Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Morphological and physiological traits of roots and their relationships with shoot growth and grain yield in direct-seeded rice in northeastern China

ABSTRACT Context. In recent years, direct-seeded rice (DSR) cultivation methods have been widely adopted in Asia. Aims. The objective of this study was to evaluate the grain yield, nitrogen use efficiency and associated plant traits of DSR in northeastern China. Methods. A 2-year field experiment was conducted using two varieties under three cultivation methods (1) conventional transplanted rice (CTR); (2) wet direct-seeded rice (WDSR); and (3) dry direct-seeded rice (DDSR). Key results. The grain yield of CTR and DSR ranged from 10.16 to 9.39 t ha−1 and from 8.85 to 6.90 t ha−1, respectively, accross varieties and years. The wide difference was attributed to the differences in spikelet number per panicle and biomass. Compared with the CTR, the DSR decreased the spikelet number per panicle, which resulted in lower spikelet number per m2. Meanwhile, a significant positive correlation was observed between spikelet number per m2 and nitrogen uptake. The nitrogen uptake of CTR and DSR ranged from 151 to 153 kg ha−1 and from 96 to 132 kg ha−1, respectively. The root biomass, root length and zeatin + zeatin riboside contents in roots were higher in CTR than DSR, which contributed to the higher nitrogen uptake. Conclusions. These results suggest that DSR reduced nitrogen uptake, thereby resulting in decreased number of spikelets per panicle, and hence lower rice grain yield. Implications. These findings have highlighted the deficiencies in direct seeded rice system, and further research is required to overcome these deficiencies.
On the use of high-frequency surface wave oceanographic research radars as bistatic single-frequency oblique ionospheric sounders

Abstract. We demonstrate that bistatic reception of high-frequency oceanographic radars can be used as single-frequency oblique ionospheric sounders. We develop methods that are agnostic of the software-defined radio system to estimate the group range from the bistatic observations. The group range observations are used to estimate the virtual height and equivalent vertical frequency at the midpoint of the oblique propagation path. Uncertainty estimates of the virtual height and equivalent vertical frequency are presented. We apply this analysis to observations collected from two experiments run at two locations in different years, but utilizing similar software-defined radio data collection systems. In the first experiment, 10 d of data were collected in March 2016 at a site located in Maryland, USA, while the second experiment collected 20 d of data in October 2020 at a site located in South Carolina, USA. In both experiments, three Coastal Oceanographic Dynamics and Applications Radars (CODARs) located along the Virginia and North Carolina coast of the US were bistatically observed at 4.53718 MHz. The virtual height and equivalent virtual frequency were estimated in both experiments and compared with contemporaneous observations from a vertical incident digisonde–ionosonde at Wallops Island, VA, USA. We find good agreement between the oblique CODAR-derived and WP937 digisonde virtual heights. Variations in the virtual height from the CODAR observations and the digisonde are found to be nearly in phase with each other. We conclude from this investigation that observations of oceanographic radar can be used as single-frequency oblique incidence sounders. We discuss applications with respect to investigations of traveling ionospheric disturbances, studies of day-to-day ionospheric variability, and using these observations in data assimilation.
Novel Pegylated Interferon for the Treatment of Chronic Viral Hepatitis

Ropeginterferon alfa-2b is a novel mono-pegylated and extra-long-acting interferon, being developed for the treatment of myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) and chronic viral hepatitis. It has a favorable pharmacokinetic profile and less frequent dosing schedule, i.e., once every two to four weeks, compared to conventional pegylated interferon products, which have multiple isomers and are administered weekly. It was approved for the long-term treatment of polycythemia vera, an MPN, and has been included in the NCCN clinical practice guidelines for this indication. Ropeginterferon alfa-2b has demonstrated efficacy and showed a favorable safety profile for the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis in several clinical studies. In this article, we review its pharmacokinetics and available clinical data and suggest that ropeginterferon alfa-2b administered once every two weeks can serve as a new treatment option for patients with chronic viral hepatitis, including chronic hepatitis B, C, and D.
The RHIM of the Immune Adaptor Protein TRIF Forms Hybrid Amyloids with Other Necroptosis-Associated Proteins

