Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Variation in hydraulic architecture of Picea abies (L.) Karst. trees grown under different environmental conditions

The structure of the water transport pathway in Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst. ] was studied on the trees grown in three habitats differing in light and soil conditions. The hydraulic architecture of the trees was characterized by relative conductivity, the Huber value, leaf-specific conductivity and transverse area of the conducting xylem. The woody parts of Norway spruce are arranged in a certain hierarchic order according to hydraulic conductivity: xylem conductivity declines in the following succession roots, trunk, primary branches, И-order branches, III-order branches. The hydraulic hierarchy of the segments of the water-conducting system and hydrau­ lic constriction in the base of woody organs ensure the preferential movement of water along the main axis and prevent the spread of cavitation from peripheral parts of the crown into proximal ones. The relative conductivity of the xylem saturated with water in the trees grown under stress conditions is significantly lower as compared to the ones under favourable growth conditions. This is primarily attributable to the anatomical structure, determining xylem permeabili­ ty to water. The lumen radius of tracheids explains 51-94% of the total variation in relative conductivity. Actual conductivity of the xylem depends on its water status as well: a decrease in the xylem water content may be accompanied by a drastic decline in the transport capacity of the vascular system. Resistance to the water flow through woody parts of the trees under conditions of limited light or edaphic resources is much higher as compared to the trees grown in favourable conditions. High resistance of the vascular system in the trees growing under stress conditions is related more to a small conducting area than to low unit conductivity. The sapwood transverse area in the trunk is determined by the tree age and the radial growth rate (R2=0.93). Most of the stem resistance is localized in the top. Low resistance to the water flow in the trunk, except the top, creates more equal prerequisites for water supply for the branches situated at different heights in the crown.
Depositional framework and stratigraphy of the Konshisha area, southern Benue trough

The study focuses on the stratigraphic succession and depositional environment in areas around Konshisha, southern Benue Trough. The area is underlain by the Ezeaku Formation and Konshisha River Group. Integrated outcrop, textural and petrographic analysis aided inference of the depositional framework of sediments in the area. Three lithofacies were identified – micaceous sandstone (Facies A), limestone (Facies B), and grey shale (Facies C). Textural analysis indicated that the sandstones are fine grained with mean size ranging from 2.2 to 2.8 phi, very poorly to poorly sorted and deposited in a fluvially-influenced shallow marine setting. Petrographic analysis of the sandstone showed that the sediments have undergone compaction as a result of tectonic stress, shown by the elongate shape of some quartz grains, dominant line contact, and the tilted nature of the beds. Sandstones are both compositionally and texturally sub-mature, implying a proximal source. Results from the petrographic analysis of the limestones reveal micrite as the dominant matrix, with skeletal fragments, pelloids, recrystallized bivalve shells and some mineral grains (quartz and muscovite) present. The depositional environment is probably lagoonal, evidenced by the fine lamination of the limestone beds and low diversity. This study suggests an initial transgressive phase in the Turonian, with the deposition of the grey shale and limestone facies in a shelf – lagoonal setting, and a subsequent regressive phase that led to the deposition of micaceous, ripple-laminated sandstones in a fluvially-influenced shallow marine environment.
Effectivity of Sukamond Pudding as A Healthy Snack for Hypercholesterolemia Patients

Background: Hypercholesterolemia is a disorder of cholesterol metabolism caused by cholesterol levels in the blood exceeding normal limits. Sukamond Pudding is a pudding made from milk flour, rice bran, and almonds, which contain high fiber, vitamin C, and Vitamin E. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of giving Sukamond pudding as a healthy snack in hypercholesterolemia sufferers. Method: This type of research is quantitative with a quasi-experimental research design. This research was conducted from December 2022 to January 2023 at the OKU Sekarjaya Health Center. The research sample was selected by systematic random sampling with a total sample of 60 respondents. Result: There was an effect of giving Sukamond as a healthy snack to patients with hypercholesterolemia (p=0.000). Conclusion: The results of statistical tests showed that there was an effect of giving Sukamond as a healthy snack to people with hypercholesterolemia.
Issues and challenges of accessibility for senior tourism (Estoril/Portugal)

The behavior of tourism activity worldwide, particularly with regard to some fringepopulation with some degree of disability, came to redefine the opportunities for developmentof new tourist offers and simultaneously has imposed new challenges. Thisarticle analyzed the topic of accessibility regarding senior population that goes to theEstoril line and is hosted in five star hotels.We intend in an early stage to realize the scope of this phenomenon and assess on thelevel of care offered and in a second phase to try to conclude whether this region canbe seen as a fully accessible destination.We applied several interviews complemented some questionnaires to those responsiblefor ten 5 star hotels situated in Estoril coast, over a period of two months in 2013.It was verified that tourism in this region is only partially accessible as it does notcover all types of disabilities and because the available resources available were notinterconnected in accessible routes.
Experiments on the Laminar Flow in a Rectangular Streamwise Corner

