Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of landscape simplicity on crop yield: A reanalysis of a global database

Ecological theory on diversity suggests that agriculture requires sufficient biodiversity, ecological function, and critical ecosystem services to remain sustainable and resilient. As such, research related to the effect of ecosystem services and diversity on crop yields has increased significantly in the past decade. One such study by Dainese and colleagues that presented a global synthesis of a compiled database of 1,475 crop experiments related to pollination and pest control ecosystem services and crop yields quickly garnered attention in the literature with more than 540 citations since its publication in 2019. Given the strong influence of this study on the research on diversity and agricultural production, we conduct a reanalysis on the publicly available dataset from the global synthesis study to test the robustness of findings to modeling approach and assumptions. In our reanalysis we apply ordinary least squares regression methods rather than Bayesian path analysis to the same data to examine the robustness of observed field-scale landscape diversity-ecosystem services-crop yield relationships. The result of our reanalysis supports the findings of Dainese and colleagues, illustrating the robustness of findings that suggest that increasing landscape simplicity is associated with lower rates of pollination and pest control ecosystem service provisioning and lower crop yields. However, our analyses also suggest that provisioning of pollination and pest control services account for only a small fraction of the total effect of landscape simplicity on crop yields. Furthermore, we find that management and soil health may mediate the effects of landscape simplicity on ecosystem services and crop yields. While our results complement previous findings for landscape simplicity and ecosystem services, they also indicate that above and below ground ecosystem services are not mutually exclusive but concurrently contribute to support crop production in agriculture.
Protective effect of activated charcoal against progression of chronic kidney disease: A randomized clinical study

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a non-reversible and progressive disease affecting the kidneys, significantly impacting global public health. One of the complications of chronic kidney disease is impaired intestinal barrier function, which may allow harmful products such as urea to enter the bloodstream and cause systemic inflammation. This study aimed to investigate whether supplementation with activated charcoal could reduce uremic toxins in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The study was a randomized clinical trial conducted at the Dialysis Center of al Diwaniyah Medical Hospital in the Diwaniyah Governorate. Eighty-two patients with ESRD on regular hemodialysis were enrolled, with 15 patients receiving oral supplementation with activated charcoal in addition to standard care and 13 patients receiving only standard care. Blood samples were collected at baseline and after eight weeks, and several biomarkers were measured, including estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), creatinine, urea, phosphorus, albumin, and indoxyl sulfate. The results showed a significant reduction in both serum urea and serum phosphorus levels after eight weeks of oral-activated charcoal treatment. However, the other biomarkers were not affected by the treatment. In conclusion, the use of oral-activated charcoal for eight weeks in Iraqi patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis improved urea and phosphorus levels.
Patient-provider experiences with chronic non-communicable disease care during COVID-19 lockdowns in rural Uganda: A qualitative analysis

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a growing health burden in Sub-Saharan Africa and especially Uganda, where they account for over one third of all deaths. During the COVID-19 pandemic, public health control measures such as societal “lockdowns” had a significant impact on longitudinal NCD care though no studies have looked at the lived experience around NCD care during the pandemic. Our objective was to understand the experience of NCD care for both patients and providers in southwestern Uganda during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted in-depth, in-person qualitative interviews with 20 patients living with hypertension, diabetes, and/or cardiac disease purposefully selected from the outpatient clinics at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital and 11 healthcare providers from public health facilities in Mbarara, southwestern Uganda. We analyzed transcripts according to conventional content analysis. We identified four major themes that emerged from the interviews; (1) difficulty accessing medication; (2) food insecurity; (3) barriers to the delivery of NCD clinical care and (4) alternative forms of care. Pre-existing challenges with NCD care were exacerbated during COVID-19 lockdown periods and care was severely disrupted, leading to worsened patient health and even death. The barriers to care were exacerbations of underlying systemic problems with NCD care delivery that require targeted interventions. Future work should leverage digital health interventions, de-centralizing NCD care, improving follow-up, providing social supports to NCD patients, and rectifying supply chain issues.
Single-distance and dual-slope frequency-domain near-infrared spectroscopy to assess skeletal muscle hemodynamics

