we investigated the effects of sonification mapping strategy using a controlled experiment that compared four elevation sonification mapping strategies: absolute elevation mapping, unsigned relative elevation mapping, signed relative elevation mapping, and binary relative elevation mapping. In addition, we examined whether azimuth sonification mapping can further benefit the perception of spatial sounds. The results demonstrate that spatial auditory cues can be effectively enhanced by integrating elevation and azimuth sonification, where the accuracy and speed of guidance tasks can be significantly improved. In particular, the overall results suggest that binary relative elevation mapping is generally the most effective strategy among four elevation sonification mapping strategies, which indicates that auditory cues with clear directional information are key to efficient auditory guidance.
An Empirical Investigation of Kaizen Event Effectiveness: Outcomes and Critical Success Factors

This research presents results from a multi-site field study of 51 Kaizen event teams in six manufacturing organizations. Although Kaizen events have been growing in popularity since the mid 1990s, to date, there has been no systematic empirical research on the determinants of Kaizen event effectiveness. To address this need, a theorydriven model of event effectiveness is developed, drawn from extant Kaizen event practitioner articles and related literature on projects and teams. This model relates Kaizen event outcomes to hypothesized key input factors and hypothesized key process factors. In addition, process factors are hypothesized to partially mediate the relationship between input factors and outcomes. Following sociotechnical systems (STS) theory, both technical and social (human resource) aspects of Kaizen event performance are measured. Relationships between outcomes, process factors and input factors are analyzed through regression, using generalized estimating equations (GEE) to account for potential correlation in residuals within organizations. The research found a significant positive correlation between the two social system outcomes (attitude toward Kaizen events and employee gains in problem-solving knowledge, skills and attitudes). In addition, the research found significant positive correlations between the social system outcomes and one technical system outcome (team member perceptions of the impact of the Kaizen event on the target work area). However, none of the three technical system outcomes (employee perceptions of event impact, facilitator ratings of event success and actual percentage of team goals achieved) were significantly correlated. In addition, the research found that each outcome variable had a unique set of input and process predictors. However, management support and goal difficulty were a common predictors of three out of five outcomes. Unexpected findings include negative relationships between functional diversity, team and team leader Kaizen event experience, and action orientation and one or more outcomes. However, many of the findings confirmed recommendations in Kaizen event practitioner articles and the project and team literature. Furthermore, support for the mediation hypothesis was found for most outcome measures. These findings will be useful both for informing Kaizen event design in practicing organizations and for informing future Kaizen event research.
Environmental Noise Pollution: Has Public Health Become too Utilitarian?

Environmental noise pollution is an ever-increasing problem. The various sources: Aircraft, Road Traffic and Wind Farms are reviewed, but the latter source, because of the intrusive, impulsive and incessant nature of the sound emitted, is the major focus of this review. Wind turbines produce a range of sound but it is the Infrasound and low frequency noise which deserves special attention. Infrasound is considered to be below the range of human hearing so it is not measured in routine noise assessments in the wind farm planning process. There is, however, evidence that many can register it and a sizeable minority is sensitive, or becomes sensitised to it. The actual route of transmission still requires elucidation. The net effect of the entire range of noise produced is interference with sleep and sleep deprivation. Sleep, far from being a luxury is vitally important to health and insufficient sleep, in the long term, is associated with a spectrum of diseases, particularly Cardiovascular. The physiological benefits of sleep are reviewed, as is the range of diseases which the sleep-deprived are predisposed to. Governments, anxious to meet Green targets and often receiving most of their advice on health matters from the wind industry, must commission independent studies so that the Health and Human Rights of their rural citizens is not infringed. Public Health, in particular, must remember its roots in Utilitarianism which condoned the acceptance of some Collateral Damage provided that the greatest happiness of the greatest number was ensured. The degree of Collateral Damage caused by wind farms should be totally unacceptable to Public Health which must, like good government, fully exercise the Precautionary Principle. The types of study which should be considered are discussed. Indeed, the father of Utilitarian Philosophy, Jeremy Bentham, urged that government policy should be fully evaluated.
Antiphospholipid Antibodies Increase Endometrial Stromal Cell Decidualization, Senescence, and Inflammation via Toll‐like Receptor 4, Reactive Oxygen Species, and p38 MAPK Signaling

