Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of soil morphology on hydraulic properties : I. Quantification of soil morphology

Utilization of existing soil survey databases for characterizing water flow and solute transport in field soils has practical value. However, the lack of a proper means for quantifying soil morphology limits the incorporation of soil structural information into models. In this study, we examined basic relationships between five major soil morphological features (texture, initial moisture, pedality, macroporosity, and root density) and steady infiltration rates for 96 soil horizons of varying structure. Based on these relationships, a point scale system was developed as an approach to quantify soil morphology. Descriptive morphological classes were first rated with respect to their potential impacts on soil water flow rate. Points that provided the best correlation with the measured steady infiltration rates were then obtained for each morphological class through a computer optimization program. The optimal points assigned to each morphological feature were divided by the maximum value to yield a morphometric index of 0 to I. Such an approach permitted the determination of interrelationships among different morphological features that would otherwise be difficult with qualitative descriptors. The proposed morphology quantification system also has potential in facilitating pedotransfer studies of estimating water flow and chemical transport parameters from soil survey databases including structural descriptors.
Non-Traditional Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Adolescents with Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome May Predict Future Cardiovascular Disease

Obesity in adolescence is associated with significant morbidity and predisposes adolescents to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although a number of traditional CVD risk factors have been identified in youth, limited data exist regarding non-traditional CVD risk factors. In 89 adolescents with metabolic syndrome (MetS), with 60 age-, gender-, and BMI-matched controls, we determined the non-traditional CVD risk factors (hs-CRP, TG/HDL ratio, ApoB/ApoA1 ratio, NAFLD) in order to investigate whether they may be used as biomarkers for predicting future CVD, and we evaluated their response to the implementation of a multidisciplinary, personalized, lifestyle intervention program for 1 year. We demonstrated that the TG/HDL ratio, IL-2, IL-6, IL-17A, and INF-γ were significantly increased in subjects with MetS than in controls, and may be used as biomarkers to predict future CVD. Subjects with MetS had an increased mean carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and prevalence of NAFLD than the controls, while the prevalence of NAFLD correlated strongly with cIMT and IL-6 concentrations. Most of the non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors improved following the implementation of a lifestyle intervention program. These findings indicate that adolescents with MetS may have a greater risk for developing atherosclerosis early in life, while early lifestyle intervention is crucial for preventing the arteriosclerotic process in youth.
GEOELECTRICAL INVESTIGATIONS IN EAST AFGHANISTAN

During the years from 1965 until 1967, a German/Afghan team carried out a number of geoelectrical resistivity measurements according to the “Four-Point-Method” within the framework of Technical Assistance to Afghanistan. On two selected objects of investigation, i.e. Kabul (69°10 E, 34°30′N) and Zarkasan (67°40′E, 32° 54.5′N), the possibilities and limits of the resistivity method in the exploration of useful groundwater resources, of the geological structure, and in the treatment of problems pertaining to mineral deposits in Afghanistan are demonstrated. In connection with geological mapping these geophysical investigations provided certain conceptions on the structure and the stratigraphy of the intramontane basins in the region south of the Hindukush mountains. Field interpretations are checked by boreholes and by computed model graphs. Zusammenfassung Geoelektrische Widerstandsmessungen nach der Vierpunktmethode sind in den Jahren 1965–67 im Rahmen der technischen Hilfe in Afghanistan durch eine deutsch-afghanische Arbeitsgruppe ausgefuhrt worden. Anhand der zwei ausgewahlten Untersuchungsobjekte Kabul (69°10′E, 34°30′N) und Zarkasan (64°40′E, 32°54.5′N) wird gezeigt, welche Moglichkeiten und Grenzen die Widerstandsmethode bei der Erkundung nutzbarer Grundwasserleiter, des geolo-gischen Baus sowie bei der Bearbeitung lagerstattenkundlicher Fragen in Afghanistan hat. Im Zusammenhang mit geologischen Kartierungsarbeiten wurden mit Hilfe dieser geophysikalischen Untersuchungen Vorstellungen uber den Bau und die Stratigraphie der intramontanen Becken im Gebiet sudlich des Hindukusch entwickelt. Die Feldinter-pretation wurde durch Bohrungen und durch berechnete Modelkurven gepruft.
Effect of Graphene Oxide and Silver Nanoparticle Hybrid Composite on Acinetobacter baumannii Strains, Regarding Antibiotic Resistance and Prevalence of AMP-C Production

