Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
GUIDELINES FOR SNOW AND ICE CONTROL: MATERIALS AND METHODS

Snow and ice control strategies and tactics (S&Ts) that employ solid and liquid chemicals, abrasives, and mechanical methods--individually or in combination--have been used by many different highway agencies throughout the world. Research by the Strategic Highway Research Program, the Federal Highway Administration, the National Cooperative Highway Research Program and other organizations in the United States and other countries has addressed many of the issues associated with snow and ice control treatments. However, widely accepted guidelines for selecting level-of-service driven roadway S&Ts for specific weather, site, and traffic conditions have not been developed. Without this information, the process of selecting treatment S&Ts that meet highway agencies' level of service objectives is difficult. The results of a multiyear study conducted under NCHRP Project 6-13 are described. Five snow and ice control S&T combinations were tested and evaluated under various ranges of weather, site, and traffic conditions found in North America. A pavement ice condition index was developed for determining the overall effectiveness of a given snow and ice control S&T combination as well as effectiveness of within-storm and end-of-storm winter maintenance operations. The field test results were used to develop a set of guidelines for selecting roadway S&Ts for a range of winter maintenance operating conditions. The results were also used in developing snow and ice control material application rate guidelines.
17-Hydroxyprogesterone Response to Standard Dose Synacthen Stimulation Test in CYP21A2 Heterozygous Carriers and Non-carriers in Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Groups: Meta-analyses

Objective: Standard dose synacthen stimulation test (SDSST) is a gold standard screening test for evaluating adrenal gland function. Despite studies using SDSST to identify heterozygosity in CYP21A2, the reliability of the test for this purpose is still controversial. Therefore, the meta-analyses were performed to determine the differences in 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) responses to standard dose (0.25 mg) SDSST in the diagnosis of CYP21A2 heterozygous individuals, with or without clinical signs of androgen excess disorders. Methods: PubMed and MEDLINE databases were searched. A total of 1215 subjects (heterozygous carriers n=669, mutation-free controls n=546) were included in the meta-analyses. Results: Basal 17-OHP median/mean levels were 4.156 (3.05-10.5)/5.241 (±2.59) nmol/L and 3.90 (2.20-9.74)/4.67 (±2.62) nmol/L in symptomatic heterozygous carriers and symptomatic mutation-free controls, respectively. Stimulated 17-OHP median/mean levels were 17.29 (14.22-37.2)/19.51 (±7.63) nmol/L and 9.27 (7.32-15.9)/10.77 (±3.48) nmol/L in symptomatic heterozygous carriers and symptomatic mutation-free controls, respectively. Basal 17-OHP median/mean levels were 3.21 (2.64-4.78)/3.33 (±0.84) nmol/L and 3.12 (1.82-3.6)/2.83 (±0.71) nmol/L in asymptomatic heterozygous carriers and asymptomatic mutation-free healthy controls, respectively. Stimulated 17-OHP median/mean levels were 14.16 (12.73-16.37)/14.16 (±1.37) nmol/L and 6.26 (4.9-8.23)/6.48 (±1.2) nmol/L in asymptomatic heterozygous carriers and asymptomatic mutation-free healthy controls, respectively. The cut-off levels for stimulated 17-OHP were 10.48 nmol/L and 13.48 nmol/L for asymptomatic heterozygous and symptomatic heterozygous, respectively. Conclusion: The meta-analyses support the idea that stimulated 17-OHP level has potential for use in identifying CYP21A2 carriers. Besides, considering differences in the basal and stimulated 17-OHP levels in symptomatic heterozygous individuals compared to those who were asymptomatic heterozygous could increase the accuracy of the test.
Relationship of Computed Tomography Severity Score With Patient Characteristics and Survival in Hypoxemic COVID-19 Patients

