Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identifying Farming Strategies Associated With Achieving Global Agricultural Sustainability

Sustainable agroecosystems provide adequate food while supporting environmental and human wellbeing and are a key part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Some strategies to promote sustainability include reducing inputs, substituting conventional crops with genetically modified (GM) alternatives, and using organic production. Here, we leveraged global databases covering 121 countries to determine which farming strategies—the amount of inputs per area (fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation), GM crops, and percent agriculture in organic production—are most correlated with 12 sustainability metrics recognized by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. Using quantile regression, we found that countries with higher Human Development Indices (HDI) (including education, income, and lifespan), higher-income equality, lower food insecurity, and higher cereal yields had the most organic production and inputs. However, input-intensive strategies were associated with greater agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. In contrast, countries with more GM crops were last on track to meeting the SDG of reduced inequalities. Using a longitudinal analysis spanning 2004–2018, we found that countries were generally decreasing inputs and increasing their share of agriculture in organic production. Also, in disentangling correlation vs. causation, we hypothesize that a country's development is more likely to drive changes in agricultural strategies than vice versa. Altogether, our correlative analyses suggest that countries with greater progress toward the SDGs of no poverty, zero hunger, good health and wellbeing, quality education, decent work, economic growth, and reduced inequalities had the highest production of organic agriculture and, to a lesser extent, intensive use of inputs.
Adoption of artificial intelligence in auditing: An exploratory study

Artificial intelligence (AI) is likely to transform the audit profession. This exploratory study, by utilising the technology–organisation–environment (TOE) framework and data from semi-structured interviews, identifies several technological (perceived benefits, compatibility, maturity), organisational (readiness, data quality, trust) and environmental (audit standards, regulation, client readiness) factors influencing the adoption of AI tools in audit practice. While AI has the potential to improve audit quality and deliver value-adding services to audit clients, our study concludes that AI adoption requires a rethink of audit practice considering the perceived lack of control in AI ‘black-box’ potentially rendering audit practice even more hidden from view and exposed to increased scrutiny over audit quality. JEL Classification: M42, O31, O32, O33
Self-Assembling Protein Surfaces for In Situ Capture of Cell-Free-Synthesized Proteins

We present a new method for the surface capture of proteins in cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS). We demonstrate the spontaneous self-assembly of the protein BslA into functionalizable surfaces on the surface of a CFPS reaction chamber. We show that proteins can be covalently captured by such surfaces, using “Catcher/Tag” technology. Importantly, proteins of interest can be captured either when synthesised in situ by CFPS above the BslA surfaces, or when added as pure protein. The simplicity and cost efficiency of this method suggest that it will find many applications in cell-free-based methods.
Research on Nickel Material Trade Redistribution Strategy Based on the Maximum Entropy Principle

In the double carbon background, riding the wind of new energy vehicles and the battery high nickelization, nickel resources rise along with the trend. In recent years, due to the influence of geopolitical conflicts and emergencies, as well as the speculation and control of international capital with its advantages and rules, the world may face price and security supply risks to a certain extent. Therefore, to obtain the most objective trade redistribution strategy, this paper first constructs the nickel material trade network, identifies the core trading countries and the main trade relations of nickel material trade, and finds that the flow of nickel material mainly occurred between a few countries. On this basis, a trade redistribution model is constructed based on the maximum entropy principle. Taking Indonesia, the largest exporter, and the largest trade relationship (Indonesia exports to China) as examples, the nickel material redistribution between countries when different supply risks occur are simulated. The results can provide an important reference for national resource recovery after the risk of the nickel trade.
Anti-Inflammatory Potentials of β-Ketoester Derivatives of N-Ary Succinimides: In Vitro, In Vivo, and Molecular Docking Studies

