Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between the average slope in the active commuting to and from school and fitness in adolescents: the mediator role of fatness

Active commuting to and from school (ACS) has been recognized as a potential tool to improve physical fitness. Thus, this study aims to test the relationships between the average slope in the ACS and physical fitness, as well as to verify the mediator role of fatness in the relationship between average slope and physical fitness. A total of 257 participants, 137 boys and 120 girls, from 22 schools belonged to first and second High School grades participated in this study. Based on self-reported measure and Google Earth, participants were grouped into the active commuter (number of trips was ≥5, and the time of the trip was ≥15 min), mixed commuter (number of weekly trips was <5, and the time spent on the trip was <15 min) and passive commuter groups (those who reported traveling regularly by car, motorcycle, or bus). Specifically, in the active commuter group, a positive association between the average slope in the ACS with fatness was found, which in turn was positively related to strength lower limbs and cardiorrespiratory fitness. The average slope was not significantly associated with physical fitness indicators. Furtheremore, fatness did not mediate the relathionship between average slope and physical fitness. This research concluded positive associations between average slope and the body fat in the ACS. The tendency of findings signal that the average slope should be taken into account along with the distance, time and frequency of the active commuting.
El Niño-Southern Oscillation and its impact in the changing climate

Extensive research has improved our understanding and forecast of the occurrence, evolution and global impacts of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). However, ENSO changes as the global climate warms up and it exhibits different characteristics and climate impacts in the twenty-first century from the twentieth century. Climate models project that ENSO will also change in the warming future and have not reached an agreement about the flavor, as to the intensity and the frequency, of future ENSO conditions. This article presents the conventional view of ENSO properties, dynamics and teleconnections, and reviews the emerging understanding of the diversity and associated climate impacts of ENSO. It also reviews the results from investigations into the possible changes in ENSO under the future global-warming scenarios.
When the bowel meets the bladder: Optimal management of colorectal pathology with urological involvement

Fistulae between the gastrointestinal and urinary systems are rare but becoming increasingly more common in current surgical practice. They are a heterogeneous group of pathological entities that are uncommon complications of both benign and malignant processes. As the incidence of complicated diverticular disease and colorectal malignancy increases, so too does the extent of fistulous connections between the gastrointestinal and urinary systems. These complex problems will be more common as a factor of an aging population with increased life expectancy. Diverticular disease is the most commonly encountered aetiology, accounting for up to 80% of cases, followed by colorectal malignancy in up to 20%. A high index of suspicion is required in order to make the diagnosis, with ever improving imaging techniques playing an important role in the diagnostic algorithm. Management strategies vary, with most surgeons now advocating for a single-stage approach to enterovesical fistulae, particularly in the elective setting. Concomitant bladder management techniques are also disputed. Traditionally, open techniques were the standard; however, increased experience and advances in surgical technology have contributed to refined and improved laparoscopic management. Unfortunately, due to the relative rarity of these entities, no randomised studies have been performed to ascertain the most appropriate management strategy. Rectourinary fistulae have dramatically increased in incidence with advances in the non-operative management of prostate cancer. With radiotherapy being a major contributing factor in the development of these complex fistulae, optimum surgical approach and exposure has changed accordingly to optimise their management. Conservative management in the form of diversion therapy is effective in temporising the situation and allowing for the diversion of faecal contents if there is associated soiling, macerated tissues or associated co-morbidities. One may plan for definitive surgical intervention at a later stage. Less contaminated cases with no fibrosis may proceed directly to definitive surgery if the appropriate expertise is available. An abdominal approach with direct repair and omentum interposition between the repaired tissues has been well described. In low lying fistulae, a transperineal approach with the patient in a prone-jack knife position provides optimum exposure and allows for the use of interposition muscle grafts. According to recent literature, it offers a high success rate in complex cases.
Effect of Nano-Zinc Oxide on the Leaf Physical and Nutritional Quality of Spinach

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) belongs to family Amaranthaceae and is one of the important and nutritious leafy vegetable consumed in India. The pot culture experiment is carried out during 2014-15 to study the effect of nanozinc oxide particles on the leaf physical and nutritional traits of spinach. The spinach plants were sprayed with graded concentration of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) after 14 days of sowing. The leaf physical parameters like leaf length, leaf width and leaf surface area are recorded at the time of maturity (45-50 days). The protein, carbohydrate, fat and dietary fiber content in leaf samples are determined. The plants sprayed with ZnO NPs at the concentration of 500 and 1000 ppm showed the increased leaf length, width, surface area and colour of leaf samples when compared to control leaf samples. Similarly treated plants with ZnO NPs at the concentration of 500 and 1000 ppm showed higher values of protein and dietary fibre content in comparison to control leaf samples of spinach. Hence our study suggests that the nano-zinc oxide sprayed spinach is more nutritious to vegetarian diet by providing, protein, fiber and required amount of vegetarian fat to diet.
Efficacy and Metabolic Effect on Serum Lipids of Apremilast in Psoriatic Arthritis: A Case Report

