Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Heat Waves in the United States: Mortality Risk during Heat Waves and Effect Modification by Heat Wave Characteristics in 43 U.S. Communities

Background Devastating health effects from recent heat waves, and projected increases in frequency, duration, and severity of heat waves from climate change, highlight the importance of understanding health consequences of heat waves. Objectives We analyzed mortality risk for heat waves in 43 U.S. cities (1987–2005) and investigated how effects relate to heat waves’ intensity, duration, or timing in season. Methods Heat waves were defined as ≥ 2 days with temperature ≥ 95th percentile for the community for 1 May through 30 September. Heat waves were characterized by their intensity, duration, and timing in season. Within each community, we estimated mortality risk during each heat wave compared with non-heat wave days, controlling for potential confounders. We combined individual heat wave effect estimates using Bayesian hierarchical modeling to generate overall effects at the community, regional, and national levels. We estimated how heat wave mortality effects were modified by heat wave characteristics (intensity, duration, timing in season). Results Nationally, mortality increased 3.74% [95% posterior interval (PI), 2.29–5.22%] during heat waves compared with non-heat wave days. Heat wave mortality risk increased 2.49% for every 1°F increase in heat wave intensity and 0.38% for every 1-day increase in heat wave duration. Mortality increased 5.04% (95% PI, 3.06–7.06%) during the first heat wave of the summer versus 2.65% (95% PI, 1.14–4.18%) during later heat waves, compared with non-heat wave days. Heat wave mortality impacts and effect modification by heat wave characteristics were more pronounced in the Northeast and Midwest compared with the South. Conclusions We found higher mortality risk from heat waves that were more intense or longer, or those occurring earlier in summer. These findings have implications for decision makers and researchers estimating health effects from climate change.
Role of PIN-mediated auxin efflux in apical hook development of Arabidopsis thaliana

The apical hook of dark-grown Arabidopsis seedlings is a simple structure that develops soon after germination to protect the meristem tissues during emergence through the soil and that opens upon exposure to light. Differential growth at the apical hook proceeds in three sequential steps that are regulated by multiple hormones, principally auxin and ethylene. We show that the progress of the apical hook through these developmental phases depends on the dynamic, asymmetric distribution of auxin, which is regulated by auxin efflux carriers of the PIN family. Several PIN proteins exhibited specific, partially overlapping spatial and temporal expression patterns, and their subcellular localization suggested auxin fluxes during hook development. Genetic manipulation of individual PIN activities interfered with different stages of hook development, implying that specific combinations of PIN genes are required for progress of the apical hook through the developmental phases. Furthermore, ethylene might modulate apical hook development by prolonging the formation phase and strongly suppressing the maintenance phase. This ethylene effect is in part mediated by regulation of PIN-dependent auxin efflux and auxin signaling.
Data Security and Information Privacy for PDA Accessible Clinical-Log for Medical Education in Problem-Based Learning (PBL) Approach

Data security and information privacy are the important aspects to consider for the use of mobile technology for recording clinical experience and encounter in medical education. Objective: This study aims to address the qualitative findings of the appropriate data security and information privacy for PDA accessible clinical-log in problem-based learning (PBL) approach in medical education. Method: The semi-structured interviews were conducted with the medical faculty members, honorary clinical academics and medical education technology specialists. Results: Data security and information access plan were determined for managing clinical-log data. The results directed the guideline for the future development and implementation of clinical-log and other functionalities on PDAs. Conclusion: The findings provide the understanding of aspects, concerns and appropriate strategy to safeguard data security and information privacy of PDA accessible clinical-log.
Maximum and Medium Security: The Interface

This paper examines transfer delays for patients moving between medium and maximum security hospitals. Delays appear to be getting shorter and Special Hospitals in particular respond very quickly to requests for admission. Recommendations are made for further improvements in transfer procedures. The authors argue that with closer working relationships between clinicians in Special Hospitals and Regional Secure Units, and the new proactive approach to transfers, the system will become increasingly flexible and responsive. Consequent improvements in the quality of care in Special Hospitals are anticipated, making the arguments for closing them, in turn, less convincing.
Late Quaternary Paleoceanography of the Tropical Atlantic, 1: Spatial Variability of Annual Mean Sea-Surface Temperatures, 0-20,000 Years B.P.