Abstract. Significance Non-invasive optical measurements of deep tissue (e.g., muscle) need to take into account confounding contributions from baseline and dynamic optical properties of superficial tissue (adipose tissue). Aim Discriminate superficial and deep tissue hemodynamics using data collected with frequency-domain (FD) near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in a dual-slope (DS) configuration. Approach Experimental data were collected in vivo on the forearm of three human subjects during a 3-min arterial occlusion or 1-min venous occlusion. Theoretical data were generated using diffusion theory for two-layered media with varying values of the reduced scattering coefficient (μs′) (range: 0.5 to 1.1 mm − 1) and absorption coefficient (μa) (range: 0.005 − 0.015 mm − 1) of the two layers, and top layer thickness (range: 2 to 8 mm). Data were analyzed using diffusion theory for a homogeneous semi-infinite medium. Results Experimental data in vivo were consistent with simulated data for a two-layered medium with a larger μs′ in the top layer, comparable absorption changes in the top and bottom layers during venous occlusion, and smaller absorption changes in the top vs. bottom layers during arterial occlusion. Conclusions The dataset generated by DS FD-NIRS may allow for discrimination of superficial and deep absorption changes in two-layered media, thus lending itself to individual measurements of hemodynamics in adipose and muscle tissue.
Time-Varying Response of ENSO-Induced Tropical Pacific Rainfall to Global Warming in CMIP5 Models. Part II: Intermodel Uncertainty

AbstractAnomalous rainfall in the tropical Pacific driven by El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a crucial pathway of ENSO’s global impacts. The changes in ENSO rainfall under global warming vary among the models, even though previous studies have shown that many models project that ENSO rainfall will likely intensify and shift eastward in response to global warming. The present study evaluates the robustness of the changes in ENSO rainfall in 32 CMIP5 models forced under the representative concentration pathway 8.5 (RCP8.5) scenario. The robust increase in mean-state moisture dominates the robust intensification of ENSO rainfall. The uncertain amplitude changes in ENSO-related SST variability are the largest source of the uncertainty in ENSO rainfall changes through influencing the amplitude changes in ENSO-driven circulation variability, whereas the structural changes in ENSO SST and ENSO circulation enhancement in the central Pacific are more robust than the amplitude changes. The spatial pattern of.
Estimation of factors contributing to level differences in Japanese university decathlon athletes

This study aimed to estimate the factors that cause differences in competition level based on the competition performance structure among university student decathletes in Japan. The results of factor analysis using the maximum likelihood method (Oblimin rotation), assuming a five-factor structure estimated from parallel analysis and the information criterion, revealed the following competitive performance structures: "running speed and body projection,” "running endurance,” "rotational throwing power,” "translational throwing power,” and "vertical leaping power. ” Some of these were similar to the competitive performance structures of the world’s top athletes, but they were found to have a unique structure: two throwing powers. The analysis results using latent rank theory allowed us to evaluate them on a seven-point scale. The calculated item reference profile, difficulty index, and discrimination index for each rank indicated that shot put and 100 and 400 m performance formed the basis of decathlon performance. In addition, high jump and pole vault, which fall under the category of "vertical leaping power," retained high difficulty and discrimination and were revealed to affect the stage of achievement of overall performance in the decathlon.
Increased risk of aseptic loosening for posterior stabilized compared with posterior cruciate-retaining uncemented total knee replacements: a cohort study of 13,667 knees from the Dutch Arthroplasty Registry

