Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characteristics and rarity of the strong 1940s westerly wind event over the Amundsen Sea, West Antarctica

Abstract. Glaciers in the Amundsen Sea Embayment of West Antarctica are rapidly retreating and contributing to sea level rise. Ice loss is occurring primarily via exposure to warm ocean water, which varies in response to local wind variability. There is evidence that retreat was initiated in the mid-20th century, but the perturbation that may have triggered retreat remains unknown. A leading hypothesis is that large pressure and wind anomalies in the 1940s drove exceptionally strong oceanic ice-shelf melting. However, the characteristics, drivers, and rarity of the atmospheric event remain poorly constrained. We investigate the 1940s atmospheric event using paleoclimate reconstructions and climate model simulations. The reconstructions show that large westerly wind anomalies occurred from ∼1938–1942, a combined response to the very large El Niño event from 1940–1942 and other variability beginning years earlier. Climate model simulations provide evidence that events of similar magnitude and duration may occur tens to hundreds of times per 10 kyr of internal climate variability (∼0.2 to 2.5 occurrences per century). Our results suggest that the 1940s westerly event is unlikely to have been exceptional enough to be the sole explanation for the initiation of Amundsen Sea glacier retreat. Additional factors are likely needed to explain the onset of retreat in West Antarctica, such as naturally arising variability in ocean conditions prior to the 1940s or anthropogenically driven trends since the 1940s.
Ameliorating effects of L-carnitine and synbiotic co-supplementation on anthropometric measures and cardiometabolic traits in women with obesity: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Background Obesity, a multifactorial disorder with pandemic dimensions, is conceded a major culprit of morbidity and mortality worldwide, necessitating efficient therapeutic strategies. Nutraceuticals and functional foods are considered promising adjuvant/complementary approaches for weight management in individuals with obesity who have low adherence to conventional treatments. Current literature supports the weight-reducing efficacy of pro/pre/synbiotics or L-carnitine; however, the superiority of the nutraceutical joint supplementation approach over common single therapies to counter obesity and accompanying comorbidities is well documented. This study was designed to assess the effects of L-carnitine single therapy compared with L-carnitine and multistrain/multispecies synbiotic co-supplementation on anthropometric and cardiometabolic indicators in women with obesity. Methods The current placebo-controlled double-blind randomized clinical trial was performed on 46 women with obesity, randomly allocated to either concomitant supplementation [L-carnitine tartrate (2 × 500 mg/day) + multistrain/multispecies synbiotic (1 capsule/day)] or monotherapy [L-carnitine tartrate (2 × 500 mg/day) + maltodextrin (1 capsule/day)] groups for 8 weeks. Participants in both groups received healthy eating dietary advice. Results Anthropometric, lipid, and glycemic indices significantly improved in both intervention groups; however, L-carnitine + synbiotic co-administration elicited a greater reduction in the anthropometric measures including body mass index (BMI), body weight, and neck, waist, and hip circumferences (p < 0.001, <0.001, <0.001, = 0.012, and =0.030, respectively) after adjusting for probable confounders. Moreover, L-carnitine + synbiotic joint supplementation resulted in a greater reduction in fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin (though marginal), and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and more increment in quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI; p = 0.014, 0.051, 0.024, and 0.019, respectively) compared with the L-carnitine + placebo monosupplementation. No significant intergroup changes were found for the lipid profile biomarkers, except for a greater increase in high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations (HDL-C) in the L-carnitine + synbiotic group (p = 0.009). Conclusion L-carnitine + synbiotic co-supplementation was more beneficial in ameliorating anthropometric indices as well as some cardiometabolic parameters compared with L-carnitine single therapy, suggesting that it is a promising adjuvant approach to ameliorate obesity or associated metabolic complications through potential synergistic or complementary mechanisms. Further longer duration clinical trials in a three-group design are demanded to verify the complementary or synergistic mechanisms. Clinical trial registration www.irct. ir, Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20080904001197N13.
Building high‐quality datasets for abstractive text summarization

