Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Climatic Parameters on Vegetation Cover and Forage Production of Four Grass Species in Semi-steppe Rangelands in Mazandaran Province, Iran

The vegetation cover and rangeland production are the most important factors to determine the proper planning system for effective utilization and management of rangelands. In this research, the effect of climatic factors (temperature and rainfall) were studied on vegetation cover and forage production of four species (Festuca ovina, Bromus tomentellus, Dactylis glomerata and Agropyron trichophorum) during 2002-2006 and in 2013 in a semi-steppe area in Polur rangeland, Mazandaran Province, Iran. The climatic factors were annual rainfall, growing season rainfall, growing season plus previous year rainfall, growing season rainfall of March, annual mean temperature and growing season temperature. For this purpose, some plots with a systematic distribution were selected. The vegetation cover and forage production were measured. The relationships between vegetation indices and climatic factors were assessed for each species using stepwise regression. The results demonstrated that the plant species had responded to rainfall and temperature fluctuations. However, the responses were different in various species. Among the important climatic factors, the growing season rainfall of March was the most effective index for B. tomentellus and A. trichophorum vegetation cover and forage production as well as on D. glomerata vegetation cover. The forage production of F ovina was influenced by the growing season plus the previous year rainfall. According to the results, the forage production and vegetation cover of these grass species could be estimated based on rainfall data. Therefore, with the knowledge of the effects of rainfall year fluctuations on vegetation indices over a long period, it is possible to make the necessary predictions for optimizing the management of rangelands.
Postnatal development of the lumbar spinal circuitry in the presence and absence of descending systems

Motor maturity in the rat is achieved 3 weeks after birth. Significant reorganisation and refinement of spinal and supraspinal systems contribute to acquisition of this mature behaviour; however the process remains poorly characterised. For example, descending innervation of the spinal circuitry is weak at birth and the extent to which developing supraspinal projections guide maturation of spinal circuits is not known. To address these questions, the present study developed an in-situ, perfused whole rat preparation in which the development of motor control can be studied throughout the postnatal (PN) period. Using electrophysiological and immunohistochemistry techniques, we tracked the PN development of muscle afferents and their modulation in the lumbar spinal cord. Inputs to motoneurons (MNs) from premotor interneurons were also assessed. To establish the dependence of lumbar spinal circuit organisation on descending systems, we conducted the same assessments on rats spinalised (mid-thoracic) at postnatal day 5 (PN5 TX). Results show that Ia afferent innervation of the lumbar cord is widespread early PN and retracted with development. PN5 TX abolished this retraction, with greater densities of afferents found at PN14 and 21 compared to intact controls. This leads to reduced H-reflex thresholds and increased H max/M max ratios in our novel preparation, suggesting hyperexcitability of the lumbar spinal circuitry following PN5 TX. We conduct the first assessments of developmental innervation of Ia afferents by GABApre neurons (P boutons), which modulate afferent firing. This revealed that P bouton density was low early in development and increased PN, a process which is severely attenuated by PN5 TX. This was likely responsible for reduced paired pulse depression of the H-reflex in PN5 TX rats. In general, premotor inputs to MNs were retracted throughout development and PN5 TX did not significantly disrupt this profile. Our results suggest developmental competition between afferent and descending systems for synaptic coverage of spinal circuits, with PN5 TX removing descending competition and preventing normal PN retraction of afferents. This, in conjunction with reduced presynaptic inhibition significantly increases excitability of the lumbar spinal circuitry. These results provide a greater understanding of the neural mechanisms responsible for PN acquisition of mature motor control and bear important implications for further study of conditions such as cerebral palsy and spinal cord injury.
Statistical Analysis of Population and Economic Growth in Ghana.

Purpose: The relationship between population and economic growth has been a subject of extensive research and debate for decades. Population of a country is driven by factors such as fertility rate, mortality rate and migration. Rapid population growth can strain resources, infrastructure, and social services, potentially hampering economic development. However, it can also create a demographic dividend when the working age population surpasses dependent age group, leading to increased productivity and economic growth. Methodology: The researchers performed statistical analysis on population and economic growth using Time Series. The study revealed that Ghana’s age profile is much concentrated at the youthful age, which is also the most fertile part of the age distribution. Findings: The Percentage Change of Population (PCPOP), Per Capita Gross Domestic Product (PCGDP) and Exchange Rate (EXCR) are statistically significant. Also Population and the economic growth in Ghana are inversely proportional to each other. Unique contributor to theory, policy and practice: Furthermore, the future values of the population of the country is relatively high for the next ten years and there is a negative correlation between the population and economic growth hence the future population is likely to face poverty. Stakeholders and policy makers are to ensure that future policies are directed towards Entrepreneurship and Skills Training to enable income generation in the Country.
A statistical study on the subthermocline submesoscale eddies in the northwestern Pacific Ocean based on Argo data

