Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seasonal forecasting of Thailand summer monsoon rainfall

This paper describes the development of a statistical forecasting method for summer monsoon rainfall over Thailand. Predictors of Thailand summer (August–October) monsoon rainfall are identified from the large‐scale ocean–atmospheric circulation variables (i.e. sea‐surface temperature and sea‐level pressure) in the Indo‐Pacific region. The predictors identified are part of the broader El Niño southern oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon. The predictors exhibit a significant relationship with the summer rainfall only during the post‐1980 period, when the Thailand summer rainfall also shows a relationship with ENSO. Two methods for generating ensemble forecasts are adapted. The first is the traditional linear regression, and the second is a local polynomial‐based nonparametric method. The associated predictive standard errors are used for generating ensembles. Both the methods exhibit significant comparable skills in a cross‐validated mode. However, the nonparametric method shows improved skill during extreme years (i.e. wet and dry years). Furthermore, the models provide useful skill at 1–3 month lead time that can have a strong impact on resources planning and management. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society.
Discriminative Stimulus and Subject-Rated Effects of Methamphetamine, d-Amphetamine, Methylphenidate, and Triazolam in Methamphetamine-Trained Humans

Methamphetamine abuse is a significant public health concern. Although widely studied in laboratory animals, little is known about the abuse-related behavioral effects of methamphetamine relative to other abused stimulants in controlled laboratory settings in humans. The aim of this study was to examine the discriminative stimulus, subject-rated, performance, and cardiovascular effects of methamphetamine in humans. In the present study, subjects first learned to discriminate 10 mg of oral methamphetamine from placebo. After acquiring the discrimination (≥80% drug-appropriate responding on four consecutive sessions), a range of oral doses of methamphetamine (2.5-15 mg), d-amphetamine (2.5-15 mg), methylphenidate (5-30 mg), and triazolam (0.0625-0.375 mg) was tested. Methamphetamine functioned as a discriminative stimulus and produced prototypical stimulant-like subject-rated effects. d-Amphetamine and methylphenidate produced dose-related increases in methamphetamine-appropriate responding, whereas triazolam did not. d-Amphetamine and methylphenidate produced stimulant-like behavioral effects, whereas triazolam produced sedative-like effects. Methamphetamine, but no other drug, increased heart rate, systolic pressure, and diastolic pressure significantly above placebo levels. Performance in the Digit-Symbol Substitution Test was not affected by any of the drugs tested. Overall, these results demonstrate that the acute behavioral effects of methamphetamine, d-amphetamine, and methylphenidate overlap extensively in humans, which is concordant with findings from preclinical studies. Future studies should assess whether the similarity in the behavioral effects of methamphetamine and related stimulants can be extended to other behavioral assays, such as measures of reinforcement, in humans.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL DISCRETE SYSTEMS OF HIROTA-KIMURA TYPE AND DEFORMED LIE-POISSON ALGEBRAS

Recently Hirota and Kimura presented a new discretization of the Euler top with several remarkable properties. In particular this discretization shares with the original continuous system the feature that it is an algebraically completely integrable bi-Hamiltonian system in three dimensions. The Hirota-Kimura discretization scheme turns out to be equivalent to an approach to numerical integration of quadratic vector fields that was introduced by Kahan, who applied it to the two-dimensional Lotka-Volterra system. The Euler top is naturally written in terms of the $\mathfrak{so}(3)$ Lie-Poisson algebra. Here we consider algebraically integrable systems that are associated with pairs of Lie-Poisson algebras in three dimensions, as presented by Gumral and Nutku, and construct birational maps that discretize them according to the scheme of Kahan and Hirota-Kimura. We show that the maps thus obtained are also bi-Hamiltonian, with pairs of compatible Poisson brackets that are one-parameter deformations of the original Lie-Poisson algebras, and hence they are completely integrable. For comparison, we also present analogous discretizations for three bi-Hamiltonian systems that have a transcendental invariant, and finally we analyze all of the maps obtained from the viewpoint of Halburd's Diophantine integrability criterion.
Adaptive multimodal recognition of voluntary and involuntary gestures of people with motor disabilities

