Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Concepts for GDPR-Compliant Processing of Personal Data on Blockchain

Blockchain is an emerging technology that is currently highly discussed in academia and practice. It offers a new approach of sharing data with participants in a network without the need to fully trust them. Among other reasons, this can be achieved be-cause data once stored on a Blockchain is immutable. The recently introduced General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) standardizes the European privacy regulations and brings major changes regarding how to handle personal data. Literature agrees that processing personal data on Blockchain is not compliant with the requirements of the GDPR. The present paper conducts a structured literature review and identifies four possible concepts for potentially GDPR-compliant data processing using Blockchain: Encryption & Key Destruction, Legal Argumentation, Off-Chain Storage, Redactable Blockchain. Each concept is described and analyzed in view of GDPR’s requirements. It becomes clear that the concepts Legal Argumentation and Encryption & Key Destruction might at the moment not be totally compliant with the GDPR.
Uncertainty analysis of streamflow drought forecast using artificial neural networks and Monte‐Carlo simulation

In this research, two scenarios of drought forecast were studied. In the first scenario, the time series of monthly streamflow were converted into the Standardized Hydrological Drought Index (SHDI), a similar index to the well‐known Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI). Multi‐layer feed‐forward artificial neural network (FFANN) was trained with the SHDI time series to forecast the hydrological drought of Karoon River in southwestern Iran. In the second scenario, the time series of monthly streamflow discharge was forecasted directly and then converted to the SHDI. Principal component analysis (PCA) and forward selection (FS) techniques were applied to remove dependency of inputs and reduce the number of input variables, respectively. Moreover, uncertainty of SHDI and monthly streamflow discharge forecasts were investigated using a Monte‐Carlo simulation approach. Findings indicated that the results of the first scenario were considerably better than the second scenario and that the SHDI adequately forecasted hydrological drought. The Monte‐Carlo simulations demonstrated that all of forecasted values lie within the 95% confidence intervals.
Polarization of T-helper 2 to 1 phenotype has arisen in rat asthmatic pulmonary tissue after intra-tracheal administration of bone marrow-derived c-Kit+ cells

Introduction: This study investigated the paracrine therapeutic effects of intra-tracheal administration of bone marrow-derived c-Kit+and c-Kit- cells on the T helper (Th)1/Th2 balance in ovalbumin-induced acute asthma in male rats. Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four experimental groups; healthy (group C) and sensitized (group S) rats received PBS (Phosphate-buffered saline); sensitized rats received PBS containing c-Kit- (group S+c-Kit- ) and c-Kit+cells (group S+c-Kit+). Total and percentages of differential leukocytes were calculated in bronchoalveolar Lavage. The lung cellular contents of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) mRNAs were measured quantitatively. Moreover, the existence of excessive collagen deposition in pulmonary interstitial space was evaluated through Masson’s trichrome staining. Results: The results showed the successful homing of c-Kit+cells into the asthmatic niche. The significantly increased total number of leukocyte, eosinophil, neutrophil, and IL-4 mRNA levels, as well as decreased lymphocyte count, IL-10, IFN-γ mRNAs, and IL-4/IFN-γ ratio, were observed in asthmatic rats compared to C group (P<0.001). C-Kit+cells, but not c-Kit- cells, had the potential to participate in these changes (P<0.001 to P<0.05). The deposition of collagen fibers in the asthmatic pulmonary tissue decreased after administration of both c-Kit+and c-Kit-cells, which were more prominent in the S+c-Kit+group. Conclusions: The results of the current experiment highlighted the therapeutic capacity of c-Kit+cells in the alleviation of asthmatic changes at the cellular level.
An effective band selection approach for classification in remote sensing imagery

Hyperspectral imagery (HSI) is a special imaging form that is characterized by high spectral resolution with up to hundreds of very narrow and contiguous bands which is ranging from the visible to the infrared region. Since HSI contains more distinctive features than conventional images, its computation cost of processing is very high. That’s why; dimensionality reduction is become significant for classification performance. In this study, dimension reduction has been achieved via VNS based band selection method on hyperspectral images. This method is based on systematic change of neighborhood used in the search space. In order to improve the band selection performance, we have offered clustering technique based on mutual information (MI) before applying VNS. The offered combination technique is called MI-VNS. Support Vector Machine (SVM) has been used as a classifier to evaluate the performance of the proposed band selection technique. The experimental results show that MI-VNS approach has increased the classification performance and decrease the computational time compare to without band selection and conventional VNS.
EOF Analysis of Complex Response of Venice Mobile Gates

