Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distribution and spatial autocorrelation of the hospitalizations for cardiovascular diseases in adults in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES To analyze the distribution and spatial autocorrelation of the hospitalization rates for cardiovascular diseases in adults, and to verify the correlation with socioeconomic and health factors in Brazil. METHODS An ecological study of hospitalization rates for cardiovascular diseases in adults from 2005 to 2016. Spatial dependence was analyzed by the Moran Global and Local autocorrelation coefficients. The correlation between hospitalization rates and socioeconomic and health variables was calculated using the Spearman's correlation coefficient. RESULTS The highest hospitalization rates were observed in the states of Santa Catarina, Paraná, São Paulo, and Mato Grosso, with high-high autocorrelation clusters for ischemic heart disease. The hospitalizations for cardiovascular diseases were strongly correlated with low schooling, alcohol consumption, and diagnosis of hypertension. CONCLUSION The high rates of hospitalization in the states mentioned, linked to socioeconomic and health factors, suggest public policies focused on the theme.
Pelagic ecosystem structure and functioning in the Subtropical Front region east of New Zealand in austral winter and spring 1993

Data are synthesized on biomass and fluxes of components of the pelagic food web, downward particulate flux, and associated physical and chemical oceanographic parameters in austral winter and spring in the Subtropical Front (STF) region east of New Zealand. All four food web types (sensu Legendre and Rassoulzadegan, Ophelia, 41, 153-172, 1995) are represented in this region. The STF food web is classified as 'multivorous' in spring and 'herbivorous'/'multivorous' in winter, even though grazing was dominated by microzooplankton. Based on relatively few data over each season, STF community biomass was dominated by large phytoplankton cells (>20 µm) in both seasons. Post- bloom conditions were sampled in spring and highest fucoxanthin vertical fluxes were recorded at this time. A phytoplankton sedimentation event may have occurred just after our mid-October sampling. Subtropical (ST) waters exhibited pronounced seasonality in all plankton compartments. The ST food web is classified as 'multivorous' in both winter and spring. Organic flux in sediment traps was highest in ST water relative to subantarctic (SA) and STF waters. Although the ST data coverage was limited, high spring algal specific growth rates, the large change in total community biomass between winter and spring, and small seasonal differences in early winter and spring macronutrient concentrations suggest that the structure and functioning of this ecosystem depended on the macronutrients entrained during deep winter mixing. Algal populations in SA high-nitrate-low-chlorophyll waters (HNLC) were dominated by small cells. Heterotrophic bacteria dominated community biomass in SA waters in winter and equalled phytoplankton biomass in spring. In contrast to Legendre and Rassoulzadegan's classification of the subarctic Pacific HNLC food web as 'multivorous', the SA food web is classified as 'microbial' tending towards 'microbial loop' in winter (i.e. there was greater carbon uptake by bacteria than phytoplankton) and 'microbial' in spring. Chlorophyll (Chl) a levels in spring were similar to those in winter, but because of a doubling of the C:Chl ratio, algal biomass (as carbon) was 2-fold higher in SA waters in spring, compared with winter. This seasonal increase in algal carbon biomass in spring occurred in spite of a >5-fold increase from winter to spring in microzooplankton biomass, challenging the notion of grazer control of algal biomass. Our findings are compared with Russian data collected in the South Pacific STF region in summer 1985. Aspects of ecosystem func- tioning in the STF region east of New Zealand may hold for other longitudes in the Southern Ocean, although it is likely that some characteristics are regional in nature.
Exploring Critical Thinking as an Outcome for Students Enrolled in Community Colleges

