Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pre -harvest forecasting models for kharif rice yield in coastal Karnataka using weather indices

The data of kharif rice yield and the weather parameters from 1985 to 2009 is used for developing statistical models for three coastal districts of Karnataka. These pre-harvest forecasting models were developed for rice yield forecasts for Dakshin Kannada, Udupi and Uttar Kannada districts respectively. The weather indices like Z21, Z251 and Time were able to forecast the yield of rice for Udupi district. Similarly Z120, Z150 and Z241 were found to be most efficient predictors for Dakshin Kannada district. Only one variable i.e. Z451 was found to be able to forecast the rice yield in Uttar Kannada district. The validation of the model was done for a period of three years from 2010-2012. The forecasting models were able to explain the inter annual variation in the rice production to an extent of 86, 95 and 74% for Dakshin Kannada, Udupi and Uttar Kannada districts respectively. Hence these models can be used to forecastrice yield two months before harvest.
Effect of Home Visits by Nurses on the Physical and Psychosocial Health of Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: One of the best ways to maintain and develop physical and psychosocial health is to make regular home visits. This meta-analysis aimed to determine (by subgroups) the effects of interventions based on nurses’ home visits on physical and psychological health outcomes of older people. Methods: This search was carried out using the The CINAHL, Cochrane, MEDLINE, PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Turkish databases. Experimental and observational studies were included. Results: The meta-analysis included 26 (with subgroups 50) out of 13110 studies. The minimum and maximum values of the effect size (Hedges g) were g = −0.708 and g = 0.525, respectively. The average effect size was g = 0.084 (SD = 0.21). Conclusion: Home visit interventions are effective in reducing the frequency of hospitalization in the older adults, and improving physical and psychosocial health. They are negatively effective on falls and have no significant effect on the quality of life.
Performance Analysis of Optically Pumped 4He Magnetometers vs. Conventional SQUIDs: From Adult to Infant Head Models

Optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) are new, room-temperature alternatives to superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) for measuring the brain’s magnetic fields. The most used OPM in MagnetoEncephaloGraphy (MEG) are based on alkali atoms operating in the spin-exchange relaxation-free (SERF) regime. These sensors do not require cooling but have to be heated. Another kind of OPM, based on the parametric resonance of 4He atoms are operated at room temperature, suppressing the heat dissipation issue. They also have an advantageous bandwidth and dynamic range more suitable for MEG recordings. We quantitatively assessed the improvement (relative to a SQUID magnetometers array) in recording the magnetic field with a wearable 4He OPM-MEG system through data simulations. The OPM array and magnetoencephalography forward models were based on anatomical MRI data from an adult, a nine-year-old child, and 10 infants aged between one month and two years. Our simulations showed that a 4He OPMs array offers markedly better spatial specificity than a SQUID magnetometers array in various key performance areas (e.g., signal power, information content, and spatial resolution). Our results are also discussed regarding previous simulation results obtained for alkali OPM.
Built-up areas are expanding faster than population growth: regional patterns and trajectories in Europe

ABSTRACT Human settlements typically expand to accommodate additional housing demand from a growing population and their socio-economic activities. This implies consumption of land, a limited resource necessary for many other services. The efficiency of this exploitation in relation to demographic trends is key to preserve land and natural capital that could otherwise be degraded. Here, we assess patterns of population and built-up area growth over the period 2000–2015, using demographic statistics and remote-sensing data. We find that on average, in the EU27, built-up areas grew at a faster pace than population and that they expanded even in regions where population has declined. We quantify the impact of future population growth under different assumptions on future built-up efficiency. Keeping current built-up per capita fixed could preserve up to 9,000 km2 of land until 2030, especially outside predominantly urban regions, where land use efficiency is generally low and has been declining.
Development of a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to quantify γ-glutamyl-carboxylated clotting factor IX and assess redox susceptibility of anticoagulant chemicals

Anticoagulant chemicals (ACCs) such as warfarin are widely used in medical applications as well as for their rodenticide properties. Their efficacy is greatly influenced by polymorphisms in the gene encoding vitamin K epoxide reductase (VKOR). Evaluation of the activity of ACCs toward VKOR variants is essential to determine their proper use. Presently, this is achieved by co-expressing VKOR of Rattus Norvegicus and human clotting factor IX in cultured cells and measuring inhibition of vitamin K-dependent gamma-glutamyl carboxylation of factor IX (glaFIX) activity. However, glaFIX has only been quantified using indirect methods like blood coagulation assays. We have developed a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a glaFIX-specific antibody to quantify glaFIX and used this to analyze inhibition of VKOR activity by warfarin.
Going against the grain? Brazil and the global furniture production network

