Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Hormesis Concept: Strengths and Shortcomings

Hormesis implies that the effects of various materials or conditions that organisms are exposed to, may not have linear dose-response characteristics but rather, can be biphasic. Thus the response to a low dose of a stressor may be the opposite to that occurring at higher doses. Such a dual response is postulated for many toxicants and physical conditions and may involve a beneficial adaptive response. Such a non-linear effect is undoubtedly present in many useful pharmacological and nutraceutical agents with can be toxic at high concentrations. This somewhat divisive topic is an area of study that should be objectively studied and not clouded by political and policy considerations. The objective of this review is to examine claims concerning those exposures where hormesis seems to exist and also those where there is no good supporting evidence. The breadth of this phenomenon and potential mechanisms underlying hormetic events are discussed together with their limitations.
From Great Power to Superpower: Evaluating the Economic, Political, and Social Consequences of China's Ascendance for its People and the World

As China's international influence grows, the global power landscape is undergoing an anticipated shift that could bring profound changes, from a reconfiguration of the global economic landscape to a shift in political paradigms. It is therefore essential that global citizens understand the implications of this shift in order to respond effectively to these changes. This paper therefore attempts to provide a comprehensive literary examination of China's political trajectory and its potential rise as a future global superpower. The analysis will be divided into several parts: an assessment of China's growth trajectory; An assessment of China's political stability and governance capacity; Explore China's scientific and technological innovation capabilities and military capabilities; And the implications for global security.
A Study on the Current Situation and Optimization Path of Junior English Majors' English Writing

: English writing, as an important output of English learning, fully reflects the comprehensive ability of English learners. In this study, 227 junior English majors in Guangdong University of Science and Technology were studied on their English writing by means of questionnaires, interviews and writing tests. The study finds that the English writing level of junior English majors is relatively low, with problems such as lack of vocabulary expression, weak grammar knowledge and shortage of discourse construction ability and writing strategies. Meanwhile, students are insufficiently engaged in learning English writing, neglect the importance of English writing, have less interest in writing, and are dissatisfied with English writing in classroom teaching. In view of these, this study analyzes the causes of English writing problems among junior English majors, and then proposes ways to optimize the English writing level at three levels: students, teachers and schools, in order to improve students’ English writing level and overall language application ability.
Fault plane orientations of deep earthquakes in the Izu-Bonin-Marianas subduction zone

[1] We make use of the effects of rupture directivity on waveform shape to analyze the rupture processes of 58 large, deep earthquakes in the Izu-Bonin-Marianas subduction zone. For more than half of the analyzed earthquakes, we determine a best-fitting unilateral rupture direction using teleseismic data. For 20 of these earthquakes, the constraints on the rupture direction allow the fault plane to be identified. Where the subducting slab dips at a moderate angle, near-horizontal fault planes dominate at all studied depths (50–600 km). Within more steeply dipping slabs, fault planes tend to dip toward the south and west. Rotated into the plane of the slab, the poles of the definitively identified faults form a single tight cluster pointing up and toward the surface of the slab. Identified ruptures have a tendency to propagate away from the top surface of the slab between 100 and 300 km depth, but appear to be randomly oriented at greater depths. The occurrence of predominantly near-horizontal faults at intermediate depths agrees with previous observations in several other subduction zones. However, at depths ≥300 km, the results from the Izu-Bonin-Marianas system differ from those previously obtained for Tonga-Kermadec, where both horizontal and vertical faults were identified. We consider various physical mechanisms to explain our observations and conclude that, while pre-existing slab structures may be reactivated if they are favorably oriented, the observed asymmetry in deep fault orientations may instead result from external forces acting on the slab, and resulting changes in slab morphology.
The Use of Machine Learning in Industry 4.0 as an Educational Tool to Address Plant Diseases for Small-Scale Farmers in Developing Countries: A Review Study

