Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Dryline in Southeast Wyoming. Part I: Multiscale Analysis Using Observations and Modeling on 22 June 2010

AbstractA first observational and modeling study of a dryline and associated initiation of deep convection over the high plains of southeastern Wyoming is presented. Radar and station measurements show that the dryline is a well-defined convergent humidity boundary with a modest density (i.e., buoyancy) gradient. Its development, intensity, and movement are regulated by the terrain, diurnal land surface and boundary layer processes, and synoptic-scale evolution. At least one of the thunderstorms that emerged from the dryline became severe. Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF) simulations accurately reproduce measured aspects of this dryline, as well as the timing and location of convection initiation. The WRF output is used further to characterize the dryline vertical and horizontal structures and to examine convection initiation processes. A dryline bulge over a local terrain ridge appears to be an essential ingredient in convection initiation on this day: just north of this bulge the surface con.
A large haptic device for aircraft engine maintainability

The virtual reality for maintainability (Revima) VR system supports maintainability simulation in aeronautics. Within this project we have developed and integrated a haptic device, the large haptic interface for aeronautic maintainability (LHIfAM). We use this device to track hand movements and provide force feedback within the large geometric models that describe aircraft engines. The user movements are the same as those that occur when testing physical mock-ups. An integrated haptic device and VR system for testing aircraft engines reduces development costs and avoids the necessity of physical mock-ups formaintainability.
A radiocalibration method with pseudo internal standard to estimate circulating metabolite concentrations.

BACKGROUND It has become important for metabolism scientists to identify and quantify prominent circulating human metabolites in order to develop a metabolite safety-qualification package that meets regulatory standards. Often these metabolites cannot be analyzed using traditional bioanalytical methods because a standard is not available. RESULTS A radiocalibration method is described that can estimate circulating metabolite concentrations in nonradioactive human and animal plasma. The key to this method is application of a pseudo internal standard (PIS) that is present in both radioactive reference and nonradioactive (i.e., unknown) samples. Metabolite exposure in the unknown samples is estimated from measured PIS exposure using a relative molar ratio established between the metabolite and PIS (usually parent drug). CONCLUSION Two case studies demonstrate that the method can be used to establish human metabolite safety coverage in animal plasma and method validation is demonstrated by comparing estimated metabolite concentrations in human plasma with concentrations obtained directly using a metabolite calibration curve.
Effect of Drying on Heavy Metal Fraction Distribution in Rice Paddy Soil

An understanding of how redox conditions affect soil heavy metal fractions in rice paddies is important due to its implications for heavy metal mobility and plant uptake. Rice paddy soil samples routinely undergo oxidation prior to heavy metal analysis. Fraction distribution of Cu, Pb, Ni, and Cd from paddy soil with a wide pH range was investigated. Samples were both dried according to standard protocols and also preserved under anaerobic conditions through the sampling and analysis process and heavy metals were then sequentially extracted for the exchangeable and carbonate bound fraction (acid soluble fraction), iron and manganese oxide bound fraction (reducible fraction), organic bound fraction (oxidizable fraction), and residual fraction. Fractions were affected by redox conditions across all pH ranges. Drying decreased reducible fraction of all heavy metals. Curesidual fraction, Pboxidizable fraction, Cdresidual fraction, and Niresidual fraction increased by 25%, 33%, 35%, and >60%, respectively. Pbresidual fraction, Niacid soluble fraction, and Cdoxidizable fraction decreased 33%, 25%, and 15%, respectively. Drying paddy soil prior to heavy metal analysis overestimated Pb and underestimated Cu, Ni, and Cd. In future studies, samples should be stored after injecting N2 gas to maintain the redox potential of soil prior to heavy metal analysis, and investigate the correlation between heavy metal fraction distribution under field conditions and air-dried samples.
Assay of Enzymes with Insoluble or Unknown Substrates : The Membrane-Bound Quinone Reductases as an Example

