Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A study to find correlation of platelet indices with HbA1c in diabetic patients with absence/presence of vascular complications

Background: Diabetes Mellitus is a global pandemic disease. The increased platelet activity is emphasized to play a role in the development of vascular complications of the metabolic disorder. Mean platelet volume (MPV) is an indicator of average size and activity of platelets. This study was conducted to find correlation of platelet indices with HbA1c in diabetic patients with absence/presence of vascular complications. Methods: Total of 100 subjects was enrolled in the study. Sample for glucose estimation and platelet indices were collected and estimation were carried out by the auto-analyzers. The statistical evaluation is done using SPSS version 22. Student t- test was used for doing comparison between two variables namely HbA1c <7 and HbA1c ≥7 and diabetics with vascular complications v/s without vascular complications. Results: MPV, is significantly higher in patients with type -2 diabetes mellitus with HbA1C ≥7 and those with vascular complications in comparison to patients having HbA1c <7 and those without vascular complications ( p- value <0.001 which is highly significant). Conclusions: MPV might be used as a simple and cost-effective laboratory test in the follow up of diabetes mellitus along with HbA1c and thereby help to reduce the morbidity and mortality.
Uncovering Townsend’s wall-attached eddies in low-Reynolds-number wall turbulence

A growing body of studies supports the existence of Townsend’s wall-attached eddies in wall turbulence under the condition of sufficiently high Reynolds numbers. In the present work, we uncover the signature of Townsend’s wall-attached eddies in low-Reynolds-number wall turbulence. To this end, we use a three-dimensional clustering methodology to identify the wall-attached structures of intense streamwise and spanwise velocity fluctuations in turbulent channel flows at four Reynolds numbers ($Re_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}}=186$, 358, 547 and 934). The statistical properties of the structures, such as their geometric self-similarity, population density and statistical moments, are investigated and compared with the predictions of the attached-eddy model. Particular attention is paid to the asymmetries between high- and low-speed wall-attached streaky structures, and we show that the former are a closer representation of the wall-attached eddies. This observation is ascribed to the differences between the sweep and ejection events associated with the streaks. We also examine the Reynolds-number effects on the statistical properties of the structures, and find that the signature of attached eddies can be observed within the Reynolds-number range under scrutiny. Our approach paves the way to cost-efficient model development and flow prediction using computationally more affordable simulations at low Reynolds numbers.
An Evidence-based Update on Acute Endovascular Stroke Therapy

Touch MEdical MEdia Acute endovascular stroke therapy is designed to restore perfusion for patients with large vessel occlusions (LVOs) to hopefully minimize any eventual disability. This subgroup of severely affected stroke patients comprise only a minority of the 800,000 strokes that occur annually in the US. But this same group consumes a disproportionately large share of stroke care resources. Currently, the only US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatment for acute ischemic stroke, intravenous thrombolysis, unfortunately, has been shown to have modest, if any, clinical efficacy for these severely affected patients.
Chinese Shadow Banking: The Case of Trust Funds

Abstract: This study provides an updated analysis of Chinese trust funds—a specialized and important type of shadow banking. This study is the first to estimate the contribution of Chinese trust funds to economic growth, and also the first to examine the association between trust funds and the volatility of Chinese stock markets. It makes a novel contribution in showing that Chinese trust loans play a negative role in interest rate passthrough from the policy rate to the lending rates of commercial banks.
Educational aid, symbolic power and policy reform: The World Bank in Ethiopia

The World Bank uses a combination of financial and non-financial aid to influence educational reform in aid-recipient countries. Drawing on an interpretive policy analysis methodology and using Pierre Bourdieu's concept of symbolic power as a 'thinking tool', this article aims to shed light on the Bank's non-financial pathways of policy influence in the Ethiopian higher education policy space. Specifically, it identifies knowledge-based policy regulatory instruments of the Bank, including sector reviews, advisory activities, analytical reports and learning events. The key argument is that in order to understand the full extent of donor power in national education policy fields in sub-Saharan Africa, it is imperative to problematize less visible discursive means of policy imposition.
Modelo para predecir biomasa foliar seca de Litsea parvifolia (Hemsl.) Mez.

