Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Streamflow Reconstructions Using Tree-Ring-Based Paleo Proxies for the Sava River Basin (Slovenia)

The Sava River Basin (SRB) extends across six countries (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Albania, and Montenegro) and is a major tributary of the Danube River (DR). The Sava River (SR) originates in the alpine region of Slovenia, and, in support of a Slovenian government initiative to increase clean, sustainable energy, multiple hydropower facilities have been constructed within the past ~20 years. Given the importance of this river system for varying demands, including energy production, information about past (paleo) drought and pluvial periods would provide important information to water managers and planners. Seasonal (April–May–June–July–August–September—AMJJAS) streamflow data were obtained for two SRB gauges (Jesenice and Catez) in Slovenia. The Jesenice gauge is in the extreme headwaters of the SR, upstream of any major water control structures, and is considered an unimpaired (minimal anthropogenic influence) gauge. The Catez gauge is located on the SR near the Slovenia–Croatia border, thus providing an estimate of streamflow leaving Slovenia (entering Croatia). The Old World Drought Atlas (OWDA) provides an annual June–July–August (JJA) self-calibrating Palmer Drought Severity Index (scPDSI) derived from 106 tree-ring chronologies for 5414 grid points across Europe from 0 to 2012 AD. In lieu of tree-ring chronologies, this dataset was used as a proxy to reconstruct (for ~2000 years) seasonal streamflow. Prescreening methods included the correlation and temporal stability of seasonal streamflow and scPDSI cells. The retained scPDSI cells were then used as predictors (independent variables) to reconstruct streamflow (predictive and/or dependent variables) in regression-based models. This resulted in highly skillful reconstructions of SRB seasonal streamflow from 0 to 2012 AD. The reconstructions were evaluated, and both low flow (i.e., drought) and high flow (i.e., pluvial) periods were identified for various filters (5-year to 30-year). When evaluating the most recent ~20 years (2000 to present), multiple low-flow (drought) periods were identified. For various filters (5-year to 15-year), the 2003 end-year consistently ranked as one of the lowest periods, while the 21-year period ending in 2012 was the lowest flow period in the ~2000-year reconstructed-observed-historic period of record. The ~30-year period ending in 2020 was the lowest flow period since the early 6th century. A decrease in pluvial (wet) periods was identified in the observed-historic record when compared to the paleo record, again confirming an apparent decline in streamflow. Given the increased activities (construction of water control structures) impacting the Sava River, the results provide important information to water managers and planners.
Communion Among Community-Recruited Emerging Adults: Testing Descriptive and Inferential Questions

Communion reflects motivations for social connectivity and intimacy in life stories. We tested the ways communion may differ among emerging adults and may inform psychosocial adjustment. We rated 300 US adults’ (M age = 24.3 years; 60% women) high point and low point narratives for communion, testing a) differences in communion by demographics (i.e., gender, ethnicity), b) direct associations between communion with psychosocial adjustment (i.e., life satisfaction, stress), and c) moderation of communion’s ties with adjustment by demographic factors. Women expressed more high point communion. European Americans expressed more communion across narratives. Low point communion had direct ties with psychosocial adjustment. The effects of communion on adjustment differed by ethnicity and event valence: African Americans showed larger benefits with high point communion; and Asian Americans showed larger benefits with low point communion. Findings reinforce the importance of communal values and emphasize research needs in accounting for cultural upbringing.
Circulating Profiles of Serum Proguanylin, S100A12 Protein and Pentraxin 3 as Diagnostic Markers of Ulcerative Colitis

