Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Observation‐Based Evaluation of Local Climate Effect of Terrestrial Vegetation in Temperate Zones

Terrestrial vegetation modulates the land‐atmosphere dynamics and is one of the fundamental forces for climatic variability. The vegetation feedback may enhance or offset a portion of ongoing global warming. However, it is challenging to disentangle the role of vegetation from the effect of other drivers, primarily due to lacking suitable reference without vegetation. Fortunately, China has recorded the land surface temperature (LST) on bare land in 2400s weather stations, providing a deal bare‐land reference. Here, we used satellite measurements of the vegetation's canopy temperature, contrasted with the surface temperature of bare land, to quantify the vegetation's effect on LST. Results show that vegetation has a cooling effect during daytime and a warming effect at night, and the magnitude of the former is significantly higher than that of the latter. Consequently, vegetation has a net cooling effect and reduces LST up to 2.18°C in China. Spatially, the cooling effect of vegetation decreases by 0.25°C for a unit increase of latitude. Based on land surface energy balance, the spatial pattern of vegetation's net effect is mainly driven by vegetation‐induced evapotranspiration and albedo. As latitude increases, the decrease of vegetation density significantly reduces the evapotranspiration‐induced cooling effect while having no distinct impact on the albedo‐induced warming effect. As a result, the net cooling effect of vegetation has an evident latitudinal gradient and a clear seasonal contrast. Additionally, the vegetation's effect on LST is sensitive to solar radiation and snow cover changes.
Evaluation of decadal land degradation dynamics in old coal mine areas of Central India

The present study attempts to understand land use land cover change dynamics in an area subjected to opencast and underground coal mining for the last few decades in Kotma Coalmines of Anuppur District in Madhya Pradesh, India through geospatial techniques. Land use and land cover (LULC) change detection analysis was performed digitally classifying LANDSAT‐5 (2001) as well as LANDSAT‐8 (2020) satellite data using a maximum likelihood algorithm. Results revealed that area under dense native vegetation decreased drastically (by 13.74 km2) with the gradual and consistent expansion in the activities of coal mines which showed the highest increase in area over time (15.84 km2). Bivariate regression analysis showed the positive empirical relationships between vegetation indices and soil physico‐chemical parameters. Studies suggested that soil and vegetation is degraded over the large mining areas consistently over a long time period. Despite the continuous reforestation activities on mined areas, the decline area under dense vegetation and sparse vegetation over the twenty‐year time‐scale indicates that the reclamation activities are still in its infancy. A land degradation vulnerability Index (LDVI) map was generated to understand the extent of decadal land degradation trends and it shows that 8.60% of the area is highly vulnerable to degradation. The land degradation index (LDI) inputs will help the planners to develop alternate strategies to tackle vulnerability zones for safe mining. Monthly estimation of various meteorological parameters was also recorded to generate heat plots for the period 2001–2020. The study concludes that monitoring and assessment of fragile ecosystems are indispensable for holistic environmental management.
Images of the East African Rift System by Global Adaptive‐Resolution Surface‐Wave Tomography

In this study we map the entire East African Rift System (EARS) within a global surface‐wave velocity model to better constrain the structure of the underlying mantle, as well as patterns that might be associated with its continuation in the Mozambique Channel. We use all publicly available seismograms from the African continent, amounting to 1296 stations and more than 30 years of recordings. From these data, we obtain dispersion curves using both ambient noise and teleseismic earthquakes. To our measurements, we add global counterparts and jointly invert them for phase‐velocity maps. We exploit a linearized inversion based on the ray theory, with an adaptive parameterization that allows for maximizing the resolution of the final maps based on the density of data coverage. We thus image the main African cratons and also some of the Archean blocks within them. We highlight the discontinuous nature of magmatic activity along the EARS and also display low‐velocity anomalies beneath the Comores Archipelago, Madagascar and Bassas da India volcanic islands and seamounts. This last low‐velocity anomaly is in the direct continuation of the EARS and could unveil an important magmatic system in the Mozambique Channel.
Exploring the Relationship between Changes in Postpartum BCS (Body Condition Score) and Reproductive Performance in Dairy Herds

