Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Global patterns in fire leverage: the response of annual area burnt to previous fire

Prescribed fire is practiced around the worldto reduce the effect of unplanned fire, but we hypothesise that its effectiveness is proportional to the mean annual area burnt by unplanned fire, which varies among biomes. Fire history mapping was obtained for six global case studies from a range of biomes: Portugal, Spain (both Mediterranean), Alberta (borealCanada),SequoiaandKingsCanyonNationalParks(montaneUSA),theSandyDesert(aridAustralia)andKruger National Park (South African savanna). Leverage is the unit reduction in unplanned fire area resulting from one unit of previousfireasmeasuredataregionalscaleoveralongperiod.Wecalculatedleverageforeachcasestudyusingstatistical modelling of annual area burnt, controlling for annual climatic variation. We combined the six leverage values with those from four previously published cases to conduct a global test of our hypothesis. Leverage was highin Portugal (,0.9) and moderate in the Sandy Desert (,0.3). However, the other case studies showed no evidence of leverage: burnt area was not influenced by past fire. In all regions, climatic variation had more influence than past area burnt on annual area burnt. The global analysis revealed a positive relationship between mean area burnt and leverage but only when outlying cases were removed. In biomes with low fire activity, prescribed fire is unlikely to reduce unplanned fire area at all, while for many others, the return for effort is likely to be low. Lessons derived from one biome cannot necessarily be applied to another.
Disponibilidad de metales pesados en suelos Ferralíticos con baja actividad antrópica en San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque Availability of heavy metals in Ferralitic soils with low anthropicactivityin San José de lasLajas, Mayabeque

The environmental pollution because of heavy metals (HM) in soils is a concern for the agricultural production, due to the ad- verse effects that it causes in the quality of the cultivation. Numerous countries have been able to establish values of reference on the content of HM in soils. Cuba does not have this information, what means a potential risk for the quality of food production of vegetable origin and a danger for alimentary security. The objective of this work was to determine the available content of HM (extracted with E.D.T.A. 0, 0200 mol. L1-) in soils with low anthropic activity. Determinations of texture by means of Bouyoucos method, pH in water and in KCl by potentiometric, contents of sodium and potassium by flame photometric, calcium and magnesium contents by complex formation volumetric, total organic carbon content by means of the colorimetric method and the available contents of Cadmium, Copper, Iron, Nickel and Lead for the Spectro- metric of Atomic Absorption, were made to three types of ferralitic soils, with a total of fifteen replicas for each of them. The obtained results indicated that the soils presented low capacity of cationic exchange and prevalence of clay fraction. Except for the Cadmium, the cationic presented inferior values to those internationally reported as permissible maxima. The information obtained provided necessary elements for the best soil management and their usage in the future. It will also contribute to establish reference indicators for these types of soils in Cuba.
Forced-motion simulations of vortex-induced vibrations of wind turbine blades – a study of sensitivities

Abstract. Vortex-induced vibrations on wind turbine blades are a complex phenomenon not predictable by standard engineering models. For this reason, higher-fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods are needed. However, the term CFD covers a broad range of fidelities, and this study investigates which choices have to be made when wanting to capture the vortex-induced vibration (VIV) phenomenon to a satisfying degree. The method studied is the so-called forced-motion (FM) approach, where the structural motion is imposed on the CFD blade surface through mode shape assumptions rather than fully coupled two-way fluid–structure interaction. In the study, two independent CFD solvers, EllipSys3D and Ansys CFX, are used and five different turbulence models of varying fidelities are tested. Varying flow scenarios are studied with low to high inclination angles, which determine the component of the flow in the spanwise direction. In all scenarios, the cross-sectional component of the flow is close to perpendicular to the chord of the blade. It is found that the low-inclination-angle and high-inclination-angle scenarios, despite having a difference equivalent to up to only a 30∘ azimuth, have quite different requirements of both grid resolution and turbulence models. For high inclination angles, where the flow has a large spanwise component from the tip towards the root, satisfying results are found from quite affordable grid sizes, and even with unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) k–ω turbulence, the result is quite consistent with models resolving more of the turbulent scales. For low inclination, which has a high degree of natural vortex shedding, the picture is the opposite. Here, even for scale-resolving turbulence models, a much finer grid resolution is needed. This allows us to capture the many incoherent vortices, which have a large impact on the coherent vortices, which in turn inject power into the blade or extract power. It is found that a good consistency is seen using different variations of the higher-fidelity hybrid RANS–large eddy simulation (LES) turbulence models, like improved delayed detached eddy simulation (IDDES), stress-blended eddy simulation (SBES) and k–ω scale-adaptive simulation (SAS) models, which agree well for various flow conditions and imposed amplitudes. This study shows that extensive care and consideration are needed when modeling 3D VIVs using CFD, as the flow phenomena, and thereby solver requirements, rapidly change for different scenarios.
Using Toxicity Identification Evaluation (TIE) Methods to Investigate Causes of Sediment Toxicity to Amphipods

