Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification of Teachers’ Professional Challenges about Content Knowledge and Managerial Matters at Secondary Level

The present research study as an effort to identify the teachers’ professional challenges regarding the knowledge of managerial matters at secondary level. For this purpose, researchers used quantitative as well as qualitative method for this survey and descriptive nature study. The explanatory sequential technique was used. The population of the study comprised; head teachers (HT), secondary school teachers (SSTs), students of secondary classes (SSCs). The stratified sampling technique was adopted for the proposed study. The desired data will be collected from Tehsil Rahim Yar Khan. The sample size of the study comprised 48 secondary school head teachers with the same ratio of male and female 144 secondary school teachers, 426 students of secondary classes with the same ratio of gender and locality. The questionnaires were developed for data collection from HT, SSTs and Secondary School Students. The study recommends that professional trainings for secondary school teachers must be organized for tackling content
Inverse Kinematics Embedded Network for Robust Patient Anatomy Avatar Reconstruction From Multimodal Data

Patient modelling has a wide range of applications in medicine and healthcare, such as clinical teaching, surgery navigation and automatic robotized scanning. While patients are typically covered or occluded in medical scenes, directly regressing human meshes from single RGB images is challenging. To this end, we design a deep learning-based patient anatomy reconstruction network from RGB-D images with three key modules: 1) the attention-based multimodal fusion module, 2) the analytical inverse kinematics module and 3) the anatomical layer module. In our pipeline, the color and depth modality are fully fused by the multimodal attention module to obtain a cover-insensitive feature map. The estimated 3D keypoints, learned from the fused feature, are further converted to patient model parameters through the embedded analytical inverse kinematics module. To capture more detailed patient structures, we also present a parametric anatomy avatar by extending the Skinned Multi-Person Linear Model (SMPL) with internal bone and artery models. Final meshes are driven by the predicted parameters via the anatomical layer module, generating digital twins of patients. Experimental results on the Simultaneously-Collected Multimodal Lying Pose Dataset demonstrate that our approach surpasses state-of-the-art human mesh recovery methods and shows robustness to occlusions.
SynerGNet: A Graph Neural Network Model to Predict Anticancer Drug Synergy

Drug combination therapy shows promise in cancer treatment by addressing drug resistance, reducing toxicity, and enhancing therapeutic efficacy. However, the intricate and dynamic nature of biological systems makes identifying potential synergistic drugs a costly and time-consuming endeavor. To facilitate the development of combination therapy, techniques employing artificial intelligence have emerged as a transformative solution, providing a sophisticated avenue for advancing existing therapeutic approaches. In this study, we developed SynerGNet, a graph neural network model designed to accurately predict the synergistic effect of drug pairs against cancer cell lines. SynerGNet utilizes cancer-specific featured graphs created by integrating heterogeneous biological features into the human protein–protein interaction network, followed by a reduction process to enhance topological diversity. Leveraging synergy data provided by AZ-DREAM Challenges, the model yields a balanced accuracy of 0.68, significantly outperforming traditional machine learning. Encouragingly, augmenting the training data with carefully constructed synthetic instances improved the balanced accuracy of SynerGNet to 0.73. Finally, the results of an independent validation conducted against DrugCombDB demonstrated that it exhibits a strong performance when applied to unseen data. SynerGNet shows a great potential in detecting drug synergy, positioning itself as a valuable tool that could contribute to the advancement of combination therapy for cancer treatment.
Changes in Exposure to Flood Hazards in the United States

This article conducts a national, county-based assessment of the changes in population and urban areas in high-risk flood zones from 2001 to 2011 in the contiguous United States. The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) 100-year flood maps, land cover data, and census data were used to extract the proportion of developed (urban) land in flood zones by county at the two time points, and indexes of difference were calculated. Local Moran's I statistic was applied to identify hot spots of increase in urban area in flood zones, and geographically weighted regression was used to estimate the population in flood zones from the land cover data. Results show that in 2011, an estimate of about 25.3 million people (8.3 percent of the total population) lived in high-risk flood zones. Nationally, the ratio of urban development in flood zones is less than the ratio of land in flood zones, implying that Americans were responsive to flood hazards by avoiding development in flood zones. This trend varied from place to place, however, with coastal counties having less urban development in flood zones than the inland counties. Furthermore, the contrast between coastal and inland counties increased between 2001 and 2011. Finally, several exceptions from the trend (hot spots) were detected, most notably in New York City and Miami, where significant increases in urban development in flood zones were found. This assessment provides important baseline information on the spatial patterns of flood exposure and their changes from 2001 to 2011. The study pinpoints regions that might need further investigations and better policy to reduce the overall flood risks.
Unanticipated Outcomes: Social and Academic Benefits for STEM Peer Mentors