The aim of this research was to investigate potential new biomarkers which could be used in the clinical practice of ulcerative colitis (UC). Given the crucial role of intestinal barrier integrity and inflammation in the pathogenesis of UC, the serum profile of proteins linked to intestinal barrier and pro-inflammatory neutrophil products may be useful in diagnosing and monitoring the activity of the disease. We measured serum levels of proguanylin (pro-GN), S100A12, and pentraxin 3 (PTX3) in 31 patients with UC before and after a year of biological treatment, as well as in 20 healthy individuals. Significant differences in the serum profiles of pro-GN (5.27 vs. 11.35, p < 0.001), S100A12 (39.36 vs. 19.74, p < 0.001) and PTX3 (3197.05 vs. 1608.37, p < 0.001) were observed between pre-treatment patients with UC and healthy individuals. Furthermore, in UC patients prior to treatment, the levels of S100A12 (p < 0.0005; r = 0.628) and PTX3 (p < 0.05; r = 0.371) were correlated with disease activity as measured by the Mayo scale. Following a year of biological treatment with adalimumab, the concentration of pro-GN significantly increased (5.27 vs. 6.68, p < 0.005) in the blood of UC patients, while the level of PTX-3 decreased (3197.05 vs. 1946.4, p < 0.0001). Our study demonstrates the usefulness of pro-GN, S100A12, and PTX3 measurements in diagnosing and monitoring the activity of UC.
A mathematical journey through optical biosensors

Many chemical reactions in nature involve a stream of reactants (ligand molecules) flowing through a fluid-filled volume, over a surface to which other reactants (receptors) are confined. Such surface-volume reactions occur during processes like blood platelet adhesion, drug absorption, and DNA damage repair. To measure rate constants associated with such reactions, scientist use optical biosensors. Correct interpretation of biosensor data requires having an accurate mathematical model, and models have been successfully proposed and progressively refined throughout the years. Although such models are typically limited to situations involving only a single type of reaction on the surface (e.g. bimolecular), many chemical reactions involve more than one step or molecule. One example is the polymerase switch which occurs during DNA translesion synthesis, which is a reaction thought to be critical to DNA damage repair. We formulate and study a mathematical model for this multiple-component process. We derive physically relevant numerical and analytic results, including a nonlinear set of Ordinary Differential Equations (i.e. Effective Rate Constant Equations) which may be used to estimate reaction rate constants from raw data. We also demonstrate that our mathematical model can aid in eliminating ambiguity from sensogram data. We extend the theory for bimolecular reactions as well. Modeling these reactions results in a nonlinear differential equation, and we can find an approximate solution to this equation using traditional perturbation methods in the reaction-limited parameter regime. However, outside of this parameter regime these methods fail. By coupling the strained coordinates technique with the Homotopy Perturbation Method, a method motivated by concepts from topology, we are able to find an expression for the approximate solution of our equation despite the presence of a strong nonlinearity.
Determinants of the Market Outlet Choice of Bamboo Culms (Yushania alpine) Producers in Banja District, Western Ethiopia

Bamboo meets a growing and various bamboo product demand and generates revenue. The study is aimed at analyzing the critical variables that affect the choice of alternative bamboo market outlets. By using two stages sampling procedures, 114 bamboo producers were randomly and proportionally selected. The determinants that affect the choice of bamboo market outlet were analyzed by multivariate probit model. Based on the model result, the probability of bamboo producers to select wholesaler, retailer, processor, and local traders’ outlet were 16.8%, 46.2%, 60.8%, and 54.3%, respectively. The probability of success and failure to select four market outlets were 2.5% and 2.2%, respectively. The result of MVP revealed that family size, total land holding size, amount of culm production, farming experience, distance to the market, and silviculture management practice affected the probability of farmers’ market outlet choice. Therefore, improving the producers’ knowledge and skills through capacity building and creating framers’ organization for collective action can help producers select the right market to sell bamboo products.
Preliminary Study on Treatment Outcomes and Prednisolone Tapering after Marine Lipid Extract EAB-277 Supplementation in Dogs with Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia

Simple Summary Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) in dogs is a common autoimmune disease which is accompanied with a high death rate and therapeutic challenges. A natural anti-inflammatory nutraceutical product, EAB-277, is derived from marine lipids. Unfortunately, the effects of EAB-277 in IMHA dogs has rarely been investigated. The objective of this study is to assess the clinical effects of EAB-277 and prednisolone dose-tapering for supplemental therapy in IMHA dogs. The findings provide evidence that standard therapy combined with EAB-277 can improve hematological and blood chemistry profiles, resulting in a higher survival rate in IMHA dogs. Furthermore, EAB-277 supplementation can reduce prednisolone dosage tapering and improve the quality of life of IMHA dogs. However, a longer-term study with a larger sample size is necessary to corroborate these findings. As a result, marine EAB-277 is a promising alternative to existing medication for IMHA. Since the nutraceuticals have been utilized not only for nutrition but also as supplemental therapy for the treatment of a wide range of illnesses, such as minimizing the adverse effects of immunosuppressive therapy with steroids. Abstract Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is a common autoimmune disorder in dogs with a high fatality rate and it remains a therapeutic challenge. The marine lipid extract, EAB-277, is a natural anti-inflammatory nutraceutical product. However, the effects of EAB-277 in IMHA dogs has rarely been investigated. The objective of this study is to assess the clinical effects of EAB-277 and prednisolone dose-tapering for supplemental therapy in IMHA dogs. Prednisolone was given to 18 anemic IMHA dogs according to a standard regimen. Six dogs were supplementally treated with EAB-277 for 28 days and the remaining twelve dogs were a control group of untreated supplementations. The results demonstrate that the supplement group showed slightly better survival rates (66.7 ± 19.2%) than the control group (16.7 ± 0.7%), but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.408). When compared to pre-therapy, the supplement group’s blood profiles improved (p < 0.05). The EAB-277 treated group showed a moderate decrease in the incidence rate (4.20 times) of prednisolone tapering compared to the control group. The dosage reduction of prednisolone in supplement group was more than that in the control group (p < 0.0001). Our results suggest that EAB-277 supplementation may enhance clinical outcomes and lessen prednisolone dose-tapering in canine IMHA therapy.
C-Reactive Protein and Procalcitonin in Predicting Treatment Failure in Community Acquired Pneumonia

Introduction : There has been rising attention in the evaluation of procalcitonin, and C-reactive protein serum levels for predicting treatment ef ﬁ cacy of patients who hospitalized for community acquired pneumonia. Methods : Taken of blood samples for measurement of (CRP) and (PCT), on the day of admittance (PCT-D1; and CRP-D1), within (48 e 72) hours after the admittance (PCT-D3; and CRP-D3), also in 144 e 192 h next to admission. CURB 65 in adding to the (Pneumonia Severity Index) were evaluated on the day of admittance. Results : 112 hospitalized patients with CAP were involved in the work. Failure of treatment was recognized in 30 individuals (26.7%). Patients experienced early treatment failure displayed highly signi ﬁ cant results of; PCT D1, D3, and CRP D3, PCT D3/D1 ratio, and CRP D3/D1 ratio than in those whose treatment was successful. CRP D1 values were similar in both groups. Patients experienced late treatment failure displayed highly signi ﬁ cant elevated values of PCT3, PCT D3/D1, PCT D7, PCT D7/D1, CRP D3, CRP D3/D1, CRP D7, and CRP D7/D1 than in patients who had treatment success. The PCT D1 values augmented with elevating severity of pneumonia. Nevertheless, the results of (CRP-D1) were not. Conclusions : (PCT) should be de ﬁ ned sequentially not on admittance alone to expect the therapy outcome in hospitalized community acquired pneumonia patients.
Quantifying Intubation Forces on Incisors and Tongue Base Across Exposure Difficulty and Experience in a Simulator