Objective: Using data from HEIghten® Critical Thinking, a student learning outcomes assessment, the purpose of this study was to evaluate what variables are associated with higher critical thinking performance for students enrolled in various community college programs and to evaluate performance differences across demographic and college-level subgroups as well as student perceptions. Method: With data from 1,307 students enrolled across 34 U.S. and Canadian higher education institutions (72% enrolled in 2-year institutions), we utilized a hierarchical regression to identify variables associated with critical thinking performance. Critical thinking performance differences were evaluated using analyses of variance (ANOVAs) and t-tests across student demographic and college experience subgroups and across student perceptions. Results: Results of this study showed (a) consistent significant predictors associated with higher critical thinking performance; (b) a positive relationship between critical thinking performance and the frequency of using critical thinking in college courses; (c) significant, but relatively small performance differences across demographic and college experience subgroups; and (d) positive relationships between student perceptions and critical thinking performance. Conclusion: This study added to the limited literature evaluating critical thinking skills for community college students. Overall, results suggest that institutions should focus attention to the frequency at which students are using critical thinking throughout their courses, which could increase student performance in this particular area, especially if critical thinking is an explicit outcome within the course. Results also suggested the need to emphasize critical thinking skills more across various community college programs and across non-STEM-focused programs. Suggestions for future research are discussed.
A Multiplexed HILIC-MS/HRMS Assay for the Assessment of Transporter Inhibition Biomarkers in Phase I Clinical Trials: Isobutyryl-Carnitine as an Organic Cation Transporter (OCT1) Biomarker.

There is growing interest in using endogenous compounds as drug transporter biomarkers to facilitate drug-drug inter-action (DDI) risk assessment in early Phase I clinical trials. Compared to other drug transporters, however, no valid biomarker for hepatic organic cation transporter (OCT) 1 has been described to date. The present work represents the first reporting of an endogenous compound, isobutyryl-L-carnitine (IBC), as a potential clinical OCT1 biomarker for DDI assessment. A hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC)-mass spectrometry/-high resolution mass spec-trometry (MS/HRMS) assay with simple sample preparation was developed. The assay is capable of simultaneously quantifying multiple endogenous compounds, including IBC, thiamine, N1-methylnicotinamide (1-NMN), creatinine, carnitine, and metformin, a substrate for OCT1/2 and MATE1/2K in clinical studies. The HRMS assay was fit-for-purpose validated in human plasma and demonstrated good linearity, accuracy, and precision for all the analytes. It was further applied to two Phase I clinical trials to evaluate potential biomarkers for OCT1 and additional cation transporters (renal OCT2, multidrug and toxin extrusion proteins MATE1 and MATE2K). The clinical data demon-strated that plasma IBC changes correlated well with in vitro data and supported its use as an OCT1 biomarker. The described HILIC-MS/HRMS assay can be used as a "biomarker cocktail" to simultaneously assess clinical DDI risk for inhibition of OCT1/2 and MATEs in clinical studies with new drug candidates.
An Investigation of the Lifestyles and Selling Strategies of Farmers with Small Fiber Farms on Etsy

Abstract There is a growing number of small fiber farms in the United States that produce materials for handcrafters. Farmers with small fiber farms often use internet sites like Etsy to market and sell their products. The purpose of this research was to examine the selling strategies of farmers with small fiber farms on Etsy and explore how they characterize their farms, lifestyles, animals, and products. The findings were compared to a theoretical framework comprised of the five dimensions of Slow Fashion identified by Jung and Jin (2014) and the concept of nostalgia. To investigate, data were gathered from 45 Etsy shops operated by farmers with small fiber farms. Three major themes emerged from the data, farm history, motivations for farming, and buying farm fresh. Results from this research helped to characterize smaller fiber farmers and investigate their various selling strategies.
Root proliferation, soil fauna and plant nitrogen capture from nutrient‐rich patches in soil