The current research aims to explore the effects of Body condition score (BCS) reduction on some reproductive factors such as re-pregnancy rate, number of inseminations per pregnancy, clinical endometritis, and ovarian activity in Holstein cows and also the effects of number of calving and its difficulty, on changes in the BCS. Data analysis with spss 21 software shows that with a further decrease in BCS first month after delivery, the percentage of non-pregnant cases in the herd and the number of cows with inactive ovaries increases significantly. The rate of endometritis significantly increases by increasing negative changes in BCS by 0.5 units or more. The number of inseminations necessary for creating pregnancy in two groups of decrease in BCS was different with a statistically significant difference. The odds ratios of developing clinical endometritis and also inactive ovaries in cows with BCS changes< 0.5 were significantly greater. In addition, odds ratios of pregnancy with finally 3 inseminations in cows with changes in BCS ≤ 0.5 were significantly different from cows with higher BCS changes. BCS changes of cows in second calving were not significantly different from cows in first calving, while the changes in calving 3 and 4 were significantly different. Easy parturition and parturition with some help was not different in BCS changes but dystocia but dystocia has been associated with significant BCs changes (P<0.05). According to these results, it can be concluded that a further reduction in BCS was associated with a reduction in the reproductive performance.
Effects of Acibenzolar-S-methyl on the Probing Behaviour and Mortality of Cacopsylla pyri on Pear Plants

Simple Summary Acibenzolar-S-methyl is an analogue of salicylic acid, and it is known as a plant elicitor able to induce plant endogenous defences against plant pathogens. Recently, it has been shown to also affect phloem-feeder pests, even though the mechanism is still unclear. Pear psylla (Cacopsylla pyri) is a serious threat for pear production in Europe, and its control is usually based on the use of chemical insecticides. The development of novel innovative control approaches is becoming more and more important, especially in integrated pest management. The present work investigated the possible indirect influence of acibenzolar-S-methyl, through the expression of pear Pathogenesis-Related protein (PR) coding genes, on the probing behaviour and on the survival of C. pyri nymphs and adults feeding on pear potted plants. The minor effects observed on the pest would suggest that acibenzolar-S-methyl cannot be used against psyllas, but it might be recommended on pear orchards in the primary control of other targets such as fire blight disease. Abstract European pear psylla, Cacopsylla pyri, is one of the worst pests of pear in Europe. We investigated whether acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM) application on pear plants might affect the behaviour in C. pyri. The elicitor was applied on pear potted plants, and after 48 h, we confirmed the ASM-mediated induction of several Pathogenesis-Related protein (PR) coding genes. At the same time, an in-depth analysis was performed on the probing behaviour of adults and nymphs of C. pyri on ASM-treated pear plants by the EPG-DC system, as well as the assessment of young nymphs’ survival 7 days after the ASM application. The elicitor application weakly interfered with C. pyri nymphs probing behaviour and survival, while it did not affect adult stages. These data confirm previous observations obtained on C. pyricola and suggest that the elicitor does not represent a viable tool in the control of pear psylla species, especially if used alone, but it might be used in integrated management strategies focused on other plant pathogens such as Erwinia amylovora.
Sustaining organizational performance and employee wellbeing in the 4IR: the impact of leadership 4.0, PSYCAP, and high-performance HR practices