Miscarriage affects 1 in 7 pregnancies, and antiphospholipid autoantibodies (aPLs) are one of the biggest risk factors for recurrent pregnancy loss. While aPLs target the endometrial stroma, little is known about their impact. Endometrial stromal cells (EnSCs) undergo decidualization each menstrual cycle, priming the uterus to receive implanting embryos. Thus, appropriate decidualization and EnSC function is key for establishment of a successful pregnancy. This study was undertaken to explore the effects of aPL on EnSC decidualization, senescence, and inflammation.
Variable reluctance permanent magnet motors for high specific output

The authors present measured characteristics for a prototype motor of static torque versus angular position for various levels of current, which demonstrate the high electromechanical torque that may be achieved in a machine of the VRPM type. Secondly, a design method is introduced and briefly described, that enables the proportions of the stator teeth, air-gap, and rotor magnets, to be approximately optimised for maximum torque. Additionally, design comparisons are briefly made with machines of alternative construction, on the hypothetical basis of an equal level of torque production. >
Comparison of Methods of Measuring Deep Body Temperatures of Dairy Cows

Physiological parameters, such as body temperature, are key indicators of heat stress and disease indairy cows. Heat stress is a major complication in dairy production and is known to predisposecows to significant health problems such as mastitis, poor reproductive performance, andlameness. It is therefore important to develop improved means of monitoring deep bodytemperature. The purpose of this project is to show a comparison between two methods ofmeasuring deep body temperature of dairy cows. Cow body temperatures measured by ingestedand implanted CorTemp sensors and rectal thermometers were compared in an effort to developan accurate and relatively non-invasive means of monitoring body temperature. The CorTemp sensor, patented by HTI Technologies, Inc., is a wireless transmitter in the shapeof a pill. It consists of a quartz crystal temperature sensor, a telemetry system, and a battery. Thesize of the pill varies based on the application. The smallest pills intended for human use orpoultry are 27 mm long and 10 mm in diameter. The size differs based primarily on the size of thebattery; the larger the battery the longer the life of the sensor. The transmitter pill can be ingestedby the cow or implanted. The sensor provides a continuous and accurate means of monitoringtemperature of dairy cows when implanted or as it travels through the digestive tract. Two tests ofthe sensor were conducted at the Dairy Research Unit (DRU) at the University of Florida. Thefirst trial was conducted on a rumen fistulated Holstein cow. A CorTemp sensor was manuallyplaced into the lower rumen of the cow through its cannula. Temperatures recorded by theexternal receiver were compared to rectal temperatures measured using a mercury thermometer. Asecond trial was conducted using three Holstein cows at the DRU. A sensor was surgicallyimplanted into the abdomen between the greater omentum and right abdominal wall. Again,temperatures were recorded by the receiver, as well as rectally by a mercury thermometer.The trials were conducted to compare temperatures measured by the CorTemp sensor totemperatures measured by a rectal thermometer. Both the rectal thermometer and CorTempsensor gave deep body temperatures within the normal range for dairy cows (38.3-39.4oC). Analysis of the temperatures indicated that the temperatures measured by the CorTemp sensorwere statistically the same at the 98% level for Cow 1, 97% level for Cow 2 and 95% level forCow 3. Further studies are planned to develop the CorTemp system as a tool to measure cowdeep body temperature.
Glacial-Interglacial Variations in Organic Carbon Burial in the Northwest Pacific Ocean Over the Last 380 kyr and its Environmental Implications

