Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the influence of distance on data acquisition intensity targets forestry Terrestrial Laser Scanner

SUMMARY The forest sciences as well as other areas of knowledge benefit from technological advances to develop increasingly their working methods and increase their knowledge of their specific field of study. Are continually developed new equipment and methods to support these applications and, among the equipment and systems developed in recent years, systems for laser scanning and profiling have been consolidated as one of the most effective technologies for geospatial data acquisition. The automated data collection expanded rapidly in recent years, in line with the technological advances made in the areas of surveying and mapping. The scanning systems and laser profiling, also known as Terrestrial Laser Scanner (LST) have some characteristics that apply so important in forest analysis. The LST has the great advantage of being a method of data acquisition and fast non-destructive. In most cases, the equipment Terrestrial Laser Scanner generate its own format file of the data collected. However, these files have similarities with respect to the information. The files are based on a structure in which are stored the coordinates of the points in space (X, Y, Z), the value of the intensity of return laser pulse (I), and if there availability, the values f rom the digital camera (RGB) both internally and externally, creating a sequence of information (XYZ, I, RGB). Spatial information is commonly used for volume calculations and identification of geometric features. RGB data aid in the visual identification of features and provide a better understanding of the objects raised with the laser, but when it comes to return intensity values of the pulse laser, there is a lack of specific applications for the use of such information, which can provide Variations in physical-chemical characteristics of the targets. Thus, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the distance to the target in the data acquisition intensity targets forest in order to support future studies of correlation between this variable and the physicochemical characteristics of the targets. In this study we used the Terrestrial Laser Scanner 3D Ilris with Optech operating principle based on flight time and wavelength of 1535nm spectral range from infrared magnetic medium. The data acquisition targets intensity was assessed at distances (1m, 2m, 3m, and 5m) by using a target reference of 99% reflectance. The results were analyzed and showed that the distance interferes with the return of intensity. From the results of this research suggests that the intensity data are calibrated in relation to distance before using them as a source for study of the physical-chemical characteristics of the targets.
Assessing and controlling bio-deterioration of maize in Tanzania

Agriculture is the backbone of the Tanzanian economy. It accounts for about one-third of the gross domestic product (GDP), provides 85 percent of all exports and serves as a livelihood to over 80 percent of the total population. Maize or corn (Zea mays L.) is the primary staple crop; it’s grown in nearly all agro-ecological zones in the country. Tanzania is a major maize producer in Sub-Saharan Africa. In the last four decades, Tanzania has ranked among the top 25 maize producing countries in the world. Despite the steady production of maize over the past three decades, post-harvest losses of maize remained significantly high, especially for small-holder farmers. Post-harvest handling, poor infrastructure, and weather variability, bio-deterioration brought about by pest organisms such as insects, molds, and fungi, rodent, bacteria, pathogens, and viruses often aggravate such losses. In tropical countries, a large proportion of the maize is harvested and stored under humid and warm climatic conditions, which subsequently results in rapid deterioration of the grains, mainly because of growth of molds and pests. Deterioration of maize is mainly affected by moisture content, temperature (grain and air), relative humidity, storage conditions, fungal growth, and insect pests. Fungal growth, especially Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium sp in maize, facilitated by hot and humid conditions, poses a major health risk through production of mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites of fungi that frequently contaminate the maize in the field and/or during storage. The most important mycotoxins in maize are the aflatoxins, Fumonisins, deoxynivalenol, and ochratoxin. In order to maintain high quality maize for both shortand long-term storage, maize must be protected from weather, the growth of microorganisms, and insect pests.
Profil des utilisatrices et facteurs associés à la satisfaction des clientes de la qualité des soins après avortement au Burkina Faso: étude transversale menée dans six régions