This review study aims to provide an overview of the current state of research on the use of machine learning techniques for the detection of tomato leaf diseases in the context of climate change in Zambia. Plant diseases pose significant challenges to small-scale farmers in developing countries, impacting crop yields and livelihoods. The emergence of Industry 4.0 technologies, coupled with the power of machine learning, offers promising opportunities to address these challenges and empower farmers with valuable knowledge and tools This review study aims to provide an overview of the use of machine learning in Industry 4.0 as an educational tool specifically tailored to tackle plant diseases for small-scale farmers in developing countries. The study offers insights into the potential of these techniques to enhance disease detection and contribute to sustainable agricultural practices in the face of climate change. Climate change has had significant impacts on agricultural practices worldwide, leading to the emergence and spread of various plant diseases. The study examines existing literature, research articles, and practical implementations to analyze the potential applications of machine learning in plant disease management. The review focuses on four key areas: disease identification, early detection and prediction, knowledge sharing and education, and decision support systems. With further advancements in machine learning techniques and the integration of cutting-edge technologies, the agriculture sector can benefit from improved disease detection and mitigation strategies to ensure food security in the face of climate change.
Paleozoic orogens in New England, USA

Abstract Stratigraphy and isotope geochronology in the crystalline core of the Appalachians suggest revised interpretations of the extent, nature and timing of Paleozoic orogens in New England. Five major episodes of magmatism, deformation, and high-grade regional metamorphism are recognized: Taconian (455-442 Ma), Acadian (423-385 Ma), Neo-Acadian (366-350 Ma), Late Pennsylvanian (300-290 Ma) and Alleghanian (280-260 Ma). In the Taconian, the passive margin of Laurentia was subducted below a complex magmatic arc lasting from 480 to 442 Ma, founded in part on continental crust of a Medial New England terrane with possible affinities with Amazonia. Questions about Medial New England involve its coherence as a single plate, and the nature of its underlying crust. The Acadian began in Late Silurian as a collision between the amalgamated Laurentia-Medial New England and outer belts of Composite Avalon along a cryptic suture in coastal Maine, and progressed northwestward to the Connecticut Valley basin by mid-.
An improved method for detecting clear sky and cloudy radiances from AVHRR data

Abstract To obtain accurate estimates of surface and cloud parameters from satellite radiance data a scheme has to be devised which identifies cloud-free and cloud-filled pixels (i.e. fields of view). Such a scheme has been developed for application to high resolution (1·1 km pixel) images recorded over Western Europe and the North Atlantic by the AVHRR on the TIROS-N/NOAA polar orbiters. The scheme consists of five daytime or five night-time tests applied to each individual pixel to determine whether that pixel is cloud-free, partly cloudy or cloud-filled. The pixel is only identified as cloud-free or cloud-filled if it passes all the tests to identify that condition; otherwise it is assumed to be partly cloudy. Surface parameters (e.g. skin temperature, reflectance, vegetation index, snow cover) can then be inferred from the cloud-free radiances, and cloud parameters (e.g. cloud top temperature, optical depth and liquid water content) from the cloud-filled radiances. Only fractional cloud cover is deriv.
Effects of Initial Spacing on Growth and Wood Properties of Sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) Cutting Cultivars

スギさし木品種の成長と木材性質に及ぼす植栽密度の影響を明らかにするため，1500本/ha，3000本/ha，5000本/haの3段階の密度で植栽された6品種54個体（MuPS分析により品種同定したイワオ，ヒノデ，ヤマグチ，ヤイチ，シャカイン，ヤブクグリ）を対象に実験を行い，以下の結果を得た。 測定した成長と木材性質において，植栽密度の影響は品種の影響に比べて小さかった。 肥大成長と材積成長は，植栽密度の高い試験区ほど小さかった。 植栽密度の高い試験区ほど成熟材の容積密度，心材のL＊値，丸太の動的ヤング率，縦圧縮強さおよび曲げヤング率がわずかに高く，逆に心材および辺材の生材含水率と心材のa＊値が低い傾向を示した。 ヤブクグリと他の5品種では力学的性質に及ぼす植栽密度の影響が異なった。 以上のことから，スギの種々の木材性質は，品種すなわち遺伝的要因に強く影響されるが，植栽密度の影響もわずかながら存在することが明らかとなった。
Botulinum Toxin-A for the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain after Decompressive Craniotomy in Stroke: Two Cases

