Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Patterns and correlates of exotic and endemic plant taxa in the balearic islands

Nous avons analyse la taxonomie et la biogeographie des plantes endemiques et exotiques des iles Baleares (Espagne), l'un des hot-spots du bassin mediterraneen. La richesse, la diversite et la densite (nombre de taxa/log 10 zones) des taxa exotiques (especes et sous-especes) sont plus elevees que celles des taxa endemiques. Majorque est l'ile ayant le plus grand nombre de taxa endemiques et exotiques. En moyenne, les taxa exotiques et endemiques sont peu abondants ou rares, et representent respectivement 8,4% et 6% de la flore totale. La repartition taxonomique des especes exotiques et endemiques n'est pas aleatoire : les Solanaceae, Amaranthaceae. Iridaceae et Euphorbiaceae sont les familles sur-representees parmi les exotiques. Les Plumbaginaceae, Labiatae et Rubiaceae sont sur-representees parmi les endemiques. Tandis que la plupart des taxa exotiques sont des therophytes, les chamaephytes constituent la forme de vie dominante parmi les endemiques. Les especes exotiques se rencontrent principalement dans les zones cultivees et les communautes perturbees et ruderales, alors que la plupart des endemiques s'observent dans les habitats rocheux. Les communautes cotieres affichent une grande proportion de taxa endemiques (35,94 %), mais peu de taxa exotiques (5,94 %). Ce sont dans ces biotopes littoraux que la plupart des efforts devraient etre entrepris afin de preserver la vegetation indigene, endemique et non-endemique.
Enhancing bank marketing strategies with ensemble learning: Empirical analysis

In order to enhance market share and competitiveness, large banks are increasingly focusing on promoting marketing strategies. However, the traditional bank marketing strategy often leads to the homogenization of customer demand, making it challenging to distinguish among various products. To address this issue, this paper presents a customer demand learning model based on financial datasets and optimizes the distribution model of bank big data channels through induction to rectify the imbalance in bank customer transaction data. By comparing the prediction models of random forest model and support vector machine (SVM), this paper analyzes the ability of the prediction model based on ensemble learning to significantly enhance the market segmentation of e-commerce banks. The empirical results reveal that the accuracy of random forest model reaches 92%, while the accuracy of SVM model reaches 87%. This indicates that the ensemble learning model has higher accuracy and forecasting ability than the single model. It enables the bank marketing system to implement targeted marketing, effectively maintain the relationship between customers and banks, and significantly improve the success probability of product marketing. Meanwhile, the marketing model based on ensemble learning has achieved a sales growth rate of 20% and improved customer satisfaction by 30%. This demonstrates that the implementation of the ensemble learning model has also significantly elevated the overall marketing level of bank e-commerce services. Therefore, this paper offers valuable academic guidance for bank marketing decision-making and holds important academic and practical significance in predicting bank customer demand and optimizing product marketing strategy.
The Effect of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia on the Time-to-Extubation in Adult and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Patients Requiring Mechanical Ventilation: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Introduction: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) ranks as a prominent hospital-acquired infection. VAP has been shown to have a detrimental impact on patients and healthcare facilities, leading to extended hospital stays, increased demands on medical resources, and higher financial expenses. This study aims to assess the influence of VAP on time-to-extubation and length of hospital stay (LOS) in patients requiring mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours in pediatric and adult intensive care units (ICU). Methods: This retrospective cohort study included adult and pediatric ICU patients admitted to King Abdul-Aziz Medical City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from June 2016 to May 2020. The study encompassed ICU patients who required mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours. Time-to-extubation and LOS were measured in days and compared between those who developed VAP and those who did not. A Kaplan-Meier curve was employed to estimate and compare both groups’ survival functions (time-to-event). Results: The study involved 367 subjects, with 226 adults and 141 pediatric patients. Among the 367 mechanically ventilated patients, 33 (8.99%) developed VAP during their ICU stay, with 9 of them being children. VAP patients experienced a significantly longer time to extubation than non-VAP patients (13.5 vs. six days, p<0.0001). Likewise, ICU stays for VAP patients were significantly longer than those for non-VAP patients (19.5 vs. 13 days, p<0.002). However, the mortality rate at 28 days from intubation did not exhibit significant differences between the VAP and non-VAP groups (36.36% vs. 27.54%, p=0.283). Conclusion: This study underscores that VAP patients face a substantial delay in time-to-extubation and an increased length of ICU stay compared to non-VAP patients. Such findings substantially impact the cost of hospital care and the risk of exposure to other infection-related complications while under mechanical ventilation. Enhanced preventive measures are warranted to reduce the occurrence and consequences of VAP
Tephrochronological Study of Late Pleistocene Periglacial Phenomena in the Upper Kitakami River Basin, Northeastern Japan