Objective: Laryngoscopy simulators quantifying forces on critical structures in progressively challenging airways and operator expertise are lacking. We aimed to quantify laryngoscopy forces across expertise and exposure difficulty. Study design: Prospective observational study Setting: Tertiary care medical center Methods: Force gauges were affixed to a difficult airway mannequin to quantify teeth and tongue forces across increasingly challenging airway exposure. Medical students (n=10), residents (n=11), and otolaryngology staff (n=10) performed direct laryngoscopy using a Miller size 3 laryngoscope with 1) normal neck/jaw mobility, 2) restricted neck extension, 3) restricted jaw opening, and 4) restricted neck/jaw mobility. Incisor and tongue pounds of force (lbf) were continuously measured. Results: As the difficulty setting increased, forces exerted by the students, residents, and staff on the incisors and tongue base increased (p=0.01). Between normal and maximally restricted settings, force delivered to the incisors increased by 6.95 lbf (standard error (SE) 1.29), 5.93 lbf (SE 0.98), and 5.94 lbf (SE 0.70) for the students, residents, and staff, respectively. At the tongue base, force increased by 0.37 lbf (SE 0.18), 0.46 lbf (SE 0.14), and 0.73 lbf (SE 0.15) for the students, residents, and staff, respectively. Esophageal intubations occurred in 50% of the students, 23% of the residents, and 45% of the otolaryngology staff at maximal difficulty, with none at the easiest setting (p=0.33). Compared to the residents, the staff applied significantly increased pressure on the tongue base during laryngoscopy (p=0.02). Conclusion: Forces exerted on the incisors and tongue base varied across exposure difficulty and expertise levels, suggesting that they may be useful markers for training and competence assessment.
Coherent clusters of inertial particles in homogeneous turbulence

Despite the widely acknowledged significance of turbulence-driven clustering, a clear topological definition of particle cluster in turbulent dispersed multiphase flows has been lacking. Here we introduce a definition of coherent cluster based on self-similarity, and apply it to distributions of heavy particles in direct numerical simulations of homogeneous isotropic turbulence, with and without gravitational acceleration. Clusters show self-similarity already at length scales larger than twice the Kolmogorov length, as indicated by the fractal nature of their surface and by the power-law decay of their size distribution. The size of the identified clusters extends to the integral scale, with average concentrations that depend on the Stokes number but not on the cluster dimension. Compared to non-clustered particles, coherent clusters show a stronger tendency to sample regions of high strain and low vorticity. Moreover, we find that the clusters align themselves with the local vorticity vector. In the presence of gravity, they tend to align themselves vertically and their fall speed is significantly different from the average settling velocity: for moderate fall speeds they experience stronger settling enhancement than non-clustered particles, while for large fall speeds they exhibit weakly reduced settling. The proposed approach for cluster identification leverages the Voronoï diagram method, but is also compatible with other tessellation techniques such as the classic box-counting method.
COVID-19 and Kidney Disease (KD): A Retrospective Investigation in a Rural Southwestern Missouri Region Patient Population

Background: Studies have linked pre-existing kidney disease (KD) to higher rates of mortality due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. In the rural Midwest, where KD is prevalent, the impact of COVID-19 has been significant in a population that includes many patients on Medicare or Medicaid. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed assessing patients with acute kidney injury (AKI), chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end stage renal disease (ESRD), with and without COVID-19. International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision codes were submitted by physicians into Freeman Health System’s Electronic Medical Records and gathered from April 2020 to January 2021. The data were analyzed and compared to determine whether the mortality rate in patients with varying stages of KD and COVID-19 was higher than the mortality rate in patients with KD alone, excluding variables such as sex and age. Results: The 95% confidence interval (CI) of the mortality rate of patients with COVID-19 and any degree of KD, encompassing both AKI and CKD, was between 30.21% and 37.63%. This metric was significantly higher than the 95% CI of COVID-19 infection (6.70%-9.96%, p<0.0001) or KD alone (10.89%-13.01%, p<0.0001). Within those with COVID-19 and KD, the highest rate of mortality was in patients with AKI (38.13% and 49.02%). There was not sufficient statistical support in our sample to assert that COVID-19 increased mortality in ESRD patients. Conclusions: Based on our results, patients with KD and COVID-19 are at higher risk for mortality when compared to patients with KD alone. Further studies are warranted into individual comorbidities affecting KD patient outcomes with COVID-19.
High-intensity laser for the treatment of pain: systematic review

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES : Pain is one of the most prevalent causes of disability in the world, and the adverse effects promoted by analgesics can limit therapeutic success. In this context, laser appears as a complementary therapy that can enhance analgesia without increasing the incidence of undesirable adverse events. The aim of this study was to carry out a systematic review on the effectiveness and efficiency of high intensity laser (HIL) in the treatment of pain. CONTENTS
Susceptibility of the Most Popular Soybean Cultivars in South-East Europe to Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid

Oxidative stress in soybean seedlings and the length of the soybean stem lesions infected with the fungus Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid were evaluated to determine the most tolerant soybean cultivar to this pathogen. The level of superoxide anion radical (O2•−) production, the activity of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide-dismutase (SOD), and the intensity of lipid peroxidation (LP) were measured in four soybean cultivars: Favorit, Atlas, Victoria, and Rubin. Results showed that O2•− radical production and SOD activity were the most elevated in the cv. Favorit inoculated with M. phaseolina, while the level of lipid peroxidation intensity was the lowest compared to the control. This indicates that the soybean cv. Favorit has managed to prevent infection with M. phaseolina. Furthermore, higher O2•− radical production and lower SOD enzyme activity were measured in cv. Victoria, with enhanced lipid peroxidation. This means that the cv. Victoria was infected with M. phaseolina, and was the most sensitive. None of the tested oxidative stress parameters showed a significant difference in the cvs. Atlas and Rubin compared to the control. Furthermore, the highest lesion length was measured in the cv. Victoria, followed by cv. Favorit, while the lowest lesion length was measured in the cv. Atlas followed by the cv. Rubin; and thus, the cv. Atlas followed by the cv. Rubin, were the most tolerant soybean cultivars to this pathogen.
Correlation Between the Tahfiz Al-Qur'an Program and Students' Emotional Intelligence at MAS Muallimin UNIVA Medan

This study will investigate this relationship between the tahfiz and the students' emotional intelligence. Quantitative research and correlational methodology are used in this study. The research population consists of 97 students from Madrasah Aliyah Swasta Muallimin UNIVA Medan. Cluster random sampling was employed as the sampling method in this research. A questionnaire was used as the data collection method. The study data were examined using the t-test statistical method, the coefficient of determination test, and the Pearson product moment correlation. According to the study's findings, students at MAS Muallimin Univa Medan's emotional intelligence is significantly influenced by the tahfiz students. This is supported by the person correlation value of 0.620 and the sig value of 0.000 < 0.05. The Tahfidz Al-Qur'an program makes a 38% contribution to the emotional intelligence of pupils. The results of the t test show that tcount > ttable with Sig = 0.000 < 0.05). Using the formula dk = n-k = 95, the tcount is 7,712 and the ttable value is 1,985, with a significant level of 5%. The results of the study show a strong relationship between students' emotional intelligence and the Tahfidz Al-Qur'an curriculum. These findings are valuable for educators in developing impactful programs that enhance the overall quality of graduates in terms of intellectual capabilities, attitudes, and skills. Additionally, stakeholders can leverage the research to inform education policies and strive for outstanding graduates.
Empowering Student Entrepeneurship: A 21st Century Learning Approach using TPACK Integrated PjBL Model

The 21st century presents numerous challenges for students, particularly in developing entrepreneurial skills to thrive in a dynamic job market. This study investigates the efficacy of the TPACK integrated PjBL (Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge integrated Project-based Learning) model in fostering students' entrepreneurial interests within the context of 21st century learning in Islamic Religious Education. A mixed methods research design was employed, involving data collection, analysis, and integration of quantitative and qualitative methods. The study encompassed 90 third-semester students enrolled in the Islamic Religious Education Study Program at UIN Sulthan Thaha Saifuddin Jambi, utilizing a total sampling technique. Statistical tests were conducted, including preliminary tests such as the Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test on pretest and posttest data. The findings reveal a significant increase in students' interest in entrepreneurship following the implementation of TPACK-integrated and PjBL-based learning. It is evident that employing the TPACK integrated PjBL model positively influences students' entrepreneurial interest. These results have profound implications for educators and policymakers, highlighting the importance of integrating the TPACK integrated PjBL model within Islamic Religious Education to enhance entrepreneurial skills and better equip students for the competitive job market. Additionally, this study emphasizes the potential for further research on technology-enhanced pedagogical approaches across various educational contexts to foster the development of 21st century skills. The implications of this research provide educators and stakeholders with valuable insights into the utilization of the TPACK integrated PjBL model as a means to empower students' entrepreneurial interests.