In this study, statistical characteristics and spatiotemporal variability of the cold-core subthermocline eddies (STEs) discovered by Zhang et al. (2015) in the northwestern Pacific are investigated with 14 years of Argo temperature/salinity (T/S) data between 2002 and 2015. By applying an objective identification procedure to Argo T/S profiles, a total of 337 lens-like STEs that trap cold and fresh homogeneous water are obtained. The STEs' cores are primarily located between 26.5 and 26.9 σ0 (300–800 m) and their shapes share a uniform Gaussian structure in vertical. Vertical and horizontal scale of the STEs is generally between 100 and 200 m and 5 and 15 km, respectively, suggesting that they are in the category of submesoscale processes. According to their different densities and seasonalities, the STEs are classified into upper and lower types with density interface of 26.7 σ0. The number of upper-type STEs is much larger in spring and summer than in autumn and winter while that of lower-type ones show relatively uniform seasonal distributions. Spatially, the STEs are primarily distributed within the region between the Kuroshio Extension (KE) and subarctic front (SAF) in meridional and 140°E–155°E in zonal direction. Based on STEs' spatial distributions and vertical locations, we propose to name these STEs as KE intermediate-layer eddies (Kiddies). Water property analysis suggests that the Kiddies most likely originated from the SAF region. For the upper-type Kiddies, they are probably generated through subduction associated with mixed-layer frontogenesis, which at least contribute to 0.25 Sv annual subduction rate for the layers 26.2–26.7 σ0.
Reduction of Plastic Waste in Tourism Activities in Sam Son City, Viet Nam

Pollution caused by plastic waste (PW) is becoming urgent, causing negative impacts on tourism development in Viet Nam. This study aims to determine the amount of PW generated in Sam Son, especially from tourism activities. It proposes solutions to reduce PW in the tourism sector in the coastal city of Sam Son, Thanh Hoa province, Viet Nam. A survey of tourists, households, and accommodation establishments carried out the assessment of PW generation. The pilot activity was conducted by providing alternative products to selected hotels to replace single-use plastics. The results show that PW generation from tourism accounts for 42.42% of domestic solid waste. The estimated average rate of PW generation per visitor is about 0.4kg/person/day. The COVID-19 pandemic is estimated to have reduced the PW generated in this sector by about 40%. Although it may result in a 1.4-fold increase in expenses, tourism accommodation establishments and visitors have responded positively to activities replacing single-use plastic products. To reduce PW from tourism in Sam Son, several solutions are proposed, including implementing the extended producer responsibility (EPR) mechanism effectively; implementing a roadmap to eliminate single-use plastic products; building technical infrastructure for classification, collection, and treatment; developing a plan to reduce PW in Thanh Hoa province; promoting and raising awareness and understanding about PW.
Phase Transformation Under High Pressure Radiates as a Double Couple Deep Earthquake

Deep‐focus earthquakes (DFEs) originating at the Mantle‐Transition‐Zone (MTZ) (400–700 km) have a Double Couple (DC) radiation pattern similar to crustal earthquakes; however, their mechanism is different and governed by high pressures (15–25 GPa) at nucleation depths. We present a model of nucleation and growth of regions of phase transformation, undergoing a sudden reduction in volume (5%–10%), “volume collapse. ” Successive symmetry‐breaking instabilities minimize the energy spent to move the boundary of phase discontinuity and a collapsing volume expands as a flattened pancake‐like self‐similarly expanding Eshelby ellipsoidal inclusion. At the vanishing of the M integral, expressing the balance of flows of energy across the inclusion boundary, at a critical value of the pressure, an arbitrarily small inclusion nucleates and grows at constant potential energy driven by the pressure acting on the change in volume. The inclusion develops shear eigenstrains that decompose into two DC, placing one on the basal plane to radiate without energy losses. The symmetric volume collapse radiates out as an anti‐symmetric DC, and the radiated energy is obtained as the “excess energy,” of the ambient pressure acting on the “volume collapse,” reduced by the energy consumed for the growth of the pancake surfaces, with a “pressure drop” (p0 − pcr) driving the expansion emitting a DC, even under full isotropy. The solution explains some features of the DFEs, (a) the DC radiation, (b) their large energies (the Mw 8.3 Okhotsk earthquake [2013]), (c) the absence of volumetric radiation, and (d) why they can originate in the MTZ, a long‐standing open problem.
Relationship between skill training and skill transfer through the example of bimanual motor learning

