Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Water Quality Determination Using Soil and Vegetation Communities in the Wetlands of the Andes of Ecuador

The bofedales are high Andean ecosystems of great socioeconomic and ecological importance. The Chimborazo Fauna Production Reserve has 15 bofedales in its jurisdiction, located in the provinces of Chimborazo, Bolívar, and Tungurahua. The objective of this study was to establish the relationship between plant species composition and the physicochemical characteristics of water and soil. To determine the floristic composition, destructive sampling of species was applied, and three sampling points of 1 m2 were established every 100 m per wetland. At each sampling point, physical-chemical variables were recorded in situ and in the laboratory for water and soil. The floristic analysis identified 78 riparian species of riparian plants (63 vascular, 12 bryophytes, 4 pteridophytes) and 1 lichen. In the aquatic environment, seven vascular plants, recognized as macrophytes, were recorded. The results show great heterogeneity in the soil, water, and vegetation characters because they respond to a mineralization gradient (as indicated by the high values of electrical conductivity and dissolved ions). Additionally, it was observed that the total amount of soluble solids that characterizes the Los Hieleros wetland (W11) is independent of hardness and chemical oxygen demand, which correlate with each other and, in turn, better describe the Pachancho wetland (W12). The highest degree of turbidity corresponds to the Cóndor Samana (W9) and Portal Andino (W10) wetlands. The Culebrillas (W6), Puente Ayora ANI (W14), and Pampas Salasacas (W1) wetlands are characterized by the presence of dissolved oxygen, so it is assumed that these are the wetlands with the best water quality. Consequently, it is imperative to double efforts to describe the ecology and status of these high Andean wetlands in order to promote their conservation.
Robotic Surgery in Urology: History from PROBOT® to HUGOTM

The advent of robotic surgical systems had a significant impact on every surgical area, especially urology, gynecology, and general and cardiac surgery. The aim of this article is to delineate robotic surgery, particularly focusing on its historical background, its evolution, its present status, and its future perspectives. A comprehensive literature review was conducted upon PubMed/MEDLINE, using the keywords “robotic surgical system”, “robotic surgical device”, “robotics AND urology”. Additionally, the retrieved articles’ reference lists were investigated. Analysis concentrated on urological surgical systems for laparoscopic surgery that have been given regulatory approval for use on humans. From the late 1980s, before daVinci® Era in 2000s, ancestor platform as Probot® and PUMA 560 were described to outline historical perspective. Thus, new robotic competitors of Intuitive Surgical such as Senhance®, Revo-I®, Versius®, Avatera®, Hinotori®, and HugoTM RAS were illustrated. Although daVinci® had high level competitiveness, and for many years represented the most plausible option for robotic procedures, several modern platforms are emerging in the surgical market. Growing competition through unique features of the new robotic technologies might extend applications fields, improve diffusion, and increase cost-effectiveness procedures. More experiences are needed to identify the role of these new advancements in surgical branches and in healthcare systems.
Two-Way Coupled Model Studies of Diurnal Convection Over the Tropical Pacific

Abstract : Our long-range objectives are to encourage and facilitate the incorporation of improved aerodynamic bulk formula into operational marine forecast models and demonstrate the marine forecast sensitivity to coupled boundary layer parameterizations. The main objective of this proposal is to explore the physical processes of the air-sea coupling that may be responsible for accurate simulation of tropical convective cloud systems and SST on the diurnal to synoptic time scales over the western Pacific warm pool. In this exploratory study we propose to examine the model sensitivity to an interactively coupled non-advective upper ocean mixed layer model with a full three-dimensional high resolution atmospheric model. We will explore how changes in the coupled boundary layer parameterizations and two-way air-sea coupling may impact forecast fields.
HTLV-1 p12 modulates the levels of prion protein (PrPC) in CD4+ T cells

Introduction Infection with human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is endemic in Brazil and is linked with pro-inflammatory conditions including HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), a chronic neuroinflammatory incapacitating disease that culminates in loss of motor functions. The mechanisms underlying the onset and progression of HAM/TSP are incompletely understood. Previous studies have demonstrated that inflammation and infectious agents can affect the expression of cellular prion protein (PrPC) in immune cells. Methods Here, we investigated whether HTLV-1 infection affected PrPC content in cell lines and primary CD4+cells in vitro using flow cytometry and western blot assays. Results We found that HTLV-1 infection decreased the expression levels of PrPC and HTLV-1 Orf I encoded p12, an endoplasmic reticulum resident protein also known to affect post-transcriptionally cellular proteins such as MHC-class I and the IL-2 receptor. In addition, we observed a reduced percentage of CD4+ T cells from infected individuals expressing PrPC, which was reflected by IFN type II but not IL-17 expression. Discussion These results suggested that PrPC downregulation, linked to both HTLV-1 p12 and IFN-γ expression in CD4+ cells, may play a role in the neuropathogenesis of HTLV-1 infection.
Comparisons Of Weekly Training Volumes Across A Season In Collegiate Female Lacrosse Athletes