The complex dynamics of the Venice tidal barrier subjected to broadbanded wave spectra are investigated by applying empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis to experimental data sets. Space and frequency patterns of the natural modes of the barrier are reconstructed and satisfactorily compared with the recent theory of Li and Mei. The results indicate that when broadbanded wave spectra are considered, natural modes with the longest spatial wavelengths seem more likely to be excited than those with shorter wavelengths.
Current and historical forest conditions and disturbance regimes in the Hoosier-Shawnee ecological assessment area

We review the historical and current status of forests in the Hoosier-Shawnee Ecological Assessment Area. Native American people influenced the vegetation through fire and agricultural clearing across the region until the early 1800s when European settlers arrived. Clearing of the land for agriculture peaked in the early 1900s after which badly eroded land was abandoned and either planted or naturally regenerated to forest. Many of these abandoned farms were purchased for public parks and forests and managed as timberlands throughout the 20th century. Today, about 43 percent of the landscape is covered by forest and 49 percent in agriculture. Land use varies across the region depending on its suitability for nonforest use. For instance, much of the uplands across the assessment area, including the Ozark Highlands, Interior Low Plateau, Shawnee Hills (hereafter ? Shawnee Hills? ), and Interior Low Plateau, Highland Rim (hereafter ? Highland Rim? ) Sections are dominated by forest land. In contrast, much of the best lands are privately held and support agricultural activities. Forests are mostly temperate deciduous hardwoods with coniferous forests covering only 8 percent of the forest area. Forests are currently dominated by oak and hickory species that cover about 40 percent of the forest area. However, species composition is changing from species established as the result of frequent past disturbances (1950). There is concern about the loss of landscape diversity and maintenance of oak species as these shifts occur, and current management activities are being implemented to reduce this transition.
Integration of Immersive Approaches for Collaborative Processes with Building Information Modeling (BIM) Methodology for the AEC Industry: An Analysis of the Current State and Future Challenges

This study aims to identify and analyze existing gaps in the integration of immersive approaches for collaborative processes with Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector. Using a systematic approach that includes metadata analysis and review procedures, we have formulated specific research questions aimed at guiding future investigations into these gaps. Additionally, the analysis generates insights that could guide future research directions and improvements in the field. The methodology involves a comprehensive review of the literature, focusing on the interaction between immersiveness, BIM methodology, and collaborative processes. Data from 2010 to 2023 have been analyzed to ensure relevance and completeness. Our findings reveal current limitations in the field, such as the need for fully integrated prototypes and the execution of empirical studies to clarify operational processes. These limitations serve as the basis for our research questions. The study offers actionable insights that could guide future research and improvements in the AEC sector, particularly in the adoption of immersive technologies. The research underscores the urgency of addressing these challenges to facilitate ongoing development and greater adoption of immersive technologies in the AEC sector.
An Unsupervised Classifier for Whole-Genome Phylogenies, the Maxwell© Tool

The development of phylogenetic trees based on RNA or DNA sequences generally requires a precise and limited choice of important RNAs, e.g., messenger RNAs of essential proteins or ribosomal RNAs (like 16S), but rarely complete genomes, making it possible to explain evolution and speciation. In this article, we propose revisiting a classic phylogeny of archaea from only the information on the succession of nucleotides of their entire genome. For this purpose, we use a new tool, the unsupervised classifier Maxwell, whose principle lies in the Burrows–Wheeler compression transform, and we show its efficiency in clustering whole archaeal genomes.
An integrative approach to rangeland condition and capability assessment

A comprehensive system has been designed to serve as a basis for rangeland condition and grazing capacity assessment. It is important that research information and knowledge be transferred to land managers in the most usable form. An approach has therefore been developed by which different computer technologies are combined to produce a unique and user friendly package for direct application by the grazing industry. The system can be applied universally, regardless of the pool of quantitative knowledge that exists. This is of special importance for the evaluation and monitoring of the many rangeland systems not yet understood and quantified.
Micronutrient Status in Adult Crohn’s Disease during Clinical Remission: A Systematic Review

Adults with Crohn’s disease (CD) may be at risk of micronutrient insufficiency in clinical remission through restrictive eating, malabsorption, abnormal losses or inflammation. This systematic review synthesises the literature on micronutrient insufficiency in CD in clinical remission in terms of the prevalence of low circulating micronutrient concentrations and as a comparison against a healthy control (HC). Studies were included if the population was predominantly in remission. A total of 42 studies met the inclusion criteria; 12 were rated as low quality, leaving 30 studies covering 21 micronutrients of medium/high quality that were included in the synthesis. Vitamins D and B12 were the most frequently reported nutrients (8 and 11); there were few eligible studies for the remaining micronutrients. The prevalence studies were consistent in reporting individuals with low Vitamins A, B6, B12 and C, β-carotene, D, Magnesium, Selenium and Zinc. The comparator studies were inconsistent in finding differences with CD populations; Vitamin D, the most reported nutrient, was only lower than the HC in one-quarter of the studies. Adult CD populations are likely to contain individuals with low levels of one or more micronutrients, with the most substantial evidence for Vitamins D and B12. The studies on other micronutrients are of insufficient number, standardisation and quality to inform practice.
Macrobenthic communities of the north-western Ross Sea shelf: links to depth, sediment characteristics and latitude