With an increasing amount of information on the internet, automatic text summarization could potentially make content more readily available for a larger variety of people. Training and evaluating text summarization models require datasets of suﬃcient size and quality. Today, most such datasets are in English, and for minor languages such as Swedish, it is not easy to obtain corresponding datasets with handwritten summaries. This thesis proposes methods for compiling high-quality datasets suitable for abstractive summarization from a large amount of noisy data through characterization and ﬁltering. The data used consists of Swedish news articles and their preambles which are here used as summaries. Diﬀerent ﬁltering techniques are applied, yielding ﬁve diﬀerent datasets. Furthermore, summarization models are implemented by warm-starting an encoder-decoder model with BERT checkpoints and ﬁne-tuning it on the diﬀerent datasets. The ﬁne-tuned models are evaluated with ROUGE metrics and BERTScore. All models achieve signiﬁcantly better results when evaluated on ﬁltered test data than when evaluated on unﬁltered test data. Moreover, models trained on the most ﬁltered dataset with the smallest size achieves the best results on the ﬁltered test data. The trade-oﬀ between dataset size and quality and other methodological implications of the data characterization, the ﬁltering and the model implementation are discussed, leading to suggestions for future research.
Microfacies and depositional environments of the Kawagarh limestone, Dhamtaur-Harnoi section, Abbottabad, Pakistan

The Kawagarh Limestone of the Cretaceous age is exposed along Abbottabad-Nathiagali Road. A section of the formation along Dhamtaur-Harnoi is measured, logged and sampled for the identification of textural constituents and faunal components for the interpretation of depositional environments. The formation is 45 m thick having lower contact with the Lumshiwal and upper contact with the Hangu Formation. It is medium to thick-bedded with local brecciated horizons and fossiliferous with predominance of planktonic forams while other bioclasts include echinoderms, ostracodes and algae. Based on constituent composition and textures, three microfacies are recognized. These microfacies are: 1) Planktic foram Wackestone Microfacies, 2) Burrowed planktic foram WackePackstone Microfacies and 3) Planktic foram Packstone Microfacies. The microfacies interpretation shows that the Kawagarh Limestone represents deposition in a low energy setting on the shelf. The lack of land-derived clastic input and preponderance of planktic foraminifers indicate deeper, mid-outer shelf environments of deposition. Sea level fluctuations of the shelf are reflected by the cyclic nature of vertical facies changes. The Kawagarh Limestone displays a number of diagentic fabric dominated by the presence of burial related pressure dissolution, stylolitization, spar-filled fractures,and secondary dolomitization.
Genome sequencing revealed the red-flower trait candidate gene of a peach landrace

Abstract Peach (Prunus persica) is an economically important fruit crop globally and an excellent material for genomic studies. While considerable progress has been made in unveiling trait-associated genes within cultivars and wild relatives, certain novel genes controlling valuable traits in peach landraces, such as the red-flowering gene, remained unclear. In this study, we sequenced and assembled the diploid genome of the red-flower landrace ‘Yingzui’ (abbreviated as ‘RedY’). Multi-omics profiling of red petals of ‘RedY’ revealed the intensified red coloration associated with anthocyanins accumulation and concurrent decline in flavonols. This phenomenon is likely attributed to a natural variant of Flavonol Synthase (FLS) harboring a 9-bp exonic insertion. Intriguingly, the homozygous allelic configurations of this FLS variant were only observed in red-flowered peaches. Furthermore, the 9-bp sequence variation tightly associated with pink/red petal color in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of collected peach germplasm resources. Functional analyses of the FLS variant, purified from procaryotic expression system, demonstrated its diminished enzymatic activity in flavonols biosynthesis, impeccably aligning with the cardinal trait of red flowers. Therefore, the natural FLS variant was proposed as the best candidate gene for red-flowering trait in peach. The pioneering unveiling of the red-flowered peach genome, coupled with the identification of the candidate gene, expanded the knowledge boundaries of the genetic basis of peach traits and provided valuable insights for future peach breeding efforts.
The Roles of Radiative Forcing, Sea Surface Temperatures, and Atmospheric and Land Initial Conditions in U.S. Summer Warming Episodes