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic immune-mediated disease manifesting as joint inflammation with functional impairment associated with psoriasis. Recently, PsA has emerged as a systemic disease with several comorbidities, such as cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders. Apremilast is a targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (tsDMARD) directed against phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) with demonstrated efficacy and safety in PsA and psoriasis. We report the case of a patient with PsA manifesting as arthritis, dactylitis, mild psoriasis and a significantly reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Treatment with apremilast in association with methotrexate led to a quick improvement of joint and skin involvement with a stable amelioration of HRQoL. Furthermore, we observed a persistent favorable shift of serum lipid profile. Our observations suggest that apremilast is effective in controlling mild skin and joint involvement, including dactylitis, and suggest a potentially advantageous metabolic effect in patients with PsA.
Shade effects on growth, photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of three Paeonia species

Insufficient light intensity inhibits the growth of cultivated herbaceous peony and decreases its economic value. Owing to the increased demand for shade-tolerant herbaceous peony, the selection of appropriate parents for hybridization is essential. Paeonia anomala, Paeonia intermedia and Paeonia veitchii can grow under shade conditions in their natural habitats; however, their photosynthetic capacities under shade have not been studied. In this study, we simulated low light intensity (30% sunlight) and evaluated the morphological, photosynthetic and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of these three species. Moreover, the shade tolerance of these species as well as two common cultivars (Paeonia lactiflora ‘Da Fugui’, which is suitable for solar greenhouse cultivation, and P. lactiflora ‘Qiao Ling’, which is not suitable for solar greenhouse cultivation) was evaluated. The results showed that under shade, the leaf area of P. anomala and P. intermedia increased, the single flowering period of P. intermedia and P. veitchii was prolonged, and the flower color of P. veitchii faded. With respect to P. anomala, P. intermedia and P. veitchii, shade eliminated the photosynthetic ‘lunch break’ phenomenon and decreased photoinhibition at midday. Furthermore, the maximum photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) and maximum primary photochemical yield (Fv/Fo) of photosystem II (PSII) in the three species improved significantly, and their changes in light dissipation were different. The shade tolerance of the tested accessions was in the order P. veitchii > P. intermedia > P. anomala > ‘Da Fugui’ > ‘Qiao Ling’, showing that the three wild species were better adapted to low light intensity than the cultivars. Thus, P. anomala, P. intermedia and P. veitchii could potentially be used in the development of shade-tolerant herbaceous peony cultivars.
Nonexistence and uniqueness of positive solutions of Yamabe type equations on nonpositively curved manifolds

We prove nonexistence and uniqueness of positive C2–solutions of the elliptic equation ∆u + a(x)u − K(x)uσ = 0, σ > 1, on a nonpositively curved, complete manifold (M,g) . 0. Introduction Let (M, g) be a complete, noncompact Riemannian manifold of dimension m ≥ 3 and let a(x), K(x) be assigned continuous functions on M . The aim of this paper is to determine conditions, involving the asymptotic behavior of a,K and the geometry of (M, g), in order to guarantee nonexistence, and eventually uniqueness, of positive C-solutions of the elliptic equation ∆u+ a(x)u −K(x)uσ = 0 (0.1) on M , for some constant σ > 1. This problem has geometrical roots. Indeed, up to an inessential multiplicative positive constant in front of ∆, the choice σ = m+2 m−2 in (0.1) produces the well-known Yamabe equation relating the scalar curvature −a(x) of g to that, −K(x), of the conformally deformed metric gu = u 4 m−2 g, u > 0. In this case a fairly accurate general existence result, satisfying the further request of completeness of gu, has been given in [RRV1] for “negative” scalar curvatures. In the present investigation, as naturally expected on a Riemannian manifold, the geometry is controlled via curvature conditions. To be more precise we have fixed our attention on the two most typical cases i) Riem(M,g) ≤ 0 and ii) Riem(M,g) ≤ −B2 for some constant B > 0. Here Riem(M,g) denotes the sectional curvature. Thus, R with its canonical metric pertains to case i) and, in this special setting, under the further assumption a(x) ≡ 0, a number of results have been obtained, for instance, by Ni [N], Lin [L], and more recently by Cheng and Lin [C–L]. However, our methods, beside having a geometrical flavor, differ from those of the above authors, mainly because, while in R standard symmetrization techniques are at hand, on a general manifold such an approach is obviously not feasible. Furthermore, the appearance of the linear term in (0.1) plays a role, in connection with K(x), which, to our knowledge, has not been thoroughly analysed even in euclidean space. As Received by the editors March 6, 1995. 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification. Primary 53C21, 58G03.
Eyes on the Horizon? Fragmented Elites and the Short-Term Focus of the American Corporation1

