Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gut Microbial and Associated Metabolite Markers for Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis

Globally, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of mortality worldwide. Considerable evidence indicates that dysbiosis of the gut microbial community and its metabolite secretions play a fundamental role in advanced adenoma (ADA) and CRC development and progression. This study is a systematic review that aims to assess the clinical association between gut microbial markers and/or gut and circulating metabolites with ADA and CRC. Five electronic databases were searched by four independent reviewers. Only controlled trials that compared ADA and/or CRC with healthy control (HC) using either untargeted (16s rRNA gene or whole genome sequencing) or targeted (gene-based real-time PCR) identification methods for gut microbiome profile, or untargeted or targeted metabolite profiling approaches from the gut or serum/plasma, were eligible. Three independent reviewers evaluated the quality of the studies using the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Twenty-four studies were eligible. We identified strong evidence of two microbial markers Fusobacterium and Porphyromonas for ADA vs. CRC, and nine microbial markers Lachnospiraceae-Lachnoclostridium, Ruminococcaceae-Ruminococcus, Parvimonas spp. , Parvimonas micra, Enterobacteriaceae, Fusobacterium spp. , Bacteroides, Peptostreptococcus-Peptostreptococcus stomatis, Clostridia spp. -Clostridium hylemonae, Clostridium symbiosum, and Porphyromonas-Porphyromonas asaccharolytica for CRC vs. HC. The remaining metabolite marker evidence between the various groups, including ADA vs. HC, ADA vs. HC, and CRC vs. HC, was not of sufficient quality to support additional findings. The identified gut microbial markers can be used in a panel for diagnosing ADA and/or CRC. Further research in the metabolite markers area is needed to evaluate the possibility to use in diagnostic or prognostic markers for colorectal cancer.
Tracking the evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant of concern: analysis of genetic diversity and selection across the whole viral genome

Background Since 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has diversified extensively, producing five highly virulent lineages designated as variants of concern (VOCs). The Delta VOC emerged in India with increased transmission, immune evasion, and mortality, causing a massive global case surge in 2021. This study aims to understand how the Delta VOC evolved by characterizing mutation patterns in the viral population before and after its emergence. Furthermore, we aim to identify the influence of positive and negative selection on VOC evolution and understand the prevalence of different mutation types in the viral genome. Methods Three groups of whole viral genomes were retrieved from GISAID, sourced from India, with collection periods as follows: Group A—during the initial appearance of SARS-CoV-2; Group B—just before the emergence of the Delta variant; Group C—after the establishment of the Delta variant in India. Mutations in >1% of each group were identified with BioEdit to reveal differences in mutation quantity and type. Sites under positive or negative selection were identified with FUBAR. The results were compared to determine how mutations correspond with selective pressures and how viral mutation profiles changed to reflect genetic diversity before and after VOC emergence. Results The number of mutations increased progressively in Groups A–C, with Group C reporting a 2.2- and 1.9-fold increase from Groups A and B, respectively. Among all the observed mutations, Group C had the highest percentage of deletions (22.7%; vs. 4.2% and 2.6% in Groups A and B, respectively), and most mutations altered the final amino acid code, such as non-synonymous substitutions and deletions. Conversely, Group B had the most synonymous substitutions that are effectively silent. The number of sites experiencing positive selection increased in Groups A–C, but Group B had 2.4- and 2.6 times more sites under negative selection compared to Groups A and C, respectively. Conclusion Our findings demonstrated that viral genetic diversity continuously increased during and after the emergence of the Delta VOC. Despite this, Group B reports heightened negative selection, which potentially preserves important gene regions during evolution. Group C contains an unprecedented quantity of mutations and positively selected sites, providing strong evidence of active viral adaptation in the population.
Parasite Detection in Visceral Leishmaniasis Samples by Dye-Based qPCR Using New Gene Targets of Leishmania infantum and Crithidia