Background Computed tomography (CT) scans and CT severity scores (CTSS) are widely used to assess the severity and prognosis in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). CTSS has performed well as a predictor in differentiating severe from non-severe cases. However, it is not known if CTSS performs similarly in hospitalized severe cases with hypoxia at admission. Methods We conducted a retrospective comparative study at a COVID-care center from Western India between 25th April and 31st May 2021, enrolling all consecutive severe COVID-19 patients with hypoxemia (peripheral oxygen saturation < 94%). Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), D-dimer, ferritin, and CT thorax were done within 24h of admission before being initiated on any anti-COVID-19 therapy. CTSS was calculated by visual assessment and categorized into three severity categories and was correlated with laboratory markers and overall survival (OS). Statistical analysis was done using John's Macintosh Project (JMP) 15.0. 0 ver. 3.0. 0 (Cary, North Carolina). Results The median age of the study population (n-298) was 59 years (24-95) with a male preponderance (61.41%, n=183). The 15 and 30-day survivals were 67.64% and 59.90%, respectively. CTSS did not correlate with age, gender, time from vaccination, symptoms, or comorbidities but had a significant though weak correlation with LDH (p=0.009), D-dimer (p=0.006), and NLR (p=0.019). Comparing demographic and laboratory aspects using CT severity categories, only NLR (p=0.0146) and D-dimer (p=0.0006) had significant differences. The 15d-OS of mild, moderate, and severe CT categories were 88.62%, 70.39%, and 52.62%, respectively, while 30d-OS of three categories were 59.08%, 63.96%, and 49.12%, respectively. Conclusion Among hospitalized severe COVID-19 patients with hypoxemia at admission, CT severity categories correlate well with outcomes but not inflammatory markers at admission.
Fully Dynamic (∆ + 1 ) -Coloring in O ( 1 ) Update Time

The problem of (∆ + 1 ) -vertex coloring a graph of maximum degree ∆ has been extremely well-studied over the years in various settings and models. Surprisingly, for the dynamic setting, almost nothing was known until recently. In SODA’18, Bhattacharya, Chakrabarty, Henzinger and Nanongkai devised a randomized algorithm for maintaining a (∆ + 1 ) -coloring with O ( log ∆) expected amortized update time. In this paper, we present an improved randomized algorithm for (∆ + 1 ) -coloring that achieves O ( 1 ) amortized update time and show that this bound holds not only in expectation but also with high probability. Our starting point is the state-of-the-art randomized algorithm for maintaining a maximal matching (Solomon, FOCS’16). We carefully build on the approach of Solomon, but, due to inherent differences between the maximal matching and (∆ + 1 ) -coloring problems, we need to deviate significantly from it in several crucial and highly nontrivial points. 1
Simultaneous improvement of power density and durability of sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) membrane by embedding CeO2‐ATiO2: A comprehensive study in low humidity proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Herein, we describe the incorporation of cerium oxide‐coated amine‐functionalized titania nanorods (CeO2‐ATiO2) as a bifunctional nanofiller in sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) as a cost‐effective and high‐performance proton exchange membrane (PEM) for PEM fuel cells (PEMFCs). Facile and effective functionalization of TiO2 was performed using amine‐containing organic moieties, followed by coating the ATiO2 nanorods with CeO2. A simple solution casting method was employed to incorporate CeO2‐ATiO2 into the SPEEK matrix with various weight ratio of 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 4%, or 6%. The successful incorporation of prepared nanofiller in the SPEEK membrane matrix was confirmed by structural and morphological studies such as Fourier transform infrared, X‐ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscope of the SPEEK/CeO2‐ATiO2 composite membranes. The presence of ATiO2 improved proton conductivity while CeO2 alleviated the chemical degradation of the membrane by scavenging free radicals. The proton conductivity of an SPEEK/CeO2‐ATiO2 (2 wt%) nanocomposite membrane at 60°C under 20% relative humidity (RH) was 17.06 mS cm−1 whereas that of a bare SPEEK membrane under the same conditions was only 4.53 mS cm−1. PEMFCs containing SPEEK/CeO2‐ATiO2 (2 wt%) nanocomposite membrane attained a maximum power density of 117 mW cm−2 at a load current density of 371 mA/cm2 at 60°C under 100% RH. In contrast, a PEMFC containing the bare SPEEK membrane delivered a power density of 91 mW cm−2 at a load current of 253 mA cm−2. A single cell open circuit voltage (OCV) test to examine the durability of membranes revealed that a PEMFC with an SPEEK/CeO2‐ATiO2 (2 wt%) membrane showed excellent stability with an OCV decay of 0.925 mV h−1 at 60°C under 30% RH, whereas that of a PEMFC with a bare SPEEK membrane was 3.437 mV h−1 under identical conditions. Based on the abovementioned results, it is found that the SPEEK/CeO2‐ATiO2 nanocomposite membranes overcome the durability issues of pristine SPEEK membranes and show enhanced electrochemical performance under a harsh PEMFC environment.
Investigating the effectiveness of an online language teacher education programme informed by self-determination theory

