Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the Generation of Late ERS Deformation Time Series Through Small Doppler and Baseline Subsets Differential SAR Interferograms

In this letter, we investigate the potential of the small baseline subset (SBAS) differential synthetic aperture radar interferometry (DInSAR) technique to produce consistent deformation time series by using data sets of SAR images with high Doppler centroid (DC) frequencies. To cope with this issue properly, we exploited an archive of SAR scenes acquired by the European Remote Sensing 2 (ERS-2) sensor after the February 2000 three-gyroscope navigation mode failure. Our approach is oriented toward the long-term investigation of large-scale displacements with low spatial resolution (about 100 × 100 m) by processing sets of SAR images without discarding scenes depending on their DC values. Our analysis involves a set of descending SAR data frames from 1992 to 2007 relevant to the Napoli (Italy) bay area. Comparison with contemporaneous Global Positioning System measurements clearly confirms the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Analysis of run-up of granular avalanches against steep, adverse slopes and protective barriers

The purpose of this study was to determine whether run-up of rapid landslides or avalanches against protective dykes or walls placed perpendicular to the path can be predicted using a dynamic model based on shallow-flow assumptions. A series of laboratory experiments were carried out involving rapid flow of dry sand in a flume, arrested by a steep adverse slope. The barrier slope was varied and included a perpendicular wall. A curved transition of varying radius separated the path from the barrier. The dynamic internal and basal friction angles of the sand were determined by independent testing. The results were analysed using a Savage–Hutter type model. A shock wave was observed as the flow approached the barrier toe and the model had to be improved by an original velocity-smoothing algorithm to prevent numerical instability. The new model is capable of simulating the entire process of run-up of the leading edge against the barrier face, deposition of the sand behind the barrier, and backward migration o.
Mobile Recommender Systems: Trust and Context-Awareness

The adoption of mobile commerce in service industries is lacking behind expectations. One reason is the missing trust of consumers in mobile devices as a shopping platform. We investigated the impact of three types of recommender systems on consumers' trusting beliefs and purchase intention by varying the level of social presence in recommender systems. Additionally, we accounted for the importance of context-sensitive services in m-commerce by examining, whether different usage contexts yield preferences for a certain level of social presence in a recommender system. Our findings suggest that different types of recommender systems vary in their impact on trusting beliefs. Furthermore, the usage of recommender systems is more likely to translate into purchase intentions in high-risk situations. In high-risk situations, low levels of social presence in recommender systems are important whereas in low-risk situations, high levels of social presence are preferred. Limitations and future implications for theory and practice are discussed.
Kinetic Mechanism of Human Myosin IIIA*

Myosin IIIA is specifically expressed in photoreceptors and cochlea and is important for the phototransduction and hearing processes. In addition, myosin IIIA contains a unique N-terminal kinase domain and C-terminal tail actin-binding motif. We examined the kinetic properties of baculovirus expressed human myosin IIIA containing the kinase, motor, and two IQ domains. The maximum actin-activated ATPase rate is relatively slow (kcat = 0.77 ± 0.08 s–1), and high actin concentrations are required to fully activate the ATPase rate (KATPase = 34 ± 11 μm). However, actin co-sedimentation assays suggest that myosin III has a relatively high steady-state affinity for actin in the presence of ATP (Kactin ∼ 7 μm). The rate of ATP binding to the motor domain is quite slow both in the presence and absence of actin (K1k+2 = 0.020 and 0.001 μm–1·s–1, respectively). The rate of actin-activated phosphate release is more than 100-fold faster (85 s–1) than the kcat, whereas ADP release in the presence of actin follows a two-step mechanism (7.0 and 0.6 s–1). Thus, our data suggest a transition between two actomyosin-ADP states is the rate-limiting step in the actomyosin III ATPase cycle. Our data also suggest the myosin III motor spends a large fraction of its cycle in an actomyosin ADP state that has an intermediate affinity for actin (Kd ∼ 5 μm). The long lived actomyosin-ADP state may be important for the ability of myosin III to function as a cellular transporter and actin cross-linker in the actin bundles of sensory cells.
Satellite monitoring of fire in the EXPRESSO study area during the 1996 dry season experiment: Active fires, burnt area, and atmospheric emissions

