Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Three‐dimensional seismic anisotropy in the crust and uppermost mantle beneath the Taiwan area revealed by passive source tomography

We present a 3‐D anisotropic seismic model of the crust and uppermost mantle beneath the Taiwan region based on the tomographic inversion of traveltime data from regional earthquakes. In the crust beneath eastern Taiwan, we observe coast‐parallel anisotropy that perfectly delineates the major geological structures. In westernmost Taiwan, we distinguish a crustal block corresponding to the Peikang High at the margin of the Eurasian Plate, where coast‐perpendicular anisotropy within a high‐velocity anomaly is observed. In the uppermost mantle, the direction of anisotropy beneath central Taiwan turns perpendicular to the coast, which may indicate eastward underthrusting of the Peikang Block that was induced by collisional processes. To the NE of Taiwan, the anisotropy forms circular patterns coinciding with the shape of the Ryukyu arc, which may reflect the distribution of the deformations and fractures in the accretion and arc complex.
A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:This study aimed to assess the efficacy of rigid versus foldable iris-fixed phakic intraocular lens (PIOL) implantation in the treatment of high myopia. Methods:A systematic search based on electronic databases such as Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane Library was conducted to identify relevant studies published up to January 11, 2019. The pooled odds ratios and weighted mean differences (WMDs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Results: Eight comparative studies with 835 participants were included in this meta-analysis. The overall WMD showed statistical significance in terms of postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), mean postoperative spherical equivalence (SE), and mean postoperative intraocular higher-order aberrations (HOA) (mm) for a 6-mm pupil, suggesting that foldable PIOL group showed significant improvement of high myopia, compared to rigid PIOL group. Besides, compared with rigid PIOL group, foldable PIOL group had beneficial effect on the proportion of eyes with central endothelial cell density (ECD) loss in patients with high myopia. Conclusion: This meta-analysis provided the up-to-date evidence and found that foldable PIOL group had significant beneficial effect on UDVA, SE, HOA, contrast sensitivity, and ECD, except best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, and safety in the treatment of high myopia over rigid PIOL group. Abbreviations: BSCVA = best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, CIs = confidence intervals, CLE = clear lens extraction, CS = contrast sensitivity, ECD = endothelial cell density, HOA = higher-order aberrations, MRSE = mean refractive spherical equivalent, ORs= odds ratios, PIOL = phakic intraocular lens, SE= spherical equivalence, UDVA= uncorrected distance visual acuity, WMDs = weighted mean differences.
A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Robot-assisted and laparoscopic surgery are the most minimally invasive surgical approaches for the removal of liver lesions. Minor hepatectomy is a common surgical procedure. In this study, we evaluated the advantages and disadvantages of robot-assisted vs laparoscopic minor hepatectomy (LMH). Methods: A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library to identify comparative studies on robot-assisted vs. laparoscopicminor hepatectomy up to February, 2020. The odds ratios (OR) andmean differences with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using the fixed-effects model or random-effects model. Results: A total of 12 studies involving 751 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Among them, 297 patients were in the robot-assisted minor hepatectomy (RMH) group and 454 patients were in the LMH group. There were no significant differences in intraoperative blood loss (P= .43), transfusion rates (P= .14), length of hospital stay (P> .64), conversion rate (P= .62), R0 resection rate (P= .56), complications (P= .92), or mortaliy (P= .37) between the 2 groups. However, the RMH group was associated with a longer operative time (P= .0003), and higher cost (P< .00001) compared to the LMH group. No significant differences in overall survival or disease free survival between the 2 groups were observed. In the subgroup analysis of left lateral sectionectomies, RMH was still associated with a longer operative time, but no other differences in clinical outcomes were observed. Conclusions: Although RMH is associated with longer operation times and higher costs, it exhibits the same safety and effectiveness as LMH. Prospective randomized controlled clinical trials should now be considered to obtain better evidence for clinical consensus. Abbreviations: CI = confidence intervals, DFS = disease free survival, LMH = laparoscopic minor hepatectomy, MD = mean differences, MH = minor hepatectomy, NOS = Newcastle-Ottawa scale, OR = odd ratios, OS = overall survival, RMH = robotassisted minor hepatectomy, SD = standard deviation.
International Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Research

The main challenge for agriculture is the feeding of the estimated 9 billion people by 2050. Besides increasing food production, attention should be directed towards reducing food loss and waste. It is estimated that 1.3 billion tons of food produced globally is lost or wasted. Sub Saharan Africa, Eastern and Southern Africa lose food valued at about US$ 4 billion and US$ 1.6 billion per annum respectively. This food can meet the annual food requirements of at least 48 million of the 220 million undernourished people in Africa. Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia experience annual maize post-harvest losses of 20% 30%. Despite the availability of technologies for reducing postharvest food losses worldwide, their adoption remains low in Africa. Therefore, identification and elimination of constraints to the adoption of existing technologies for reducing postharvest losses should be considered. To improve the flow of information on the available technologies a capacity building programme which targeted 300 smallholder farmers and grain traders was developed in Southern Africa. The results of the post training showed an insignificant adoption of the 30 ton metal silos due to inappropriateness of the technology, cost and weak support infrastructure.
DU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Graduate Studies 1-1-2009 Lifetime Estimation of Wireless Body Area Sensor Network for Patient Health Monitoring