Résumé Malgré la dépénalisation de l’avortement et la gratuité des soins après avortement (SAA), les femmes Burkinabè vivent des relations difficiles avec les soignants. Cette étude vise à déterminer le profil des femmes recevant des SAA, leur perception de la qualité des SAA et ses déterminants dans des structures sanitaires publiques et confessionnelles du pays. Une enquête quantitative a été menée auprès de 2174 femmes vues pour des SAA et recrutées de façon exhaustive de 2018 à 2020. Un questionnaire structuré a été administré à la sortie des soins. Une analyse uni-, bi- et multivariée a été faite. La majorité des clientes de SAA vivait en milieu rural (55%), avait 25 ans et plus (60%), vivait en couple (87%) et était sans-emploi (59%). La grossesse était non désirée chez 17% des femmes et 4% d’entre elles souhaitaient avorter. La satisfaction globale de la qualité des SAA était de 84%. Dans l’analyse multivariée, ses déterminants étaient la résidence en milieu rural (OR = 1.80 [1.38; 2.34]), un niveau scolaire primaire (OR = 1.48 [1.06; 2.07]) ou secondaire (OR = 1.95 [1.38; 2.74]), et avoir eu au moins un enfant (OR = 1.43 [1.02; 2.00]). Les facteurs associés à une faible satisfaction des SAA étaient une grossesse non désirée (OR = 0.64 [0.46; 0.89]) ou avoir souhaité avorter (OR = 0.09 [0.05; 0.16]). Le niveau de satisfaction globale est acceptable mais faible chez les clientes ayant souhaité avorter. Il est fondamental d’organiser un programme de formation des professionnels des SAA sur la communication, la relation interpersonnelle et l’empathie pendant les soins de santé.
Two rare variants that affect the same amino acid in CFTR have distinct responses to ivacaftor

Some residues in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) channel are the site of more than one CFTR variant that cause cystic fibrosis. Here, we investigated the function of S1159F and S1159P, two variants associated with different clinical phenotypes, which affect the same pore‐lining residue in transmembrane segment 12 that are both strongly potentiated by ivacaftor when expressed in CFBE41o− bronchial epithelial cells. To study the single‐channel behaviour of CFTR, we applied the patch‐clamp technique to Chinese hamster ovary cells heterologously expressing CFTR variants incubated at 27°C to enhance channel residence at the plasma membrane. S1159F‐ and S1159P‐CFTR formed Cl− channels activated by cAMP‐dependent phosphorylation and gated by ATP that exhibited thermostability at 37°C. Both variants modestly reduced the single‐channel conductance of CFTR. By severely attenuating channel gating, S1159F‐ and S1159P‐CFTR reduced the open probability (Po) of wild‐type CFTR by ≥75% at ATP (1 mM); S1159F‐CFTR caused the greater decrease in Po consistent with its more severe clinical phenotype. Ivacaftor (10–100 nM) doubled the Po of both CFTR variants without restoring Po values to wild‐type levels, but concomitantly, ivacaftor decreased current flow through open channels. For S1159F‐CFTR, the reduction of current flow was marked at high (supersaturated) ivacaftor concentrations (0.5–1 μM) and voltage‐independent, identifying an additional detrimental action of elevated ivacaftor concentrations. In conclusion, S1159F and S1159P are gating variants, which also affect CFTR processing and conduction, but not stability, necessitating the use of combinations of CFTR modulators to optimally restore their channel activity.
Enhanced simulations of whole-brain dynamics using hybrid resting-state structural connectomes

The human brain, composed of billions of neurons and synaptic connections, is an intricate network coordinating a sophisticated balance of excitatory and inhibitory activities between brain regions. The dynamical balance between excitation and inhibition is vital for adjusting neural input/output relationships in cortical networks and regulating the dynamic range of their responses to stimuli. To infer this balance using connectomics, we recently introduced a computational framework based on the Ising model, which was first developed to explain phase transitions in ferromagnets, and proposed a novel hybrid resting-state structural connectome (rsSC). Here, we show that a generative model based on the Kuramoto phase oscillator can be used to simulate static and dynamic functional connectomes (FC) with rsSC as the coupling weight coefficients, such that the simulated FC aligns well with the observed FC when compared with that simulated traditional structural connectome.
Pleural fluid carbohydrate antigen 72-4 and malignant pleural effusion: a diagnostic test accuracy study