Much of the literature dealing with the global production network (GPN) of furniture tends to focus on larger transnational corporations especially in Asia. By contrast, research on the GPN of small and medium sized furniture enterprises like those in Brazil has been sparse even through Brazil is an emerging furniture market that doubled production over the past decade. The locational focus of this dissertation is the Brazilian furniture industry and especially several innovative firms in the Santa Catarina region. From 2011 to 2013, the Brazilian furniture industry in Santa Catarina was responsible for 43 percent of Brazilian furniture exports. More specifically, this dissertation explores several specific research questions. First, it will be argued that the furniture industry is spatially concentrated in Brazil, and that one of the most rapidly growing clusters, especially regarding international sales, is the Santa Catarina region with its emphasis on the Sao Bento do Sul furniture cluster. Second, based on a mixed-methods approach, it is hypothesized that Santa Catarina has emerged as an internationally connected furniture cluster because it has developed a global production network grounded in process and product innovation, the utilization of web-based technologies, and the development of a strong value production chain grounded in the local economy. Third, it will be argued that the development of any innovative furniture value chain in Brazil, or elsewhere in the Global South, is inherently constrained by the difficulties of developing a market brand that is well-recognized and trusted in Global North markets, particularly as it relates to distribution networks. Much of this dissertation will embrace a mixed-methods approach based on both an empirically driven analysis of the economic geography of the Brazilian furniture industry, and an interview based approach regarding the competitive strategies of specific firms located in the Santa Catarina region. Such a comprehensive approach will elevate our understanding of how the furniture value chain in Brazil presents both opportunities and challenges regarding global production networks that attempt to link Global South and Global North markets. Particular attention will be focused on the Renar Moveis, Rotta Moveis and Temasa Moveis furniture companies, and the Brazilian Furniture Group located in High Point, NC because they seemed to have birthed furniture companies that have practiced innovative strategies, utilized web-based technologies, and developed various partnerships. It will be argued that these have all been key ingredients in developing a competitive global value chain that has successfully penetrated specific international markets.
THE EFFECTS OF VOCABULARY AND GRAMMAR MASTERY ON STUDENTS’ WRITING SKILL IN DESCRIPTIVE TEXT (Surveys at Private Junior High Schools in Serang Banten)

This research is aimed to get emperical data and analyze the effects of vocabulary and grammar mastery on writing skill in descriptive text at private junior high schools in Serang Banten. This research is done by Kolmogorov-Smirnov method, ANOVA Table, Proportional Correct for testing the item difficulties, by biserial coefficient, and by Kuder Richarsson testing. The research was held at Privates Junior High Schools in Serang Banten. Data collective done by giving test for writing skill (make a composition or an essay about an object description), test for vocabulary mastery (multiplechoice/ 35 items), and test for grammar mastery (multiplechoice/ 35 items) given to class at MTs Al Ma’arif, MTs Nurul Basmallah and MTs Nurul Huda. The result of study identifies there are effects between Vocabulary and Grammar Mastery towards Student’s Writing Skill in Descriptive Text (Fo = 18.748 and Sig = 0,000 < 0,05; coefficient of 0.666 and the coefficient determination of 81.5%). There is effect of Vocabulary Mastery towards Student’s Writing Skill in Descriptive Text (Sig = 0.026 < 0,05 and ttest = 2,301; while ttable = 1,88). There is effect of Grammar Mastery towards writing skill in Descriptive Text (Sig = 0.002 < 0,05 and ttest = 3,656 while ttable = 1,88).
Hydrogen Bonding in the Dimer and Monohydrate of 2-Adamantanol: A Test Case for Dispersion-Corrected Density Functional Methods