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a neglected disease considered a serious public health problem, especially in endemic countries. Several studies have discovered monoxenous trypanosomatids (Leptomonas and Crithidia) in patients with VL. In different situations of leishmaniasis, investigations have examined cases of co-infection between Leishmania spp. and Crithidia spp. These coinfections have been observed in a wide range of vertebrate hosts, indicating that they are not rare. Diagnostic techniques require improvements and more robust tools to accurately detect the causative agent of VL. This study aimed to develop a real-time quantitative dye-based PCR (qPCR) assay capable of distinguishing Leishmania infantum from Crithidia-related species and to estimate the parasite load in samples of VL from humans and animals. The primer LinJ31_2420 targets an exclusive phosphatase of L. infantum; the primer Catalase_LVH60-12060_1F targets the catalase gene of Crithidia. Therefore, primers were designed to detect L. infantum and Crithidia sp. LVH60A (a novel trypanosomatid isolated from VL patients in Brazil), in samples related to VL. These primers were considered species-specific, based on sequence analysis using genome data retrieved from the TriTryp database and the genome assembling of Crithidia sp. LVH60A strain, in addition to experimental and clinical data presented herein. This novel qPCR assay was highly accurate in identifying and quantifying L. infantum and Crithidia sp. LVH60A in samples obtained experimentally (in vitro and in vivo) or collected from hosts (humans, dogs, cats, and vectors). Importantly, the screening of 62 cultured isolates from VL patients using these primers surprisingly revealed that 51 parasite cultures were PCR+ for Crithidia sp. In addition, qPCR assays identified the co-infection of L. infantum with Crithidia sp. LVH60A in two new VL cases in Brazil, confirming the suspicion of co-infection in a previously reported case of fatal VL. We believe that the species-specific genes targeted in this study can be helpful for the molecular diagnosis of VL, as well as for elucidating suspected co-infections with monoxenous-like trypanosomatids, which is a neglected fact of a neglected disease.
Learning pronunciation through television series

While there is ample research on the effect of exposure to foreign language (FL) video materials on developing vocabulary knowledge and listening skills, research on the impact of watching videos on acquiring pronunciation skills, especially in terms of both perception and production, is still in its infancy. This study investigates the effect of viewing an English language video in different subtitling conditions (L1 , L2, and no subtitles) on learners’ recognition of the correct pronunciation of words and on learners’ ability to produce words intelligibly. The relationship between recognition, intelligibility, and comprehension of the video material is also examined. In the study, 54 Polish intermediate learners of English were divided into three experimental groups based on the subtitling condition. They completed pre-tests and post-tests on recognition and production of words, as well as a comprehension test. The results show that watching the video, either with or without subtitles, significantly improved the recognition of how words are pronounced. As for gains in production, L1 subtitles turned out to be the least effective; however, they led to highest comprehension. These results have practical implications for teachers’ use of video material in pronunciation work in the classroom.
Susceptibility of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Pasteurella multocida and Streptococcus suis Isolated from Pigs in Hungary between 2018 and 2021

Porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC) has been a major animal health, welfare, and economic problem in Hungary; therefore, great emphasis should be put on both the prevention and control of this complex disease. As antibacterial agents are effective tools for control, antibiotic susceptibility testing is indispensable for the proper implementation of antibacterial therapy and to prevent the spread of resistance. The best method for this is to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) by the broth microdilution method. In our study, we measured the MIC values of 164 Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, 65 Pasteurella multocida, and 118 Streptococcus suis isolates isolated from clinical cases against the following antibacterial agents: amoxicillin, ceftiofur, cefquinome, oxytetracycline, doxycycline, tylosin, tilmicosin, tylvalosin, tulathromycin, lincomycin, tiamulin, florfenicol, colistin, enrofloxacin, and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim. Outstanding efficacy against A. pleuropneumoniae isolates was observed with ceftiofur (100%) and tulathromycin (100%), while high levels of resistance were observed against cefquinome (92.7%) and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (90.8%). Ceftiofur (98.4%), enrofloxacin (100%), florfenicol (100%), and tulathromycin (100%) were found to be highly effective against P. multocida isolates, while 100% resistance was detected against the sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim combination. For the S. suis isolates, only ceftiofur (100%) was not found to be resistant, while the highest rate of resistance was observed against the sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim combination (94.3%). An increasing number of studies report multi-resistant strains of all three pathogens, making their monitoring a high priority for animal and public health.
School Proximity and Child Labor Evidence from Rural Tanzania

This paper uses micro data from the 2000/01 Tanzanian Household Budget Survey to study the effect of distance to school on school enrollment and work decisions of rural children. A simple theoretical model illustrates that school proximity creates an incentive for children to combine work with school. While this unequivocally raises school attendance, it does not necessarily lead to a fall in child labor. Indeed, the reverse might be true. Consistent with the predictions of the model, the empirical analysis shows that a rise in distance to school is associated to a fall in the proportion of children combining work with school and an approximately equal rise in the proportion of full-time workers. Overall school attendance falls, with no effect on children's employment rate.
Rates of Deposition on Lateral Moraine Embankments, Glacier De Tsidjiore Nouve, Valais, Switzerland

Abstract In the last decade deposition on lateral moraine embankments of glacier de Tsidjiore Nouve has been re-activated on a large scale. An attempt has been made to reconstruct, from the dimensions of the embankments, average rates of debris accumulation on the moraines during the Neoglacial period. These are compared with rates of deposition over the period 1977–82, calculated from detailed changes in moraine profiles (surveyed by ground- and air-based photogrammetry) and measured rates of ice-margin ablation. At present total output of sediment, by marginal deposition and transport by melt-water streams, from glacier de Tsidjiore Nouve is in the order of 6400–9500m3/a; this suggests the possibility of a high average erosion rate within the glacier catchment of 1.55–2.29 mm/a.
Wildfire activity in northern Rocky Mountain subalpine forests still within millennial-scale range of variability

