Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF SEISMIC PERFORMANCE OF REINFORCED BRICK MASONRY INFILLED REINFORCED CONCRETE FRAMES WITH A CENTRAL OPENING

This paper discusses the experimental results for defining the seismic performance of the brick masonry infilled reinforced concrete (RC) frame with a central opening under lateral static reversed cyclic loading. The influence of the presence of the rebar reinforcements on the opening interface to the masonry is compared to the opening without rebar reinforcement. In this study, six of 1/4 scale-down of single-story singlebay RC frame specimens have been constructed and tested. These specimens included one bare RC frame, one unreinforced brick masonry infilled RC frame, two unreinforced brick masonry infilled RC frames with a central opening and two brick masonry infilled RC frames with a central opening embedded with 2Ø6 horizontal steel reinforcements above and below of the opening. The ratios of opening size to the panel area of the infilled specimens were 25% and 40%. The experimental results confirm that the existence of the opening reduces the stiffness, the lateral strength and energy dissipation of the RC infilled frame system. However, the infilled frames with 25% and 40% opening ratios show better performance compare to bare frame specimen. Although the strengthening by using embedded rebars does not significantly increase the performance of the RC frame system, the brick infill with horizontal reinforcements installed above and below the opening was verified to resist large deformation of masonry infill in out of plane direction.
Association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and cognitive impairment in patients with cerebral small vessel disease: a cross-sectional study

Objective Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is the most common vascular cause of cognitive impairment. This study aimed to explore the association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and cognitive impairment in CSVD patients. Methods Demographic, medical, laboratory, cognitive evaluation, and MTHFR C677T polymorphism data were collected from CSVD patients admitted to our hospital between January 2019 and July 2023. Inclusion criteria for CSVD were based on the Standards for Reporting Vascular changes on Neuroimaging (STRIVE) criteria, with age ≥ 45 years. Binary logistic regression models were used to analyze risk factors associated with WMH and cognitive impairment. Results A total of 330 CSVD participants were recruited in this study, including 179 male and 151 female, with a median age of 64 years (interquartile range: 58–73 years). There were 185 patients (56.1%) with cognitive impairment, 236 patients (71.5%) with WMH, 89 patients (27.0%) with CMB, 87 patients (26.4%) with lacunes. All participants completed MTHFR polymorphism analysis, 149 cases (45.2%) of the CC genotype, 112 cases (33.9%) of the CT genotype and 69 cases (20.9%) of the TT genotype. Patients with TT genotype exhibited higher plasma homocysteine levels and more severe WMH and cognitive impairment (p < 0.001). Multivariable binary logistic regression model showed that WMH was significantly associated with age (p = 0.019), history of hypertension (p = 0.011), HHcy (p = 0.019) and MTHFR genotype (p = 0.041); while cognitive impairment was significantly associated with age (p = 0.033), history of hypertension (p = 0.019), HHcy (p = 0.040), MTHFR genotype (p = 0.039), WMH (p = 0.041), and lacunes (p = 0.001). Conclusion In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and cognitive function in CSVD patients. We found that MTHFR 677 TT genotype was an independent risk factor for the progression of WMH and cognitive impairment in CSVD patients.
The Impact of Teacher-student Relationships on Academic Engagement in Chinese High Schools

"Teacher-student relationship and academic engagement" have always been important parts of research. Nevertheless, for Chinese high school students, teacher-student relationships can influence on their academic engagement importantly. The research results indicate that teacher-student rapport significantly enhances the academic engagement of Chinese high school students. Based on the findings, the researcher encourages teachers to pay more attention to marginalized students in the classroom. As there are many external influences in the study, such as class size, family background, and psychological factors. Through the interviews, class size was the main reason why not every student was able to establish a positive teacher-student relationship. Because it holds the limitations of classroom size, a 45-minute classroom makes it difficult for teachers to focus on every student. Policy makers need to reduce classroom size is the key to solving the problem. In summary, this study provides important insights into the impact of teacher-student relationships on Chinese high school students' academic engagement.
A CERATOPSID PELVIS WITH TOOTHMARKS FROM THE UPPER CRETACEOUS KIRTLAND FORMATION, NEW MEXICO: EVIDENCE OF LATE CAMPANIAN TYRANNOSAURID FEEDING BEHAVIOR