This paper investigates perceived leadership 4.0, psychological capital (PsyCap), and high-performance human resource practices (HPHRPs) for sustainable organizational performance (OP) and employee psychological wellbeing (EPW) in business organizations.This investigation’s sample was obtained from twenty (20) organizations in Nigeria’s and Ghana’s financial, manufacturing, and service industries. Hence, this comparative study espoused a cross-sectional survey method. Nevertheless, from the 500 surveys floated, two hundred and forty-six (246) surveys were retrieved in Nigeria and two hundred and forty-three (243) in Ghana. A total of four hundred and eight-nine (489) were fit for analysis, done with Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS v.27). This paper confirms that Leadership 4.0, PsyCap, and HPHRPs independently and significantly increase and sustain excellent organizational performance and employee psychological wellbeing.This paper further notes that Leadership 4.0, psychological capital, and HPHRPs greatly and jointly influence the sustainability of organizational performance and employee psychological wellbeing. Hence, work organizations in Nigeria and Ghana, particularly Ghana, are advised to consider and assume the appropriate leadership styles, such as Leadership 4.0 for the varied circumstances and contests from the fourth industrial revolution. Moreover, employers in Nigeria and Ghana, particularly Nigeria, should always encourage positivity in their employees, using organizational support and positive psychology programs. Besides, the management and leaders in work organizations in Nigeria and Ghana should adopt human resource practices that make employees perceive that their organizations adopt the method of value enrichment, where they are taken as an essential resource for reasonable sustenance
Effect of Sectioning of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Posterolateral Structures on Lateral Compartment Gapping: A Randomized Biomechanical Study

Background: The contribution of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury to lateral instability under varus stress, particularly compared with posterolateral structures, is not well known. Purpose: To investigate the effect of sectioning the ACL and posterolateral knee structures on lateral compartment gapping under varus stress. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Fourteen nonpaired cadaveric knees were randomized to 1 of 2 groups: sequential sectioning of the ACL, fibular collateral ligament (FCL), popliteus tendon (PLT), and popliteofibular ligament (PFL) (ACL-first group) or sequential sectioning of the FCL, PLT, PFL, and ACL (FCL-first group). Knees were loaded onto a custom jig at a 20° flexion angle. A standardized 12-N·m varus moment was applied to each specimen in the intact state and after each randomized sequential-sectioning state. Lateral compartment opening was measured on radiographs to assess the contribution to the increase in the lateral gap caused by resecting the respective structure. The distance was measured by 3 observers on 15 images (5 testing states each imaged 3 times) per specimen, for a total of 210 radiographs. The articular cartilage surfaces were not included in the measurements. Results: The mean increase in lateral opening after sectioning all structures (ACL and posterolateral corner) was 4.6 ± 1.8 mm (range, 1.9-7.7 mm). The ACL and FCL sectioning contributed the most to lateral knee opening (1.3 ± 0.6 and 2.2 ± 1.3 mm, respectively). In both groups, lateral gapping >3 mm was achieved only after both the ACL and FCL were sectioned. All comparisons of increased mean gapping distances demonstrated a significant difference with subsequent sequential sectioning of structures, except comparisons between the FCL and PLT and the PLT and PFL. When considering the effect of the ACL on lateral opening, no significant difference was found between sectioning the ACL first or FCL first (P = .387). Conclusion: ACL deficiency significantly increased lateral opening under varus stress, regardless of the sequence of injury. The effect of injury to the ACL in addition to the lateral structures should be considered when using varus stress radiographs to evaluate knee injuries. Clinical Relevance: With the current findings, understanding the effect of ACL and posterolateral corner injuries on lateral gapping under varus stress can aid in correctly diagnosing knee injuries and determining appropriate treatment plans.
Large shareholders’ tunneling and stock price crash risk

ABSTRACT Tunnelling by large shareholders is a problem representative of ownership concentration. Large shareholders may interfere with a firm’s information disclosure to support their tunnelling behaviour, causing a high stock price crash risk. Using listed companies in China from 2001 to 2019 as a sample, we find that more severe tunnelling can lead to a higher risk of stock price crashes. Moreover, we investigate potential factors such as internal control, operational performance, and split-share reforms, that may affect the aforementioned relationship. A high level of internal control and good operational performance will weaken the relationship, and the relationship is stronger before split-share reforms. The findings of this study contribute to a better understanding of the relationship given China’s institutional background and better investor protection.
Quality of Life in the First Year after Ischemic Stroke Treated with Acute Revascularization Therapy

