Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of armed violence on educational institutions, students’ educational attainment and the role of actors in governance of the education process

Abstract The main purpose of this study was to explore the impact of the Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF) armed violence on educational institutions, students’ educational attainments, and the role of actors playing in school governance and redirecting the education process. This study was positioned to yield preliminary evidence which can serve as input for concerned bodies when designing intervention programs in the study area that aims to give a response to the spoiled education system brought by the violence. In doing so, a convergent mixed-method research design was used. The study sample was bounded to n = 398 participants. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected simultaneously, and the analysis was drawn upon both strands in search of patterns. As a result, the following findings were obtained. The TPLF armed violence instigated the destruction of school infrastructures and generated substantial impediments to the supply of schooling. As a result, students’ educational attainment and learning outcomes were significantly lowered as compared to before the violence. As well, students’ dropout rate, out-of-school students’ rate, and related educational wastage have been amplified. This, in turn, requires sound school governance and the active participation of all actors including parents and the local community at large be part of the solutions for those educational issues hampered by the TPLF violence. In the end, possible conclusions and suggestions were made.
A Potential Protective Effect of Alcohol Consumption in Male Genital Lichen Sclerosus: A Case-Control Study

Materials and Methods A nested case-control study design was chosen. Subjects enrolled were adult male patients who had a circumcision between January 2010 and December 2020 at our university hospital, with a confirmed LSc diagnosis on pathology. Cases were matched with controls by age with a ratio of 1 : 1, all of whom were circumcised and had a negative pathology report. Data collection consisted of sociodemographic, behavioral, and past medical and familial history characteristics. Results A total of 94 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 49.81 (±22.92) in the group of men with LSc. No significant differences in sociodemographic characteristics (age and BMI) were found between the two compared groups. Smoking cannot predict LSc as opposed to alcohol consumption, which we found to be a protective factor against the appearance of LSc (p=0.027). Men with LSc had significantly higher rates of diabetes (p=0.021) and hypertension (p=0.004). No associations were found between LSc and the presenting chief complaints, family history of LSc, and past penile trauma. Conclusion In this study, we were able to compare multiple variables between 47 circumcised patients diagnosed with LSc and a control group. We found that LSc patients showed higher rates of diabetes and hypertension. A potential protective effect of alcohol consumption is to be explored in future projects with bigger sample sizes and higher statistical powers.
Lithological substrates influence tropical dry forest structure, diversity, and composition, but not its dynamics

Introduction Tropical dry forests (TDF) are not only the most widespread tropical forest type but also the most threatened forest ecosystem worldwide. Yet, because their dynamics have been insufficiently studied, our knowledge about the factors responsible for the spatial and temporal variability in TDF dynamics remains very limited. In this study, we aimed (1) to assess the effects of two lithological substrates on TDF structure, diversity, and species composition, and (2) to determine whether and how these substrates affect temporal dynamics on TDF attributes. Methods We used information gathered through a 12-year long annual monitoring of 14 old-growth TDF permanent plots in southern Mexico, seven of which were established on limestone and seven on phyllite. Previous work shows that limestone-derived soils have higher humidity, conductivity, and phosphorous and calcium contents, but lower nitrogen content. Results TDF structure and diversity attributes were consistently higher on limestone TDF, while canopy height was higher on phyllite TDF. By contrast, temporal variation in TDF attributes, demographic rates (recruitment, growth, and mortality) and attribute residence times were indistinguishable between substrates. We also found a strong differentiation of species composition between substrates, yet substrates did not influence the temporal behavior of composition. Discussion Our results suggest that limestone is a more favorable environment for TDF development (soil-effects mechanism), but the flora of the forest on phyllite seems to be better adapted to cope with harsher environmental conditions (composition-effects mechanism), which counterbalances the environmental advantage of limestone, ultimately resulting in spatially homogeneous TDF dynamics at the landscape level. Future studies should examine the role of functional attributes on old-growth TDF dynamics, as this will allow a better understanding of the impacts of extreme climatic events on forest attributes and their dynamics, as well as to foresee potential ecosystem state shifts and tipping points. Graphical Abstract
Data-driven sensitivity analysis to detect missing data mechanism with applications to structural equation modelling

