Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determination of the Viability of Lactic Acid Bacteria by Dynamic In Vitro Gastrointestinal Model in Household and Industrial-Type Kefir Samples

This study presents results based on differences in the antioxidant activity and lactic acid bacteria counts in different parts of the digestive tract following simulated gastrointestinal digestion of kefir samples. Statistically significant differences were observed in Lactobacillus counts in different kefir types including industrial (IK), starter culture (SCK), and kefir grains (KG). These differences were observed between the initial and second min in the mouth region (T = 3.968; p < 0.05); and between the initial, 60th, and 120th min in the stomach region (R = 11.146; p < 0.05). Additionally, a statistically significant difference was noted in the initial Lactobacillus levels among the IK, SCK, and KG in the stomach region (H = 7.205; p < 0.05). Also, significant differences were identified between the Lactococcus counts of IK across 0, 60, and 120 min in the stomach region (R = 10.236; p < 0.05). Notably, a statistically significant difference was noted in the Lactococcus levels in the KG between the initial and second min in the mouth region (T = 3.101; p < 0.05) and between 0, 60, and 120 min in the stomach region (R = 25.771; p < 0.001). These findings highlight the differences between the physicochemical characteristics of different kefir types. A decrease in lactic acid bacteria counts in kefir samples was observed throughout the dynamic in vitro gastrointestinal tract to reveal the significance of the digestive process when determining probiotic product capacity.
Mid- to late-Holocene East Asian summer monsoon variability recorded in lacustrine sediments from Jingpo Lake, Northeastern China

The Northeastern China involves complex interactions between the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) circulation and the polar climate system, and plays a significant role as the bridge communicating low- and high-latitude climatic processes. High-resolution multi-proxy analysis of a robust accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) 14C dated lacustrine sediment core recovered from Jingpo Lake in Northeastern China provides a detailed history of EASM variability and vegetation changes since ~5100 cal. yr BP. The period from ~5100 to 3600 cal. yr BP was characterized by the highest pollen percentages of Quercus, Ulmus, Juglans and Corylopsis; low Md (median grain size diameter); and high δ13Corg values, reflecting a relatively warm and humid period. The period between ~3600 and 2100 cal. yr BP is characterized by high Md and low δ13Corg values, and a rapid increase in pollen percentages of herbs, indicating cool and dry climatic conditions. From ~2100 to 150 cal. yr BP, a gradual increase in δ13Corg values and low Md values, and a rapid increase in Carpinus, Juglans and Corylopsis pollen percentages was observed, indicating climate change towards warmer and wetter conditions. After ~150 cal. yr BP, the highest values of total organic carbon mass accumulation rate (TOC-MAR), total nitrogen mass accumulation rate (TN-MAR) and magnetic susceptibility suggesting that the Jingpo Lake region has been severely affected by human activities. The EASM variability in Northeastern China during the mid- to late Holocene shows trends similar to EASM records in China. Furthermore, our findings indicate that the variability of the EASM during the mid- to late Holocene on the multi-decadal to centennial scale was forced by changes in both solar output and oceanic–atmospheric circulation interaction.
Behavioral Adaptations of Nursing Brangus Cows to Virtual Fencing: Insights from a Training Deployment Phase

Simple Summary The study explores the use of virtual fencing technology for managing livestock distribution, focusing on nursing Brangus cows. The study investigates how these animals learn to avoid restricted areas and increase their reliance on auditory cues over time. The findings support the effectiveness of virtual fencing in controlling cow spatial behavior and highlight their ability to adapt to virtual boundaries rapidly. The research also presents a safe and efficient training protocol for implementing virtual fence systems. Abstract Virtual fencing systems have emerged as a promising technology for managing the distribution of livestock in extensive grazing environments. This study provides comprehensive documentation of the learning process involving two conditional behavioral mechanisms and the documentation of efficient, effective, and safe animal training for virtual fence applications on nursing Brangus cows. Two hypotheses were examined: (1) animals would learn to avoid restricted zones by increasing their use of containment zones within a virtual fence polygon, and (2) animals would progressively receive fewer audio-electric cues over time and increasingly rely on auditory cues for behavioral modification. Data from GPS coordinates, behavioral metrics derived from the collar data, and cueing events were analyzed to evaluate these hypotheses. The results supported hypothesis 1, revealing that virtual fence activation significantly increased the time spent in containment zones and reduced time in restricted zones compared to when the virtual fence was deactivated. Concurrently, behavioral metrics mirrored these findings, with cows adjusting their daily travel distances, exploration area, and cumulative activity counts in response to the allocation of areas with different virtual fence configurations. Hypothesis 2 was also supported by the results, with a decrease in cueing events over time and increased reliance with animals on audio cueing to avert receiving the mild electric pulse. These outcomes underscore the rapid learning capabilities of groups of nursing cows in responding to virtual fence boundaries.
Association between the Suita Score and Body Composition in Japanese Adults: A Large Cross-Sectional Study