AbstractThis study investigates the roles of radiative forcing, sea surface temperatures (SSTs), and atmospheric and land initial conditions in the summer warming episodes of the United States. The summer warming episodes are defined as the significantly above-normal (1983–2012) June–August 2-m temperature anomalies and are referred to as heat waves in this study. Two contrasting cases, the summers of 2006 and 2012, are explored in detail to illustrate the distinct roles of SSTs, direct radiative forcing, and atmospheric and land initial conditions in driving U.S. summer heat waves. For 2012, simulations with the GFDL atmospheric general circulation model reveal that SSTs play a critical role. Further sensitivity experiments reveal the contributions of uniform global SST warming, SSTs in individual ocean basins, and direct radiative forcing to the geographic distribution and magnitudes of warm temperature anomalies. In contrast, for 2006, the atmospheric and land initial conditions are the key drivers. Th.
Crandallite solubility in aqueous solutions

Phosphates of trivalent Fe and Al are among the main forms of phosphorus occurrence in soils. It was suggested earlier that they are represented by simple minerals, i.e., strengite FePO 4 · 2H 2 O and variscite AlPO 4 · 2H 2 O . However, numerous data have been obtained now on the domination of complex Fe and Al phosphates also containing alkaline and alkali earth elements [1]. The knowledge of stability (solubility) of various Fe and Al phosphates is very important, however, it is still poorly studied. Thus, the solubility of natural complex phosphates in aqueous solutions should be studied experimentally. In this work we present new data on solubility of crandallite CaAl 3 H(PO 4 ) 2 (OH) 6 , one of the most abundant aluminophosphate minerals in soils. A crandallite sample from Island in Indian Ocean [2] was used as starting material. A batch of powdered mineral 2.5 g in weight was placed in 250 ml CaCl 2 solution with concentration of 7.95 mM (ionic strength I = 0.024). Acidity of the medium was controlled within pH interval from 1.91 to 3.78 by addition of small portions of 1 M HCl. Temperature was maintained at 25 ± 2°ë . The samples were agitated during two months using a magnetic mixer to get constant pH values and then were left to settle for a month. Then, the samples were filtered through a dense blue-band paper filter. The filtrate was measured for pH values by potentiometry and analyzed for dissolved Ca, Al, and phosphates by volumetric trilonometry, and colorimetry with eriochromecyanine and ammonium molybdate with ascorbic acid, respectively [3]. Experimental results are presented in Table 1. As follows from these results, concentrations of dissolved Al and phosphates increase nonlinearly with increasing acidity of medium, and Al passes more extensively into solution than P (Fig. 1). Variation of Ca content is opposite, i.e., it is almost constant (7.1– 7.9 mM) at pH = 3.8–2.9 and strongly decreases reaching 3.5 mM at pH = 1.9. Depletion of solid phase in Al and its enrichment in Ca can be accounted for by replacement of a part of AlPO 4 in crandallite by Ca phosphate with a probable composition of CaHPO 4 . The latter suggestion follows from our previous results [4], when we revealed the formation of mixed Ca-bearing hydroxophosphates of CaAl n (OH) 3 n HPO 4 type during interaction of AlPO 4 with fresh and marine water. If this suggestion is true, then equilibrium should be reached between excessive crandallite and a newly formed phase Ca 1 + q Al 2 H 4 − 2 q (PO 4 ) 2 (OH) 6 :
Nanocellulose from Cocoa Shell in Pickering Emulsions of Cocoa Butter in Water: Effect of Isolation and Concentration on Its Stability and Rheological Properties