Fire activity in central Africa was monitored with NOAA advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR) satellite imagery, acquired in situ during the 1996 dry season campaign of the Experiment for Regional Sources and Sinks of Oxidants (EXPRESSO). The extent of the area affected by fire was estimated with a contextual active fire detection algorithm, and with a burnt area mapping approach, based on multiple fuzzy thresholds. The latter was considered to produce more accurate results. In a study area of 2×106 km2, and during a 5-week period, the areas affected were estimated at 112,578 and 525,820 km2 by the active fires and burnt area algorithms, respectively. Biomass densities, combustion factors, and emissions factors for Sudanian savanna, Guinean savanna, and dense tropical forest vegetation types were obtained from the literature, and used to estimate biomass burnt (228–371 Tg), and pyrogenic emissions of aerosols (1.8–2.6 Tg) and of the trace gases CO2 (374–609 Tg), CO (29.2–39.0 Tg), CH4 (2.05–2.73 Tg), and NOx (1.1–1.4 Tg). Because of its high biomass density, the tropical forest was a major source of atmospheric emissions, in spite of the relatively small extent of area burnt in this ecosystem. This highlights the need for particularly accurate estimates of area burnt, biomass density, combustion factor, and emissions factor for the dense tropical forest, as well as the potential for a significant increase in regional pyrogenic emissions as a consequence of deforestation.
3D modelling of rifting through a pre-existing stack of nappes in the Gulf of Corinth (Greece): a mixed analogue/numerical approach

Abstract The Gulf of Corinth is a young (1 Ma) active rift currently extending N00, which displays significant contrasts in structural style along strike. A possible explanation for these variations is the presence of the Phyllades nappe in the basement of the western part of the Gulf. Previous 2D thermo-mechanical models have shown that a strong strength contrast between this metamorphic unit and the rest of the basement can explain the kinematics and the spacing of the faults in the western part. The rift, however, displays a wide variety of 3D features (e.g., en echelon faulting, N30 transverse normal faults) that cannot be taken into account using 2D modelling. To obtain 3D insights into the role of an inherited dipping weakness zone, analogue (sand and PDMS) experiments based on the results of the 2D numerical thermo-mechanical model have been performed. The analogue models show that a 30° discrepancy between the dipping direction of the weak nappe and the direction of extension leads to the formation of en echelon and N30 striking normal faults as observed in the Gulf of Corinth. However, fault spacing and graben width completely misfit both the data and the results of the thermo-mechanical models on which the analogue experiments were based. In order to understand those differences, numerical mechanical benchmarks of the analogue experiments have been run to test different factors (3D lateral displacements, values of the elastic parameters and bottom boundary conditions) that could have affected the dynamics of the analogue model. This approach highlights, for our case study, that the misfits are mostly related to the lack of isostatic compensation at the base of the analogue experiments.
DELAYED HYPERSENSITIVITY IN VITRO. 3. THE SPECIFICITY OF HAPTEN-PROTEIN CONJUGATES IN THE INHIBITION OF CELL MIGRATION.

Summary Evidence has been presented which demonstrates in an in vitro system the importance of carrier protein specificity in the inhibition of migration of peritoneal exudate cells from animals immunized with hapten-protein conjugates. In contrast, serum antibodies from the same animals were shown to react to the hapten regardless of the carrier protein, illustrating a different specificity.
Construction of All-India Summer Monsoon Rainfall Series for the Period 1844–1991

Abstract An all-India summer monsoon rainfall series for the instrumental period of 1844–1991 has been constructed using a progressively increasing station density to 1870, and one that is fixed thereafter at a uniformly distributed 36 stations. The statistical scheme accounts for the increasing variance contributed to the all-India series by the increasing number of stations during the period 1844–1870. An interesting outcome of this study is that a reliable estimate of summer monsoon rainfall over India can he obtained using only 36 observations.
Origin of the Precambrian iron formations