The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between the Suita score (a prediction model for the development of cardiovascular disease) and body composition in Japanese health check-up subjects (6873 men and 8685 women). The Suita score includes 8 items (age, gender, smoking, diabetes, blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, and chronic kidney disease). Factors associated with the Suita score within body composition-related parameters (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), fat mass index, fat-free mass index, fat mass to fat-free mass ratio (F-FF ratio), and water mass index) as assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis were examined. The mean age of subjects was 54.8 years in men and 52.8 years in women (p < 0.0001). The mean BMI was 23.9 kg/m2 in men and 21.8 kg/m2 in women (p < 0.0001). Diabetes mellitus was found in 1282 subjects (18.7%) among men and 816 subjects (9.4%) among women (p < 0.0001). The mean Suita score was 42.0 in men and 29.6 in women (p < 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, WC (p < 0.0001), F-FF ratio (p < 0.0001), and water mass index (p < 0.0001) were independent factors linked to the Suita score for both genders. In conclusion, body composition can be associated with the Suita score in Japanese adults receiving health check-ups.
The Role of the Asian–Australian Monsoon System in the Onset Time of El Niño Events

Abstract Based on the time of first occurrence of a significant sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) in the Nino-3.4 area (5°S–5°N, 170°–120°W), two types of El Nino episodes can be identified: the spring (SP) type in which the SSTA first increased to greater than 0.5°C in April or May, and the summer (SU) type in which this threshold is first reached in July or August. Composites of the SSTAs for these two types of events during the period 1950–97 show that the SP (SU) event is generally a stronger (weaker) warm episode in terms of the SSTA amplitude, and longer (shorter) in terms of the period during which the SSTA is greater than 0.5°C. Before the occurrence of both types of El Nino episodes, the zonal wind anomalies over the western equatorial Pacific are always westerly. The east Asian winter monsoon is also strong. The difference between the two types is mainly in the timing of the occurrence of the westerly anomalies. For the SP (SU) events, these anomalies extend to the date line by January (May.
Customer Analytics in Performance Measurement and Reporting Systems

This study examines how firms deploy customer analytics in their performance measurement and reporting systems. Firstly, we synthesize insights from the literature on customer analytics in accounting and marketing and conduct interviews with experts in the field. We then present the results of an online survey conducted among a sample of subscription-based firms known for their early adoption of customer analytics. Our findings reveal that the use of customer analytics varies significantly by metric type, with traditional indicators (e.g., number of customers) showing higher levels of integration compared with more advanced metrics, such as customer lifetime value and customer equity. The extent of adoption in performance measurement and reporting systems appears to depend on the ability of a firm to fit customer analytics into its organizational architecture. We conclude by identifying research avenues reflecting current trends that will likely shape the emerging literature on customer analytics.
Water Discharge and Suspended Sediment Concentrations in the Amazon River: 1982–1984

An equal-width-increment procedure was developed to measure water discharge and the suspended sediment load of the Amazon River and its principal tributaries. A variable speed hydraulic winch deploys an instrument array of a sounding weight, Price current meter, and collapsible bag sampler by lowering it from the surface to the bottom and back at a constant velocity. Eighteen verticals are taken at main stem stations (fewer on tributaries), with positioning determined by shipboard observation with a sextant monitoring angles from a three-marker baseline on the shore. Confidence intervals (95%) for discharge and the fluxes of fine ( 0.063 mm) suspended sediments were 5%, 10%, and 20%, respectively. Water discharge varied from 31,700 m3/s to 69,700 m3/s upriver at Vargem Grande and from 91,700 m3/s to 203,000 m3/s downriver at Obidos. Concentrations of fine suspended sediments generally decreased downstream from 220–490 mg/L at Vargem Grande to 110–250 mg/L at Sao Jose do Amatari. Large concentrations of fines at high water in the Rio Madeira of 590–770 mg/L increased downstream concentrations of fines in the Amazon. Coarse suspended sediments had some of the same distribution and transport patterns as the fines but with only 20–30% of the concentration.
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES TO MITIGATE THE IMPACT OF HIGH TEMPERATURE ON WHEAT: A REVIEW

