Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Population-Weighted Exposure Estimates of Air Pollutants Based on Multiple Geostatistical Models in Beijing, China

Various geostatistical models have been used in epidemiological research to evaluate ambient air pollutant exposures at a fine spatial scale. Few studies have investigated the performance of different exposure models on population-weighted exposure estimates and the resulting potential misclassification across various modeling approaches. This study developed spatial models for NO2 and PM2.5 and conducted exposure assessment in Beijing, China. It explored three spatial modeling approaches: variable dimension reduction, machine learning, and conventional linear regression. It compared their model performance by cross-validation (CV) and population-weighted exposure estimates. Specifically, partial least square (PLS) regression, random forests (RF), and supervised linear regression (SLR) models were developed based on an ordinary kriging (OK) framework for NO2 and PM2.5 in Beijing, China. The mean squared error-based R2 (R2mse) and root mean squared error (RMSE) in leave-one site-out cross-validation (LOOCV) were used to evaluate model performance. These models were used to predict the ambient exposure levels in the urban area and to estimate the misclassification of population-weighted exposure estimates in quartiles between them. The results showed that the PLS-OK models for NO2 and PM2.5, with the LOOCV R2mse of 0.82 and 0.81, respectively, outperformed the other models. The population-weighted exposure to NO2 estimated by the PLS-OK and RF-OK models exhibited the lowest misclassification in quartiles. For PM2.5, the estimates of potential misclassification were comparable across the three models. It indicated that the exposure misclassification made by choosing different modeling approaches should be carefully considered, and the resulting bias needs to be evaluated in epidemiological studies.
Energetics of Eddy–Mean Flow Interactions along the Western Boundary Currents in the North Pacific

The energetics of eddy–mean flow interactions along two western boundary currents of the North Pacific, the Kuroshio and Ryukyu Currents, are systematically investigated using 22 years of numerical data from the Ocean General Circulation Model for the Earth Simulator (OFES). For the time-mean and time-varying flow fields, all the energy components and conversions exhibit inhomogeneous spatial distributions. In the two currents, complex cross-stream and along-stream variations are seen in the eddy–mean flow energy conversions. East of Taiwan, the kinetic energy is mainly transferred from the mean flow to the eddy field through barotropic instability, whereas the baroclinic energy conversions form a meridional dipole structure caused by the topographic constraint. In the northern area, particularly, the eddy field drains 2.25 × 108 W of kinetic energy and releases 2.82 × 108 W of available potential energy when interacting with the mean flow, indicating that mesoscale eddies impinging on the Kuroshio decay with baroclinic inverse energy cascades. In the Ryukyu Current, inverse energy conversions from the eddy field to the mean flow also dominate the power transfer in the subsurface layer. The eddy field transfers 0.16 × 108 W of kinetic energy and 1.89 × 108 W of available potential energy to the mean flow, suggesting that meososcale eddies play an important role in maintaining the velocity and hydrographic structure of the current. In other areas, both barotropic and baroclinic instabilities contribute to the generation of eddy kinetic energy with the latter one providing more than 3 times as much power as the former one.
Dynamic Changes in Volatile Organic Compounds During the Spoilage of Palm Wine Stored at Ambient Temperature

This study aimed to investigate the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) variations during the spoilage of palm wine stored at ambient temperature and identify potential shelf-life markers. Palm wine collected from local tappers and resellers were stored at ambient temperature (28-30°C) for 96 h. At an interval of 24 h, VOCs variations were investigated using Solid phase Microextraction-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (SPME-GC/MS) method. Changes in sensory quality and potential flavour contributors were also explored. The sensory rejection time was found at 24 h and 48 h of storage for palm wines collected from the tappers and resellers, respectively. The first attribute to be spoiled was taste followed by odour and appearance. A total of 23 VOCs distributed in six chemical families were identified. Alteration of palm wine sample is characterised by an increase in concentration of alcohol (isoamyl alcohol, isobutanol and 1-octanol), aceti acid and acetoin, and a decrease in ester concentration (ethyl acetate and ethyl hexanoate). In the view to fight against the short shelf-life and develop new preservation methods, these compounds can be used as markers of spoiled palm wine.
Root Yield of Radish as Affected by Sowing Dates and Spacing