Abstract In early 2004 the Victoria Land Transect project sampled coastal north-western Ross Sea shelf benthos at Cape Adare, Cape Hallett, Cape Russell and Coulman Island from 100–500 m deep. We describe the benthic macrofaunal assemblages at these locations and, to assess the use of seafloor sediment characteristics and/or depth measures in bioregionalizations, determine the extent to which assemblage compositions are related to measured differences in these factors. Percentages of fine sand and silt, the ratio of sediment chlorophyll a to phaeophytin, and depth were identified as important explanatory variables, but in combination they explained only 17.3% of between-location differences in assemblages. Consequently, these variables are clearly not strong determinants of macrofaunal assemblage structure. Latitude per se was not a useful measure of community variability and change. A significant correlation between both number of individuals and number of taxa and sediment phaeophytin concentration across locations suggests that the distribution of the benthos reflects their response to seafloor productivity. A number of factors not measured in this study have probably influenced the structure and function of assemblages and habitats. We discuss the implications of the results to marine classifications, and stress the need to incorporate biogenic habitat complexity into protection strategies.
Modification of titanium orthopedic implants with bioactive glass: a systematic review of in vivo and in vitro studies

Bioactive glasses (BGs) are ideal biomaterials in the field of bio-restoration due to their excellent biocompatibility. Titanium alloys are widely used as a bone graft substitute material because of their excellent corrosion resistance and mechanical properties; however, their biological inertness makes them prone to clinical failure. Surface modification of titanium alloys with bioactive glass can effectively combine the superior mechanical properties of the substrate with the biological properties of the coating material. In this review, the relevant articles published from 2013 to the present were searched in four databases, namely, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and Scopus, and after screening, 49 studies were included. We systematically reviewed the basic information and the study types of the included studies, which comprise in vitro experiments, animal tests, and clinical trials. In addition, we summarized the applied coating technologies, which include pulsed laser deposition (PLD), electrophoretic deposition, dip coating, and magnetron sputtering deposition. The superior biocompatibility of the materials in terms of cytotoxicity, cell activity, hemocompatibility, anti-inflammatory properties, bioactivity, and their good bioactivity in terms of osseointegration, osteogenesis, angiogenesis, and soft tissue adhesion are discussed. We also analyzed the advantages of the existing materials and the prospects for further research. Even though the current research status is not extensive enough, it is still believed that BG-coated Ti implants have great clinical application prospects.
Angle-domain common-image gathers in generalized coordinates

The theory of angle-domain common-image gathers (ADCIGs) is extended to migrations performed in generalized 2D coordinate systems. I have developed an expression linking the definition of reflection opening angle to differential traveltime operators and spatially varying weights derived from the non-Cartesian geometry. Generalized-coordinate ADCIGs can be calculated directly using Radon-based offset-to-angle approaches for coordinate systems satisfying the Cauchy-Riemann differentiability criteria. The canonical examples of tilted-Cartesian, polar, and elliptical coordinates can be used to illustrate the ADCIG theory. I have compared analytically and numerically generated image volumes for a set of elliptically shaped reflectors. Experiments with a synthetic data set showed that elliptical-coordinate ADCIGs better resolve the reflection opening angles of steeply dipping structure, relative to conventional Cartesian image volumes, because of improved large-angle propagation and enhanced sensitivity to stee.
Characteristics of Retracted Publications From Kazakhstan: An Analysis Using the Retraction Watch Database