At least two modes of glacial-interglacial climate change have existed within the tropical Atlantic Ocean during the last 20,000 years. The first mode (defined by cold glacial and warm interglacial conditions) occurred symmetrically north and south of the equator and dominated the eastern boundary currents and tropical upwelling areas. This pattern suggests that mode 1 is driven by a glacial modification of surface winds in both hemispheres. The second mode of oceanic climate change, defined by temperature extremes centered on the deglaciation, was hemispherically asymmetrical, with the northern tropical Atlantic relatively cold and the southern tropical Atlantic relatively warm during deglaciation. A likely cause for this pattern of variation is a reduction of the presently northward cross-equatorial heat flux during deglaciation. No single mechanism accounts for all the data. Potential contributors to oceanic climate changes are linkage to high-latitude climates, modification of monsoonal winds by ice sheet and/or insolation changes, atmospheric CO2 and greenhouse effects, indirect effects of glacial meltwater, and variations in thermohaline overturn of the oceans.
Condition- and parasite-dependent expression of a male-like trait in a female bird

In many species, females display brightly coloured and elaborate traits similar to those that males use in intra- and inter-sexual selection processes. These female characters are sometimes related to fitness, and might function as secondary sexual characteristics that have evolved through sexual selection. Here, we used descriptive data from 674 females in 10 populations and an experimental removal of Trichostrongylus tenuis parasites in four populations, to examine the effects of season, age, condition, and parasites on the size of supra-orbital combs displayed by female red grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus. We found that comb size (i) was greater during the breeding than the non-breeding season, (ii) was greater in adult than in young females, (iii) was positively correlated with body condition, and (iv) negatively correlated with parasite abundance. Experimentally, we showed that comb size increased proportionally to the number of worms removed after parasite dosing. Our findings provide a better understanding of proximate mechanisms behind the expression of a male-like trait in females, and we discuss its possible function as a female ornament.
Fourth-Order Time-Stepping for Stiff PDEs

A modification of the exponential time-differencing fourth-order Runge--Kutta method for solving stiff nonlinear PDEs is presented that solves the problem of numerical instability in the scheme as proposed by Cox and Matthews and generalizes the method to nondiagonal operators. A comparison is made of the performance of this modified exponential time-differencing (ETD) scheme against the competing methods of implicit-explicit differencing, integrating factors, time-splitting, and Fornberg and Driscoll's "sliders" for the KdV, Kuramoto--Sivashinsky, Burgers, and Allen--Cahn equations in one space dimension. Implementation of the method is illustrated by short MATLAB programs for two of the equations. It is found that for these applications with fixed time steps, the modified ETD scheme is the best.
Image versus Health: The Role of Perceptions of Masculinity on Sexual Risk Behaviors among HIV-Positive African American Men who have Sex with Men and Women

Background HIV prevention has rarely explored the impact of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) across health domains among African American men who have sex with men and women (MSMW). Early sexual experiences may influence perceptions of gender roles, sexual identity, and risks for HIV/AIDS. The attribute of masculinity is commonly associated with strength and success. However, a legacy of racism and oppression may pose challenges for African American men in achieving gender-based milestones. Instead, proxies for success may include masculinity constructs with hypersexual posturing and prowess that contradict sexual health messages. Methods Two groups, each meeting twice for 90-minutes, of HIV-positive African American MSMW participated in discussions focusing on masculinity and sexual experiences. Participants were bisexual HIV-positive African American men who engaged in unprotected sex and had histories of CSA. Discussions were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using consensual qualitative research and a constant comparison qualitative method. Results Participant mean age was 40.5 years (n=16). Majority had a high school education (69%), half were unemployed, and almost two-thirds earned less than $20,000 annually. Three themes, each with two subthemes, emerged that described the sociocultural context for engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors, and included: 1) the importance of inhabiting a “traditional” masculine gender role with: a) general and b) sexual masculine traits; 2) the influence of conceptions of masculinity on sexual identity with the associations: a) between being gay and being effeminate and b) between being gay and being HIV-positive, and; 3) CSA experiences with: a) appraisal of CSA and b) early sexual experiences as rites of passage. Conclusion Attempts to be masculine may contribute to high-risk sexual behaviors. Research needs to explore how early sexual experiences shape perceptions of masculinity and masculinity's influence on receiving health messages for African American MSMW who may prioritize a specific image over sexual risk reduction
Widespread Cretaceous inversion event in northern Spain: evidence from subsurface and palaeomagnetic data

Abstract: In this paper we present geological evidence of a mid-Cretaceous inversion event in the Polientes basin (northern Iberian plate) based on geological data. Analysis of seismic profiles across the basin indicates that this tectonic event resulted in the uplift of the basin depocentre and the formation of an upright gentle anticline before Cenomanian times. The presence of a pre-Alpine, syntectonic remagnetization in the Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous rocks of the Polientes basin allows us to define the geometry of the basin at the time between this early inversion event and the main Alpine compressional period. The early inversion in the Polientes basin is consistent with a transpressional tectonic setting, contemporaneous with the left-lateral strike-slip movement of Iberia with respect to Europe. This study shows the successful use of two approaches to unravel the geodynamic scenario of the northern Iberian plate during the Cretaceous, which was later obliterated during the Tertiary Pyrenean orogeny.
Open 2D Electrical Impedance Tomography data archive