The fossil periglacial phenomena, involution, mass-movement, and gentle slope (cryopediment) formation, are often observed in the upper Kitakami River basin, northeastern Japan. The tephrochronological studies of late Pleistocene periglacial phenomena are carried out and the Quaternary history in this area is also discussed.At the foot of Mt. Iwate (alt. about 200-300m), involution is dominantly observed on FSc, ISc (about 33, 000y.B.P.), WSc-1, WSc-2, S1P, and S2P, which are the marker beds of the Shibutami and Nishine Volcanic Ash formations erupted from the Nishi-Iwate Volcano. KP (about 13, 500-16, 300y.B.P.) erupted from the Akita-Komagatake Volcano is also disturbed on a small scale. However, OD (about 34, 000y.B.P.) and KwP, which are respectively erupted from the Nishi-Iwate and Akita-Yakeyama Volcanoes, are scarcely disturbed. Involution observed in these marker beds is tephrochronologically estimated to have been formed about 16, 300 to 12, 400 years ago for KP, about 34, 000 to 16, 3000 years ago for FSc and ISc, on the first half of the Wurm glacial age for WSc, and on the period of cold climate prior to that for S1P and S2P.At the foot of Mt. Himekami (alt. about 400-700m), the solifluction deposits consisting of granodiorite boulder and volcanic ash are put between VP (or FSc) and OD, and are also observed in the layer directly overlain by OD or in the Nishine Volcanic Ash formation. The mass-movement (the Block Stream) at Mt. Himekami probably took place about 34, 000 to 16, 300 years ago and in the first half of the Wurm glacial age and/or on the period of cold climate prior to that.The gentle slope developed in the area of the Sotoyama Plateau (alt, about 700-900m) is covered with AK-h, AK-g, and Holocene tephras. Solifluction deposits rich in an angular gravel are extensively observed in the Shibutami Volcanic Ash formation on the Sotoyama and Hayasaka Plateaus, whichis underla in by the red weathering crust. On the basis of the stratigraphical relationships, they are probably formed about 34, 000 to 16, 300 years ago and may be related to the formation of gentle slope developed in the Kitakami Mountains.According to the pollen analysis, it seems to have been cool to cold in Upper Pleistocene. Therefore, the periglacial environment in Upper Pleistocene would have a great influence upon the landform development in this region.
The ABC of tourist attitudes towards wind industry in Skåne : affective, behavioral and cognitive dimensions