(1) Background: we aimed to describe the disease-specific quality of life (QoL) of ischemic stroke patients treated with acute revascularization therapy, its evolution from 6 months to 12 months, and associated factors. (2) Methods: QoL was assessed with the SS-QoL in consecutive patients treated with either intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and/or mechanical thrombectomy (MT). Variables associated with QoL scores and its evolution were studied using multivariate mixed models, and interaction with time. Analyses were performed in four domains of SS-QoL: self-care, mobility, mood, and social roles. (3) Results: Among the 501 included patients (mean (sd) age 68.9 (14.5), 49% women), lower post-stroke QoL was independently related to lower level of school education, prestroke mRS > 2, and 24 h NIHSS score > 4. Independent predictors of unfavorable evolution of QoL over time were age <75 years (Mobility p = 0.0194 and Mood p = 0.0015), NIHSS score ≤ 4, (Self-care p = 0.0053 and Mood p = 0.0048), and modified Rankin Scale score ≤ 2 (Social roles, p = 0.0006). Revascularization therapy had no significant effect on the QoL scores, but patients treated with MT (alone or as bridging therapy) had significantly greater improvement in mobility score between 6 and 12 months than patients treated with IVT alone (p = 0.0072). (4) Conclusion: QoL evolution over one year had only slight variation and was associated with the modalities of acute treatment, age, and stroke severity.
Relevance of A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase Domain-Containing (ADAM)9 Protein Expression to Bladder Cancer Malignancy

We evaluated the effect of A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase Domain-Containing (ADAM)9 protein on exacerbation in bladder cancer KK47 and T24. First, we knocked down ADAM9 and investigated cell proliferation, migration, cell cycle, and the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins expression in vitro. We then investigated the expression level of ADAM9 in clinical urine cytology samples and the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data. Cell proliferation was significantly reduced in both cell lines after ADAM9 knockdown. In the cell-cycle assay, the percentage of G0/G1 cells was significantly increased in ADAM9 knockdown T24. Migration of T24 was more strongly suppressed than KK47. The expression level of EMT-related proteins suggested that EMT was suppressed in ADAM9 knockdown T24. TCGA analysis revealed that ADAM9 mRNA expression was significantly higher in stage IV and high-grade cancer than in other stages and low-grade cancer. Moreover, in the gene expression omnibus (GEO) study, bladder cancer with surrounding carcinoma and invasive carcinoma showed significantly high ADAM9 mRNA expression. We found that ADAM9 knockdown suppressed cell proliferation and migration in bladder cancer and that high-grade bladder cancer is correlated with higher expression of ADAM9.
Online e-learning during the COVID-19 lockdown in Trinidad and Tobago: prevalence and associated factors with ocular complaints among schoolchildren aged 11–19 years

Background The increase in online learning during the pandemic has been linked to various ocular complaints. This study determined the prevalence and factors associated with ocular complaints among schoolchildren aged 12–19 years during the COVID-19 lockdown in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and May 2021, during the COVID-19 lockdown in T&T among secondary school students studying remotely. A two-stage cluster sampling method was employed. A modified web-based Computer Vision Syndrome questionnaire was administered to students. Data on demography, duration of digital device use, and ocular complaints were collected, and multilevel logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with ocular complaints among school children, 12–19 years of age in T&T. Results A total of 435 schoolchildren (mean age, standard deviation, 15.2 ± 1.9 years range 12–19 years) responded to the questionnaire. The prevalence of self-reported symptoms of headache, blurred vision, dry eyes, itchy eyes, and double vision were 75.0%, 65.1%; 56.8%; 46.4%; and 33.5%, respectively. Schoolchildren aged 18–19 years, those that used spectacles for correction of their refractive errors, and spent more than 6 h on average on digital devices, reported a high prevalence of any ocular complaints. Analysis also revealed that age (14–15 years) was associated with dry eyes, blurred vision, and headaches, while gender (more prevalently females) was associated with blurred vision and headache. Those that had an eye examination in the last year and schoolchildren that took action to resolve ocular complaints were more likely to experience nearly all ocular complaints. Conclusions During the COVID-19 lockdown, over three in four students in T&T reported ocular complaints from digital devices for online learning. Tailored interventional messages to reduce all forms of ocular complaints should target older students, particularly females, those who laid down when learning online via their devices and people who regularly examine their eyes.
A phase II study (TACTI-002) in first-line metastatic non–small cell lung carcinoma investigating eftilagimod alpha (soluble LAG-3 protein) and pembrolizumab: Updated results from a PD-L1 unselected population.