The results of measurements in the flow along a rectangular corner are presented in the form of velocity profiles. The profiles form two sets: one for flow in a slightly favourable streamwise pressure gradient and one for flow when the pressure gradient is ‘practically zero’. The appearance of the profiles is quite different from that of previously reported experimental work and it is suggested here that the primary cause of this is the different type of corner leading edges used in each case. The flow appears to be only marginally stable and even very slightly changed entry conditions caused by alterations in the leading edge geometry may have a marked effect on the profiles further downstream. The new results are consistent with the notion of corner layer similarity (an implication in every attempted theoretical solution) but there remains a significant difference between the experimental results and the more reliable theoretical solutions available.
Promoting Student Performance in STEM EDP Model on Climate Change Topics

Performance assessment is an authentic assessment that can be done with various kinds of assessments such as written assessments, observation, and assignments that can provide better feedback on performance and skills. Learning using STEM-EDP model is a learning that encourage students enggagement and in line with performance assessment. The topic in this lesson is climate change, that is relate with with global issue and suitable for STEM-EDP learning. The purpose of this study was to find out how the performance assesment category of class VII F students at Public Junior Highschool in Samarinda. This research uses a quantitative descriptive approach. The sample of this research was 31 students who were taken by cluster random sampling technique. The instruments used in this study were student worksheets and student performance rubrics. The results of the study obtained a process performance value of 78.3 and 78.6 which describes the process performance in the good category. The product performance values are 81.3 and 83.9 which fall into the very good category.The performance of students need to be promoted by more STEM EDP learning especially in junior high school level.
Phase Separation as a Driver of Stem Cell Organization and Function during Development

A properly organized subcellular composition is essential to cell function. The canonical organizing principle within eukaryotic cells involves membrane-bound organelles; yet, such structures do not fully explain cellular complexity. Furthermore, discrete non-membrane-bound structures have been known for over a century. Liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) has emerged as a ubiquitous mode of cellular organization without the need for formal lipid membranes, with an ever-expanding and diverse list of cellular functions that appear to be regulated by this process. In comparison to traditional organelles, LLPS can occur across wider spatial and temporal scales and involves more distinct protein and RNA complexes. In this review, we discuss the impacts of LLPS on the organization of stem cells and their function during development. Specifically, the roles of LLPS in developmental signaling pathways, chromatin organization, and gene expression will be detailed, as well as its impacts on essential processes of asymmetric cell division. We will also discuss how the dynamic and regulated nature of LLPS may afford stem cells an adaptable mode of organization throughout the developmental time to control cell fate. Finally, we will discuss how aberrant LLPS in these processes may contribute to developmental defects and disease.
Threshold Region Performance of Multicarrier Maximum Likelihood Direction of Arrival Estimator

This paper addresses the performance characterization of a direction of arrival (DoA) estimator in the low signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) region. The case of a sensor array simultaneously collecting signals emitted at multiple carrier frequencies by a single source is considered. A maximum likelihood (ML) approach is used as a reference method for DoA estimation and its accuracy is characterized in terms of mean square error (MSE). It is well known that for SNR values included in the so-called threshold region, the DoA estimation accuracy decreases rapidly, due to the presence of outliers. This effect can be possibly mitigated when multiple frequency channels are jointly exploited. However, the capability to predict this performance degradation is fundamental either for assessing the robustness of an existing sensor or for supporting its design. Therefore, the scope of this paper is to introduce appropriate approximations to the MSE of a multifrequency ML DoA estimator in order to provide a reliable characterization of its performance in the threshold region. Two models for the source signals are considered and separately discussed, namely the deterministic (or conditional) and stochastic (or unconditional). An extensive simulated analysis is reported to prove the tightness of the approximations and to characterize the benefits steming from the exploitation of signals emitted at multiple carriers.
Dietary Diversity and Its Association with Diet Quality and Health Status of European Children, Adolescents, and Adults: Results from the I.Family Study