Recent scholarship expresses concerns that U.S. corporations are too focused on short-term performance, undermining their long-term competitiveness. The authors examine how short-term strategies and performance, or short-termism, results from the dissolution of the American corporate elite network. They argue that the corporate board interlock network traditionally served as a collective resource that helped corporate elites to preserve their autonomy and control, mitigating short-termism. In recent years, changing board-appointment practices have fractured the board network, undermining its usefulness as a platform for collective action and exposing corporate leaders to short-term pressures. The authors develop and apply a cohesion metric for network managerialism, derived from theory and evidence in social-network scholarship. Using three indicators that capture short-termism earnings management and shareholder returns, the authors identify a structural basis for short-termism that links network-based resources to managers’ decisions. The results highlight the benefits of the corporate elite network and illustrate unforeseen consequences of the network’s dissolution.
Das Human Kapital: A Theory of the Demise of the Class Structure

This paper hypothesizes that the demise of the 19th century's European class structure reflects a deliberate transformation of society orchestrated by the capitalists. Contrary to conventional wisdom, it argues that the demise of this class structure was an outcome of a cooperative, rather than divisive process. The research suggests that the transition from this class structure may be viewed as the outcome of an optimal reaction by the capitalists to the increasing importance of human capital in sustaining their profit rates. The paper argues that the process of capital accumulation gradually intensified the importance of skilled labor in the production process and generated an incentive for investment in human capital. Due to the complementarity between physical and human capital in production, the capitalists were among the prime beneficiaries of the accumulation of human capital by the masses. They therefore had the incentive to support public education that would sustain their profit rates and would improve their economic well-being, although it would ultimately undermine their dynasty's position in the social ladder. The research suggests that Karl Marx's highly influential prediction about the inevitable class struggle due to declining profit rates stemmed from an under appreciation of the role that human capital would play in the production process. The basic premise of this research, regarding the positive attitude of capitalists towards education reforms, is supported empirically by a newly constructed data set of the voting patterns on England's education reform proposed in the Balfour Act of 1902.
Muscle activation varies between high-bar and low-bar back squat

Background Differences in the muscular activity between the high-bar back squat (HBBS) and the low-bar back squat (LBBS) on the same representative group of experienced powerlifters are still scarcely investigated. The main purpose of the study was to compare the normalized bioelectrical activity and maximal angles within single homogeneous group between the HBBS and LBBS for 60% one repetition maximum (1RM), 65% 1RM and 70% 1RM. Methods Twelve healthy men (age 24.3 ± 2.8 years, height 178.8 ± 5.6 cm, body mass 88.3 ± 11.5 kg), experienced in powerlifting performed HBBS and LBBS with comparable external loads equal 60% 1RM, 65% 1RM, and 70% 1RM. Electromyography (EMG) signals of muscle groups were synchronously recorded alongside kinematic data (joints angle) by means of a motion capture system. Results EMG activity during eccentric phase of squat motion were significantly higher during LBBS than in HBBS for all selected muscles (60% 1RM and 65% 1RM) (p < 0.05). All examined muscles were more activated during concentric phase of the squat cycle (p < 0.05). In the concentric phase, significant differences between the loads were generally not observed between just 5% 1RM change in load level for LBBS. Conclusions Our results confirmed significant differences in muscles activation between both squat techniques. Muscle activity during eccentric phase of squat motion were significantly higher during LBBS than HBBS. The differences are crucial for posterior muscle chain during eccentric phase of squat cycle.
COVID‐19 and maternal and child food and nutrition insecurity: a complex syndemic

