Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Warming Rates Alter Sequence of Disassembly in Experimental Communities

The frequency, intensity, and duration of periods of extreme environmental warming are expected to rise over the next hundred years and play an increasing role in species loss resulting from climate change, and yet we know little about their potential future effects on variability in the composition of communities. This study analyzed patterns of species loss in a community of four rotifers and six ciliates exposed to different rates of extreme warming. Temperature of loss was positively correlated with warming rates for all species, consistent with theoretical frameworks suggesting that lower rates of warming increase exposure time and cumulative thermal stress at each temperature. The sequence of species loss during extreme warming depended on the environmental warming rate (i.e., warming rates had the capacity to drive reversals in the relative thermal tolerances of species), and changes in the sequence of species loss driven by the warming rate resulted in substantial variability in community composition. The results suggest that differences in warming rates across space and time may increase variability in community composition in ecosystems increasingly disturbed by extreme temperature, potentially altering interspecific interactions, the abiotic environment, and ecosystem function. Several ecological mechanisms may be responsible, singly or together, for changes in the sequence of species loss at different rates of warming, including (a) differences among species in their sensitivity to the intensity and duration of heat exposure, (b) the effects of warming rates on temperature-dependent interspecific interactions, and (c) differences in opportunities for evolution among species and across warming rates.
New troodontid theropod specimen from Inner Mongolia, China clarifies phylogenetic relationships of later‐diverging small‐bodied troodontids and paravian body size evolution

A new troodontid (LH PV39) recovered from the Upper Cretaceous Wulansuhai Formation, Inner Mongolia, China, is described, highlighting the dorsoventrally compressed sacral centra. The completely fused neurocentral junctions indicate that LH PV39 had reached adulthood at the time of death, but its size is nevertheless 20% smaller than that of the sympatric Philovenator, demonstrating that it is the second small‐bodied troodontid recovered from the Wulansuhai Formation. Phylogenetic analyses scoring LH PV39 using different strategies and performed with different algorithms unambiguously recovered it as a troodontid. While the parsimony‐based analysis scoring LH PV39 as an independent OTU with all of its available characteristics included recovered it as a basal troodontid, the Bayesian analysis suggests a closer relationship of LH PV39 to Almas and an unnamed troodontid from Ukhaa Tolgod, Mongolia (MPC‐D100/1126+D100/3500). Body size analysis confirmed a single trend of gigantism throughout the evolution of troodontids, and suggests that the Late Cretaceous troodontids evolved in two directions: (i) several size‐independent characteristics evolved while retaining the small sizes that are typical of the Early Cretaceous relatives, resulting in the Late Cretaceous small‐bodied troodontids; and (ii) size‐dependent characteristics (e.g., the elongation of the rostrum) evolved accompanying the size increase, resulting in large‐bodied derived troodontids. The mosaic features of the Late Cretaceous small‐bodied troodontids place them intermediate between their Early Cretaceous basal relatives and the Late Cretaceous large‐bodied taxa in a well‐resolved phylogeny, which is crucial for understanding the size and morphological evolution of troodontids.
How the vegetarian diet influences recreational and professional athletes’ physical performance: A systematic review

Vegetarianism has been getting increasing attention over the years, in society in general and in sport in particular. However, the growth in the number of people following a meatless diet notwithstanding, vegetarianism should be practiced with caution, especially by professional and recreational athletes, considering the possible lack of certain nutrients and decline in their physical performance. Therefore, the present review aimed to determine whether following a vegetarian diet influences recreational and professional athletes’ physical and sports performance. A search of the databases Medline/Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Lilacs gave 343 relevant articles; however, only 15 of these focused on the vegetarian diet and physical performance, in accordance with the inclusion criteria. These studies compared the vegetarian diet with the omnivorous diet, and found that it did not negatively influence physical performance. Moreover, those who followed a vegetarian diet seemed to have a higher volume of maximum oxygen (V̇O2 max), which positively influenced their performance. In conclusion, following a plant-based diet does not seem to harm recreational and professional athletes.
Exploring the co-involvement of disabled adolescents in participatory action research; protocol for a critical interpretative synthesis

