Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of global change on bird and beetle populations in boreal forest landscape: An assemblage dissimilarity analysis

Despite an increasing number of studies highlighting the impacts of climate change on boreal species, the main factors that will drive changes in species assemblages remain ambiguous. We study how species community composition would change following anthropogenic and natural disturbances. We determine the main drivers of assemblage dissimilarity for bird and beetle communities.
Friezemønstre og triangulerte polygon

Friezes were introduced by Conway and Coxeter. In what is practically a problem sheet, they imply that there exists a bijection between friezes and triangulated polygons. SL2-tilings with enough ones were introduced by Holm and Jørgensen, who showed that there exists a bijection between SL2-tilings with enough ones and good triangulations of the strip. Their work builds on Conway and Coxeter’s. In this paper we expand on Conway and Coxeter’s work by explaining the bijection in depth, in part by defining a sufficient and necessary condition to create a frieze pattern. We then explain the bijection between SL2-tilings with enough ones and good triangulations of the strip, using the results on friezes and triangulated polygons. Most of the examples are new.
Fiber reinforcement effectiveness in two different sand specimens

Fiber Reinforced Soils (FRS) are mixtures of discrete fibers with the soil to create a composite with improved mechanical properties compared to unreinforced material that depends on several soil and fiber properties. Therefore, comparative studies are needed to better understand their influence on FRS mechanical response. This paper analyzes the results of a comprehensive triaxial testing program performed on specimens of two different sands at the same relative density focusing on how the grain size distribution affects the composite behavior in terms of shear strength and dilatancy. It is shown that the grain size curve’s uniformity coefficient (Cu) is one of the critical variables controlling FRS’s dilatancy. Dune sand specimens (Cu = 1.79) presented dilatancy even for confining stresses as high as 300 kPa. The shear gains due to reinforcement were controlled by fiber length (L) and percentage (Pf), and size and shape of soil particles. River sand specimens with L = 51 mm and 1% fiber addition (dry mass) presented increments of 47.7 kPa in soil cohesion and a 5.2o increase in the soil friction angle compared to unreinforced material.
Notes on Trees with Minimal Atom-Bond Connectivity Index

If G =( V, E) is a molecular graph, and d(u) is the degree of its vertex u , then the atom– bond connectivity index of G is ABC = � uv∈E � [d(u )+ d(v) − 2]/[d(u) d(v)] . This molecular structure descriptor, introduced by Estrada et al. in the late 1990s, found recently interesting applications in the study of the thermodynamic stability of acyclic saturated hydrocarbons, and the strain energy of their cyclic congeners. In connection with this, one needs to know which trees have extremal ABC-values. Whereas it is easy to demonstrate that the star has maximal ABC, characterizing the trees with minimal ABC appears to be a much more difficult task. In this paper we determine a few structural features of the trees with minimal ABC, which brings us a step closer to the complete solution of the problem.
Evaluation and reduction of respiratory motion artifacts in small animal SPECT with GATE

The degradation of image quality caused by respiration is a major impediment to accurate lesion detection in single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of lung motion on image quantification. A small animal SPECT system with NaI(Tl) was modeled in the Geant4 application for tomographic emission (GATE) simulation for a lung lesion using a 4D mouse whole-body phantom. SPECT images were obtained using 120 projection views acquired from 0̂ to 360̂ with a 3̂ step. Slices were reconstructed using ordered subsets expectation maximization (OS-EM) without attenuation correction with five iterations and four subsets. Image quality was compared between the static mode without respiratory motion, and dynamic mode with respiratory motion in terms of spatial resolution was measured by the full width at half maximum (FWHM), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). The FWHM of the non-gated image and the respiratory gated image were also compared. Spatial resolution improved as activity increased and lesion diameter decreased in the static and dynamic modes. The SNR and CNR increased significantly as lesion activity increased and lesion diameter decreased. Our results show that respiratory motion leads to reduced contrast and quantitative accuracy and that image quantification depends on both the amplitude and the pattern of the respiratory motion. We verified that respiratory motion can have a major effect on the accuracy of measurement of lung lesions and that respiratory gating can reduce activity smearing on SPECT images.
Mechanical behaviour of thermoelectric materials – a perspective

ABSTRACT Research on thermoelectric materials – with their vast potential for applications in solid-state cooling or energy-conversion devices – has so far mainly focused on enhancing their conversion efficiency. However, understanding and tailoring the mechanical performance of thermoelectric modules and devices is crucial for their long-term use, as they are subjected to spatially-complex and time-varying thermomechanical stresses – both internal and external – which may lead to plastic, fatigue and/or creep deformation. This leads to changes in thermoelectric performance, dimensions (via strain accumulation) and mechanical integrity (via crack and pore formation, leading to failure). This review addresses the current understanding of various modes of stress-induced deformation that can take place during extended operation of thermoelectric materials and their impact on the strain (elastic, plastic, and creep), and the associated damage (bloating, fatigue, and fracture). Finally, some new areas of research straddling mechanical and thermoelectric behaviour are identified.
Antecedents of Retail Employees’ Service Performance: A Store-Level Exploration of a Climate-Centric versus an Engagement-Centric Approach

