Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PROJECTIONS OF FUTURE METEOROLOGICAL DROUGHT IN JAVA–NUSA TENGGARA REGION BASED ON CMIP6 SCENARIO

: Between 2018 and 2022, the primary regions for rice production in Indonesia were Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara, collectively contributing to approximately 61% of the annual rice production. Unfortunately, these islands are also most vulnerable to crop failure due to drought-induced water shortages. Therefore, this study predicted the occurrence, duration, and severity of meteorological drought in Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara using rainfall data from six climate models within the CMIP6 framework under the SSP245 and SSP585 scenarios. The observed data of 20 BMKG rainfall stations in the study area was acquired to adjust the output of the CMIP6 models using the Linear Scaling (LS) method. The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) at a 3-month scale (SPI-3) was used to analyze meteorological drought characteristics, such as frequency, duration, and intensity. The results showed that drought frequency increased and persisted for longer durations, particularly in the Nusa Tenggara region. However, compared to the observation period, drought intensity was predicted to decline in both scenarios compared to the observed period. The SSP585 scenario also indicated a higher level of drought compared to SSP245.
Exploring financial distress through Altman Z” score: example of selected private commercial banks in Nepal

Purpose - This research aims to explore the financial distress of selected Nepalese commercial banks using Altman’s Z” score model. Design/methodology/approach - Based on quantitative research approach, this research has followed descriptive research design to assess financial distress. Amid of 24 private commercial banks, this study has selected 16 sample banks conveniently. Altman’s revised Z” score (1993) model has been used to draw inferences. The published annual financial report of respective banks of year 2019-20 was employed as secondary information. Findings and Conclusion - Among 16 sampled banks, 6 commercial banks are laid under zone of distress and 10 banks as in undecided zone. Similarly, this study has revealed the inefficiency of Z” score model in predicting financial distress. Originality/value - Commencing Altman’s Z” score model designed for non-manufacturing and companies of emerging market in relation to Nepalese commercial banks.
Systematic literature review on tourism destination competitiveness research

This study aimed to conduct an examination of prior research on tourism destinations' competitiveness to shed light and broaden the field of knowledge on the topic.The review focuses on 45 practical and applicable studies that addressed the competitiveness of tourism destinations. The findings indicate that half of the analyzed articles are model-driven research, while Crouch and Ritchie's model is one of the most frequently applied models among articles. It has been shown that there are different perceptions and views of destination competitiveness on the demand and supply side. The majority of the study on destination competitiveness is based on a supply side given their experience and deeper knowledge of tourism businesses. The research also seeks to identify the most common indicators of competitiveness to understand the creation of tourist offers, as well as the advantages and disadvantages. Finally, it was important to give a more thorough overview of tourism competitiveness in Serbia and reveal any potential knowledge gaps in the literature and provide guidance for further research.
New insights into the early Bajocian (Middle Jurassic) carbon cycle perturbation