Background: Participatory action research (PAR) provides an opportunity for academic researchers and adolescents to co-conduct research within an area of shared interest. Reciprocal learning occurs as co-researchers acquire research skills and knowledge, and academic researchers gain understanding of the issue being examined, from the perspective of those with lived experience. All members of the research team have a shared responsibility for the research and decision-making processes. PAR has predominantly involved adults as co-researchers. However, in recent years more effort has been made to co-conduct research with adolescents. The aim of this review is to interrogate the practices of academic researchers employing a PAR approach when working along-side disabled adolescents. Methods/design: A critical interpretive synthesis (CIS) will be conducted, allowing for a diverse range of evidence to be drawn from. A systematic search of nine databases, from 1990 onwards, will be conducted first. Reference checking will occur to elicit further relevant data. Following screening, further purposive sampling will be completed to facilitate the development of concepts and theory in line with the on-going analysis and synthesis of findings. Data analysis will involve interpretation of included papers in relation to the principles of PAR and a ‘best-practice’ framework will be developed. During analysis particular emphasis will be given to the identification of potential social barriers to the participation of disabled adolescents in PAR. Discussion: PAR is widely employed but little is known about its use when working with disabled adolescents. This current CIS will critically question the current practices of academic researchers employing PAR when working along-side disabled adolescents and future research through the best practice framework we will develop.
Growth, Chemical Composition, Histology and Antioxidant Genes of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Fed Whole or Pre-Processed Nannochloropsis oceanica and Tetraselmis sp.

New sustainable feed ingredients are a necessity for the salmon aquaculture industry. In this study, we examined the effect of pre-extrusion processing of two microalgae, Nannochloropsis oceanica and Tetraselmis sp. , on the growth, fatty acid content in the flesh and health of Atlantic salmon. The fish were fed one of the following five diets for nine weeks: (1) CO: a fish meal-based control (basal) diet, (2) NU: a Nannochloropsis diet, (3) NE: a pre-extruded Nannochloropsis diet, (4) TU: a Tetraselmis diet, and (5) TE: a pre-extruded Tetraselmis diet. The algae-incorporated diets contained 30% of the respective microalgae. Our results showed that the best growth performance was achieved by the CO diet, followed by the NE diets. Feeding of unprocessed Nannochloropsis and Tetraselmis resulted in a significant reduction in enterocyte vacuolization compared to the CO feeding. A significant effect of processing was noted in the fillet fatty acid content, the intestine and liver structure and the expression of selected genes in the liver. The expression of antioxidant genes in both the liver and intestine, and the accumulation of different fatty acids in the fillet and liver of the extruded algae-fed groups, warrants further investigation. In conclusion, based on the short-term study, 30% inclusion of the microalgae Nannochloropsis oceanica and Tetraselmis sp. can be considered in Atlantic salmon feeds.
Reconstructing the Kaplan–Meier Estimator as an M-estimator

Abstract The Kaplan–Meier (KM) estimator, which provides a nonparametric estimate of a survival function for time-to-event data, has broad applications in clinical studies, engineering, economics and many other fields. The theoretical properties of the KM estimator including its consistency and asymptotic distribution have been well established. From a new perspective, we reconstruct the KM estimator as an M-estimator by maximizing a quadratic M-function based on concordance, which can be computed using the expectation–maximization (EM) algorithm. It is shown that the convergent point of the EM algorithm coincides with the traditional KM estimator, which offers a new interpretation of the KM estimator as an M-estimator. As a result, the limiting distribution of the KM estimator can be established using M-estimation theory. Application on two real datasets demonstrates that the proposed M-estimator is equivalent to the KM estimator, and the confidence intervals and confidence bands can be derived as well.
NGO Involvement in education policy implementation: exploring policymakers’ voices

