Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The geological context and evidence for incipient inversion of the London Basin

A reappraisal of ground investigation data across London reveal that a range of unexpected ground conditions, encountered in engineering works since Victorian times, may result from the effects of ongoing inversion of the London Basin. Site investigation borehole data and the distribution of river terrace deposits of the Thames and its tributaries reveal a complex pattern of block movements, tilting and dextral transcurrent displacement. Significant displacements (~10 m) observed in Thames terrace gravels in borehole TQ38SE1565 at the Lower Lea Crossing, showing that movement has occurred within the last ~100 ka. Restraining bends on reactivated transcurrent faults may explain the occurrence of drift filled hollows, previously identified as fluvially scoured pingos, by faulting and upward migration of water on a flower structure under periglacial conditions. Mapping the location of these features constrains the location of active transcurrent faults and so helps predict the likelihood of encountering hazardous ground conditions during tunnelling and ground engineering. RÉSUMÉ Une réévaluation des résultats provenant d’études de terrain à travers Londres a révélé une diversité de phénomènes géologiques inattendus. Rencontrés lors de travaux d’ingénierie depuis l’époque victorienne ils pourraient être causés par les suites de l’inversion du basin londonien en cours. Les données provenant de forages et la répartition des sédiments de la terrasse fluviale de la Tamise et ses affluents révèlent un schéma complexe de mouvements de blocs et de failles de cisaillement inclinées ou dextres. Les mouvements significatifs (~10m) observés dans le forage TQ38SE1565 des graviers de la terrasse de la Tamise au niveau du Lower Lea Crossing indiquent un âge inférieur à ~100ka. Des courbes de retenue sur des failles de cisaillement réactivées pourraient expliquer l’existence de creux remplis de sédiments, précédemment catégorisés en tant que pingos érodés par des processus fluviaux, qui seraient plutôt créé par des failles et la migration ascendante d’eau sur des structures en fleur en conditions périglaciaires. En cartographiant ces caractéristiques, la localisation de failles de cisaillement pourra être contrainte et ainsi aider à prédire la probabilité de rencontrer des terrains hasardeux lors de percement de tunnels ou de travaux d’ingénierie.
Plant functional types in relation to land use changes in a semi-arid Mediterranean environment

Land use changes are an important factor that affects ecosystems composition, function and structure. These changes can be studied by plant functional types (PFT), which are a useful tool because they offer comparable results for ecosystem changes on a global scale. An area with a semi-arid Mediterranean environment was chosen for study in Lagadas county, N. Greece. The objective was to identify plant functional groups that characterize each land use type. Four different treatments with four replicates each were studied: abandoned arable field, grassland, open shrubland and dense shrubland reflecting various stages of succession following land extensification and abandonment. In each of the 16 plots, species frequency was measured using 20 quadrats per plot. Four a priori groups were distinguished including grasses, legumes, forbs and sub-shrubs and for each species recorded the following traits were identified: life cycle, photosynthetic pathway and life form. It was found that grassland was the richest and the shrubland the poorest land use type in terms of number of species. Also, grasses and legumes were the most persistent groups of species while forbs and sub-shrubs the most sensitive ones along the four land use types studied. As far as the PFT are concerned, it was found that annual species and therophytes were decreased while perennials and hemicryptophytes were increased as the succession proceeded from the abandoned field to the dense shrubland while C4 grasses had a strong presence in grasslands and open shrublands.
Influence of Cumulative Rainfall on the Occurrence of Landslides in Korea

This study presents the impact of cumulative rainfall on landslides, following the analysis of cumulative rainfall for 20 days before the landslide. For the 1520 landslides analyzed, the highest amount of average daily rainfall of 52.9mm occurred the day before the landslide, and the least amount of 6.1mm was experienced 20 days before the landslide. The least number of landslides (263 landslides) occurred when the cumulative rainfall is less than 20mm, and increased to 316 landslides in less than 30mm rainfall, 514 landslides in less than 80mm, 842 landslides in less than 150mm, and 678 landslides in 150mm and above. Considering the landslide occurrence in relation to the cumulative rainfall and the cumulative number of days, 986 landslides (64.9%) of the 1520 landslides were triggered by the 3 days cumulative rainfall for the 100mm rainfall and below, and 60% of landslides at the 5 days cumulative rainfall, indicating that the impact of cumulative rainfall on landslides was high in the 3 days and 5 days cumulative rainfall. More landslides occurred for the 101mm-200mm rainfall at the 10 days cumulative rainfall, more landslides for the 201mm-300mm rainfall at the 14 days cumulative rainfall, and more landslides for the 301mm-400mm rainfall at the 18 days cumulative rainfall. Three typologies of cumulative rainfall triggers are evident in Korea which includes: the early stacked rainfall accumulation type; the long-term intensive rainfall accumulation type; the continuous daily rainfall accumulation type. Cumulative rainfall is thus a major factor causing landslides. It is therefore imperative to take into consideration cumulative rainfall and the cumulative number of days as important triggers of landslides, as this could help contribute in landslide forecasting, thus putting in place measures to minimize the damage caused to life and property by landslides.
Tannic Acid and Ethyl Gallate Potentialize Paclitaxel Effect on Microtubule Dynamics in Hep3B Cells