ABSTRACT Despite the centrality of motivation for all learning, few studies have examined the effectiveness of online language teacher education (OLTE) programmes within a psychological framework. This explorative study seeks to address this gap by evaluating the effectiveness of a two semesters OLTE course for German teachers in the Norwegian context. The course was developed to address students’ innate psychological needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness within the framework of self-determination theory (SDT). The paper first details the steps taken to meet students’ needs, and then evaluates the effectiveness of the programme by analysing the data from students’ questionnaires, which were completed after each of the two semesters. The results showed that most students were highly motivated throughout the course, and that their motivation increased over time. Furthermore, most of the students felt that their psychological needs of autonomy, competence and relatedness were met. Thus, we suggest that designing OLTE programmes according to SDT principles can be an effective means of professional training for future language teachers.
ESTIMATING THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS ON INCOME INEQUALITY IN INDONESIA

The motivation of this research comes from United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs) and their impacts by 2030. The UN highlighted 17 SDGs that address relevant local and global issues, one of which is the 10th SDG goal of reducing inequality. This study aims to determine the effect of the Human Development Index, GDP per capita, foreign investment, national investment and average years of schooling on income inequality in Indonesia during the period 2010 to 2020. This study uses panel data regression analysis, with research data that obtained from publications provided by Central Bureau of Statistics. The results showed that the Human Development Index variable and Mean Years of Schooling negative and significant effect on income inequality. This shows that the Human Development Index and mean years of schooling can reduce income inequality in Indonesia.
Gene Expression Profiling and Protein Analysis Reveal Suppression of the C-Myc Oncogene and Inhibition JAK/STAT and PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling by Thymoquinone in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells

Overexpression of c-Myc plays an essential role in leukemogenesis and drug resistance, making c-Myc an attractive target for cancer therapy. However, targeting c-Myc directly is impossible, and c-Myc upstream regulator pathways could be targeted instead. This study investigated the effects of thymoquinone (TQ), a bioactive constituent in Nigella sativa, on the activation of upstream regulators of c-Myc: the JAK/STAT and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways in HL60 leukemia cells. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed for gene expression profiling after TQ treatment. The expression of c-Myc and genes involved in JAK/STAT and PI3K/AKT/mTOR were validated by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). In addition, Jess assay analysis was performed to determine TQ’s effects on JAK/STAT and PI3K/AKT signaling and c-Myc protein expression. The results showed 114 significant differentially expressed genes after TQ treatment (p < 0.002). DAVID analysis revealed that most of these genes’ effect was on apoptosis and proliferation. There was downregulation of c-Myc, PI3K, AKT, mTOR, JAK2, STAT3, STAT5a, and STAT5b. Protein analysis showed that TQ also inhibited JAK/STAT and PI3K/AKT signaling, resulting in inhibition of c-Myc protein expression. In conclusion, the findings suggest that TQ potentially inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in HL60 leukemia cells by downregulation of c-Myc expression through inhibition of the JAK/STAT and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways.
ANTIOXIDATIVE ENZYMES ACTIVITY OF Chlorella vulgaris (UMT-M1) IN RESPONSE TO IC50 OF Pb2+ AND Hg2+