Dietary diversity (DD) plays a crucial role in fostering high-quality diets, but its association with health outcomes, particularly body adiposity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), is inconsistent. This may be due to a lack of a standardized method for estimating DD. Our study investigates the association between two DD indices, namely the dietary diversity score (DDS) and food variety score (FVS), and anthropometric measures, biochemical parameters, and diet quality in a large population sample from the I.Family study across research centers in eight European countries. In our cross-sectional analysis of 3035 participants, DDSs varied among countries, with a higher prevalence in the third DDS tertile among those with higher education. DDS showed a positive association with diet quality across all age groups. Higher DDS tertile individuals showed increased fiber, fruit, and vegetable intake, greater meal frequency, and lower ultra-processed food consumption. No relevant biochemical differences were observed across DDS tertiles, and a higher DDS was associated with lower overweight/obesity prevalence only in adults. No significant associations were found with FVS. Our findings emphasize the need to consider food groups for a more accurate estimation of diet quality. This aligns with studies suggesting DDS alone is not an independent risk factor for obesity in children and adolescents. Public health programs should prioritize food diversity to promote improved nutrition and overall well-being in communities.
The Perfect Storm: A Case of Rapid-Onset Obesity With Hypoventilation, Hypothalamic, Autonomic Dysregulation, Neuroendocrine Tumor (ROHHADNET) With Heart Failure, Narcolepsy, and a Rare Location of a Pelvic Neuroendocrine Tumor

Rapid-onset obesity with hypothalamic dysfunction, hypoventilation, and autonomic dysregulation (ROHHAD) syndrome is a rare disease of concurrent respiratory dysfunction and autonomic dysregulation with endocrine abnormalities. ROHHADNET includes ROHHAD plus coexisting neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). We describe an eight-year-old boy, who originally presented at four years of age with rapid weight gain and hyperhidrosis and who developed mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). His clinical course was eventually complicated by hypoxic respiratory failure requiring admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Echocardiogram at that time demonstrated dilated cardiomyopathy left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 28% at time of admission. His respiratory failure persisted despite average volume-assured pressure support (AVAPS) around the clock leading to tracheostomy placement for cardiopulmonary support. He also demonstrated autonomic instability with multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies. Computed tomography (CT) imaging of the abdomen and pelvis demonstrated a presacral soft tissue mass consistent with a tumor of neural crest origin. Daytime somnolence and confusion progressed and a low cerebrospinal fluid hypocretin level revealed a diagnosis of narcolepsy type 1.
Involvement in sedentary activities and academic performance in adolescents: differences according to sociodemographic variables / Implicación en actividades sedentarias y rendimiento académico en adolescentes: diferencias según variables sociodemográficas

Abstract This study provides a first-time analysis of the differences in the time dedicated each day to different sedentary activities (SA) (productive, technology-based recreation and social activities) and their relation with the academic performance of Spanish adolescents according to sex, school year and socioeconomic status (SES). The sample was made up of 681 participants (50.2% girls), between 12 and 18 years old, who completed self-reported questionnaires. The likelihood of obtaining lower levels of academic success increase in adolescents who spend two or more hours on social SAs and have a lower SES. With boys, this increases further if they spend four or more hours on SAs involving technology-based recreation and two or less hours on productive SAs. In conclusion, adolescents spend a high number of hours carrying out sedentary activities after school. This is something that needs controlling since it may have a detrimental effect on their academic success, especially among adolescent boys.
21. ELEMENTAL AND STABLE-ISOTOPE COMPOSITION OF PORE WATERS AND CARBONATE SEDIMENTS FROM DEEP SEA DRILLING PROJECT SITES 501/504 AND 505

Two sites on the southern flank of the Costa Rica Rift were drilled on DSDP Legs 68 and 69, one on crust 3.9 m.y. old and the other on crust 5.9 m.y. old. The basement of the younger site is effectively cooled by the circulation of seawater. The basement of the older site has been sealed by sediment, and an interval in the uppermost 560 meters of basement recently reheated to temperatures of 60 to 120°C. Although the thickness of the sediments at the two sites is similar (150-240 m versus 270 m), the much rougher basement topography at the younger Site 505 produces occasional basement outcrops, through which 80 to 90% of the total heat loss apparently occurs by advection of warm seawater. This seawater has been heated only slightly, however; the temperature at the base of the sediments is only 9°C. Changes in its composition due to reaction with the basement basalts are negligible, as indicated by profiles of sediment pore water chemistry. Bacterial sulfate reduction in the sediments produces a decrease in SO4 (and Ca) and an increase in alkalinity (and Sr and NH3) as depth increases to an intermediate level, but at deeper levels these trends reverse, and all of these species plus Mg, K, Na, and chlorinity approach seawater values near basement. Si, however, is higher, and Li may be lower. At the older site, Site 501/504, where heat loss is entirely by conduction, the temperature at the sediment/basement contact is 59°C. Sediment pore water chemistry is heavily affected by reaction with the basaltic basement, as indicated by large decreases in δ 1 8 θ, Mg, alkalinity, Na, and K and an increase in Ca with increasing depth. The size of the changes in δ 1 8 θ, Mg, alkalinity, Ca, Sr, and SO4 varies laterally over 500 meters, indicating lateral gradients in pore water chemistry that are nearly as large as the vertical gradients. The lateral gradients are believed to result from similar lateral gradients in the composition of the basement formation water, which propagate upward through the sediments by diffusion. A model of the δ 1 8 θ profile suggests that the basement at Site 501/504 was sealed off from advection about 1 m.y. ago, so that reaction rates began to dominate the basement pore water chemistry. A limestone-chert diagenetic front began to move upward through the lower sediments less than 200,000 yr. ago.
Phenotypic Characterization and Plasmid DNA Profiling of Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in Wastewater Effluents From Healthcare Environments in Lafia, Nigeria