We investigated interactions between plant roots, protozoa and nematodes after addition of patches containing inorganic or organic nitrogen in order to determine whether root proliferation could explain the capture of N by the plant from the patch. Decomposition of a 15N/13C, dual-labelled, organic patch in the absence of plant roots was also examined. In the decomposing patch the amounts of 13C and 15N remaining co-varied and both declined with time. Nematode numbers increased. However, protozoan biomass and inorganic N (NO3− and NH4+) availability did not significantly alter as decomposition of the patch progressed. Addition of inorganic N patches, as NH4NO3 solutions, to the first lateral to emerge from the main seminal root axis of Lolium perenne L. seedlings had no effect on root growth compared with controls 16 d after addition. Protozoan biomass increased. Furthermore, log protozoan biomass and NO3− concentrations of the growth medium were significantly (P 62%) of the 15N initially added remained in the patch at harvest. Much less (c. 13–21%) 13C remained in the patch. Protozoan biomass and nematode numbers increased significantly (P<0·05) in the organic patch, although the relationship between the two groups was not significant. As in the inorganic N study, the relationship between log protozoan biomass and NO3− concentrations in the soil was significantly positive. We conclude that, when grown in monoculture, plants' N capture from an organic patch is not a simple function of root proliferation. External factors, not plant attributes, are more important in controlling patch exploitation.
Phylogenetic Relationships Within the Haplolepideous Mosses

Abstract Mosses with haplolepideous peristomes form a major lineage within the arthrodontous taxa, the Dicranidae. Relationships among lineages within the Dicranidae are explored using three cpDNA regions: rbcL, rps4, and the region spanning trnL(UAA)- trnF(GAA). Maximum parsimony analyses of combined data sets support robust clades that correspond to traditionally recognized families. Phylogenetic relationships of 71 exemplar taxa rooted with five outgroup taxa identify 13 major clades within the Dicranidae. Predominantly the monophyly of these groups is strongly supported, although relationships among the clades are ambiguous. The phylogenetic implications of the current taxon sampling include 1) the Dicranidae are monophyletic, 2) the Pottiales are polyphyletic with the Calymperaceae and Octoblepharaceae cladistically distant from the Pottiaceae, and these two former families should be transferred to the Dicranales, 3) the Dicranales are polyphyletic, with Ditrichaceae and Rhabdoweisiaceae more closely related to the Pottiaceae than other members of the Dicranales, 4) the Fissidentaceae are nested within the Dicranales, 5) the Rhachitheciaceae and Erpodiaceae are nested within the Dicranidae and sister to the Pottiaceae, 6) Amphidium is sister to the pottiaceous clade, 7) the Seligeriaceae form a well supported sister relationship to the Grimmiales, and 8) Scouleria aquatica, Bryoxiphium norvegicum, Ditrichum flexicaule, and Timmiella crassinervis appear to form basal lineages within the Dicranidae.
Evaluation of Genotypic Performances in Native Rice Landraces of Bangladesh

Field experiments were carried out at Dinajpur, Nilphamari and Faridpur from July, 2017 to March, 2018 to evaluate the performance of native land races of rice viz., Chinigura, Kataribhog, Radhunipagol, Badshabhog, Kalozira, Uknimadhu, Dudshar, Salna, Shitabhog and Zirashail to assess G x E interaction against five quantitative characters, plant height (cm), productive tillers/hill, 1000-grain weight (g), grain yield/m and days to maturity, and three qualitative characters, proline (%) as μmol/g fresh weight, aroma from green leaves and cooked rice. The field experiment was conducted in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The highest grain yield (390.25 g/m 2 ) was obtained from Radhunipagol at Dinajpur. Next to Radhunipagol, Kataribhog produced higher grain yield (350.00 g/m) which was significantly higher than that of Nilphamari and Faridpur but Radhunipagol was suited both for Dinajpur and Nilphamari. The cultivar, Kalozira was adapted to three locations as reflected by its regression coefficient very close to unity (b=0.92) and deviation from the coefficient estimated very near to zero (s 2 d=0.16). Maximum proline was estimated (18.7 μmol/g fresh weight) from Chinigura cultivated at Dinajpur. The proline (%) estimated average from Kalozira at three locations and the range varied from 14.00 -15.90 μmol/g fresh weight. Dinajpur appeared as the best and Faridpur as an unfavorable location for local aromatic rice cultivars. Since, aroma was assessed through Original Research Article Jui et al.; ARJA, 13(1): 10-20, 2020; Article no.ARJA. 57555 11 sensory method the maximum aroma was assessed from Chinigura under Dinajpur but its content gradually decreased at Nilphamari and Faridpur. The aroma assessed from cooked rice ranged from 7.05-8.90 over three locations but maximum aroma was assessed under Dinajpur. Chinigura, Radhunipagol and Kataribhog found suitable for Dinajpur, and Kalozira and Badshabhog might suggest cultivating over the locations of Bangladesh.
Hospital Performance in the First 6 Years of Medicare’s Value-Based Purchasing Program