The purpose of this study was to describe the in-season variations of acute:chronic workload ratio (ACWR) of distance, high intensity distance (HID), sprints, accelerations, and decelerations between player positions of a Division I collegiate women’s lacrosse team. Data were collected via wearable microtechnology across a total of 17 games and 64 training sessions on a total of 15 participants (attackers n=5, midfielders n=5, defenders n=5). ACWRs were calculated weekly by dividing the workload from the past seven days by the workload from the past 28 days for each metric. Two repeated measures analyses of variance (RM-ANOVA) were used to compare positional differences and weekly changes in all five metrics for 1) ACWR and 2) weekly training totals. There were several differences in weekly totals and ACWRs across all five metrics evaluated (p<.05), but no positional differences were noted. Apart from the early training weeks, ACWR primarily stayed within the optimal window of 0.8-1.5 to maximize performance and reduce injury risk. These data indicate that there is variation in weekly totals for the main five metrics studied that cause “spikes” and “valleys” in workload. However, the athletes had built enough of a base in their chronic workload that it did not affect their ACWR to move outside of the optimal window. Using this information, coaches and team physicians can more effectively program training not only to optimize performance, but also to limit injuries, fatigue, and lack of fitness.
Risk Factors for Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia in Non-HIV Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19: A Case-Control Study

Background: Very few cases of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) have been reported in COVID-19 so far, and mostly in patients with concomitant HIV infection or in solid-organ transplant recipients. Despite COVID-19 being associated with lymphopenia and the use of steroids, there are no studies specifically aimed at investigating the risk factors for PJP in COVID-19. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was performed. We matched PJP cases with controls with a 1:2 ratio, based on age ± 10 years, solid-organ transplantation (SOT), hematological malignancies, and in the setting of PJP development (ICU vs. non-ICU). A direct immunofluorescence assay on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was used to diagnose PJP. Results: We enrolled 54 patients. Among 18 cases of PJP, 16 were diagnosed as “proven”. Seven of the eighteen cases were immunocompromised, while the other patients had no previous immunological impairment. Patients with PJP had significantly lower median lymphocyte values (p = 0.033), longer COVID-19 duration (p = 0.014), a higher dose of steroid received (p = 0.026), higher CRP values (p = 0.005), and a lower SARS-CoV-2 vaccination rate than the controls (p = 0.029). Cumulative steroid dose is the independent risk factor for PJP development (OR = 1.004, 95%CI = 1–1.008, p = 0.042). Conclusions: PJP develops in COVID-19 patients regardless of immunosuppressive conditions and the severity of disease, and it is correlated to the corticosteroid dose received.
Carcass composition and meat quality parameters of Ghungroo pigs

The study was part of a programme to improve pig production in India and the information on carcass composition and meat quality is very much essential towards the development of a suitable breeding plan for this pig breed. Gilts (16) and barrows (26) from Ghungroo breed were slaughtered at the age of 10 months for evaluating the different parameters. Complete dissection of carcass indicated a meat:bone ratio of 2.54 and fat:lean ratio of 0.29 for this breed. The carcass length ranged from 65.5 – 77 cm, while that of the loin eye area varied from 2.4 – 4.3 in2. Back fat thickness at three-quarters of the length of the transverse section of the exposed M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum between the 10th and 11th ribs was in the range of 2.3 - 3.85 cm. Moisture:protein ratio varied from 3.17 to 3.65 with an average of 3.45 and no significant difference was observed between gilts and barrows. The objective of the present study was to investigate the detailed carcass and meat quality parameters of Ghungroo pigs.
Predicting Performance Of Students In Online Classes Using ML

This study suggests a concept called Augmented Education (Augmented) to initially address the issues raised above. This model primarily comprises of the following three modules, as indicated in Fig. 2: Three modules are included: (1) a Data Module that combines data from multiple sources on campus, (2) a Prediction Module that uses machine learning (ML)-based algorithms to predict academic performance, and (3) a Feedback Module that delivers visualized feedback. The Data Module evaluates characteristics and features that can represent students' behavioral change from three different perspectives. In the end, AugmentED is evaluated using data from 156 actual college students. In this work, a model for the proposed system called Augmented Education (AugmentED) is put forth in an effort to initially address the issues raised above. This model primarily comprises of the following three modules of the proposed system.
Artificial Agents Inspired by Human Motivation Psychology for Teamwork in Hazardous Environments