The expansion of Swedish wind energy grid has come at the cost of environmental, economic and social controversy, in which the issue of landscape quality change plays a prominent role. Tourism, an industry highly reliant on visual consumption of the landscape, is especially sensitive to this change. Scholars have repeatedly harvested evidences of a weak, but negative correlation between wind power development in the area and tourist attitudes, but seldom have scrutinized those attitudes in more depth in a qualitative study, concentrating primarily on quantification and estimation of potential financial losses. In my thesis, I employ a three-pillar framework of the attitude structure (cognition, affection and behavioral intentions) to determine what constitutes the attitudes of foreign visitors towards wind industry in the Swedish county of Skane, as well as implications of this knowledge. The analysis of 61 semi-structured interviews and photo-simulation test have shown that people have been, for the most part, positive towards wind industry in the area and no one has claimed that it could change his or her intention to come. However, insights the visitors gave, have demonstrated that these positive attitudes were expressed towards wind power industry in general, rather than wind turbines in particular, which, on the other hand, were more often perceived with ambivalence or negatively – a stance known as Double Edged Visitor Attitude. The structure of the attitudes have mirrored this divide: to justify a positive predisposition towards wind industry people primarily resorted to reasoning, while talking about wind turbines in the vista they have concentrated on mixed feelings they provoke. The discussion of those feelings have revealed an information of potential interest for decision-makers and destination marketing organizations: (1) a few smaller turbines embedded in the changed landscapes, rural or urban, were perceived better, than bigger ones in the natural scenery or near historical sites, though up until certain saturation point; (2) wind turbines could be of interest to some, especially people unaccustomed to such a view, as a potential tourist destination. (Less)
Pollen from multiple sunflower cultivars and species reduces a common bumblebee gut pathogen

Pathogens are one of the factors driving pollinator declines. Diet can play an important role in mediating pollinator health and resistance to pathogens. Sunflower pollen (Helianthus annuus) dramatically reduced a gut pathogen (Crithidia bombi) of Bombus impatiens previously, but the breadth of this effect was unknown. We tested whether pollen from nine H. annuus cultivars, four wild H. annuus populations, H. petiolarus, H. argophyllus and two Solidago spp. , reduced Crithidia in B. impatiens compared to mixed wildflower pollen and buckwheat pollen (Fagopyrum esculentum) as controls. We also compared hand- and honeybee-collected pollen (which contains nectar) to assess whether diet effects on pathogens were due to pollen or nectar. All Helianthus and Solidago pollen reduced Crithidia by 20–40-fold compared to buckwheat pollen, and all but three taxa reduced Crithidia compared to wildflower pollen. We found no consistent differences between hand- and bee-collected pollen, suggesting that pollen alone can reduce Crithidia infection. Our results indicate an important role of pollen diet for bee health and potentially broad options within the Asteraceae for pollinator plantings to manage bee disease.
Disabled life expectancy among older Colombian men and women

Colombia’s population is rapidly aging and older adults are living longer, however, we have limited information on the level of disability and number of years older Colombians spend with disability. We estimated age-and-gender specific ADL, IADL and mobility disability prevalence and disabled life expectancy (DLE) and to examined gender differences. Life tables came from the Colombian vital statistics and disability prevalence data came from the cross-sectional 2015 Colombia National Survey of Health, Well-being, and Aging. Disabled life expectancy (DLE) was calculated using Sullivan’s method. About one-third to one-half of remaining years will be spent with IADL or mobility disability. The remaining years of life spent with ADL was relatively low at younger ages, but by age 85, about half of remaining life will be spent with disability. Compared to men, women had higher levels of disability and are estimated to spend more years with disability. Gender differences in ADL did not emerge until ages 70 and older. Older Colombians, in particularly women, are estimated to live a significant proportion of their life with disability, particularly IADL and mobility disability. High levels of disability are concerning because the country lacks adequate infrastructure and has limited options for long term care.
Evaluation of the prevention effect of high-quality nursing quality control in disinfection supply center on nosocomial infection