Increasing area burned across western North America raises questions about the precedence and magnitude of changes in fire activity, relative to the historical range of variability (HRV) that ecosystems experienced over recent centuries and millennia. Paleoecological records of past fire occurrence provide context for contemporary changes in ecosystems characterized by infrequent, high-severity fire regimes. Here we present a network of 12 fire-history records derived from macroscopic charcoal preserved in sediments of small subalpine lakes within a c. 10 000 km2 landscape in the U.S. northern Rocky Mountains (Northern Rockies). We used this network to characterize landscape-scale burning over the past 2500 yr, and to evaluate the precedence of widespread regional burning experienced in the early 20th and 21st centuries. We further compare the Northern Rockies fire history to a previously published network of fire-history records in the Southern Rockies. In Northern Rockies subalpine forests, widespread fire activity was strongly linked to seasonal climate conditions, in contemporary, historical, and paleo records. The average estimated fire rotation period (FRP) over the past 2500 yr was 164 yr (HRV: 127–225 yr), while the contemporary FRP from 1900 to 2021 CE was 215 yr. Thus, extensive regional burning in the early 20th century (e.g. 1910 CE) and in recent decades remains within the HRV of recent millennia. Results from the Northern Rockies contrast with the Southern Rockies, which burned with less frequency on average over the past 2500 yr, and where 21st-century burning has exceeded the HRV. Our results support expectations that Northern Rockies fire activity will continue to increase with climatic warming, surpassing historical burning if more than one exceptional fire year akin to 1910 occurs within the next several decades. The ecological consequences of climatic warming in subalpine forests will depend, in large part, on the magnitude of fire-regime changes relative to the past.
Clinical Outcomes with Implementation of Accelerate Pheno™ Blood Culture Detection System for Gram-Negative Bacteremia

: Delayed treatment in bacteremia increases patient morbidity and healthcare costs. Accelerate Pheno™ Blood Culture Detection System (AXDX) is a novel diagnostic technology for the rapid detection of gram-negative bacteremia. Studies have shown accurate and faster time to speciation and sensitivity (TTSS) by AXDX compared to conventional modality. However, however, our study further examined the direct impact of AXDX on clinical outcomes and cost. Our retrospective study consisted of 178 patients at least 18 years old admitted to our academic medical institution with gram-negative
Investing in Human Capital Management for Firm Performance: Liability or Strategic Alignment?

A firm’s sustainable performance is a burgeoning issue globally. It is the strategic choice of the firm whether it should invest in its human resources. This study examines the role of human capital management in determining firm performance. HR competencies, HR practices, HR systems, and HR deliverables were selected as the dimensions of human capital management. Employee satisfaction was the mediating variable. Data were collected from a survey of conveniently selected 305 employees of purposively selected life insurance companies in Nepal. The results of the study revealed a positive significant impact of each component of human capital management and overall human capital management on firm performance, concluding that investment in human capital management is the strategic alignment rather than the liability. Firms investing more in human capital enhance their financial performance for sustainable growth. This study contributes to elaborating the resource-based view for creating dynamic capability of resources from effective development and mobilization of human resources.
Applying educational data mining to explore individual experiences in digital games

Research involving digital games and language learning is rapidly growing. One advantage of using digital games to support language learning is the ability to collect data on students learning in real time. In this study, we use educational data mining methods to explore the relationship between in-game data and elementary students’ Chinese language learning. Thirty-six students in the sixth grade played a digital game for eight 25-minute sessions as part of their Chinese Dual Language Immersion classroom instruction. We used classification and regression tree analyses and cluster analyses to explore how in-game indicators, such as battles, time spent reading a text, and the use of an in-game glossing tool are associated with language learning and change in affect. The results indicate that time on task and use of the glossing tool were the most important variables in determining language learning gains. We also identified four subgroups of gameplay styles. While there were no significant differences in learning or affective factors based on the subgroups, these gameplay styles allow for a more individualized approach to analyzing learning within digital environments.
The Development of Critical Thinking Skills Assessment Instrument Based on Nearpod in Junior High School Science Learning