Missing data are a common problem in almost all areas of empirical research. Ignoring the missing data mechanism, especially when data are missing not at random (MNAR), can result in biased and/or inefficient inference. Because MNAR mechanism is not verifiable based on the observed data, sensitivity analysis is often used to assess it. Current sensitivity analysis methods primarily assume a model for the response mechanism in conjunction with a measurement model and examine sensitivity to missing data mechanism via the parameters of the response model. Recently, Jamshidian and Mata (Post-modelling sensitivity analysis to detect the effect of missing data mechanism, Multivariate Behav. Res. 43 (2008), pp. 432–452) introduced a new method of sensitivity analysis that does not require the difficult task of modelling the missing data mechanism. In this method, a single measurement model is fitted to all of the data and to a sub-sample of the data. Discrepancy in the parameter estimates obtained from the the two data sets is used as a measure of sensitivity to missing data mechanism. Jamshidian and Mata describe their method mainly in the context of detecting data that are missing completely at random (MCAR). They used a bootstrap type method, that relies on heuristic input from the researcher, to test for the discrepancy of the parameter estimates. Instead of using bootstrap, the current article obtains confidence interval for parameter differences on two samples based on an asymptotic approximation. Because it does not use bootstrap, the developed procedure avoids likely convergence problems with the bootstrap methods. It does not require heuristic input from the researcher and can be readily implemented in statistical software. The article also discusses methods of obtaining sub-samples that may be used to test missing at random in addition to MCAR. An application of the developed procedure to a real data set, from the first wave of an ongoing longitudinal study on aging, is presented. Simulation studies are performed as well, using two methods of missing data generation, which show promise for the proposed sensitivity method. One method of missing data generation is also new and interesting in its own right.
A Severe Southwest Desert Thunderstorm: 19 August 1973

Abstract Intense thunderstorms, which frequent the desert Southwest of the United States in the summer months, have been known by several different names: chubasco, haboob, and Sonora storm. Prior to the advent of satellites and radar, the sparsity of observations in the desert Southwest precluded any determination of where these storms developed, as well as information on their areal coverage and life cycle. A particularly severe and long-lasting thunderstorm occurred 19–20 August 1973. This storm was followed through its life cycle by means of radar, satellite, and surface observations. This particular storm was noteworthy for its very strong winds, locally heavy rain, and the magnitude of the pressure jump associated with it. The converging of two separate mesohighs is believed to be the cause of the very intense storm that moved westward across the Imperial Valley of Southern California.
Responses of bacterioplankton, particle- and colony-attached bacterial communities to Phaeocystis globosa blooms in Mirs Bay, China

Microalgae blooms are a frequent occurrence in coastal waters worldwide. It is reasonable to assume that these blooms have various influences on bacterial communities, which in turn may affect the development and dissipation of the bloom. However, the bacterial community characteristics, particularly of attached bacteria, associated with microalgae blooms remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the community profiles of bacteria using high-throughput sequencing during a Phaeocystis globosa bloom in Mirs Bay, southern China, in January 2021. Bacteria living in three habitats, i.e., bacterioplankton, particle-attached bacteria, and colony-attached bacteria, were studied from the exponential growth phase to the decline growth phase of the bloom. Distinct variations in bacterial community composition existed among the three habitats. Bacteroidota, Proteobacteria, and Cyanobacteria were the dominant phyla of bacterioplankton, particle–attached bacteria, and colony-attached bacteria, respectively. Richness and diversity were significantly highest (p < 0.01) in particle-attached bacteria, followed by bacterioplankton, and lowest in colony-attached bacteria. The community diversities of bacterioplankton and particle-attached bacteria decreased significantly (p < 0.05) as the bloom shifted from the exponential to the decline phase. During the decline growth phase of the bloom, Bacteroidota and Verrucomicrobiota were the dominant remarkably abundant bacteria in the bacterioplankton community, whereas Verrucomicrobiota was dominant in the particle-attached bacteria community. No significant difference was observed in the colony-attached bacterial community between the exponential and decline phases of the P. globosa bloom owing to their complex network. The results of this study suggest that P. globose bloom has a profound impact on marine bacteria, particularly species that can decompose organic matter, which could play a crucial role in the dissipation of algal blooms.
Firm structure of the separated turbulent shear layer behind modified backward‐facing step geometries

