Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Study on the inter-annual hydrology-induced deformations in Europe using GRACE and hydrological models

Abstract Earth’s crust deforms in various time and spatial resolutions. To estimate them, geodetic observations are widely employed and compared to geophysical models. In this research, we focus on the Earth’s crust deformations resulting from hydrology mass changes, as observed by GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) gravity mission and modeled using WGHM (WaterGAP Global Hydrological Model) and GLDAS (Global Land Data Assimilation System), hydrological models. We use the newest release of GRACE Level-2 products, i. e. RL06, provided by the CSR (Center for Space Research, Austin) analysis center in the form of a mascon solution. The analysis is performed for the European area, divided into 29 river basins. For each basin, the average signal is estimated. Then, annual amplitudes and trends are calculated. We found that the eastern part of Europe is characterized by the largest annual amplitudes of hydrology-induced Earth’s crust deformations, which decrease with decreasing distance to the Atlantic coast. GLDAS largely overestimates annual amplitudes in comparison to GRACE and WGHM. Hydrology models underestimate trends, which are observed by GRACE. For the basin-related average signals, we also estimate the non-linear variations over time using the Singular Spectrum Analysis (SSA). For the river basins situated on the southern borderline of Europe and Asia, large inter-annual deformations between 2004 and 2009 reaching a few millimeters are found; they are related to high precipitation and unexpectedly large drying. They were observed by GRACE but mismodelled in the GLDAS and WGHM models. Few smaller inter-annual deformations were also observed by GRACE between 2002-2017 for central and eastern European river basins, but these have been also well-covered by the WGHM and GLDAS hydrological models.
Comparing Digital Communication Systems: An empirical framework for analysing the political economy of digital infrastructures

Abstract This article offers a research tool for comparative studies of digital communication systems. It brings together the fields of infrastructure studies, Internet governance, and political economy of the Internet with the tradition of systemic media analysis and argues that existing frameworks are inadequate for capturing regulatory and power structures in a complex digital environment. In the article, we develop a framework for conceptualising and mapping the components of digital communication systems – the DCS framework – and operationalise it for standardised measurements by outlining twelve key indicators that can be analysed using empirical data from a number of existing databases. The framework provides a basis for measuring and comparing digital communication systems across national or regional contexts, and thereby developing new typologies for how to understand structural differences and similarities.
The influence of emphatic /dˁ/ on Modern Standard Arabic vowels: An acoustic analysis

Abstract This study is part of a larger project on the influence of Arabic emphatics /tˁ, dˁ, δˁ, sˁ/ on adjacent Arabic vowels by considering three factors: vowel quality, vowel duration and directionality of emphasis spread. This paper investigates the influence of the voiced alveolar emphatic /dˁ/ on the six Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) monophthongs /ɐ – ɪ – ʊ – a: – i: – u:/ as produced by ten Jordanian speakers. The monophthongs in the adjacency of /dˁ/ are compared to those adjacent to the non-emphatic alveolar voiced stop /d/. Results indicate that in the emphatic context, the vowels are clearly retracted in the vowel space and that the extent of the emphatic influence in ‘preceding’ or ‘following’ contexts is not significantly different.
The Online Technology Acceptance Model of Generation-Z People in Thailand during COVID-19 Crisis

Abstract This research aims to study the acceptance of the online technology of Thai people in Generation-Z during the incidence of COVID-19 disease. During this period, Thai people must quarantine themselves at home or work from home to prevent the outbreak of this disease and must comply with the laws of the Thai government. The researchers are interested in the Generation Z population because they are highly interested in technology. Previous literature and research used multiple models of acceptance and use of technology such as the Technology Acceptance Model, Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model. This study adapted various variables from many models in the past, including personal innovativeness, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, trust, and behavioral intention to use technology. The research uses questionnaires as a research tool. 457 usable questionnaires from online data collection were used for data analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was performed. The researcher tested the hypothesis by assessment of the Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Model. Research findings found that the behavioral intention to use online technology during COVID-19 disease is predicted by three key factors including performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and trust. Effort expectancy positively influences performance expectancy. In addition, personal innovativeness and the trust of users directly significantly affect performance expectancy and effort expectancy. The researcher suggests that the management level can use the findings in the planning of the organization’s management or marketers can utilize the results for the marketing strategy of the organization.
Beta-defensins in the epididymis: clues to multifunctional roles