The conventional assay method for the majority of enzymes envisages a reaction between substrates in aqueous solution. A measurable concentration of product is accumulated over time. This paradigm has served well for the characterization of many enzymes. Variations of the method, often using chromogenic or fluorogenic substrates, have been developed and are widely used for purposes such as clinical diagnosis and screening. There are some metabolically important enzymes for which the only published assay methods use artificial substrates. Some of these are oxidoreductases that use artificial mediators, and are listed in the EC list under EC 1.x. 99. For computational reconstruction of the metabolism of a cell, however, it is necessary to use kinetic data from assays that reflect the physiological function in the cell, and the physiological substrates. For some oxidoreductases it is known, or considered likely that the acceptors are water-insoluble membrane-bound quinones such as ubiquinone or menaquinone, which present particular problems for measurement of kinetic parameters. Succinate dehydrogenase/fumarate reductase is considered as an example. The oxidoreductases from membranes must be rendered soluble by detergents, which alter their kinetic behaviour. Uncertainty about the way of measuring activity of such enzymes has led to confusion in textbooks and metabolic maps, such as the persistent myth that free FAD is the acceptor for succinate dehydrogenase and related enzymes. New strategies are discussed to measure electrontransfer flux, under conditions that reflect the physiological activity of 21 http://www.beilstein-institut.de/escec2006/proceedings/Cammack/Cammack.pdf ESCEC, March 19 – 23, 2006, R desheim/Rhein, Germany Beilstein-Institut
Gain-of-function Nav1.8 mutations in painful neuropathy

Painful peripheral neuropathy often occurs without apparent underlying cause. Gain-of-function variants of sodium channel Nav1.7 have recently been found in ∼30% of cases of idiopathic painful small-fiber neuropathy. Here, we describe mutations in Nav1.8, another sodium channel that is specifically expressed in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and peripheral nerve axons, in patients with painful neuropathy. Seven Nav1.8 mutations were identified in 9 subjects within a series of 104 patients with painful predominantly small-fiber neuropathy. Three mutations met criteria for potential pathogenicity based on predictive algorithms and were assessed by voltage and current clamp. Functional profiling showed that two of these three Nav1.8 mutations enhance the channel’s response to depolarization and produce hyperexcitability in DRG neurons. These observations suggest that mutations of Nav1.8 contribute to painful peripheral neuropathy.
Nutrient-cycling microbes in coastal Douglas-fir forests: regional-scale correlation between communities, in situ climate, and other factors

Microbes such as fungi and bacteria play fundamental roles in litter-decay and nutrient-cycling; however, their communities may respond differently than plants to climate change. The structure (diversity, richness, and evenness) and composition of microbial communities in climate transects of mature Douglas-fir stands of coastal British Columbia rainshadow forests was analyzed, in order to assess in situ variability due to different temperature and moisture regimes. We compared denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis profiles of fungi (18S-FF390/FR1), nitrogen-fixing bacteria (NifH-universal) and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AmoA) polymerase chain reaction amplicons in forest floor and mineral soil samples from three transects located at different latitudes, each transect spanning the Coastal Western Hemlock and Douglas-fir biogeoclimatic zones. Composition of microbial communities in both soil layers was related to degree days above 0°C (2725–3489), while pH (3.8–5.5) best explained shifts in community structure. At this spatial scale, climatic conditions were likely to directly or indirectly select for different microbial species while local site heterogeneity influenced community structure. Significant changes in microbial community composition and structure were related to differences as small as 2.47% and 2.55°C in mean annual moisture and temperature variables, respectively. The climatic variables best describing microbial composition changed from one functional group to the next; in general they did not alter community structure. Spatial distance, especially associated with latitude, was also important in accounting for community variability (4–23%); but to a lesser extent than the combined influence of climate and soil characteristics (14–25%). Results suggest that in situ climate can independently account for some patterns of microbial biogeography in coastal Douglas-fir forests. The distribution of up to 43% of nutrient-cycling microorganisms detected in forest soils responded to smaller abiotic gradients than host trees.
Multiuser MIMO Relay Networks in Nakagami-m Fading Channels

