Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rock lead isotopes in northeast Queensland

Abstract U‐Pb and Th‐Pb studies of rocks from an extensive Palaeozoic volcano‐plutonic province in northeast Queensland support conclusions derived from a previous Rb‐Sr study. The data oppose an earlier hypothesis, that two widespread and fundamentally different magma types are present. Interpretation of the lead data, however, must be treated with some caution since uranium movement apparently begins at a very early stage of weathering; X‐ray fluorescence data are displayed in a manner which suggests a simple rejection criterion.
Watershed‐scale modeling of streamflow change in incised montane meadows

Land use practices have caused stream channel incision and water table decline in many montane meadows of the Western United States. Incision changes the magnitude and timing of streamflow in water supply source watersheds, a concern to resource managers and downstream water users. The hydrology of montane meadows under natural and incised conditions was investigated using watershed simulation for a range of hydrologic conditions. The results illustrate the interdependence between: watershed and meadow hydrology; bedrock and meadow aquifers; and surface and groundwater flow through the meadow for the modeled scenarios. During the wet season, stream incision resulted in less overland flow and interflow and more meadow recharge causing a net decrease in streamflow and increase in groundwater storage relative to natural meadow conditions. During the dry season, incision resulted in less meadow evapotranspiration and more groundwater discharge to the stream causing a net increase in streamflow and a decrease in groundwater storage relative to natural meadow conditions. In general, for a given meadow setting, the magnitude of change in summer streamflow and long‐term change in watershed groundwater storage due to incision will depend on the combined effect of: reduced evapotranspiration in the eroded meadow; induced groundwater recharge; replenishment of dry season groundwater storage depletion in meadow and bedrock aquifers by precipitation during wet years; and groundwater storage depletion that is not replenished by precipitation during wet years.
Seasonal variations in the West Spitsbergen Current estimated from bottom pressure measurements

From 1982 to 1985 two pressure gauges were deployed across the continental shelf northwest of Spitsbergen to determine the seasonal variations in the barotropic component of the West Spitsbergen Current. The variation in current velocity was calculated after analysis and removal of the tidal signals and correction of the pressure difference across the 47-km section for bottom buoyancy effects. The pressure-derived velocity fluctuates about 10 cm s−1 peak to peak with the maximum northward flow occurring in the winter. The maximum appears to the correlated with the seasonal cycle of wind stress curl in the northern Greenland Sea. In fact, the magnitude of the velocity variation corresponds to the Sverdrup transport due to the fluctuation in wind stress curl at 79°N, 7.5°E. The idea that the observed variation might also be due to the spin-up of the basin by wind stress curl is explored with two simple analytical models. Basin spin-up does appear to be a possible cause. However, East Greenland Current velocity data from Muench et al. (1986) indicate that the fluctuation about the mean in the deep currents on the western side of the basin is northward in winter, while basin spin-up would produce a southward fluctuation. This supports the idea that Sverdrup transport dominates basin spin-up, at least at the margins of the basin. The fluctuations in transport and heat flux though the pressure gauge section are estimated to be 2 Sv and 30 to 60 TW peak to peak. These values are major fractions of historical estimates of the mean transport and heat flux values in the West Spitsbergen Current, and they are significant fractions of the total oceanic fluxes into the Arctic Ocean. This suggests that long time series are required to make meaningful estimates of the heat budget of the Arctic.
Isolated Hydatid Cyst of the Kidney

