Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Responses of rumen microorganisms and metabolites to different roughage of domesticated Tibetan sheep

Tibetan sheep can utilize high fiber feeds well. However, the mechanisms of rumen microbiota and metabolites in response to different roughage in a housed environment are still unclear. We fed Tibetan sheep with three different roughage diets: 50% whole corn silage (TS), 50% wheatgrass group (TW), and 25% each of whole corn silage and wheatgrass (TM). Subsequently, meat traits, rumen contents 16S rRNA and metabolomics were studied. The results showed that feeding wheat straw to Tibetan sheep significantly increased the abundance of bacteria such as Ruminococcus and Succiniclasticum in the rumen. These microorganisms significantly increased metabolites such as beta-alanyl-L-lysine, butanoic acid and prostaglandin E2. Eventually, production performance, such as carcass weight and intramuscular fat and meat quality characteristics, such as color and tenderness were improved by altering the rumen’s amino acid, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. This study demonstrated that including 25% wheatgrass and 25% whole corn silage in the diet improved the performance of Tibetan sheep, revealing the effect of the diet on the performance of Tibetan sheep through rumen microorganisms and metabolites.
Motion and Emotion

Understanding how (dis)abled human bodies interact with the built environment is critical in Urban Design. We examine if somaesthetic theory combined with a neuro-architectural framework can help advance our understanding of human bodily interaction with the built environment. We do so first from a theoretical point of view, and second with an analysis of the situated context: Budolfi Square in Aalborg, Denmark. Our take-home-message is that architects and urban designers need to move beyond the established understanding of the multi-sensory soma, into an understanding of a situated mobile-emotional soma.
Wave- tide- surge coupled model simulation for Typhoon Maemi

Reasonably accurate predictions of wave heights, current and elevations during storm events are vital information for marine operations and design of offshore and coastal structures in the surrounding seas of Korea Peninsula. Ocean circulation and wind-wave models have traditionally been run separately, but recent researches have identified potentially important interactions between current and wave motions. The coupled tide-surge and the WAM wave models at the atmospheric boundary layer and bottom boundary layer around the Korea Peninsula are applied for the Typhoon Maemi (0314) event. Communication between the models is achieved using MPI. Results are compared with coastal tide gauges and moored wave buoys and comparisons are also made between wave computations from the coupled model and the independent third generation wave models. Results suggest that applying the tide-surge-coupled model can be an effective means of obtaining wave and storm surge predictions simultaneously.
The Diagnostic Accuracy of Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing in Diagnosing Pneumocystis Pneumonia: A Systemic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract Background Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is a growing concern as the immunocompromised population expands. Current laboratory approaches are limited. This systematic review aimed to evaluate metagenomic next-generation sequencing (MNGS) tests’ performance in detecting PCP. Methods Five databases were searched through December 19, 2022, to identify original studies comparing MNGS with clinically diagnosed PCP. To assess the accuracy, symmetric hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic models were used. Results Eleven observational studies reporting 1442 patients (424 with PCP) were included. Six studies focused exclusively on recipients of biologic immunosuppression (none with HIV-associated immunosuppression). Six were exclusively on bronchoalveolar lavage, while 1 was on blood samples. The sensitivity of MGNS was 0.96 (95% CI, 0.90–0.99), and specificity was 0.96 (95% CI, 0.92–0.98), with negative and positive likelihood ratios of 0.02 (95% CI, 0.01–0.05) and 19.31 (95% CI, 10.26–36.36), respectively. A subgroup analysis of studies exclusively including bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and blood samples demonstrated a sensitivity of 0.94 (95% CI, 0.78–0.99) and 0.93 (95% CI, 0.80–0.98) and a specificity of 0.96 (95% CI, 0.88–0.99) and 0.98 (95% CI, 0.76–1.00), respectively. The sensitivity analysis on recipients of biologic immunosuppression showed a sensitivity and specificity of 0.96 (95% CI, 0.90–0.98) and 0.94 (95% CI, 0.84–0.98), respectively. The overall confidence in the estimates was low. Conclusions Despite the low certainty of evidence, MNGS detects PCP with high sensitivity and specificity. This also applies to recipients of biologic immunosuppression and tests performed exclusively on blood samples without the need for BAL. Further studies are required in individuals with HIV-associated immunosuppression.
Elastic Net Oriented to Fuzzy Semiparametric Regression Model With Fuzzy Explanatory Variables and Fuzzy Responses