A well-preserved incomplete ceratopsid pelvis from the late Campanian of New Mexico exhibits a num- ber of toothmarks attributed to the tyrannosaurid Daspletosaurus. The toothmarks are mostly simple, shallow punc- tures, but some "puncture and pull" marks are identified, together with possible score marks possibly made by pre- maxillary teeth. These toothmarks represent scavenging behavior by one or a number of Daspletosaurus. The habits of tyrannosaurids in general are characterized as being opportunistic carnivores specializing in shake-feeding.
Nonlinear Evolution of Counter‐Propagating Whistler Mode Waves Excited by Anisotropic Electrons Within the Equatorial Source Region: 1‐D PIC Simulations

Nonlinear physical processes related to whistler mode waves are attracting more and more attention for their significant role in reshaping whistler mode spectra in the Earth's magnetosphere. Using a 1‐D particle‐in‐cell simulation model, we have investigated the nonlinear evolution of parallel counter‐propagating whistler mode waves excited by anisotropic electrons within the equatorial source region. In our simulations, after the linear phase of whistler mode instability, the strong electrostatic standing structures along the background magnetic field will be formed, resulting from the coupling between excited counter‐propagating whistler mode waves. The wave numbers of electrostatic standing structures are about twice those of whistler mode waves generated by anisotropic hot electrons. Moreover, these electrostatic standing structures can further be coupled with either parallel or antiparallel propagating whistler mode waves to excite high‐k modes in this plasma system. Compared with excited whistler mode waves, these high‐k modes typically have 3 times wave number, same frequency, and about 2 orders of magnitude smaller amplitude. Our study may provide a fresh view on the evolution of whistler mode waves within their equatorial source regions in the Earth's magnetosphere.
Predicting the Suitable Habitat of Treeline Species in the Nepalese Himalayas Under Climate Change

The response of treeline-forming species to global climate change is uncertain. While numerous treeline species have recently experienced range advance along their upper elevational boundary, this has been species- and region-dependent. Making an accurate prediction of how taxa will respond is essential for conservation and land management, as treeline advance is likely to result in a loss of alpine biodiversity through habitat change and fragmentation. Predicting any species response requires an understanding of the current physical and climatic determinants of its distribution. We used the Maxent species distribution modeling software to predict the likelihood of treeline advance in the Nepalese Himalayas by modeling the extent of suitable habitats for 3 dominant treeline species—Abies spectabilis, Betula utilis, and Pinus wallichiana—under present and projected climate conditions. Temperature-related climatic variables and elevation explained the greatest amount of variance in the distribution of the study species. Under projected climate conditions, we found a regional increase in suitable habitat for all 3 treeline species, predicting a potential for northward and upslope advance.
A Comprehensive Assessment of Apple Production in Jumla District, Nepal: Status, Economics, Marketing and Challenges