Background A hydatid cyst is a parasitic disease caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. Kidney involvement represents 4% of all cases, and is rare compared to that in the liver or lung, even more as an isolated site of infection. We present a case report of a woman with septic status, cutaneous fistula and a renal cystic mass revealed to be a solitary hydatid cyst of the kidney. Methods A 60-year-old woman was referred acutely by another hospital to our department because of septic fever, cutaneous lumbar fistula and a left kidney cystic mass of 10 x 8 cm. We suspected a renal abscess and the patient underwent immediate left nephrectomy. Results We performed an extraperitoneal nephrectomy with a lumbar access under the 12th rib with complete resection of the fistula. The histopathological examination revealed it to be a hydatid cyst involving 2/3 of the kidney. After surgery a medical therapy with albendazol was administrated for 6 months, and the patient did not have any other localization 24 months after surgery. Conclusions An isolated renal hydatid cyst presenting as cutaneous fistula with a septic status is a very rare condition. A pre-surgical diagnosis is not always possible as in this case. The surgical therapy (nephron-sparing or radical) is the key of the success and a medical therapy after surgery is recommended to prevent other localizations of this parasitic disease.
Calcitonin gene-related peptide is a key neurotransmitter in the neuro-immune axis

The question of how the neural and immune systems interact in host defense is important, integrating a system that senses the whole body with one that protects. Understanding the mechanisms and routes of control could produce novel and powerful ways of promoting and enhancing normal functions as well as preventing or treating abnormal functions. Fragmentation of biological research into specialities has resulted in some failures in recognizing and understanding interactions across different systems and this is most striking across immunology, hematology, and neuroscience. This reductionist approach does not allow understanding of the in vivo orchestrated response generated through integration of all systems. However, many factors make the understanding of multisystem cross-talk in response to a threat difficult, for instance the nervous and immune systems share communication molecules and receptors for a wide range of physiological signals. But, it is clear that physical, hard-wired connections exist between the two systems, with the key link involving sensory, unmyelinated nerve fibers (c fibers) containing the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and modified macrophages, mast cells and other immune and host defense cells in various locations throughout the body. In this review we will therefore focus on the induction of CGRP and its key role in the neuroimmune axis.
The epistemology of knowledge and the knowledge process cycle: beyond the "objectivist" vs "interpretivist"

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to critique current epistemologies of knowledge and intellectual capital, and provide a way forward within an integrated framework.Design/methodology/approach – The principles of linguistic philosophy and semiotics provide the basis for a rigorous analysis of the production of signs and of knowledge. The Knowledge Process Cycle is used to explore this further, to analyse how different types of communities produce a range of different kinds of information and knowledge, and to formulate a more coherent, theoretically rigorous epistemology.Findings – The current epistemological confusions can be resolved, by taking into account the arbitrary and conventional nature of signs, and the different epistemological requirements of the different phases of the Knowledge Cycle.Research limitations/implications – This research focuses on the confusions around “objectivist” and “interpretivist” epistemologies, and on how an analysis of the articulations of the various phases of th.
Purification by Immunoaffinity Chromatography, Characterization, and Structural Analysis of a Thermostable Pyranose Oxidase from the White Rot Fungus Phlebiopsis gigantea

A moderately thermostable pyranose oxidase (PROD) was purified to apparent homogeneity with a yield of 71% from mycelium extracts of the white rot fungus Phlebiopsis gigantea by an efficient three-step procedure that included heat treatment, immunoaffinity chromatography, and gel filtration on Superdex 200. PROD of P. gigantea is a glycoprotein with a pI between pH 5.3 and 5.7. The relative molecular weight (M(infr)) of native PROD is 295,600 (plusmn) 5% as determined by four independent methods. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of PROD revealed two distinct but similar stained bands corresponding to polypeptides with M(infr)s of 77,000 and 70,000, suggesting a heterotetrameric enzyme structure. The tetrameric structure of PROD was confirmed by electron microscopic examinations, which additionally showed the ellipsoidal shape (4.6 by 10 nm) of each subunit. Spectral analyses and direct determinations showed the presence of covalently bound flavin adenine dinucleotide with a stoichiometry of 3.12 mol/mol of enzyme. A broad pH optimum was determined in the range pH 5.0 to 8.0 in 100 mM sodium phosphate, and the activation energy for d-glucose oxidation was 24.7 kJ/mol. The main substrates of PROD are d-glucose, l-sorbose, and d-xylose, for which K(infm) values 1.2, 16.5, and 22.2 mM were determined, respectively. PROD showed high stability during storage. In 100 mM sodium phosphate (pH 6.0 to 8.0), the half-life of PROD activity was >300 days at 40(deg)C, >110 days at 50(deg)C (pH 7.0), and 1 h at 65(deg)C.
Semi‐permeable membrane retention of synovial fluid lubricants hyaluronan and proteoglycan 4 for a biomimetic bioreactor