TIR-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β (TRIF) is an innate immune protein that serves as an adaptor for multiple cellular signalling outcomes in the context of infection. TRIF is activated via ligation of Toll-like receptors 3 and 4. One outcome of TRIF-directed signalling is the activation of the programmed cell death pathway necroptosis, which is governed by interactions between proteins that contain a RIP Homotypic Interaction Motif (RHIM). TRIF contains a RHIM sequence and can interact with receptor interacting protein kinases 1 (RIPK1) and 3 (RIPK3) to initiate necroptosis. Here, we demonstrate that the RHIM of TRIF is amyloidogenic and supports the formation of homomeric TRIF-containing fibrils. We show that the core tetrad sequence within the RHIM governs the supramolecular organisation of TRIF amyloid assemblies, although the stable amyloid core of TRIF amyloid fibrils comprises a much larger region than the conserved RHIM only. We provide evidence that RHIMs of TRIF, RIPK1 and RIPK3 interact directly to form heteromeric structures and that these TRIF-containing hetero-assemblies display altered and emergent properties that likely underlie necroptosis signalling in response to Toll-like receptor activation.
All good in the neighbourhood? Exploring the role of local conditions for political trust and corruption perceptions within a minority context

Members of a minority population are expected to evaluate political authorities through a different spectrum than majority members. Still, only a few studies have explored the role of local conditions as determinants for political attitudes among a linguistic minority population. This study focuses on the role of linguistic homogeneity, local economic conditions and community size as determinants for corruption perceptions and political trust at the individual level among members of a linguistic minority population, the Swedish-speaking Finns. Moreover, this study differs empirically between evaluations of the local- and national authorities. Combining data from a panel survey collected by Barometern (2019–2021) with varying contextual-level factors in a multilevel model, we show that evaluations of local authorities are related to local contextual factors, in particular municipal unemployment rates and median incomes, while national evaluations are largely unrelated to local conditions. In contrast to theoretical expectations for an in-group bias among minority members, however, we find no effect for linguistic homogeneity on corruption perceptions and political trust after controlling for economic conditions. The results make an important contribution to our understanding about the role of local conditions for political attitudes among a well-assimilated minority population.
Characterization of Wildfires and Harvesting Forest Disturbances and Recovery Using Landsat Time Series: A Case Study in Mediterranean Forests in Central Italy

Large-scale forest monitoring benefits greatly from change detection analysis based on remote sensing data because it enables characterizing forest dynamics of disturbance and recovery by detecting both gradual and abrupt changes on Earth’s surface. In this study, two of the main disturbances occurring in Mediterranean forests, harvesting operations and forest fires, were analyzed through the analysis of Landsat Times Series images in a case study in Central Italy (Tuscany region). Disturbances were characterized based on their distinct temporal behaviors before and after the event: a period of 20 years (1999–2018) was used to extract and analyze at pixel level spectral trajectories for each disturbance and produce descriptive temporal trends of the phenomena. Recovery metrics were used to characterize both short- (5 years) and long-term aspects of recovery for harvested and burned areas. Spectral, recovery, and trend analysis metrics were then used with the Random Forest classifier to differentiate between the two disturbance classes and to investigate their potential as predictors. Among spectral bands, the Landsat SWIR 1 band proved the best to detect areas interested by harvesting, while forest fires were better detected by the SWIR 2 band; among spectral indices, the NBR scored as the best for both classes. On average, harvested areas recovered faster in both short- and long-term aspects and showed less variability in the magnitude of the disturbance event and recovery rate over time. This tendency is confirmed by the results of the classifier, which obtained an overall accuracy of 98.6%, and identified the mean of the post-disturbance values of the trend as the best predictor to differentiate between disturbances.
Filters and fillers: Belgian adolescents’ filter use on social media and the acceptance of cosmetic surgery

