Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Liquefaction and Fabric of Sand

It is shown for simple shearing that the liquefaction and densification potentials of a cohesionless sample of sand do not necessarily decrease because of preliquefaction or because of large amplitude (drained) prestraining. In fact, in simple shearing, the resistance to liquefaction (undrained) or densification (drained) of a preliquefied sample actually increases, as a result of the concomitant densification, if the preliquefaction is terminated at zero residual shear, whereas this resistance is reduced considerably, if the preliquefaction is terminated at zero residual shear. The inherent anisotropy associated with dry pluviating and moist tamping sample preparation techniques is shown to affect the sample response to consolidation and to simple cyclic shearing. It is found that, within each cycle of simple shearing, the anisotropy is essentially wiped out in the neighborhood of the zero shear (but not at zero shear), and the anisotropy that remains at this state basically stems from the sample preparation technique. With the aid of the dilatancy-fabric relation proposed by Nemat-Nasser for simple shearing, the volumetric strain of the sample is estimated using a simple distribution function for illustration purposes, and the results are compared with the experimental data.
Opposite effects of ketamine and deep brain stimulation on rat thalamocortical information processing

Sensory and cognitive deficits are common in schizophrenia. They are associated with abnormal brain rhythms, including disturbances in γ frequency (30–80 Hz) oscillations (GFO) in cortex‐related networks. However, the underlying anatomofunctional mechanisms remain elusive. Clinical and experimental evidence suggests that these deficits result from a hyporegulation of glutamate N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptors. Here we modeled these deficits in rats with ketamine, a non‐competitive N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor antagonist and a translational psychotomimetic substance at subanesthetic doses. We tested the hypothesis that ketamine‐induced sensory deficits involve an impairment of the ability of the thalamocortical (TC) system to discriminate the relevant information from the baseline activity. Furthermore, we wanted to assess whether ketamine disrupts synaptic plasticity in TC systems. We conducted multisite network recordings in the rat somatosensory TC system, natural stimulation of the vibrissae and high‐frequency electrical stimulation (HFS) of the thalamus. A single systemic injection of ketamine increased the amount of baseline GFO, reduced the amplitude of the sensory‐evoked TC response and decreased the power of the sensory‐evoked GFO. Furthermore, cortical application of ketamine elicited local and distant increases in baseline GFO. The ketamine effects were transient. Unexpectedly, HFS of the TC pathway had opposite actions. In conclusion, ketamine and thalamic HFS have opposite effects on the ability of the somatosensory TC system to discriminate the sensory‐evoked response from the baseline GFO during information processing. Investigating the link between the state and function of the TC system may conceptually be a key strategy to design innovative therapies against neuropsychiatric disorders.
Geotail observations of a fast tailward flow at X GSM = −15 RE

Geotail observed a fast tailward flow burst (a speed of {gt}600 km/s) with southward B{sub z} in the Earth{close_quote}s magnetotail at a radial distance of 15.5R{sub E} on March 30, 1995. Ions in this burst consisted of a single-component plasma showing convection motion, and these ions were confined near the neutral sheet. This flow burst was likely associated with a pseudobreakup rather than a major substorm onset. In this event, magnetic reconnection appeared to take place only for the field lines near the neutral sheet. The magnetic reconnection was quenched soon and resulted in a short-lived tailward flow burst embedded in the plasma sheet. {copyright} 1998 American Geophysical Union
ORB WEBS IN “NON‐ORB WEAVING” OGRE‐FACED SPIDERS (ARANEAE: DINOPIDAE): A QUESTION OF GENEALOGY

Abstract— Observations of web spinning behavior in Costa Rican Dinopis sp. reveal the same behaviors synapomorphic for orb weavers: specifically frame, radius, non‐sticky spiral construction, and sticky spiral construction, as well as more detailed motor patterns. Dinopids are therefore highly derived orb weavers, although the behavioral data do not conclusively indicate whether they are more closely related to the uloborid or araneoid orb weavers. A cladogram of dinopids, uloborids, and araneoids is presented.
Localization of Discrete Time Quantum Walks on the Glued Trees

In this paper, we consider the time averaged distribution of discrete time quantum walks on the glued trees. In order to analyze the walks on the glued trees, we consider a reduction to the walks on path graphs. Using a spectral analysis of the Jacobi matrices defined by the corresponding random walks on the path graphs, we have a spectral decomposition of the time evolution operator of the quantum walks. We find significant contributions of the eigenvalues, ±1, of the Jacobi matrices to the time averaged limit distribution of the quantum walks. As a consequence, we obtain the lower bounds of the time averaged distribution.
Inhaled Anesthetics Promote Albumin Dimerization through Reciprocal Exchange of Subdomains

Inhaled anesthetics affect protein-protein interaction, but the mechanisms underlying these effects are still poorly understood. We examined the impact of sevoflurane and isoflurane on the dimerization of human serum albumin (HSA), a protein with anesthetic binding sites that are well characterized. Intrinsic fluorescence emission was analyzed for spectral shifting and self-quenching, and control first derivatives (spectral responses to changes in HSA concentration) were compared against those obtained from samples treated with sevoflurane or isoflurane. Sevoflurane increased dimer-dependent self-quenching and both decreased oligomer-dependent spectral shifting, suggesting that inhaled anesthetics promoted HSA dimerization. Size exclusion chromatography and polarization data were consistent with these observations. The data support the proposed model of a reciprocal exchange of subdomains to form an HSA dimer. The open-ended exchange of subdomains, which we propose occuring in HSA oligomers, was inhibited by sevoflurane and isoflurane.
Implications of elastic wave velocities for Apollo 17 rock powders

Ultrasonic P- and S-wave velocities of lunar rock powders 172701, 172161, 170051, and 175081 were measured at room temperature and to 2.5 kb confining pressure. The results compare well with those of terrestrial volcanic ash and powdered basalt. P-wave velocity values up to pressures corresponding to a lunar depth of 1.4 km preclude cold compaction alone as an explanation for the observed seismic velocity structure at the Apollo 17 site. Application of small amounts of heat with simultaneous application of pressure causes rock powders to achieve equivalence of seismic velocities for competent rocks.
Dispersion of aircraft exhausts in the free atmosphere

The effective diffusion of aircraft emissions and the growth of plume cross-sections at cruising altitudes of commercial airliners are examined by means of large-eddy simulation in a domain of size 4.3 × 1.1 × 1.1 km3. It is assumed that aircraft-induced turbulence has ceased and that the exhaust plumes can be represented by line sources with Gaussian cross-sections. On the basis of a previous study where the effective diffusion in a stratified atmosphere with negligible wind shear was investigated [Durbeck and Gerz, 1995], the work is extended here to situations with shear rates typical for the free atmosphere ranging between 0.001 s−1 and 0.007 s−1, covering bulk Richardson numbers Ri between 0.13 and 360. Along a flight track the atmosphere is usually only weakly turbulent (Ri > 1); an aircraft encounters strong but highly intermittent turbulence (Ri 1, shear has no significant influence on horizontal or vertical effective diffusivities which lay, for a stratification of 0.019 s−1, in the range of 15 m2s−1 ≤ Dh ≤ 23 m2s−1 and 0.15 m2s−1 ≤ Dv ≤ 0.18 m2s−1, respectively. But shear in combination with diffusion enlarges the cross-section of an exhaust plume and increases the entrainment rate. When Ri ≈ 0.1, the diffusivity Dh grows by a factor of about 3 and Dv by a factor of about 20 compared to shearfree situations. With increasing shear and time, only Dv and shear control plume sizes and entrainment rates, whereas Dh has a diminishing influence. The results agree very well with data from recent in situ flight measurements in the North Atlantic flight corridor in the tropopause region.
Analysis of the water temperature regime of the Danube and its tributaries in Croatia

Changes in water temperature along stretches of the Kupa, Sava, Drava and Danube Rivers measured in Croatia during the last 20–60 years were investigated. Characteristic (minimum, mean and maximum) annual water temperatures measured at 15 discharge and water temperature stations are analysed. Massive construction on the Danube River basin and on the rivers themselves during the last centuries, as well as recent climate change and/or variability has caused many different and possibly dangerous changes to its water temperature regime. Water temperature, as one of the most important physical characteristics of river water, strongly affects all other physical, chemical and biological processes in the river system. The investigation focuses on changes that have occurred during the last 20‐odd years, probably caused by climate change and/or variability. Methods of rescaled adjusted partial sums (RAPS) as well as regression and correlation analyses are used in order to explain changes in water temperature regimes. The water‐air temperature relationship is also discussed in the article. In all analysed cases, water temperature is strongly and directly affected by air temperature. There is evidence in the time series of rises in the minimum and mean annual water temperatures of the River Danube and its main tributaries in Croatia (the Kupa, Sava and Drava Rivers). The rising of mean annual air as well as water temperatures is shown to have started in 1988. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical Investigation of Plunging Density Current

When a buoyant inflow of higher density enters a reservoir, it sinks below the ambient water and forms an underflow. Downstream of the plunge point, the flow becomes progressively diluted due to the fluid entrainment. The entrainment rate is strongly dependent on the Richardson number and reaches a constant value well downstream of the plunge point. This study is concerned with the analysis of the plunging phenomenon and the determination of the entrainment. A k-e model including buoyancy effects, both in a sloping and a diverging channel, is used to reproduce the main flow characteristics. A relation between the depth at the plunge point in a channel of constant width and in a diverging channel is established, and theoretical results for the calculation of the dense layer thickness are provided. The latter indicates that the spreading rate of the dense layer in a diverging channel is a function of both the entrainment rate and the channel width. The predictions of the plunge line location are in agreemen.
Varying Termiticide Application Rate and Volume Affect Initial Soil Penetration

ABSTRACT The initial soil penetration of Premise 75 and Termidor SC, containing imidacloprid and fipronil, respectively, were tested in laboratory columns of five different soils, Three combinations of application concentration and volume were used: double the recommended active ingredient concentration at one half the recommended volume (DR), the full concentration and volume (FR), and one half the concentration and twice the volume (HR), In all three cases, the same total amount of active ingredient (0.01 g of imidacloprid for Premise and 0.012 g of fipronil for Termidor) was applied to the same soil surface area (45.36 cm2), Regardless of soil or application method, the concentration of active ingredient was highest in the top 1 cm of soil. Within each soil, the concentration in the top 1 cm was highest in the DR treatment and lowest in the HR treatment. At each depth below 1 cm, active ingredient concentration was highest in the HR treatment and lowest in the DR treatment. The DR treatment therefore results in a thinner barrier of higher initial concentration in the top 1 cm, whereas the HR treatment results in a thicker barrier but of lower initial concentration in the top 1 cm.
Nucleotide sequences and regulational analysis of genes involved in conversion of aniline to catechol in Pseudomonas putida UCC22(pTDN1)

A 9,233-bp HindIII fragment of the aromatic amine catabolic plasmid pTDN1, isolated from a derivative of Pseudomonas putida mt-2 (UCC22), confers the ability to degrade aniline on P. putida KT2442. The fragment encodes six open reading frames which are arranged in the same direction. Their 5' upstream region is part of the direct-repeat sequence of pTDN1. Nucleotide sequence of 1.8 kb of the repeat sequence revealed only a single base pair change compared to the known sequence of IS1071 which is involved in the transposition of the chlorobenzoate genes (C. Nakatsu, J. Ng, R. Singh, N. Straus, and C. Wyndham, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:8312-8316, 1991). Four open reading frames encode proteins with considerable homology to proteins found in other aromatic-compound degradation pathways. On the basis of sequence similarity, these genes are proposed to encode the large and small subunits of aniline oxygenase (tdnA1 and tdnA2, respectively), a reductase (tdnB), and a LysR-type regulatory gene (tdnR). The putative large subunit has a conserved [2Fe-2S]R Rieske-type ligand center. Two genes, tdnQ and tdnT, which may be involved in amino group transfer, are localized upstream of the putative oxygenase genes. The tdnQ gene product shares about 30% similarity with glutamine synthetases; however, a pUC-based plasmid carrying tdnQ did not support the growth of an Escherichia coli glnA strain in the absence of glutamine. TdnT possesses domains that are conserved among amidotransferases. The tdnQ, tdnA1, tdnA2, tdnB, and tdnR genes are essential for the conversion of aniline to catechol.
Sensitivity of Simulated Climate to Conservation of Momentum in Gravity Wave Drag Parameterization

The Canadian Middle Atmosphere Model is used to examine the sensitivity of simulated climate to conservation of momentum in gravity wave drag parameterization. Momentum conservation requires that the parameterized gravity wave momentum flux at the top of the model be zero and corresponds to the physical boundary condition of no momentum flux at the top of the atmosphere. Allowing momentum flux to escape the model domain violates momentum conservation. Here the impact of momentum conservation in two sets of model simulations is investigated. In the first set, the simulation of present-day climate for two model-lid height configurations, 0.001 and 10 hPa, which are identical below 10 hPa, is considered. The impact of momentum conservation on the climate with the model lid at 0.001 hPa is minimal, which is expected because of the small amount of gravity wave momentum flux reaching 0.001 hPa. When the lid is lowered to 10 hPa and momentum is conserved, there is only a modest impact on the climate in the Northern Hemisphere; however, the Southern Hemisphere climate is more adversely affected by the deflection of resolved waves near the model lid. When momentum is not conserved in the 10-hPa model the climate is further degraded in both hemispheres, particularly in winter at high latitudes, and the impact of momentum conservation extends all the way to the surface. In the second set of simulations, the impact of momentum conservation and model-lid height on the modeled response to ozone depletion in the Southern Hemisphere is considered, and it is found that the response can display significant sensitivity to both factors. In particular, both the lower-stratospheric polar temperature and surface responses are significantly altered when the lid is lowered, with the effect being most severe when momentum is not conserved. The implications with regard to the current round of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change model projections are discussed.
Celiac Disease Histopathology Recapitulates Hedgehog Downregulation, Consistent with Wound Healing Processes Activation

Background In celiac disease (CD), intestinal epithelium damage occurs secondary to an immune insult and is characterized by blunting of the villi and crypt hyperplasia. Similarities between Hedgehog (Hh)/BMP4 downregulation, as reported in a mouse model, and CD histopathology, suggest mechanistic involvement of Hh/BMP4/WNT pathways in proliferation and differentiation of immature epithelial cells in the context of human intestinal homeostasis and regeneration after damage. Herein we examined the nature of intestinal crypt hyperplasia and involvement of Hh/BMP4 in CD histopathology. Methods and Findings Immunohistochemistry, qPCR and in situ hybridization were used to study a cohort of 24 healthy controls (HC) and 24 patients with diagnosed acute celiac disease (A-CD) intestinal biopsies. In A-CD we observed an increase in cells positive for Leucin-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5), an epithelial stem cell specific marker and expansion of WNT responding compartment. Further, we observed alteration in number and distribution of mesenchymal cells, predicted to be part of the intestinal stem cells niche. At the molecular level we found downregulation of indian hedgehog (IHH) and other components of the Hh pathway, but we did not observe a concurrent downregulation of BMP4. However, we observed upregulation of BMPs antagonists, gremlin 1 and gremlin 2. Conclusions Our data suggest that acute CD histopathology partially recapitulates the phenotype reported in Hh knockdown models. Specifically, Hh/BMP4 paradigm appears to be decoupled in CD, as the expansion of the immature cell population does not occur consequent to downregulation of BMP4. Instead, we provide evidence that upregulation of BMP antagonists play a key role in intestinal crypt hyperplasia. This study sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying CD histopathology and the limitations in the use of mouse models for celiac disease.
Multiple glacier surges observed with airborne and spaceborne interferometric synthetic aperture radar

Mechanical properties of glacier beds impose fundamental constraints on glacier flow across a wide range of timescales [1]. Despite their importance in governing glacier dynamics, basal mechanics are not well understood, particularly where glaciers are underlain by deformable till [2]. While some till samples have been retrieved from beneath several glaciers and tested in laboratories in order to ascertain till rheology [3, 4], limitations on clast sizes imposed by apparatus dimensions and the difficulty of understanding and reproducing subglacial environments in the lab necessitate observations of the mechanical properties of in situ tills [5]. Such observations are sparse, owing to the inherent difficulty in attaining them, and this observational paucity has helped foment persistent uncertainties concerning the proper rheology of subglacial till and the rheological dependence on mechanical, thermal, and hydrological forcing [1, 2].
Comparing the performance of web server architectures

In this paper, we extensively tune and then compare the performance of web servers based on three different server architectures. The μserver utilizes an event-driven architecture, Knot uses the highly-efficient Capriccio thread library to implement a thread-per-connection model, and WatPipe uses a hybrid of events and threads to implement a pipeline-based server that is similar in spirit to a staged event-driven architecture (SEDA) server like Haboob. We describe modifications made to the Capriccio thread library to use Linux's zero-copy sendfile interface. We then introduce the SY mmetric Multi-Processor Event Driven (SYMPED) architecture in which relatively minor modifications are made to a single process event-driven (SPED) server (the μserver) to allow it to continue processing requests in the presence of blocking due to disk accesses. Finally, we describe our C++ implementation of WatPipe, which although utilizing a pipeline-based architecture, excludes the dynamic controls over event queues and thread pools used in SEDA. When comparing the performance of these three server architectures on the workload used in our study, we arrive at different conclusions than previous studies. In spite of recent improvements to threading libraries and our further improvements to Capriccio and Knot, both the event-based μserver and pipeline-based Wat-Pipe server provide better throughput (by about 18%). We also observe that when using blocking sockets to send data to clients, the performance obtained with some architectures is quite good and in one case is noticeably better than when using non-blocking sockets.
Frequency domain scattering loss in THz band

Frequency domain scattering loss on small particles in terahertz frequency band (0.1-10 THz) is addressed. The wavelengths in THz band are short enough to enable scattering on small particles in the atmosphere. Rayleigh theories are utilized in estimating the scattering loss and it is shown that in proper conditions small particle scattering causes significant losses in the THz band. The small particle scattering is mainly an issue on the higher end of the THz band. This is due to the strong frequency dependency of the scattering. The effect of the scattering loss to the received signal strength is shown in the results.
A Survey of the Spectral Gradient Method 1

Finite dimensional unconstrained minimization problems are generally solved by iterative methods like Newton, quasi-Newton, steepest descent, conjugate gradient methods and its variations. All of them share the same property: they are descent methods. In 1988 Barzilai and Borwein introduce the spectral gradient method which have been an
Open Source Software Adoption: Anatomy of Success and Failure

Current estimates suggest widespread adoption of open source software (OSS) in organizations worldwide. However, the problematic nature of OSS adoption is readily evidenced in the fairly frequent reports of problems, unforeseen hold-ups, and outright abandonment of OSS implementation over time. Hibernia Hospital, an Irish public sector organization, have embarked on the adoption of a range of OSS applications over several years, some of which have been successfully deployed and remain in live use within the organisation, whereas others, despite achieving high levels of assimilation over a number of years, have not been ultimately retained in live use in the organization. Using a longitudinal case study, we discuss in depth the deployment process for two OSS applications â€“ the desktop application suite whose deployment was unsuccessful ultimately, and the email application which was successfully deployed. To our knowledge, this is the first such in-depth study into successful and unsuccessful OSS implementation.