This practice paper will present the findings of qualitative assessment conducted on undergraduate participants in a peer mentoring program in the College of Engineering at a large public university. Past research mostly focuses on the effects of mentoring programs on the protégés–those who benefit from being mentored. With the increase of leadership and peer mentoring programs across universities [1], it’s important to examine all aspects and impacts of these programs on all students served. Over several years, it became apparent that the mentoring program had quite a positive effect on the mentors themselves as well as the protégés. Intrigued by higher graduation rates of former peer mentors, the researchers sought to discover and examine the academic and social benefits peer mentors found by participating in this program. A random number generator was used to select twenty people from a list of all mentors who served at least two years in the program (n=101) since 2010. Many of these mentors had graduated and worked in various engineering positions, while others were current students. Phone interviews of eight current and former mentors were conducted by a researcher outside of the program, and their identities were not shared with this researcher. All interviews were transcribed by a third party, and they were coded using Tesch’s eight steps for coding qualitative data [2]. Themes that emerged were validated using member checking to ensure that the participants agreed with the conclusions [3]. Three main themes emerged from these interviews: development of leadership and communication skills, improved sense of community, and increase in motivation. Information gathered from these interviews suggest that participation as a mentor was academically enriching, ensuring the mentors’ own academic persistence, as well as socially beneficial, with the program serving as a springboard for other leadership opportunities within the college and larger university. Gathering data on the effects of peer mentoring programs on the mentors themselves can help to solidify new mentoring programs and to inform well-established programs of patterns and benefits of which administration may not already be aware.
Influence of α-Stable Noise on the Effectiveness of Non-Negative Matrix Factorization—Simulations and Real Data Analysis

Non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) has been used in various applications, including local damage detection in rotating machines. Recent studies highlight the limitations of diagnostic techniques in the presence of non-Gaussian noise. The authors examine the impact of non-Gaussianity levels on the extraction of the signal of interest (SOI). The simple additive model of the signal is proposed: SOI and non-Gaussian noise. As a model of the random component, i.e., noise, a heavy-tailed α-stable distribution with two important parameters (σ and α) was proposed. If SOI is masked by noise (controlled by σ), the influence of non-Gaussianity level (controlled by α) is more critical. We performed an empirical analysis of how these parameters affect SOI extraction effectiveness using NMF. Finally, we applied two NMF algorithms to several (both vibration and acoustic) signals from a machine with faulty bearings at different levels of non-Gaussian disturbances and the obtained results align with the simulations. The main conclusion of this study is that NMF is a very powerful tool for analyzing non-Gaussian data and can provide satisfactory results in a wide range of a non-Gaussian noise levels.
How I approach: the transplant recipient with fever and pulmonary infiltrates

Recipients of hematopoietic stem cell transplants and solid organ transplants frequently develop pulmonary infiltrates from both infectious and non-infectious etiologies. Differentiation and further characterization of microbiologic etiologies—viral, bacterial, and fungal—can be exceedingly challenging. Pediatric patients face unique challenges as confirmatory evaluations with bronchoscopy or lung biopsy may be limited. A generalizable approach to diagnosing and managing these conditions has not been well established. This paper aims to summarize our initial clinical approach while discussing the relative evidence informing our practices. A pediatric patient with characteristic infiltrates who has undergone HSCT is presented to facilitate the discussion. Generalizable approaches to similar patients are highlighted as appropriate while highlighting considerations based on clinical course and key risk factors.
Spatial distribution and knowledge, attitude and practices of anthrax among pastoralists in Wajir, Isiolo and Marsabit counties, Kenya

Anthrax is an important zoonotic disease in Kenya causing high morbidity and mortality in both human, wild life and livestock. It is endemic and was reported in many parts of the country and periods outbreaks occur in Arid and Semi-arid lands (ASALS) such as Wajir, Isiolo and Marsabit. For future prevention of the disease, there is a need to develop the risk map of anthrax and assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of anthrax among pastoralists. The objectives of the current study were to 1. Map the spatial distribution of hotspots of anthrax in Wajir, Isiolo and Marsabit counties, 2. To identify the ecological parameters that influences the occurrence of anthrax in the three counties, 3. To assess the Knowledge, attitude and practices of the disease by pastoralists in the three counties. The study was cross-sectional whereby various areas of anthrax outbreaks were identified through the veterinary departments in the three study counties of Wajir, Isiolo and Marsabit. These areas were visited and using systematic sampling methods, a total of 400 households were visited. Data were collected through questionnaires administered via personal interviews. Information collected included demographic characteristics of the households, knowledge on anthrax, attitude and practices on the disease. The ecological niche model was developed to map the future occurrences of the disease. The ecological niche model predicted the occurrence of anthrax especially in areas adjacent to the points where previous anthrax cases had occurred. The model predicted an endemic status of the disease in all the three study counties. The model further identified some parameters which might be responsible for the persistence of anthrax in the environment including isothermality, temperature seasonality, precipitation of the wettest month, elevation and soil pH.
Biotechnological Uses in Assessment of Some Meat Products Adulteration with Equine Meat