Weakly-bound intermolecular clusters constitute reductionist physical models for non-covalent interactions. Here we report the observation of the monomer, the dimer and the monohydrate of 2-adamantanol, a secondary alcohol with a bulky ten-carbon aliphatic skeleton. The molecular species were generated in a supersonic jet expansion and characterized using broadband chirped-pulse microwave spectroscopy in the 2–8 GHz frequency region. Two different gauche-gauche O-H···O hydrogen-bonded isomers were observed for the dimer of 2-adamantanol, while a single isomer was observed for the monomer and the monohydrate. The experimental rotational parameters were compared with molecular orbital calculations using density functional theory (B3LYP-D3(BJ), B2PLYP-D3(BJ), CAM-B3LYP-D3(BJ), ωB97XD), additionally providing energetic and electron density characterization. The shallow potential energy surface makes the dimer an interesting case study to benchmark dispersion-corrected computational methods and conformational search procedures.
Critical shear stress of red blood cells as a novel integrated biomarker for screening chronic kidney diseases in cases of type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND: The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) have been widely used to identify and manage diabetic kidney disease (DKD). However, classifications based on these two indices do not always concur in terms of DKD diagnosis; for example, cases of high ACR with normal GFR or normal ACR with low GFR may occur. A recent study suggested that critical shear stress (CSS), a hemorheological parameter to represent aggregating force of red blood cells (RBCs), is a potential screening index for DKD. In the present study, we investigated the diagnostic potential of CSS for DKD according to the KDIGO 2012 Guideline. METHODS: A total of 378 patients with type 2 diabetes who visited Yeungnam University Hospital between 2014 and 2017 were included. CSS was measured using a transient microfluidic hemorheometer, Rheoscan-D300® (Rheomeditech, Seoul, Republic of Korea) with whole blood. Patients who were DKD negative (green zone) were compared with patients who were DKD positive (red zone) as Model 1 and patients at risk for (orange zone) and red zones as Model 2, respectively. RESULTS: After exclusion criteria such as eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2, alcoholism, and macrovascular complications were applied, the sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 77.8% for Model 1 and 75.0% and 72.0% for Model 2, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy measures of the CSS for Model 1 were found to be highly accurate or have the potential to alter clinical decisions. Similarly, the diagnostic accuracy measures of CSS for Model 2 were found to provide useful information, despite them expanding to the orange and red zones. CONCLUSION: DKD was successfully identified using a novel integrated hemorheological index of CSS that satisfied both ACR and GFR criteria. Therefore, CSS may be useful for the additive diagnosis of DKD with GFR and uACR.
Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Increase Cytokines in Human Hair Follicles through Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling

Hair loss is a chronic disorder that affects many people; however, a complete treatment has not yet been developed. Therefore, new therapeutic agents for preventing hair loss must be developed, and electromagnetic field (EMF) therapy has been proven to be a promising medical treatment in various fields, including hair loss treatment. This study evaluated the effect of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) intensity and exposure time by analyzing the expression of cytokines and anagen-related molecules, which influence hair activation and growth, in hair bulb spheroid (HBS) and hair follicle (HF) organ cultures. ELF-EMFs did not induce toxicity in the HBSs, as verified via the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. Moreover, an ELF-EMF intensity of 5–20 G promoted the expression of ALP, versican, β-catenin, and several cytokines (VEGF, PDGF, FGF-10, and ET-1) in HBSs. Immunohistochemical staining showed that ELF-EMF at an intensity of 5–20 G upregulated ALP and β-catenin and decreased TUNEL staining in HBS. Moreover, HFs exposed to ELF-EMF for 60 min exhibited an increase in hair length and a 1.5-fold increase in IL-4, ICAM-1, ALP, and versican mRNA expression compared to the control. Immunohistochemical staining indicated that 60 min of ELF-EMF can increase the expression of ALP and β-catenin and decreases TUNEL staining in organ cultures. Collectively, our results demonstrated that ELF-EMF exposure at a 10 G intensity for 60 min promoted hair shaft growth in HFs due to the effect of cytokines and adhesion molecules via the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Therefore, ELF-EMF is a promising treatment for hair loss.
Numerical analysis of mixed mode I/II stress intensity factors of edge slant cracked plates

Article history: Received 6 March, 2016 Accepted 5 August 2016 Available online 5 August 2016 Mixed mode I/II stress intensity factors of an edge slant-cracked plate under tensile loading were assessed. A two-dimensional finite element analysis was employed using ABAQUS. Various crack lengths and angles were analyzed. The effect of the crack location at the plate edge was also examined. Crack initiation angles were calculated. In general, modes I and II stress intensity factor increase with increasing crack length. However, the rate of increase in mode I SIF decreases with increasing the main crack angle. The results showed that stress intensity factors decreased ad the crack mouth approaches the edge mid line. The crack location becomes more significant as the crack length increases. The angle of first cracking depends on crack length, location, and angle. © 2017 Growing Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
The Secret Lives of Corridors: Networks of Relations in Transitional Built Spaces

Built environment research has long been interested in understanding the complexities of transitional spaces by investigating their hosted interactions. One approach used in efforts of this kind is actor-network theory (ANT), which conceptualizes built spaces as networks of relations that allow for certain interactions but not others. Previous studies have not considered the full variety of such interactions, having either addressed such multiplicity generically or focused on particular interactions related to a specific activity. Filling this gap, this article utilizes an ANT-inspired ethnographic approach to unpack the spatial diversity of a Jordanian university’s corridor space by mapping the various interactions therein. The findings present the relational dynamics within the various networks created and show how they have diversifying effects on the very shaping of the corridor. Ultimately, this article suggests a more nuanced conceptualization of transitional spaces through a better understanding of the multitude of interactions, offering designers a tool to create distinctive spaces that serve different user needs.
Improving Diabetic Foot Ulcer Healing with Adjuvant Bitter Melon Leaf Extract (Momordica charantia L.)