Skill training aims to improve the performance of the task at hand and aims to transfer the acquired skill to related tasks. Both skill training and skill transfer are part of our everyday lives, and essential for survival, and their importance is reflected in years of research. Despite these enormous efforts, however, the complex relationship between skill training and skill transfer is not yet portrayed completely. Building upon two theories, we probed this relationship through the example of bimanual learning with a large cross‐sectional design (N = 450) using an online framework. We designed five training tasks which differed in the variance of the training material (schema theory) and three transfer tasks differing in their similarity to the training task (identical elements theory).
Polyinosinic: polycytidylic acid induced inflammation enhances while lipopolysaccharide diminishes alloimmunity to platelet transfusion in mice

Introduction Alloimmune responses against platelet antigens, which dominantly target the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), can cause adverse reactions to subsequent platelet transfusions, platelet refractoriness, or rejection of future transplants. Platelet transfusion recipients include individuals experiencing severe bacterial or viral infections, and how their underlying health modulates platelet alloimmunity is not well understood. Methods This study investigated the effect of underlying inflammation on platelet alloimmunization by modelling viral-like inflammation with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) or gram-negative bacterial infection with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), hypothesizing that underlying inflammation enhances alloimmunization. Mice were pretreated with poly(I:C), LPS, or nothing, then transfused with non-leukoreduced or leukoreduced platelets. Alloantibodies and allogeneic MHC-specific B cell (allo-B cell) responses were evaluated two weeks later. Rare populations of allo-B cells were identified using MHC tetramers. Results Relative to platelet transfusion alone, prior exposure to poly(I:C) increased the alloantibody response to allogeneic platelet transfusion whereas prior exposure to LPS diminished responses. Prior exposure to poly(I:C) had equivalent, if not moderately diminished, allo-B cell responses relative to platelet transfusion alone and exhibited more robust allo-B cell memory development. Conversely, prior exposure to LPS resulted in diminished allo-B cell frequency, activation, antigen experience, and germinal center formation and altered memory B cell responses. Discussion In conclusion, not all inflammatory environments enhance bystander responses and prior inflammation mediated by LPS on gram-negative bacteria may in fact curtail platelet alloimmunization.
Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Concomitant Periarticular Infections in Septic Arthritis of Large Joints in Children: A Systematic Review

Abstract Background: Septic arthritis associated with adjacent infections, presents a diagnostic challenge as the clinical presentation is similar to that of isolated septic arthritis, additional diagnostic tools are needed to detect these infections. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for diagnosis of concomitant infection in children with septic arthritis of large joints and its effect on patient outcome and treatment. Materials and Methods: Electronic literature research of PubMed, Cochrane and Scopus, was conducted in January 2022 using a combination of MeSH, search terms and keywords. The data extracted included the study details, demographic data, the proportion of patients having a concomitant periarticular infection, clinical presentation, blood parameters and culture findings and outcomes. Results: This review included seven studies with 499 patients. The mean age was 7.08 ± 2.38 years in the study. There was a male predominance, with 174 being males (62.36%). The most common joint involved was the hip joint (44.47%). 42.48% had concomitant periarticular infections detected by MRI. Osteomyelitis was the most common infection seen in 209 patients (41.84%). The mean duration of antibiotics given and hospital stay was significantly more in periarticular infections (P > 0.05). 32.5% of the patients with septic arthritis underwent a second surgical procedure whereas 61.11% of patients with periarticular infections underwent second procedure in this review (P > 0.05). Conclusions: The use of MRI to diagnose these complicated infections appears to be beneficial. Multi-centric randomised control trials are needed to investigate the efficacy of MRI and its impact on patient care and outcome.
The Ways of the Virus: Interactions of Platelets and Red Blood Cells with SARS-CoV-2, and Their Potential Pathophysiological Significance in COVID-19

The hematological effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are important in COVID-19 pathophysiology. However, the interactions of SARS-CoV-2 with platelets and red blood cells are still poorly understood. There are conflicting data regarding the mechanisms and significance of these interactions. The aim of this review is to put together available data and discuss hypotheses, the known and suspected effects of the virus on these blood cells, their pathophysiological and diagnostic significance, and the potential role of platelets and red blood cells in the virus’s transport, propagation, and clearance by the immune system. We pay particular attention to the mutual activation of platelets, the immune system, the endothelium, and blood coagulation and how this changes with the evolution of SARS-CoV-2. There is now convincing evidence that platelets, along with platelet and erythroid precursors (but not mature erythrocytes), are frequently infected by SARS-CoV-2 and functionally changed. The mechanisms of infection of these cells and their role are not yet entirely clear. Still, the changes in platelets and red blood cells in COVID-19 are significantly associated with disease severity and are likely to have prognostic and pathophysiological significance in the development of thrombotic and pulmonary complications.
The Influence of Financial Literacy and Lifestyle on Financial Management of Students at the Faculty of Economics and Business, UTP Surakarta