Over 2.5 million Americans represent a diverse age group that have such severe communication disabilities that they are unable to utilize their natural speech, handwriting or computer technology to communicate. Current assistive technology provides only a limited solution because these devices are designed to suit a large group of “customers” without accommodating their individually very different abilities to use such devices. Especially, these devices do not differentiate intentional from unintentional movements (e.g. spasm, tremor). Therefore, users of such devices spend significant amount of time dealing with the consequences of undesired activations. To really benefit people with sever communication disabilities, an assistive device needs to learn each user’s unique ability to control a system and automatically adapt to his/her preference. It should observe all aspects of a user’s communicative actions, such as body movements, facial expressions and vocalizations and learn how to interpret these actions to enable the user to efficiently control a computer system.
Tissue inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme activity stimulates angiogenesis in vivo.

BACKGROUND Endothelial cells (ECs) represent the critical cellular element responsible for postnatal angiogenesis. Because ACE inhibitors may favorably affect endothelial function, we investigated the hypothesis that administration of the ACE inhibitor quinaprilat could enhance angiogenesis in vivo. METHODS AND RESULTS Ten days after resection of 1 femoral artery, New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits were randomly assigned to receive recombinant human vascular endothelial growth factor (rhVEGF) administered as a single intra-arterial injection (n=6), quinaprilat (n=8) or captopril (n=7) administered as a daily subcutaneous injection, or no treatment (controls, n=6). Angiogenesis was monitored in vivo by measurement of blood pressure, vasoreactivity, and resistance in ischemic versus normal limbs at day 10 (D10) and D40; angiographic studies to identify sites of neovascularization were performed at D10 and D40, and morphometric analysis of capillary density in the ischemic limb was performed at necropsy (D40). Both functional and morphological outcomes documented augmented angiogenesis in quinaprilat-treated rabbits similar to that observed for rhVEGF and superior to that observed with either captopril or no drug (controls). Residual ACE activity was equivalent for the captopril and quinaprilat groups in plasma (42.54+/-0.03% versus 41.53+/-0.02%, P=NS) but not in tissue, where quinaprilat lowered ACE activity significantly (P<0.01) compared with captopril (13% versus 61%). CONCLUSIONS ACE inhibition with quinaprilat promotes angiogenesis in a rabbit model of hindlimb ischemia. Thus, nonsulfhydryl ACE inhibitors with high tissue affinity may be potentially useful for therapeutic angiogenesis in ischemic tissues. Moreover, previous evidence that ACE inhibition benefits patients with myocardial ischemia may be due in part to augmented collateral development.
The Caenorhabditis elegans nonmuscle myosin genes nmy-1 and nmy-2 function as redundant components of the let-502/Rho-binding kinase and mel-11/myosin phosphatase pathway during embryonic morphogenesis

Rho-binding kinase and the myosin phosphatase targeting subunit regulate nonmuscle contractile events in higher eukaryotes. Genetic evidence indicates that the C. elegans homologs regulate embryonic morphogenesis by controlling the actin-mediated epidermal cell shape changes that transform the spherical embryo into a long, thin worm. LET-502/Rho-binding kinase triggers elongation while MEL-11/myosin phosphatase targeting subunit inhibits this contractile event. We describe mutations in the nonmuscle myosin heavy chain gene nmy-1 that were isolated as suppressors of the mel-11 hypercontraction phenotype. However, a nmy-1 null allele displays elongation defects less severe than mutations in let-502 or in the single nonmuscle myosin light chain gene mlc-4. This results because nmy-1 is partially redundant with another nonmuscle myosin heavy chain, nmy-2, which was previously known only for its role in anterior/posterior polarity and cytokinesis in the early embryo. At the onset of elongation, NMY-1 forms filamentous-like structures similar to actin, and LET-502 is interspersed with these structures, where it may trigger contraction. MEL-11, which inhibits elongation, is initially cytoplasmic. In response to LET-502 activity, MEL-11 becomes sequestered away from the contractile apparatus, to the plasma membrane, when elongation commences. Upon completion of morphogenesis, MEL-11 again appears in the cytoplasm where it may halt actin/myosin contraction.
Biodiversity of Tanguar Haor : a Ramsar site of Bangladesh : volume I : wildlife