Climate change is a reality and agriculture is highly vulnerable, particularly in the semi-arid and arid regions of India. The climate is changing rapidly through the processes such as CO2 and changed pattern of precipitation resulting in heat and drought stresses, respectively. This changing climate could strongly affect the wheat production worldwide. The effect of increasing temperature during grain filling stage of wheat causes substantial reduction in grain yield. In this review paper are discussed the factors responsible to reduce the grain yield of wheat under the climate change and agronomic management practices as time of sowing, alternative method of planting, mulching, seed priming, foliar spray of salts, use of potassium fertilizer with municipal waste water, use of extra irrigation water and foliar spray of micronutrients to mitigate the high temperature effect on the productivity of wheat. Priming with moringa water extract and ascorbate substantially improved the tissue water status, membrane stability, gas exchange, water productivity of the plant. Timely sowing of wheat crop generally gives higher yield as compared to late sown crop. Late sown wheat crop faces high temperature stress during ripening phase. Late planting reduces the tillering period and hot weather during critical period of grain filling lead to forced maturity thereby reduces the grain yield. Planting of wheat with zero tillage, bed planting and conventional tillage with mulching produced higher grain yield than conventional tillage. Organic mulches provided better soil water status and improved plant canopy in terms of biomass, root growth, leaf area index and grain yield, which subsequently resulted in higher water and nitrogen uptake and their use efficiencies. The foliar spray of KNO3 (0.5%) at 50 percent flowering stage, 1.0 per cent KNO3 during anthesis stage, 2.5 mM of arginine, spray of zinc, extra irrigation water during grain filling stage, use of potassium fertilizers with municipal waste water increased the productivity of wheat under high temperature conditions.
Channel Blocklength Minimization in MU-MISO Nonorthogonal Multiple Access for URLLC Services

This article investigates the channel blocklength minimization problem in a multiuser multiinput single-output (MU-MISO) nonorthogonal multiple access (NOMA) system with beamforming and imperfect channel state information at the transmitter to satisfy the stringent quality of service (QoS) requirements of ultrareliable and low-latency communications (URLLC). We jointly optimize the channel blocklength and beamforming vector to minimize the used channel blocklength in a mission-critical Internet-of-Things scenario. To solve the formulated problem, we first propose a bisection method to obtain the blocklength. The formulated problem is further transformed into a min-max problem, and the minimum error probability is obtained by performing the successive convex approach algorithm. Finally, we update the blocklength according to the obtained error probability. The simulation results show that the minimum blocklength in the MISO NOMA is lower than that in MISO orthogonal multiple access and demonstrate the superiority of the proposed scheme in latency reduction for URLLC.
Pharmacogenetics of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Uruguay: adverse events related to induction phase drugs

In Uruguay, the pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cure rate is 82.2%, similar to those reported in developed countries. However, many patients suffer adverse effects that could be attributed, in part, to genetic variability. This study aims to identify genetic variants related to drugs administered during the induction phase and analyze their contribution to adverse effects, considering individual genetic ancestry. Ten polymorphisms in five genes (ABCB1, CYP3A5, CEP72, ASNS, and GRIA1) related to prednisone, vincristine, and L-asparaginase were genotyped in 200 patients. Ancestry was determined using 45 ancestry informative markers (AIMs). The sample ancestry was 69.2% European, 20.1% Native American, and 10.7% African, but with high heterogeneity. Mucositis, Cushing syndrome, and neurotoxicity were the only adverse effects linked with genetic variants and ancestry. Mucositis was significantly associated with ASNS (rs3832526; 3R/3R vs. 2R carriers; OR: = 6.88 [1.88–25.14], p = 0.004) and CYP3A5 (non-expressors vs. expressors; OR: 4.55 [1.01–20.15], p = 0.049) genes. Regarding Cushing syndrome, patients with the TA genotype (rs1049674, ASNS) had a higher risk of developing Cushing syndrome than those with the TT genotype (OR: 2.60 [1.23–5.51], p = 0.012). Neurotoxicity was significantly associated with ABCB1 (rs9282564; TC vs. TT; OR: 4.25 [1.47–12.29], p = 0.007). Moreover, patients with <20% Native American ancestry had a lower risk of developing neurotoxicity than those with ≥20% (OR: 0.312 [0.120–0.812], p = 0.017). This study shows the importance of knowing individual genetics to improve the efficacy and safety of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Vertical Distribution of Diatoms Analysis
to Determine the Condition of Rawapening Lake
in the Past through Cluster Analysis
with the Bray-Curtis Model

Rawapening Lake is located in Semarang Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia, and is the center of various activities, including agriculture, fisheries, sources of electrical energy, raw water, tourism, and culture. A 100-cm-long sediment sample was extracted from Rawapening Lake to reconstruct the dynamics of environmental change by observing the preserved diatoms. Diatoms are sensitive to changes in water quality, so their pattern of existence can reflect changes in lake conditions. The sampling location is located at the mouth of the Tuntang River, the only outlet of Rawapening Lake, which has 20 inlets as water sources. Sediment cores were sliced at 1-cm intervals for diatom analysis. Diatom slide mounts were prepared from about 5 grams of dry sediment using 10% hydrochloric acid
A Boat Load of Vikings?