Background: The prognosis of malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is poor. A timely and accurate diagnosis is the prerequisite for managing MPE patients. Carbohydrate antigen 72-4 (CA72-4) is a diagnostic tool for MPE. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of pleural fluid CA72-4 for MPE. Design: A prospective, preregistered, and double-blind diagnostic test accuracy study. Methods: We prospectively enrolled participants with undiagnosed pleural effusions from two centers in China (Hohhot and Changshu). CA72-4 concentration in pleural fluid was measured by electrochemiluminescence. Its diagnostic accuracy for MPE was evaluated by a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The net benefit of CA72-4 was determined by a decision curve analysis (DCA). Results: In all, 153 participants were enrolled in the Hohhot cohort, and 58 were enrolled in the Changshu cohort. In both cohorts, MPE patients had significantly higher CA72-4 levels than benign pleural effusion (BPE) patients. At a cutoff value of 8 U/mL, pleural fluid CA72-4 had a sensitivity, specificity, and area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.46, 1.00, and 0.79, respectively, in the Hohhot cohort. In the Changshu cohort, CA72-4 had a sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of 0.27, 0.94, and 0.86, respectively. DCA revealed the relatively high net benefit of CA72-4 determination. In patients with negative cytology, the AUC of CA72-4 was 0.67. Conclusion: Pleural fluid CA72-4 helps differentiate MPE and BPE in patients with undiagnosed pleural effusions.
OxyR-regulated T6SS functions in coordination with siderophore to resist oxidative stress

ABSTRACT The formation of reactive oxygen species is harmful and can destroy intracellular macromolecules such as lipids, proteins, and DNA, even leading to bacterial death. To cope with this situation, microbes have evolved a variety of sophisticated mechanisms, including antioxidant enzymes, siderophores, and the type VI secretion system (T6SS). However, the mechanism of oxidative stress resistance in Cupriavidus pinatubonensis is unclear. In this study, we identified Reut_A2805 as an OxyR ortholog in C. pinatubonensis, which positively regulated the expression of T6SS1 by directly binding to its operon promoter region. The study revealed that OxyR-regulated T6SS1 combats oxidative stress by importing iron into bacterial cells. Moreover, the T6SS1-mediated outer membrane vesicles-dependent iron acquisition pathway played a crucial role in the oxidative stress resistance process. Finally, our study demonstrated that the T6SS1 and siderophore systems in C. pinatubonensis exhibit different responses in combating oxidative stress under low-iron conditions, providing a comprehensive understanding of how bacterial iron acquisition systems function in diverse conditions. IMPORTANCE The ability to eliminate reactive oxygen species is crucial for bacterial survival. Continuous formation of hydroperoxides can damage metalloenzymes, disrupt DNA integrity, and even result in cell death. While various mechanisms have been identified in other bacterial species to combat oxidative stress, the specific mechanism of oxidative stress resistance in C. pinatubonensis remains unclear. The importance of this study is that we elucidate the mechanism that OxyR-regulated T6SS1 combats oxidative stress by importing iron with the help of bacterial outer membrane vesicle. Moreover, the study highlights the contrasting responses of T6SS1- and siderophore-mediated iron acquisition systems to oxidative stress. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of bacterial iron acquisition and its role in oxidative stress resistance in C. pinatubonensis under low-iron conditions. The ability to eliminate reactive oxygen species is crucial for bacterial survival. Continuous formation of hydroperoxides can damage metalloenzymes, disrupt DNA integrity, and even result in cell death. While various mechanisms have been identified in other bacterial species to combat oxidative stress, the specific mechanism of oxidative stress resistance in C. pinatubonensis remains unclear. The importance of this study is that we elucidate the mechanism that OxyR-regulated T6SS1 combats oxidative stress by importing iron with the help of bacterial outer membrane vesicle. Moreover, the study highlights the contrasting responses of T6SS1- and siderophore-mediated iron acquisition systems to oxidative stress. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of bacterial iron acquisition and its role in oxidative stress resistance in C. pinatubonensis under low-iron conditions.
Effects of preconditioning with heat stress on acute exercise‐induced intracellular signaling in male rat gastrocnemius muscle