Background and Objectives: Growing antibiotic resistance among bacteria is a global issue that is becoming harder and more expensive to solve. Traditional treatment options are becoming less effective, causing more fatal outcomes of nosocomial infections. Since the development of new antibiotics has stagnated in the last decade, a novel approach is needed. Materials and Methods: Graphene-based materials are being developed and tested for various applications, and the medical field is no exception. We tested 98 clinical A. baumannii strains for antibiotic resistance, AMP-C production and the effectiveness of a graphene oxide and silver nanoparticle hybrid nanocomposite. The disc diffusion method was used to determine antibiotic susceptibility results. Antibiotic discs containing cefotaxime, cloxacillin and clavulanate were used to detect AMP-C production. The effectiveness of the GO–Ag hybrid nanocomposite was determined by counting colony forming units (CFUs) after a suspension of A. baumannii and the GO–Ag hybrid nanocomposite was plated on MH agar and incubated overnight to grow colonies. Results: In our research, we found that A. baumannii strains are resistant to the majority of commonly used antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance levels and AMP-C production can be factors, indicating the better effectiveness of the graphene oxide and silver nanoparticle hybrid nanocomposite. Conclusions: In this study, a GO–Ag hybrid nanocomposite was shown to have the potential to fight even the most problematic bacteria like A. baumannii.
Reconstruction of the White Sea Basin during the late Younger Dryas

Pasanen, A. , Lunkka, J. P. & Putkinen, N. 2009: Reconstruction of the White Sea Basin during the late Younger Dryas. Boreas, 10.1111/j.1502‐3885.2009. 00128.x. ISSN 0300‐9483
Negligible effect of vitamin D supplementation on exacerbation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: meta-analysis

Introduction The focus of this meta-analysis was how vitamin D supplementation influences exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and vitamin D deficiency (VDD). Materials and methods Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, and PubMed databases have been systematically searched in an attempt to collect randomized controlled trials related to vitamin D supplementation in COPD patients with VDD published in English available by July 2022. Primary outcome indicators included the mean number of exacerbation and rate of exacerbation. Secondary outcome indicators included forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration. Results Five studies involving 522 COPD patients with VDD (defined as 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L) were included, among them 61 were severely deficient in vitamin D (25(OH)D < 25 nmol/L). The results showed that vitamin D supplementation did not decrease the mean number of exacerbation (standardized mean difference (SMD): - 0.10, 95% CI: - 0.29 to 0.09) and the rate of exacerbation (relative risk (RR): 0.89, 95% CI: 0.76 to 1.04, P = 0.179). Also, its effect on FEV1 (SMD: - 0.06, 95% CI: - 0.30 to 0.17) and FEV1/FVC (SMD: -0.10, 95% CI: - 0.48 to 0.27) remained negligible. However, it could increase the serum 25(OH)D concentration (SMD: 2.44, 95 CI%: 2.20 to 2.68, P < 0.001). Conclusions The effects of vitamin D supplementation on decreasing exacerbation and improving pulmonary function were not significant.
Public Participation in Needs Identification and Prioritization at Local Level Annual Plan: Experiences from Kirtipur Municipality, Kathmandu