Critical thinking skills are one of the skills needed in the 21st century, where to be able to assess critical thinking skills, assessment instruments are required. The aim of the research is development critical thinking skills instrument based on nearpod in junior high school science learning that meets valid, reliable, difficult, and practical criteria as well as critical thinking skills analysis. This research is a Research and Development research (R&D) with the GLAI model. The validity of the product is assessed by three validators consisting of one lecturer and two science teachers. Testing of assessment instruments was carried out on 125 grade VII students. The average product validity assessment of the three validators was 81.70% with valid criteria. Based on the field tests conducted, it is known that 10 items are valid with a reliability score of 0.602. At the difficulty level, the product has 1 easy item, 8 sufficient items, and 1 difficult item. In practicality, 97.66% was obtained with very practical criteria. In the analysis of critical thinking skills, the results of interpretation were obtained by 28.68% (very low), analysis by 31.20% (very low), inference by 43.44% (very low), and explanation by 47.80 % (low). So it is known that the critical thinking skills instrument based on nearpod in junior high school science learning was developed was valid, reliable, difficult levels, practical, and effective in measuring critical thinking skills.
Optical Frequency Comb-Based Aerostatic Micro Pressure Sensor Aided by Machine Learning

Although the whispering gallery mode (WGM) microcavity sensor is known for its high sensitivity, conventional monitoring using single-mode methods poses challenges in detecting very low signals. Here, an aerostatic micro pressure sensor based on the optical frequency comb (OFC) generated in a WGM microbubble resonator (MBR) is verified experimentally. The proposed OFC-based aerostatic sensing is implemented by analyzing the multiple comb tooth (i.e., multimodes) information instead of single mode. Notably, the true aerostatic micro pressure can be accurately predicted using an artificial neural network, while, in the same condition, the wavelength shift of a single mode is masked by noise. The detection limit (DL) is one-to-two orders of magnitude lower than that of single-mode sensor, capable of reaching 0.3672 mbar. The correlation coefficient ${R}^{{2}}$ is as high as 0.99988. We believe that this novel method represents an important step toward the practical application of OFC-based sensor outside the laboratory, particularly when combined with machine learning techniques.
An ecosystem model of San Pedro Bay, Leyte, Philippines: initial parameter estimates

A mass-balance model of the trophic structure of San Pedro Bay, Leyte Province, Philippines was constructed using the Ecopath modeling software. The model is composed of 16 ecological groups (13 consumer, 2 producers, 1 detritus groups). The input parameters were obtained from the resource assessments studies conducted in 1994 - 95 and the biomass of Leiognathidae, an important group of small demersal fishes was estimated from trawl survey data using the swept- area method. The model indicated that the average trophic level of the fishery catches is 3.25.
Improved Crop Coefficients for Irrigation Scheduling

1981 and 1982. Thanks are extended to the numerous technicians, graduate students , and stuciel1t helpers who collected the data that were used in this report. AckIloldedgeruents are also extended to the following graduate students who supervised the field operations and al1alyzed the data:
Factors Associated with Nurses’ Competence in Averting Failure-To-Rescue in Acute Care Settings of a Tertiary Institution, Ogun State, Nigeria

: Background: The concept of failure-to-rescue entails the idea that not all complications developed by patients are preventable, but nurses should be able to promptly identify and treat complications immediately they occur by virtue of their training and experience, but why some nurses are not able to thoroughly assess a patient’s level of acuity and render the appropriate care has not been extensively studied. Objectives: To assess the knowledge level of the Nurses’ on the concept of failure-to-rescue; determine nurses’ level of competence in averting failure-to-rescue; describe how the nurses’ educational level, years of experience, organizational characteristics, and training and certification in capacity building skills is associated with their level of competence in averting failure-to-rescue respectively. Methods: A correlation research design and purposive sampling technique was utilized to collect data from the respondents. A self-structured (Sections A, B and C) and adapted (Section D - PES-NWI) 38-item questionnaire was used to retrieve data from registered nurses in state government tertiary healthcare centre in sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics with p-value set at 0.05. Results: Most nurses have high knowledge regarding failure-to-rescue with a mean score of 5.91 and were moderately competent in averting failure-to-rescue with a mean score of 29.3. A significant correlation between educational level of respondents and level of competence in averting failure-to-rescue with a p – value of 0.038 was found. Respondents’ years of experience was found to be significantly correlated to their level of competence in averting failure-to-rescue with p – value of 0.015. A significant correlation between organization characteristics and nurses’ level of competence in averting failure-to-rescue with a p – value of 0.036 was also elicited. Nurses’ training/certification in capacity building skills (such as BLS, ACLS and LSS (Midwifery) was found to be correlated to their level of competence in averting failure-to-rescue with a p – value of 0.044. Conclusions: The study concluded that failure-to-rescue could be reduced in acute care settings with increased educational attainment, years of experience and modification of organization characteristics respectively. and equip them with the right competence to avert failure-to-rescue in acute care settings when they start practicing.