Wetlands are amongst the Earth's most productive ecosystems. In Bangladesh these are of great importance because of the extensive food webs and rich biodiversity they support. In the past, wetlands have been undervalued. However, in recent times, awareness increases of the fact that natural wetlands provide many services toward mankind through various functions, products e.g., fish, fuelwood, timber, rice, and attributes i.e., biodiversity, aesthetic beauty, cultural heritage and archaeology.
Retrospective review of hemoglobin and/or hematocrit levels with occurrence of thrombosis in cancer patients treated with erythropoiesis stimulating agents

Background. No data exists that directly compares hemoglobin and hematocrit levels between cancer patients with and without occurrence of thrombosis during treatment with erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs). Objective. To determine the association of hemoglobin and hematocrit levels with the occurrence of thrombosis in cancer patients treated with ESAs. Methods. A retrospective case-control study approved by the Institutional Review Board was conducted on cancer patients billed for epoetin or darbepoetin between 1 July 2002 and 30 June 2007. Cases were defined as patients billed for thrombosis while controls were defined as patients not billed for thrombosis. Results. Sixteen patients had an occurrence of thrombosis (cases) and were matched to 16 patients that did not have an occurrence of thrombosis (controls) based on age, sex, and cancer type. The mean peak hemoglobin levels for cases and controls were 12.6 ± 1.2 g/dL versus 12.6 ± 1.4 g/dL (p = 0.9). The mean peak hematocrit levels for cases and controls were 37.3 ± 3.8% versus 37.9 ± 4.3% (p = 0.8). For the 16/586 (2.7%) patients with thrombosis, the mean hemoglobin and hematocrit at time of thrombosis were 9.6 ± 1.0 g/dL and 28.9 ± 3.1%. A significant identifiable risk factor for thrombosis between the cases and controls was history of thrombosis 31.3% versus 0% (p = 0.04). Conclusion. There was no statistical difference in peak hemoglobin and hematocrit levels between patients with thrombosis and those without thrombosis. Further study is warranted to determine if these levels are true risk factors for thrombosis.
Microvesicle phenotypes are associated with transfusion requirements and mortality in subjects with severe injuries

Background Severe injury often results in substantial bleeding and mortality. Injury provokes cellular activation and release of extracellular vesicles. Circulating microvesicles (MVs) are predominantly platelet-derived and highly procoagulant. They support hemostasis and vascular function. The roles of MVs in survival after severe injury are largely unknown. We hypothesized that altered MV phenotypes would be associated with transfusion requirements and poor outcomes. Methods This single-centre study was approved by the Institutional Review Board. The study cohort consisted of patients with major trauma requiring blood product transfusion and 26 healthy controls. Plasma samples for MVs were collected upon admission to the emergency department (n=169) and post-resuscitation (n=42), and analysed by flow cytometry for MV counts and cellular origin: platelet (PMV), erythrocyte (RMV), leukocyte (LMV), endothelial (EMV), tissue factor (TFMV), and annexin V (AVMV). Twenty-four hour mortality is the outcome measurement used to classify survivors versus non-survivors. Data were compared over time and analysed with demographic and clinical data. Results The median age was 34 (IQR 23, 51), 72% were male, Injury Severity Score was 29 (IQR 19, 36), and 24 h mortality was 13%. MV levels and phenotypes differed between patients and controls. Elevated admission EMVs were found both in survivors (409/µL) and non-survivors (393/µL) compared to controls (23/µL, p<0.001) and persisted over time. Admission levels of PMV, AVMV, RMV, and TFMV were significantly lower in patients who died compared to survivors, but were not independently associated with the 24 h mortality rate. Patients with low MV levels at admission received the most blood products within the first 24 h. AVMV and PMV levels either increased over time or stabilized in survivors but decreased in non-survivors, resulting in significantly lower levels at intensive care unit admission in non-survivors (1,048 vs. 1,880 AVMV/µL, p<0.00004 and 1,245 PMP/µL vs. 1,866 PMP/µL, p=0.003). Conclusion Severe injury results in endothelial activation and altered MV phenotypes. Significant differences in specific MV phenotypes or changes over time were associated with blood product requirements and the 24 h mortality rate.
Diurnal and semidiurnal tide‐induced lateral movement of Ronne Ice Shelf, Antarctica