Abstract Globally, the COVID‐19 pandemic has already led to major increases in unemployment and is expected to lead to unprecedented increases in poverty and food and nutrition insecurity, as well as poor health outcomes. Families where young children, youth, pregnant and lactating women live need to be protected against the ongoing protracted pandemic and the aftershocks that are very likely to follow for years to come. The future wellbeing of the vast majority of the world now depends on reconfiguring the current ineffective food, nutrition, health, and social protection systems to ensure food and nutrition security for all. Because food, nutrition, health, and socio‐economic outcomes are intimately inter‐linked, it is essential that we find out how to effectively address the need to reconfigure and to provide better intersecoral coordination among global and local food, health care, and social protection systems taking equity and sutainability principles into account. Implementation science research informed by complex adaptive sytems frameworks will be needed to fill in the major knowledge gaps. Not doing so will not only put the development of individuals at further risk, but also negatively impact on the development potential of entire nations and ultimately our planet.
Marine CSEM of the Scarborough gas field, Part 2: 2D inversion

We explored the application of 2D inversion of marine controlled-source electromagnetic and marine magnetotelluric data to image an ambiguous target. The Scarborough gas reservoir off the west coast of Australia lies in close repose to a layer in the overburden of similar resistivity-thickness product and also is not far above the resistive basement, making it a difficult electric target. We found that the standard 2D smooth-inversion method yielded models that were unable to resolve this ambiguous structural configuration. We solved this problem by developing a two-step workflow, in which we first invert for a coarse background resistivity model (e.g., anisotropic layers), then invert for the minimum deviation from this background using a much finer model discretization. The main purpose of our two-stage workflow is to inject the knowledge into the inversion that the subsurface is composed of self-similar geologic domains. Though the resulting models did not resolve fine-scale structural details, they might still be used to map the overall extent and bulk qualities of a target in an otherwise confounding setting.
Mean Group Tests for Stationarity in Heterogeneous Panels

This paper proposes the panel-based mean group tests for the null of stationarity against the alternative of unit roots in the presence of both heterogeneity across cross-section units and serial correlation across time periods. Using both sequential and joint asymptotic analyses the proposed test statistic is shown to be distributed as standard normal under the null for large N (number of groups) and large T (number of time periods). Monte Carlo results support the use of join asymptotic limits (under further condition that N/T -> 0) as a guide to finite sample performance, but also clearly indicate that the power of our suggested panel-based test is substantially higher than that of the single time series-based test.
Genotypic diversity of Sinorhizobium (formerly Rhizobium) meliloti strains isolated directly from a soil and from nodules of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) grown in the same soil

The genetic structure of a population of Sinorhizobium meliloti (formerly Rhizobium meliloti) isolated from nodules of alfalfa (Medicago sativa cv. Europe) or isolated directly from the soil using an elective medium and colony hybridization was assessed by three molecular methods. Sixty-seven S. meliloti isolates were obtained from alfalfa nodules and 61 directly from soil. Plasmid profiles of S. meliloti isolates were analyzed as well as insertion sequence (IS) fingerprints using probes corresponding to the two indigenous IS elements: ISRm1 and ISRm5. The presence of a gene involved in nodule forming efficiency (nfeA gene) was also determined by PCR using specific primers, among S. meliloti isolates. Plasmid profile analysis revealed the presence of 23 distinct plasmid types among the 128 isolates tested and the distribution of plasmid types was significantly different between isolates obtained from nodules and isolates obtained from soil. The distributions of plasmid types among S. meliloti nodule isolates were similar to those in a collection of nodule isolates obtained from the same field 8 years previously. We have thus demonstrated that the distribution of plasmid types in alfalfa nodules has not varied over long periods in the absence of the host plant. IS fingerprinting was more discriminative than plasmid profiling as a total of 65 distinct IS genotypes were found among the same isolates. The distribution of IS genotypes was different between isolates obtained from nodules and those isolated from soil. These results suggest that sampling S. meliloti populations using the host plant may not be representative of existing soil populations. Genes like nfeA were detected in neither the nodule nor soil isolates. The dominant plasmid type in nodule isolates (30% of the population), carrying a large plasmid of 230 kb, is poorly represented among soil isolates (8%). This result suggests that this plasmid might be involved in the competitiveness of S. meliloti strains.
Preferences for long‐acting Pre‐Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention among South African youth: results of a discrete choice experiment

Existing biomedical HIV prevention options, though highly effective, present substantial adherence challenges. End‐user input on early‐stage design of new HIV prevention approaches is critical to yielding products that achieve high uptake and adherence. The iPrevent Study examined youths’ preferences for key attributes of long‐acting Pre‐Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), with a focus on characteristics pertinent to product delivery alongside key modifiable product attributes.