9003 Background: Eftilagimod alpha (E) is a soluble LAG-3 protein binding to a subset of MHC class II molecules to mediate antigen presenting cell (APC)/CD8 T-cell activation. Stimulation of the APCs and subsequent T cell recruitment with E may lead to stronger anti-tumor responses than observed with pembrolizumab (P) alone. We hereby report results of the extended first-line non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cohort of the TACTI-002 (“Two ACTive Immunotherapies”) phase II trial. Methods: Pts with untreated metastatic NSCLC, unselected for PD-L1 expression were recruited. Objective response rate (ORR) by iRECIST was the primary endpoint (EP) and secondary EPs include ORR by RECIST 1.1, tolerability, disease control rate (DCR), progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and exploratory biomarker. Pts received 30 mg E SC q2w for 8 cycles (1 cycle= 3 weeks) and then q3w for up to 1 year with P (200 mg IV q3w for up to 2 years). Imaging was done every 8 weeks. PD-L1 was assessed centrally. This has been approved by relevant CAs, ECs, and IRBs. Results: From Mar 2019 to Nov 2021 114 pts were enrolled. Median age was 67 years (44-85) and 74% were male. ECOG PS was 0 and 1 in 37% and 63% of pts, respectively. Pts presented squamous (35%) or non-squamous (62%) NSCLC with 88% of pts at stage IV at the time of study entry. All PD-L1 subgroups were represented (Table). Pts received median 6.0 (range 1–35) P and 7.0 (1-22) E administrations. 19 (17%) pts discontinued treatment due to adverse events (AEs). The most common (≥15%) AEs were dyspnea (33%), asthenia (30%), decreased appetite (22%), cough (20%), anemia (20%), fatigue (19%), pruritus (18%), constipation (17%) and diarrhea (15%). At data cut-off (Jan 2022), 75 pts with a minimum follow-up of 6 months were evaluated for efficacy. ORR (iRECIST) was 37.3% in the ITT and 41.8%% in the evaluable pts assessed by local read. DCR 73.3% was reported. Response rate for squamous and non-squamous pathology were 33.3 % and 40.3 %, respectively. Results according to RECIST 1.1 were comparable. Responses were observed in all PD-L1 subgroups (Table). 24/28 (86%) responses were already confirmed while median duration of response was not yet reached (5 events). Conclusions: E + P is safe and shows encouraging antitumor activity in first-line metastatic NSCLC patients unselected for PD-L1, warranting further investigation. Clinical trial information: NCT03625323. [Table: see text]
Pharmacologic Management for Ventricular Arrhythmias: Overview of Anti-Arrhythmic Drugs

Ventricular arrhythmias (Vas) are a life-threatening condition and preventable cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD). With the increased utilization of implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICD), the focus of VA management has shifted toward reduction of morbidity from VAs and ICD therapies. Anti-arrhythmic drugs (AADs) can be an important adjunct therapy in the treatment of recurrent VAs. In the treatment of VAs secondary to structural heart disease, amiodarone remains the most well studied and current guideline-directed pharmacologic therapy. Beta blockers also serve as an important adjunct and are a largely underutilized medication with strong evidentiary support. In patients with defined syndromes in structurally normal hearts, AADs can offer tailored therapies in prevention of SCD and improvement in quality of life. Further clinical trials are warranted to investigate the role of newer therapeutic options and for the direct comparison of established AADs.