Meat adulteration constitutes an important problem in Egypt. Adulteration of meat may occur by substitution of low priced or even banned meat species for that high priced one. In this study, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques were applied for detection of different meat products adulteration with equine meat by using equine specific primers. One hundred samples from different meat products (luncheon, hot dog, Sausage and minced meat) 25 of each were collected randomly from popular areas in Alexandria city. Samples were considered positive when a single band of DNA at 439 bp were evident in the ethidium bromide stained gels compared with the known molecular DNA size marker. The results obtained revealed that the incidence of adulteration in luncheon, hot dog, sausage and minced meat were 6 (24%), 2 (8%), 16 (64%) and 14 (56%), respectively. It is concluded that PCR could be useful for fast, easy, and reliable control of adulterated consumer raw and processed meat products with equine meat
Examining the Water Quality Situation in Klampok River, Semarang through the Application of the NSF-WQI (National Sanitation Foundation – Water Quality Index) Model

The Klampok River is one of the rivers that crosses the Bandungan, Bawen, Bergas and Pringapus Districts. The increase in the number of residents in the river basin which is not matched by the availability of land encourages the conversion of land functions that are not in accordance with their designation. The existence of the Klampok River as a water body receiving wastewater resulting from anthropogenic activities has caused the Klampok River to become polluted. Thus, it is important to study the water quality and water quality status of the Klampok River for nature conservation. This study aims to determine the water quality status of the Klampok River using the water quality index method, namely the National Sanitation Foundation – Water Quality Index (NSF-WQI) with reference to class II river water quality standards. NSF-WQI is a method that uses several specific parameters to determine river water quality.DO, fecal coliform, pH, BOD, nitrate, phosphate, temperature, turbidity, and total solids.The 2018 water quality index using the NSF-WQI method is in the range54.13 – 65.38with medium-good quality status. Meanwhile, the water quality index for 2019 using the NSF-WQI method is within the range35.47 – 66.60with moderate status, except for sampling point 6 which has bad status.
Impacts of Convergence on Structure Functions from Surface Drifters in the Gulf of Mexico

There are limitations in approximating Eulerian statistics from surface drifters, due to biases from surface convergences. By contrasting second- and third-order Eulerian and surface drifter structure functions obtained from a model of the Gulf of Mexico, the consequences of the semi-Lagrangian nature of observations during the summer Grand Lagrangian Deployment (GLAD) and winter Lagrangian Submesoscale Experiment (LASER) are estimated. By varying launch pattern and location, the robustness and sensitivity of these statistics are evaluated. Over scales less than 10 km, second-order structure functions of surface drifters consistently have shallower slopes (~r2/3) than Eulerian statistics (~r), suggesting that surface drifter structure functions differ systematically and do not reproduce the scalings of the Eulerian fields. Medians of Eulerian and cluster release second-order statistics are also significantly different across all scales. Synthetic cluster release statistics depend on launch location and weakly on launch pattern. The observations suggest little seasonal difference in the second-order statistics, but the LASER third-order structure function shows a sign change around 1 km, while GLAD and the synthetic cluster releases show a third-order structure function sign change around 10 km. Further, synthetic surface drifter cluster releases (and therefore likely the GLAD observations) show robust biases in the negative third-order structure functions, which may lead to significant overestimation of the spectral energy flux and underestimation of the transition scale to a forward energy cascade. The Helmholtz decomposition, and curl and divergence statistics, of Eulerian and cluster releases differ, particularly on scales less than 10 km, in agreement with observations of drifters preferentially sampling convergences in coherent structures.
Methylene Blue Removal by Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Obtained from Green Synthesis of Melia azedarach: Kinetic and Isotherm Studies

In this study, Melia azedarach fruit extract was used as a reducing agent and copper chloride dihydrate (CuCl2·2H2O) was used as a precursor in the synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs). The UV–visible spectrum showed a characteristic absorption peak of CuO NPs at 350 nm. The surface properties of the adsorbent were analyzed through various techniques, indicating the successful formation of CuO NPs. The impacts of several factors, including initial pH (4 to 8), a dose of CuO NPs adsorbent (0.01–0.05 g), dye initial concentration (10–50 mg·L−1), and contact times ranging from 5 to 120 min, were examined in batch adsorption studies. Based on the experimental results, the Langmuir isotherm is well-fitted, indicating MB dye monolayer capping on the CuO NPs surface with 26.738 mg·g−1 as a maximum adsorption capacity Qm value. For the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, the experimental and calculated adsorption capacity values (qe) exhibited good agreement.
Insect larvae (Hermetia illucens) as an alternative feed source for laying hens