Apple production is a vital sector of agriculture in Nepal, significantly impacting local livelihoods and the regional economy. This study, conducted in Jumla District, Nepal, from January to July 2022, aims to comprehensively assess apple production, including its existing conditions, economic implications, marketing and challenges. The research hypothesizes that while apple production in Jumla District contributes significantly to the local economy, it faces challenges related to pest and disease management, marketing, and adoption of modern practices. Using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), descriptive statistics were computed based on data collected from a sample of 80 respondents selected through simple random sampling. The result revealed that agriculture constituted the primary source of income for 73.75% of the population, with an average landholding size of 0.3428 ha and an apple-growing land area of 0.3164 ha. Income from apple production, along with vegetables and fruits, was a major income source. The average annual sales of apple production were 7.291 t/ha. Labor costs accounted for 45.67% of the total cost of apple production, with an average total production cost of NPR 238,097.2 and average gross returns of NPR 485,500. Apple productivity was 9.71 t/ha, demonstrating its economic viability with net returns of NPR 247,402.80 per ha and benefit cost ratio of 2.039. However, the study found that farm produce only sufficed for 6-9 months, with pest and disease incidence and marketing issues as major challenges. Interventions should address pest and disease management, marketing strategies, and modern practices adoption to enhance sustainable and profitable apple production in Jumla. Efforts to extend farm produce sufficiency should also be explored, highlighting apple production's potential and the need for targeted support to overcome challenges and foster sector development.
Effectiveness of Electroencephalography Neurofeedback for Improving Working Memory and Episodic Memory in the Elderly: A Meta-Analysis

Background and Objective: Existing evidence indicates the potential benefits of electroencephalography neurofeedback (NFB) training for cognitive function. This study aims to comprehensively review all available evidence investigating the effectiveness of NFB on working memory (WM) and episodic memory (EM) in the elderly population. Material and Methods: A systematic search was conducted across five databases to identify clinical trials examining the impact of NFB on memory function in healthy elderly individuals or those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The co-primary outcomes focused on changes in WM and EM. Data synthesis was performed using a random-effects meta-analysis. Results: Fourteen clinical trials (n = 284) were included in the analysis. The findings revealed that NFB was associated with improved WM (k = 11, reported as Hedges’ g = 0.665, 95% confidence [CI] = 0.473 to 0.858, p < 0.001) and EM (k = 12, 0.595, 0.333 to 0.856, p < 0.001) in the elderly, with moderate effect sizes. Subgroup analyses demonstrated that NFB had a positive impact on both WM and EM, not only in the healthy population (WM: k = 7, 0.495, 0.213 to 0.778, p = 0.001; EM: k = 6, 0.729, 0.483 to 0.976, p < 0.001) but also in those with MCI (WM: k = 6, 0.812, 0.549 to 1.074, p < 0.001; EM: k = 6, 0.503, 0.088 to 0.919, p = 0.018). Additionally, sufficient training time (totaling more than 300 min) was associated with a significant improvement in WM (k = 6, 0.743, 0.510 to 0.976, p < 0.001) and EM (k = 7, 0.516, 0.156 to 0.876, p = 0.005); however, such benefits were not observed in groups with inadequate training time. Conclusions: The results suggest that NFB is associated with enhancement of both WM and EM in both healthy and MCI elderly individuals, particularly when adequate training time (exceeding 300 min) is provided. These findings underscore the potential of NFB in dementia prevention or rehabilitation.
Implementation of a High-Sensitivity Global Navigation Satellite System Receiver on a System-on-Chip Field-Programmable Gate Array Platform

This paper presents the design, proof-of-concept implementation, and preliminary performance assessment of an affordable real-time High-Sensitivity (HS) Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver. Specifically tailored to capture and track weak Galileo E1b/c signals, this receiver aims to support research endeavors focused on advancing GNSS signal processing algorithms, particularly in scenarios characterized by pronounced signal attenuation. Leveraging System-on-Chip Field-Programmable Gate Array (SoC-FPGA) technology, this design merges the adaptability of Software Defined Radio (SDR) concepts with the the robust hardware processing capabilities of FPGAs. This innovative approach enhances power efficiency compared to conventional designs relying on general-purpose processors, thereby facilitating the development of embedded software-defined receivers. Within this architecture, we implemented a modular GNSS baseband processing engine, offering a versatile platform for the integration of novel algorithms. The proposed receiver undergoes testing with live signals, showcasing its capability to process GNSS signals even in challenging scenarios with a carrier-to-noise density ratio (C/N0) as low as 20 dB-Hz, while delivering navigation solutions. This work contributes to the advancement of low-cost, high-sensitivity GNSS receivers, providing a valuable tool for researchers engaged in the development, testing, and validation of experimental GNSS signal processing techniques.
Distributed Hydrologic Modeling of Humid Regions