Abstract This paper compares two store-level models of the antecedents of frontline employees’ in-role and extra-role service performance in a retail setting. In the climate-centric research model, service climate serves as a direct antecedent of in-role and extra-role service performance, while in the engagement-centric rival model, work engagement directly predicts in-role and extra-role service performance. The two competing models were assessed at the store-level of analysis on data collected from 781 frontline employees and 70 managers. Results indicate that service-oriented high-performance work systems and work engagement both predict service climate which, in turn, predicts employees’ in-role and extra-role service performance.
Correspondence between theory and methodology: a case study of accounting for the environment in organisational research

The two most widely investigated environmental domains concerning firms are environmental disclosure and environmental performance. This study examines how well operational variables inform constructs in these two domains. The empirical research process has two aspects: truth making and truth building. Truth making using operational variables must align with truth building with respect to constructs. Towards this aim, this article explores two research questions. First, are disclosure and performance operationally and conceptually different? Second, do the operationalised and conceptualised variables have a strong association in each domain—disclosure and performance? This study uses research data matrices available from a published journal article as an example to demonstrate analytical details. It uses the canonical correlation analysis research method for analysing matrix data to answer the research questions. The findings show that disclosure and performance are conceptually different domains. However, results show that operational variables associate differently with the construct. The findings show that selecting variables in empirical settings that reflect constructs can correspond with theoretical advancements.
The Impact of Dimensionality on Long-Term Cloud-Resolving Model Simulations

Abstract Cloud-resolving model simulations of radiative–convective equilibrium are conducted in both two and three dimensions (2D and 3D) to examine the effect of dimensionality on the equilibrium statistics. Convection is forced by a fixed imposed profile of radiative cooling and surface fluxes from fixed temperature ocean. In the control experiment, using the same number of grid points in both 2D and 3D and a zero mean wind, the temperature and moisture profiles diverge considerably after a few days of simulations. Two mechanisms are shown to be responsible for this. First, 2D geometry causes higher perturbation surface winds resulting from deep convective downdrafts, which lead to a warmer, moister boundary layer and a warmer tropospheric mean temperature state. Additionally, 2D geometry encourages spontaneous large-scale organization, in which areas far away from convection become very dry and thus inhibit further convection there, leading to a drier mean atmosphere. Further experiments were conducted.
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention of Chronic Total Occlusion is Associated with Higher Inpatient Mortality and Complications Compared to Non-CTO lesions Using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) Database

Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with chronic total occlusion (CTO) is commonly performed despite unclear long-term benefits. The goal of this study was to evaluate the post-procedural outcome of patients with CTO intervention. Methods: The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database, years 2016-2020, was studied using ICD 10 codes. Patients with CTO intervention were compared to patients without CTO. We evaluated post-procedural mortality and complications. Results: PCI in patients with CTO was associated with higher mortality and all post-procedural complications. A total of 2,011,854 patients underwent PCI with 259,574 having CTO. The CTO group had a 3.17% mortality rate vs 2.57% of non-CTO PCI. (OR, 1.24; CI:1.18 - 1.31; p<0.001). Using multivariate analysis adjusting for age, sex, race, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease, CTO PCI remained significantly associated with higher mortality (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.3 - 1.45; p<0.001). Patients with CTO compared to non-CTO PCI patients had higher rates of myocardial infarction (OR, 2.85; 95% CI, 2.54 - 3.21; p<0.001), coronary perforation (OR, 6.01; 95% CI, 5.25-6.89; p<0.001), tamponade (OR, 3.36; 95% CI, 2.91-3.88, p<0.001), contrast-induced nephropathy (OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.45-2.90), p<0.001), procedural bleeding (OR, 3.57; 95% CI, 3.27-3.89, p<0.001), and acute post-procedural respiratory failure (OR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.81-2.36, p<0.001). All post-procedural complications were more than 3 times the non-CTO patients (OR, 3.45; 95% CI, 3.24-3.67; p<0.001). Conclusion: Using a large national inpatient database, PCI performed in patients with CTO was associated with significantly much higher mortality and post-procedural complications compared to PCI in non-CTO patients.
Association between Non-Dietary Cardiovascular Health and Expenditures Related to Acute Coronary Syndrome in the US between 2008–2018