The study was conducted at College of Horticulture, Venkataramannagudem, West Godavari (Dist.), A. P., India; during the period from October, 2010 to January, 2011 to study the effect of sowing dates and spacing on root yield of radish cv. Pusa Chetki. The seeds sown on four different dates viz., 1 st October, 15 th October, 1 st November and 15th November at different plant spacings of 45 × 10 cm, 45 × 20 cm and 45 × 30 cm. Results indicated that maximum root yield (13.88 t/ha) was recorded with early sowing on 1 st October -D1 with the closer plant spacing of 45 × 10 cm -S1. Delayed sowing on 15 th November -D4 and closer spacing of 45 × 10 cm -S1 recorded minimum number of days to maturity. Yield contributing characters like root girth and root weight were maximum with early sowing on 1 st October -D1 and wider plant spacing of 45 × 30 cm -S3. Root length was found maximum with 1 st October -D1 sowing and closer plant spacing of 45 × 10 cm -S1. Regarding root quality, percentage of root forking, spiltting and cracking disorders were maximum with delayed sowing on 15 th November -D4 and closer spacing of 45 × 10 cm -S1.
Vitamin D Deficiency, Chronic Kidney Disease and Periodontitis

Vitamin D has important anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial properties and plays a central role in the host immune response. Due to the crucial role of the kidneys in the metabolism of vitamin D, patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are prone to vitamin D deficiency. The resultant reduction in the production of calcitriol, the activated form of vitamin D, in patients with CKD is responsible for exacerbating the existing renal impairment and periodontal inflammation. Recent evidence suggests a bidirectional, causal relationship between periodontitis and renal functional status. Both conditions have shared pathophysiological mechanisms including oxidative stress, increases in the systemic inflammatory burden and impaired host response. This review explores the association between vitamin D, CKD and periodontitis. The review summarises the current evidence base for the classical and non-classical vitamin D metabolic pathways, the biological mechanisms linking vitamin D deficiency, CKD and periodontitis, as well as the bidirectional relationship between the two chronic inflammatory conditions. Finally, the paper explores the impact of vitamin D deficiency on CKD, periodontitis, and related co-morbidities.
Investigating the Onset of Strain Localization Within Anisotropic Shale Using Digital Volume Correlation of Time‐Resolved X‐Ray Microtomography Images

Digital volume correlation analysis of time‐resolved X‐ray microtomography scans acquired during in situ triaxial compression of Green River shale cores provided time series of 3‐D incremental strain fields that elucidated evolving deformation processes by quantifying microscopic strain localization. With these data, we investigated the impact of mechanical anisotropy on microscopic strain localization culminating in macroscopic shear failure. We conducted triaxial compression experiments with the maximum compressive stress, σ1, aligned perpendicular and parallel to lamination planes in order to investigate end‐member stress states that arise within sedimentary basins. When the preexisting laminations were perpendicular to σ1, a lamination‐parallel region with high axial compaction developed within the macroscopically linear deformation phase of the experiment and then thickened with increasing applied differential stress. Scanning electron microscopy images indicate that this axial compaction occurred within a lower density lamination and that more axial compaction occurred within the center of the core than near its sides. Boundary element method simulations suggest that this compacting volume promoted shear fracture development within the upper portion of the shale. When the laminations were parallel to σ1, lamination‐parallel dilation bands formed, thickened, and intensified in dilation. Population densities of the distributions of incremental shear strain, radial dilation, and axial contraction calculated by digital volume correlation analysis enabled quantification of the evolving overall impact of, and interplay between, these various deformation modes.
Effects Induced by the Temperature and Chemical Environment on the Fluorescence of Water-Soluble Gold Nanoparticles Functionalized with a Perylene-Derivative Dye