Abstract The isotope composition of tooth enamel and associated dentine and lead concentration was analyzed for strontium and oxygen (enamel) and carbon and nitrogen (dentine) from ten skulls taken from a burial pit found on the Chalk at Ridgeway Hill north of Weymouth, Dorset, on the south coast of England. These individuals are a subset of the 51 men in this pit, all of whom had been decapitated. The results from the ten individuals show that they were a diverse group of individuals. ATMS radiocarbon dating of three individuals gave dates that are statistically consistent and their weighted mean, when calibrated, provides a date range of AD 970–1025 (93% probability). The oxygen isotope composition ranges between 13.7‰ SMOW and 16.5‰SMOW, which result in drinking-water values between -15.4‰ SMOW and -9.2‰ VSMOW using the adapted Levinson calculation. They were raised in a climate that is colder than that of Britain, and one man has a signature that is consistent with an Arctic origin. The 87Sr/86Sr isotope signature is also diverse, ranging between 0.71013 and 0.72051. Whereas the high value is typical in areas of ancient cratonic rocks underlying much of Scandinavia, the lower values are less diagnostic and could indicate either a coastal origin or a childhood spent in an area underlain by geologically younger rocks. The dietary signature derived from C and N stable isotope analysis is more consistent with a Scandinavian than British diet for the period. Very low concentrations of lead (Pb) in these individuals indicates that lead was not bioavailable to the extent it was in contemporaneous Britain. We speculate that this group of men might represent the crew of a Scandinavian Viking raiding party that was captured and executed by local inhabitants from the Weymouth area.
EFFECT OF FERTILIZERS ON GROWTH AND ESSENTIAL OIL PRODUCTIVITY OF Coriandrum sativum L. AND Kaempferia galanga L. IN VIETNAM

This study aims to evaluate the effect of different fertilizers on the growth and essential oil productivity of coriander and sand ginger in Vietnam. Nutritional parameters including total N, total P, total K, humus and organic matter concentrations of the cultivated soil samples were suitable for the growth and development of crops. The contents of heavy metals including As, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn and Hg in the cultivated soil and irrigation water samples were under the allowable value given in Vietnam standards. Under different condition of fertilizing formulas, coriander and sand ginger in formula F3 fertilized with decomposed chicken manure, N, P, K, combined with multi-functional microbial fertilizer gave the highest dry biomass yields (6.91 and 2.10 ton/ha) and essential oil productivities (32.51 and 14.39 L/ha) compared to the formula F1 and formula F2 fertilized only decomposed chicken manure or combined with N, P, K.
Prevalence, causes and contexts of childhood overweight and obesity in the Pacific region: a scoping review

Background Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a major threat to health and development and account for 75% of deaths in the Pacific Islands Countries and Territories (PICTs). Childhood obesity has been identified as a main risk factor for NCDs later in life. This review compiled overweight and obesity (OWOB) prevalence (anthropometric data) for children aged six to 12 years old living in the Pacific region and identified possible related causes. Methods We conducted a systematic search using PubMed, Google Scholar and ScienceDirect for articles published between January 1980 and August 2022. We also searched for technical reports from Ministries of Health. Guided by the eligibility criteria, two authors independently read the selected articles and reports to extract and summarise relevant information related to overweight and obesity. Results We selected 25 articles, two worldwide analyses of population-based studies and four national reports. Information revealed that childhood OWOB prevalence reached 55% in some PICTs. This review also indicated that age, gender and ethnicity were linked to children’s weight status, while dietary practices, sleep time and level of physical activity played a role in OWOB development, as well as the living environment (socio-economic status and food availability), parenting practices and education level. Conclusion This review highlighted that anthropometric data are limited and that comparisons are difficult due to the paucity of surveys and non-standardized methodology. Main causes of overweight and obesity are attributed to individual characteristics of children and behavioural patterns, children’s socio-economic environment, parenting practices and educational level. Reinforcement of surveillance with standardised tools and metrics adapted to the Pacific region is crucial and further research is warranted to better understand root causes of childhood OWOB in the Pacific islands. More robust and standardized anthropometric data would enable improvements in national strategies, multisectoral responses and innovative interventions to prevent and control NCDs.
Creation of a Canopy Height Model from mini-UAV Imagery

The arrival of mini-UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), these small autonomous aircrafts, has opened the doors to a new environmental data acquisition’s approach. In forestry, low-altitude imagery from UAV can be used to characterize forest ecosystem structure through a Canopy Height Model (CHM). The greatest asset of these images, compare to traditional remote sensing techniques such as photogrammetry (high altitude flights with metric camera) or Lidar based survey, stay its high spatial and temporal resolutions [Watts et al., 2012]. In this research, authors developed a new workflow for acquiring low-altitude aerial images with a mini-UAV and used them for the construction of a high resolution Canopy Height Model.