Mesozoic strata record numerous negative and positive carbon isotope excursions (CIEs). The Middle Jurassic records a negative ~0.5 ‰ CIE at the Aalenian-Bajocian boundary followed by a positive ~1.5 ‰ CIE covering the entire early Bajocian. Although these CIEs are recorded in northern and southwestern Tethys and may reflect perturbations of the global carbon cycle, they remain poorly investigated. In this study, we present new geochemical and sedimentological data from the Chaudon-Norante section in France and Murtinheira section in Portugal to better constrain the origin of the lower Bajocian CIEs. Associated with the previously published carbon isotopic composition of bulk carbonate (δ13Cbulk carbonate) we provide new δ13Corg records, as well as total phosphorus content, phosphorus accumulation rates (AR), and CaCO3 and organic matter data. In contrast with previous interpretations, our results show no evidence of a carbonate production crisis during the early Bajocian. A slight increase in siliciclastic and phosphorus AR would argue for oceanic fertilization but without a parallel increase in organic matter AR. The obtained stratigraphic δ13Cbulk carbonate vs. of the carbon isotopic composition of bulk organic matter (δ13Corg) patterns are distinctive and mimic previous box modeling results simulating an increase in productivity forced by higher phosphorus rates from riverine and weathered-carbon input burial. The subsequent organic carbon burial produced counter-greenhouse conditions, which in turn produced a cooling by CO2 uptake. Our results indicate that the lower Bajocian event shows several similarities with the late Valanginian positive CIE (also known as the Weissert event). An accurate comparison of both events may help for a better understanding of the origin and consequence of such carbon cycle perturbations.
Optimal Fasting Insulin Cutoff Value to Predict Clinical and/or Biochemical Hyperandrogenism in Korean Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Background : Insulin resistance and compensatory hyperinsulinemia play a critical role in the development of hyperandrogenism (HA) in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients. To the best of our knowledge, however, few studies have determined the optimal fasting insulin cutoff value to predict HA in PCOS patients. Through this study, we aimed to investigate the optimal cutoff values for insulin and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) to predict HA in women with PCOS. Methods : One hundred forty-eight women whose menarche occurred over eight years ago and were newly diagnosed with PCOS with irregular menstrual cycles (IM) and polycystic ovaries (PCO) using ultrasound after ruling out other etiologies were enrolled in this study. In this study, participants were categorized into two groups: those with clinical or biochemical HA (the IM/PCO/HA group) and those without HA (the IM/PCO group). To assess the relationship between androgen levels, including total testosterone (TT) and free testosterone (FT), and fasting glucose and insulin levels and HOMA-IR values, we performed correlation analysis using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. We used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to identify the optimal cutoff values for fasting insulin and HOMA-IR to predict HA in PCOS patients. Results : Fasting glucose and insulin levels and HOMA-IR values were significantly different between the IM/PCO/HA and IM/PCO groups. TT and FT levels exhibited significant correlations with fasting glucose and insulin levels and HOMA-IR values. The ROC analysis identified the most suitable fasting insulin cutoff value of 9.85 µU/mL with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.817 (60.7% sensitivity and 91.3% specificity) for predicting HA in women with PCOS. The ROC analysis also showed a HOMA-IR value of 2.22 as the optimal cutoff value for predicting HA (AUC, 0.820; 60.7% sensitivity, and 92.4% specificity). Conclusions : Our results support the classical concept that hyperinsulinemia contributes to HA in PCOS patients. Women with PCOS with fasting insulin levels of 9.85 µU/mL or higher (approximately ≥ 10 µU/mL) are strongly suspected to have HA.
Investigating the spontaneous brain activities of patients with subjective cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment: an amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation functional magnetic resonance imaging study

Background Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are neurodegenerative processing stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Cognitive decline is thought to manifest in intrinsic brain activity changes, but research results yielded conflicting and few studies have explored the roles of brain regions in cognitive decline, and sensitivity of the cognitive field to changes in the altered intrinsic brain activity. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 158 elderly participants were recruited from the memory clinic of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from July 2019 to May 2021, and grouped into SCD (n=73), MCI (n=46), and normal controls (NC) (n=39). The amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) was calculated and evaluated among the groups. Then canonical correlation analysis (CCA) was conducted to investigate the associations between imaging outcomes and cognitive behaviors. Results Neuropsychological tests in different cognitive dimensions and ALFF values of the prefrontal, parietal, and temporal gyrus, were significantly different (P<0.05) among the three groups, with no appreciable decline in daily activity. The changes in intrinsic activities were closely related to the decline in cognitive function (R=0.73, P=0.002). ALFF values in the left middle occipital gyrus, right middle frontal gyrus, left superior frontal gyrus, left angular gyrus, and superior temporal gyrus played significant roles in the analysis, while the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Auditory-Verbal Learning Test scores were found to be more sensitive to changes in ALFF values. Conclusions Spontaneous brain activity is a stable imaging biomarker of cognitive impairment. ALFF changes of the prefrontal, occipital, left angular, and temporal gyrus were sensitive to identifying cognitive decline, and the scores of the Auditory-Verbal Learning Test and MoCA could predict the abnormal intrinsic activities.
Vineyard practices reduce the incidence of Aspergillus spp. and alter the composition of carposphere microbiome in grapes (Vitis vinifera L.)

Going through the new transitioning era of the “European Green Deal,” the search for alternative, non-chemical, disease control methods is essential. Aspergillus bunch rot is considered one of the most important diseases of grapevines resulting in severe yield losses and, major qualitative deterioration of grape products due to the production of mycotoxins. We investigated, in a two-year field study, the impact of agronomic practices like defoliation to enhance grape microclimate (DF), pruning method to reduce grape bunch density (LBD), and irrigation cut-off (NIR), at three developmental stages of grapevine (Pea size berry, Veraison, and Harvest), on (i) grape composition (titratable acidity, pH, and total soluble solids), (ii) on the frequency of occurrence of Aspergillus on grape berries, and (iii) on the overall composition of grape carposphere microbiome. The density of Aspergillus on grape berries was significantly reduced by the applied management practices (DF, LBD, and NIR). Amplicon sequencing analysis showed that both the phenological stage and the agronomic practices employed (particularly NIR and DF) imposed significant changes in the α-diversity and β-diversity of the grape carposphere bacterial and fungal communities. The NIR, LBD, and DF treatments which supported lower Aspergillus populations, network analysis revealed negative co-occurrence patterns between Aspergillus and several bacterial genera (Streptococcus, Rhodococcus, and Melitangium) reported to have antifungal properties suggesting potential natural attenuation mechanisms for the control of Aspergillus. Overall, our study (i) showed that the application of halting of irrigation and thinning of leaves and grape bunches, reduce the occurrence of Aspergillus and hence the incidence of Aspergillus Bunch rot disease and (ii) identified preliminary evidence for interactions of Aspergillus with members of the epiphytic grape bacterial communities that might be involved in the suppression of Aspergilli, an observation which will be further pursued in following studies in the quest for the discovery of novel biological control agents.
The Effect of Dual-Class on Earnings Management: A Case of Chinese Listed Companies in US