Introduction: The relative distribution of proportions of Cardiovascular Health (CVH) categories within racial groups has been examined. However, little scientific evidence exists on the gap trend in racial/ethnic disparities in mean CVH score among non-Hispanic (NH) Whites and Blacks. Objectives: This study examined the trend(s) in the gap(s) in predicted CVH Scores between NH-Whites and Blacks over ten years. Methods: In a cross-sectional analytical study, ten years of MEPS data from 2008 to 2018 were pooled, comparing the two racial subgroups, utilizing multivariate Poisson regression of CVH metrics on race, while controlling for age, sex, race/ethnicity, region, level of income, insurance status, education levels, and grouped Charlson Comorbidity Index (GCCI). Non-dietary CVH includes 3 health factors and 3 behavioral measures: physical activity, smoking status, body mass index, blood pressure, blood glucose, and total cholesterol. The interactions of ACS with CVH metrics, and other key variables such as trends and GCCI were included to allow for variations in the effect of these variables on the subgroups. Results: The mean gap in CVH scores was on average 0.15 [95% CI, 0.137-0.170], with blacks consistently having reduced odds of having ideal CVH until 2014. The overall impact of having an ACS decreased acquired CVH Scores by 24.1% [95% CI, -0.275 -0.207], and was equal for both racial subgroups (p-value < 0.05). The ACA-trend was positive, increasing the likelihood of improved CVH in our sample (p-value <0.05), deflecting a downward trend in acquired CVH Scores for both races, as the gap narrowed into more recent years. Conclusion: The CVH gap was stabilized by the ACA, but never really converged, suggesting that efforts to reduce existing disparities between blacks and NH-whites in the US would require government policies to look beyond mere access and/or affordability to healthcare. Keywords: CVD: Cardiovascular Disease, ACS; Acute coronary syndrome, CVH: Cardiovascular Health; AHA: American Heart Association; NH: Non-Hispanic.
Esophageal mycobiome landscape and interkingdom interactions in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract Background The study purpose was to characterize the mycobiome and its associations with the expression of pathogenic genes in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods Patients with primary ESCC were recruited from two central hospitals. We performed internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) ribosomal DNA sequencing analysis. We compared differential fungi and explored the ecology of fungi and the interaction of bacteria and fungi. Results The mycobiota diversity was significantly different between tumors and tumor-adjacent samples. We further analysed the differences between the two groups, at the species level, confirming that Rhodotorula toruloides, Malassezia dermatis, Hanseniaspora lachancei, and Spegazzinia tessarthra were excessively colonized in the tumor samples, whereas Preussia persica, Fusarium solani, Nigrospora oryzae, Acremonium furcatum, Golovinomyces artemisiae, and Tausonia pullulans were significantly more abundant in tumor-adjacent samples. The fungal co-occurrence network in tumor-adjacent samples was larger and denser than that in tumors. Similarly, the more complex bacterial–fungal interactions in tumor-adjacent samples were also detected. The expression of mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase was positively correlated with the abundance of N. oryzae and T. pullulans in tumor-adjacent samples. In tumors, the expression of MET proto-oncogene, receptor tyrosine kinase (MET) had a negative correlation and a positive correlation with the abundance of R. toruloides and S. tessarthra, respectively. Conclusion This study revealed the landscape of the esophageal mycobiome characterized by an altered fungal composition and bacterial and fungal ecology in ESCC.
Multiple scattering model in Geant4

We present a new multiple scattering (MSC) model to simulate the multiple scattering of charged particles in matter. This model does not use the Moliere formalism([Mol48]), it is based on the more complete Lewis theory ([Lew50]). The model simulates the scattering of the particle after a given step, computes the path length correction and the lateral displacement as well.
The importance of promoting oral health in schools: a pilot study

Promotion of oral health has an essential role in the maintenance of teeth in adults. However, health education must start from an early age, in order to monitor the child's growth and prevent pathologies. Schools are in charge of the overall education of children and of guidance to parents but could also be engaged in the promotion of oral health, supported and counseled by pediatricians and dentists. The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate whether school age children could be taught, successfully, basic oral sciences and dental hygiene, by a professional, during school hours. In this pilot study, an anonymized test was administered to 45 children of age between 8 and 10, both before and after an interactive lecture on oral health, to assess the effectiveness of the lesson and acquisition by the children of knowledge on oral health. After the presentation, the majority of the children were able to answer correctly to the questionnaire that was given to them (test, retest) which was related to dental anatomy and pathology (number of teeth, cavities, halitosis), and dental hygiene tools and practices (brushes, floss, mouth wash, tongue scrapers). The children seemed to be receptive to learning while in school, and a specific educational session of dental hygiene and oral health seems to be the right approach to ensure children can identify dental hygiene tools and use them appropriately.
COMPARISON OF PEAK TORQUE VALUES WHEN USING REST PERIODS COUNTERBALANCED WITHIN AND BETWEEN VELOCITY SETS