Purpose – One major challenge in turbulent flow applications is to control the recirculation zone behind the backward‐facing step (BFS). One simple idea to do so is to modify the original BFS geometry, of course, without causing adverse or undesirable impacts on the original characteristics of the primary stream. The main objective of this work is to examine the solidity of the recirculation zone behind several different geometries which are slightly to moderately different from the original BFS geometry.Design/methodology/approach – The implemented modifications cause complicated irregularities at the boundaries of the domain. The experience shows that the mesh distribution around these irregularities plays a critical role in the accuracy of the numerical solutions. To achieve the most accurate solutions with the least computational efforts, we use a robust hybrid strategy to distribute the computational grids in the domain. Additionally, a suitable numerical algorithm capable of handling hybrid grid top.
Upper bounds for the critical probability of oriented percolation in two dimensions

We give a method for obtaining upper bounds on the critical probability in oriented bond percolation in two dimensions. This method enables us to prove that the critical probability is at most 0.6863, greatly improving the best published upper bound, 0.84. We also prove that our method can be used to give arbitrarily good upper bounds. We also use a slight variant of our method to obtain an upper bound of 0.72599 for the critical probability in oriented site percolation.
Securing IoT-Based Healthcare Systems Against Malicious and Benign Congestion

The Internet of Things (IoT) has made it possible to gather patient data through a network of sensors, referred to as the wireless body area network (WBAN). However, the variability of the wireless channels can pose a challenge to the real-time functionality of Medical IoT (MIoT) systems. These delays can occur due to either natural or malicious congestion in the wireless channels. To address this issue, we present an efficient algorithm that partitions the WBAN nodes within an MIoT system to balance the traffic load across the entire system. In our model, each network partition includes an access point (AP) responsible for managing all the WBANs within its coverage range. Our proposed algorithm enables the APs to dynamically readjust their coverage range based on the overall traffic load, thereby evenly distributing the load among APs to alleviate congested areas. Moreover, the APs continuously monitor the traffic to detect and mitigate congested areas, regardless of whether the congestion is due to a natural load or a malicious traffic injection attack. Based on the simulations done using NS2, the proposed algorithm: 1) can resolve congestion of both cases very efficiently; 2) improves the network delay variation by at least 40%; and 3) improves the network energy consumption and network delay by at least 30% and 44%, respectively.
Social engineering and the disclosure of personal identifiable information: Examining the relationship and moderating factors using a population-based survey experiment

People tend to disclose personal identifiable information (PII) that could be used by cybercriminals against them. Often, persuasion techniques are used by cybercriminals to trick people to disclose PII. This research investigates whether people can be made less susceptible to persuasion by reciprocation (i.e., making people feel obligated to return a favour) and authority, particularly in regard to whether information security knowledge and positive affect moderate the relation between susceptibility to persuasion and disclosing PII. Data are used from a population-based survey experiment that measured the actual disclosure of PII in an experimental setting (N = 2426). The results demonstrate a persuasion–disclosure link, indicating that people disclose more PII when persuaded by reciprocation, but not by authority. Knowledge of information security was also found to relate to disclosure. People disclosed less PII when they possessed more knowledge of information security. Positive affect was not related to the disclosure of PII. And contrary to expectations, no moderating effects were found of information security knowledge nor positive affect on the persuasion–disclosure link. Possible explanations are discussed, as well as limitations and future research directions.
μ-band desynchronization in the contralateral central and central-parietal areas predicts proprioceptive acuity

Introduction Position sense, which belongs to the sensory stream called proprioception, is pivotal for proper movement execution. Its comprehensive understanding is needed to fill existing knowledge gaps in human physiology, motor control, neurorehabilitation, and prosthetics. Although numerous studies have focused on different aspects of proprioception in humans, what has not been fully investigated so far are the neural correlates of proprioceptive acuity at the joints. Methods Here, we implemented a robot-based position sense test to elucidate the correlation between patterns of neural activity and the degree of accuracy and precision exhibited by the subjects. Eighteen healthy participants performed the test, and their electroencephalographic (EEG) activity was analyzed in its μ band (8–12 Hz), as the frequency band related to voluntary movement and somatosensory stimulation. Results We observed a significant positive correlation between the matching error, representing proprioceptive acuity, and the strength of the activation in contralateral hand motor and sensorimotor areas (left central and central-parietal areas). In absence of visual feedback, these same regions of interest (ROIs) presented a higher activation level compared to the association and visual areas. Remarkably, central and central-parietal activation was still observed when visual feedback was added, although a consistent activation in association and visual areas came up. Conclusion Summing up, this study supports the existence of a specific link between the magnitude of activation of motor and sensorimotor areas related to upper limb proprioceptive processing and the proprioceptive acuity at the joints.
Paraphyly of the widespread generalist red fox (Vulpes vulpes): introgression rather than recent divergence of the arid-adapted Rüppell’s fox (Vulpes rueppellii)?