Heat stress (HS) induces Akt/mTOR phosphorylation and FoxO3a signaling; however, whether a prior increase in heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) expression affects intracellular signaling following eccentric exercise remains unclear. We analyzed the effects of HS pretreatment on intramuscular signaling in response to acute exercise in 10‐week‐old male Wistar rats (n = 24). One leg of each rat was exposed to HS and the other served as an internal control (CT). Post‐HS, rats were either rested or subjected to downhill treadmill running. Intramuscular signaling responses in the red and white regions of the gastrocnemius muscle were analyzed before, immediately after, or 1 h after exercise (n = 8/group). HS significantly increased HSP72 levels in both deep red and superficial white regions. Although HS did not affect exercise‐induced mTOR signaling (S6K1/ERK) responses in the red region, mTOR phosphorylation in the white region was significantly higher in CT legs than in HS legs after exercise. Thr308 phosphorylation of Akt showed region‐specific alteration with a decrease in the red region and an increase in the white region immediately after downhill running. Overall, a prior increase in HSP72 expression elicits fiber type‐specific changes in exercise‐induced Akt and mTOR phosphorylation in rat gastrocnemius muscle.
Sacred Species and Sites: Cultural and conservation values of sacred forests in Ghana

Sacred sites, including sacred forests or sacred groves, are sites that have local cultural or spiritual significance. Sacred forests have been protected around the world for a variety of reasons, including for religious practices or ceremonies, as burial grounds, and for their watershed value (Castro, 1990; Dorm-Adzobu et al., 1991; Lebbie and Freudenberger, 1996; Tiwari et al., 1998; Chouin, 2002; Greene, 2002). There are often myths associated with sacred sites and taboos pertaining to the use of plants and the hunting of animals within the area. The size of groves varies greatly from very small plots (less than 1 ha) to larger tracts of several thousand hectares (Ntiamoa-Baidu, 1995). Many places in the world have sacred natural sites, but certain countries stand out for the number and age of sites, specifically Ghana and India. Ghana, with over 1900 sacred groves, has a long history of community protection of sacred sites for cultural reasons (Ntiamoa-Baidu, 1995). These sites are commonly referred to as fetish groves and may contain a shrine or serve as burial grounds (Amoako-Atta, 1995). Local residents often believe that these forests are inhabited by ancestor spirits or a god. Some sacred sites in Ghana, such as Boabeng–Fiema Monkey Sanctuary, are officially protected sites, but the majority of sites are culturally protected lands and vulnerable to the changing values and practices of the people living around them. Taboos on the hunting of particular species, such as certain primates, offer a form of protection from the harvest of wild meat for personal consumption or the bushmeat trade (Ntiamoa-Baidu, 1987; Lingard et al., 2003). Many sacred groves
Stable thyroid cancer in a patient with thoracic aortic aneurysm and MYH11 variation

Summary We report the case of a male patient with papillary thyroid cancer, familial thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection, and a variation in the MYH11 gene. Because of considerable tumor bulk in the neck that was not resectable, the patient underwent partial resection at age 14 years. Since then, the patient has received only suppressive thyroid hormone therapy. He is now 71 years old, which is 57 years after the initial resection. The patient received care at our institution from July 2009 to August 2019, during which we documented the stability of multiple calcified masses in the neck. Follow-up examinations at another institution from September 2019 to April 2023 also confirmed the stability of the masses. The underlying cause of this unusually long indolent course of the disease is unclear. Whether extensive tumor calcifications or the MYH11 sequence variation contributed to the disease course is also uncertain. Learning points Papillary thyroid cancer with neck metastases may, in some cases, be stable and remain asymptomatic for decades. If locoregional stability of papillary thyroid cancer is documented for many years, observation may be preferable to extensive neck surgery in selected cases. This is the first report of an MYH11 gene alteration and thoracic aortic aneurysm in a patient with papillary thyroid cancer with indolent neck metastases. Future studies of MYH11 gene alterations in thyroid carcinoma are needed.
Polymorphism of IL‐12/IL‐23 axis is associated with coronary heart disease