The epididymis is known to be exposed to a constant risk of inflammatory conditions resulting from bacterial infections, or from idiopathic and noninfectious causes. A common result of these conditions is epididymitis, a pathology that may lead to the destruction of the epididymal duct and transient or permanent sterility. The negative impact of epididymitis on semen quality and fertility justifies the need for a better understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms by which innate immunity is modulated in the epididymis and the pathophysiology of this clinical condition. Our laboratory has been interested in the last years in the cellular and biochemical events involved in the epididymal defense response against a bacterial challenge, as well as in how these responses are integrated by glucocorticoids and the glucocorticoid receptor. We have been also interested in naturally occurring antimicrobial proteins secreted by the epididymis. Antimicrobial proteins are known to be part of the innate immune system, with potential biological role during a defense response against invasion by pathogens in the epididymis. Here we review the expression and regulation of antimicrobial proteins, particularly beta-defensins in the epididymis, highlighting isoforms of the beta-defensin-like SPAG11B gene. Aspects of their broad range of biological roles and potential use as targets to help to prevent or treat diseases, such as epididymitis, are also discussed.
Outcomes of Clostridioides difficile in Patients with Vitamin D Deficiency: A Propensity-Matched National Inpatient Sample Analysis

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) has emerged as a common healthcare-associated infection with significant morbidity. It is estimated that CDI is responsible for at least 500,000 cases of infection in the United States annually. Recent studies have emphasized the immunological role of vitamin D in intestinal inflammation and in determining susceptibility to infection. Only a few studies have analyzed an association between vitamin D levels and the outcomes of patients with CDI. Because there is a heavy burden imposed on health systems by CDI and the current contrasting evidence around vitamin D deficiency and CDI, the authors aimed to analyze whether vitamin D deficiency is associated with the increased mortality and mortality in patients presenting with CDI. Objectives We aimed to determine in-hospital outcomes, length of hospital stay, and resource utilization in a contemporary cohort of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) and vitamin D deficiency (VDD). Methods The National Inpatient Sample database for 2016 and 2017 was used for data analysis using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification/Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-CM/PCS) codes to identify the patients with the principal diagnosis of CDI and VDD. We assessed the all-cause in-hospital mortality, morbidity, length of hospital stay (LOS), and total costs between propensity-matched groups of CDI without VDD versus CDI with VDD. Results We identified 202,234 patients with CDI, 4515 of whom were patients with VDD and 197,719 of whom were without VDD. After propensity matching, there was no difference in the in-hospital mortality between the two groups (odds ratio [OR] 1.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58–4.3; P = 0.90). CDI with VDD has a higher odds of sepsis (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.3–1.9; P = 0.0), and peritonitis (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.4–3.8; P = 0.01). Mean LOS (5.9 ± 1.8 vs 5.4 ± 2, P < 0.01) and mean total charges ($11,500 vs $9971, P < 0.04) were higher in CDI with VDD. The factors affecting the LOS were acute coronary syndrome (P = 0.04), mechanical ventilation (P = 0.03), obesity (P = 0.004), acute kidney injury (P = 0.04), and sepsis (P = 0.05). Conclusions In this large cohort in a propensity-matched analysis, VDD does not increase the in-hospital mortality in CDI. VDD increases the odds of complications with a higher LOS and resource utilization. These findings may be clinically relevant to guide clinicians to routinely monitor vitamin D status and supplement in patients at risk of CDI.
Germination of Forage Seeds Through Cattle as a Natural Propagator

Currently, sustainable practices combined with an efficient livestock can have benefits for farmers as observed in this study in which the animals themselves spread the seeds in the pasture in order to promote an addition of forage resources in the canopy. The objective of this study was to evaluate seed germination of three forage species [Avena strigosa Schreb (black oat), Calopogonium mucunoides (calopogonium) and Neonotonia wightii (perennial soybean)] following ingestion by cattle. The feces were collected from the animals at intervals of 6 hours up to 48 hours after the ingestion of the seeds. The feces were placed in beds in the field for further germination studies for the next 30, 60 and 90 days (post-planting periods). No difference (P > 0.05) was observed between the treatments species or between post-planting periods of the evaluation. For all the studied seeds, the germination was only verified in the time of up to 30 days after the placement of the feces in the field, where black oats obtained numerically the highest accumulated percentage (during 48 hours) with 10% of germinated seeds. It is concluded that the use of cattle as a disperser of forage seeds can help in the introduction of new forage in order to improve the production and the quality of the pastures. The moment of the cattle entrance in the pickets will depend on the forage species to be introduced and can vary from 6 to 12 hours after the intake of the seeds.
Intraspecific facilitation explains the spread of the invasive engineer Spartina anglica in Atlantic salt marshes