To explore the application effect of high-quality nursing quality control in disinfection supply center. The control group consisted of 1850 medical devices managed using the conventional quality control mode from January 2021 to December 2021, while the observation group consisted of 1900 medical devices managed using the high-quality nursing quality control mode from January 2022 to December 2022. The qualified rates of equipment cleaning, sterilization, and packaging were analyzed in both the observation and control groups. The occurrence of nosocomial infections in 2021 and 2022 were compared, and the changes in the Beck-Srivaatava stress scale index (BSSI) and Symptom Checklist-90 scores of the staff before and after implementing the high-quality nursing quality control mode were analyzed. The qualified rate of equipment cleaning, sterilization, and packaging in the observation group were 99.08%, 99.73%, and 99.78%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < .05). The incidence of nosocomial infections in interventional and surgical cases in 2022 was 0.79%, which was significantly lower than that in 2021 (P < .05). The BSSI score of female staff was (68.76 ± 7.81) points, which was higher than that of male staff (P < .05). After the implementation of the high-quality nursing quality control mode, the BSSI score of the staff was (47.76 ± 9.12) points, which was significantly lower than that before implementation (P < .05). After the implementation of the high-quality nursing quality control mode, the staff’s Symptom Checklist-90 scores for somatization, compulsion, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, hostility, and paranoia were (1.28 ± 0.29), (1.53 ± 0.24), (1.50 ± 0.21), (1.46 ± 0.32), (1.44 ± 0.26), and (1.38 ± 0.30) points, respectively, showing a decrease compared to before implementation (P < .05). The high-quality nursing quality control mode has great application value in the disinfection supply center. It can effectively improve the qualified rates of equipment cleaning, sterilization, and packaging, prevent nosocomial infections and improve the working pressure and psychological health of staff.
Stress and burnout amongst mental health professionals in Singapore during Covid-19 endemicity

The COVID-19 pandemic has exerted a huge emotional strain on mental health professionals (MHP) in Singapore. As Singapore transited into an endemic status, it is unclear whether the psychological strain has likewise lessened. The aims of this study were to investigate the levels of stress and burnout experienced by MHP working in a tertiary psychiatric hospital in Singapore during this phase of COVID-19 endemicity (2022) in comparison to the earlier pandemic years (2020 and 2021) and to identify factors which contribute to as well as ameliorate stress and burnout. A total of 282 MHP participated in an online survey in 2022, which included 2 validated measures, namely the Perceived Stress Scale and the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI). Participants were also asked to rank factors that contributed the most to their stress and burnout. Between-group comparisons were conducted regarding stress and burnout levels among MHP across different demographic groupings and working contexts. In addition, OLBI data completed by MHP in 2020 and 2021 were extracted from 2 published studies, and trend analysis was conducted for the proportion of MHP meeting burnout threshold across 3 time points. We found that the proportion of MHP meeting burnout threshold in 2020, 2021 and 2022 were 76.9%, 87.6% and 77.9% respectively. Professional groups, age, years of experience and income groups were associated with stress and/or burnout. High clinical workload was ranked as the top factor that contributed to stress and burnout while flexible working arrangement was ranked as the top area for improvement so as to reduce stress and burnout. As such, policy makers and hospital management may want to focus on setting clear mental health targets and facilitate manageable clinical workload, build manpower resiliency, optimize resources and provide flexible work arrangements to alleviate stress and burnout among MHP.
The Structure of Induced Diffusion Flows on a Wedge with Curved Edges

The mathematical model and the numerical implementation method permitting to study simultaneously all the elements of the internally multi-scale stratified flows are developed. For the first time, the induced diffusion flows on a fixed symmetrical wedge with the curved edges are calculated and visualized using the supercomputer systems. Influence both of the edge effects and the wedge lateral edge curvature upon the flow structure is shown. In a stably stratified environment, the integral force inducing self-motion of a free wedge along the neutral buoyancy horizon towards the top is formed by pressure deficit in the adjacent jet streams.
Effect of message framing on support for a sugar-sweetened beverage tax in Australia: a cross-sectional survey analysis