Discussion of the Lepp and Goldich paper (Econ. Geology, v. 59, no. 6, p. 1025-1060, 1964) offers the thesis that iron formations may result from both weathering and volcanic processes. Uniformity of iron content is probably overemphasized.
White matter damage on diffusion tensor imaging correlates with age-related cognitive decline

Background: Damage to white matter tracts, resulting in “cerebral disconnection,” may underlie age-related cognitive decline. Methods: Using diffusion tensor MRI (DTI) to investigate white matter damage, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to look at its underlying pathologic basis, the authors investigated the relationship between white matter structure and cognition in 106 healthy middle-aged and elderly adults. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) values, whole brain white matter histograms, and regions of interest placed in the white matter of the centrum semiovale were analyzed. Correlations with executive function, working memory, and information-processing speed were performed. Results: There was a progressive reduction in FA and increase in diffusivity with age in both region of interest (r = 0.551, p < 0.001), and whole brain histograms (r = 0.625, p < 0.001). DTI values correlated with performance in all three cognitive domains. After controlling for age, DTI parameters correlated with working memory but not with the other two cognitive domains. MRS studies found a correlation of N-acetyl aspartate, a neuronal marker, with DTI parameters (r = 0.253, p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results are consistent with white matter damage due to axonal loss, causing age- related cognitive decline. Working memory may be particularly dependent on complex networks dependent on white matter connections.
Comparative effect of positive and negative static magnetic fields on heart rate and blood pressure in healthy adults

Objective: To compare changes in heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) associated with short-term exposure to static magnetic fields (SMFs) of positive versus negative polarity. Design: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial using a time series design. Setting: Physical therapy laboratory in a university setting. Subjects: Seventy-five adults with a mean age of 30.6 years were assigned to one of three treatment groups. No subjects had any symptoms of cardiovascular disease or cardiac irregularity. Interventions: Fifteen-minute exposure to an SMF by lying on a mattress pad containing magnets of positive polarity, negative polarity, or none (placebo). Main outcome measures: HR and BP were monitored prior to exposure, at 1-minute, 5-minute, 10-minute and 15-minute intervals following exposure, and again 5 minutes after exposure. Results: Subjects in all groups demonstrated slight decreases in HR and BP, but none of these changes were associated with the intervention (p = 0.170). Conclusions: Short-term exposure to an SMF of either positive or negative polarity does not appear to cause any clinically meaningful changes in HR or BP among asymptomatic subjects. This finding supports the safe use of unipolar SMFs that contain low-intensity magnets (<1000 gauss) relative to the cardiovascular system.
IMPROVED KNIGHT METHOD BASED ON NARROWED SEARCH SPACE FOR INSTANTANEOUS GPS ATTITUDE DETERMINATION

The Knight algorithm can instantaneously resolve integer ambiguities and improve significantly the search speed by skipping over most less-likely integer ambiguity candidates. However, its reliability relies on the volume of the integer ambiguity search space. Utilizing coarse attitude knowledge can reduce the size of the search space. This paper proposes a new method to narrow the search space by taking into account a geometric constraint of visible satellites. The constraint is formulated as a recursive procedure and is thus very suitable to be incorporated into the search loop of the Knight method. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can improve the search efficiency and reliability of the Knight method.
A COVQ-based image coder for channels with bit errors and erasures

We illustrate how channel optimized vector quantization (COVQ) can be used for channels with both bit-errors and bit-erasures. First, a memoryless channel model is presented, and the performance of COVQ's trained for this channel is evaluated for an i.i. d. Gaussian source. Then, the new method is applied in implementing an error-robust sub-band image coder, and we present image results that illustrate the resulting performance. Our experiments show that the new approach is able to outperform a traditional scheme based on separate source and channel coding.
Relations of Central Hemodynamics and Aortic Stiffness with Left Ventricular Structure and Function: The Framingham Heart Study

In the article by Kaess et al, “Relations of Central Hemodynamics and Aortic Stiffness with Left Ventricular Structure and Function: The Framingham Heart Study,” which published online March 25, 2016, and appeared in the March 2016 issue of the journal ( J Am Heart Assoc . 2016;5:e002693 doi: [
Hepatitis B virus coinfection negatively impacts HIV outcomes in HIV seroconverters.