Litsea parvifolia es un arbusto, perenne de la familia Lauraceae, cuya biomasa foliar es su componente principal. Sus hojas se aprovechan y comercializan en el sureste de Saltillo y alrededores. En fresco, tiene uso culinario y medicinal; en seco, como condimento. Con el propósito de generar información básica para la regulación de su aprovechamiento, se planteó seleccionar un modelo alométrico para predecir la biomasa foliar seca y elaborar una tabla de producción para arbustos en pie. Se evaluaron algunas poblaciones naturales, en las que se registró la altura total (H) y diámetro promedio (Dp) de todos los individuos en pie y se determinó la biomasa foliar seca (Bfs). Se probaron nueve modelos alométricos mediante el procedimiento PROC MODEL en SAS 9.4, para elegir aquel con el mayor coeficiente de determinación ajustado (); el valor más bajo en la raíz cuadrada media del error (), en el coeficiente de variación () y en la suma de cuadrados de los residuales (SCR); además de la significancia de sus parámetros (). El Dp y la H se correlacionaron con la Bfs. El modelo Schumacher-Hall no lineal es confiable estadísticamente (p < 0.0001), registra los mejores estadísticos, con presencia de heteroscedasticidad, efecto corregido con regresión ponderada con estructura de varianza (Dp2H)-0.5, una R2Aj. de 0.82, Sxy de 18.41 g y un CV de 44.93 %. El modelo puede usarse para predecir la producción de Bfs en sitios con características ecológicas similares al área de estudio.
Combining Ability of some White Maize Inbred Lines for Grain Yield and some Other Traits

Fourteen white maize inbred lines derivative from diverse heterotic group by choice in field disease at Sids Agricultural Research Station were used in this study. In 2014 growing season, the fourteen white maize inbred lines were crossed with two testers Sids 7 and Sids 1157. In 2015 season 28 white single crosses and two checks (SC 10 and SC 128) were assess at two locations (Gemmeiza and Sids). Statistics were registered for five traits [days to 50% silking, plant and ear heights (cm.), ear length and grain yield (ard/fad)]. Collective analysis over two locations revealed that mean squares for crosses, lines, testers and lines × testers were significant and highly for all the studied traits, except lines × testers mean squares for days to 50% silking and ear length. Mean squares for crosses × locations interactions were highly and significantly for all the traits studied, except ear length. Mean squares due to lines × locations had significantly and high for days to 50% silking. Testers × locations interactions had highly and significant for all studied traits. The magnitude of σ2 GCA was larger than that σ2 SCA for all traits. For grain yield, two crosses (L7 × Sd 7 and L13 × Sd7) considerably out yielded the best commercial check SC 128. The best GCA effects were obtained from three inbreed lines (L5, L7 and L13) for grain yield. Two top crosses (L1 × Sd 1157 and L11 × Sd 7) had positively significant SCA effects for grain yield.
Seasonal variability in phytoplankton carbon biomass and primary production, and their contribution to particulate carbon in the neritic area of Sagami Bay, Japan