2 Executive Summary More than 25 years of monitoring studies have shown widespread sediment toxicity in the San Francisco Estuary. While toxicity is generally persistent, patterns of sediment toxicity demonstrate temporal and spatial variability, with greater toxicity observed in samples collected during the rainy winter season at sites near the mouths of tributaries. Samples collected as part of the Regional Monitoring Program's Status and Trends program consistently show significant but moderate levels of toxicity at many stations. A number of studies have shown that amphipod mortality in laboratory tests is correlated with several metal and organic chemical constituents in the Estuary's sediments. These studies have also demonstrated significant correlations between amphipod mortality and chemical mixtures. While correlative studies are useful, they do not provide direct evidence of the causes of sediment toxicity. Understanding the cause(s) of sediment toxicity is one of the primary goals of the RMP because management of contaminants entering the Estuary is most efficient when it targets the key chemicals responsible for biological impacts. One approach for determining the cause(s) of toxicity is the process known as Toxicity Identification Evaluation (TIE), which involves a series of procedures designed to decrease, increase, or transform the bioavailable fractions of sediment contaminants to assess their contributions to sample toxicity. TIEs have been used to show that divalent cations (e.g., copper) were responsible for toxicity to bivalves in sediment samples from the Estuary. To date, however, TIE methods have not been sufficiently developed to determine the causes of sediment toxicity to amphipods. With the recent development of new sediment TIE procedures, the RMP funded a TIE study designed to investigate causes of sediment toxicity in two samples collected during the rainy season from stations located near the margins of the Estuary. Based on historical data, twelve samples from previously toxic stations were selected for a screening survey, from which two stations were to be selected for TIEs. Toxicity of these sediments was tested with the amphipod Eohaustorius estuarius, the primary species used in the Status and Trends program, as well as the benchmark species used in the State of California's Sediment Quality Objectives program. Fourteen samples from twelve stations were surveyed, but only Mission Creek sediment was sufficiently toxic for use in a TIE (<50% survival). One station had poor sediment quality and could not be tested, and a thirteenth station was added in an effort to find another 3 significantly …
Efek protein rekombinan MPT64 Mycobacterium tuberculosis terhadap proliferasi sel T dan Sel B secara in vitro

Mycobacterium protein tuberkulosis (MPT) 64 merupakan protein imunogenik yang disandi oleh gen Rv1980c dan berada pada lokasi Regions of Diffrences (RD) 2. Protein MPT64 di prediksi sebagai antigen dari M. tuberculosis yang pertama kali berinteraksi dengan sistem imun tubuh dari host. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui proliferasi sel T dan sel B yang di induksi dengan protein MPT64 secara invitro. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian ekperimental yaitu melakukan uji proliferasi terhadap sel T dan sel B yang di induksi dengan protein MPT64 pada media RPMI. Purifikasi protein MPT 64 dilakukan dengan kolom Protino™ Ni-NTA System. Uji proliferasi sel T dan sel B dilakukan dengan Metode MTT, dimana hasil optical dencity nya (OD) di baca dengan ELISA reader pada panjang gelombang 595 nm. Data nilai Optical dencity hasil uji MTT di analisis dengan uji statistik One Way Anova. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa Rata-rata OD proliferasi sel T yang di induksi dengan protein MPT64 10 μg/ml, 5 μg/ml, 2,5 μg/ml dan 1,25 μg/ml masing-masing adalah 0.276, 0.202, 0.184 dan 0.178. Rata-rata OD proliferasi sel B yang di induksi dengan protein MPT64 10 μg/ml, 5 μg/ml, 2,5 μg/ml dan 1,25 μg/ml masing-masing adalah 0.434, 0.380, 0.285 dan 0.251. Hasil uji statistik menunjukkan perbedaan yang signifikan pada setiap perlakuan dengan nilai probabilitas (p=0,011) <0,05. Protein MPT64 konsentrasi 10 μg/ml menunjukkan hasil yang paling optimal dalam menginduksi proliferasi sel T dan sel B secara invitro.
BridGE: A New System to Train Selective Pelvis Movements