This document reports an Open 2D Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) data set. The EIT measurements were collected from a circular body (a flat tank filled with saline) with various choices of conductive and resistive inclusions. Data are available at this http URL EIT_dataset. php and can be freely used for scientific purposes with appropriate references to them, and to this document at https://arxiv.org. The data set consists of (1) current patterns and voltage measurements of a circular tank containing different targets, (2) photos of the tank and targets and (3) a MATLAB-code for reading the data. A video report of the data collection session is available at this https URL.
Asymmetrical Spatial Accuracy in 3D Tracking

This paper reports on asymmetrical spatial accuracy of human subjects in tracking of an object which moves randomly with 6 degrees-of-freedom (DOF) in a 3D environment. It was found that, for translational errors, RMS deviations in the depth (Z) direction were 40% higher than those in the horizontal (X) direction, for an experimental display which provided binocular disparity (stereopsis), perspective and partial occlusion cues. In general, translational tracking errors in the vertical (Y) direction were greater than those in the X direction and smaller than those in the Z direction. In early stages of practice, vertical errors were similar to those in the Z direction, but as learning progressed, errors in the X and Y dimensions converged. These finding were consistent across two types of controllers and different tracking paths in the 3D environment. It would appear that horizontal movement requires higher attentional resource priority over vertical movement in such a tracking task.
Pragmatic Neural Language Modelling in Machine Translation

This paper presents an in-depth investigation on integrating neural language models in translation systems. Scaling neural language models is a difficult task, but crucial for real-world applications. This paper evaluates the impact on end-to-end MT quality of both new and existing scaling techniques. We show when explicitly normalising neural models is necessary and what optimisation tricks one should use in such scenarios. We also focus on scalable training algorithms and investigate noise contrastive estimation and diagonal contexts as sources for further speed improvements. We explore the trade-offs between neural models and back-off n-gram models and find that neural models make strong candidates for natural language applications in memory constrained environments, yet still lag behind traditional models in raw translation quality. We conclude with a set of recommendations one should follow to build a scalable neural language model for MT.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome 40 years later: Time to revisit its definition*

Objective:Acute respiratory distress syndrome is a common disorder associated with significant mortality and morbidity. The aim of this article is to critically evaluate the definition of acute respiratory distress syndrome and examine the impact the definition has on clinical practice and research. Data Sources:Articles from a MEDLINE search (1950 to August 2007) using the Medical Subject Heading respiratory distress syndrome, adult, diagnosis, limited to the English language and human subjects, their relevant bibliographies, and personal collections, were reviewed. Data Synthesis:The definition of acute respiratory distress syndrome is important to researchers, clinicians, and administrators alike. It has evolved significantly over the last 40 years, culminating in the American–European Consensus Conference definition, which was published in 1994. Although the American–European Consensus Conference definition is widely used, it has some important limitations that may impact on the conduct of clinical research, on resource allocation, and ultimately on the bedside management of such patients. These limitations stem partially from the fact that as defined, acute respiratory distress syndrome is a heterogeneous entity and also involve the reliability and validity of the criteria used in the definition. This article critically evaluates the American–European Consensus Conference definition and its limitations. Importantly, it highlights how these limitations may contribute to clinical trials that have failed to detect a potential true treatment effect. Finally, recommendations are made that could be considered in future definition modifications with an emphasis on the significance of accurately identifying the target population in future trials and subsequently in clinical care. Conclusion:How acute respiratory distress syndrome is defined has a significant impact on the results of randomized, controlled trials and epidemiologic studies. Changes to the current American–European Consensus Conference definition are likely to have an important role in advancing the understanding and management of acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Leveraged Neighborhood Restructuring in Cultural Algorithms for Solving Real-World Numerical Optimization Problems

Many researchers have developed population-based techniques to solve numerical optimization problems. Almost none of these techniques demonstrate consistent performance over a wide range of problems as these problems differ substantially in their characteristics. In the state-of-the-art cultural algorithms (CAs), problem solving is facilitated by the exchange of knowledge between a network of active knowledge sources in the belief space and networks of individuals in the population space. To enhance the performance of CAs, we restructure the social fabric interconnections to facilitate flexible communication among problem solvers in the population space. Several social network reconfiguration mechanisms and types of communications are examined. This extended CA is compared with other variants of CAs and other well-known state-of-the-art algorithms on a set of challenging real-world problems. The numerical results show that the injection of neighborhoods with flexible subnetworks enhances performance on a diverse landscape of numerical optimization problems.
Analysis of gps data collected on the Greenland ice sheet