Seasonal variations in environmental variables, chlorophyll a (Chl-a), particulate carbon and nitrogen (PC and PN, respectively), phytoplankton carbon biomass (Ph-C) and primary production were investigated at a neritic station in Sagami Bay, Kanagawa, from January 2008 to December 2013. Size-fractionated Ph-C was converted from cell volume by microscopic observation, adding valuable data for this area. During spring blooms, the micro-size fraction (>20 μm) comprised the majority of the total Chl-a and total Ph-C, whereas during other periods the picoand nanosize fraction (<20 μm) comprised a larger proportion, indicating that phytoplankton standing crops were affected by sunlight conditions and physicochemical properties of the water. In February–March, phytoplankton biomass increased and formed the first peak of spring blooms under increasing sunlight intensities (>15.7 MJ m−2 d−1), high nutrient concentrations and balanced molar ratios. From the regression equations of size-fractionated Ph-C-Chl-a relationships, the mean Ph-C/Chl-a ratio was 5.3–7.7, 29.2–32.6 and 22.1–25.1 for the <20 μm, >20 μm and total fraction, respectively. The Ph-C/Chl-a ratio (1.8–128.8) was regulated by irradiance and nutrients. Growth rate (ca. 0–3.7 d−1) was positively correlated with irradiance and assimilation number, and negatively with the Ph-C/Chl-a ratio. The depth-integrated primary production (DIPP) was 0.15–5.43 g C m−2 d−1. On the basis of the 0–50 m depth-integrated values, the total Ph-C and DIPP accounted for 1.3–34.4% and 1.3–30.9% d−1 of PC, respectively, indicating that PC variations depended on the total Ph-C and DIPP.
Relationship between Biology Teacher Teaching Style with Students Learning Outcome

Teaching style was very varied and required in learning. Teaching style considered important in improving students learning outcome. A teacher should be creative and critical in teaching style to produce conducive classroom situation. Monotonous learning environment could reduce student’s interest in doing learning in classroom that later could affect in reducing student’s learning outcome. Further, teaching style also could affect in improving learning outcome. This research was correlational descriptive research to find out relationship between teacher’s teaching styles with second grader students biology learning outcome in Madrasah Aliyah Negeri 1 Medan. Quantitative method was used as approach, data of students daily test scores was collected and analyzed, teaching style data was collected through questionnaire. Research result found out teachers teaching style in biology lesson was good with interval distribution was 80-90 (≥70). Distribution of Biology learning outcomes of second grader students MAN 1 Medan academic year is classified as good, with a general score distribution ≥70. There is a significant and strong relationship between biology teacher teaching style with student’s Biology learning outcomes (r = 0.690; p = 0.000). Keywords— Teaching style, Learning outcome, Correlasional
Marine latitudinal diversity gradients, niche conservatism and out of the tropics and Arctic: Climatic sensitivity of small organisms

The latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG) is a consequence of evolutionary and ecological mechanisms acting over long history, and thus is best investigated with organisms that have rich fossil records. However, combined neontological‐palaeontological investigations are mostly limited to large, shelled invertebrates, which keeps our mechanistic understanding of LDGs in its infancy. This paper aims to describe the modern meiobenthic ostracod LDG and to explore the possible controlling factors and the evolutionary mechanisms of this large‐scale biodiversity pattern.
Influence of soy protein intake on blood isoflavone levels, thyroid and sex hormone concentrations in women

T is a current discussion about the hormonal impact of soy isoflavones in food on circulating of thyroid and sex hormones in women. While official statements argue the hormonal side effects, weight loss ads recommend an increased energy output induced by changes in hormonal regulation after soy intake. To describe the possible influence of intake of a commercially available soy-yogurt-honey product (Almased®) used for weight reduction and metabolic functions improvement, 14 non-obese, euthyroid postmenopausal women (64.2±6.3 years; 24.4±3.2 kg/m2) were examined over a period of 8 weeks consuming a standardized amount of the product (25 -125 g/d). The amount of soy-protein-isolate of the product was 44.2 % and the content of biologically available isoflavonoids was 1.45 mg/g powder. Blood sample were drawn to analyze blood ISF levels (genistein, daidzein, glycitein, o-DMA, equol) by a LCMS method as well as basal TSH, fT3 and fT4. Estradiol, progesterone, testosterone and DHEA were also examined. Despite the significant increases in blood ISF concentrations after all intake periods, the baseline levels of all thyroid and sex hormones was stayed within the normal range during the intervention and even after a daily intake of 125 g. ISF, e.g., genistein rose from 3.8±1.9 ng/ml to 519.2±382.7 ng/ml. Results showed that the daily intake of 25-125 gram of the tested product significantly increased the blood ISF levels. It can be assumed that at this amount of ISF intake, the supplement used had no specific influence particularly negative side effects on thyroid and sex hormones in postmenopausal women.
Development and Multiscale Characterization of 3D Warp Interlock Flax Fabrics with Different Woven Architectures for Composite Applications