Synovial fluid (SF) contains lubricant macromolecules, hyaluronan (HA), and proteoglycan 4 (PRG4). The synovium not only contributes lubricants to SF through secretion by synoviocyte lining cells, but also concentrates lubricants in SF due to its semi‐permeable nature. A membrane that recapitulates these synovium functions may be useful in a bioreactor system for generating a bioengineered fluid (BF) similar to native SF. The objectives were to analyze expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membranes with pore sizes of 50 nm, 90 nm, 170 nm, and 3 µm in terms of (1) HA and PRG4 secretion rates by adherent synoviocytes, and (2) the extent of HA and PRG4 retention with or without synoviocytes adherent on the membrane. Experiment 1: Synoviocytes were cultured on tissue culture (TC) plastic or membranes ± IL‐1β + TGF‐β1 + TNF‐α, a cytokine combination that stimulates lubricant synthesis. HA and PRG4 secretion rates were assessed by analysis of medium. Experiment 2: Bioreactors were fabricated to provide a BF compartment enclosed by membranes ± adherent synoviocytes, and an external compartment of nutrient fluid (NF). A solution with HA (1 mg/mL, MW ranging from 30 to 4,000 kDa) or PRG4 (50 µg/mL) was added to the BF compartment, and HA and PRG4 loss into the NF compartment after 2, 8, and 24 h was determined. Lubricant loss kinetics were analyzed to estimate membrane permeability. Experiment 1: Cytokine‐regulated HA and PRG4 secretion rates on membranes were comparable to those on TC plastic. Experiment 2: Transport of HA and PRG4 across membranes was lowest with 50 nm membranes and highest with 3 µm membranes, and transport of high MW HA was decreased by adherent synoviocytes (for 50 and 90 nm membranes). The permeability to HA mixtures for 50 nm membranes was ∼20 × 10−8 cm/s (− cells) and ∼5 × 10−8 cm/s (+ cells), for 90 nm membranes was ∼35 × 10−8 cm/s (− cells) and ∼19 × 10−8 cm/s (+ cells), for 170 nm membranes was ∼74 × 10−8 cm/s (± cells), and for 3 µm membranes was ∼139 × 10−8 cm/s (± cells). The permeability of 450 kDa HA was ∼40× lower than that of 30 kDa HA for 50 nm membranes, but only ∼2.5× lower for 3 µm membranes. The permeability of 4,000 kDa HA was ∼250× lower than that of 30 kDa HA for 50 nm membranes, but only ∼4× lower for 3 µm membranes. The permeability for PRG4 was ∼4 × 10−8 cm/s for 50 nm membranes, ∼48 × 10−8 cm/s for 90 nm membranes, ∼144 × 10−8 cm/s for 170 nm membranes, and ∼336 × 10−8 cm/s for 3 µm membranes. The associated loss across membranes after 24 h ranged from 3% to 92% for HA, and from 3% to 93% for PRG4. These results suggest that semi‐permeable membranes may be used in a bioreactor system to modulate lubricant retention in a bioengineered SF, and that synoviocytes adherent on the membranes may serve as both a lubricant source and a barrier for lubricant transport. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010; 106: 149–160. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Searching for a holographic connection between dark energy and the low l CMB multipoles

We consider the angular power spectrum in a finite universe with different boundary conditions and perform a fit to the CMB, LSS and supernova data. A finite universe could be the consequence of a holographic constraint, giving rise to an effective IR cut-off at the future event horizon. In such a model there is a cosmic duality relating the dark energy equation of state and the power spectrum, which shows a suppression and oscillatory behaviour that is found to describe the low l features extremely well. However, much of the discussion here will also apply if we actually live inside an expanding bubble that describes our universe. The best fit to the CMB and LSS data turns out to be better than in the standard ΛCDM model, but when combined with the supernova data, the holographic model becomes disfavoured. We speculate on the possible implications.
Graphs of $C^*$-correspondences and Fell bundles