The dual-class share structure is a model that effectively segregates cash flow rights from control rights. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the control rights of the founding team and fortify resistance against hostile takeovers. Nonetheless, according to agency theory, the dual-class structure may intensify agency problems, potentially compelling managers to resort to heightened earnings management, either due to market pressures or pursuit of short-term profits. As a result, this research focuses on the impact of dual-class structure on earnings management. This study employs quantitative methods and conducts panel data regression analysis. The empirical findings reveal that companies with a dual-class structure exhibit a higher propensity for engaging in both accrual-based earnings management and real earnings management. Consequently, this paper contributes empirical evidence concerning the economic consequences of adopting the dual-class structure within emerging markets. In future research, it may be beneficial to contextualize the specific factors influencing the implementation of dual-class structures within a particular emerging market and explore whether there is a tendency for companies to eventually converge towards a unified structure.
FACTORS INFLUENCING WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTIONS: A CASE STUDY

Studying women’s entrepreneurial intentions is critical not only for encouraging women’s entrepreneurship but also for developing their entrepreneurial competencies. However, in the case of Lebanon, there is still a gap in the scientific studies related to identifying factors influencing women’s entrepreneurial intentions. In order to fulfill this gap, this research analyzes the main factors influencing Lebanese women’s entrepreneurial intentions: dominance, innovativeness, independence, and social encouragement. A scientific literature review was conducted to develop the research model and propose the research hypotheses. A survey questionnaire was prepared and distributed online to collect data from 620 Lebanese women. Then, the collected data was analyzed and presented employing descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, PLS structural equation modeling techniques, and importance-performance map analysis. The findings revealed significant relationships between the research variables except for women’s independence. Also, the findings showed that social encouragement for women partially mediates the relationship between innovativeness and women’s entrepreneurial intentions.
Stress-controlled fluid flow in fractures at the site of a potential nuclear waste repository, Finland

The relationship between present-day stress state and fluid flow within fractures in crystalline bedrock is investigated in the light of a comprehensive fracture database consisting of 38,703 fracture observations made during investigations at the site of a planned high-level nuclear waste repository in Finland. By combining fracture orientation data with detailed stress and fluid flow measurements, we observe that the orientations of conductive fractures display characteristic patterns attributed to the effect of the present-day triaxial stress state and that the highest transmissivities are associated with fractures having the lowest normal tractions. Our findings indicate that contemporary stress data combined with slip and dilation tendency analysis can be used in predicting the orientations and relative transmissivity values of conductive fractures.
Socioeconomic Inequalities as a Cause of Health Inequities in Spain: A Scoping Review

The objectives of this review were to identify the population groups most frequently studied, to determine the methods and techniques most commonly used to show health inequities, and to identify the most frequent socioeconomic and health indicators used in the studies on health inequities due to socioeconomic inequalities that have been carried out on the Spanish healthcare system. A scoping review was carried out of the studies conducted in the Spanish State and published in literature since 2004, after the publication of the Law of Cohesion and Quality of the National Health System. The PRISMA extension for scoping reviews was followed. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the critical reading guides of the Joanna Briggs Institute and an adaptation of the STROBE guide for ecological studies. A total of 58 articles out of 811 articles were included. Most of the articles were (77.59%, n = 45) cross-sectional studies, followed by ecological studies (13.8%, n = 8). The population group used was uneven, while the main geographical area under investigation was the whole state (51.7%, n = 30) compared to other territorial distributions (48.3%, n = 28). The studies used a multitude of health and socioeconomic indicators, highlighting self-perception of health (31.03%, n = 19) and social class (50%, n = 29). The relationship between better health and better socioeconomic status is evident. However, there is variability in the populations, methods, and indicators used to study health equity in Spain. Future health research and policies require greater systematization by public institutions and greater cooperation among researchers from disciplines such as sociology, economics, and health.
Utilization of Interpersonal Communication Channels in the Uptake of Cervical Cancer Screening at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya

Worldwide, cervical cancer is still a major health concern. The problem is worse in developing nations because there is a lack of access to trustworthy cancer information, which discourages people from getting screened. The usefulness of interpersonal communication channels in spreading awareness about cervical cancer screening was investigated in this inquiry. The study was carried out at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya, within the Maternal Child Health and Family Planning (MCH/FP) facility. The Diffusion of Innovations Theory provided direction for the research. The study was conducted at Maternal Child Health and Family Planning (MCH/FP) clinic at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The study was guided by the Diffusion of Innovations Theory. This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design and a mixed methods approach to investigate cervical cancer information sources. Targeting women aged 18-65 receiving family planning services at MTRH, the sample of 308 was derived from the monthly population of 1,000. Six key informants were purposively chosen for qualitative data, and 20 participants for focus groups using systematic random sampling. Quantitative data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires while qualitative data was collected using two focused group discussions and six key informant interviews. Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 29, was used to analyse the quantitative data, and NVivo, version 12 software was used to analyse the qualitative data using thematic content analysis. Regression modelling and the estimation of Pearson's correlation coefficient were used to perform inferential statistics. The tabulated findings suggest that there was strong positive link between information sources adopted and cervical cancer testing uptake (r=0.876, p = <.004). This observation indicates that the choice of interpersonal communication medium used played a crucial role in influencing the acceptance and adoption of cervical cancer screening. The major channels of interpersonal communication utilized were friends, health care workers and the media. Out of these, the most effective channels were health care workers. As such, healthcare workers, especially doctors and nurses, can increase women's screening adherence to lessen the societal burden of cervical cancer. It is thus recommended that combining mass media and interpersonal communication channels will probably increase women's understanding of cervical cancer thus enabling them to make informed decisions about their health. It is also important to sensitize families, communities and health care workers on their role in promoting screening uptake. Specific training programmes should be put in place to sensitize the public and health care professionals and increase their capacity to promote uptake of cervical cancer screening among women of vulnerable ages.
Plastic Spinal Motor Circuits in Health and Disease.

In the past, the spinal cord was considered a hard-wired network responsible for spinal reflexes and a conduit for long-range connections. This view has changed dramatically over the past few decades. It is now recognized as a plastic structure that has the potential to adapt to changing environments. While such changes occur under physiological conditions, the most dramatic alterations take place in response to pathological events. Many of the changes that occur following such pathological events are maladaptive, but some appear to help adapt to the new conditions. Although a number of studies have been devoted to elucidating the underlying mechanisms, in humans and animal models, the etiology and pathophysiology of various diseases impacting the spinal cord are still not well understood. In this review, we summarize current understanding and outstanding challenges for a number of diseases, including spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), amyotrophic laterals sclerosis (ALS), and spinal cord injury (SCI), with occasional relations to stroke. In particular, we focus on changes resulting from SCI (and stroke), and various influencing factors such as cause, site and extent of the afflicted damage.
“We Were Already in Lockdown”: Exploring the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Australia—Mental Health, Social Isolation, Abandonment, and Financial Precarity

The aim of this study was to give a voice to people from asylum seeker and refugee backgrounds in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore their perspectives concerning their experiences of everyday life. The findings highlight the impacts the pandemic had on these groups, how it exacerbated existing vulnerabilities, worsened mental health, increased social isolation, affirmed a sense of abandonment, and heightened financial precarity. The study adhered to a social constructivist approach. It used a qualitative methodology guided by a narrative research approach. Semistructured in-depth interviews with thirteen participants were thematically analyzed to generate a global theme and subthemes. For people from asylum seeker and refugee backgrounds in Australia, the government-mandated lockdown measures led to increased feelings of loneliness and loss of social support networks, reduced access to public spaces, and limited engagement in face-to-face activities and opportunities for socializing and maintaining mental well-being. The pandemic intensified domestic partner violence incidents and financial stress emerged as a major concern. Participants lost or had reduced employment, and many were ineligible for government financial support. These challenges intersected with preexisting hardships which contributed to feelings of abandonment. Based on the findings, implications include the need for inclusive policies and targeted healthcare support, measures to prevent and respond to partner violence, and inclusive financial assistance schemes that address the unique needs of people from asylum seeker and refugee backgrounds in Australia. Further research is needed to inform therapeutic supports and trauma-informed services for these groups.