The carbon cycle on the Earth’s surface is linked to long-term variations in atmospheric CO2 as well as carbon sequestration in various pools. The burial of particulate organic carbon (OC) in marine sediments is also highly sensitive to the global climate over geological time scales, but with little known about OC burial and its regulations over glacial-interglacial cycles. Here, we present a long-term OC record over the past ∼380 kyr, from the Northwest Pacific Ocean, an ideal region for studying OC burial and its environmental implications on glacial-interglacial timescales. We observed a distinct cyclicity of higher OC burial in glacial periods, which was coupled with input from Asian dust and the Kuroshio Current but seemingly decoupled from biogenic element contents, implying a limited effect of marine productivity on OC burial. Moreover, the sedimentary record of OC was synchronous with oceanic redox conditions, especially the redox sensitive elements at the sediment-water interface, indicating a relatively reducing conditions that enhanced OC preservation during glacial periods. The overall glacial-interglacial OC burial regime in the Northwest Pacific Ocean was conceptually constructed. It showed a higher efficiency of OC burial during glacial periods and significant degradation during interglacial periods. The findings of this study highlighted the important contribution of environmental redox conditions on OC burial in the deep Northwest Pacific, demonstrating the sensitivity of the carbon cycle to global climate on an orbital scale.
Safety and Efficacy of Sintilimab and Anlotinib as First Line Treatment for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (KEEP-G04): A Single-Arm Phase 2 Study

Purpose Immune checkpoint inhibitors plus antiangiogenic tyrosine kinase inhibitors may offer a first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this phase 2 trial [registered with clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04052152)], we investigated the safety and efficacy of first-line anti-PD-1 antibody sintilimab plus antiangiogenic TKI anlotinib for advanced HCC. Methods and Materials Pathologically-proven advanced HCC patients received sintilimab (200 mg) on day 1 and anlotinib (12 mg) once daily on days 1 to 14 every 3 weeks, with a safety run-in for the first six participants to assess dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs). The primary endpoints were safety and objective response rate (ORR) per RECIST v1.1. Results Twenty advanced HCC patients were enrolled. No DLTs occurred in the safety run-in. All patients had treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs). Grade 3 TRAEs occurred in 8 (40.0%) patients, the most common being decreased platelet count (10.0%) and increased γ-glutamyl transferase (10.0%). No grade 4/5 TRAEs occurred. Five (25%) patients developed immune-related AEs. The ORR was 35.0% (95%CI 15.4%-59.2%) per RECIST v1.1 and 55.0% (95%CI 31.5%-76.9%) per modified RECIST. At data cutoff (March 31, 2021), the median progression-free survival was 12.2 months (95%CI, 3.8 to not reached). The median PFS was significantly longer in patients with lower LDH levels (not reached [NR], 95% CI, 8.7 to NR vs. higher LDH levels 5.2 months, 95% CI 3.4 to NR; P=0.020) and a CONUT score ≤2 (NR, 95% CI 5.1 to NR vs. CONUT score >2 6.2 months, 95% CI 1.8 to NR; P=0.020). Furthermore, patients showing tumor response had a significantly higher median proportion of CD16+CD56+ NK cells than patients who had stable or progressive disease (21.6% vs. 14.6%; P=0.026). Conclusion Sintilimab plus anlotinib showed promising clinical activities with manageable toxicity as first-line treatment of advanced HCC.
Group Mindfulness-Integrated Cognitive Behavior Therapy (MiCBT) Reduces Depression and Anxiety and Improves Flourishing in a Transdiagnostic Primary Care Sample Compared to Treatment-as-Usual: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives This study investigated the effectiveness of a group-based 8-week intervention, Mindfulness-integrated Cognitive Behavior Therapy (MiCBT), to decrease psychological distress and increase wellbeing in a heterogeneous population in primary health care. MiCBT focuses on the importance of interoception and its interaction with cognition in emotional experience. These interactions are represented in the co-emergence model of reinforcement, in which non-reactivity (equanimity) to interoceptive signals facilitates adaptive behavior. Methods Participants (n = 125, aged 20–72) were randomized to two groups (MiCBT), and treatment-as-usual (TAU). Outcomes were assessed at pre-, mid-, and post-intervention and at 6-month follow-up. The primary outcome was psychological distress, measured by the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Secondary outcome measures were the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale-10 (K10), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and Flourishing Scale (FS). Mediator or process measures of interoceptive awareness, metacognitive awareness (decentering), equanimity, and social functioning were included to investigate putative mediators. Results The MiCBT intervention significantly reduced DASS-21 scores at mid and post-treatment and the gains were maintained at 6-month follow-up (p < 0.0001, d = 0.38). Flourishing scores also showed significant improvement post-treatment and at 6-month follow-up (d = 0.24, p < 0.0001). All measures selected showed a similar pattern of positive change, with the exception of the SWLS, which failed to reach significance. Mediation analysis suggested equanimity to be the most influential mediator of the primary outcome. Conclusions The results support the effectiveness of MiCBT in creating rapid and sustainable reduction of psychological distress and improvement in flourishing in a primary mental health care setting with heterogenous groups. These promising results support the scaled-up implementation of this intervention. Clinical Trial Registration This trial is registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry: https://www.anzctr. org.au/ACTRN12617000061336.
Nuclear βII-Tubulin and its Possible Utility in Cancer Diagnosis, Prognosis and Treatment