There is a growing interest in developing new strategies to completely or partially replace cocoa butter in food and cosmetic products due to its cost and health effects. One of these alternatives is to develop stable emulsions of cocoa butter in water. However, incorporating cocoa butter is challenging as it solidifies and forms crystals, destabilizing the emulsion through arrested coalescence. Prevention against this destabilization mechanism is significantly lower than against coalescence. In this research, the rheological properties of nanocellulose from cocoa shell, a by-product of the chocolate industry, were controlled through isolation treatments to produce nanocellulose with a higher degree of polymerization (DP) and a stronger three-dimensional network. This nanocellulose was used at concentrations of 0.7 and 1.0 wt %, to develop cocoa butter in-water Pickering emulsion using a high shear mixing technique. The emulsions remained stable for more than 15 days. Nanocellulose was characterized using attenuated total reflection–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR–FTIR), hot water and organic extractives, atomic force microscopy (AFM), degree of polymerization (DP), and rheological analysis. Subsequently, the emulsions were characterized on days 1 and 15 after their preparation through photographs to assess their physical stability. Fluorescent and electronic microscopy, as well as rheological analysis, were used to understand the physical properties of emulsions.
The Impact of Statin Therapy on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Diabetes: A Systematic Review

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the primary cause of death all over the world, especially due to myocardial ischemia caused by atherosclerosis that blocks cardiac arteries and leads to arrhythmia and other cardiac diseases. Meanwhile, diabetes mellitus (DM) and elevated cholesterol level are the risk factors for cardiovascular (CV) disease. This noncommunicable disease has become a main concern for us as cardiovascular disease develops in a slow manner without any symptoms in the early stage. Early prevention and intervention have a major impact on improving the outcome of cardiovascular health in diabetic patients. Controlling cholesterol level by administering statin has shown some beneficial impacts in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with DM. This study used a systematic literature review (SLR) approach to give an overview of the current literature and to analyze the effects of statin therapy on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with DM. The literature search was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar databases. The total number of articles included in the present review is six, obtained from reputable journals published between 2013 and 2023, and we only focused on reviewing six articles for in-depth analysis. The evidence we collected showed a positive outcome in terms of cardiovascular health in persons with DM after statin therapy. However, there are several risk factors that interfere with the effectiveness of statin in diabetic patients.
More Than a Decade of GeneXpert® Mycobacterium tuberculosis/Rifampicin (Ultra) Testing in South Africa: Laboratory Insights from Twenty-Three Million Tests

This study seeks to describe the rollout and current state of South Africa’s GeneXpert molecular diagnostic program for tuberculosis (TB). Xpert MTB/RIF was introduced in 2011 with a subsequent expansion to include extra-pulmonary and paediatric testing, followed by Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra in 2017. Through a centralised laboratory information system and the use of a standardised platform for more than a decade, over 23 million tests were analysed, describing the numbers tested, Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex detection, rifampin resistance, and the unsuccessful test rates. The stratification by province, specimen type, age, and sex identified significant heterogeneity across the program and highlighted testing gaps for men, low detection yield for paediatric pulmonary TB, and the effects of inadequate specimen quality on the detection rate. The insights gained from these data can aid in the monitoring of interventions in support of the national TB program beyond laboratory operational aspects.
“We are shepherds, but not sheep”: farmer protest and rural identity in Bulgaria

ABSTRACT Rural society in Bulgaria has seen considerable upheaval over the past century, moving from a position of political significance, rural actors were subsequently subordinated under the communist regime (1946–1989). The post-socialist period saw further turmoil as land restitution, privatisation, and depopulation reshaped rural communities, leading to increased marginalisation. Facing uncertain futures, rural producers have engaged in a range of actions to challenge and resist threats to their material interests and rural way of life. This article draws on a dataset of protest events in the media by rural producers over the 2000–2019 period to understand how and why they protested. In doing so, it considers how the claims presented can be seen to reflect efforts to protect rural communities in a time of change. The findings suggest that material interests serve as the key mobilising force, but that these rest on a sense of collective identity around the importance of rural society to support their claims.
Osteosarcoma in Pediatric and Adult Populations: Are Adults Just Big Kids?