This paper proposes a low complexity protocol that preserves full diversity in multiuser amplify-and-forward relay networks with N<sub>S</sub> antennas at the source, N<sub>R</sub> antennas at the relay, and N<sub>D</sub> antennas at each of the K destinations. In the proposed protocol, a two-fold diversity is guaranteed: 1) multi-antenna diversity via transmit antenna selection with maximal-ratio combining (TAS/MRC), and 2) multiuser diversity via opportunistic scheduling. Under perfect feedback with precise channel state information (CSI), we derive new exact and asymptotic symbol error rate (SER) expressions in closed-form for the general case of Nakagami-m fading. We prove that the full diversity order of N<sub>S</sub>N<sub>D</sub>Km<sub>X</sub> + min{N<sub>S</sub>N<sub>R</sub>m<sub>Y</sub>, N<sub>R</sub>N<sub>D</sub>Km<sub>Z</sub>} is guaranteed, where m<sub>X</sub>, m<sub>Y</sub>, and m<sub>Z</sub> denote the fading parameters of the source-destination, source-relay, and relay-destination links, respectively. To examine the impact of delayed feedback, we next derive new exact and asymptotic SER expressions in closed-form. We prove that in the presence of delayed feedback, outdated CSI degrades the diversity order to N<sub>D</sub>m<sub>X</sub> + min{N<sub>R</sub>m<sub>Y</sub>, N<sub>D</sub>m<sub>Z</sub>}. In addition, based on our asymptotic expressions, we determine the optimal power allocation between the source and the relay such that the SER is minimized. We show that optimal power allocation offers superior performance over uniform power allocation; highlighting a pivotal design choice for maximizing network performance without investing additional resources.
Acmella radicans var. radicans: In vitro culture establishment and alkamide content

SummaryAcmella radicans var. radicans propagation was established in vitro. This plant belongs to the Asteraceae from which some species are known for their insecticide, fungicide and antibacterial activity. The complete Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium was the best in assisting seed germination. In order to obtain shoots in vitro, a complete MS medium and half-strength MS medium were assayed with explants from leaves, nodes, and internodes. The best medium for shoot production was the half-strength MS medium with no addition of plant growth regulators, and the highest shoot propagation was from single-node explants. Regeneration of roots on shoot explants in the medium was obtained without the addition of growth regulators. Of the plantlets that were acclimated, 90% of them were obtained from rooted shoots with completely expanded leaves. The alkamide content was evaluated for each tissue and the higher concentration was observed in flower heads. The main alkamides present in the leaves and the flower heads were N-(2-phenylethyl)-2Z,4E-octadienamide and 3-phenyl-N-(2-phenylethyl)-2-propenamide. This study describes the methodology for the establishment and propagation of Acmella radicans in vitro and the evaluation of different tissue alkamide contents in vitro and in the field.
Surgery in Intracerebral Hemorrhage: The Uncertainty Continues

Background and Purpose Primary intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) accounts for 10% to 20% of stroke but carries the highest rates of mortality and morbidity of all stroke subtypes. Current treatment, however, is varied and haphazard. The most recent Cochrane systematic review refers to 4 prospective, randomized controlled trials. We present a further meta-analysis to include 3 new trials. In addition, we review the trials of Chen et al and McKissock et al and discuss aspects of their quality that, we believe, prevent their inclusion in modern day meta-analysis. Methods Literature databases and articles were searched from 1966 to October 1999. Using the end points of death and dependency, the results of the 7 identified randomized trials were expressed as odds ratios. All available data were then analyzed with meta-analysis techniques. Analysis of relevant subsets of trials was also carried out. Results Meta-analysis of all 7 trials shows a trend toward a higher chance of death and dependency after surgery (OR 1.20; 95% CI 0.83 to 1.74). Meta-analysis was also carried out after exclusion of the Chen and McKissock trials for reasons discussed in the text. This meta-analysis suggests a benefit from surgery, with a reduction in the chances of death and dependency after surgical treatment by a factor of 0.63 (OR 0.63; 95% CI 0.35 to 1.14). Conclusions When meta-analysis is restricted to modern-day, post-CT, well-constructed, balanced trials, a trend for surgery to reduce the chances of death and dependency is found. Perhaps, then, in the modern era of CT, good neuroanesthesia, intensive care, and the operating microscope, surgery has a role in the treatment of supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage. The results of a large, multicenter, randomized controlled trial are urgently needed, and the ongoing International Surgical Trial of Intracerebral Hemorrhage should fulfill this objective.
Post‐zygotic isolation in cactophilic Drosophila: larval viability and adult life‐history traits of D. mojavensis/D. arizonae hybrids

Drosophila mojavensis and Drosophila arizonae are cactophilic flies that have been used extensively in speciation studies. Incomplete premating isolation, evidence of reinforcement, and a lack of recent introgression between these species point to a potentially important role for post‐zygotic isolating barriers in this system. Other than hybrid male sterility, however, post‐zygotic isolation between D. mojavensis and D. arizonae has received little attention. In this study, we examined viability and life‐history traits of D. mojavensis/D. arizonae F1 hybrids from sympatric crosses. Specifically, we reared hybrids and purebreds on the natural host cacti of each parental species and compared viability, development time, thorax length, and desiccation resistance between hybrids and purebreds. Interestingly, hybrid females from both crosses performed similarly or even better than purebred females. In contrast, hybrid sons of D. arizonae mothers, in addition to being sterile, had shorter average thorax length than males of both parental species, and hybrid males from both crosses had substantially lower desiccation resistance than D. mojavensis males. The probable cost to hybridization for D. mojavensis females resulting from reduced desiccation resistance of hybrid sons may have been an important selective factor in the history of reinforcement for crosses involving these females.
Continuous monitoring of pulse period variations in Her X-1 using Swift/BAT

Context: Monitoring of pulse period variations in accreting binary pulsars is an important tool to study the interaction between the magnetosphere of the neutron star and the accretion disk. While the X-ray flux of the brightest X-ray pulsars have been successfully monitored over many years (e.g. with RXTE/ASM, CGRO/BATSE, Swift/BAT), the possibility to monitor their pulse timing properties continuously has so far been very limited. Aims: In our work we show that the Swift/BAT observations can be used to monitor coherent pulsations of bright X-ray sources and use the Swift archival data to study one of the most enigmatic X-ray pulsars, Hercules X-1. A quasi-continuous monitoring of the pulse period and the pulse period derivative of an X-ray pulsar, here Her X-1, is achieved over a long time (<~ 4 yrs). We compare our observational results with predictions of accretion theory and use them to test different aspects of the physical model of the system. Methods: In our analysis we use the data accumulated with Swift/BAT starting from the beginning of 2005 (shortly after launch) until the present time. To search for pulsations and for their subsequent analysis we used the count rate measured by the BAT detector in the entire field of view. Results: The slope of the correlation between the locally determined spin-up rate and the X-ray luminosity is measured for Her X-1 and found to be in agreement with predictions of basic accretion torque theory. The observed behaviour of the pulse period together with the previously measured secular decrease of the system's orbital period is discussed in the frame of a model assuming ejection of matter close to the inner boundary of the accretion disk.
Monotonic and Cyclic Bond Behavior of Deformed CFRP Bars in High Strength Concrete

Composite reinforcing bars (rebars) that are used in concrete members with high performance (strength and durability) properties could have beneficial effects on the behavior of these members. This is especially vital when a building is constructed in an aggressive environment, for instance a corrosive environment. Although tension capacity/weight (or volume) ratios in composite rebars (carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP), etc.) are very high when compared to steel rebars, major weaknesses in concrete members reinforced with these composite rebars may be the potential consequences of relatively poor bonding capacity. This may even be more crucial when the member is subjected to cyclic loading. Although monotonic bond tests are available in the literature, only limited experimental studies exist on bond characteristics under cyclic loading conditions. In order to fill this gap and propose preliminary design recommendations, 10 specimens of 10-mm-diameter ribbed CFRP rebars embedded in specially designed high strength concrete (f’c = 70 MPa) blocks were subjected to monotonic and cyclic pullout tests. The experimental results showed that cyclically loaded CFRP rebars had less bond strength than those companion specimens loaded monotonically.
Comorbidity of axis I and axis II disorders in patients who attempted suicide.

OBJECTIVE The authors compared the characteristics of suicide attempters with and without comorbid psychiatric and personality disorders to identify factors that explain the high suicide risk associated with psychiatric comorbidity. METHOD A representative group of 111 patients who had attempted suicide (72 female and 39 male) was assessed for psychiatric and personality disorders according to ICD-10 criteria. The characteristics of patients with both types of disorder were compared with those of patients without comorbid disorders. A semistructured interview schedule and standardized questionnaires were used to investigate patients' background characteristics, the circumstances of the suicide attempts, psychological characteristics, and outcome after 12-20 months. RESULTS Comorbidity of psychiatric and personality disorders was present in 49 patients (44%). More patients with comorbid disorders had made previous suicide attempts (N=41 [84%] versus N=28 [45%]) and repeated attempts during the follow-up period (N=25 [51%] versus N=9 [15%]). Differences in precipitants and motives for the index episode were also found: patients with comorbid disorders were more depressed and hopeless, reported more episodes of aggression, were more impulsive, and had lower self-esteem and poorer problem-solving skills. Differences in self-esteem and problem-solving skills distinguished between the groups in a stepwise discriminant function analysis. More of the patients with comorbid disorders reported not being loved by their parents and parental suicidal behavior. CONCLUSIONS Suicide attempters with comorbid psychiatric and personality disorders show marked differences from those without both of these disorders. Comorbidity may contribute to greater suicide risk. Some of the characteristics of patients with comorbid disorders pose major clinical challenges that should be addressed in an effort to reduce suicide risk.
A Novel Multicast Collision Prevention Mechanism for IEEE 802.11

In this letter, we introduce a novel Multicast Collision Prevention (MCP) mechanism for IEEE 802.11 WLANs. The proposed MCP mechanism has been designed following the operation principles of the IEEE 802.11 standard. Our analysis shows that the proposed MCP mechanism effectively improves the reliability and efficiency of the multicast mechanism defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard. Simulation results also show that our proposal properly interoperates with the 802.11 unicast mechanism.
Relative versus absolute change in forced vital capacity in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Background Decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) over time reliably predicts mortality in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The use of this measure in clinical practice is recommended by current evidence-based guidelines. It is unknown if the method of calculating decline in FVC (relative vs absolute change) impacts its frequency or its ability to predict mortality. Methods Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis from two prospective cohorts were included if they had a baseline and 12-month follow-up FVC. A ≥10% decline in FVC from baseline was calculated in two ways: a relative decline of 10% (eg, from 60% predicted to 54% predicted) and an absolute decline of 10% (eg, from 60% predicted to 50% predicted). The frequency of a ≥10% decline in FVC and its ability to predict 2-year transplant-free survival were compared between these two methods. Declines in FVC of ≥5% and ≥15% were similarly compared. Analyses were performed unadjusted and adjusted for age, gender, use of oxygen, baseline FVC and baseline diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide. Results The frequency of any given FVC decline was significantly greater using the relative change in FVC method. For ≥10% decline, both methods predicted 2-year transplant-free survival with similar accuracy, and remained significant predictors after adjusting for baseline characteristics. The absolute change method appeared more predictive for ≥5% decline. Conclusions Using the relative change in FVC maximises the chance of identifying a ≥10% decline in FVC without sacrificing prognostic accuracy. This may not hold true for ≥5% decline in FVC. These findings have important implications for clinical practice and the design of clinical trials.