Background and purpose While registry studies have suggested a higher risk of revision for posterior-stabilized (PS) compared with posterior cruciate-retaining (CR) total knee replacements (TKR) using cement, it is unknown whether this is also the case for uncemented TKR. We aimed to compare the revision rates of PS and CR designs in patients receiving primary uncemented TKR. Patients and methods Data from the Dutch arthroplasty register (LROI) was analyzed, comprising 12,226 uncemented primary CR TKRs and 750 uncemented PS TKRs registered between 2007 and 2022. Competing risk and multivariable Cox regression analyses were used to compare revision rates, risks of revision, and reasons for revision between groups. Sensitivity analyses were performed to analyze the risk, concerning the 5 most commonly used implants and performing hospitals for each group. Results Uncemented PS TKRs had higher 10-year revision rates for any reason and aseptic loosening (6.5%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.6–9.2 and 3.9%, CI 2.6–6.7) compared with uncemented CR TKRs (4.2%, CI 3.8–4.7 and 1.4%, CI 1.2–1.7). PS TKRs were 1.4 and 2.5 times more likely to be revised for any reason and aseptic loosening, respectively. These results remained consistent after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, previous surgeries, bearing mobility, and surface modification, with sensitivity analyses. Conclusion We found that uncemented PS implants have a higher rate of revision than uncemented CR implants, mainly due to a higher risk of aseptic loosening.
Al-Fe3+ and F-OH substitutions in titanite and constraints on their P-T dependence

Aluminous titanites occur in low-grade metasediments from the Salton Sea geothermal system, U.S.A. , and in granitoids and associated fluorite-bearing skarns from southwest Japan. Average (Al+Fe 3+ ) content of the metamorphic titanites in the Salton Sea geothermal system decreases systematically with increasing temperature and depth from 0.21-0.37 per formula unit (pfu,) in the chlorite-calcite zone (T = 180-320°C), through 0,12-0.23 pk. in the biotite zone (320-340°C), to 0,12-0.13 pfu. in the clinopyroxene zone (340-360°C). Fluorine content varies from 0.0 to 0.20 pfu. , and average X F [= F/(F+Cl+OH)] is less than 0.5 in all samples. Titanites in the granitoids are divided into magmatic titanites occurring as discrete grains in the matrix or as inclusions in plagioclase, and secondary titanites occurring as tiny granules in chlorite that alters biotite. The (Al+Fe 3+ ) content and F contents are, respectively, 0,18 ± 0.03 and 0.14 ± 0.04 pfu, for the magmatic titanites and 0,45 ± 0.05 and 0,35 ± 0.08 pfu, for the secondary titanites. The (Al+Fe 3+ ) content and F contents of titanites in fluorite-bearing skarns are 0.21 ± 0.05 and 0,16 ± 0.06 pfu. , respectively. The titanites in the granitoids and skarns have high X F of 0.77 ± 0.17 and 0.75 ± 0.16, respectively. The low-grade metamorphic and secondary titanites have variable Al content and X F ; their compositions are controlled by both substitutions (Al, Fe 3+ )FTi −1 O −1 and (Al, Fe 3+ )(OH)Ti −1 O −1 . The Ca(Al, Fe 3+ )(OH)SiO 4 component of titanites was preferentially decomposed with increasing temperature and the (Al, Fe 3+ )FTi -1 O −1 substitution mainly controls Al content of titanite under high-temperature conditions. On the other hand, the Ca(Al, Fe 3+ )FSiO 4 component increases with increasing pressure at fixed temperature, and stabilizes titanite in high-temperature and high-pressure conditions such as eclogite-facies metamorphism
ImPACTS Identity of Sustainability Assessment