Background: Sitting balance is an important target in motor rehabilitation and injury prevention as poor sitting posture can induce musculoskeletal problems affecting life quality. Exercises to improve core stability like strengthening specific muscles of the low-back or of the pelvic floor performing selective pelvic movements exercises have been suggested to improve sitting balance promoting an efficient interaction between spine, pelvis, and the entire kinematic chain. It is in this framework and with such aim that we developed a new device BridGE and we preliminary tested it with healthy subjects. Methods: BridGE is a sensorized balance board with two IMUs, one inside the balance board and one on the trunk of the subject that is sitting on it, for training selected pelvis movements while monitoring the trunk position. Subjects performed various tasks controlling vertical and horizontal movement of a cursor on a screen with two distinct pelvic movements: lateral tilt and antero-posterior tilt. During practice we also monitored the trunk tilt as the request was to maintain the trunk as still as possible, to decouple trunk and pelvis movements. Results: After training with BridGE subject had significant improvements in pelvic movements and in trunk posture decreasing trunk undesired movements and increasing the isolation of the pelvis tilts in the antero-posterior and right-left directions. Conclusions: This is a first proof of concept that BridGE is an effective low-cost tool to train selective movements of the pelvis avoiding unnecessary trunk compensatory movements and, in the future, could be a useful tool for sitting balance rehabilitation.
Sovereign Bond and Stock Market Returns in a Rising Economy

Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the impact of government bonds on Nigeria’s stock market performance. Theoretical framework: This work adopted the model of Khan and Zaman (2012) which used multiple regression method to investigate the link between macroeconomic factors and stock values in Pakistan's Karachi Stock Exchange. Design/methodology/approach: The research period runs from 2005 to 2022, and uses the secondary form of data and the ordinary least squares approach. Other analytical examinations include normalcy, stability, interconnectivity, and autocorrelation testing. Findings: The results show that the Federal Government's unique bond does not considerably and favorably impact stock market performance. The stock outcome also demonstrates that interest rates are extremely unfavorable to stock market returns. Research, Practical & Social implications: The study concludes that the government can apply other techniques to diversify bonds sold in the stock market. It is imperative that the appropriate authorities manage interest rates and other economic elements that impact stock market performance. Originality/value: The study is valuable since it is one of the first to assess the influence of government bonds in boosting stock market performance in an emerging nation. Although the outcome of the study calls for government action to ensure that state bonds are fascinating to investors, it should also endeavour to improve the sustainability of the country's stock market.
Quake clamps down on slow slip

Using continuous GPS (cGPS) data from the Hikurangi subduction zone in New Zealand, we show for the first time that stress changes induced by a local earthquake can arrest an ongoing slow slip event (SSE). The cGPS data show that the slip rate in the northern portion of the 2013/2014 Kapiti SSE decreased abruptly following a nearby intraslab earthquake. We suggest that deceleration of the Kapiti SSE in early 2014 occurred due to a tenfold increase in the normal stress relative to shear stress in the SSE source, induced by the nearby Mw 6.3 earthquake, consistent with expectations of rate and state friction. Our observation of an abrupt halting/slowing of the SSE in response to stress changes imposed by a local earthquake has implications for the strength of fault zones hosting SSEs and supports the premise that static stress changes are an important ingredient in triggering (or delaying) fault slip.
Current and Future Use of Long Axial Field-of-View Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Scanners in Clinical Oncology

Simple Summary Recently: long axial field-of-view (LAFOV) positron emission tomography (PET) scanners have been introduced. Compared with conventional short axial field-of-view systems, these new scanners have a larger axial coverage and, thereby, a higher system sensitivity. This provides new opportunities for applying PET in clinical practice. Some examples are reduction of scan time duration for example in pediatric patients; reduction of the amount of radiotracer administered to the patient; longitudinal or delayed imaging using short- and long-lived radiotracers; and applications of dynamic or parametric imaging. In addition to this, new emerging techniques, such as artificial intelligence and imaging with multiple radiotracers could aid in a more general clinical application of LAFOV PET. The main objective of this review is to highlight these opportunities for oncological applications and to indicate future directions. Abstract The latest technical development in the field of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging has been the extension of the PET axial field-of-view. As a result of the increased number of detectors, the long axial field-of-view (LAFOV) PET systems are not only characterized by a larger anatomical coverage but also by a substantially improved sensitivity, compared with conventional short axial field-of-view PET systems. In clinical practice, this innovation has led to the following optimization: (1) improved overall image quality, (2) decreased duration of PET examinations, (3) decreased amount of radioactivity administered to the patient, or (4) a combination of any of the above. In this review, novel applications of LAFOV PET in oncology are highlighted and future directions are discussed.
Taxonomy and distribution of benthic foraminifera from the sediments of Palk Strait, Tamil Nadu, east coast of India