Among broad-spectrum anticancer agents, paclitaxel (PTX) has proven to be one of the most effective against solid tumors for which more specific treatments are lacking. However, drawbacks such as neurotoxicity and the development of resistance reduce its therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, there is a need for compounds able to improve its activity by synergizing with it or potentiating its effect, thus reducing the doses required. We investigated the interaction between PTX and tannins, other compounds with anticancer activity known to act as repressors of several proteins involved in oncological pathways. We found that both tannic acid (TA) and ethyl gallate (EG) strongly potentiate the toxicity of PTX in Hep3B cells, suggesting their utility in combination therapy. We also found that AT and EG promote tubulin polymerization and enhance the effect of PTX on tubulin, suggesting a direct interaction with tubulin. Biochemical experiments confirmed that TA, but not EG, binds tubulin and potentiates the apparent binding affinity of PTX for the tubulin binding site. Furthermore, the molecular docking of TA to tubulin suggests that TA can bind to two different sites on tubulin, one at the PTX site and the second at the interface of α and β-tubulin (cluster 2). The binding of TA to cluster 2 could explain the overstabilization in the tubulin + PTX combinatorial assay. Finally, we found that EG can inhibit PTX-induced expression of pAkt and pERK defensive protein kinases, which are involved in resistance to PXT, by limiting cell death (apoptosis) and favoring cell proliferation and cell cycle progression. Our results support that tannic acid and ethyl gallate are potential chemotherapeutic agents due to their potentiating effect on paclitaxel.
Influence of the Change of Phase Composition of (1 − x)ZrO2–xAl2O3 Ceramics on the Resistance to Hydrogen Embrittlement

The article describes the influence of the change in the phase composition of ceramics on the stability of the crystal structure and retention of thermo-physical parameters during hydrogenation of the surface layer in the proton irradiation process. The selection of irradiation conditions allows modeling the degradation processes of ceramics associated with gas swelling during hydrogenation, as well as revealing the patterns of the effect of phase composition on embrittlement, de-strengthening, and structural degradation resistance. In the course of the conducted studies, dose-dependencies of irradiation-induced structural changes and consecutive accumulation of radiation-induced damage in ceramics as a result of hydrogenation of the damaged near-surface layer were established. It was found that the maximum structural changes are observed at doses above 1015 protons/cm2. Dependencies of the change in the degree of structural order as a function of the dose of accumulated damage and the concentration of accumulated protons were obtained. It was established that the variation of the ceramics phase composition due to the formation of solid solutions of ZrO2/Al2O3 and ZrO2/Al2O3/AlZr3 type leads to an enhancement of resistance to swelling by 3–5 times in comparison with monoclinic ZrO2 ceramics. The general analysis of the variation of strength and thermo-physical parameters of ceramics as a function of irradiation fluence for ceramics with different phase compositions showed a direct dependence of the decrease in hardness, resistance to cracking, and thermal conductivity on the concentration of deformation structural distortions caused by irradiation.
Our Experience with rTMS in a Stroke

Background Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (r-TMS), a non-invasive brain stimulation method, appears promising in augmenting post-stroke recovery and requires further evaluation. Aims and Objective To study the effect of r-TMS treatment on motor function in patients with strokes of different duration and types. Methods A prospective, single center study was conducted to study the effect of bilateral motor cortex rTMS treatment in 100 consecutive patients with either ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke of any duration. Measured outcomes were changes in NIHSS, MRC grading for motor power, MAS (modified Ashworth scale) for spasticity and mRS (modified Rankin Score) from baseline to follow-up visit at 90 days. Paired T test was used for comparing the outcomes. Results 77% subjects were males, 82% had ischemic stroke, median age was 58.5 years, and median NIHSS score was 11. We observed favorable changes in outcome measures after treatment. mRS < = 2 at 90 days was observed in 85.71% of patients with acute stroke, 64.51% of subacute and 55.88% of chronic strokes (p value < 0.002). Acute stroke had higher rates of limb power improvement (94.28%) than subacute (70.96%) or chronic strokes (41.17%) (p value = < 0.01). Post-stroke spasticity reduction was also observed after rTMS. Patients with infarcts or hemorrhages had no significant differences. No significant adverse events were seen. Conclusion rTMS appears to be safe in our study population and could be effectively delivered at different time points to augment post-stroke motor recovery.
Detecting Structural Changes in the Choroidal Layer of the Eye in Neurodegenerative Disease Patients through Optical Coherence Tomography Image Processing