We developed a fluorescent molecular probe based on gold nanoparticles functionalized with N,N′-bis(2-(1-piperazino)ethyl)-3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic acid diimide dihydrochloride, and these probes exhibit potential for applications in microscopic thermometry. The intensity of fluorescence was affected by changes in temperature. Chemical environments, such as different buffers with the same pH, also resulted in different fluorescence intensities. Due to the fluorescence intensity changes exhibited by modified gold nanoparticles, these materials are promising candidates for future technologies involving microscopic temperature measurements.
Microscopic and Macroscopic Characterization of Hydrogels Based on Poly(vinyl-alcohol)–Glutaraldehyde Mixtures for Fricke Gel Dosimetry

In recent decades, hydrogels have emerged as innovative soft materials with widespread applications in the medical and biomedical fields, including drug delivery, tissue engineering, and gel dosimetry. In this work, a comprehensive study of the macroscopic and microscopic properties of hydrogel matrices based on Poly(vinyl-alcohol) (PVA) chemically crosslinked with Glutaraldehyde (GTA) was reported. Five different kinds of PVAs differing in molecular weight and degree of hydrolysis were considered. The local microscopic organization of the hydrogels was studied through the use of the 1H nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry technique. Various macroscopic properties (gel fraction, water loss, contact angle, swelling degree, viscosity, and Young’s Modulus) were investigated with the aim of finding a correlation between them and the features of the hydrogel matrix. Additionally, an optical characterization was performed on all the hydrogels loaded with Fricke solution to assess their dosimetric behavior. The results obtained indicate that the degree of PVA hydrolysis is a crucial parameter influencing the structure of the hydrogel matrix. This factor should be considered for ensuring stability over time, a vital property in the context of potential biomedical applications where hydrogels act as radiological tissue-equivalent materials.
Advances of Recombinant Adenoviral Vectors in Preclinical and Clinical Applications

Adenoviruses (Ad) have the potential to induce severe infections in vulnerable patient groups. Therefore, understanding Ad biology and antiviral processes is important to comprehend the signaling cascades during an infection and to initiate appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. In addition, Ad vector-based vaccines have revealed significant potential in generating robust immune protection and recombinant Ad vectors facilitate efficient gene transfer to treat genetic diseases and are used as oncolytic viruses to treat cancer. Continuous improvements in gene delivery capacity, coupled with advancements in production methods, have enabled widespread application in cancer therapy, vaccine development, and gene therapy on a large scale. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the virus biology, and several aspects of recombinant Ad vectors, as well as the development of Ad vector, are discussed. Moreover, we focus on those Ads that were used in preclinical and clinical applications including regenerative medicine, vaccine development, genome engineering, treatment of genetic diseases, and virotherapy in tumor treatment.
Directions for Indonesian Language Policy in Education: Towards A Translingual Perspective

This study overviews literature regarding the development of Indonesian, language endangerment, language attitudes, and ideologies, as well as emerging teaching methodologies to provide the context of the current challenges facing Indonesia’s sociolinguistic situation. The establishment of Bahasa Indonesia as the national language helped unite the country but, at the same time, created new challenges for addressing linguistic diversity. The dissemination of English education has complicated the situation further and has been associated with exacerbating inequalities. These inequalities have not only had consequences for linguistic diversity but also for access to employment and education. Language policies continue to treat language as static rather than dynamic processes which involve one’s communicative repertoire. We argue that while some language scholars studying Indonesia have begun to acknowledge the advantages of translingual/multilingual education, there still remains under-addressed obstacles to its successful implementation and the risk of co-option for ulterior purposes. We conclude that advocacy for language policy in Indonesia should be a part of a broader effort to address the needs of marginalized communities and harness students’ diverse and dynamic linguistic repertoires to improve the quality of learning and inclusivity in the classroom
Molecular Evaluation of Soil Respiration in Crude Oil Pollution