The Medicare value-based purchasing (VBP) program, ongoing since 2013, uses financial bonuses and penalties to incentivize hospital quality improvements. Previous research has identified characteristics of penalized hospitals, but has not examined characteristics of hospitals with improvements in VBP program performance or consistent good performance. We identify five different trajectories of program performance (improvement, decline, consistent good or poor performance, mixed). A total of 11% of hospitals were penalized every year of the program, 24% improved their VBP program performance, 14% of hospitals consistently earned a bonus, while 18% performed well in the program’s early years but experienced declines in performance. In 2013, organizational and community characteristics were associated with higher odds of improving relative to performing poorly every year. Few variables under managers’ control were associated with program improvement, though accountable care organization participation was in some models. We find changes in VBP program metrics may have contributed to improvement in some hospitals’ program scores.
Empowering of Young Farmer for Arabica Coffee Farming Business in Simalungun

Arabica coffee is a global product, and Simalungun arabica coffee is able to compete internationally. The sustainability of the Arabica coffee business depends on young farmers. Young farmers as the next generation of agricultural businesses need special attention so that agricultural products can compete in the global era. The research method uses a qualitative approach with primary data types. The data collection technique was FGD 2 times each followed by 15 young coffee farmers and in-depth interviews with snow ball techniques of 11 young coffee farmers. The research subjects were young farmers who were involved in the coffee business. The results showed: the strategy of empowering young coffee farmers requires two components, namely driving and facilitating factors. The driving factors include: changes in non-market economic systems to markets, changes in client patron systems into markets; opening access to coffee processing tools, shaping the image of young farmers as active and critical agents, placing young coffee farmers as dynamic subjects in building leadership and entrepreneurial character. Facilitating factors include: building collectiveity, organizing young coffee farmers by strengthening social capital, protecting the water and land resource base by implementing good agricultural practices (GAP), diversifying livelihoods, opening market access, counseling and mentoring coffee and information and technology-based coffee businesses. In the free market era (MEA), it is necessary to reposition young coffee farmers from producer farmers to supplier farmers.
Small molecule inhibitors of IKK kinase activity

The nuclear transcription factor NF-κB plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases. Because of the key role played by the inhibitor of κB kinase (IKK) complex in the activation of NF-κB, coupled with the druggability of kinases as a target class, numerous companies have been pursuing discovery programmes aimed at identifying small molecule inhibitors of these enzymes. This paper reviews the patenting activity associated with these efforts.
Effect of oxygen concentration on the postdischarge decay of hydroxyl density in humid nitrogen-oxygen pulsed streamer discharge

In this study, the effect of oxygen (O2) concentration in the range of 0.000 1% (= 1 ppm) to 20% on the decay of hydroxyl (OH) density after pulsed streamer discharge is examined in a humid nitrogen-oxygen mixture under atmospheric pressure. The decay of OH density was measured using laser-induced fluorescence and compared with one-dimensional postdischarge simulations. The simulation results are consistent with the measured decay of OH density for all O2 concentrations. Essentially, the OH decay was double exponential, consisting of initial rapid decay for t < 0.1 ms and subsequent slow decay for t > 1 ms, where t represents the postdischarge time. In the slow decay phase, O2 change in the order of 10 ppm markedly affected the OH decay rate when O2 < 100 ppm. The sensitive effect of the small amount of O2 can be attributed to the reaction, H+O2+M→HO2+M, which converts H atoms to HO2, and the subsequent OH production via H+HO2→ OH+OH. Other production and loss processes of OH in the postdischarge phase were also examined.
Response of non–bromoxynil-resistant cotton to reduced rates of bromoxynil