The aim of this paper was to examine the preferences of people in needs identification at the ward level annual plan, and to enable the participants in the ward level planning process. The focus area of the study was Kirtipur Municipality ward no 8. The research followed a qualitative method characterized by workshops and mock session methods considering the constructivist standpoint. The words form of data was converted into tabulated form and interpreted accordingly. More than 100 stakeholders participated in the three days long workshops and mock sessions continuously for primary data. As per the policy provision, community people have no access in ordering except needs/programs identification is considered as big policy deficiency. This study found that all the decisive roles have been done by the government officials and hired consultants. The findings of this research suggest that community people’s voices and, more intensively, their ideas must be incorporated while setting the priority orders by training and awareness. The findings suggest that political representatives and government officials must enhance their personal and institutional capacity in relation to understanding the overall planning process. To address the existing policy deficiency, people's participation in every stage of planning is the best way of sustainability in planning and becomes the good benchmarks for theoretical and applied contribution.
Basic leucine zipper (bZIP) family in Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis): genome-wide identification, evolutionary, structure, collinearity, and expression analyses under abiotic stress at the seeding stage

ABSTRACT Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is a crop with medicinal, horticultural, and nutritional uses. The basic leucine zipper (bZIP) family is a transcription factor family distributed throughout eukaryotes, including plants, and whose members participate in various biological processes, including plant growth, development, flowering, and stress responses. However, a few genome-wide studies of the bZIP family members have been reported. Here, 46 Asparagus bZIP members, named AobZIP01–AobZIP46, were identified from the reference genome via PFAM search and could be divided into 14 subgroups which were shown to be similar via motif and gene structure analysis. The molecular evolution, motif, and gene structure comparative analysis between A. officinalis and Arabidopsis indicated the accuracy of AobZIP member identification. Additionally, the cis-acting elements of the AobZIP members revealed that they might be associated with plant hormones and responses to abiotic stress. The collinear analysis predicted that the function of AobZIP members might be comparable to that of other species. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis showed that AobZIP genes were enriched in the abscisic acid (ABA) pathway. Furthermore, the tissue-specific expression at the seedling stage revealed that root tissue could be used as a target tissue because of its high expression level. The expression of AobZIP genes determined by quantitative real-time PCR under abiotic stress at the seeding stage revealed that some AobZIP members could be candidate genes for plant breeding. This study offers insights for future research in improving the abiotic stress resistance of asparagus utilizing the AobZIP genes.
Spanwise phase transition between pure modes A and B in a circular cylinder’s wake. Part II: spatiotemporal evolution of vorticity

Through direct numerical simulation, the transition from pure mode A to mode B in the near wake of a circular cylinder is studied without consideration of vortex dislocations. The Reynolds number Re is calculated from 100 to 330 with a computational spanwise length of 4 diameters. In the present section, the spatiotemporal evolution of the vorticity and its sign are analyzed. The results show that mode B, as a kind of weak disturbed vorticity with opposite signs, actually appears partially on the rear surface of the cylinder and in the shear layers once Re exceeds 193. With increasing Re , the vortex-shedding patterns in the near wake undergo the initial generation stage of mode B coupling with the fully developed pure mode A ( 193⩽Re<230 ), the mode swapping or coexistence stage between modes A and B ( 230⩽Re<260∼265 ), the self-adjustment stage of the nondimensional spanwise wavelength from 0.8 to 1 in dominant mode B ( 260∼265⩽Re<310 ), and the full development stage of mode B ( Re⩾310 ). In particular, the spanwise phase transition initially occurs at a certain spanwise position in the initial generation stage where a part of mode A and a part of mode B with specific vorticity signs appear, e.g. the Π− vortex in mode A and the Π+ vortex in mode B, in which Π− and Π+ vortices are vortices with three vorticity components satisfying the vorticity sign law and shed from the upper and lower shear layers, respectively.
The scarcity of mappable flow lobes on the lunar maria - Unique morphology of the Imbrium flows