Oxygen diffusion into the soil ecosystem is imperative for the sustainability of life in the soil. This study evaluated selected microbial exudates as indices of soil respiration in a crude oil polluted soil ecosystem ex-situ using biochemical and physicochemical tools to determine the following parameters; total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH), dehydrogenases, catalase, ATP, and pH. The result of the study at 1.5 – 3.5% contamination across days-zero to -28 following crude oil impact presented an augmented increase in TPH from 0.02 ± 0.00 to 0.10 ± 0.00 with an increase in the activity of soil dehydrogenases from 4.90 ± 0.01 to 8.80 ± 0.04 katal which was significant (p0.05). Conversely, the activity of soil catalase suffered inhibition from 0.20 ± 0.00 to 0.11 ± 0.00 katal. ATP synthesis decreased from control to 0.24 ± 0.00mg/100g on week one and increased to 0.60 ± 0.10mg/100mg significantly (p0.05) on week four with contamination as the pH was reduced from 5.8 ± 0.00 to 4.1 ± 0.00 significantly, thus creating hypoxia and a reducing environment, a demonstration of soil respiration.
Distinguish different sensorimotor performance of the hand between the individuals with diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease through deep learning models

Diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease represent escalating global epidemics with comorbidities akin to neuropathies, resulting in various neuromuscular symptoms that impede daily performance. Interestingly, previous studies indicated differing sensorimotor functions within these conditions. If assessing sensorimotor features can effectively distinguish between diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease, it could serve as a valuable and non-invasive indicator for early detection, swift screening, and ongoing monitoring, aiding in the differentiation between these diseases. This study classified diverse diagnoses based on motor performance using a novel pinch-holding-up-activity test and machine learning models based on deep learning. Dataset from 271 participants, encompassing 3263 hand samples across three cohorts (healthy adults, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease), formed the basis of analysis. Leveraging convolutional neural networks, three deep learning models were employed to classify healthy adults, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease based on pinch-holding-up-activity data. Notably, the testing set displayed accuracies of 95.3% and 89.8% for the intra- and inter-participant comparisons, respectively. The weighted F1 scores for these conditions reached 0.897 and 0.953, respectively. The study findings underscore the adeptness of the dilation convolutional neural networks model in distinguishing sensorimotor performance among individuals with diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and healthy adults. These outcomes suggest discernible differences in sensorimotor performance across the diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and healthy cohorts, pointing towards the potential of rapid screening based on these parameters as an innovative clinical approach.
Searching for the Scottish Late Upper Palaeolithic: A case study from Nethermills Farm, Aberdeenshire

In connection with the recent examination, cataloguing and discussion of approximately 30,000 mainly Mesolithic lithic artefacts from Nethermills Farm at Banchory in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, excavated by the late James Kenworthy in the late 1970s and early 1980s, a small number of finds were identified as almost certainly whole or fragmented Late Upper Palaeolithic lithic artefacts, and others as pieces likely to date to this period. The Nethermills flint objects add to a growing list of Late Upper Palaeolithic sites and implements identified across Scotland, including tanged and other points, scrapers, and truncated pieces from Howburn in South Lanarkshire and Kilmelfort Cave on the Scottish west-coast, as well as tanged and other points from the Western and Northern Isles, with eastern Scotland so far having yielded none. On the basis of this case study, the authors suggest an approach for the continued search for Late-Glacial settlers in Scotland in general, as well as for further investigation of the large Nethermills Farm assemblage. The proposed approach suggests that we focus not only on diagnostic tool forms (in particular, tanged and backed points), which have been the focus of Scottish Late Upper Palaeolithic research thus far, but also include other chronologically significant elements, such as diagnostic technological attributes and full operational schemas.
Geometric Controls on Pulse‐Like Rupture in a Dynamic Model of the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake

The 15 April 2015 Mw 7.8 Nepal Gorkha earthquake occurred on a shallowly dipping portion of the Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT). Notable features of the event include (1) the dominance of a slip pulse of about 6‐s duration that unlocked the lower edge of the MHT and (2) the near‐horizontal fault geometry, which, combined with proximity of the free surface, allows surface‐reflected phases to break the across‐fault symmetries of the seismic wavefield. Our dynamic rupture simulations in an elastoplastic medium yield earthquake parameters comparable to those deduced from kinematic inversions, including seismic moment and rupture velocity. The simulations reproduce pulse‐like behavior predicting pulse widths in agreement with those kinematic studies and supporting an interpretation in which the pulse‐like time dependence of slip is principally controlled by rupture geometry. This inference is strongly supported by comparison of synthetic ground velocity with the near‐field high‐rate GPS recording at station KKN4, which shows close agreement in pulse width, amplitude, and pulse shape. That comparison also constrains the updip extent of rupture and disfavors significant coseismic slip on the shallow ramp segment. Over most of the rupture length, the simulated rupture propagates at a near‐constant maximum velocity (~90% of the S wave speed) that is controlled by the antiplane geometry and off‐fault plastic yielding. Simulations also reveal the role of reflected seismic waves from the free surface, which may have contributed ~30% elongation of the slip pulse, and show the potential for significant free‐surface interaction effects in shallow events of similar geometry.
Assessment of Heavy Metals in Water, Fish and Sediments of the Baleh River, Sarawak, Malaysia

This paper reports the heavy metals content in water, sediments and in fish of the Baleh River, in order to evaluate the contamination status of metals. Water and sediment samples were obtained from seven stations located upstream of the Baleh River. Fish species were collected using netting and three species were recorded. Samples were digested and subjected to metal analysis. The findings indicate that there is low risk of metal contamination in water and sediments. Nonetheless some stations were characterized by higher levels of Fe, Al and Mn in water, likely due to accelerated sediment runoff. The acid extractable metal content reported in this study represents the dissolved and weakly-sorbed metals on particulates. For fish, accumulation of heavy metals was found to be more pronounced in the gills, compared to dorsal and ventral muscles. The concentration of Fe, Mn and Al were particularly high in the gills, as these elements were abundant in water. Hg on the other hand was consistently higher in dorsal and ventral muscles. Generally, concentrations of heavy metals in fishes of the Baleh were well within the permissible limit of Food and Agriculture Organization.Keywords: contamination status, metal analysis, Fe, Mn, Al
Fine particle pH during severe haze episodes in northern China

Aerosol acidity plays an important role in atmospheric chemistry. China emits large amounts of SO2, NOx, and NH3 into the atmosphere, but aerosol acidity is poorly characterized. In this study, simultaneous 1 h measurements of particulate and gaseous compositions along with the ISORROPIA‐II thermodynamic equilibrium model were used to study aerosol acidity during severe haze episodes in northern China. The summed concentration of sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium was 135 ± 51 μg/m3 with a maximum of 250 μg/m3, and the gas‐phase NH3 mixing ratio was 22 ± 9 ppb. Fine particles were moderately acidic, with a pH range of 3.0–4.9 and an average of 4.2, which was higher than those in the United States and Europe. Excess NH3 and high aerosol water content are responsible for the relatively lower aerosol acidity. These results suggest that the new pathways for sulfate production in China proposed by recent studies should be revisited.
Southeast Asia’s environmental challenges: emergence of new contaminants and advancements in testing methods

Emerging contaminants, including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, microplastics, and per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, pose a major threat to both ecosystems and human health in Southeast Asia. As this region undergoes rapid industrialization and urbanization, the increasing presence of unconventional pollutants in water bodies, soil, and various organisms has become an alarming concern. This review comprehensively examines the environmental challenges posed by emerging contaminants in Southeast Asia and recent progress in toxicity testing methods. We discuss the diverse range of emerging contaminants found in Southeast Asia, shedding light on their causes and effects on ecosystems, and emphasize the need for robust toxicological testing methods. This review is a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, and environmental practitioners working to mitigate the impacts of emerging contaminants and secure a sustainable future for Southeast Asia.