A systematic study of benthic foraminifera has been made based on 42 sediment samples collected between Mandapam and Kodiyakkarai. off Palk Strait, Tamil Nadu. A total of 102 benthic foraminiferal species belonging to 52 genera, 38 families. 23 superfamilies and 5 suborders are identified. The above species were compared to inventories given by earlier workers on east and west coast faunas. The result shows the presence of 38 species for the first time in this Strait. All these 38 species are illustrated here and their taxonomical details are provided. The foraminiferal distribution shows the number of species to be higher in the south of Manalmelkudi as compared to the north.
Inflammation and emotion regulation: a narrative review of evidence and mechanisms in emotion dysregulation disorders

Abstract Emotion dysregulation (ED) describes a difficulty with the modulation of which emotions are felt, as well as when and how these emotions are experienced or expressed. It is a focal overarching symptom in many severe and prevalent neuropsychiatric diseases, including bipolar disorders (BD), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and borderline personality disorder (BPD). In all these disorders, ED can manifest through symptoms of depression, anxiety, or affective lability. Considering the many symptomatic similarities between BD, ADHD, and BPD, a transdiagnostic approach is a promising lens of investigation. Mounting evidence supports the role of peripheral inflammatory markers and stress in the multifactorial aetiology and physiopathology of BD, ADHD, and BPD. Of note, neural circuits that regulate emotions appear particularly vulnerable to inflammatory insults and peripheral inflammation, which can impact the neuroimmune milieu of the central nervous system. Thus far, few studies have examined the link between ED and inflammation in BD, ADHD, and BPD. To our knowledge, no specific work has provided a critical comparison of the results from these disorders. To fill this gap in the literature, we review the known associations and mechanisms linking ED and inflammation in general, and clinically, in BD, ADHD, and BD. Our narrative review begins with an examination of the routes linking ED and inflammation, followed by a discussion of disorder-specific results accounting for methodological limitations and relevant confounding factors. Finally, we critically discuss both correspondences and discrepancies in the results and comment on potential vulnerability markers and promising therapeutic interventions.
Kynurenine, Kynurenic Acid, Quinolinic Acid and Interleukin-6 Levels in the Serum of Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Background and Objectives: It is known that inflammatory processes play a role in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It is also reported that immune activation induces the kynurenine pathway (KP), as known as the tryptophan destruction pathway. In our study, we aimed to investigate whether the serum levels of KP products and interleukin (IL)-6 activating indolamine 2–3 dioxygenase (IDO) enzyme are different in healthy developing children and children with ASD. Materials and Methods: Forty-three ASD children aged 2–9 were included in this study. Forty-two healthy developing children, similar to the patient group in terms of age and gender, were selected as the control group. Serum levels of kynurenic acid, kynurenine, quinolinic acid and IL-6 were analyzed using the ELISA method. ASD severity was evaluated with the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC). Results: The mean age of children with ASD was 42.4 ± 20.5 months, and that of healthy controls was 48.1 ± 15.8 months. While the serum levels of kynurenic acid, kynurenine and interleukin-6 were higher in the group with ASD (p < 0.05), there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in terms of the quinolinic acid level. There was no significant difference between the ABC total and subscale scores of children with ASD and biochemical parameters (p > 0.05). Conclusions: We conclude that these biomarkers must be measured in all ASD cases. They may be important for the diagnosis of ASD.
Determinants of Private Capital Flows in the 1970s and 1990s: Is There Evidence of Contagion?

This paper studies the determinants of private capital flows to developing countries during the last two episodes of large inflows, the late 1970s-early 1980s and the 1990s. The paper also tests for contagion effects in capital flows among recipient countries, and tries to identify specific channels through which such effects can occur. It tests for neighborhood effects, trade-related effects, and for contagion based on the countries having similar macroeconomic indicators. The results show strong evidence for the first two effects during the 1990s, and indicate that the third effect varies depending on the type of capital flow.
Rupture processes of the 1999 August 17 Izmit and November 12 Düzce (Turkey) earthquakes

SUMMARY We derive the rupture history of the 1999 August 17 Izmit (Mw=7.4) and 1999 November 12 Duzce (Mw=7.1) earthquakes in Turkey from teleseismic body waves using broad-band data of the Global Seismograph Network, aftershock locations and mapped surface breaks. The centroid solutions indicate strike-slip mechanisms for both events. The Izmit earthquake was characterized by rupture propagating predominantly eastwards. It consisted of a main rupture lasting about 25 s followed within 1 min by two more events of Mw=6.9 and Mw=7.0. With the teleseismic data, we could not resolve the westward extent of rupture into the Marmara Sea. However, an upper bound of the seismic moment release west of the epicentre of the Izmit event is estimated to be 1.9×1019 N m. The Duzce earthquake lasted about 14 s and was characterized by a bilateral mode of rupture, in excellent agreement with mapped surface breaks and aftershock locations.