Inflammation, being a well-known and complex pathological condition, is always a challenge to the human health. This research work was designed for a rationale-based anti-inflammatory study on β-ketoester derivatives of N-ary succinimides. The compounds (A–D) were synthesized by organocatalytic Michael addition. The compounds were initially screened for in vitro 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and cyclooxygenase (COX-2) assays. For the in vivo activity, carrageenan-induced paw edema and arachidonic acid-induced ear edema tests were used. Furthermore, different in vivo pathways such as prostaglandins E2, histamine, leukotriene, and bradykinin were studied. The results were supported with molecular docking studies. Among the compounds, D (ethyl 1-(1-benzyl-2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-3-yl)-2-oxocyclohexane-1-carboxylate) at a concentration of 1000 μg/ml showed significant inhibitory effects of 83.67% and 78.12% against COX-2 and 5-LOX in comparison to celecoxib and zileuton, respectively. Similarly, compound D also showed excellent in vivo anti-inflammatory potential. Amongst all the compounds, D demonstrated excellent (55.92 ± 2.95%) anti-inflammatory potential at maximum tested dose (100 mg/kg) which accomplished the highest significance at 4 h following the carrageenan insertion and stayed considerable ( ∗ ∗ ∗ P < 0.001 ) till the 5th hour of test sample injection. Compound D also exhibited excellent percent inhibition (63.81 ± 2.24%) at the highest dose in arachidonic acid-induced ear inflammation. On the basis of in vivo and in vitro results, compound D was subjected to various inflammation-causing agents such as histamine, prostaglandins E2, bradykinin, and leukotriene via the mouse paw edema test. Compound D revealed moderate effect (28.10 ± 1.64%) against histamine-induced paw edema while nonsignificant result (9.72 ± 3.125%) was marked for the bradykinin pathway. Compound D showed significance against edematogenic consequence of prostaglandin E2 (56.28–72.03%) and leukotriene (55.13 ± 2.25%) induced inflammation. In summary, our findings recommended that compound D possesses double acting anti-inflammatory properties inhibiting both COX and LOX pathways. Binding orientations and energy values computed via docking simulations support the results of the experimental in vitro evaluation.
Preference Testing in Medical Devices: Current Framework and Regulatory Gaps

Abstract Preference testing is a valuable source of information that can be provided by both healthcare professionals (HCPs) and patients (users). It can be used to improve the design and development of medical devices by feeding into device usability and, ultimately, risk management. Furthermore, it can aid with selecting the most appropriate clinical endpoints to be used in the clinical evaluation of a device and increase patient engagement by incorporating patient-relevant outcomes. Preference testing is widely conducted in the food industry but is not widespread in the medical field due to limited guidelines and a lack of regulatory framework. As such, manufacturers may be unaware of the benefits of preference testing and fail to take full advantage of it, or conversely, may use inappropriate methodology and/or analyses and consequently fail to collect meaningful data. In this position paper, we aim to highlight the benefits and uses of preference testing, along with potential methods that could be used for preference testing of medical devices. A key step towards the wider implementation of preference testing in medical devices is for the publication of international standards and guidelines for the collection, assessment, and implementation of preference data into the life cycle of a medical device.
Cytogenetic survey of eight ant species from the Amazon rainforest

The scarce information regarding ant diversity in the state of Amapá and lack of cytogenetic data of species from the Amazon region can hide ant biodiversity information that may be detectable with affordable cytogenetic techniques. In this study, we describe the karyotypes of eight ant taxa collected from Amazonian localities in French Guiana and Brazil. Chromosome numbers ranged from 2n = 18 to 2n = 68. The following chromosome numbers were observed for each species: Azteca sp. group chartifex 2n = 28; Dolichoderus bidens (Linnaeus, 1758) 2n = 18; Gnamptogenys tortuolosa (Smith, 1858) 2n = 44; Camponotus renggeri Emery, 1894 n = 20; Pseudomyrmex unicolor (Smith, 1855) 2n = 68 and n = 34; Apterostigma sp. pilosum complex 2n = 46; Odontomachus bauri Emery, 1892 2n = 44, and Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger, 1863) 2n = 32. The karyotypes of P. unicolor, G. tortuolosa, and O. bauri are reported here for the first time. Our data enabled comparisons between chromosomal data of some species from Amazon and Atlantic rainforests. We also highlight the methods used for the ant chromosome classification.
Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Student Learning and Opportunity Gaps Across the 2020–2021 School Year: A National Survey of Teachers

Although many school districts made efforts to provide instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic (including in-person, remote, and blended/hybrid options the length of instruction time and delivery models have varied from district to district. This disruption in education has been projected to result in a significant learning loss, which may be particularly profound for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, leading to widening opportunity gaps. However, there is limited empirical data that can provide important contextual background for understanding the impact of the pandemic on student learning. Therefore, we conducted a national survey with a random sample of 582 elementary school teachers to understand the instructional changes that occurred, the amount of academic content instruction provided to students, and teachers perceptions of the learning supports needed and provided to students during the 2020–2021 school year. Results indicated that most teachers relied on alternative forms of instruction and experienced changes in delivery models but reported low instructional effectiveness. Compared to typical years, teachers reported significant decreases in curriculum coverage; the number of students who received needed interventions, and students who were ready to transition to the next grade level during the 2020–2021 school year. Teachers also reported greater impacts on instruction for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Follow-up analyses using prior school achievement data corroborated the findings that higher school achievement was associated with smaller impacts on student learning and delivery of instruction.
Educationally maintained inequality? The role of risk factors and resilience at 9, 13 and 17 in disabled young people’s post-school pathways at 20