ABSTRACT This study examined whether adolescents’ use of (a) body and (b) face filters was related to acceptance of cosmetic surgery (ACS) (i.e. intrapersonal and social acceptance, and intention). Attention was paid to possible differences according to adolescents’ (1) sex, (2) self-esteem, and (3) pubertal timing. A cross-sectional online survey among 333 Flemish adolescents (Mage = 16.06, SD = 1.45) with 71.2% girls was used to test the hypothesized model via structural equation modeling. The use of face filters was positively linked to social motivations of ACS and consideration of cosmetic surgery. Body filter use was only linked to social motivations of ACS. Only girls showed a link between body filter use and social ACS. The findings underline the role of filter use in adolescents’ ACS. Impact Summary Prior State of Knowledge: Research has shown that the use of social media filters increases individuals’ acceptance of cosmetic surgery (ACS). Yet, most research has focused on adults when investigating these relations. Little is known about how adolescents’ filter usage is linked to ACS. Novel Contributions: Our results underline the importance of looking at gender differences, distinguishing between different types of social media filters (i.e. face vs. body filters), and approaching ACS as a multidimensional construct by taking into account different reasons to consider cosmetic surgery. Practical Implications: Filter use played an important role in adolescents’ ACS, particularly in their perceptions on social benefits of cosmetic surgery. Practitioners developing intervention programs are advised to focus on enhancing adolescents’ cognitive skills to put especially these social benefits into perspective.
OxyraseTM for Optimal Growth of Trichomonas vaginalis Isolates

The inability of some fresh clinical isolates of Trichomonas vaginalis to grow and multiply when inoculated into the In-Pouch TM trichomonas growth medium followed by death upon inoculation into the trypticase-yeast extract-maltose (TYM)-horse serum complex medium was investigated. Of fifty-one fresh clinical isolates derived from patients with trichomonosis, 11 (~20%) failed to grow to numbers after passage into the complex medium sufficient for cryopreservation (labeled Group 1). Isolates labeled Group 2 (~80%) thrived in both the In-Pouch TM and complex media. Experiments using the Oxyrase TM scavenging system to remove oxygen from the medium revealed that Group 1 isolates grew to numbers equal to Group 2 isolate trichomonads. Group 1 isolates consisted of both dsRNA virus-negative and positive isolates, showing that absence or presence of virus was not responsible for the growth characteristics of the Group 1 isolate organisms. This further indicated that the Group 1 isolate parasites are unable to survive in a microaerophilic environment compared to Group 2 isolate trichomonads, suggesting that the patient vaginal environment was anaerobic. Analysis by one-dimensional sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of total proteins of to compare Group 1 and Group 2 organisms showed no differences in protein patterns. Likewise, both Group 1 and Group 2 isolate parasites had similar total proteinase patterns by substrate gel analysis after electrophoresis. Comparative studies of the property of cytoadherence and amounts of adhesins also showed identical results for Group 1 organisms grown in Oxyrase TM and Group 2 parasites in the presence or absence of Oxyrase TM . These results are discussed in relation to the patient’s vaginal anaerobic environment as critical for establishment of infection by Group 1 isolate parasites. This work now allows for investigators to perform studies of T. vaginalis isolates heretofore unable to be cultured and cryopreserved.
The Effectiveness of Dia-Care Telemonitoring on Diabetes Outcome among Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Introduction: Social media is essential during Covid-19 outbreak to deliver tele-diabetes care continuously. Aim: This study investigated the effectivity of Dia-Care Telemonitoring using WhatsApp on diabetes outcomes such as psychological distress, blood glucose level, and diabetes knowledge. Method: Randomized Control Trial was conducted on type 2 diabetes patients in Kebon Jeruk and Kalideres Primary Care. In a 1-month intervention, patients (n=72) were randomized to control and intervention group. All outcomes such as Fasting Blood Glucose, Diabetes Knowledge Test, and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale were collected at baseline and after 1-month intervention. Result: 30 patients completed the study (15 control group, 15 intervention group). Both control and intervention group significantly improved the diabetes knowledge and fasting blood after 1-month follow-up. Only intervention group significantly improved depression (mean= 2.47, SD= 1.59, p= 0.04). Conclusion: Dia-Care Telemonitoring using WhatsApp improved diabetes knowledge, fasting blood glucose and depression level.
Predicting Bond Strength between FRP Rebars and Concrete by Deploying Gene Expression Programming Model