Wireless Body Area Sensor Networks (WBASN) is an emerging technology which utilizes wireless sensors to implement real-time wearable health monitoring of patients to enhance independent living. These sensors can be worn externally to monitor multiple bio-parameters (such as blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), blood pressure and heart activity) of multiple patients at a central location in the hospital. In health monitoring, the loss of critical or emergency information is a serious issue so there is a concern for quality of service which needs to be addressed. It is important to have an estimate of the time the first node will fail in order to replace or recharge the battery. A common type of failure happens when a node runs out of energy and shuts down. In this work, Monte Carlo simulation is used to determine the lifetime of WBASN. The lifetime of the WBASN is defined in this work as the duration of time until the first sensor failure due to battery depletion. A parametric model of the health care network is created with sets of random input distributions. Probabilistic analysis is used to determine the timing and distributions of nodes’ failures in the health monitoring network.
A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Vitamin C as a supplement to treat hypertension has been proposed. However, it remains controversial whether vitamin C can improve blood pressure in patients with primary hypertension. Objectives: To analyze the effect of vitamin C (VitC) supplementation on systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension. Methods:We searched the Chinese Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, WANFANG Data, Cochrane Library, National Library of Medicine’s PubMed, EMBASE, and other databases until June 2019. Eight RCTs involving 614 participants were analyzed. SBP and DBP before and after VitC supplementation were compared between the intervention and control groups. The risk of bias of individual studies was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool. Two reviewers selected studies independently of each other. The Cochrane Collaboration Review Manager 5.3 was used to perform the meta-analysis. Results: There was a significant difference in the change of SBP (weighted mean difference [WMD]= 4.09; 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.56, 2.62; P< .001) and DBP (WMD= 2.30; 95% CI 4.27, .331; P= .02) between the groups. Further, there was a significant difference in the SBP (WMD= -3.75, 95% CI -6.24, -1.26, P= .003) and DBP (WMD= 3.29, 95% CI 5.98, .60, P= .02) for the subgroup with an age ≥60 years and that with ≥35 participants. In the subgroup analysis, result for SBP with a study duration ≥6 weeks was statistically significant different (WMD= 4.77; 95% CI 6.46, 3.08; P< .001). For an intervention dose of VitC ≥500mg daily, SBP was statistically significant (WMD= 5.01; 95% CI 8.55, 1.48; P= .005). Conclusion: VitC supplementation resulted in a significant reduction of blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension. Abbreviations: CI = confidence interval, DBP = diastolic blood pressure, PRISMA = Preferred Reporting Items Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, RCT = randomized controlled trial, SBP = systolic blood pressure, SD = standard deviation, SE = standard error, VitC = Vitamin C, WMD = weighted mean difference.
International Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Research