The European egg industry is dependent on imported soy which contributes to climate change, partly because of deforestation and transport. Therefore, alternative feed sources are needed. The levels of soy used in poultry feed in Sweden are lower than the general levels in Europe. Also, the soy used in poultry feed in Sweden is certified to ensure sustainable production. Insects like H. illucens can be produced locally using local byproducts or food waste and have a similar content of crude protein and composition of amino acids as soybean, which could make them a suitable alternative. This review compiles available information about limiting factors of replacing soybean with H. illucens in the diet of laying hens and its effects on feed intake, feed conversion rate, egg production and egg quality. Levels of inclusion are also evaluated. Main findings are that H. illucens contain a high amount of crude protein and adequate amounts of most nutrients for laying hens. Egg quality appears to be improved when the inclusion level of H. illucens is 17% but effects on other parameters are less clear and sometimes contradictory. Inclusion level of 12% has shown no adverse effects on feed intake, feed conversion rate, egg production and egg weight. Furthermore, a prebiotic effect of H. illucens in the diet of laying hens has been suggested where chitin may play a key role. In conclusion, an inclusion of 17% of H. illucens gives inconsistent results regarding production parameters but 12% inclusion entails no deleterious effects on production. To determine the optimal level of inclusion further research is required.
Vitamin D Status and Reference Intervals Measured by Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry for the Early Adulthood to Geriatric Ages in a South Korean Population during 2017–2022

This study aimed to describe the latest 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) status of the South Korean population aged ≥ 20 years using 25(OH)D concentrations measured by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and to determine the factors associated with total 25(OH)D concentrations. This cross-sectional, retrospective study consecutively selected 119,335 subjects with a median age of 57 (20–101) years who underwent health checkups among 13 Korean cities during 2017–2022. The total 25(OH)D concentration was 54.5 ± 24.0 nmol/L (mean ± SD). The 7.6%, 47.5%, and 82.9% of participants had 25(OH)D less than 25, 50, and 75 nmol/L, respectively. The prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency (<25 nmol/L) was higher in females than in males (8.9% vs. 6.1%) and varied between age groups, decreasing in older subjects. Those aged 20–29 years had the highest prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency (23.0% in females and 20.1% in males), which also varied between cities. In the adjusted model, female sex, older age, summer and autumn seasons, lower body mass index (<25 kg/m2), and lower high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentration (<1 mg/L) were associated with higher total 25(OH)D concentrations. This study could provide an exact understanding of the status of vitamin D and help devise strategies to prevent vitamin D deficiency among the Korean population.
Peritoneal Carcinomatosis of Malignant Gynecological Origin: A Systematic Review of Imaging Assessment

This systematic review, conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol, aims to comprehensively assess the current state of the art of imaging modalities for the evaluation of peritoneal carcinomatosis arising from malignant gynecological origins, with a focus on ovarian and endometrial cancers. A systematic search of relevant databases was performed, adhering to predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Studies reporting the use of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET), PET/CT, and PET/MRI in the assessment of peritoneal carcinomatosis from gynecological malignancies were included. The review encompasses an overview of selected studies, highlighting the strengths and limitations of each imaging modality in diagnosing and characterizing peritoneal carcinomatosis. Overall, a wide variability in the reported accuracy of different imaging techniques emerges from literature, mainly due to the type of the study, technical issues, and patient characteristics. Although a meta-analysis could not be performed due to a scarcity of data, this systematic review provides valuable insights into the several imaging approaches used in peritoneal carcinomatosis of gynecological origin. The findings aim to inform clinical decision making and guide future research endeavors in this critical aspect of gynecological oncology.
Climate change in Tacaimbó-PE, Brazil

The objective of this study was to evaluate the climatic changes in the municipality of Tacaimbo-PE and the water conditions through the future climatic panorama of precipitation and air temperature in order to show the effects of global warming on the climatic water balance. The data were analyzed for rainfall scenarios and average monthly air temperature with a reduction of 10% and 1oC (optimistic scenario = B2) and 20% and 4oC (pessimistic scenario = A2), according to the methodology of the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC AR4). It was applied the Thornthwaite and Mather (1948, 1955) method for the water balance. The rainfall indexes will not be enough for several types of crops, so it is not feasible for this municipality to develop dryland farming practices, in case these scenarios come up, mainly analyzing the slope of the pessimistic scenario. In the face of this pessimistic scenario, it is critical the condition for storing rainwater for human and animal consumption, being necessary a future planning for tank constructions and similar constructions is required for water storage and impact minimization.