BACKGROUND Understanding the impact of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection has been limited by heterogeneity of HIV disease. We evaluated HBV coinfection and HIV-related disease progression in a cohort of HIV seroconverters. METHODS Participants with HIV diagnosis seroconversion window of ≤ 3 years and serologically confirmed HBV infection (HB) status were classified at baseline into 4 HB groups. The risk of clinical AIDS/death in HIV seroconverters was calculated by HB status. RESULTS Of 2352 HIV seroconverters, 474 (20%) had resolved HB, 82 (3%) had isolated total antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAb), and 64 (3%) had chronic HB. Unadjusted rates (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) of clinical AIDS/death for the HB-negative, resolved HB, isolated HBcAb, and chronic HB groups were 2.43 (2.15-2.71); 3.27 (2.71-3.84); 3.75 (2.25-5.25); and 5.41 (3.41-7.42), respectively. The multivariable risk of clinical AIDS/death was significantly higher in the chronic HB group compared to the HB-negative group (hazard ratio [HR], 1.80; 95% CI, 1.20-2.69); while the HRs were increased but nonsignificant for those with resolved HB (HR, 1.17; 95% CI, .94-1.46) and isolated HBcAb (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, .75-1.75). CONCLUSIONS HBV coinfection has a significant impact on HIV outcomes. The hazard for an AIDS or death event is almost double for those with chronic HB compared, with HIV-monoinfected persons.
Changes in cell-cycle kinetics during the development and evolution of primate neocortex.

The evolutionary expansion of neocortical size in mammals is particularly prominent in anthropoid primates (i.e., monkeys, apes, and humans) and reflects an increased number of cortical cells, yet the developmental basis for this increase remains undefined. Cortical cell production depends on the length of the cell-division cycle of progenitor cells during neurogenesis, which previously has been measured only in smaller-brained rodents. To investigate whether cortical expansion in primates reflects modification of cell-cycle kinetics, we determined cell-cycle length during neurogenesis in the proliferative cerebral ventricular zone of fetal rhesus monkeys, by using cumulative S-phase labeling with bromodeoxyuridine. Cell-cycle durations in monkeys were as much as 5 times longer than those reported in rodents. Nonetheless, substantially more total rounds of cell division elapsed during the prolonged neurogenetic period of the monkey cortex, providing a basis for increased cell production. Moreover, unlike the progressive slowing that occurs during cortical development in rodents, cell division accelerated during neurogenesis of the enlarged cortical layers in monkeys. These findings suggest that evolutionary modification of the duration and number of progenitor cell divisions contributed to both the expansion and laminar elaboration of the primate neocortex.
Student Employability and its Implications for Geography Curricula and Learning Practices

The nature and mission of universities have changed over the past two decades. The move towards mass education with decreased levels of state support has come with greater levels of accountability to stakeholders, including students, employers and the state itself. Graduates are expected to exhibit greater degrees of employability: that is they are more likely to gain and maintain employment, and to progress in workplaces and build careers. In this paper, we discuss the varying mixes of geographical knowledge, technical competencies and personal attributes that graduates require, before examining the implications on the design of geography curricula and learning practices.
Plant diversity after rain-forest fires in Borneo

In the last two decades El-Nino-induced fires have caused widespread destruction of forests in East Kalimantan. The 1997-98 fires were the most extensive yet. The post-fire situation was studied in detail by field assessments and high-resolution SAR-images. My results show that rain forests are better able to conserve their high plant diversity than has been assumed because of the network of unburnt remnant forest, large remnant trees, and abundant tree regeneration. These elements were present in burnt forests throughout the burnt region. Subsequent destructive human activities, rather than El-Nino fires themselves, are the major threat to these forests´ plant diversity.
Reversible loss of crystallinity on photobleaching purple membrane in the presence of hydroxylamine.