Abstract For several years, GPS observations have been made year round at the Swiss Camp, Greenland. The GPS data are recorded for 12 hours every 10–15 days; data are stored in memory and downloaded during the annual field season. Traditional GPS analysis techniques, where the receiver is assumed not to move within a 24‐hour period, are not appropriate at the Swiss Camp, where horizontal velocities are on the order of 30 cm/day. Comparison of analysis strategies for these GPS data indicate that a parameterization can be chosen that minimizes noise due to satellite outages without corrupting the estimated ice positions. Low‐elevation‐angle observations should be included in the analysis in order to increase the number of satellites viewed at each data epoch. Carrier phase ambiguity resolution is important for improving the accuracy of receiver coordinates.
Hirnantian (latest Ordovician) δ13C chemostratigraphy in southern Sweden and globally: a refined integration with the graptolite and conodont zone successions

The δ13Corg chemostratigraphy of the Hirnantian and lower Rhuddanian in the biostratigraphically well-controlled Röstånga-1 drillcore from west-central Scania is used for an improved integration of the Hirnantian Isotope Carbon Excursion (HICE) with the standard graptolite zonation. In this drillcore succession, the end of the HICE corresponds to the top of the range of Metabolograptus persculptus. Baseline δ13Corg values occur in the uppermost Hirnantian Avitograptus avitus Faunal Interval as well as in the Rhuddanian Akidograptus ascensus Zone, and the isotope curve is also tied to the Swedish uppermost Katian and Hirnantian trilobite zonation. Chemostratigraphic data from sections in Västergötland confirm that the beginning of the HICE is at, or very close to, the base of the Skultorp Member of the Loka Formation. The biostratigraphically less precisely controlled end of the HICE is at least locally in the Upper Member of the same formation. The graptolite biostratigraphy in the Mt. Kinnekulle succession indicates that the lowermost Kallholn Formation, which has long been known as the Leonaspis (formerly Acidaspis) Shale, is of Hirnantian rather than earliest Silurian age which is consistent with the age of the lowermost Kallholn Formation in the Röstånga-1 drillcore. Comparisons with Hirnantian sections in the United Kingdom, North America and China make it possible to improve the calibration of the HICE with conodont and graptolite biostratigraphy and confirm the usefulness of δ13Corg chemostratigraphy for detailed correlations. The upper Katian carbon chemostratigraphy in key sections in North America and eastern Baltoscandia indicates that the Elkhorn and Paroveja excursions are the same. Available data are used for a new Hirnantian eustasy-climate-faunal evolution model.
Dilatancy in hydraulically isolated faults and the suppression of instability

Laboratory studies have shown that consolidated fault gouge dilates in response to an increase in the rate of shearing. During the period of accelerating slip that characterizes the onset of an instability, or earthquake, on a fault containing consolidated, fluid-saturated gouge, the accompanying dilatancy will result in a reduction in pore fluid pressure and an increase in effective normal stress. We report laboratory observations of a 3% drop in pore pressure per decade increase in sliding rate of quartz gouge between granite fault surfaces. This dilatancy strengthening is greater than intrinsic rate-weakening observed for dry gouge and can play an important role in earthquake nucleation.
Providing Context for Ambient Particulate Matter and Estimates of Attributable Mortality

Four papers on fine particulate matter (PM2.5) by Anenberg et al., Fann et al., Shin et al., and Smith contribute to a growing body of literature on estimated epidemiological associations between ambient PM2.5 concentrations and increases in health responses relative to baseline notes. This article provides context for the four articles, including a historical review of provisions of the U.S. Clean Air Act as amended in 1970, requiring the setting of National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for criteria pollutants such as particulate matter (PM). The substantial improvements in both air quality for PM and population health as measured by decreased mortality rates are illustrated. The most recent revision of the NAAQS for PM2.5 in 2013 by the Environmental Protection Agency distinguished between (1) uncertainties in characterizing PM2.5 as having a causal association with various health endpoints, and as all‐cause mortality, and (2) uncertainties in concentration––excess health response relationships at low ambient PM2.5 concentrations below the majority of annual concentrations studied in the United States in the past. In future reviews, and potential revisions, of the NAAQS for PM2.5, it will be even more important to distinguish between uncertainties in (1) characterizing the causal associations between ambient PM2.5 concentrations and specific health outcomes, such as all‐source mortality, irrespective of the concentrations, (2) characterizing the potency of major constituents of PM2.5, and (3) uncertainties in the association between ambient PM2.5 concentrations and specific health outcomes at various ambient PM2.5 concentrations. The latter uncertainties are of special concern as ambient PM2.5 concentrations and health morbidity and mortality rates approach background or baseline rates.