Botulinum toxin-A (BoNT-A) is recommended as third-line off-label treatment for the management of neuropathic pain. BoNT-A has been reported as treatment for different neuropathic pain conditions; however, not for neuropathic pain after decompressive craniotomy for stroke. The aim of this retrospective case series is to provide information on safety, the effect, and the application method of BoNT-A in clinical practice for the treatment of neuropathic pain after trepanation. This case series describes 2 patients treated in 2021 at a BoNT outpatient clinic for chronic neuropathic pain at the incisional site after decompressive craniotomy for stroke who were resistant to pain medication. Cases were a 48-year-old woman and a 63-year-old man suffering from chronic neuropathic pain since 3 and 6 years, respectively. They were treated regularly with BoNT-A with a total dose of 100 mouse units of incobotulinumtoxin-A injected into peri-incisional sites of the scalp. Both patients reported subjective decrease in pain frequency (40% and 60%), in pain intensity (60% and 90%), and an increase of quality of life (80%). BoNT-A should be further investigated as treatment for neuropathic pain – especially in underreported conditions such as neuropathic pain after craniotomy in stroke.
Investigation of heavy metals contaminantion level in the locally cultivated rice using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS)

Rice (Oryza sativa) is a stable food in many countries in the world including Africa. The present of heavy metals in the environment which are toxics affect the nutritional value of the rice. The accumulation of heavy metals in the body may lead to different health problems such as cancer, diabetes, liver and kidney failure. The study was conducted to access the presence of some selected heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Cd, As, Ni, Zn) in rice sample using atomic absorption spectroscopy technique. Five sample of rice (EXCHINA, CP, WHEETER-4, ROBBER, and YERMALINTA) which were cultivated in Damashewa village of Kirikasamma local government area were collected. Wet digestion method was used to destroy organic matter in the sample. The result of analysis showed that the concentration of Zinc( Zn) in all the four sample of rice range from (16.50-36.02mg/kg) and that of Cadmium Cd ( 0.05-0.18mg/kg) and that of copper Cu (7.02-22.20mg/kg) which is far below the safety limit of 50-100mg/kg for zinc and 0.4mg/kg for cadmium, and copper is 73.3mg/kg set up by the FAO/WHO (2001), this could lead to anaemia, renal damage, bones disorder and cancer of the lungs. While the concentration of lead Pb (3.57- 16.24mg/kg), nickel Ni (2.50-11.24mg/kg) and that of Arsenic As (0.98-4.33mg/kg) is also above the set safety limit of 0.3mg/kg for lead. Based on this research all rice sample were highly contaminated with lead, arsenic and nickel as a pollutant. Thus, the need for physical examination of the consumers and inhabitants within the study area.
Modeling of Nitrogen Sequestration in Coastal Marsh Soils

Extensive field-based data from two representative submerged upland tidal marsh soils in the Chesapeake Bay area were gathered to develop a predictive model for total N sequestration. The data covered the range in physiographic position and variation in marsh habitats. Sampling protocol and model validation assure the validity of the model, and placed 80% confidence, and 10% accuracy on the rate of total N sequestration and the predictive model. In coastal marsh ecosystems, total N sequestration continues to occur with time by accumulation in the organic horizons and sea-level rise is the driving force. The predictive model was a two-step linear function indicating accelerated sequestration of total N in the past two centuries. During the last 150 yr, the rate of total N sequestration averaged 4.2 ± 1.15 g m -2 yr -l , while over the last one or two millennia the rate of total N sequestration averaged 1.47 ± 0.3 g m -2 yr -l , In the next century, modeled prediction of total N sequestration in newly forming marshes averaged 20 ± 7.9 g m -2 yr -1. Present and long-term rates of organic S and total N sequestration in coastal marsh ecosystems were comparable as well as their future predictions. Sequestration of total N in terrestrial closed systems and coastal marshes showed similar long-term trends.
Ecological effects of underwater destruction of detonators in Lake Ormtjärn, Sweden: the impact from lead