Simple Summary Osteosarcoma is an aggressive cancer of the bone that can present in children or adults. It has historically been thought that adults have worse clinical outcomes than children. However, current treatment strategies for adults are largely extrapolated from pediatric studies since the majority of clinical trials for osteosarcoma treatments are based on younger patient populations. We summarize the current understanding of the molecular etiology of osteosarcoma and how it may differ between age groups, hypothesizing why adult patients have worse outcomes compared to children. Abstract Malignant bone tumors are commonly classified as pediatric or adolescent malignancies, and clinical trials for these diseases have generally focused on these populations. Of primary bone cancers, osteosarcoma is among the most common. Osteosarcoma has a bimodal age distribution, with the first peak occurring in patients from 10 to 14 years old, and the second peak occurring in patients older than 65, with about 25% of cases occurring in adults between 20 and 59 years old. Notably, adult osteosarcoma patients have worse outcomes than their pediatric counterparts. It remains unclear whether age itself is a poor prognostic factor, or if inherent differences in tumor biology exist between age groups. Despite these unknowns, current treatment strategies for adults are largely extrapolated from pediatric studies since the majority of clinical trials for osteosarcoma treatments are based on younger patient populations. In light of the different prognoses observed in pediatric and adult osteosarcoma, we summarize the current understanding of the molecular etiology of osteosarcoma and how it may differ between age groups, hypothesizing why adult patients have worse outcomes compared to children.
Differential responses to maternal diabetes in embryo and visceral yolk sac

Introduction: Maternal diabetes during pregnancy is well known to be associated with a higher risk for structural birth defects in the offspring. Recent searches for underlying mechanisms have largely focused on aberrant processes in the embryo itself, although prior research in rodent models implicated dysfunction also of the visceral yolk sac. The objective of our research was to investigate both tissues within the conceptus simultaneously. Methods: We conducted unbiased transcriptome profiling by RNA sequencing on pairs of individual yolk sacs and their cognate embryos, using the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse model. The analysis was performed at gestational day 8.5 on morphologically normal specimen to circumvent confounding by defective development. Results: Even with large sample numbers (n = 33 in each group), we observed considerable variability of gene expression, primarily driven by exposure to maternal diabetes, and secondarily by developmental stage of the embryo. Only a moderate number of genes changed expression in the yolk sac, while in the embryo, the exposure distinctly influenced the relationship of gene expression levels to developmental progression, revealing a possible role for altered cell cycle regulation in the response. Also affected in embryos under diabetic conditions were genes involved in cholesterol biosynthesis and NAD metabolism pathways. Discussion: Exposure to maternal diabetes during gastrulation changes transcriptomic profiles in embryos to a substantially greater effect than in the corresponding yolk sacs, indicating that despite yolk sac being of embryonic origin, different mechanisms control transcriptional activity in these tissues. The effects of maternal diabetes on expression of many genes that are correlated with developmental progression (i.e. somite stage) highlight the importance of considering developmental maturity in the interpretation of transcriptomic data. Our analyses identified cholesterol biosynthesis and NAD metabolism as novel pathways not previously implicated in diabetic pregnancies. Both NAD and cholesterol availability affect a wide variety of cellular signaling processes, and can be modulated by diet, implying that prevention of adverse outcomes from diabetic pregnancies may require broad interventions, particularly in the early stages of pregnancy.
Vulnerability Functions of Buildings based on Damage Survey Data of Earthquakes after the 1995 Kobe Earthquake

Vulnerability functions of buildings are examined based on the damage survey data in seven earthquakes occurred in 2003 to 2008. The building damage ratios show lower correlation with peak acceleration, but higher correlation with instrumental seismic intensity or peak velocity. The obtained vulnerability functions, in comparison with the previous ones based on the data in the 1995 Kobe earthquake, are that 1) the damage ratios increase more rapidly with increase of ground motion intensity, 2) the damage ratios are lower at the same intensity level and 3) the difference of the functions for older and newer buildings is smaller.