Abstract Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) taxes are present in many countries with evidence that they are effective in decreasing purchases of SSBs. However, in Australia where SSB consumption per capita is high, and calls for an SSB tax are frequent, there is no SSB tax and policymakers have stated their lack of support for such a tax. We examined whether political party voting preference and sociodemographic factors affect individuals’ support for an SSB tax, and whether message framing affects this support. A nationally representative sample of 1519 Australian adults was recruited for an online experimental survey. Three persuasive frames and one control frame were randomly provided to participants and measures of agreement towards an SSB tax were assessed. Sociodemographic factors and political party preference were also captured. Message framing had minimal effect on the level of support for the tax. However, participants who received the ‘supportive of food and drink companies frame’ showed the highest positive feelings towards the tax, and participants in rural areas had higher levels of support for an SSB tax when receiving the ‘protecting teenagers’ frame. Participants who voted for conservative (right-leaning) parties and for Labour (a centre-left party) had similar levels of support towards the tax, which was considerably lower than Greens voters. Undecided voters had the lowest levels of support for the tax, and the frames had limited impact on them. These findings highlight the potential role of message framing in shaping public support for an SSB tax in Australia, particularly in the context of voting preference and sociodemographic factors.
Stellate ganglion block with procaine in breast cancer survivors with hot flashes and sleep disturbances undergoing Endocrine Therapy

Breast cancer survivors under endocrine therapy (ET) suffer from side effects such as hot flashes and sleep disturbance accompanied by poor quality of life. Many quit ET early and reduce their survival rate. Guidelines recommend gabapentin next to yoga or acupuncture. The role of side effects related to compliance with ET over years require new and effective therapies. Stellate ganglion block (SGB) has shown evidence of safety and efficacy and was found to be more effective than pregabalin without side effects. However, practical guidelines for the long-term use of SGB are still missing. We primarily used procaine instead of bupivacaine presuming effectiveness paired with lower toxic risks. Twenty-nine breast cancer survivors with severe hot flashes and sleep disturbance under ET received SGB with Procaine. Diaries recorded hot flashes and sleep quality scores up to week 24. All patients took part and none refused SGB. Each Patient received one SGB every 4 weeks without any side effects observed. Weekly scores were reduced from baseline by −33.6% (P < .01) (hot flashes) and −22.3% (P < .01) (sleep disturbances) after 4, and by −58.8% (P < .01) (hot flashes) and −50.8% (P < .01) (sleep disturbances) after twenty-for weeks. A wavelike reduction indicated a limited effect of a single SGB during continuous ET. We showed, that procaine in SGB is as effective as bupivacaine with lower risks and costs. High significant reductions in hot flashes and sleep disturbances after 1 and 6 months were found. We conclude that breast cancer survivors need individual treatment with SGB due to her personal impact. Hence, SGB should find its way to guidelines and daily routines as a valuable method for treating side effects in breast cancer survivors undergoing ET.
ALTERNATIVES TO OPEN-FIELD BURNING ON PADDY FARMS

Malaysia has long been a major importer of rice however it has continued to satisfy the bulk of its demand through domestic production and this behavior is not expected to change anytime soon. Not only are millions of tonnes of rice grown each year in Malaysia but also millions of tonnes of the crop residue, which is better known as rice straw and makes up around 50% of the entire crop (Barreveld, 1989). This means that the amount of rice straw grown each year is roughly equal to the amount of rice paddy production. In 2010, paddy production in Malaysia was just over 2.5 million tonnes (FAOSTAT) meaning that around the same volume of rice straw was produced in that year. Considering a typical Malaysian paddy farm in 2007 which had 2.5 hectares 1 of paddy area and had an average annual yield of 3.5 tonnes of paddy rice per hectare 2 , it produced around 8.75 tonnes of rice straw for that year. Traditionally, rice straw was seen as a versatile by-product of rice cultivation as it was used in many ways including fodder for livestock and even as a building material. However, the increase in productivity and size of paddy areas, among other things, has led to a huge excess of rice straw where the most cost-effective way of disposing of the residue is seen as burning the biomass in the paddy field. Open-field burning is certainly a controversial topic and requires a thorough understanding of its effects. However, so do the potential effects of alternative rice straw management methods such as soil incorporation and the complete removal of the straw from the field.