Co-ordinating Editor: Jodi Price Abstract Questions: Invasiveness depends in part on the ability of exotic species to either exclude native dominants or to fill an empty niche. Comparisons of niches and effects of closely related native and invasive species enable the investigation of this topic. Does Spartina anglica invade European salt marshes through competitive exclusion of the native Spartina maritima or due to the occurrence of an empty ecological niche in highly anoxic conditions? Study Site: The Arcachon Bay (France). Methods: At three intertidal levels, we quantified competitive response and effect abilities of the two species through a crosstransplantation removal experiment. We also compared the biomass, root/shoot ratio, productivity and environmental conditions (elevation, salinity, redox potential and soil moisture) of salt marsh communities dominated by the exotic Spartina anglica or the native Spartina maritima at three intertidal levels. Results: Both established species showed similar biotic resistance to the invasion of the other species, but the exotic showed important intraspecific facilitation for growth. Species had similar niches and total biomass along a gradient of anoxic conditions, but the exotic had a much higher root/shoot ratio and productivity than the native. Owing to its rhizome density, the exotic showed high ability to increase sediment oxygenation, likely to explain its important intraspecific facilitation. Conclusions: Our results showed that the invasion success of S. anglica cannot be explained by the competitive exclusion of the native or by its ability to fill an empty niche along a gradient of anoxia. Its behaviour as a selffacilitator invasive engineer very likely explains its rapid spread in the Bay and biotic resistance to the colonization of other congeneric species when established in dense patches. Additionally, we suggest that physical disturbance in marsh communities dominated by the native S. maritima may disrupt its biotic resistance against the invasion of S. anglica.
Enhancing the fungicidal activity of amphotericin B via vacuole disruption by benzyl isothiocyanate, a cruciferous plant constituent

Amphotericin B (AmB), a typical polyene macrolide antifungal agent, is widely used to treat systemic mycoses. In the present study, we show that the fungicidal activity of AmB was enhanced by benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), a cruciferous plant‐derived compound, in the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In addition to forming a molecular complex with ergosterol present in fungal cell membranes to form K+‐permeable ion channels, AmB has been recognized to mediate vacuolar membrane disruption resulting in lethal effects. BITC showed no effect on AmB‐induced plasma membrane permeability; however, it amplified AmB‐induced vacuolar membrane disruption in S. cerevisiae. Furthermore, the BITC‐enhanced fungicidal effects of AmB significantly decreased cell viability due to the disruption of vacuoles in the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans. The application of the combinatorial antifungal effect of AmB and BITC may aid in dose reduction of AmB in clinical antifungal therapy and consequently decrease side effects in patients. These results also have significant implications for the development of vacuole‐targeting chemotherapy against fungal infections.
Single stimulus location for two inputs: A combined brain–computer interface based on Steady‐State Visual Evoked Potential (SSVEP)

Brain–computer interfaces (BCI) help severely paralyzed people communicate with the outside world. One type of BCI depends on eye movements and has high information transfer (ITR) but is tiring for users and not applicable to people with eye dyskinesia. Conversely, independent BCIs enable attention shifts across visual stimuli without eye movement, but at the cost of a lower ITR. Steady‐state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) is an oscillatory brain response and typically used as BCI signal sources because of high signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR). Considering the effect of attentional modulation on the SSVEP, we proposed the novel concept of one‐to‐two BCI to optimize existing problems, wherein the target and other stimuli shared the same location. Specifically, two spatially overlapping stimuli were displayed in the center‐of‐view field, as in the independent BCI, and participants were required to divide their attention between the right and left visual fields, as in the dependent BCI. Using three different design schemes in two experiments, we aimed to provide a new framework for BCI design by exploring the feasibility of a combined BCI that can realize a single stimulus location for two inputs. The results strongly demonstrated that, even when the targets and distractors overlapped spatially, the former evoked stronger SSVEP responses. Notably, the BCI scheme based on the object‐based attention could achieve a recognition rate as high as 83.2% and an ITR of 12.5 bits per minute. The feasibility of a one‐to‐two BCI design, which simplified the keyboard layout, reduced the attention shift, and relieved user fatigue, was established.
OGG1 DNA Repair Gene Polymorphism As a Biomarker of Oxidative and Genotoxic DNA Damage