The aim of this research is to find out how FEB UTP Surakarta students manage their finances in relation to their lifestyle and level of financial literacy. The sample for this research consisted of 50 Management and Accounting study program student’s class 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. This data collection approach combines a voluntary respondent sampling strategy with non-probability techniques. Data was collected through an online questionnaire and multiple linear regression was used to evaluate the results. The SPSS V23 application is used to analyze primary data in the form of respondent responses. The results of the F Test conclude that the independent variables together can be called feasible. The Adjusted R Square value shows a result of 33.6%. so that financial literacy and lifestyle influence financial management by 23.6%, the rest is influenced by other variables.
Deforming Garment Classification With Shallow Temporal Extraction and Tree-Based Fusion

A novel RGB-based continuous perception garment classification approach is proposed in this letter, with the aim of identifying the correct category of the garment from a set of categories. It has been observed that treating a video of the continuous deformation of cloth as a set of disordered static figures leads to low classification precision. On the contrary, investigating the temporal information between frames can significantly improve the quality of extracted features and increase classification performance. In this regard, we propose a hybrid temporal fusion RGB-based algorithm, including an improved image-level shallow temporal feature extraction module (STEM) and a binary-tree fusion module (BiTF) for adaptive feature fusion. STEM incorporates multi-scale optical flow and long-short-term memorised information to capture both static features in every single image and dynamic features in consecutive images. BiTF constructs a tree-shaped structure to fuse an arbitrary number of extracted features in a video. The proposed algorithm achieves 97.5% accuracy on the public dataset, surpassing the state-of-the-art RGB-based classification algorithm by 44.0% and achieving comparable performance with RGBD-based algorithms.
Importance of forest buffers for preserving soil carbon and nutrient stocks in farmed landscapes along two river sites in the savannas of the Volta basin, Ghana

ABSTRACT Understanding the impacts of agricultural land use is desired for proper management of riparian forests buffers (RFs) in savannas. In this light, we analyzed the relationship between woody plant diversity and soil properties of RFs in farmlands (FAs) and protected areas (PAs) along Afram (Guinean zone) and Tankwidi (Sudanian zone) Rivers located within the Volta sub-basin of Ghana. ALOS-AVNIR imageries were used to map RFs to facilitate sampling of soil and woody vegetation (dbh ≥5 cm) using stratified randomized design (72 plots; size: 500 m2 each) for the analysis of soil physical and chemical properties and Shannon-Wiener plant species diversity. Although the fractions of sand, silt, and clay varied between the PAs and FAs, they were predominantly categorized as sandy loam. Along the Afram River, there were no significant differences in the concentrations and nutrient stocks of soil C, N, P, and K as well as the pH, moisture content, and bulk density between PA and FA. For the Tankwidi River, the concentrations and nutrient stocks of C and K significantly decreased from PA to FA while N, P, pH, bulk density, and moisture content were not different. Of the soil attributes measured C, N, P, pH, ground slope, and soil moisture had significant relationships with the diversity and density of the riparian woody plants. Controlling agricultural activities in riparian forests could preserve soil properties similar to that found in protected areas.
Efecto del aceite esencial de orégano en el rendimiento y las propiedades fisicoquímicas y microbiológicas de la carne de pollo

espanolResumen Se evaluo el efecto de la inclusion de aceite esencial de oregano (AEO) en el agua de bebida sobre la microbiologia intestinal, caracteristicas fisicoquimicas y rendimiento en canal y carne de 440 pollos de engorda de 1 d de edad no sexados (42.59 ± 1.63 g de peso) y alimentados durante 42 d. Las aves fueron asignadas al azar en cuatro tratamientos con 11 repeticiones de 10 aves con 0, 100, 200 y 400 p.p.m. de AEO en el agua de bebida. Se aplico a los datos un analisis de varianza (ANDEVA) y un analisis multivariado (MANDEVA). No se encontraron diferencias significativas (P>0.05) en las variables microbiologicas, fisicoquimicas ni rendimiento en canal. Se concluye que el AEO en las concentraciones utilizadas no redujo significativamente los conteos de Salmonella spp. y Campylobacter spp. en ciego, no afecto las propiedades fisicoquimicas de la carne ni de rendimiento de canal. EnglishAn evaluation was made of the effect on intestinal microbiology, physicochemical characteristics and carcass yield and meat, of the inclusion during 42 days of oregano essential oil (OEO) in the drinking water fed to 440 one day old unsexed broilers (weight 42.59 ± 1.63 g). The birds were randomly assigned to one of 4 treatments (0, 100, 200 and 400 ppm of OEO diluted in the drinking water) and every treatment had 11 replicates with 10 birds each. The data was subjected to an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a multivariate analysis (MANDEVA). No significant differences (P>0.05) were found in the microbiological, physicochemical and carcass yield variables. It was concluded that the OEO in the concentrations used, did not significantly reduce the counts of Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp. It did not affect the physicochemical properties of the meat, nor the carcass yield.