Based on formal ImPACT identity which describes environmental impacts (Im) as a function of population(P), affluence(A), intensity use(C) and efficiency(T), a new "ImPACTS" identity as a framework for sustainability science was produced, where S denote the level of social resources, m is assigned to management and I is changed from formal environmental impacts to the trade-off between environmental impacts and development. Finally, we demonstrate the utility of ImPACTS by performing an empirical analysis of our integrated impacts assessment on the Earth by using existing data of Ecological footprint and Human development index. In an attempt to analyse the relationship between ecological footprint and social development using existing data, developed countries showed a great advantage over developing countries in terms of energy resource use efficiency due to their social and technological development. Global warming shows that humanity has gone beyond the sustainable scale of the Earth. We thus suggest that every country should increase its global share of ecological footprints within the sustainable scale of the Earth, rather than simply decrease its ecological footprints. The reason why current analysis contradicts the conventional ecological footprint analysis is that ecological footprint's concept simply considers the land embodied in goods and attributes a high ecological footprint value to high-income countries, and effects of trade on social development and in turn on the environment have not been considered. The ecological footprint analysis ignores the effects of development mainly in the stock of social resources on environment. The critical point in sustainable development is to harmonize environment and development. Examples from water shortage in northern China and China's food security and world energy consumption show that managing and mobilizing social resources should be considered as an alternative to mitigating human impacts on the environment and adapting to these impacts.
Temporal distribution of crime in Victorian night-time entertainment precincts

Abstract: There is an established relationship between crime and areas with a high density of licensed premises (night-time entertainment [NTE] precincts). Various initiatives have been implemented with the aim of reducing harms that arise as a result of alcohol consumption in NTE precincts. Measuring the effectiveness of these initiatives is complicated, in part because of difficulties associated with identifying the number of incidents that are alcohol-related. As a result, surrogate measures of incidents likely related to alcohol are often used to measure patterns in alcohol-related incidents over time. This study sought to determine whether the temporal distribution of crimes occurring in NTE precincts could be used to refine a commonly used surrogate measure, high-alcohol hours. The analysis identified that 54% of assault, sexual, disorderly and offensive conduct and property damage offences in NTE precincts occur between 9pm and 6am on Friday and Saturday nights, and that these periods continue to represent high-alcohol hours. However, there were some differences in the temporal distribution of crime across individual precincts. It is recommended, therefore, that evaluation of specific initiatives incorporate high-alcohol hours relevant to the precincts in which these initiatives are trialled.
Obesity, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, and the role of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists

Abstract Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has a high prevalence, affecting more than 50% of patients with heart failure. HFpEF is associated with multiple comorbidities, and obesity is one of the most common. A distinct phenotype has been proposed for obese patients with HFpEF. Recent data show the beneficial role of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1 RAs) for weight loss in diabetic and non‐diabetic patients with obesity or overweight when given as adjunctive therapy to diet and exercise. The mechanisms of action are related to paracrine and endocrine signalling pathways within the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, and central nervous system that delay gastric emptying, decrease appetite, augment pancreatic beta‐cell insulin secretion, and suppress pancreatic glucagon release. These drugs are therefore potentially indicated for treatment of patients with HFpEF and obesity or overweight. Efficacy and safety need to be shown by clinical trials with a first one, Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People with obesity and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (STEP HFpEF), recently concluded. The aim of the present review is to provide the pathophysiological and pharmacological rationale for GLP‐1 RA administration to obese patients with HFpEF.
Contribution of Food to the Human Health Burden of Antimicrobial Resistance

The impact of foodborne antimicrobial resistance (AMR) on the human health burden of AMR infections is unknown. The aim of this review was to evaluate and summarize the scientific literature investigating all potential sources of human AMR infections related to food. A literature search was conducted in Embase (Ovid) and MEDLINE (Ovid) databases to identify appropriate studies published between 2010 and 2023. The results of the search were reviewed and categorized based on the primary subject matter. Key concepts from each category are described from the perspective of food safety as a public health objective. The search yielded 3457 references, 1921 remained after removal of duplicates, abstracts, editorials, comments, notes, retractions, and errata. No properly designed source attribution studies were identified, but 383 journal articles were considered relevant and were classified into eight subcategories and discussed in the context of four streams of evidence: prevalence data, epidemiological studies, outbreak investigations and human health impact estimates. There was sufficient evidence to conclude that AMR genes, whether present in pathogenic or nonpathogenic bacteria, constitute a foodborne hazard. The level of consumer risk owing to this hazard cannot be accurately estimated based on the data summarized here. Key gaps in the literature are noted.
The interglenoid tubercle of the atlas is ancestral to lissamphibians