Multi-agent literature explores personifying artificial agents with personality, emotions or cognitive biases to produce “typical”, believable agents. In this study, we demonstrate the potential of endowing artificial agents with a motivation, using human implicit motivation psychology theory that introduces 3 motive profiles - power, achievement and affiliation, to create diverse, risk-aware agents. We first devise a framework to model these motivated agents (or agents with any inherent behavior), that can activate different strategies depending on the circumstances. We conduct experiments on a fire-fighting task domain, evaluate how motivated teams perform, and draw conclusions on appropriate team compositions to be deployed in environments with different risk levels. Our framework generates predictable agents as their resulting behaviors align with the inherent characteristics of their motives. We find that motivational diversity within teams is beneficial in dynamic collaborative environments, especially as the task risk level increases. Furthermore, we observed that the best composition in terms of the performance metrics used to evaluate team compositions, does not remain the same as the collaboration level required to achieve goals changes. These results have implications for future designs of risk-aware autonomous teams and Human-AI teams, as they highlight the prospects of creating better artificial teammates and performance gains that could be achieved through anthropomorphized motivated agents.
DEPARTMENT OF DECISION SCIENCES AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT (KBI)

Recent research shows that the inclusion of choice related demoand sociographics in discrete choice models aids in modeling the choice behavior of consumers substantially. However, the increase in efficiency gained by accounting for covariates in the design of a choice experiment has thus far only been demonstrated for the conditional logit model. Previous findings are extended by using covariates in the construction of individualized Bayesian D-efficient designs for the mixed logit choice model. A simulation study illustrates how incorporating covariates affecting choice behavior yields more efficient designs and more accurate estimates and predictions at the individual level. Moreover, it is shown that the possible loss in design efficiency and therefore in estimation and prediction accuracy from including choice unrelated respondent characteristics is negligible.
Brucellosis and One Health: Inherited and Future Challenges

One Health is the collaborative efforts of multiple disciplines to attain optimal health for people, animals and the environment, a concept that historically owes much to the study of brucellosis, including recent political and ethical considerations. Brucellosis One Health actors include Public Health and Veterinary Services, microbiologists, medical and veterinary practitioners and breeders. Brucellosis awareness, and the correct use of diagnostic, epidemiological and prophylactic tools is essential. In brucellosis, One Health implementation faces inherited and new challenges, some aggravated by global warming and the intensification of breeding to meet growing food demands. In endemic scenarios, disease awareness, stakeholder sensitization/engagement and the need to build breeder trust are unresolved issues, all made difficult by the protean characteristics of this zoonosis. Extended infrastructural weaknesses, often accentuated by geography and climate, are critically important. Capacity-building faces misconceptions derived from an uncritical adoption of control/eradication strategies applied in countries with suitable means, and requires additional reference laboratories in endemic areas. Challenges for One Health implementation include the lack of research in species other than cattle and small ruminants, the need for a safer small ruminant vaccine, the need to fill in the infrastructure gap, the need for realistic capacity-building, the creation of reference laboratories in critical areas, and the stepwise implementation of measures not directly transposed from the so-called developed countries.
The Effect of Employer Branding and E-recruitment on the Intention to Apply for a Job in Z Generation

This study examines the influence of employer branding and e-recruitment among z generation in applying for a job. The study aims to investigate whether there is an effect of employer branding and e-recruitment on intention to apply for a job in z generation. This study using quantitative approach and an explanatory survey. The research methodology involves 120 job seekers as samples from z generation in Bandung Raya, using a questionnaire for a survey that measures the variable of this research namely employer branding, e-recruitment, and intention to apply for a job. The sampling technique uses incidental sampling technique, where sampling is carried out based on coincidence, that is anyone who meets the researcher and considered fit the sample criteria can be a research sample. The data collected is analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis and the hypotheses test are using T test dan F test. The findings suggest that employer branding and e-recruitment have an effect of 36.6% on the intention to apply for a job in z generation. Furthermore, according to t test it is known that employer branding has a positive effect on intention to apply for a job in the z generation, so does e-recruitment variable has a positive effect on intention to apply for a job in the z generation. Furthermore, F test founds that employer branding and e-recruitment effect simultaneously on intention to apply for a job in z generation.
Research on International Cultural Communication Carriers in China: Taking Hong Kong Film, Hangzhou Animation, and Online Novels as Examples