ABSTRACT Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are becoming increasingly important participants in educational programmes and implementing education policy. This study explores governmental policymakers’ perceptions and reactions to NGO involvement in the implementation of education policy. We applied a qualitative research method, conducting in-depth interviews with ten senior policymakers in Israel's Ministry of Education. We utilised an inductive process of condensing, encoding, categorising, and theorising to analyze the data. Our findings yielded three major themes: (a) intersectoral partnership policies in education and mechanisms for their implementation, (b) budgeting and engagement policies that reexamine mutual responsibility models in education, and (c) the benefits of the intersectoral partnership in advancing education goals. This study expands the knowledge of policymakers’ attempts to lead change, from methods and strategies of centralised and bureaucratic governance through community networks that constitute an intermediate path to realising social and educational goals in the age of privatisation and commercialisation in education.
The outbreak of lung injuries often known as "EVALI" was nothing to do with nicotine vaping

Many commentators, activists, academics and public health agencies continue to assert or imply that an outbreak of severe and fatal lung injuries that occurred primarily in the United States between mid-2019 and early 2020 may have been caused in part by nicotine vaping. This condition is often known as “EVALI” (E-cigarette, or Vaping, product use-Associated Lung Injury), a term coined by the US Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, an examination of the evidence shows that EVALI cannot have been caused by nicotine vaping. The characteristics of the lung injury outbreak are consistent with localised supply chain contamination. The contaminant has been identified and is known to be Vitamin E Acetate. This had been used as a thickener or cutting agent in illicit Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) cannabis vape pens. This agent cannot be added to nicotine vaping liquids and would serve no useful purpose if it could be. No other or cause or causal agent has been identified that would implicate nicotine liquids and that would be consistent with the geographical and temporal pattern of this lung injury outbreak. There is a vanishing small chance that a second cause would be found in nicotine liquids, coinciding with the same geography, timing and symptoms as Vitamin E Acetate contamination of THC oils. Further, it is highly unlikely that this hypothetical and currently unidentified cause would disappear in early 2020 without some identifiable remedial action in nicotine vaping products. But there has been no identifiable remedial action - nicotine vaping products have not changed, but EVALI has largely gone. The attribution of EVALI to nicotine vaping should stop, the term EVALI should be retired and replaced, risk communicators should shoulder their responsibility to correct residual false risk perceptions, and serious consideration should be given to the advantages of legalising and regulating cannabis products.
Evaluation of the ameliorative effect of Cinnamon cassia against metabolic disorder and thyroid hormonal disruption following treatment with difenoconazole fungicide in the male albino rats.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the deleterious effects of difenoconazole exposure involving the blood glucose level and lipid profile indices [i.e. TC, TAG, LDL-C, VLDL-C and HDL-C]as well as renal function markers and thyroid hormonal level (T4&T3) in male albino rats after 28 days of treatments. Therefore, we also evaluate the ameliorative effect of cinnamon aqueous extract (CAE) as prophylactic agent against the metabolic disorders including hyperglycemia and dislipidemia as well as the alterations in the renal function markers (creatinine and urea) and the thyroid hormone levels in rats flowering treatment with difenoconazole. Results revealed that treatment rats with difenoconazole induced a significant increase in the level of blood glucose and so the lipid profile indices i.e. TC, TAG, LDL-C and VLDL-C and a marked decrease in the level of LDL-C, in addition a significant elevation in the levels of creatinine and urea was observed. In contrast, there is a significant decrease in the levels of T4 and T3 in difenoconazole-treated rats. Pre-treatments with CAE alleviate the harmful effects of difenoconazole treatment revealed by reducing the blood glucose level (hypoglycemia) and lipid profile parameters as well as the biomarkers of renal function and improvements the hypothyroidism state via elevating the levels of T4 and T3 in compared with difenoconazole treatment . Therefore ,these finding indicated the safety and useful effects of cinnamon extract for preventing the development of lipid metabolic disorders and hypothyroidism state ,consequently attenuated its complications involved diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CHD).
Effectiveness of rectal artesunate as pre-referral treatment for severe malaria in children <5 years of age