ABSTRACT While Ireland has the highest level of participation in higher education (HE) in Europe, it also has one of the widest participation gaps between disabled and non-disabled young people. Using a large-scale longitudinal dataset, we assess how disabled young people compare with non-disabled peers in accessing a range of post-school educational pathways. Extending the effectively maintained inequality perspective to disability research, our results highlight important qualitative differences in disabled people’s trajectories. Ultimately, we find greater progression to Further Education and Training, and lower participation in Level 8 degrees in universities, all else being equal. Entry to HE is lower among those with socio-emotional difficulties, even after controlling for key characteristics, while attendance among young people with an intellectual disability or specific learning difficulty is mediated by academic performance. The results highlight the importance of school attendance, engagement and achievement during the primary and early secondary years, and parental expectations, raising important implications for inclusive education. The multiple challenges facing disabled young people in Ireland are evident, reflecting the direct and indirect impact of socio-economic disadvantage, at family, school and community levels. Stronger linkages across the tertiary landscape and stronger HE transition supports, particularly for young adults with socio-emotional/psychological difficulties, are needed.
Application of enzyme and ultrasound assisted extraction of polyphenols from avocado (Persea americana Mill.) peel as natural antioxidants

Background. Hass avocado ( Persea americana Mill.) peel is a rich source of natural antioxidants. The pre-sent work aims to evaluate ultrasound and enzyme-assisted extraction methods of polyphenols with antioxidant properties from avocado peel. Materials and methods. The impact of extraction parameters on the extraction yield of polyphenols was as-sessed using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent method, while the antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated using DPPH and FRAP assays. The polyphenolic compounds were identified by HPLC. Results. The major polyphenolic compounds identified in the investigated extracts were benzoic acid, vanil lic acid, resveratrol and syringic acid. The highest yield of polyphenols ~35.4 mg GAE/g of dried peel was obtained with a solid-to-solvent ratio of 1:20 (w/v) using 20% ultrasonic intensity for 30 min or by treatment with viscozyme at a 1% level for 60 min. The IC 50 values by DPPH and FRAP in the ultrasound assisted extract were statistically lower than those in the enzyme assisted extract. The avocado peel extract is a prom-ising source of antioxidants. Conclusion. The ultrasound assisted extraction proved to be more efficient than enzyme aided extraction in terms of the antioxidant activity of the extractable phenolic compounds.
Internal Control Information Disclosure and Debt Financing Efficiency

In this paper, we select the panel data of A-share listed companies on the main board of Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchange from 2010 to 2020 as our research object, and empirically tests the significance and heterogeneity of the effect of internal control information disclosure on the improvement of debt financing efficiency. Our findings suggest that whether it is benchmark regression test or instrumental variable method test, the improvement of the quality of internal control information disclosure has a very significant positive effect on the efficiency of debt financing of listed companies. Further research found that compared with non-state-controlled listed companies, state-controlled listed companies can obtain higher positive effects. Therefore, our research suggests that listed companies should be gradually guided to pay more attention to improving the quality of their disclosure of internal control information. At the same time, government should speed up the perfection of regulations of corporate’s internal control, and strengthen the supervision of corporate’s internal control information disclosure, so as to ensure economic security and maintain the stability of capital market.
Planned Versus Unplanned Extubation in Opioid Overdose Patients: Does it Have any Effect on the Prognosis? A Cohort Study

Background: Tracheal intubation is a life-saving measure in patients poisoned acutely with opioid, and when naloxone treatment is inadequate. This study determined the risk factors for early unplanned extubation in these patients and evaluated the effects on the clinical outcomes. Methods: At a poisoning center in Tehran, Iran, 165 opioid overdose patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit and intubated between September 2019 and March 2020 were enrolled into this study. Patients were categorized in two groups: a) those extubated based on the physicians’ decision, and b) those who were extubated by self or were accidentally. The two groups were compared regarding their clinical outcomes and complications during hospitalization. In addition, the re-intubated patients in both groups were compared to those with successful intubation regarding the predisposing factors and mortality. Results: Of these patients, 36 (21.8%) died before extubation, and planned extubation was performed in 109 of them (84.5%). Unplanned extubation occurred in 20 patients (15.5%). Agitation, elevated temperature (>38.5ºC), and insufficient nursing care were the independent risk factors for the unplanned extubation. 6(5.5%) and 3(15%) patients died following the planned and unplanned extubation, respectively, and 24 patients required reintubation. Patient transfer, succinylcholine use, aspiration pneumonia, presence of brain injury, and insufficient nursing care were independent risk factors for re-intubation. Conclusion: Among the patients with high drug dependency, higher doses of sedatives were needed to avoid self-extubation. Infection control and sufficient nursing care were factors that led to better clinical outcomes for extubation in these patients.
Maximum Colored Cuts in Edge-Colored Complete Graphs