Multiscale characterization of the textile preform made of natural fibers is an indispensable way to understand and assess the mechanical properties and behavior of composite. In this study, a multiscale experimental characterization is performed on three-dimensional (3D) warp interlock woven fabrics made of flax fiber on the fiber (micro), roving (meso), and fabric (macro) scales. The mechanical tensile properties of the flax fiber were determined by using the impregnated fiber bundle test. The effect of the twist was considered in the back-calculation of the fiber stiffness to reveal the calculation limits of the rule of mixture. Tensile tests on dry rovings were carried out while considering different twist levels to determine the optimal amount of twist required to weave the flax roving into a 3D warp interlock. Finally, at fabric-scale, six different 3D warp interlock architectures were woven to understand the role of the architecture of binding rovings on the mechanical properties of the dry 3D fabric. The results reveal the importance of considering the properties of the fiber and roving at these scales to determine the more adequate raw material for weaving. Further, the characterization of the 3D woven structures shows the preponderant role of the binding roving on their structural and mechanical properties.
Droplet Deposition and Control of Planthoppers of Different Nozzles in Two-Stage Rice with a Quadrotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

Previous studies have confirmed that choosing nozzles that produce coarser droplets could reduce the risk of pesticide spray drift, but this conclusion is based on a large volume of application, and it is easy to ignore how this impacts the control effect. The difference from the conventional spray is that the carrier volume of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is very limited. Little was known about how to choose suitable nozzles with UAV’s limited volume to ensure appropriate pest control. Droplet deposition with the addition of adjuvant and the LU110-010, LU110-015, and LU110-020 nozzles and control of planthoppers within nozzles treatments were studied by a quadrotor UAV in rice (Tillering and Flowering stages). Allura Red (10 g/L) was used as a tracer and Kromekote cards were used to collect droplet deposits. The results indicate that the density of the droplets covered by the LU110-01 nozzle is well above other treatments, while the differences in droplet deposition and coverage are not significant. The deposition and coverage were improved with the addition of adjuvant, especially in LU110-01 nozzles’ treatment. The control effects of rice planthoppers treated by LU110-01 nozzle were 89.4% and 90.8% respectively, which were much higher than 67.6% and 58.5% of LU110-020 nozzle at 7 days in the Tillering and Flowering stage. The results suggest that selecting a nozzle with a small atomizing particle size for UAV could improve the control effect of planthoppers.
Collecting egocentric network data with visual tools: A comparative study

Abstract When collecting egocentric network data, visual representations of networks can function as a cognitive aid for depicting relationships, helping to maintain an overview of the relationships, and keeping the attention of the interviewees. Additionally, network maps can serve as a narration generator in qualitative and in mixed-methods studies. While varying visual instruments are used for collecting egocentric network data, little is known about differences among visual tools concerning the influence on the resulting network data, the usability for interviewees, and data validity. The article provides an overview of existing visually oriented tools that are used to collect egocentric networks and discusses their functions, advantages, and limitations. Then, we present results of an experimental study where we compare four different visual tools with regard to networks elicited, manageability, and the impact of follow-up questions. In order to assess the manageability of the four tools, we used the thinking aloud method. The results provide evidence that the decision in favor of a specific visual tool (structured vs. unstructured) can affect the size and composition of the elicited networks. Follow-up questions greatly affect the elicited networks and follow-up cues can level out differences among tools. Respondents tend to prefer the concentric circles tool, with some differences in preferences and manageability of tools between participants with low and those with high socioeconomic status. Finally, assets and drawbacks of the four instruments are discussed with regard to data quality and crucial aspects of the data collection process when using visual tools.
Alcohol’s Unique Effects on Cognition in Women: A 2020 (Re)view to Envision Future Research and Treatment