Lissamphibians, represented today by frogs, salamanders, and caecilians, diverged deep in the tetrapod tree of life. Extensive morphological adaptations to disparate lifestyles have made linking extant lissamphibians to one another and to their extinct relatives difficult and controversial. However, the discovery of a feature on the atlas of the frog Xenopus laevis, may add to the small set of osteological traits that unite lissamphibians. In this study, we combine our observations of atlas development in X. laevis with a deep examination of atlantal interglenoid tubercle (TI) occurrence in fossil taxa. The TI is shown herein to occur transiently on the ossifying atlas of roughly one‐third of X. laevis tadpoles but is absent in adults of this species. In ancestral character state estimations (ACSE), within the evolutionary context of lissamphibians as dissorophoid temnospondyls, this feature is found to be ancestrally shared among lissamphibians, its presence is uncertain in stem batrachians, and then the TI is lost in extant caecilians and frogs. However, our data suggests apparent TI loss around the origin of frogs may be explained by its ontogenetically transient nature. The only nonamphibian tetrapods with a TI are “microsaurs,” and this similarity is interpreted as one of many convergences that resulted from convergent evolutionary processes that occurred in the evolution of “microsaurs” and lissamphibians. The TI is thus interpreted to be ancestral to lissamphibians as it is found to be present in some form throughout each extant lissamphibian clade's history.
El profesorado de ciencias sociales en contextos rurales de Asturias: concepciones y uso de recursos educativos

espanolEl presente trabajo tiene dos objetivos, a) examinar las concepciones de los docentes de centros rurales o en contextos rurales sobre las posibilidades del entorno cercano como espacio de aprendizaje educativo y b) comprobar el tipo de recursos que suelen utilizar en sus clases que pueden vincularse o no con las tecnicas de la Historia Rural y la Place-Based Education. Se ha utilizado un cuestionario de elaboracion propia que mide el uso de recursos educativos por parte del profesorado y las concepciones de los docentes con respecto a la ensenanza de las Ciencias Sociales, las posibilidades didacticas del paisaje, del medio rural y de la toponimia en el aprendizaje del alumnado, y se ha aplicado a una muestra de 29 docentes de Educacion Primaria y Secundaria en centros educativos rurales del Principado de Asturias. Para conocer la fiabilidad se ha aplicado el estadistico Alfa de Cronbach. Los resultados obtenidos al realizar la correlacion de Spearman, la t de Student y la d de Cohen evidencian que el profesorado tiene una concepcion muy positiva del medio rural como espacio de aprendizaje, si bien manifiesta dificultades a la hora de utilizar todos los potenciales recursos educativos para la ensenanza de ese entorno.Palabras Clave: Educacion Rural, Ciencias Sociales, Historia Rural, Recursos educativos, Place-Based Education. EnglishThis paper has two objectives: a) to examine the conceptions of teachers in rural centers or in rural settings about the possibilities of immediate environment as an area of educational learning b) check the type of resources they typically use in their classrooms that can be linked or not with the techniques of Rural History and Place-Based Education. It has been used a specifically designed questionnaire that measures the use of educational resources by teachers and conceptions of teachers regarding the teaching of Social Sciences, the educational possibilities of the landscape, rural and place names in the student learning. The questionnaire has been applied to a sample of 29 teachers of primary and secondary education in rural schools of the Principality of Asturias. For reliability, has been applied Cronbach alpha statistic. The results obtained by performing the correlation of Spearman, Student’s t test and Cohen’s d show that teachers have a very positive view of rural areas as a learning space, while they evince difficulties to use all the potential educational resources for teaching that environment.