Recent GPS observations from a spatially extensive network across Ronne Ice Shelf show significant daily ice flow variations. At all sites, the almost‐synchronous horizontal displacements occur at diurnal and semidiurnal tidal periods. During spring tides, displacements, velocities and strains near the ice front have superimposed oscillations that are ±300% of their mean values and occur over a six‐hour period, resulting in regular ice shelf flow reversals. Close to ice stream grounding lines, however, the horizontal diurnal and semidiurnal signals decay and almost vanish. From our analysis, we conclude that ice shelves respond primarily elastically to tidal tilting, thus accounting for the observed diurnal and semidiurnal flow variations, and their amplification toward the ice shelf front. Our findings suggest that detailed modeling of these data could provide improved ice shelf and ice stream models for correctly simulating ice shelf flow and predicting future ice sheet evolution.
Bridging communications across the digital divide

Connecting people across the Digital Divide is as much a social effort as a technological one. We are developing a community-centered approach to learn how interaction techniques can compensate for poor communication across the Digital Divide. We have incorporated the lessons learnt regarding Social Intelligence Design in an (abstract) device called the SoftBridge. The device allows information to flow from endpoints through adapters (getting converted if necessary), and out to destination endpoints. Field trials are underway with two communities in South Africa, disadvantaged deaf users and an isolated rural community. First lessons learned show that we have to design user interfaces that allow users to understand and cope with delay (latency) as a necessary consequence of our approach.
Treatment failure following large loop excision of the transformation zone for the treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia at Rajavithi Hospital.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the treatment failure rate of large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) in the treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and the risk of persistence or recurrence depending on the clinicopathologic factors. MATERIAL AND METHOD Retrospective case-record review of 250 women who had a final diagnosis of CIN and underwent LLETZ in Rajavithi Hospitalfrom June 1st, 1998 to December 31st, 2003. Computerized files of these patients were then reviewed for clinicopathological follow-up results. RESULTS Success rate of 86.8% was obtained. The incidence of treatment failure was 13.2%. The clinicopathologic factor associated with the persistence or recurrence was the presence of CIN at the margin of excision. Of 69 cases with incomplete excision (positive margin), treatment failure developed in 29.0%, compared to 5.2% in patients with complete excision (negative margins) (p < 0.001). Using multivariate analysis, incomplete excision and endocervical margin involvement of specimen were independent risk factors for the treatment failure of CIN. CONCLUSION LLETZ is an effective treatment for CIN. Treatment failure rate is low. Positive surgical margin is a predictor of persistence or recurrence after LLETZ. Incomplete excision and endocervical margin involvement of specimen are significant independent risk factors.
Outcome of Diagnostic Tests Using Samples from Patients with Culture-Proven Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis: Implications for Surveillance

ABSTRACT We describe the concordance among results from various laboratory tests using samples derived from nine culture-proven cases of human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME) caused by Ehrlichia chaffeensis. A class-specific indirect immunofluorescence assay for immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG, using E. chaffeensisantigen, identified 44 and 33% of the isolation-confirmed HME patients on the basis of samples obtained at initial clinical presentation, respectively; detection of morulae in blood smears was similarly insensitive (22% positive). PCR amplifications of ehrlichial DNA targeting the 16S rRNA gene, the variable-length PCR target gene, and the groESL operon were positive for whole blood specimens obtained from all patients at initial presentation. As most case definitions of HME require a serologic response with compatible illness for a categorization of even probable disease, PCR would have been required to confirm the diagnosis of HME in all nine of these patients without the submission of a convalescent-phase serum sample. These data suggest that many, if not most, cases of HME in patients who present early in the course of the disease may be missed and underscore the limitations of serologically based surveillance systems.
Bayesian adaptive sequence alignment algorithms