Heavy metals accumulation in aquatic bodies will lead to many deleterious effects on organisms living in them. Furthermore, some organisms can accumulate metals and this will eventually reach the primary consumers. The application of microalgae as remediator and indicator of metals pollution has become an increasing interest to scientists. In this study, we reported on the defence responses of a marine microalga, Chlorella vulgaris (UMT-M1) against Pb2+ and Hg2+ in terms of three antioxidative enzymes activity: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). The activity of the enzymes was measured in alga treated with 5.7 mg/L PbCl2 and 0.18 mg/L Hg(NO3)2. These two concentrations were the IC50 values calculated using probit analysis. It was observed that Pb2+ and Hg2+ triggered a different strategy in counterattacking the metal’s effects. While a significant induction of SOD and CAT activity was evident in alga treated with both metals, APX activity was significantly inhibited in Pb2+-treated alga but was stimulated by more than 4-fold from the control in Hg2+-treated alga. Higher SOD activity was observed in Pb2+- compared to Hg2+-treated alga. However, lower CAT activity was observed in Pb2+- compared to Hg2+-treated alga. Also, a significant reduction in total soluble protein (TSP) content was observed in alga treated with Hg2+. Pb2+, on the other hand, significantly increased the production of TSP. The changes observed in the antioxidative enzymes activity and TSP content in this alga are good potentials to be used as biomarkers for metal’s bioindication tool.
Sensitivity Analysis of Excess Mortality due to the COVID‐19 Pandemic

Abstract Estimating excess mortality is challenging. The metric depends on the expected mortality level, which can differ based on given choices, such as the method and the time series length used to estimate the baseline. However, these choices are often arbitrary, and are not subject to any sensitivity analysis. We bring to light the importance of carefully choosing the inputs and methods used to estimate excess mortality. Drawing on data from 26 countries, we investigate how sensitive excess mortality is to the choice of the mortality index, the number of years included in the reference period, the method, and the time unit of the death series. We employ two mortality indices, three reference periods, two data time units, and four methods for estimating the baseline. We show that excess mortality estimates can vary substantially when these factors are changed, and that the largest variations stem from the choice of the mortality index and the method. We also find that the magnitude of the variation in excess mortality is country‐specific, resulting in cross‐country rankings changes. Finally, based on our findings, we provide guidelines for estimating excess mortality.
Can the Economic Value Added Be Used as the Universal Financial Metric?

Previous research into Economic Value Added (EVA) has extensively described it as a business metric of firms. Still, no studies have confirmed or denied that EVA is a universal metric and that one may use EVA in unstable markets in the same way as in stable and developed economies. Meanwhile, the green energy revolution, ensuring carbon neutrality through green innovations, requires enormous investments, and the projects realised must be appropriately tailored. These projects are realised by different firms, including those from developing countries, and investors need solid financial metrics. The study determines whether EVA is a universal metric of owners’ value in the energy sector. The research proves that this metric does not correctly reflect the limitations of emerging markets, can lead to incorrect managerial decisions and limit shareholders’ value. Therefore, there is a need to reanalyse financial metrics used in financial planning, including EVA. The study eliminates this research gap and, based on data from seven countries and the Euro Zone, explains why one may not perceive the currently used EVA formula as a universal financial metric. Consequently, the study modifies the EVA formula and presents a universal solution tailored to unstable economies. In the conducted research, literature studies were used, taking into account the methodology of a systematic literature review, including bibliometric analysis. Based on this review, it is shown that little is known about whether EVA as a financial measure can be used in energy management. Two conclusions emerged: first, the research contributes to developing the business and management science; second, identifying risks associated with EVA metrics helps practitioners. In addition, the study defined further research directions.
Synchrotron Radiation Circular Dichroism, a New Tool to Probe Interactions between Nucleic Acids Involved in the Control of ColE1-Type Plasmid Replication