After the Second World War, dumping in lakes was a rational way to solve the security problem with the extensive amount of unused, aging ammunition. Most commonly the ammunition was dumped in sealed boxes or as pieces. In some cases the ammunition was deliberately detonated when dumped. In Ormtjarn, a small lake in central Sweden, very high levels of lead (1900 mg/kg dry weight Pb) were detected in the sediments indicating a possible need for remediation. The lead was expected to originate from years of underwater destruction of about 1.5 million detonators containing lead azide. The lake is unique in the sense that the lead levels are among the highest in Sweden, the boundary is well defined and that no other source of pollutant is present in the lake. It is also the only known major site for underwater destruction of detonators in freshwaters in Sweden. The aim of this study was to evaluate the environmental impact from underwater destruction of detonators containing lead azide in this natural forest lake. Samples were taken of sediment, bottom water, surface water, bottom fauna and littoral and was analysed for Pb and physical parameters in order to investigate if a possible effect on biota could be demonstrated from the heavily polluted sediment. Acute toxicity of sediment was determined with a mouse cell assay. Results showed high to very high lead content (1500-2000 mg/kg dry weight) in sediment down to 25 cm depth evenly distributed over the whole lake. Water showed low levels (surface water) to high levels (bottom water) of Pb. Disturbance on bottom fauna was observed for BQI-index but none for O/Cindex. No effect on littoral fauna was found. Acute toxicity was low for bottom
Assessment of Computational Thinking Skills: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Context In many countries, it is now important to integrate learning-oriented views to foster computational thinking (CT) in the classroom. This has inspired ideas for new lesson plans, instructional strategies, teacher guidance, and, most importantly, new approaches to grading these skills. Aim: This article presents the results of a systematic review initially focused on identifying the various ways of assessing CT in school and their relationship to relevant CT skills. Method: We conducted a systematic review of the literature to assess CT in schools. This review applied a semi-automatic search for specific terms within the selected papers. These terms came from the analysis of several established definitions of CT. Results: We present a set of the most representative competencies and concepts developed in various experiences, in which the main topic is the assessment of CT, as well as some that have not been developed and that may be the subject of future works. Conclusions: The evaluation of CT in the school requires multiple approaches; it is a challenge to have a single method or strategy to evaluate everything that CT implies.
Simulation of upper Kuantan River basin streamflow using SWAT model

This paper examines the capabilities of Soil and Water Assessment Tools (SWAT) in simulating streamflow in a tropical watershed - upper Kuantan river basin. Two statistical metrics were used for model evaluation; i) coefficient of determination (R2) and ii) Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency index (NSI). The calibration result shows that there is a good agreement between the observed and simulated monthly streamflow with R2=0.84 and NSI=0.82. For validation the result is acceptable which the value of R2=0.59 and NSI=0.57. The results suggest that SWAT model is able to simulate the hydrologic characteristics of the tropical watershed well.
Constructing maps between distinct cell fates and parametric conditions by systematic perturbations

Abstract Motivation Cell fate transitions are common in many developmental processes. Therefore, identifying the mechanisms behind them is crucial. Traditionally, due to complexity of networks and existence of plenty of kinetic parameters, dynamical analysis of biomolecular networks can only be performed by simultaneously perturbing a small number of parameters. Although many efforts have focused on how cell states change under specific perturbations, conversely, how to infer parametric conditions underlying distinct cell fates by systematic perturbations is less clear and needs to be further investigated. Results In this article, we present a general computational method by integrating systematic perturbations, unsupervised clustering, principal component analysis, and fitting analysis. The method can be used to to construct maps between distinct cell fates and parametric conditions by systematic perturbations. In particular, there are no needs of accurate parameter measurements and occurrence of bifurcations to establish the maps. To validate feasibility and inference performance of the method, we use toggle switch, inner cell mass, and epithelial mesenchymal transition as model systems to show how the maps are constructed and how system parameters encode essential information on cell fates. The maps tell us how systematic perturbations drive cell fate decisions and transitions, and allow us to purposefully predict, manipulate, and even control cell states. The approach is especially helpful in understanding crucial roles of certain parameter combinations during fate transitions. We hope that the approach can provide us valuable information on parametric or perturbation conditions so some specific targets, e.g. directional differentiation, can be realized. Availability and implementation No public data are used. The data we used are generated by randomly chosen values of model parameters in certain ranges, and the corresponding parameters are already attached in supplementary materials.
Avaliação de uma proxy para a idade da firma utilizando amostragem complexa