In the multivariate linear regression model, it is desirable to include the important explanatory variables to achieve maximal prediction. In this context, the present paper is an attempt to extend the conventional elastic net multiple linear regression model adopted with a semiparametric method to fuzzy predictors and responses. For this purpose, kernel smoothing and elastic net penalized methods were combined to construct a novel variable-selection method in a fuzzy multiple regression model. Some common goodness-of-fit criteria were also included to examine the performance of the proposed method. The effectiveness of the proposed method was illustrated through three numerical examples including a simulation study and two practical cases. The proposed method was also compared with several common fuzzy multiple regression models. The numerical results clearly indicated that the proposed method is capable of providing sufficiently accurate results in cases where noninformative explanatory variables are removed from the model.
18F-FDG PET/CT findings in a patient with blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a case report

Background Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is an extremely rare hematopoietic malignancy, which originating from precursors of plasmacytoid dendritic cells. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is normally considered in the treatment of BPDCN patients to acquire sustained remission. Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a group of conditions involving abnormal lymphoid cells proliferation in the context of extrinsic immunosuppression after solid organ transplantation (SOT) or HSCT. Herein, we report a patient with BPDCN, who suffered from PTLD after allogeneic HSCT. Case presentation A 66-year-old man was diagnosed with BPDCN, confirmed by pathologic examination after splenectomy. The post-surgery 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) showed multifocal 18F-FDG avidity in the left cheek, lymph nodes and bone marrow. The patient started chemotherapy, followed by allogeneic HSCT and immunosuppressive therapy. Four months after the HSCT, the patient developed intermittent fever and recurrent lymphadenopathy, accompanied with progressively elevated Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-DNA both in serum and lymphocytes. 18F-FDG PET/CT was performed again and found multiple new enlarged 18F-FDG-avid lymph nodes, while the previous hypermetabolic lesions all disappeared. The pathology of mesenteric lymph node indicated a monomorphic PTLD (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma). Then the immunosuppressive medications were stopped and two cycles of Rituximab were given, and the follow-up CT scan indicated a complete response. Conclusion When patients with BPDCN recurred new enlarged lymph nodes after allogeneic HSCT and immunosuppressive therapy, PTLD should be taken into consideration. 18F-FDG PET/CT may provide additional evidence for supporting or refuting the suspicion of PTLD, and suggest lesions accessible for biopsy.
Environmental Volunteers Endorse Diverse Motivations: Using a Mixed-Methods Study to Assess Initial and Sustained Motivation to Engage in Public Participation in Science Research

Understanding why individuals choose to get, and stay, involved in public participation in science research is essential to building and maintaining the strong base of participants required for many research and conservation efforts. This paper explores the differences between initial and sustained motivations of volunteers working in more- and less- intensive environmental citizen science projects in the Mid Atlantic United States. Results from our mixed-methods study show that volunteers endorse different motivation types depending on how the question is asked (survey versus semi-structured interview), and that volunteer motivation varies by program type. Although survey results did not show differences in motivation over time, interview responses indicated a potential shift from more egoistic to more collectivistic motivations. These findings connote implications for volunteer recruitment and retention including the importance of developing appeals that explicitly connect volunteer opportunities to both personal pleasure and to the support of a universal good.
Evaluation of the Resolution in Inverse Scattering of Dielectric Cylinders for Medical Applications

The inverse scattering problem has numerous significant applications, including in geophysical explorations, medical imaging, and radar imaging. To achieve better performance of the imaging system, theoretical knowledge of the resolution of the algorithm is required for most of these applications. However, analytical investigations about the resolution presently feel inadequate. In order to estimate the achievable resolution, we address the point spread function (PSF) evaluation of the scattered field for a single frequency and the multi-view case both for the near and the far fields and the scalar case when the angular domain of the incident field and observation ranges is a round angle. Instead of the common free space condition, an inhomogeneous background medium, consisting of a homogeneous dielectric cylinder with a circular cross-section in free space, is assumed. In addition, since the exact evaluation of the PSF can only be accomplished numerically, an analytical approximation of the resolution is also considered. For the sake of its comparison, the truncated singular value decomposition (TSVD) algorithm can be used to implement the exact PSF. We show how the behavior of the singular values and the resolution change by varying the permittivity of the background medium. The usefulness of the theoretical discussion is demonstrated in localizing point-like scatterers within a dielectric cylinder, so mimicking a scenario that may occur in breast cancer imaging. Numerical results are provided to validate the analytical investigations.
Thermoregulation in Two Models of Trail Run Socks with Different Fabric Separation