Abstract IL12B encodes the shared p40 subunit (IL‐12p40) of IL‐12 and IL‐23, which have diverse immune functions and are closely related to the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis (AS). However, the exact role of IL12B in coronary heart disease (CHD) was still unknown. A case–control association analysis was performed between five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of IL12B (rs1003199, rs3212219, rs2569254, rs2853694 and rs3212227) and CHD in Chinese Han population (1824 patients with CHD vs. 2784 controls). Logistic regression analyses were used to study the relationships between SNPs and CHD, while multiple linear regression analyses were used to test the association between the SNP and the severity of CHD. In addition, the plasma IL12B concentration of CHD patients were detected by ELISA. We detected a significant association between one of the SNPs, rs2853694−G and CHD (p adj = 2.075 × 10−5, OR, 0.773 [95% CI, 0.686–0.870]). Stratified analysis showed that rs2853694 was associated with CHD in both male and female populations and was significantly associated with both early‐ and late‐onset CHD. In addition, rs2853694 is also related to the different types of CHD including clinical‐CHD and anatomical‐CHD. Moreover, there are significant differences in serum IL12B concentrations between rs2853694−TT carriers and rs2853694−GT carriers in CHD patients (p = 0.010). A common variant of IL12B was found significantly associated with CHD and its subgroups. As a shared subunit of IL‐12 and IL‐23, IL‐12p40 may play a key role in IL‐12/IL‐23 axis mediated AS, which is expected to be an effective therapeutic target for CHD.
In-Home Management of Diabetes and Obesity

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes and obesity is increasing. Research has demonstrated the use of GLP-1 RA and SGLT-2i medications to be safe and effective for the long-term management of T2DM and obesity. As continued research supports the use of GLP-1 RA and SGLT-2i medications for additional indications, home care clinicians will increasingly care for patients on these medications. It is imperative that home care clinicians are aware of patient indications, adverse effects, and potential safety considerations related to these drugs to ensure patient goals are met.
The role of environment, sink capacity, and carbon translocation in determining C3 plant responses to elevated [CO2]

Rising atmospheric [CO2] is a uniform, global change that increases C3 photosynthesis and could offset some of the negative effects of global climate change on crop yields. Genetic variation in yield responsiveness to rising [CO2] would provide an opportunity to breed more responsive crop genotypes. A multi-year study of 18 soybean genotypes was done to identify variation in responsiveness to season-long elevated [CO2] (550 ppm) under fully open-air replicated field conditions. On average across 18 genotypes, elevated [CO2] stimulated total above-ground biomass by 22%, but seed yield by only 9%, since most genotypes showed a reduction in partitioning of energy to seeds. Over four years of study, there was consistency from year to year in the genotypes that were most and least responsive to elevated [CO2], suggesting genetic control of CO2 response. Further analysis of six genotypes did not reveal a photosynthetic basis for the variation in yield response. Although partitioning to seed was decreased, cultivars with the highest partitioning coefficient in current [CO2] also had the highest partitioning coefficient in elevated [CO2]. The results show the existence of genetic variation in soybean response to elevated [CO2], which is needed to breed soybean to the future atmospheric environment. Introduction For 20 million years before the Industrial Revolution, CO2 concentration ([CO2]) was below 300 ppm and averaged just 245 ppm over the past 0.5 million years (Pearson & Palmer 2000; Barnola et al. 2003). The progenitors of our modern crops evolved under these conditions of [CO2]. Since the Industrial Revolution, [CO2] has increased from ~280 ppm in 1860 to ~400 ppm in 2013, and if current trends in emissions continue, atmospheric [CO2] will exceed 500 ppm by 2050 (Ciais et al. 2013). For species with an annual growth cycle, it is highly unlikely that they 2 This chapter appeared in its entirety in the journal of Plant, Cell and Environment and is referred to later in this dissertation as “Bishop et al. 2015” Bishop K.A. , Betzelberger A.M., Long S.P. & Ainsworth E.A. (2015). Is there potential to adapt soybean (Glycine max Merr.) to future [CO2]? An analysis of the yield response of 18 genotypes in free-air CO2 enrichment. Plant, Cell & Environment 38, 1765-1774. This article is reprinted with the permission of the publisher and is available online at http://onlinelibrary.wiley. com/ using doi: 10.1111/pce.12443.