The importance given to the time of performance of a company, for any economic sector and localization, is of extreme interest in longitudinal and transversal economic studies. A proxy variable for the real company? s age was developed from an algorithm that was constructed based on the longitudinal accompaniment of the maximum times of job of the companies, since the most used databases in Brazilian studies do not possess strictly this kind of information. The comparison was made by applying the complex survey techniques using the information from the Annual Relation Social Information (Rais) and the brazilian Internal Revenue Service. The results had shown high correlation between the real age of the company and the time of maximum job for the year of 2004, indicating to be an efficient proxy variable for the real age, since it incorporates the longitudinal information.
Influence of Selected Factors on Antioxidant Properties of Chlorogenic Acid and Kaempferol as Well as Their Binary Mixtures

Plants are a rich source of substances with antioxidant properties, including high amounts of polyphenolic compounds, as well as other substances that do not necessarily have antioxidant properties. The presented paper concerns the evaluation of the antioxidant properties of polyphenolics and their binary mixtures in the presence of other components of the system that do not exhibit antioxidant properties. Model systems containing chlorogenic acid and kaempferol were used in the experiments, differing not only in the volume of the alcoholic antioxidant solution in the measurement system, but also in temperature, content of water, metal ions and hydrogen ions. The ability to neutralize free radicals in the systems was estimated using the ABTS method. In light of the presented data, the dominant resultant antioxidant effect in the mixture is antagonism. Its value depends not only on the mutual relations of individual compounds, but also on the presence of other components in the tested system, not only antioxidants. The greatest effect on the antioxidant properties was observed for systems containing iron ions, ethanol and in the presence of hydrogen ions. The obtained results indicate an extremely complex nature of the assessment of antioxidant properties, even in seemingly simple measurement systems.
Projets scolaires, histoires résidentielles et culture locale

Cet article propose d’etudier les rapports entre les attitudes scolaires de collegiens, interpretees en termes de projet, et le contexte spatial d’une petite ville. Si la configuration des offres locales influence les conduites juveniles, ce travail empirique permet de mettre en evidence l’effet de la communaute environnante. En cela, les projets des jeunes ne se construisent pas essentiellement a l’interieur de l’institution scolaire, mais en relation avec la culture des lieux. Au travers d’histoires residentielles et de manieres de representer l’espace, on verra que le sentiment d’appartenance a la communaute locale, l’enracinement sur un territoire delimite, mais aussi la possibilite d’acceder a un lycee de la localite, influencent en grande partie la construction des projets scolaires.
Building Model Reconstruction from Point Clouds Derived from Oblique Imagery

The increasing availability of high resolution airborne imagery increases the accuracy of building modelling of urban scenes. This high accuracy of building modelling offers a strong reference for disaster recovery and asset evaluation. With the advantage of having more façade information, this thesis builds on previous efforts in building reconstruction from airborne oblique imagery. Based on previous work, this thesis presents two schemes to construct building models from point clouds derived from oblique imagery. With the assumption that buildings are in a cubic-shape, the first scheme consists of three different steps. Plane estimation aims at identifying dominant surfaces; edge extraction helps in detecting and simplifying in-plane edges in each identified surfaces; model construction finishes the job of assembling the surfaces and edges together and producing a model in a universally accepted format. We find this scheme works well with complete point clouds that cover all sides of the building. A second method is proposed to handle