Microtubules are organelles that usually occur only in the cytosol. Walss et al. (1999) discovered the βII isotype of tubulin, complexed with α, in the nuclei of certain cultured cells, in non-microtubule form. When fluorescently labeled tubulins were microinjected into the cells, only αβII appeared in the nucleus, and only after one cycle of nuclear disassembly and reassembly. It appeared as if αβII does not cross the nuclear envelope but is trapped in the nucleus by the re-forming nuclear envelope in whose reassembly βII may be involved. βII is present in the cytoplasm and nuclei of many tumor cells. With some exceptions, normal tissues that expressed βII rarely had βII in their nuclei. It is possible that βII is involved in nuclear reassembly and then disappears from the nucleus. Ruksha et al. (2019) observed that patients whose colon cancer cells in the invasive front showed no βII had a median survival of about 5.5 years, which was more than halved if they had cytosolic βII and further lessened if they had nuclear βII, suggesting that the presence and location of βII in biopsies could be a useful prognostic indicator and also that βII may be involved in cancer progression. Yeh and Ludueña. (2004) observed that many tumors were surrounded by non-cancerous cells exhibiting cytosolic and nuclear βII, suggesting a signaling pathway that causes βII to be synthesized in nearby cells and localized to their nuclei. βII could be useful in cancer diagnosis, since the presence of βII in non-cancerous cells could indicate a nearby tumor. Investigation of this pathway might reveal novel targets for chemotherapy. Another possibility would be to combine αβII with CRISPR-Cas9. This complex would likely enter the nucleus of a cancer cell and, if guided to the appropriate gene, might destroy the cancer cell or make it less aggressive; possible targets will be discussed here. The possibilities raised here about the utility of βII in cancer diagnosis, prognosis, biology and therapy may repay further investigation.
Enteral Feeding/Total Fluid Intake Ratio Is Associated With Risk of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Extremely Preterm Infants

Background Nutrition is an essential factor in preventing and managing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a multifactorial chronic respiratory disease in premature infants. This study examined the association between nutritional intakes during the first 2 weeks of life and BPD in extremely preterm infants. Methods A retrospective single-center cohort study was performed in infants born <28 weeks' gestational age or with a birth weight <1,000 g. Intake of energy and ratio of enteral feeding/ total fluid intake during the first 2 weeks of life and association with outcome of BPD were examined. Results 134 infants were included in our study, and 43 infants (32.1%) developed BPD. During the first 2 weeks of life, the average of total caloric intake and the ratio of enteral feeding/ total fluid intake were significantly lower in the BPD group (total caloric intake:91.90 vs. 95.72 kcal/kg/d, p < 0.05, ratio of enteral feeding/total fluid intake: 0.14 vs. 0.18, p < 0.05), while the average of total fluid intake, caloric and protein intake from parenteral nutrition did not differ between the groups. The ratio of enteral feeding/ total fluid intake during the second week were significantly lower in the BPD group (0.21 vs. 0.28, p < 0.05), while this ratio during the first week did not differ between the groups. An increase of 10% in the ratio of enteral feeding/ total fluid intake during the second week of life significantly reduced the risk of BPD (OR 0.444, 95% CI: 0.270–0.731). Conclusions A higher ratio of enteral feeding/ total fluid intake was associated with a lower risk for BPD. Early and rapidly progressive enteral nutrition should be encouraged in extremely preterm infants in the absence of feeding intolerance.