Soil quality is an important component of agricultural systems, including those in Oyam District, northern Uganda. Yet, little is known about the soil properties in this region and how they may respond to different crop management practices. This study examined the physical and chemical properties of soils collected agricultural fields in Oyam District, northern Uganda that were subjected to fallow or cropping. Soils under fallow exhibited greater ammonium-N concentrations and clay content compared to cropped soil. Although not statistically significant, fallow soils tended to have greater exchangeable calcium, cation exchange capacity and % base saturation. The upper 15 cm of the soils exhibited higher total C, total N, exchangeable cations, cation exchange capacity and % base saturation than underlying soil. The fallow period used in this study was very short; we recommend a longer fallow period to discern whether this practice shows longer-term benefits as compared to continuously cropped soil.
A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: We included 16 studies containing 3,871 women as cases and 49,475 women as controls from 10 case–control studies and 33,510 women as cases from six cohort studies. We conducted meta-analyses to estimate the pooled relative risk (95% confidence interval [CI]) of endometrial cancer associated with a first-degree family history of endometrial, colorectal, breast, ovarian, and cervical cancer to be: 1.82 (1.65–1.98), 1.17 (1.03–1.31), 0.96 (0.88–1.04), 1.13 (0.85– 1.41), and 1.19 (0.83–1.55), respectively. We estimated cumulative risk of endometrial cancer to age 70 years to be 3.1% (95% CI 2.8–3.4) for women with a first-degree relative with endometrial cancer and the populationattributable risk to be 3.5% (95% CI 2.8–4.2).
A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: Sixteen randomized controlled trials, including 1,683 participants, were included. Study characteristics and quality were recorded. The meta-analysis was based on random-effects methods for pooled data. There were no statistically significant differences in the requirement to perform manual removal of a placenta in patients treated with oxytocin (55% compared with 60%; relative risk [RR] 0.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.73–1.02; 10 randomized controlled trials [RCTs]), prostaglandins (44% compared with 55%; RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.58–1.15; four RCTs), nitroglycerin (85% compared with 80%; RR 1.06, 95% CI 0.80–1.41; one RCT), or oxytocin and nitroglycerin (52% compared with 79%; RR 0.23, 95% CI 0.01–8.48; two RCTs) compared with placebo. There was limited reporting of secondary outcomes.
A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Laparoscopic surgery develops rapidly in both elective and emergency settings. The study aimed to determine the role of different laparoscopic methods for the emergency treatment of complicated diverticulitis. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Citation Index Expanded, and the Cochrane database were searched up to November 2019 to identify all published articles related to the topic. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata 15. Results: Fourteen publications were included in the analysis. Laparoscopic surgery was applied in 425 patients, and 493 patients underwent open colon resection (OCR). Postoperative mortality, morbidity, severe complications, and reoperation rates were not significantly different between the laparoscopic and open surgery groups. Subgroup analysis was performed based on the different laparoscopic methods (laparoscopic colon resection [LCR] and laparoscopic lavage and drainage [LLD]). Subgroup analysis indicated that LCR was superior to OCR in terms of morbidity, while OCR was superior to LLD in terms of severe complications. Conclusions: The safety of laparoscopic surgery for the emergency treatment of complicated diverticulitis is related to different surgical methods. LCR is suggested to be a better choice according to the postoperative outcomes. More definite conclusions can be drawn in future randomized controlled trials. Abbreviations: LCR= laparoscopic colon resection, LLD= laparoscopic lavage and drainage, OCR = open colon resection, BMI = body mass index, ASA = American Society of Anesthesiologists, RCT = randomized controlled trial, RR = relative risk, CI = confidence interval.
A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Through this analysis, we aimed to systematically compare the cardiovascular outcomes observed in patients with co-existing coronary artery disease (CAD) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: Mendeley, Web of Science (WOS), MEDLINE, Cochrane central, EMBASE, Google scholar, and http://www. ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for English-based publications on CAD and RA. Selective cardiovascular outcomes were the endpoints in this analysis. The statistical software RevMan 5.3 was used for data assessment. Risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to represent each subgroup analysis. Results:One thousand four hundred forty six (1446) participants had co-existing CAD and RA whereas 205,575 participants were in the control group (only CAD without RA). This current analysis showed that the risk of asymptomatic or stable angina was similar in CAD patients with versus without RA (RR: 0.98, 95%CI: 0.84 – 1.14; P= .78). However, all-causemortality (RR: 1.47, 95%CI: 1.34 – 1.61; P=0.00001), cardiac death (RR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.05 – 2.17; P= .03) and congestive heart failure (RR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.27 – 1.56; P= .00001) were significantly higher in CAD patients with RA. However, multi-vessel disease (RR: 2.03, 95% CI: 0.57 – 7.26; P= .28), positive stress test (RR: 1.69, 95% CI: 0.70 – 4.08; P= .24), and ischemic events (RR: 1.18, 95% CI: 0.81 – 1.71; P= .40) were similar in both groups. The risk for myocardial infarction, repeated revascularization, and the probability of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (RR: 1.20, 95% CI: 0.75 – 1.93; P= .45) were also similar in CAD patients with versus without RA. When we considered outcomes only in those patients who underwent revascularization by PCI, all-cause mortality (RR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.29 – 1.60; P= .00001) was still significantly higher in CAD patients with RA. Conclusions: This analysis showed a significantly higher mortality risk in CAD patients with RA when compared to the control group. Congestive heart failure also significantly manifestedmore in CAD patients with co-existing RA. However, the risks all the other cardiovascular outcomes were similar in both groups. Nevertheless, due to the several limitations of this analysis, this hypothesis should be confirmed in forthcoming trials based on larger numbers of CAD patients with co-existing RA. Abbreviations: CAD = coronary artery disease, PCI = percutaneous coronary intervention, RA = rheumatoid arthritis, RR = risk ratio.
International Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Research