Distributed physically-based hydrologic modeling of humid watersheds with shallow soils is complicated by non-Hortonian runoff production mechanisms. This paper presents a numerical experimental methodology for evaluating the frequency, duration and extent of saturation excess variable source areas. The methodology considers rainfall spatio-temporal variability and antecedent moisture conditions, with and without soil macropores in the downslope direction. This study allows examination of non-Hortonian runoff production mechanisms with implications for two-dimensional physically based watershed modeling.
The effect of I Love You massage technique on the gastric function, growth parameters, and comfort among hospitalized preterm neonates

Background : One of the most frequent problems that arise in preterm neonates and elevates their morbidity and death rate is feeding intolerance. Aim: Determine the effect of the I Love You technique of abdominal massage on gastric function, growth parameters, and comfort among hospitalized preterm neonates . Methods: Quasi-experimental research design took place in Kafrelsheikh University Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit-Egypt. A sample of 60 preterm neonates was randomly divided into two groups, each receiving conventional hospital care. The study group received a 15-minute abdominal massage twice daily, precisely one hour before their meals. Tools : The preterm neonates' characteristics assessment record, Neonate Comfort Behavior (COMFORT neo) Scale, and feeding intolerance assessment sheet were the three instruments employed. Results : Statistical difference is evident in the mean scores denoting feeding intolerance parameters between the initial day and the fifth day within the massage group such as gastric residual volume, abdominal circumference, vomiting frequency, and defecation frequency. Most of the study group had achieved comfort through the third to fifth day of the study. The difference in mean weight between the massage and control groups on the fifth day exhibited an exceptionally high level of statistical significance. Conclusion: This study highlights the efficacy of the I Love You massage of the abdomen as a safe non-pharmacological intervention in preterm neonates receiving enteral nutrition . Recommendation: Training initiatives should be implemented for all nurses in the NICU to educate them about the utilization of abdominal massage and its advantageous outcomes for premature neonates
Aplicacin del diseo estadstico de mezclas para la formulacin de pasta autocompactante

The self-compacting concrete formulation means to elaborate a self-compacting cement paste to which will be injected aggregates. The purpose of this work is to find the composition of this cement paste containing local materials (pozzolanic cement, limestone fillers, superplasticizer and water) having self-compacting properties. The use of the experimental plans method shows that it is possible to delimit an experimental field bounded by the volumetric proportions of materials composing the paste. The field was transformed in equations form conditioned by implicit constraints, defining zones of minimal shearing threshold and maximum viscosity; numerical resolution submitted to the optimization criteria permitted to define the volumetric proportions of each mixing parameter contributing to the preparation of an optimal paste. After experimental checking to validate obtained results, conclusions are that, from results given by ternary diagrams and desirability’s functions, a composition of an optimal self-compacting cement pas was obtained.
Supply Chain Coordination and Supply Chain Cooperation Towards Supply Chain Performance: Mediating Role of Supply Chain Ambidexterity in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The most vital energy resources for modern society are oil and natural gas. These two fundamental factors might have a considerable impact in the development of international relations due to their strategic importance in global economic and political situation. Hence, this research designs a model to enhance the supply chain performance in the oil and gas companies in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The recent study aimed to examine the impact of the SC coordination and SC cooperation on the SC performance with the mediating effect of the SC ambidexterity in the oil and gas companies in KSA. A total of 300 questionnaires selected of the oil and gas companies in KSA using convenience sampling method. The study used SEM with SMART-PLS 4 to analyze the data collected. The measurement model applied to analyze the validity and reliability of the model, the path coefficient in the structural equation model used to test the study hypotheses. The results of this study support all of five direct effect hypotheses and two mediation hypotheses. The result of the study finds that SC collaboration has a significant impact on the SC performance and SC ambidexterity, and SC cooperation has a significant impact on the SC performance and SC ambidexterity. Also, the result of the study found significant impact of the SC ambidexterity on SC performance in the oil and gas companies KSA. Moreover, the result of the study confirms the mediating role of the SC ambidexterity on the impact of the SC collaboration and SC cooperation on SC performance. The study provides very important implications to the managers of the KSA to improve their supply chain performance to gain competitive advantage by applying model of SC collaboration, SC cooperation and SC ambidexterity in oil and gas industry.
A Subacute Toxicity Test of Rhizophora apiculata Stem Bark Ethanol Extract on the Number, Motility, and Morphology of Male Rattus Norvegicus Spermatozoa