Unique features of Imbrium lava flows are their thickness (10-30 + m) and lengths (up to 400 km for phase-III, and up to 600 km for phase-II) when compared along later Imbrium and Eratosthenian units. They are distinct by virtue of their inferred short-lived (on the order of days) and extremely rapid rates of effusion. It is shown that there are numerous other basalt eruptives within the young blue western maria. The emplacement of these flows was by complex multilayering and intertonguing of individual flow units with thicknesses less than 10 m. They are generally restricted to the near vicinity of multiple vent sources.
Characteristics of Flowing Snow and Avalanche Impact Pressures

Experimental data on avalanche impact pressures and speeds from an avalanche path at Rogers Pass, B.C., are presented for both dry and wet avalanches. Data from small load cells (645 mm2 surface) at various heights through the vertical cross-section of the avalanches show that the frequency of particle impact and hence flow density increases rapidly from top to bottom of the flow. Data from a large circular impact plate (196 000 mm2) just above the ground surface show that dry avalanches have relatively higher peak pressures and relatively lower average pressures than wet avalanches for a given speed. Longitudinal wave-like characteristics in the flow may be seen for both wet and dry avalanches, but they appear to be the exception rather than the rule. Comparison of pressure results with those of other studies shows good agreement for peak pressures, but average pressures are generally less than those of previous studies. This discrepancy is attributed to the past use of cells for which loading surface size approached typical particle size. The size effect may be demonstrated by comparison of small cell data with results from the large impact plate at Rogers Pass.
Multi-omics analysis reveals the involvement of origin recognition complex subunit 6 in tumor immune regulation and malignant progression

Background Origin recognition complex 6 (ORC6) is one of the six highly conserved subunit proteins required for DNA replication and is essential for maintaining genome stability during cell division. Recent research shows that ORC6 regulates the advancement of multiple cancers; however, it remains unclear what regulatory impact it has on the tumor immune microenvironment. Methods Unpaired Wilcoxon rank sum and signed rank tests were used to analyze the differences in the expression of ORC6 in normal tissues and corresponding tumor tissues. Multiple online databases have evaluated the genetic alterations, protein expression and localization, and clinical relevance of ORC6. To evaluate the potential prognostic impact and diagnostic significance of ORC6 expression, we carried out log-rank, univariate Cox regression, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The ICGC-LIRI-JP cohort, CGGA-301 cohort, CGGA-325 cohort, CGGA-693 cohort, and GSE13041 cohort were used for external validation of the study findings. The associations between ORC6 expression and immune cell infiltration, immune checkpoint expression, and immunotherapy cohorts was further analyzed. To explore the functional and signaling pathways related to ORC6 expression, gene set enrichment analysis was performed. To clarify the expression and function of ORC6 in hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) and glioma, we conducted in vitro experiments. Results Expression of ORC6 is upregulated in the majority of cancer types and is associated with poor patient prognosis, notably in cases of LIHC and gliomas. In addition, ORC6 may be involved in multiple signaling pathways related to cancer progression and immune regulation. High expression of ORC6 correlates with an immunosuppressive state in the tumor microenvironment. The results of further immunotherapy cohort analysis suggested that patients in the ORC6 high-expression group benefited from immunotherapy. Inhibiting ORC6 expression suppressed the proliferative and migratory abilities of LIHC and glioma cells. Conclusion High expression of ORC6 may be used as a biomarker to predict the poor prognosis of most tumor patients. The high expression of ORC6 may be involved in the regulation of the tumor immunosuppressive environment, and it is expected to become a molecular target for inhibiting tumor progression.
Effect of Wave Height on Cross-Shore Solute Mixing

The investigations reported relate to a series of hydrodynamic and fluorometric tracing experiments carried out in the U.K. Coastal Research Facility, located at H. R. Wallingford Ltd. Detailed measurements were made to examine the cross-shore spreading of a solute mostly outside the surf zone for shore-normal waves combined with a long-shore current. Data are presented that characterize the solute transport processes and quantify the contribution of wave activity to the mixing processes in the coastal zone. Results suggest that the mixing increases with the square of the wave height, H, but that this variation incorporates the effects of several mixing mechanisms. The location of the breaker point is shown to be important for near-shore mixing studies. Using analytical procedures, it has been shown that by incorporating the theoretical wave-induced velocity with realistic estimates of the turbulence, an overall cross-shore depth-averaged theoretical mixing coefficient can be determined. When compared wit.
High Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Seroprevalence and No Evidence of HEV Viraemia in Vietnamese Blood Donors

The prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in the Vietnamese population remains underestimated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the seroprevalence of HEV IgG/IgM antibodies and the presence of HEV RNA in blood donors as a part of epidemiological surveillance for transfusion-transmitted viruses. Serum samples from blood donors (n = 553) were analysed for markers of past (anti-HEV IgG) and recent/ongoing (anti-HEV IgM) HEV infections. In addition, all serum samples were subsequently tested for HEV RNA positivity. The overall prevalence of anti-HEV IgG was 26.8% (n = 148/553), while the seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgM was 0.5% (n = 3/553). Anti-HEV IgG seroprevalence in male and female donors was similar (27.1% and 25.5%, respectively). A higher risk of hepatitis E exposure was observed with increasing age. None of the blood donors were HEV RNA positive, and there was no evidence of HEV viraemia. Although the absence of HEV viraemia in blood donors from Northern Vietnam is encouraging, further epidemiological surveillance in other geographical regions is warranted to rule out transfusion-transmitted HEV.
Activity Following Total Hip Arthroplasty: Which Patients Are Active, and Is Being Active Safe?

Background: Younger and physically active patients demand a return to sport after total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, because of the risk of implant wear and loosening, high-impact activities are often not recommended. The current study evaluates predictive factors and revision rates in patients with higher activity levels. Methods: This retrospective study included 4152 hips in 3828 patients aged 45–75 that underwent primary THA for primary osteoarthritis between 2009 and 2019 with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Pain and Lower Extremity Activity Scale (LEAS) were assessed before and 2 years after surgery. Activity was classified as low (LEAS 1–6), moderate (LEAS 7–13), or high (LEAS 14–18). Results: Pain and LEAS improved from preoperative to 2-years postoperative (p < 0.001). The activity level was low in 6.2%, moderate in 52.9%, and high in 40.9% of the patients. Younger age, lower BMI, ASA, and CCI, male sex, and higher preoperative LEAS correlated with higher activity at 2 years (p < 0.001). The predicted revision-free survival rates between the activity groups were better for more highly active patients (p < 0.001). Conclusions: High physical activity 2 years following THA, with participating in sports like jogging several times a week, did not increase the risk of revision surgery. THA patients should not be prevented from a highly active lifestyle.
Precision Orbit Determination Standards for the Jason Series of Altimeter Missions

The Jason-1 altimeter satellite and its follow-on mission Jason-2/OSTM were launched in December 2001 and June 2008, respectively, to provide the scientific community with a high-accuracy continuous record of observations of the ocean surface topography. Both missions carry on board three state-of-the-art tracking systems (DORIS, GPS, SLR) to meet the requirement of better-than-1.5 cm radial accuracy for the operational orbit included in the geophysical data record (GDR) product. This article outlines the common set of models and processing techniques applied to both Jason reprocessed and operational orbits included in version C of the GDR, referred to as GDR-C standards for precision orbit determination (POD), and describes the systematic components of the radial error budget that are of most interest for the altimeter data analysts. The nonsystematic component of the error budget, quantified by intercomparison of orbits using similar models or with reduced dependency on the dynamic models, is generally at or below 7 mm RMS (root-mean-square). In particular, the average daily RMS of the radial difference between the JPL and CNES reduced-dynamic orbits on Jason-2 is below 6 mm. Concerning the dynamic models employed, the principal contributors to residual systematic differences appear to be the time varying gravity and solar radiation pressure, resulting in geographically correlated periodic signals that have amplitudes at the few-mm level. Concerning the drifts of the orbits along the North/South direction, all solutions agree to better than the 1 mm/year level.