Alcohol use and misuse is increasing among women. Although the prevalence of drinking remains higher in men than women, the gender gap is narrowing. This narrative review focuses on the cognitive sequelae of alcohol consumption in women. Studies of acute alcohol effects on cognition indicate that women typically perform worse than men on tasks requiring divided attention, memory, and decision-making. Beneficial effects of moderate alcohol consumption on cognition have been reported; however, a number of studies have cautioned that other factors may be driving that association. Although chronic heavy drinking affects working memory, visuospatial abilities, balance, emotional processing, and social cognition in women and men, sex differences mark the severity and specific profile of functional deficits. The accelerated or compressed progression of alcohol-related problems and their consequences observed in women relative to men, referred to as “telescoping,” highlights sex differences in the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, cognitive, and psychological consequences of alcohol. Brain volume deficits affecting multiple systems, including frontolimbic and frontocerebellar networks, contribute to impairment. Taken together, sex-related differences highlight the complexity of this chronic disease in women and underscore the relevance of examining the roles of age, drinking patterns, duration of abstinence, medical history, and psychiatric comorbidities in defining and understanding alcohol-related cognitive impairment.
Current practice of hemodynamic monitoring with PiCCO in a single general surgical ICU in a university hospital – a short report

Background: In recent years, there has been an overall trend toward using less in-vasive hemodynamic monitoring in surgi-cal intensive care units. The pulse contour cardiac output monitor (PiCCO) is one of them. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate our practice of hemodynamic monitoring with PiCCO in the periopera-tive period. Methods: A retrospective descriptive analysis was performed in a single general surgical intensive care unit (ICU) run by anesthesiologists for the years 2013-2016. We collected information about patients, ICU quality parameters and monitoring equipment available in the ICU. The pri-mary endpoint was the incidence of PiC-CO use. Results: Out of 2972 patients admitted to the general surgical ICU in a 4-year pe-riod, besides basic monitoring with elec-trocardiography (ECG), pulse oximetry and blood pressure monitoring, more than half of the patients received central venous catheterization (55.1%), less than the half invasive arterial catheterization (44.1 %) and only a small proportion PiCCO (0.91%). No patient received a pulmonary arterial catheter. Mortality rate was 7.47 %. Conclusion: The use of PiCCO in our ICU is far below reported in literature. In the majority of cases, our anesthesiologists make clinical decisions based on measure-ment of central venous and invasive arte-rial pressure.
Glass geochemical compositions from widespread tephras erupted over the last 200 years from Mount St. Helens

Building reliable chronologies from lake sediments, peat and other paleoenvironmental archives can be challenging, especially for historical times where radiocarbon is unreliable. Nineteenth‐ and 20th‐century eruptions from Mount St. Helens (MSH) provide important chronostratigraphic markers for regional paleoenvironmental studies within this time frame, but are constrained by poorly geochemically characterized tephra and/or limited published data. Here, we present glass geochemistry from the most significant eruptions from this time. This includes proximal, medial and distal deposits of the 18 May 1980 MSH eruption, layer T ( ad 1799/1800), a new tephra that we argue represents the ad 1842 eruption, and the 22 July 1980 eruption that had reported ashfall in Canada. Our results indicate that most tephras ejected during these eruptions, within a time frame of ~200 years, have distinct glass geochemical characteristics that can be used to identify distal deposits for tephrochronological studies. Layer T is on trend with analyses of the 1980 eruption but has a distinct dacitic glass population. The 1980 and ad 1842 eruptions are similar, both having rhyolitic glass compositions, but the ad 1842 event can be differentiated by a more constrained SiO2 range in the main geochemical population, and the presence of a unique SiO2 sub‐population.