Indonesia has the largest mangrove ecosystem in the world. Rhizophora apiculata is a mangrove often used as traditional medicine by Indonesians. It has previously been researched that the ethanol extract of Rhizophora apiculata stem bark has benefits as a source of natural antioxidants. However, there has yet to be much research on the toxicity of this extract. Therefore, researchers want to know the subacute toxic dose of Rhizophora apiculata bark extract on fertility parameters. The type of research is experimental research with a completely randomized research design. The sample consisted of 30 male rats, which were divided into 5 groups, namely the control group, which received no treatment, and the P1-P4 treatment group, which was given Rhizophora apiculata bark extract every day with 4 dose levels starting from 114 mg/kg BW to a dose of 912 mg/kg BW for 28 days. On day 30, the rats were euthanized, and the fertility parameters of the rat spermatozoa were examined using a microscope. Kruskal-Wallis analysis and One-Way ANOVA showed p<0.05 for the spermatozoa's number, motility, and morphology. The toxic dose that can reduce the number of spermatozoa is found at 912 mg/kg BW; the toxic dose that reduces spermatozoa motility is 228 mg/kg BW; and the toxic dose that affects spermatozoa morphology is 456 mg/kg BW. This research concludes that the subacute toxic dose of the ethanol extract of Rhizophora apiculata stem bark against the spermatozoa of the male Rattus norvegicus Sprague Dawley strain in the subchronic toxicity test was 228 mg/kg BW.
Supplement Use and Increased Risks of Cancer: Unveiling the Other Side of the Coin

Simple Summary This study investigates the overlooked harmful effects of dietary supplements, particularly their potential association with increased cancer risk. In response to a rising trend in supplement consumption, we address the “more is better” mentality prevalent in marketing campaigns by focusing on the long-term and regular use of these supplements. Our findings reveal that beyond known toxicities at high levels, dietary supplements may contribute to increased risk of cancer. We consolidate evidence from studies highlighting the correlation between substantial micronutrient intake, supplement use, and the potential implications for cancer development and mortality. Recognizing the link between supplement consumption and increased cancer risk is crucial for informing consumers and empowering healthcare professionals in how to guide patients more effectively. Abstract There is a rising trend in the consumption of dietary supplements, especially among adults, with the purpose of improving health. While marketing campaigns tout the potential health benefits of using dietary supplements, it is critical to evaluate the potential harmful effects associated with these supplements as well. The majority of the scarce research on the potential harmful effects of vitamins focuses on the acute or chronic toxicities associated with the use of dietary supplements. Quality research is still required to further investigate the risks of long-term use of dietary supplements, especially the risk of developing cancers. The present review concentrates on studies that have investigated the association between the risk of developing cancers and associated mortality with the risk of dietary supplements. Such an association has been reported for several vitamins, minerals, and other dietary supplements. Even though several of these studies come with their own shortcomings and critics, they must draw attention to further investigate long-term adverse effects of dietary supplements and advise consumers and healthcare providers to ponder the extensive use of dietary supplements.