We define the notion of a $\Lambda$-system of $C^*$-correspondences associated to a higher-rank graph $\Lambda$. Roughly speaking, such a system assigns to each vertex of $\Lambda$ a $C^*$-algebra, and to each path in $\Lambda$ a $C^*$-correspondence in a way which carries compositions of paths to balanced tensor products of $C^*$-correspondences. Under some simplifying assumptions, we use Fowler's technology of Cuntz-Pimsner algebras for product systems of $C^*$-correspondences to associate a $C^*$-algebra to each $\Lambda$-system. We then construct a Fell bundle over the path groupoid $\Gg_\Lambda$ and show that the $C^*$-algebra of the $\Lambda$-system coincides with the reduced cross-sectional algebra of the Fell bundle. We conclude by discussing several examples of our construction arising in the literature.
A simulation of the importance of length of growing season and canopy functional properties on the seasonal gross primary production of temperate alpine meadows.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Along snowmelt gradients, the canopies of temperate alpine meadows differ strongly in their structural and biochemical properties. Here, a study is made of the effects of these canopy dissimilarities combined with the snow-induced changes in length of growing season on seasonal gross primary production (GPP). METHODS Leaf area index (LAI) and community-aggregated values of leaf angle and leaf nitrogen content were estimated for seven alpine plant canopies distributed along a marked snowmelt gradient, and these were used as input variables in a sun-shade canopy bulk-photosynthesis model. The model was validated for plant communities of early and late snowmelt sites by measuring the instantaneous CO(2) fluxes with a canopy closed-chamber technique. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to estimate the relative impact of canopy properties and environmental factors on the daily and seasonal GPP. KEY RESULTS Carbon uptake was primarily related to the LAI and total canopy nitrogen content, but not to the leaf angle. For a given level of photosynthetically active radiation, CO(2) assimilation was higher under overcast conditions. Sensitivity analysis revealed that increase of the length of the growing season had a higher effect on the seasonal GPP than a similar increase of any other factor. It was also found that the observed greater nitrogen content and larger LAI of canopies in late-snowmelt sites largely compensated for the negative impact of the reduced growing season. CONCLUSIONS The results emphasize the primary importance of snow-induced changes in length of growing season on carbon uptake in alpine temperate meadows. It was also demonstrated how using leaf-trait values of the dominants is a useful approach for modelling ecosystem carbon-cycle-related processes, particularly when continuous measurements of CO(2) fluxes are technically difficult. The study thus represents an important step in addressing the challenge of using a plant functional-trait approach for biogeochemical modelling.
Evolution and distribution of TKE production and dissipation within stratified flow over topography

Analysis is presented of detailed observations of turbulence in stratified flow over topography. Key results are: 1) Directly measured dissipative energy losses due to skin friction and an internal hydraulic transition are relatively small, each accounting for approximately 10% of the mean flow energy loss, and 2) Production and dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy in flow over the topographic feature are in approximate balance throughout the transition from sub‐ to super‐critical mean flow. The study is two‐dimensional and a closed energy budget through direct measurement remains elusive; it is concluded that horizontal aspects of barotropic form drag such as eddy‐shedding are responsible for as much as 30–40% of the mean flow energy loss.
Antidepressants: update on new agents and indications.