Background To prevent child deaths from severe malaria, early parenteral treatment is essential. Yet, in remote rural areas, higher-level facilities offering parenteral antimalarials are often difficult to access. A randomised controlled trial found pre-referral rectal artesunate (RAS) to reduce death and disability in children who delay arriving at a referral facility. This study examined the effectiveness of pre-referral RAS treatment in established community-based health care systems. Methods An observational study accompanied the roll-out of RAS in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria and Uganda. Children < 5 years presenting to a community-based health provider with a positive malaria test and signs of severe malaria were followed-up during admission and after 28 days to assess their health status and treatment history. The primary outcome was death; covariates of interest included RAS use, referral completion, and post-referral treatment. Findings Post-roll-out, RAS was administered to 88% of patients in DRC, 52% in Nigeria, and 70% in Uganda. The overall case fatality rate (CFR) was 6.7% (135/2011) in DRC, 11.7% (69/589) in Nigeria, and 0.5% (19/3686) in Uganda; 865/6286 patients were sick at follow-up. In all countries, the CFR was higher after RAS-roll-out (6.7 vs. 6.6% in DRC, 16.1 vs. 4.2% in Nigeria, 0.7 vs. 0.3% in Uganda). In DRC and Nigeria, children receiving RAS were more likely to die than those not receiving RAS (aOR = 3.31, 95% CI 1.43-7.65 and aOR = 2.42, 95% CI 1.25-4.70, respectively). In Uganda, RAS users were less likely to be dead or sick at follow-up (aOR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.46-0.80). Post-referral parenteral antimalarials were protective in all countries; however, the effect of ACT administration was inconsistent. Interpretation RAS pre-referral treatment had no beneficial effect on child survival in three highly malaria endemic settings. RAS is unlikely to reduce malaria deaths unless health system shortfalls such as referral and post-referral treatment are addressed.
The International Sexual Health And Reproductive Health Survey (I-SHARE-1): A Multi-Country Analysis of Adults from 30 Countries Prior to and During the Initial COVID-19 Wave

Background: To better understand sexual and reproductive health (SRH) during the initial COVID-19 wave, we organized a multi-country cross-sectional survey. Methods: Consortium research teams conducted online surveys in 30 countries. Primary outcomes included sexual behaviors, partner violence, and SRH service utilization, and we compared three months prior to and three months after policy measures to mitigate COVID-19. We used established indicators and analyses pre-specified in our protocol. We conducted meta-analyses for primary outcomes and graded the certainty of the evidence using Cochrane methods. Findings: Descriptive analyses included 22,724 individuals in 25 countries. Five additional countries with sample sizes <200 were included in descriptive meta-analyses. Respondents were mean age 34 years; most identified as women (15160; 66.7%), cis-gender (19432; 86.6%) and heterosexual (16592; 77.9%). Among 4546 respondents with casual partners, condom use stayed steady for 3374 (74.4%); 640 (14.1%) reported a decline. Fewer respondents reported physical or sexual partner violence during COVID-19 measures (1063/15144, 7.0%) than before (1469/15887, 9.3%). COVID-19 measures impeded access to condoms (933/10790, 8.7%), contraceptives (610/8175, 7.5%), and HIV/STI testing (750/1965, 30.7%). Pooled estimates from meta-analysis indicate during COVID-19 measures, 32.3% (95% CI 23.9-42.1) of people needing HIV/STI testing had hindered access, 4.4% (95% CI 3.4-5.4) experienced partner violence, and 5.8% (95% CI 5.4-8.2) decreased casual partner condom use (moderate certainty of evidence for each outcome). Meta-analysis findings were robust in sensitivity analyses that examined country income level, sample size, and sampling strategy. Interpretation: The initial COVID-19 wave impacted SRH behaviors and access to services across diverse global settings.
Age-Specific Changes in Virulence Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern

Background: Novel variants of concern (VOCs) have been associated with both increased infectivity and virulence of SARS-CoV-2. The virulence of SARS-CoV-2 is closely linked to age. Whether relative increases in virulence of novel VOCs is similar across the age spectrum, or is limited to some age groups, is unknown. Methods: We created a retrospective cohort of people in Ontario, Canada testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 and screened for VOCs, with dates of test report between February 7 and August 30, 2021 (n=233,799). Cases were classified as N501Y-positive VOC, probable Delta VOC, or VOC undetected. We constructed age-specific logistic regression models to evaluate the effects of N501Y-postive or Delta VOC infections on infection severity, using hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and death as outcome variables. Models were adjusted for sex, time, health unit, vaccination status, comorbidities, immune compromise, long-term care residence, healthcare worker status, and pregnancy. Results: Infection with either N501Y-positive or Delta VOCs was associated with significant elevations in risk of hospitalization, ICU admission, and death in younger and older adults, compared to infections where a VOC was not detected. Delta VOC increased hospitalization risk in children under 10 by a factor of 2.5 (adjusted odds ratio, 95% confidence interval: 1.2 to 5.1) compared to non-VOC. For most VOC-outcome combinations there was no heterogeneity in adverse outcomes by age. However, there was an inverse relationship between age and relative increase in risk of death with delta VOC, with younger age groups showing a greater relative increase in risk of death than older individuals. Interpretation: SARS-CoV-2 VOCs appear to be associated with increased relative virulence of infection in all age groups, though low absolute numbers of outcomes in younger individuals make estimates in these groups imprecise.
Colour Detection of Agriculture Products for State Analysis

The present market demands recognition of state analysis of an agricultural product automatically rather than conventionally checking the maturity stage and ripeness of an agricultural product which is mundane . In this project we are going to determine the state of an agricultural product using machine learning algorithm with the aid of colour detection. Image processing has been a great help in all kinds of fields which also extended its applicability in agriculture as well . Determining the maturity of an agricultural product at the right time will be very much helpful for the farmers . So by implementing this algorithm the colour as well as the state of the fruit will be determined automatically when we click on the image. Libraries we have used are open CV and Pandas which will help to work with images and the statistical data we are using to convert them into RGB colour models through different functions in the jupyter notebook platform. The two important parts in a project are the prepossessing and the state analysis stages. Firstly, the pre-processing stage determines the colour by calculating the distance to tell how close we are to the actual colour and we will choose the one which has the minimum distance. The second stage is mainly to classify the ripeness and state of an agricultural product. This technique also finds its application in detecting synthetic colours in the edible products . Colour detection is the initial set in any image processing technique. In the future it helps the cashier to determine the quality of the agricultural product effectively and quickly by reducing the effort they put in the traditional method .
Exploring of e-WOM, Destination Image and Perceived Value toward Return to Visit

Factors of tourism into one of the largest and fastest way to grow an economy is suitable for a country that would like to expand it to include Indonesia. The development of tourism through promotion and maximum service is already undertaken by the authorities to attract domestic and foreign tourists in Indonesia. One of the attractions which are experiencing an increase in visiting Goa Pindul. The problems in Goa Pindul are increase tourists revisit intention, but the facilities and infrastructure are less well. The purpose of this research was to study the relationship between e-WOM, destination image, perceived value, and return to visit in the tourism industry. Sample techniques used in this research is purposive sampling using accidental sampling. Respondents who used as many as 200 respondents on travelers who already visited one time, aged 17 years, and using the internet to searching for information about Goa Pindul. Data analysis techniques used are PLS-SEM and Sobel test. The empirical results from PLS-SEM showed that e-WOM positive and significant impact on destination image, perceived value, and return to visit. The destination image has a positive and significant impact on perceived value but on return to visit insignificant. Perceived value positive and significant impact on back to visit. Sobel test findings that effect of e-WOM on arrival to visit through perceived value significantly.