In this research, we use the Meta-synthesis method to find important factors of good governance to increase food security, using the Shanon Entropy model and weighing variables by a Fuzzy method. The Meta-synthesis results show international policy, group participation, and observance standards have the highest importance and rank. Fuzzy analysis shows agricultural employment, group participation and cooperative companies have the highest weight in political, social and environmental areas, and increased production, and financial and capital markets have the highest weight in the economic area. The policy recommendation is an implementation of agricultural governance to improve employment, financial markets, and group participation.
A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:Numerous studies have illustrated the association of QRS width with the incidence of echocardiographic response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). This study aimed to summarize the observational studies regarding the magnitude of change in QRS width between responders and nonresponders to CRT. Methods: The PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched for relevant studies investigating the changes of QRS width with the incidence of echocardiographic response to CRT from inception till May 2019. The pooled weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated through random-effects model. Results: Five prospective and 6 retrospective studies with a total of 1524 patients were selected for final analysis. The reduction of QRS width in responders was significantly greater than nonresponders (WMD: –20.54 ms; 95% CI: –26.78 to –14.29; P< .001). Moreover, responders were associated with greater percentage reduction in QRSwidth when comparedwith nonresponders (WMD: –8.80%; 95% CI: –13.08 to –4.52; P< .001). Finally, the mean change in QRS width between responders and nonresponders differed when stratified by country, study design, mean age, percentage male, ejection fraction, measuring time of postimplanted QRS, ischemic cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation, and study quality. Conclusions: These findings indicated that shortening QRS width after CRT device implantation showed association with greater incidence of echocardiographic responses to CRT. Further prospective studies should be conducted to evaluate the prognostic values of QRS width on the incidence of echocardiographic response to CRT. Abbreviations: CI = confidence interval, CRT = cardiac resynchronization therapy, EF = ejection fraction, LV = left ventricular, LVEF = left ventricular ejection fraction, NYHA = New York Heart Association, WMD = weighted mean difference.
International Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Research

The pyrolysis of biomass into biochar can served as nutrient absorbent in soil to counter excessive leaching problem commonly faced by agriculture sector in tropical region. The present study investigated the particle size of biochar on the sorption of ammonium N (NH4 -N), nitrate N (NO3 -N), phosphate P (PO4 3), and iron (Fe). Four biochars were produced from oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB), oil palm kernel shell (KRN), rice husk (RH), and bamboo (BMB), which sieved into two groups with particle size of 1-2 mm and <0.3 mm. Biochar physical and chemical properties were determined. The ability of biochars to adsorb NH4 + followed: BMB > RH > EFB while no sorption was observed in KRN. The sorption characteristics of NH4 + were well fitted to the Freundlich isotherm model. Overall sorption of NO3 favours fine particle and were well-fitted into Langmuir model followed the maximum sorption capacity of: BMB > EFB > KRN > RH. Sorption of PO4 3on the other hand performed poorly among all tested biochar while sorption of Fe were generally favourable in fine particle and best-fitted in Langmuir model with the maximum sorption capacity followed: EFB > RH > KRN > BMB.
A diving bell for underwater gravimeter operation

The recent development of a diving bell, designed to carry a gravimeter and observer, enables the geophysicist to make correct gravity observations on a river, lake or ocean floor. The bell, for which patents have been applied, is designed to operate in depths of water as great as 250 feet. It has been used with good results at depths ranging from 8 to 70 feet. Data taken from adjacent land and sea areas have been contoured and the smoothness of the resulting contours indicates that the underwater gravity readings are entirely reliable. Structural features of the diving bell and related equipment are described and plates showing exterior and interior views of the bell are given.
Future Prospects of Artificial Intelligence in Education: A Preliminary Analysis of Educator Perspectives from Focus Groups in Japan, Spain, and Germany

Artificial intelligence in education (AIEd) is a growing field of research that has the potential to transform learning and teaching practices. The process of developing ethical AIEd applications that are fit-for-purpose requires ongoing multi-stakeholder dialogues that include students and teachers. The present study sought to explore the perspectives of teachers in higher education on the possible futures of AIEd. Using qualitative methods, we conducted focus-group discussions in three countries (Japan, Spain, and Germany) with educators working in the social sciences. We presented participants with four scenarios that each described the implementation of a hypothetical AIEd application. A descriptive thematic analysis of the focus-group transcripts identified two key themes regarding possible future AIEd applications: 1) concerns about the validity of input variables and the accuracy of output variables, and 2) the importance of students having an active role in the integration of AI in education. These contributions highlight the importance of including teachers and students in multi-stakeholder discussions to shape the future of education.
Integrating Behavior-based Prediction for T racking Vehicles in Traffic Videos

Road vehicles usually remain within marked lanes. We study this hypothesis in particular to track road vehicles through extended periods of occlusion without, however, relying on 3D-models of occlud- ing foreground bodies. A potential onset of occlusion is detected by a fuzzy conjunction of large, facet-specific color changes and a low ratio of the number of pixels with a prediction-compatible Optical-Flow (OF) vector relative to the total number of pixels within a facet of the 3D- polyhedral vehicle model. Experimental results for the entire approach are presented.