Rebars made of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) might be the future reinforcing material, replacing mild steel rebars, which are prone to corrosion. The bond characteristics of FRP rebars differ from those of mild steel rebars due to their different stress-strain behavior than mild steel. As a result, determining the bond strength (BS) qualities of FRP rebars is critical. In this work, BS data for FRP rebars was investigated, utilizing non-linear capabilities of gene expression programming (GEP) on 273 samples. The BS of FRP and concrete was considered a function of bar surface (Bs), bar diameter (db), concrete compressive strength (fc′), concrete-cover-bar-diameter ratio (c/d), and embedment-length-bar-diameter ratio (l/d). The investigation of the variable number of genetic parameters such as number of chromosomes, head size, and number of genes was undertaken such that 11 different models (M1–M11) were created. The results of accuracy evaluation parameters, namely coefficient of determination (R2), mean absolute error (MAE), and root mean square error (RMSE) imply that the M11 model outperforms other created models for the training and testing stages, with values of (0.925, 0.751, 1.08) and (0.9285, 0.802, 1.11), respectively. The values of R2 and error indices showed that there is very close agreement between the experimental and predicted results. 30 number chromosomes, 9 head size, and 5 genes yielded the optimum model. The parametric analysis revealed that db, c/d, and l/d significantly affected the BS. The FRP rebar diameter size is greater than 10 mm, whereas a l/d ratio of more than 12 showed a considerable decrease in BS. In contrast, the rise in c/d ratio revealed second-degree increasing trend of BS.
Level of Serum Fetuin-A Correlates with Heart Rate in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients without Metabolic and Cardiovascular Comorbidities

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep-induced breathing disorder in the adult population and significantly affects the condition of the cardiovascular system. Fetuin-A (Fet-A) is a hepato- and adipokine, which prevents vessel calcification, and its level correlates with atherogenesis and metabolic disorders. The associations of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) both with OSA, which increases CVD risk, and Fet-A, which prevents CVD, justify the question of their mutual interactions in patients with OSA. Therefore, we sought to analyze Fet-A as an early biomarker of CVD risk in OSA patients without metabolic and cardiovascular comorbidities except for properly controlled arterial hypertension. We have found that in these patients, OSA does not appear to directly affect Fet-A levels. However, high Fet-A levels were more common in the group of patients with OSA, and the hypopnea index was significantly higher among subjects with the highest Fet-A levels. The level of Fet-A in OSA patients positively correlates with pulse rate, and it does not correlate with pulse pressure in this group unlike in the control group, where such a relationship exists. To our best knowledge, this is the first study to analyze this relationship in OSA patients without any significant cardiovascular comorbidities.
Research on Service-Learning in Physical Activity and Sport: Where We Have Been, Where We Are, Where We Are Going

Higher education is under constant transformation through the use of new pedagogical models such as university service-learning (SL). Indeed, there has been an exponential uptake of university SL, among others, in the field of physical activity and sport (PAS) along with research examining these practices. However, these initiatives highlight the need to improve the quality of research in this field. This paper presents a systematic review focused on how research in this arena has been carried out, examining the following topics: paradigm, methods, instruments, discipline, limitations, and further research. A total of 45 articles met the inclusion criteria. The results show that qualitative and mixed methods have experienced an increasing progression. The most recurrent instruments have been questionnaires, reflective diaries, and interviews. According to the studies in the sample, the limitations point to research designs and some difficulties that underlie the pedagogical model itself. Finally, further research calls for longitudinal studies and to deepen the reflective process. This review identifies some weaknesses and strengths of research in university SL in PAS that aspire to inform and improve future investigations in this field.
KA-VoC Map: Classifying product Key-Attributes from digital Voice-of-Customer