Hfq is a bacterial master regulator which promotes the pairing of nucleic acids. Due to the high molecular weight of the complexes formed between nucleic acids and the amyloid form of the protein, it is difficult to analyze solely by a gel shift assay the complexes formed, as they all migrate at the same position in the gel. In addition, precise kinetics measurements are not possible using a gel shift assay. Here, we used a synchrotron-based biophysical approach, synchrotron radiation circular dichroism (SRCD), to probe the interaction of the Escherichia coli Hfq C-terminal amyloid region with nucleic acids involved in the control of ColE1-like plasmid replication. We observed that this C-terminal region of Hfq has an unexpected and significant effect on the annealing of nucleic acids involved in this process and, more importantly, on their alignment. Functional consequences of this newly discovered property of the Hfq amyloid region are discussed in terms of the biological significance of Hfq in the ColE1-type plasmid replication process and antibiotic resistance.
Witness/victim interviewing: a survey of real-world investigators’ training and practices

ABSTRACT The U.S. National Institute of Justice’s Eyewitness Evidence: A Guide for Law Enforcement makes recommendations regarding best practice witness interviewing techniques. However, relatively little is known about police training in collecting and documenting evidence from witness interviews. One hundred seventy-seven police officers from three U.S. states (CT, FL, and MA) were surveyed about witness interview training and practices, perceptions of question type, and recording/documentation of interviews. Results indicate awareness of the importance of asking open-ended questions, but training is lacking, particularly regarding question types. Many officers reported using techniques consistent with the Cognitive Interview such as rapport-building, avoiding leading questions, and taking additional steps to assist recall. Seventy-four percent reported recording interviews via notes or electronic recording devices, while 16% indicated only doing so for certain cases/situations. Fourteen percent also acknowledged not documenting their questions in notes or reports, focusing solely on witness responses. In terms of post-interview documentation, 78% acknowledged writing reports using information elicited during witness interviews. In terms of testimony, 82% reported frequently testifying about witness interview content at criminal trials. Findings suggest that although U.S. police interviewers have implemented some best practice techniques, there are still some considerable training needs as evidenced by self-reported practices.
Determination of Boundary between Core and Outer Wood by Radial Variation Modeling in Tropical Fast-Growing Tree Species

ABSTRACT Boundary between core and outer wood should be clarified for tropical fast-growing tree species to utilize its wood resources under sustainable forestry. This study aimed to determine the boundary between core and outer wood based on the mixed-effects models for radial variations of anatomical characteristics and wood properties in three fast-growing tree species grown in community forests in Indonesia – Acacia mangium Willd. , Maesopsis eminii Engl. , and Melia azedarach L. On the basis of the results of the radial variation modeling, almost all anatomical characteristics and wood properties were shown to increase or decrease from pith to bark and then become almost stable. The boundary values between core and outer wood based on exponential function with plateau for absolute changing ratios of estimated properties were 6.1, 6.8, and 5.5 cm for A. mangium, M. eminii, and M. azedarach, respectively. In conclusion, boundary between core and outer wood in respect to multiple characteristics and properties in tropical fast-growing tree species can be determined by combination of mixed-effects modeling and exponential function with convergence.
The Key Genes Underlying Pathophysiology Correlation Between the Acute Myocardial Infarction and COVID-19

Introduction Accumulating evidences disclose that COVID-19, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has a marked effect on acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Nevertheless, the underlying pathophysiology correlation between the AMI and COVID-19 remains vague. Materials and Methods Bioinformatics analyses of the altered transcriptional profiling of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in patients with AMI and COVID-19 were implemented, including identification of differentially expressed genes and common genes between AMI and COVID-19, protein–protein interactions, Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses, TF-genes and miRNA coregulatory networks, to explore their biological functions and potential roles in the pathogenesis of COVID-19-related AMI. Conclusion Our bioinformatic analyses of gene expression profiling of PBMCs in patients with AMI and COVID-19 provide us with a unique view regarding underlying pathophysiology correlation between the two vital diseases.