Background: Single nucleotide polymorphisms in OGG1 gene modulates DNA repair capacity and functions as one of the first lines of protective mechanisms against 8-OHdG mutagenicity. OGG1-Cys326 gene polymorphism may decrease DNA repair function, causing oxidative stress due to higher oxidative DNA damage. The main purpose of this study was to examine the link of oxidative and genotoxic DNA damage with DNA repair OGG1 gene polymorphism, in charcoal workers exposed to polyaromatic hydrocarbons. Methods: Urinary 8-OHdG excretion (a biomarker of oxidative DNA damage) was determined in both exposed and control populations. Genotyping of OGG1 DNA repair gene in the blood samples of subjects was carried out by PCR-RFLP method. Results: The 8-OHdG urinary concentration was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the exposed (geometric mean 12.33 ± 3.78) than in the unexposed (geometric mean 7.36 ± 2.29) population. DNA damage, as measured by 8-OHdG and TM content, was found to be significantly higher in OGG1 homozygous mutants (mt/mt; 18.81 ± 3.34; 6.04 ± 0.52) as compared to wild-type genotypes (wt/wt; 10.34 ± 2.25; 5.19 ± 2.50) and heterozygous (wt/mt) mutants (12.82 ± 2.81; 6.04 ± 0.93) in the exposed group. Conclusion: We found a significant association of OGG1 heterozygous (wt/mt) and homozygous (mt/mt) variants with oxidative and genotoxic damage, suggesting that these polymorphisms may modulate the effects of PAH exposure in occupational workers.
The Relationship between Serum Ischemia-Modified Albumin Levels and Uterine Artery Doppler Parameters in Patients with Primary Dysmenorrhea

Abstract Objective Primary dysmenorrhea occurs due to abnormal levels of prostanoids, uterine contractions, and uterine blood flow. However, the reasons for pain in primary dysmenorrhea have not yet been clarified. We examined the blood flow alterations in patients with primary dysmenorrhea and determined the relationship between ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels, as an ischemia indicator, and primary dysmenorrhea. Methods In the present study, 37 patients who had primary dysmenorrhea and were in their luteal and menstrual phase of their menstrual cycles were included. Thirty individuals who had similar demographic characteristics, who were between 18 and 30 years old and did not have gynecologic disease were included as control individuals. Their uterine artery Doppler indices and serum IMA levels were measured. Results Menstrual phase plasma IMA levels were significantly higher than luteal phase IMA levels, both in the patient and in the control groups (p < 0.001). Although the menstrual phase IMA levels of patients were significantly higher than those of controls, luteal phase IMA levels were not significantly different between the two groups. Menstrual uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) of primary dysmenorrhea patients were significantly different when compared with luteal uterine artery PI and RI levels. There was a positive correlation between menstrual phase IMA and uterine artery PI and RI in the primary dysmenorrhea. Conclusion Ischemia plays an important role in the etiology of the pain, which is frequently observed in patients with primary dysmenorrhea. Ischemia-modified albumin levels are considered as an efficient marker to determine the severity of pain and to indicate ischemia in primary dysmenorrhea.
The use and misuse of regression models in landscape genetic analyses

The field of landscape genetics has been rapidly evolving, adopting and adapting analytical frameworks to address research questions. Current studies are increasingly using regression‐based frameworks to infer the individual contributions of landscape and habitat variables on genetic differentiation. This paper outlines appropriate and inappropriate uses of multiple regression for these purposes, and demonstrates through simulation the limitations of different analytical frameworks for making correct inference. Of particular concern are recent studies seeking to explain genetic differences by fitting regression models with effective distance variables calculated independently on separate landscape resistance surfaces. When moving across the landscape, organisms cannot respond independently and uniquely to habitat and landscape features. Analyses seeking to understand how landscape features affect gene flow should model a single conductance or resistance surface as a parameterized function of relevant spatial covariates, and estimate the values of these parameters by linking a single set of resistance distances to observed genetic dissimilarity via a loss function. While this loss function may involve a regression‐like step, the associated nuisance parameters are not interpretable in terms of organismal movement and should not be conflated with what is actually of interest: the mapping between spatial covariates and conductance/resistance. The growth and evolution of landscape genetics as a field has been rapid and exciting. It is the goal of this paper to highlight past missteps and demonstrate limitations of current approaches to ensure that future use of regression models will appropriately consider the process being modeled, which will provide clarity to model interpretation.
Is the risk of cardiovascular disease increased in living kidney donors? A Danish population‐based cohort study

Reduced renal function is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, how living donor nephrectomy affects the risk of CVD remains controversial. We conducted a nationwide cohort study including living kidney donors in Denmark from 1996 to 2018 to assess the risk of hypertension, atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF), major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE; composite of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and death) and death after living kidney donation. As comparisons we identified: a cohort of healthy individuals from the general population and an external blood donor cohort. We followed kidney donors (1,103 when compared with the general population cohort; 1,007 when compared with blood donors) for a median of 8 years. Kidney donors had an increased risk of initiating treatment for hypertension when compared with blood donors (standardized incidence ratio [SIR], 1.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17–1.66) but they did not have increased risk of MACE neither when compared with the general population cohort (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.52–0.89) nor with blood donors (SIR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.88–1.55). Neither did they have increased risks of AF and death. Thus, living kidney donation may be associated with increased risk of hypertension; however, we did not identify increased risks of CVD or death.