Structural changes of purple membrane during photobleaching in the presence of hydroxylamine were monitored using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The process of bleaching was associated with the disassembly of the purple membrane crystal into smaller crystals. Imaging steps of the photobleaching progress showed that disassembly proceeds until the sample is fully bleached and its crystallinity is almost lost. As revealed from high resolution AFM topographs, the loss of crystallinity was initiated by loss of lattice forming contact between the individual bacteriorhodopsin trimers. The bacteriorhodopsin molecules, however, remained assembled into trimers during the entire photobleaching process. Regeneration of the photobleached sample into intact purple membrane resulted in the reassembly of the bacteriorhodopsin trimers into the trigonal lattice of purple membrane. The data provide novel insights into factors triggering purple membrane formation and structure.
Polyglutamine Aggregate Structure In Vitro and In Vivo; New Avenues for Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering Microscopy

Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy is applied for the first time for the evaluation of the protein secondary structure of polyglutamine (polyQ) aggregates in vivo. Our approach demonstrates the potential for translating information about protein structure that has been obtained in vitro by X-ray diffraction into a microscopy technique that allows the same protein structure to be detected in vivo. For these studies, fibres of polyQ containing peptides (D2Q15K2) were assembled in vitro and examined by electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction methods; the fibril structure was shown to be cross β-sheet. The same polyQ fibres were evaluated by Raman spectroscopy and this further confirmed the β-sheet structure, but indicated that the structure is highly rigid, as indicated by the strong Amide I signal at 1659 cm−1. CARS spectra were simulated using the Raman spectrum taking into account potential non-resonant contributions, providing evidence that the Amide I signal remains strong, but slightly shifted to lower wavenumbers. Combined CARS (1657 cm−1) and multi-photon fluorescence microscopy of chimeric fusions of yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) with polyQ (Q40) expressed in the body wall muscle cells of Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes (1 day old adult hermaphrodites) revealed diffuse and foci patterns of Q40-YFP that were both fluorescent and exhibited stronger CARS (1657 cm−1) signals than in surrounding tissues at the resonance for the cross β-sheet polyQ in vitro.
Petrology of the greenstones of the Lower Sorachi Group in the Sorachi–Yezo Belt, central Hokkaido, Japan, with special reference to discrimination between oceanic plateau basalts and mid‐oceanic ridge basalts

Abstract The Lower Sorachi Group of the Sorachi–Yezo Belt in central Hokkaido, Japan is a peculiar accretionary complex characterized by numerous occurrences of greenstones (metabasalts and diabases), which are mostly composed of aphyric basalts. Clinopyroxene‐rich phenocryst assemblage in phyric basalts is different from olivine–plagioclase assemblage in mid‐oceanic ridge basalts (MORB). The greenstones are geochemically uniform, and show a lower‐Ti trend than MORB in an FeO*/MgO‐TiO2 diagram, mostly plotting on the island arc tholeiite (IAT) field in a TiO2−10MnO−10P2O5 diagram. In a MORB‐normalized spider diagram, the greenstones show a flat pattern from P to Y, which are lower than those of normal mid‐oceanic ridge basalt (N‐MORB). These indicate that the greenstones were derived by a higher degree of partial melting from a depleted mantle similar to a N‐MORB source, and experienced olivine–clinopyroxene fractional crystallization. However, a positive spike of Nb in the spider diagram cannot be explained, and may be attributed to mantle heterogeneity. These characteristics are analogous to those of oceanic plateau basalts (OPB) such as in Ontong Java Plateau, Manihiki Plateau and Nauru Basin, suggesting that the greenstones in the Lower Sorachi Group are of oceanic plateau origin. The present study proposes new field divisions to distinguish OPB from MORB in the conventional FeO*/MgO–TiO2 and TiO2−10MnO−10P2O5 diagrams.