The purpose of this study was to investigate the peak torque of two groups of females performing isokinetic tests in which one group of eleven females had rest periods counterbalanced within the velocity set while a group of twelve females had rest periods counterbalanced between velocity sets. The subjects were tested on 4 separate occasions with gravity correction incorporated in all tests. A 2 x 4 x 5 repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze the data (p < .05). There were no significant differences between rest periods, velocities, or significant interactions. Although, there were significant differences between the groups, those differences seem to be consistent and not affected by rest periods.
Stochastic resonance of amplitude modulation wave in single-mode laser driven by color noises

By adding modulation wave to the equation of the laser intensity in the gain-noise model of the single-mode laser, we use the linear approximation method to calculate the power spectrum and signal-to-noise ratio(SNR) of the laser intensity, which is driven by two color noises correlated in the form of exponential function. The result shows that the correlated time and the correlated strength between the noises have great effect on the stochastic resonance(SR), and the variations of SNR with the frequency of the carrier signal ω and the modulator signal Ω are quite different from the curve of variation of white noise.
Hybrid 18F-Fluoroethyltyrosine PET and MRI with Perfusion to Distinguish Disease Progression from Treatment-Related Change in Malignant Brain Tumors: The Quest to Beat the Toughest Cases

Visual Abstract Conventional MRI has important limitations when assessing for progression of disease (POD) versus treatment-related changes (TRC) in patients with malignant brain tumors. We describe the observed impact and pitfalls of implementing 18F-fluoroethyltyrosine (18F-FET) perfusion PET/MRI into routine clinical practice. Methods: Through expanded-access investigational new drug use of 18F-FET, hybrid 18F-FET perfusion PET/MRI was performed during clinical management of 80 patients with World Health Organization central nervous system grade 3 or 4 gliomas or brain metastases of 6 tissue origins for which the prior brain MRI results were ambiguous. The diagnostic performance with 18F-FET PET/MRI was dually evaluated within routine clinical service and for retrospective parametric evaluation. Various 18F-FET perfusion PET/MRI parameters were assessed, and patients were monitored for at least 6 mo to confirm the diagnosis using pathology, imaging, and clinical progress. Results: Hybrid 18F-FET perfusion PET/MRI had high overall accuracy (86%), sensitivity (86%), and specificity (87%) for difficult diagnostic cases for which conventional MRI accuracy was poor (66%). 18F-FET tumor-to-brain ratio static metrics were highly reliable for distinguishing POD from TRC (area under the curve, 0.90). Dynamic tumor-to-brain intercept was more accurate (85%) than SUV slope (73%) or time to peak (73%). Concordant PET/MRI findings were 89% accurate. When PET and MRI conflicted, 18F-FET PET was correct in 12 of 15 cases (80%), whereas MRI was correct in 3 of 15 cases (20%). Clinical management changed after 88% (36/41) of POD diagnoses, whereas management was maintained after 87% (34/39) of TRC diagnoses. Conclusion: Hybrid 18F-FET PET/MRI positively impacted the routine clinical care of challenging malignant brain tumor cases at a U.S. institution. The results add to a growing body of literature that 18F-FET PET complements MRI, even rescuing MRI when it fails.
Two novel homozygous variants of ATP6V0A2 and ALDH18A1 lead to autosomal recessive cutis laxa type 2 and 3 in two Pakistani families

Autosomal recessive cutis laxa type 2A (ARCL2A; OMIM: 219200) is characterized by neurovegetative, developmental and progeroid elastic skin anomalies. It is caused by biallelic variation in ATPase, H+ transporting V0 subunit A2 (ATP6V0A2; OMIM: 611716) located on chromosome 12q24.31. Autosomal recessive cutis laxa type 3A (ARCL3A; OMIM: 219150) is another subclinical type characterized by short stature, ophthalmological abnormalities and a progeria‐like appearance. The ARCL3A is caused by loss of function alterations in the aldehyde dehydrogenase 18 family member A1 (ALDH18A1; OMIM: 138250) gene located at chromosome 10q24.1.
An Integrative Look at the Use of Additive and Multiplicative Covariance Structure Models in the Analysis of MTMM Data

First-order confirmatory factor analytic models have had widespread use in the analysis of multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) data. In contrast to the usual first-order confirmatory factor analytic model for the analysis of MTMM data, other covariance structure models have recently been proposed and advocated. Two such models are Wothke's covariance component analysis model and Browne's direct product model. The authors provide a conceptual and analytic discussion of those alternative procedures and compare them with the conventional first-order confirmatory factor analytic model. They consider the relationship between method factors and trait factors assumed under each model specification. General remarks about the nature of method factors and the likely reasons for lack of fit and ill-defined solutions frequently encountered with use of first-order factor models are presented. The authors also attempt to integrate the various approaches to modeling MTMM data and in so doing provide some perspective on selection of a particular covariance structure model for use in applied research.