Background: Multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus are frequent culprits of severe healthcare-associated infections and have been identified as significant pollutants in hospital settings. The research into plasmids as potential carriers for transferring new resistance genes among clinical pathogens has been quite constrained. This study was conducted to determine the extent of multidrug resistance and the presence of plasmids in E. coli and S. aureus isolates derived from wastewater effluents at healthcare institutions in Lafia, Nigeria. Methods: A total of 231 effluent samples were collected from different units within the healthcare facilities and bacterial identification performed using standard CLSI identification techniques. Phenotypic multidrug resistance was analyzed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method while plasmid DNA was extracted by alkaline lysis and separated using 0.8% agarose gel electrophoresis. Results: A total of 167 (72.3%) and 175 (75.6%) samples were positive for E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. Both E. coli and S. aureus exhibited the greatest resistance to amoxicillin, with resistance rates of 79.0% and 66.3%, respectively. Conversely, the lowest resistance was observed for levofloxacin (26.3%) and cotrimoxazole (25.1%) in E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. The study did not find any significant correlation between the phenotypic antibiotic resistance profiles of the isolates and different wastewater discharge points (P>0.05). Out of the total isolates, 77 (46.1%) of E. coli and 51 (29.1%) of S. aureus were resistant to all tested antibiotics. A majority of these isolates exhibited multiple antibiotic resistance index (MARI) values greater than 0.5, with 87.4% of E. coli and 80.6% of S. aureus demonstrating multidrug resistance. Plasmid analysis for E. coli indicated that the largest proportion of the selected isolates (46.7%) carried double plasmids with sizes ranging from 1500 to 6000 base pairs (bp), and 6.7% had no plasmids. In the case of S. aureus, 53.3% of the isolates harbored a single plasmid with a size of 7500 bp, while 46.7% had no plasmids. Conclusion: The wastewater discharged from healthcare facilities in the examined community was found to be significantly contaminated with multidrug-resistant organisms carrying plasmids with resistance genes.
Diatom–Bacteria Interactions in the Marine Environment: Complexity, Heterogeneity, and Potential for Biotechnological Applications

Diatom–bacteria interactions evolved during more than 200 million years of coexistence in the same environment. In this time frame, they established complex and heterogeneous cohorts and consortia, creating networks of multiple cell-to-cell mutualistic or antagonistic interactions for nutrient exchanges, communication, and defence. The most diffused type of interaction between diatoms and bacteria is based on a win-win relationship in which bacteria benefit from the organic matter and nutrients released by diatoms, while these last rely on bacteria for the supply of nutrients they are not able to produce, such as vitamins and nitrogen. Despite the importance of diatom–bacteria interactions in the evolutionary history of diatoms, especially in structuring the marine food web and controlling algal blooms, the molecular mechanisms underlying them remain poorly studied. This review aims to present a comprehensive report on diatom–bacteria interactions, illustrating the different interplays described until now and the chemical cues involved in the communication and exchange between the two groups of organisms. We also discuss the potential biotechnological applications of molecules and processes involved in those fascinating marine microbial networks and provide information on novel approaches to unveiling the molecular mechanisms underlying diatom–bacteria interactions.
An exploratory study on perceived online learning experience of university students during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the pace of online learning amidst the health crisis unprecedentedly. Students worldwide witnessed the transition of the education system from physical classes to virtual mode and adapted themselves to accommodate the challenges and sustain the learning process. This study was carried out to understand the emotional factors and student engagement in various activities during the pandemic and to examine the perceived learning experience. The present study explored the perceived experience of university students in online learning in India. The study used a survey method and data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Results showed that students adapted to online education in the later phase better than the initial stage. The study reported increased stress levels among students. A two-way group analysis of selected variables (gender, age, stress, and loneliness) on perceived learning issues demonstrated significant results. The study’s findings revealed students’ experiences in online learning practice and develop the scope for further discussions to improve the learning process in online settings.