Background Retraction is a correction process for the scientific literature that acts as a barrier to the dissemination of articles that have serious faults or misleading data. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of retracted papers from Kazakhstan. Methods Utilizing data from Retraction Watch, this cross-sectional descriptive analysis documented all retracted papers from Kazakhstan without regard to publication dates. The following data were recorded: publication title, DOI number, number of authors, publication date, retraction date, source, publication type, subject category of publication, collaborating country, and retraction reason. Source index status, Scopus citation value, and Altmetric Attention Score were obtained. Results Following the search, a total of 92 retracted papers were discovered. One duplicate article was excluded, leaving 91 publications for analysis. Most articles were retracted in 2022 (n = 22) and 2018 (n = 19). Among the identified publications, 49 (53.9%) were research articles, 39 (42.9%) were conference papers, 2 (2.2%) were review articles, and 1 (1.1%) was a book chapter. Russia (n = 24) and China (n = 5) were the most collaborative countries in the retracted publications. Fake-biased peer review (n = 38), plagiarism (n = 25), and duplication (n = 14) were the leading causes of retraction. Conclusion The vast majority of the publications were research articles and conference papers. Russia was the leading collaborative country. The most prominent retraction reasons were fake-biased peer review, plagiarism, and duplication. Efforts to raise researchers’ understanding of the grounds for retraction and ethical research techniques are required in Kazakhstan.
What happens to deformed rocks after deformation? A refined model for recovery based on numerical simulations

Abstract Deformation, in large parts of the middle crust, results in strained rocks consisting of grains with variable dislocation densities and microstructures which are characterized by gradual distortion and subgrain structures. Post-deformation residence of these rocks at elevated temperatures results in microstructural adjustments through static recovery and recrystallization. Here, we employ a numerical technique to simulate intragrain recovery at temperatures at or below the deformation temperature. The simulation is based on minimization of the stored energy, related to misorientation through local rotation of physical material points relative to their immediate environment. Three temperature- and/or deformation-geometry-dependent parameters were systematically varied: (1) deformation-induced dislocation types, (2) dislocation mobility and (3) size of dislocation interaction volume. Comparison with previously published in situ experiments shows consistency of numerical and experimental results. They show temperature- and dislocation-type-dependent small-scale fluctuations in subgrain-boundary misorientations and orientation variation within subgrains. These can be explained by the combined effect of increase in dislocation interaction volume and activation of climb. Our work shows microstructure can be significantly modified even if the post-deformational temperature is at or below the deformation temperature: a scenario relevant for most deformed rocks.
The Impact of Rhythmic Physical Activity on Mental Health and Quality of Life in Older Adults with and without Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

(1) Background: Nowadays, it is essential to implement new non-pharmacological strategies, such as rhythmic physical activity, to improve mental health and quality of life in both individuals experiencing normal brain aging and those with cognitive impairment. Therefore, the objective of this study is to identify the effects of rhythmic physical activity interventions on mental health and quality of life in older adults, with or without mild cognitive impairment; (2) Methods: We conducted a systematic review with a meta-analysis, searching the Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Plus databases using specific keywords. We selected studies that included rhythmic physical activity as the primary intervention for patients aged 65 and above, with or without cognitive impairment. We assessed the methodological quality of the articles using the PEDro scale; (3) Results: Out of 961 identified studies, we included 11 in this review, all of which employed rhythmic physical activity as an intervention. The selected studies consistently measured depression, anxiety, and quality of life; (4) Conclusions: This review demonstrates that rhythmic physical activity can effectively improve depression, anxiety, and quality of life in older adults, whether or not they have mild cognitive impairment. However, it is worth noting that while we have identified beneficial outcomes, the evidence supporting the use of rhythmic physical activity in enhancing depression, anxiety, and quality of life in older adults with or without mild cognitive impairment remains somewhat limited.
Analgesic Efficacy of Nalbuphine as an Adjuvant to Ropivacaine in Erector Spinae Plane Block for Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Clinical Trial

Background Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is an easy and safe method for postoperative analgesia. However its effect lasts only for several hours. This trial was to investigate the effectiveness of different doses of nalbuphine as an adjuvant to ropivacaine in ESPB for patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Methods Patients scheduled for PCNL were randomized into three groups and received ultrasound-guided ESPB at T10 level for postoperative analgesia. Each subject received 28 mL of 100 mg ropivacaine solution mixed with 2 mL of normal saline (Group R), 2 mL of 10 mg nalbuphine (Group RNL), or 2 mL of 20 mg nalbuphine (Group RNH). Primary outcome was the time to first opioid demand. Secondary outcomes were morphine consumption, VAS scores within 24 h postoperatively, rescue analgesic requirements, and length of hospital stay. Results The median [interquartile range, IQR] time to first opioid demand was significantly longer in group RNH (8.70 [6.90,14.85] h) than that of group R and group RNL (2.90 [2.00,6.30] h and 5.80 [2.95,7.00] h, respectively). VAS scores (either resting or active) within 24 h postoperatively were comparable between the three groups, with the most significant differences especially at 4, 6, 8 h. Morphine consumption at 24 h postoperatively was significant for R group vs RNH group (median difference, 9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.57 to 16.43; p = 0.02). Conclusions Adding 20mg nalbuphine to ropivacaine in ESPB could significantly improve the effect of analgesia and prolong the duration of nerve blocks for PCNL.