The report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China stated that “Extending the reach and appeal of Chinese civilization. ” “We will deepen exchanges and mutual learning with other civilizations and better present Chinese culture to the world. ” Xi Jinping emphasized during the 30th study session of the Po-litical Bureau of the Central Committee：”We must promote Chinese culture beyondour national borders, advocating common values, sharing our ideas, and increasing m-utual understanding. ” Therefore, the question arises that “how to better promote Chinese culture going global”? Cultural communication as a medium for spreading culture is the basis of international cultural communication. Building a cultural carrier is crucial to promoting Chinese culture to the world, building a discourse system with Chinese characteristics, and developing international cultural communication theories. Furthermore, what characteristics should the cultural carrier have to better adapt tothe psychology of the audience and effectively carry out international cultural communication? This article studies from the perspective of social psychology and combinesthe theory of communication, and adopts the method of case study. Taking Chinese Hong Kong movies, Hangzhou animation and network novels as examples, analyze their characteristics of international cultural communication. Hope to summarize the enlightenment of the construction of international cultural communication carriers from the perspective of China. The conclusion is that Hangzhou animation is more suitable as the main cultural carrier to promote Chinese culture globally.
A multiethnic genetic approach for the minimum conflict weighted spanning tree problem

This paper addresses a variant of the minimum spanning tree problem in which, given a list of conflicting edges, the primary goal is to find a spanning tree with the minimum number of conflicting edge pairs and the secondary goal is to minimize the weight of spanning trees without conflicts. The problem is NP‐hard and it finds applications in the design of offshore wind farm networks. We propose a multiethnic genetic algorithm for the problem in which the fitness function is designed to simultaneously manage the two goals of the problem. Moreover, we introduce three local search procedures to improve the solutions inside the population during the computation. Computational results performed on benchmark instances reveal that our algorithm outperforms the other heuristic approach, proposed in the literature, for this problem.
Tangible temptation in the social dilemma 1 Tangible temptation in the social dilemma : Cash , cooperation and self-control

The social dilemma may involve a within-person conflict, between urges to act selfishly and better judgment to cooperate. Examining the proposition from the perspective of temptation, we pair the public good game with treatments that vary the degree to which money is abstract (numbers onscreen) or tangible (tokens or cash). We also include psychometric measures of self-control and impulsivity. Consistent with our hypothesis, we find in the treatments that render money more tangible a stronger positive association between cooperation and self-control—and a stronger negative association between cooperation and impulsivity. Our results show that the representation of the endowment in the public good game matters for the role of self-control—and hence cooperation.
fbl-typing and Antimicrobial Resistance Analysis of Staphylococcus lugdunensis.

BACKGROUND A broad variety of infections, ranging from skin infections to infective endocarditis can be caused by Staphylococcus lugdunensis. Bacterial virulence is often related to virulence genes, so we sought to investigate the relationship between virulence genes and the pathogenicity of S. lugdunensis and to explore an appropriate typing method to distinguish different pathogenic phenotypes of S. lugdunensis. METHODS We describe the distribution of several virulence genes in different infection types in an attempt to find the relationship between virulence genes and pathogenicity. Subsequently, we make the Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) dendrogram and fbl-typing were performed using BioNumerics software, tried to compare the correlation between different methods and the different infectious diseases, and antimicrobial resistance of the strains, in order to obtain the epidemic characteristics and antimicrobial resistance information of S. lugdunensis based on a molecular approach. RESULTS The results of virulence genes showed that the seven virulence genes we have described existed in most strains, and there was no significant correlation between virulence gene distribution and infection type. Compared with the MALDI-TOF MS dendrogram, we found that fbl-typing could better correspond to the pathogenic phenotype, with better recognition and reproducibility. In the phylogenetic tree constructed in the fbl R-region, we found a tendency for some infection types to be distributed in clusters, new type 3 was the most dominant fbl-type, followed by fbl47b. Bone and joint infection isolates and ear infection isolates were significantly clustered together, in addition, all the oxacillin-resistant isolates were concentrated in fbl-type fbl45j and fbl47b. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we found no significant correlation between virulence genes from S. lugdunensis isolates and the site of infection. The fbl-typing has the characteristics of convenient operation, low cost, high repeatability, and is preferable to indicate the pathogenic phenotype. Based on fbl-typing, we described the epidemiological characteristics of S. lugdunensis in a hospital and supplemented the data for fbl-typing. We recommend that fbl-typing method be extended and supplemented.
iCRONUS meets CRONUS-Earth: Improved calculations for cosmogenic dating methods - From neutron intensity to previously ignored correction factors

Implemented: pressure (p) Implemented: temperature (t) Implemented: temperature lapse rate (b) In progress: effects of temporal changes of p, t and b. 4000 m 0 m Typical value 4000 m 0 m p 0.4%/mbar 0.7%/mbar +5 mbar -2.1% -3.5% t 0.8%/K 0.0%/K -10 K +8.2% +0% b 1.6%/(K/km) 0.0%/(K/km) +2 K/km +3.3% 0% Sensitivity of P to changes in p, t and b, and examples from glacial times. Sources of data: geological records. Universal-global correction factors: