Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ice-volume changes of selected glaciers in the Swiss Alps since the end of the 19th century

Abstract The evolution of surface topography of glaciers in the Swiss Alps is well documented with high-resolution aerial photographs repeatedly recorded since the 1960s and further back in time with topographic maps including elevation contour lines first surveyed in the mid-19th century. In order to quantify and interpret glacier changes in the Swiss Alps, time series of volume changes over the last 100–150 years have been collected. The available datasets provide a detailed spatial resolution for the retreat period since the end of the Little Ice Age. The spatial distribution as well as temporal variations of the thickness change were analyzed. A significant ice loss since the end of the 19th century was observed in the ablation area, while the changes in the accumulation area were small. We found moderate negative secular rates until the 1960s, followed by steady to positive rates for about two decades and strong ice loss starting in the 1980s which has lasted until the present. An evaluation of 19 glaciers revealed a total ice volume loss of about 13km3 since the 1870s, of which 8.7 km3 occurred since the 1920s and 3.5 km3 since 1980. Decadal mean net balance rates for the periods 1920–60, 1960–80 and 1980–present are –0.29, –0.03 and –0.53ma–1w.e. , respectively.
Advances in Understanding the Antioxidant and Antigenic Properties of Egg-Derived Peptides

Pepsin, trypsin and proteinase K were used in the present study to hydrolyse the proteins from whole eggs, yolks or whites, and the resulting hydrolysates were characterised in terms of antioxidant and IgE-binding properties, using a combination of in vitro and in silico methods. Based on the degree of hydrolysis (DH) results, the egg yolk proteins are better substrates for all the tested enzymes (DH of 6.2–20.1%) compared to those from egg whites (DH of 2.0–4.4%). The SDS-PAGE analysis indicated that pepsin and proteinase K were more efficient compared to trypsin in breaking the intramolecular peptide bonds of the high molecular weight egg proteins. For all the tested substrates, enzyme-assisted hydrolysis resulted in a significant increase in antioxidant activity, suggesting that many bioactive peptides are encrypted in inactive forms in the parent proteins. The hydrolysates obtained with proteinase K exhibited the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity (124–311 µM Trolox/g protein) and the lowest residual IgE-binding capacity. The bioinformatics tools revealed that proteinase K is able to break the integrity of the main linear IgE-binding epitopes from ovalbumin and ovomucoid. It can be concluded that proteinase K is a promising tool for modulating the intrinsic properties of egg proteins.
Molecular line scattering and magnetic field effects: Resolution of an enigma

The linearly polarized solar spectrum that is produced by coherent scattering processes (also called \the second solar spectrum") is full of polarizing features due to molecular transitions, in particular from MgH and C2. Their greatly dierent behavior in comparison with the observed polarization from atomic transitions has presented us with a new enigma: While the scattering polarization in atomic lines is very sensitive to magnetic elds via the Hanle eect and therefore exhibits polarization signatures that vary both spatially and with the solar cycle, the molecular polarization appears to be immune to the influence of magnetic elds. To clarify these issues we here develop a theoretical foundation for polarized molecular scattering, which can serve as a general tool for interpretations of the structures in the second solar spectrum. Intrinsic polarizabilities, line strengths, and eective Land e factors for the dierent transitions of the P, Q, and R branches of MgH and C2 are calculated. While the intrinsic polarizabilities remain signicant, the eective Land e factors are close to zero for the majority of the lines, in contrast to the behavior of atomic lines. This resolves the enigma and indicates how the molecular lines may serve as immutable reference lines against which the atomic lines can be gauged when trying to determine long-term, solar-cycle variations of the magnetic elds via the Hanle eect.
Pathogenic Bacteria in Free-Living Birds, and Its Public Health Significance

Simple Summary The avian population, occupying a diverse range of ecological niches and urban environments, serves as a crucial reservoir and sentinel for various pathogens. The role of birds in the transmission of infectious diseases is well established, and their ability to harbor a wide range of pathogens has been documented by numerous studies. As such, their surveillance and monitoring can provide valuable insights into the emergence and spread of bacterial diseases. Therefore, understanding the complex interactions between birds and their pathogens is of utmost importance in the field of public health and requires continued research and investigation. Abstract Birds that roam freely, particularly those that migrate, have the potential to carry a range of diseases that can be passed on to humans. The vast movement of these birds across diverse environments and urban areas can contribute to the spread of bacteria over long distances, impacting both human and animal populations. Stress, overcrowding, and human interaction can also play a role in the transmission of infectious diseases among birds and humans. Therefore, it is crucial to comprehend the intricate connections between birds, vectors, zoonotic pathogens, and the environment, especially given the increasing urbanization and emergence of zoonotic illnesses. This review aims to provide a systematic overview of the significance of avian species in transmitting bacterial pathogens that pose a risk to public health.
Association between Protein Intake and Diabetes Complications Risk Following Incident Type 2 Diabetes: The EPIC-Potsdam Study

Our knowledge about the connection between protein intake and diabetes-related complications comes largely from studies among those already diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, there is a lack of information on whether changing protein intake after diabetes diagnosis affects complications risk. We aimed to explore the association between protein intake (total, animal, and plant) and vascular complications in incident T2D patients considering pre-diagnosis intake and changes in intake after diagnosis. This prospective cohort study included 1064 participants from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Potsdam cohort who developed T2D during follow-up (physician-verified). Dietary protein intake was measured with a food frequency questionnaire at baseline and follow-up. We included physician-reported incident diabetes complications (myocardial infarction, stroke, nephropathy, and neuropathy). A total of 388 participants developed complications, 82 macrovascular complications, and 343 microvascular complications. Substituting carbohydrates with protein showed a trend towards lower complications risk, although this association was not statistically significant (hazard ratio (HR) for 5% energy (E) substitution: 0.83; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.60–1.14). Increasing protein intake at the expense of carbohydrates after diabetes diagnosis was not associated with total and microvascular complications (HR for 5% E change substitution: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.89–1.08 and HR for 5% E change substitution: 1.02; 95% CI: 0.92–1.14, respectively). Replacing carbohydrates with protein did not elevate the risk of diabetes complications in incident T2D cases.
The impact of a corporate leniency program on antitrust enforcement and cartelization

To explore the efficacy of a corporate leniency program, a Markov process is constructed which models the stochastic formation and demise of cartels. Cartels are born when given the opportunity and market conditions are right, while cartels die because of internal collapse or they are caught and convicted by the antitrust authority. The likelihood that a cartel, once identified, is convicted depends inversely on the caseload of the antitrust authority due to an implicit resource constraint. The authority also chooses an enforcement policy in terms of the fraction of non-leniency cases that it prosecutes. Using numerical analysis, the impact of a leniency program on the steady-state cartel rate is investigated. Holding the enforcement policy of the antitrust authority fixed, a leniency program lowers the frequency of cartels. However, the additional caseload provided by the leniency program induces the antitrust authority to prosecute a smaller fraction of cartel cases identified outside of the program. Because of this less aggressive enforcement policy, it is possible that the cartel rate is higher when there is a leniency program.
The Impact of Relevance and Teacher Immediacy on Cognitive and Affective Learning

John F. Hooker is an Assistant Professor and Communication as Critical Inquiry (Com 110) Co-Director in the School of Communication. His responsibilities include preparing new graduate teaching assistants to deliver the Com 110 course and teaching classes in quantitative research methods and assessment. He has published on such topics as the utility of instructional discussion in the classroom, cognitive learning measurement, and assignment evaluation fidelity. His research interests include instructional communication, communication education, graduate teaching assistant training, the role of communication technologies in the teacherstudent relationship, and assessment.
P16 Loss and Mitotic Activity Predict Poor Survival in Patients with Peritoneal Malignant Mesothelioma

Purpose: Peritoneal malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive neoplasm for which intensive therapy improves survival in a subset of patients. We hypothesized that pathologic variables would stratify patients into favorable and unfavorable survival subgroups. Experimental Design: Fifty-four patients with peritoneal malignant mesothelioma were evaluated for trimodal therapy from 1995 to 2003. Two pathologists evaluated pathologic variables independently, and p16 status was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Results: Patients not receiving trimodal therapy had a significantly increased risk of death [hazard ratio (HR), 9.6; 4.3-21.6; P < 0.0001]. Biphasic histology was also associated with increased risk of death (HR, 8.5; 3.4-21.8; P < 0.0001). In multivariate analysis adjusting for treatment modality and histologic type, high mitotic rate and p16 loss were associated with increased risk of death (HR, 3.074; 1.05-9.0; P < 0.04 and HR, 3.65; 1.3-10.2; P < 0.014, respectively). Conclusions: Biphasic histology, increased mitotic rate, and p16 loss were independently associated with poorer survival in peritoneal malignant mesothelioma. Among the trimodal treated patients, increased mitotic rate was associated with increased risk of death.
Ultrastructure, Biology, and Phylogenetic Relationships of Kinorhyncha1

Abstract The article summarizes current knowledge mainly about the (functional) morphology and ultrastructure, but also about the biology, development, and evolution of the Kinorhyncha. The Kinorhyncha are microscopic, bilaterally symmetrical, exclusively free-living, benthic, marine animals and ecologically part of the meiofauna. They occur throughout the world from the intertidal to the deep sea, generally in sediments but sometimes associated with plants or other animals. From adult stages 141 species are known, but 38 species have been described from juvenile stages. The trunk is arranged into 11 segments as evidenced by cuticular plates, sensory spots, setae or spines, nervous system, musculature, and subcuticular glands. The ultrastructure of several organ systems and the postembryonic development are known for very few species. Almost no data are available about the embryology and only a single gene has been sequenced for a single species. The phylogenetic relationships within Kinorhyncha are unresolved. Priapulida, Loricifera, and Kinorhyncha are grouped together as Scalidophora, but arguments are found for every possible sistergroup relationship within this taxon. The recently published Ecdysozoa hypothesis suggests a closer relationship of the Scalidophora, Nematoda, Nematomorpha, Tardigrada, Onychophora, and Arthropoda.
Perioperative blood loss and its reduction: the role of the anaesthetist.

Anaesthesia may influence intraoperative bleeding in several ways, both physiological and pharmacological. Hydrostatic arterial pressure may be altered physiologically by changes in ventilatory pattern, positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and posture, and also by pharmacologically induced alterations in myocardial contractility and peripheral vascular tone. Other factors, such as hypoxia and hypercapnia, may affect vascular diameter, while the use of regional sympathetic block induced by extradural or spinal anaesthesia is also very effective in the reduction of intraoperative blood loss. Elective hypotension is a specific anaesthetic technique which goes beyond the ability of a good, safe, non stress-inducing anaesthetic to reduce blood loss. Its use may be classified broadly as applicable to situations in which the particular operation would otherwise be impossible (for example cardiovascular or cerebrovascular surgery), situations in which excessive blood loss might be detrimental (for example orthopaedic, spinal and maxillo-facial operations) and situations in which blood loss interferes with surgical visibility or technique (such as middle ear and cosmetic surgery). The demands of elective hypotension in such situations are very different, ranging from acute, short-term "dial-apressure" hypotension, to sustained, moderate hypotension for reduction of blood loss. The use of significant hypotension for cosmetic surgery has always been surrounded by controversy, but with modern monitoring techniques, and in the hands of experienced anaesthetists, it is undeniably advantageous and contributes to remarkable results, particularly after injury and trauma. A further controversial topic is the use of hypotension to conserve blood loss in patients in whom the preoperative haemoglobin concentration is reduced or those in whom transfusion is undesirable for various reasons.
Relationships between Personality Traits, Medial Temporal Lobe Atrophy, and White Matter Lesion in Subjects Suffering from Mild Cognitive Impairment

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a heterogeneous cognitive status that can be a prodromal stage of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It is particularly relevant to focus on prodromal stages of AD such as MCI, because patho-physiological abnormalities of AD start years before the dementia stage. Medial temporal lobe (MTL) atrophy resulting from AD lesions and cerebrovascular lesions [i.e., white matter lesions (WML), lacunar strokes, and strokes] are often revealed concurrently on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in MCI subjects. Personality changes have been reported to be associated with MCI status and early AD. More specifically, an increase in neuroticism and a decrease in conscientiousness have been reported, suggesting that higher and lower scores, respectively, in neuroticism and conscientiousness are associated with an increased risk of developing the disease. However, personality changes have not been studied concomitantly with pathological structural brain alterations detected on MRI in patients suffering from MCI. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to assess the relationship between MTL atrophy, WML, lacunar strokes, and personality traits in such patients. The severity of WML was strongly associated with lower levels of conscientiousness and higher levels of neuroticism. Conversely, no association was detected between personality traits and the presence of lacunar strokes or MTL atrophy. Altogether, these results strongly suggest that personality changes occurring in a MCI population, at high risk of AD, are associated with WML, which can induce executive dysfunctions, rather than with MTL atrophy.
NATURE OF THE LABILE IMMUNOGENIC SUBSTANCE IN THE PARTICULATE FRACTION ISOLATED FROM MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS

Youmans, Anne S. (Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Ill.), and Guy P. Youmans. Nature of the labile immunogenic substance in the particulate fraction isolated from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. J. Bacteriol. 88:1030–1037. 1964. —Deoxyribonuclease had no effect on the immunogenic activity of the labile particulate fraction isolated from ruptured viable cells of the H37Ra strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but decreased the ropiness of the ruptured cellular mass. Ribonuclease, in a high concentration, decreased the immunogenic activity slightly. Addition of yeast ribonucleic acid to particulate fraction incubated at 37 C prevented the decrease in immunogenic activity which normally occurs at this temperature, suggesting that endogenous ribonuclease may be involved in the reduction of activity. Differential centrifugation by the use of Brodie's (1962) method showed that the particles which sedimented at 56,550 × g were immunogenically active. Experiments were done to determine whether the integrity of the structure of the particle was necessary for immunogenic activity. It was found that sonic oscillation, freezing and thawing several times, the addition of surface-active agents (sodium lauryl sulfate or deoxycholate), and preparation of the particulate fraction in hypotonic solutions either decreased or destroyed immunogenic activity. This strengthens the evidence that a structural unit is necessary for activity. In addition, both a waxy sediment and the smallest particles which sedimented only at 144,000 × g were highly immunogenic if incorporated into Freund's incomplete adjuvant. In the absence of adjuvant, neither produced any immunity.
Deep Adaptive Image Clustering

Image clustering is a crucial but challenging task in machine learning and computer vision. Existing methods often ignore the combination between feature learning and clustering. To tackle this problem, we propose Deep Adaptive Clustering (DAC) that recasts the clustering problem into a binary pairwise-classification framework to judge whether pairs of images belong to the same clusters. In DAC, the similarities are calculated as the cosine distance between label features of images which are generated by a deep convolutional network (ConvNet). By introducing a constraint into DAC, the learned label features tend to be one-hot vectors that can be utilized for clustering images. The main challenge is that the ground-truth similarities are unknown in image clustering. We handle this issue by presenting an alternating iterative Adaptive Learning algorithm where each iteration alternately selects labeled samples and trains the ConvNet. Conclusively, images are automatically clustered based on the label features. Experimental results show that DAC achieves state-of-the-art performance on five popular datasets, e.g., yielding 97.75% clustering accuracy on MNIST, 52.18% on CIFAR-10 and 46.99% on STL-10.
Human Neuroscience Original Research Article Correlated Components of Ongoing Eeg Point to Emotionally Laden Attention – a Possible Marker of Engagement?

Recent evidence from functional magnetic resonance imaging suggests that cortical hemo-dynamic responses coincide in different subjects experiencing a common naturalistic stimulus. Here we utilize neural responses in the electroencephalogram (EEG) evoked by multiple presentations of short film clips to index brain states marked by high levels of correlation within and across subjects. We formulate a novel signal decomposition method which extracts maximally correlated signal components from multiple EEG records. The resulting components capture correlations down to a one-second time resolution, thus revealing that peak correlations of neural activity across viewings can occur in remarkable correspondence with arousing moments of the film. Moreover, a significant reduction in neural correlation occurs upon a second viewing of the film or when the narrative is disrupted by presenting its scenes scrambled in time. We also probe oscillatory brain activity during periods of heightened correlation, and observe during such times a significant increase in the theta band for a frontal component and reductions in the alpha and beta frequency bands for parietal and occipital components. Low-resolution EEG tomography of these components suggests that the correlated neural activity is consistent with sources in the cingulate and orbitofrontal cortices. Put together, these results suggest that the observed synchrony reflects attention-and emotion-modulated cortical processing which may be decoded with high temporal resolution by extracting maximally correlated components of neural activity.
Generic object recognition with boosting

This paper explores the power and the limitations of weakly supervised categorization. We present a complete framework that starts with the extraction of various local regions of either discontinuity or homogeneity. A variety of local descriptors can be applied to form a set of feature vectors for each local region. Boosting is used to learn a subset of such feature vectors (weak hypotheses) and to combine them into one final hypothesis for each visual category. This combination of individual extractors and descriptors leads to recognition rates that are superior to other approaches which use only one specific extractor/descriptor setting. To explore the limitation of our system, we had to set up new, highly complex image databases that show the objects of interest at varying scales and poses, in cluttered background, and under considerable occlusion. We obtain classification results up to 81 percent ROC-equal error rate on the most complex of our databases. Our approach outperforms all comparable solutions on common databases.
Impact of climate model resolution on soil moisture projections in central-western Europe

Abstract. Global climate models project widespread decreases in soil moisture over large parts of Europe. This paper investigates the impact of model resolution on the magnitude and seasonality of future soil drying in central-western Europe. We use the general circulation model EC-Earth to study two 30-year periods representative of the start and end of the 21st century under low-to-moderate greenhouse gas forcing (RCP4.5). In our study area, central-western Europe, at high spatial resolution (∼25 km) soil drying is more severe and starts earlier in the season than at standard resolution (∼112 km). Here, changes in the large-scale atmospheric circulation and local soil moisture feedbacks lead to enhanced evapotranspiration in spring and reduced precipitation in summer. A more realistic position of the storm track at high model resolution leads to reduced biases in precipitation and temperature in the present-day climatology, which act to amplify future changes in evapotranspiration in spring. Furthermore, in the high-resolution model a stronger anticyclonic anomaly over the British Isles extends over central-western Europe and supports soil drying. The resulting drier future land induces stronger soil moisture feedbacks that amplify drying conditions in summer. In addition, soil-moisture-limited evapotranspiration in summer promotes sensible heating of the boundary layer, which leads to a lower relative humidity with less cloudy conditions, an increase in dry summer days, and more incoming solar radiation. As a result a series of consecutive hot and dry summers appears in the future high-resolution climate. The enhanced drying at high spatial resolution suggests that future projections of central-western European soil drying by CMIP5 models have been potentially underestimated. Whether these results are robust has to be tested with other global climate models with similar high spatial resolutions.