Understanding of the evolutionary history of two closely related canid sister taxa, the geographically restricted, arid-adapted Rüppell’s fox (Vulpes rueppellii) and the widespread generalist red fox (Vulpes vulpes), has been hampered by limited sampling in the biogeographically complex region of North Africa and the Middle East. We sequenced mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cytochrome b and D-loop fragments from 116 samples for both species and combined these data with previously published sequences, resulting in 459 haplotypes. Obtained phylogenies showed high support for most branches, including for a newly described ‘Palearctic clade’ that includes North African and Asian individuals from both species. All V. rueppellii individuals fell within the Palearctic clade, forming two previously undescribed subclades that were intermingled with, but not shared with V. vulpes. Our robust placement of V. rueppellii within V. vulpes renders the latter paraphyletic. We propose three scenarios that could explain these observations: (1) rapid, recent speciation of V. rueppellii from V. vulpes, (2) incomplete lineage sorting, or (3) ancient divergence followed by introgression and secondary mtDNA similarity. The third scenario is in best agreement with evidence from the fossil record, and morphometric and ecological distinctiveness between the two taxa, and therefore seems most likely.
The factorization method for cavities

The inverse acoustic scattering of point sources by an impenetrable cavity is considered. The scattered fields incited by point source waves are measured on a closed curve inside the cavity. We prove the validity of the factorization method for reconstructing the shape of the cavity. Two explicit examples for circular cavities are given to show the feasibility and effectiveness of the factorization method. Finally, we present some numerical examples in 2D. The reconstructions are as satisfactory as the exterior scattering problems and change only slightly for different measurement curves, different boundary conditions and different wave numbers.
U-Shaped Relationship Between Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase with All-Cause Mortality in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Purpose In the anaerobic metabolic pathway, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) plays an important role in hypoxia, inflammation, and cell damage, making it a potential biomarker for the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We aimed to examine the relationship between LDH levels and all-cause mortality in participants with COPD. Patients and Methods Data of participants in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 2007–2012 aged ≥20 years who underwent spirometry tests were examined, and follow-up mortality data were obtained. According to serum LDH levels, participants with COPD were divided into five groups (59–111, 112–123, 124–135, 136–150, and 151–344 U/L). To evaluate whether LDH levels were independently associated with COPD mortality, we used multivariate Cox regression analysis and smooth curve fitting. Results We included 1320 subjects, 64 with stage III or IV COPD and 541 with stage II COPD. Over a median follow-up of 9.7 years (IQR: 7.8, 11.2), 252 of the 1320 subjects died. The mean LDH level was 132.5 U/L (standard deviation [SD], 27.0). A U-shaped relationship was observed between LDH levels and all-cause mortality. Below and above the inflection point, which was approximately 110 U/L, we found different slopes for the correlation between LDH and all-cause mortality of patients with COPD. Below the threshold, per 1-standard deviation (1SD) increase in LDH resulted in a 68% reduced risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 0.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.13–0.81, P=0.016); conversely, above the threshold, per 1SD increase in LDH accelerated the risk of all-cause mortality (HR 1.23, 95% CI: 1.08–1.41, P= 0.002). Conclusion Using the nationally representative NHANES data, we found a U-shaped association between LDH level and all-cause mortality in participants with COPD. An optimal LDH level of approximately 110 U/L was associated with the lowest risk of all-cause mortality.
Coregulation Effects of a School Counselor Consultation Intervention on Middle School Teacher–Student Relationships, Curiosity, and Teacher Stress

We explored the outcomes of a school counselor consultation intervention informed by the Advocating Student-within-Environment theory as delivered to nine teachers of 149 students in a Title I school. Results from hierarchical regression analyses revealed changes in teachers’ perceptions of the teacher–student relationship that predicted students’ perception of the same relationship. We also found that similar coregulated changes in two curiosity scales can be attributed to the intervention, as can a small change in teachers’ stress tolerance from the pre- to post-test data collection periods. We discuss implications for school relationships and school counseling services.