Abstract Manufacturers and service providers need new tools to leverage the value of the digital Voice-of-Customer (VoC). These unstructured and disorganized data need ad-hoc approaches for their analysis and interpretation. In this view, this article proposes an innovative methodology aiming at classifying the Key-Attributes (KA) of products and services that may influence customer (dis)satisfaction. The proposed methodology relies on the analysis of digital VoC to extract relevant information for classifying key-attributes. A novel tool called KA-VoC Map is at the basis of the proposed classification. The KA-VoC Map combines two dimensions of analysis: the extent and the way a Key-Attribute is discussed within the digital VoC. The methodology classifies KAs into six categories: obstacles, frictions, indifferent, sleeping beauties, promises, and delights. For each category, the most appropriate management strategy is also suggested. Finally, an empirical study is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Resistant Maltodextrin Consumption in a Double-Blind, Randomized, Crossover Clinical Trial Induces Specific Changes in Potentially Beneficial Gut Bacteria

Background: We have previously reported that the addition of resistant maltodextrin (RMD), a fermentable functional fiber, to the diet increases fecal weight as well as the amount of fecal bifidobacteria. Here, we report on the targeted analysis of changes in potentially beneficial gut bacteria associated with the intervention. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to determine the effect of adding 0, 15 and 25 g RMD to the diets of healthy free-living adults on potentially beneficial gut bacteria. Methods: We expanded on our previously reported microbiota analysis in a double-blind, placebo-controlled feeding study (NCT02733263) by performing additional qPCR analyses targeting fecal lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Akkermansia muciniphila, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Fusicatenibacter saccharivorans in samples from 49 participants. Results: RMD resulted in an approximately two-fold increase in fecal Fusicatenibacter saccharivorans (p = 0.024 for 15 g/day RMD and p = 0.017 for 25 g/day RMD). For Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, we obtained borderline evidence that showed increased amounts in participants that had low baseline levels of these bacteria (p < 0.1 for 25 g/day RMD). We did not detect any effects of RMD on LAB. Conclusions: RMD supplementation in healthy individuals increases Fusicatenibacter saccharivorans. Albeit to a lesser extent, RMD at the higher intake level may also increase Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in individuals with low baseline levels of those two species. Potential benefits associated with these microbiota changes remain to be established in studies with quantifiable health-related endpoints.
A Tightly Coupled Feature-Based Visual-Inertial Odometry With Stereo Cameras

Early works have shown that inertial measurement unit (IMU) can help visual odometry to achieve more accurate pose estimation. However, existing methods mainly focus on fusing visual and inertial information in the back end, while ignoring it in the front end. In this article, we present a novel feature-based visual-inertial odometry for stereo cameras, namely FSVIO, which makes full use of visual and inertial information in both the front and the back end. Specifically, we first introduce an IMU-aided feature-based method in the visual processing part of the front end, in which IMU information is used to build robust descriptors for image perspective deformation caused by the camera motion. This differs from the traditional feature-based methods that only use local image information in the descriptor construction. Then, in order to improve the efficiency of feature matching, we apply a fast-tracking method by predicting the position of feature points in the current frame with the help of combining stereo camera and IMU measurements, which also reduces outliers caused by dynamic environment or nonconvexity of the image. Furthermore, the 2D–2D epipolar geometry constraint and the improved Huber norm are introduced into the tightly coupled optimization of the back end, which reduces the influence of incorrect depth estimation from stereo cameras. Finally, our odometry is evaluated on both EuRoC datasets and real-world experiments. The experimental results verified the effectiveness and superiority of FSVIO.