Background: Trail running socks with the same fibers and design but with different separations of their three-dimensional waves could have different thermoregulatory effects. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the temperatures reflected on the sole of the foot after a mountain race with the use of two models of socks with different wave separations. Material and Methods: In a sample of 34 subjects (twenty-seven men and seven women), the plantar temperature was analyzed with the thermal imaging camera Flir E60bx® (Flir systems, Wilsonville, OR, USA) before and after running 14 km in mountainous terrain at a hot temperature of 27 °C. Each group of 17 runners ran with a different model of separation between the waves of the tissue (2 mm versus 1 mm). After conducting the post-exercise thermographic analysis, a Likert-type survey was conducted to evaluate the physiological characteristics of both types of socks. Results: There was a significant increase in temperature in all areas of interest (p < 0.001) after a 14 km running distance with the two models of socks. The hallux zone increased in temperature the most after the race, with temperatures of 8.19 ± 3.1 °C and 7.46 ± 2.1 °C for the AWC 2.2 and AWC 3, respectively. However, no significant differences in temperature increases were found in any of the areas analyzed between the two groups. Runners perceived significant differences in thermal sensation between AWC 2.2 socks with 4.41 ± 0.62 points and AWC 3 with 3.76 ± 1.03 points (p = 0.034). Conclusion: Both models had a similar thermoregulatory effect on the soles of the feet, so they can be used interchangeably in short-distance mountain races. The perceived sensation of increased thermal comfort does not correspond to the temperature data.
How does organizational performance in the education sector improve? Learning and Growth-perspective

The purpose of this study is to measure whether organizational performance in the education sector could be improved through a learning and growth perspective, which involves constructs of human capital, information capital, and organizational capital. This research uses a quantitative approach with the survey as a data collection method and the structural equation model as the analysis method via Smart PLS software to measure the relationship between human, information, and organizational capital with organizational performance, from the perspective of learning and growth. This study concluded that human capital (HC) and Informational Capital (IC) simultaneously have a strong relationship to organizational performance (OP) with Organizational Capital (OC) as a mediating variable. Directly, HC and OC have a significant relationship with OP. While IC has a weak relationship with OP. These results conclude that without HC and OC, IC is a variable that functions to encourage and utilize HR work to form OC and OP. These findings strengthen the theory about the importance of human resource management in the education sector through aspects of meeting the needs of knowledge development, and skill competencies that keep up with developments. This finding also strengthens the theory that claim that learning and growth factors influence organizational performance along the internal process, financial, and customer per- spectives.
Preparation of Novel Solid Phase Extraction Sorbents for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Aqueous Media

In this study, functionalized mesoporous silica was prepared and characterized as a stationary phase using various analytical and solid-state techniques, including a Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, thermogravimetric analysis, and nitrogen sorption. The results confirmed the successful synthesis of the hybrid stationary phase. The potential of the prepared hybrid mesoporous silica as a solid-phase extraction (SPE) stationary phase for separating and enriching polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in both spiked water samples and real water samples was evaluated. The analysis involved extracting the PAHs from the water samples using solid-phase extraction and analyzing the extracts using a two-dimensional gas chromatograph coupled to a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (GC × GC-TOFMS). The synthesized sorbent exhibited outstanding performance in extracting PAHs from both spiked water samples and real water samples. In the spiked water samples, the recoveries of the PAHs ranged from 79.87% to 95.67%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) ranging from 1.85% to 8.83%. The limits of detection (LOD) for the PAHs were in the range of 0.03 µg/L to 0.04 µg/L, while the limits of quantification (LOQ) ranged from 0.05 µg/L to 3.14 µg/L. Furthermore, all the calibration curves showed linearity, with correlation coefficients (r) above 0.98. Additionally, the results from real water samples indicated that the levels of individual PAH detected ranged from 0.57 to 12.31 µg/L with a total of 44.67 µg/L. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the hybrid mesoporous silica as a promising stationary phase for solid-phase extraction and sensitive detection of PAHs in water samples.
Surfactant free, easy, low-cost, and large scale hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of CZTS ink for photovoltaic utility

Non-toxic, low cost, and environment-friendly solar absorber materials is a great subject of interest for research community for photovoltaic applications. The preparation of these solar cell materials by adopting a greener synthesis route still remains a challenge. Herein we present a surfactant free, cheaper, non-toxic and highly scalable one pot hydrothermal synthesis of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) ink for its efficacy in photovoltaic application. The properties of CZTS ink were analyzed by utilizing Photoluminescence (PL), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) characterization techniques. The highly pure kesterite structure of CZTS was confirmed by the diffraction peaks observed using XRD. The calculated lattice parameters and from the XRD data are 0.54 nm and 1.09 nm respectively having a full width half maxima (FWHM) of 0.81 corresponding to the highly intense diffraction peak (112). The recorded PL spectra having intense PL main peak at 823 nm confirms the highly luminescent behavior of our synthesized CZTS ink. The formation of a very good surface morphology has been confirmed by SEM image. The observed FTIR peaks at 1456 cm -1 and 712 cm -1 govern the existence of functional groups C-H and C-C bending vibration respectively. This interesting study shows the ability to synthesize surfactant free, low cost and high performance CZTS ink for its utility in photovoltaic domain.
The Use of Extraction on C18-Silica-Modified Magnetic Nanoparticles for the Determination of Ciprofloxacin and Ofloxacin in Meat Tissues