Purpose: To evaluate alterations of the choroid in patients with a neurodegenerative disease versus healthy controls, a custom algorithm based on superpixel segmentation was used. Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted on data obtained in a previous cohort study. Subjects: Swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) B-scan images obtained using a Triton (Topcon, Japan) device were compiled according to current OSCAR IB and APOSTEL OCT image quality criteria. Images were included from three cohorts: multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, Parkinson disease (PD) patients, and healthy subjects. Only patients with early-stage MS and PD were included. Methods: In total, 104 OCT B-scan images were processed using a custom superpixel segmentation (SpS) algorithm to detect boundary limits in the choroidal layer and the optical properties of the image. The algorithm groups pixels with similar structural properties to generate clusters with similar meaningful properties. Main outcomes: SpS selects and groups the superpixels in a segmented choroidal area, computing the choroidal optical image density (COID), measured as the standard mean gray level, and the total choroidal area (CA), measured as px2. Results: The CA and choroidal density (CD) were significantly reduced in the two neurodegenerative disease groups (higher in PD than in MS) versus the healthy subjects (p < 0.001); choroidal area was also significantly reduced in the MS group versus the healthy subjects. The COID increased significantly in the PD patients versus the MS patients and in the MS patients versus the healthy controls (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The SpS algorithm detected choroidal tissue boundary limits and differences optical density in MS and PD patients versus healthy controls. The application of the SpS algorithm to OCT images potentially acts as a non-invasive biomarker for the early diagnosis of MS and PD.
Effect of initial starvation on growth performance and length-weight relationship of striped murrel Channa striata (Bloch, 1793) larvae

The study evaluated the effect of delayed initial feeding on the growth performance and length-weight relationship of Channa striata (Bloch, 1793) larvae. C. striata larvae [3 days post-hatch (dph); mean length: 5. 960Â±0.32 mm] were reared in experimental tanks (10 l) at the stocking density of 5 larvae l-1 for 28 days in five treatments. The five treatments in triplicates were, T1 (3 dph, 0-day delay in initial feeding), T2 (4 dph - 1day delay in initial feeding), T3 (5 dph - 2 days delay in initial feeding), T4 (6 dph - 3 days delay in initial feeding) and T5 (7 dph - 4 days delay in initial feeding). One-way ANOVA results showed that delayed initial feed had a significant (p<0.05) effect on weight gain, daily weight gain, specific growth rate and survival rate. Weight gain was highest in 2 days delayed initial feeding (280.50 mg Â±9.5) and lowest in 1 day delayed initial feeding (207.87 mg Â±3.2). Similar pattern was also observed for the specific growth rate and survival. The length-weight relationship of larvae exhibited the lowest b value (2.006) in 3-days delayed feeding and the highest (2.627) in 1-day delayed feeding, which indicates negative allometric growth in the experimental groups. A better condition factor of 0.85 was noticed in 2 days of delayed initial feeding compared to all other treatment groups. The growth, survival and length-weight relationship data of the study suggested that 2 days of delay in first feeding yielded better growth and survival of C. striata larvae. Thus the information generated in this study might help in better management of the initial larval stages of C. striata.Keywords: Channa striata, Growth and survival, Larval rearing, Length-weight relationship, Starvation, Striped murrel
Relationship Analysis of Interpersonal Support with Well-being Index Among University Students

The present study was conducted August to December, 2019 under the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, College of Community Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India to assess the relationship between the well-being index and interpersonal support among university students i.e. Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar (GNDU), Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana (PAU) and Punjabi University, Patiala (PUP). The sample consisted of 480 students from the science stream studying in the 1st and 2nd years of the undergraduate program. The sample consisted of an equal number of first-year students (n=80) and second-year students (n=80) from each university. Random sampling was done to draw samples from three purposively selected universities. The study’s objective was to assess the relationship between the well-being index and interpersonal support of university students. The well-being index and the Interpersonal support scale were used as data collection tools to evaluate the well-being index and available interpersonal support among university students. Statistical tools were used to analyse the data. The results revealed that all the dimensions of the well-being index were positively related to interpersonal support year-wise, gender-wise, and overall universities-wise. Those students who perceived higher levels of interpersonal support also tended to have higher levels of well-being across various dimensions. The study will be helpful for the youth to understand the importance of interpersonal support and its relationship with the well-being index. University students who perceived better social support networks tend to have higher levels of well-being compared to those who lack such support.
Be Aware of the Benefits of Drafting in Sports and Take Your Advantage: A Meta-Analysis