Abstract Field research was conducted for 2 yr to determine the effects of reduced rates of bromoxynil on growth and yield of non–bromoxynil-resistant cotton. Rates of 4.5, 9, 17, 35, 70, and 140 g ha−1, representing 0.008, 0.016, 0.031, 0.063, 0.125, and 0.25 fractions of the maximum labeled use rate per application (560 g ha−1), were applied to cotton at the two-, five-, or nine-node growth stage. Visual injury was reduced because application timing was delayed from two- to five-node stage in all experiments and from five- to nine-node stage in two of three experiments. Although negatively affected at all application timings, plant height reduction response decreased with increasing cotton maturity. Plant dry weight was most negatively affected after application at the two-node stage. Bromoxynil application, based on the node above white flower number, did not result in maturity delays but did promote earlier maturity when applied at 140 g ha−1 to two- and five-node stage cotton in one of the three experiments. Final plant population was reduced only at the two- and five-node timings, with response more pronounced at the initial timing. Seedcotton yield after bromoxynil application at the highest rate to two-leaf cotton was reduced 34% compared with other rates and the nontreated control. Bromoxynil applied to five- or nine-node cotton did not significantly reduce yield. Nomenclature: Bromoxynil; cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L. ‘Stoneville 474’, ‘DP 33B’.
High humidity electrospinning of porous fibers for tuning the release of drug delivery systems

Abstract Surface porosity of individual electrospun polymeric fibers provides interesting means for controlling fiber behavior for different biomedical applications. In this study porous polycaprolactone (PCL) microfibers were obtained by electrospinning of PCL solution in tetrahydrofuran/dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and chloroform/DMSO at high relative humidity (65%). No pores were formed at low relative humidity (19%). Fibers with different surface porosity and fiber diameter revealed different drug release behavior favoring the release from porous microfibers compared to non-porous and nanofibers compared to microfibers. The results suggest that changing humidity during electrospinning without changing drug-polymer-solvent system enables to tune fiber structure and its release behavior. Graphical Abstract
Breaking the Mould of Centralization? Path Dependence and Local Government Reform in Ireland: 1898–2014

ABSTRACT The landmark Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898, with its extension of local democracy, presented Irish nationalists with an opportunity to advance the cause of national independence by curbing British influence at the local level. Post-independence local government reforms stressed the consolidation of central government institutions because of the need for regime security and stability. The introduction of the ‘County-Manager’ reforms, centred on the notions of bureaucratic professionalism, efficiency, and coordination of local services, further entrenched centralism. Using historical institutionalism as a framework for analysis, this article argues that in the period under review local government reforms in Ireland exemplify a perpetuation of the legacy of centralization. This legacy has two sources: the exogenous 1898 Act, and the perceived need to subvert its provisions to the greater goal of national independence, and the continuity in post-independence reforms, which left undisturbed the institutional processes of the inherited political order. This article concludes that notwithstanding reform efforts, the impetus for change was neutralized by constitutive features of Irish political culture, conventional practices, and established elite interests. While critical of existing arrangements, politicians found it impossible to accomplish change.
Decoys in Predation and Parasitism

Predator-prey or host-parasite dynamics can be altered by the presence of other species through several mechanisms. One such mechanism is the ‘‘decoy effect,’’ which itself can take a variety of forms. In its simplest form, the third species, which is inedible to the predator, nonetheless interferes with predation because the predator spends time investigating these decoys. The effect of this is to reduce instability in the ecosystem by damping the Lotka-Volterra oscillations. This effect may be considerable in dense ecosystems such as the gut microflora. Other forms include the prey species creating decoys by autotomy of appendages, such as tails, in the case of certain lizards. Finally, decoys are created by various parasites to avoid elimination by the immune system. In this review the theoretical models and supporting observations for these forms of the decoy effect are discussed, and some refinements on the theory are proposed. In particular, a model for autotomy is extended, and the phenomenon of signaling unpalatability or toxicity is discussed within the context of the decoy effect. It is shown that such signaling will increase predation on edible competitors.