The selection of a scoring matrix and gap penalty parameters continues to be an important problem in sequence alignment. We describe here an algorithm, the 'Bayes block aligner, which bypasses this requirement. Instead of requiring a fixed set of parameter settings, this algorithm returns the Bayesian posterior probability for the number of gaps and for the scoring matrices in any series of interest. Furthermore, instead of returning the single best alignment for the chosen parameter settings, this algorithm returns the posterior distribution of all alignments considering the full range of gapping and scoring matrices selected, weighing each in proportion to its probability based on the data. We compared the Bayes aligner with the popular Smith-Waterman algorithm with parameter settings from the literature which had been optimized for the identification of structural neighbors, and found that the Bayes aligner correctly identified more structural neighbors. In a detailed examination of the alignment of a pair of kinase and a pair of GTPase sequences, we illustrate the algorithm's potential to identify subsequences that are conserved to different degrees. In addition, this example shows that the Bayes aligner returns an alignment-free assessment of the distance between a pair of sequences.
TEMPORAL VARIATION OF THE MATRIC POTENTIAL OF A LATOSOL MONITORED BY TENSIOMETRY - DOI: 10.7127/rbai.v11n300586

In order to obtain soil water availability data, monitoring with some devices is necessary, in which tensiometers are highlighted. However, there are factors that may cause errors in the readings of this equipment. Thus, the aim of this study was to monitor the water potential of a dystrophic Red Latosol with straw coverage at different times of the day, through tensiometers installed at different depths. The experiment was conducted in pots with a completely randomized design, with three repetitions in a 3x 3 x 2 factorial. Three times and three tensiometric cup installation depths, with and without straw soil coverage. Tensiometer evaluation time influenced soil water matric potential, and the highest soil water matric potential values were found in the uncovered soil. In the 12 p.m. evaluation time, the highest soil water matric potential mean values were observed, for both covered and uncovered soils. In addition, there was a 51.18% difference for 8 a.m. in the uncovered soil and a 30.10% difference in the soil covered by straw. Tensiometer installation depths influence soil water matric potential variation. The water soil matric potential values were observed at a depth of 0.15m. The highest soil water matric potential variation was observed in the uncovered soil at a depth of 0.15 m, except for 4 p.m. , in which the highest variation was observed at the depth of 0.30 m. The variance tends to be higher at a depth of 0.15 m 12 p.m.
Determining the Unsuitability of Exotic Cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) for Avifauna in a Mangrove Wetland Ecosystem

ABSTRACT Avifauna are essential for maintaining the structure and functioning of mangrove ecosystems, which are particularly sensitive to habitat transformation. Although exotic cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora, is an increasing threat to mangrove ecosystems (including the associated unvegetated shoals) of China, its effects on the avifauna in such ecosystems are poorly understood. In Zhanjiang, China, the avifaunal Shannon-Weiner diversity, Simpson's diversity, Margalef's species richness, Pielou's evenness and density indices were compared in (1) an Avicennia marina monoculture vs. an S. alterniflora–invaded A. marina stand (a mixture of A. marina and S. alterniflora) and (2) an unvegetated shoal vs. an S. alterniflora–invaded shoal that had rapidly become an S. alterniflora monoculture. All avifaunal community parameters except for the Simpson index were significantly lower in the S. alterniflora + A. marina mixture than in the A. marina monoculture, and in the S. alterniflora monoculture than in the unvegetated shoal. These results indicate that the presence of S. alterniflora reduces the suitability of the Zhanjiang mangrove ecosystem for avifauna. Among the four habitats, the Shannon-Weiner diversity index, species richness, and density of the avifaunal community were highest in the unvegetated shoal. Further analysis indicated that the differences in the avifaunal community between invaded and noninvaded sites were associated with vegetation characteristics (mainly plant height and density) and macrobenthic faunal metrics (mainly species richness and density). The reduced avifaunal diversity and abundance associated with S. alterniflora invasion probably resulted from the decline in food resources or from the increased difficulty in foraging and roosting. The findings indicate that the conservation of birds in mangrove ecosystems may depend on controlling or eradicating exotic S. alterniflora, maintaining tidal mudflats, and diversifying the habitats in mangrove wetlands.