Purpose. In competitive sports, optimizing performance is the key. An interesting venue to explore is to consider drafting as a pacing strategy. The purpose of this study is to identify the magnitude of drafting benefits for biomechanical, physiological, and psychobiological parameters in and between athletes in cycling, kayaking, running, skating, skiing, and swimming. Design. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods. Systematic searches were performed in PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases. Results. In total, 205 studies were found, from which 22 were relevant (including 232 participants and 548 observations). Methodological quality was high for all the included articles. The meta-analyses for all parameters indicated strong evidence for a benefit of drafting, with moderate effects between leading and drafting athletes found for the heart rate (3.9%), VO2 (8.9%), power output (11.3%), and rating of perceived exertion (10.4%). Large effect sizes were found for blood lactate (24.2%), VE (16.2%), and EMG (56.4%). A moderator analysis showed differences between sports on the effect of drafting with most benefits in cycling. Discussion. Based on the observed effects of drafting in the biomechanical, physiological, and psychobiological parameters, it can be considered as an element of pacing, a strategy to conserve energy and optimize performance. Conclusion. There is strong evidence that drafting benefits athletes, with varying levels of effect for athletes in different sports. Knowledge about the magnitude of benefits can be used to improve training sessions, race strategies, and performance in competition.
Population biology of the porcelain crab Pachycheles laevidactylus Ortmann, 1892 (Anomura: Porcellanidae) in the Southwestern Atlantic

ABSTRACT A population of the porcelain crab Pachycheles laevidactylus was evaluated based on sex ratio, sexual dimorphism, reproductive intensity, relative growth and sexual maturity. The porcelain crabs were identified, sexed and measured as follows: carapace (CL, length; CW, width), chelar propodus (PL, length; PH, height) and abdomen (AL, length; AW2 and AW5 , the width of the 2nd and 5th abdominal somite, respectively). For the 1,109 specimens analyzed, the sex ratio was 1:1, but contrasted in some seasons. Females were significantly larger than males, and ovigerous females were recorded in all seasons, with greater intensity in autumn and winter. In males, the biometric ratios of the major chelar propodus (PHxCL and PLxCL) showed positive allometry regarding body size, with a reduction in the allometry rate after puberty. The same occurred with females for the biometric ratios of the abdomen (AW2xCL and AW5xCL). Males attain morphological sexual maturity at 3.48 mm CL, earlier than females, which occurred at 5.00 mm CL. In this study, P. laevidactylus matured with a larger size than reported for others analyzed in the temperate zone. It is the first study addressing aspects of the population biology of P. laevidactylus in a region with a subtropical climate.
Adipokines in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Emerging Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease manifested by joint involvement, extra-articular manifestations, and general symptoms. Adipose tissue, previously perceived as an inert energy storage organ, has been recognised as a significant contributor to RA pathophysiology. Adipokines modulate immune responses, inflammation, and metabolic pathways in RA. Although most adipokines have a pro-inflammatory and aggravating effect on RA, some could counteract this pathological process. The coexistence of RA and sarcopenic obesity (SO) has gained attention due to its impact on disease severity and outcomes. Sarcopenic obesity further contributes to the inflammatory milieu and metabolic disturbances. Recent research has highlighted the intricate crosstalk between adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, suggesting potential interactions between these tissues in RA. This review summarizes the roles of adipokines in RA, particularly in inflammation, immune modulation, and joint destruction. In addition, it explores the emerging role of adipomyokines, specifically irisin and myostatin, in the pathogenesis of RA and their potential as therapeutic targets. We discuss the therapeutic implications of targeting adipokines and adipomyokines in RA management and highlight the challenges and future directions for research in this field.
The anatomy of long-term warming since 15 ka in New Zealand based on net glacier snowline rise

The timing and magnitude of postglacial climatic changes around the globe provide insights into the underlying drivers of natural climate change. Using geomorphologic mapping of moraines, 10 Be surface-exposure dating, snowline reconstructions, and numerical modeling, we quantified glacier behavior during Late Glacial (15–11.5 ka) and Holocene (the past ∼11.5 k.y.) time in the Ben Ohau Range, New Zealand. Glaciers were more extensive during the Antarctic Cold Reversal (ACR), than subsequently, and the margins underwent a punctuated net withdrawal over the Holocene. Numerical modeling experiments that achieve the best fit to the moraines suggest that air temperature during the ACR was between 1.8 °C and 2.6 °C cooler than today, with similar (±20%) prescribed precipitation. After the ACR, a net snowline rise of ∼100 m through the Younger Dryas stadial (12.9–11.7 ka) was succeeded by a further "long-term," or net, rise of ∼100 m between ∼11 k.y. and ∼500 yr ago. Glacier snowline records in New Zealand show generally coherent Late Glacial and Holocene climate trends. However, the paleoclimate record in the southwest Pacific region shows important differences from that in the Northern Hemisphere.