Max-Cut problem is one of the classical problems in graph theory and has been widely studied in recent years. Maximum colored cut problem is a more general problem, which is to find a bipartition of a given edge-colored graph maximizing the number of colors in edges going across the bipartition. In this work, we gave some lower bounds on maximum colored cuts in edge-colored complete graphs containing no rainbow triangles or properly colored 4-cycles.
The Hubble Space Telescope quasar absorption line key project. v. redshift evolution of lyman limit absorption in the spectra of a large sample of quasars

Using a sample of 119 QSOs, containing objects we have selected having previously available high quality ground-based and IUE spectral observations, together with Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observations of 26 QSOs from Bahcall et al. (1993, 1995) and Impey et al. (1995) and new optical observations of 41 objects by Steidel & Sargent (1995), we study the redshift evolution of Lyman limit absorption systems (LLSs; tau greater than 1.0) over the reshift range 0.32 less than or equal to z(sub LLS) less than or equal to 4.11. The HST observations significantly improve the determination of the low redshift (0.4 less than or equal to z(sub LLS) less than or equal to 1.4) distribution. We find the effect which may have been responsible for the apparent strong evolution at a(sub LLS) greater than or equal to 2.5 found by Lanzetta (1991), which led him to consider a broken, not single power law as a better description of the redshift distribution of LLSs. After removing objects which may bias our sample, leaving a total of 169 QSOs, we find the distribution is well described by a single power law, and obtain for the number density as a function of redshift the form N(z) = N(sub 0)(1 + z)(exp gamma) with gamma = 1.50 =/- 0.39 and N(sub 0) = 0.25(sup -0.10)(sub +0.17), consistent with a constant comoving density of absorbers in a Firedmann universe with q(sub 0) = 0 but indicating evolution if q(sub 0) = 1/2.
Knowledge-Based Neural Network for Thinned Array Modeling With Active Element Patterns

To speed up the process for designing finite thinned arrays, an efficient artificial neural network (ANN) model considering mutual coupling effects is proposed in this communication. Array elements are divided into three categories based on the active element pattern (AEP) technique, and subarrays are constructed to extract the AEP of each category of elements as training samples. The proposed model including parallel ANN branches takes into account the mutual coupling between elements and avoids the calculation of the radiation pattern of the entire array. To improve modeling performance, furthermore, a prior knowledge input technique is used to reduce the complexity of the input–output relationship that an ANN has to learn. The existing knowledge is obtained by back propagation (BP) ANN modeling. Once the knowledge-based model is well trained, it is repeatedly called by the genetic algorithm (GA) for the optimal solution as a substitute for the full-wave simulation. Numerical examples of a U-shaped slot thinned array and a dual-layer patch thinned array are utilized to verify the efficiency of the proposed scheme.
Intermolecular Interactions in the Formation of Polysaccharide-Gelatin Complexes: A Spectroscopic Study

Gelatin, due to its gelling and stabilizing properties, is one of the widely used biopolymers in biotechnology, medicine, pharmaceuticals, and the food industry. One way to modify the characteristics of gelatin is molecular modification by forming non-covalent polyelectrolyte complexes with polysaccharides based on the self-organization of supramolecular structures. This review summarizes recent advances in the study of various types and the role of intermolecular interactions in the formation of polysaccharide-gelatin complexes, and conformational changes in gelatin, with the main focus on data obtained by spectroscopic methods: UV, FT-IR, and 1H NMR spectroscopy. In the discussion, the main focus is on the complexing polysaccharides of marine origin-sodium alginate, κ-carrageenan, and chitosan. The prospects for creating polysaccharide-gelatin complexes with desired physicochemical properties are outlined.
Comparison of the bovine blood gas parameters produced with three types of portable blood gas analyzers

Background A definite diagnosis should be made in the bovine practice field, however, it was difficult to perform laboratory analysis immediately. Currently, three types of portable blood gas analyzers are available in Korea. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the correlations among these three analyzers. Methods Seventy-two plasma samples from Holstein-Friesian cows were used for blood gas analysis, and three instruments (EDAN i15 Vet, VETSCAN i-STAT, and EPOC) were operated simultaneously. Moreover, plasma calcium levels were compared between these portable analyzers and blood chemistry device, which is usually used in a laboratory environment. Pearson analysis was performed to confirm the correlation of each parameter produced with the three instruments and blood chemistry analyzer. Results As results, high correlation was observed in parameters of pH, pO2, potassium ion, ionized calcium, and glucose (p < 0.001, r > 0.7). In addition, pCO2 showed a moderate correlation among the three analyzers (p < 0.001, r > 0.5), and there was no correlation among all instruments for sodium ions. There was also a high correlation between ionized calcium from the three portable devices and total calcium from the biochemistry analyzer (p < 0.001, r > 0.9). Conclusions In conclusion, there was a high correlation between results from the three different blood gas analyzers used in the bovine clinical field in Korea. Thus, a consistent diagnosis can be made even with different equipment if the operator is aware of the strengths and weaknesses of each piece of equipment and operates it properly.