A number of antidepressants have emerged in the U.S. market in the past two decades. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have become the drugs of choice in the treatment of depression, and they are also effective in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and social phobia. New indications for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors include post-traumatic stress disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. Extended-release venlafaxine has recently been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. Mirtazapine, which is unrelated to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, is unique in its action--stimulating the release of norepinephrine and serotonin. The choice of antidepressant drug depends on the agent's pharmacologic profile, secondary actions, and tolerability. Sexual dysfunction related to the use of antidepressants may be addressed by reducing the dosage, switching to another agent, or adding another drug to overcome the sexual side effects. Augmentation with lithium or triiodothyronine may be useful in patients who are partially or totally resistant to antidepressant treatment. Finally, tapering antidepressant medication may help to avoid discontinuation syndrome or antidepressant withdrawal.
Dynamic Cloud Instance Acquisition via IaaS Cloud Brokerage

Infrastructure-as-a-Service clouds offer diverse pricing options, including on-demand and reserved instances with various discounts to attract different cloud users. A practical problem facing cloud users is how to minimize their costs by choosing among different pricing options based on their own demands. In this paper, we propose a new cloud brokerage service that reserves a large pool of instances from cloud providers and serves users with price discounts. The broker optimally exploits both pricing benefits of longterm instance reservations and multiplexing gains. We propose dynamic strategies for the broker to make instance reservations with the objective of minimizing its service cost. These strategies leverage dynamic programming and approximation algorithms to rapidly handle large volumes of demand. Our extensive simulations driven by large-scale Google cluster-usage traces have shown that significant price discounts can be realized via the broker.
Sorption of water vapour by M-montmorillonite (M = Na, Li, La)

Abstract The effect of heating on the water sorption capacity of a La-saturated montmorillonite, La-Mt, has been investigated. Sodium and Li as exchangeable ions have also been included for comparative purposes. XPS of La-Mt shows no migration of La(III) from interlamellar positions to octahedral sites on heating at 300°C. The water adsorbed as a multilayer on the external surface of the montmorillonite has been subtracted from the total sorbed water. Although the c-spacing of La-Mt corresponds to a two-layer hydrate, in the relative humidity range from 30 to 70%, the interlamellar water amounts to only 70% of the value for a complete monolayer. Heating at 300°C for 24 h has no influence on the uptake of molecular water between the structural layers of the La-Mt. The average numbers of water molecules per exchangeable ion sorbed into the interlamellar spacing up to 50% r.h. are: 5(Na-Mt), 3(Li-Mt) and 13(La-Mt).
Effect of menstrual cycle on the injection pain due to propofol

Background This prospective, double-blind and randomized study is designed to determine the effect of menstrual cycle on the injection pain of propofol. Methods Seventy-two patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anaesthesia were divided into two groups according to the phase of the menstrual cycle. Patients were at follicular phase (Pd 8–12) in Group F (n = 36) and luteal phase (Pd 20–24) in Group L (n = 36). Injection pain was evaluated with 10-point numeric rating scale after 25% of the total propofol dose was injected over 20 s. Results There were no significant differences in terms of patient characteristics (P > 0.05). The mean propofol pain score was found 1.81 ± 2.30 in Group F and 4.83 ± 3.09 in Group L. Group L was found to have higher propofol injection pain scores than Group F (P < 0.001). Conclusion We conclude that the menstrual phase changes the perception of pain due to propofol injection, which is higher in the lutheal phase. In clinical practice, the phases of the menstrual cycle may have a significant role on injection pain of propofol in woman.
From Visual Exploration to Storytelling and Back Again

A major challenge of data-driven biomedical research lies in the collection and representation of data provenance information to ensure reproducibility of findings. In order to communicate and reproduce multi-step analysis workflows executed on datasets that contain data for dozens or hundreds of samples, it is crucial to be able to visualize the provenance graph at different levels of aggregation. Most existing approaches are based on node-link diagrams, which do not scale to the complexity of typical data provenance graphs. In our proposed approach we reduce the complexity of the graph using hierarchical and motif-based aggregation. Based on user action and graph attributes a modular degree-of-interest (DoI) function is applied to expand parts of the graph that are relevant to the user. This interest-driven adaptive provenance visualization approach allows users to review and communicate complex multi-step analyses, which can be based on hundreds of files that are processed by numerous workflows. We integrate our approach into an analysis platform that captures extensive data provenance information and demonstrate its effectiveness by means of a biomedical usage scenario.