A simple, fast, and low-cost method of extraction using magnetic nanoparticles was developed for sample preparation in the determination of ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin in meat tissues with the use of capillary electrophoresis. This study is the first utilization of silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles with attached C18 chains to extract fluoroquinolones from meat tissues. This method is therefore characterized by a very simple sample preparation procedure, but on the other hand, by satisfactory precision and accuracy. Magnetic nanoparticles with an appropriately modified surface were placed in an Eppendorf tube, then conditioned with methanol, next rinsed with water and, finally, a homogenized tissue sample was added. At the neutral pH of the sample solution, these compounds do not have a charge and are able to adsorb on the modified particles. After extraction, the nanoparticles were dried and, then, desorption of analytes was conducted with the use of a mixture of 0.1 mol/L HCl and acetonitrile (1:1). This approach made it possible to purify the sample matrix and to obtain satisfactory LOQ levels for the method using the CE technique with UV-Vis detection. In this method, the LOD and LOQ values for both analytes were 0.04 nmol/g tissue and 0.15 nmol/g tissue, respectively. The calibration curves were linear in the entire concentration range, and the accuracy and the recovery of the method were at the satisfactory levels. The square value of the linear correlation coefficients (R2) for Cpx and Ofx were 0.9995 and 0.9992, respectively. The precision value of the method was within the range of 3–11% and accuracy was in the range of 93–110%.
Are Politicians Biased against Ethnic Minority Candidates? Experimental Evidence from Norway

To what extent is the underrepresentation of ethnic minorities in politics due to ethnic bias? While this question has interested researchers for a long time, direct evidence of ethnic bias in party-controlled nomination processes is scarce. We conducted survey experiments with politicians and voters in Norway, where parties control the nomination process, to examine bias against ethnic minority candidates. The politicians evaluated candidate profiles with randomly assigned information about the candidates’ ethnic backgrounds. Contrary to our expectations, we find that ethnic minority candidates receive higher quality scores and better rankings than ethnic majority candidates. However, the results of a list experiment with voters show that a substantial share of right-wing voters has reservations against voting for a party list with many ethnic minority candidates. Consequently, our study suggests that while the political elite wants ethnically diverse party lists, for some parties, such lists might have an electoral cost.
Fractional Quantum Conductance Plateaus in Mosaic‐Like Conductors and Their Similarities to the Fractional Quantum Hall Effect

A simple route to generate magnetotransport data is reported that results in fractional quantum Hall plateaus in the conductance without invoking strongly correlated physics. Ingredients to the generating model are conducting tiles with integer quantum Hall effect and metallic linkers, further Kirchhoff rules. When connecting few identical tiles in a mosaic, fractional steps occur in the conductance values. Richer spectra representing several fractions occur when the tiles are parametrically varied. Parts of the simulation data are supported with purposefully designed graphene mosaics in high magnetic fields. The findings emphasize that the occurrence of fractional conductance values, in particular in two‐terminal measurements, does not necessarily indicate interaction‐driven physics. The importance of an independent determination of charge densities is underscored and similarities with and differences to the fractional quantum Hall effect are critically discussed.
Carnitine metabolites and cognitive improvement in patients with schizophrenia treated with olanzapine: a prospective longitudinal study

Objective: Cognitive impairment is one of the core symptoms of schizophrenia, which is stable and lifelong. L-carnitine has been shown to improve cognitive function and decrease the rate of cognitive deterioration in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. However, it remains unclear regarding the role of L-carnitine and its metabolites in cognitive functions in schizophrenia after treatment with olanzapine. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between changes in plasma levels of L-carnitine metabolites and cognitive improvement after olanzapine treatment. Methods: This was a prospective longitudinal study. In this study, we recruited 25 female patients with first episode schizophrenia (FES) who were drug naïve at baseline and received 4 weeks of olanzapine monotherapy. Cognitive function was assessed at baseline and 4-week follow-up using the RBANS. Plasma L-carnitine metabolite levels were determined by a metabolomics technology based on untargeted ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). Results: We found that the immediate memory index, delayed memory index and RBANS composite score were significantly increased at the 4-week follow-up after treatment. A total of 7 differential L-carnitine metabolites were identified in FES patients after olanzapine monotherapy. In addition, we found that changes in butyrylcarnitine were positively correlated with improvements in language index and RBANS composite score. Further regression analyses confirmed the association between reduced butyrylcarnitine levels and cognitive improvement after olanzapine monotherapy in FES patients. Conclusion: Our study shows that cognitive improvement after olanzapine treatment was associated with changes in L-carnitine metabolite levels in patients with FES, suggesting a key role of L-carnitine in cognition in schizophrenia.