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is a serious disease that affects more than 340 million people and causes approximately 20% of diabetic ulcer cases worldwide. Wound healing is a complex and dynamic process in restoring cellular structures and tissue layers. It consists of four continuous overlapping phases that are precisely programmed AIM: This study aims to examine the adjuvant administration of bitter melon leaf extract to increase the healing of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). METHODS: This study used a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial. A total of 30 DFU patients with a perfusion, extent, depth, infection, and sensation (PEDIS) score of 1–8 who met the criteria were divided into two groups, namely, the treatment group with adjuvant administration of bitter melon leaf extract at a dose of 6 g/day as many as 15 patients and the control group 15 patients with placebo. This intervention was carried out for 4 weeks. DFU cure was measured by PEDIS scores at baseline, weeks 2, 3, and the end of week 4. Data were analyzed using paired t-test and independent t-test. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of treatment, the PEDIS score in the treatment group decreased at week 2 (0.9 ± 1.8), but not significant (p = 0.19), decreased at week 3 (1.9 ± 1.9) and significant (p = 0.01), decreased in week IV (2.3 ± 2.1) and significantly (p = 0.001). The control group experienced a decrease in week 2 (0.3 ± 2.3), but not significant (p = 0.71), decreased in week 3 (1.2 ± 2.5), but not significant (p = 0.18), decreased in week 4 (1.9 ± 2.7) and significantly (p = 0.03), and there was an effect of adjuvant administration of bitter melon leaf extract on the cure of DFU (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Adjuvant administration of bitter melon leaf extract has been shown to increase the healing of DFU.
The Role of Affective Teacher–Student Relationships in Bullying and Peer Victimization: A Multilevel Meta-Analysis

Abstract This meta-analysis synthesizes evidence about the associations of affective teacher–student relationships with bullying perpetration and peer victimization. A systematic database search resulted in 65 primary studies (k) that met the inclusion criteria. The final sample included 185,881 students from preschool to high school. Separate multilevel analyses were conducted for bullying perpetration (k = 25, N = 97,627) and peer victimization (k = 57, N = 151,653). Results showed small to medium, negative overall correlations between teacher-student relationship quality and both bullying perpetration (r = −.17, 95% CI [−.21, −.14]) and peer victimization (r = −.14, 95% CI [−.17, −.11]). Teacher-student relationship quality was also related to less subsequent peer victimization (b = −0.05, 95% CI [−0.08, −0.02]). Associations between teacher-student relationship quality and bullying were stronger for ethnic minority students and when the same informant reported about both variables. Associations with peer victimization were stronger for negative (e.g., conflict) than for positive (e.g., closeness) relationship indicators and when the same informant was used for both variables. Generally, findings demonstrate that higher-quality teacher-student relationships are related to less bullying perpetration and less peer victimization. Hence, promoting positive and minimizing negative teacher-student relationships may help to tackle school-based bullying and peer victimization. Impact Statement The current meta-analysis examined the link between affective teacher-student relationships and two persistent problems in schools: bullying perpetration and peer victimization. Results including 65 primary studies demonstrated that higher-quality teacher-student relationships were related to less bullying perpetration and less peer victimization. Thus, promoting positive and minimizing negative teacher–student relationships may be important targets in bullying prevention and intervention efforts in schools.
“They think you are weak”: Examining the Drivers of Gender-Based Violence in Three Urban Informal Settlements

The global trend of rapid urbanization raises concerning issues related to the living standards of the urban poor, many of whom live in dense informal settlements. Residents of informal urban settlements can face significant insecurity, with men and women experiencing different threats. While space and socioeconomic status have specific consequences on the hazard of violence that urban residents face, gender modifies the impact of that violence. In an attempt to understand the drivers of insecurity within a social ecological framework, this study investigated underdeveloped neighborhoods in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Dhaka, Bangladesh; and Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The qualitative approach employed focus group discussions using various probing techniques and key informant interviews followed by a thematic analysis of the data. The direct quotes and experiences of young and older women compared to those of young and older men highlight how the combination of factors - gender and poverty - drive differential risk for women compared to men among the urban poor in these cities.