Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Airborne Measurement in the Ash Plume from Mount Sakurajima: Analysis of Gravitational Effects on Dispersion and Fallout

Volcanic ash concentrations in the plume from Sakurajima volcano in Japan are observed from airplanes equipped with optical particle counters and GPS tracking devices. The volcano emits several puffs a day. The puffs are also recorded by the Sakurajima Volcanological Observatory. High concentrations are observed in the puffs and fallout driven by vertical air current, called streak fallout. Puffs dispersion is analyzed by the classical diffusion-advection method and a new gravitational dispersion method. The fluid mechanic of the gravitational dispersion, streak fallout, and classical diffusion-advection theory is described in three separate appendices together with methods to find the time gravitational dispersion constant and the diffusion coefficient from satellite photos. The diffusion-advection equation may be used to scale volcanic eruptions so the same eruption plumes can be scaled to constant flux and wind conditions or two eruptions can be scaled to each other. The dispersion analyses show that dispersion of volcanic plumes does not follow either theories completely. It is most likely diffusion in the interface of the plume and the ambient air, together with gravitational flattening of the plumes core. This means larger boundary concentration gradients and smaller diffusion coefficients than state of the art methods can predict.
Local and Global Algorithms for Disambiguation to Wikipedia

Disambiguating concepts and entities in a context sensitive way is a fundamental problem in natural language processing. The comprehensiveness of Wikipedia has made the online encyclopedia an increasingly popular target for disambiguation. Disambiguation to Wikipedia is similar to a traditional Word Sense Disambiguation task, but distinct in that the Wikipedia link structure provides additional information about which disambiguations are compatible. In this work we analyze approaches that utilize this information to arrive at coherent sets of disambiguations for a given document (which we call "global" approaches), and compare them to more traditional (local) approaches. We show that previous approaches for global disambiguation can be improved, but even then the local disambiguation provides a baseline which is very hard to beat.
Characteristics of non-verbal memory impairment in bipolar disorder: the role of encoding strategies

Background. There is evidence that individuals with bipolar disorder exhibit neuropsychological impairments not only during episodes of depression or mania but also when they are euthymic. One of the most consistently reported cognitive problems in euthymic individuals with bipolar disorder is impairment in episodic memory. Learning and memory depend on individuals' ability to organize information during learning. A recent study by our group showed that verbal episodic memory impairments in euthymic patients with bipolar I disorder (BP-I) are mediated by difficulties in organizing verbal information appropriately during learning. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether memory impairments in euthymic individuals with BP-I extend to non-verbal memory and whether non-verbal memory impairments are mediated by difficulties in organizing non-verbal information during encoding. Method. Study participants were 25 euthymic, remitted individuals with BP-I and 25 age, gender and education matched control participants. Participants completed the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (RCFT), a well-established measure of non-verbal memory that enables assessment of organization during learning. Results. Compared to control participants, BP-I participants showed impaired performance on the RCFT immediate recall. They also relied less on organizational strategies during encoding. Multiple regression modeling indicated that group differences between control and BP-I participants in long-delayed free recall did not remain statistically significant when effects of lower organization were partialled out. Conclusions. Non-verbal memory problems in individuals with bipolar disorder, while euthymic, are mediated by poor use of non-verbal organization strategies during encoding, but do not appear to reflect deficits in retention of information.
NF-κB Signaling in the Brain of Autistic Subjects

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by problems in communication, social skills, and repetitive behavior. Recent studies suggest that apoptotic and inflammatory mechanisms may contribute to the pathogenesis of this disorder. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is an important gene transcriptional factor involved in the mediation of inflammation and apoptosis. This study examined the activities of the NF-κB signaling pathway in the brain of autistic subjects and their age-matched controls. The NF-κB activation is also determined in the brain of BTBR mice, which is a promising animal model for study of pathogenic mechanisms responsible for autism. Our results showed that the level of IKKα kinase, which phosphorylates the inhibitory subunit IκBα, is significantly increased in the cerebellum of autistic subjects. However, the expression and phosphorylation of IκBα are not altered. In addition, our results demonstrated that the expression of NF-κB (p65), and the phosphorylation/activation of NF-κB (p65) at Ser536 are not significantly changed in the cerebellum and cortex of both autistic subjects and BTBR mice. Our findings suggest that the NF-κB signaling pathway is not disregulated in the brain of autistic subjects and thus may not be significantly involved in the processes of abnormal inflammatory responses suggested in autistic brain.
Evaluation of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene, S-phenylmercapturic acid, trans,trans-muconic acid, 3-methyladenine, 3-ethyladenine, 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine and thioethers as biomarkers of exposure to cigarette smoke

Abstract The objective was to evaluate the utility of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP), S-phenylmercapturic acid (S-PMA), trans,trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA), 3-methyladenine (3-MeAd), 3-ethyladenine (3-EtAd), 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and thioethers as biomarkers for assessing the exposure in adult smokers who switched from smoking conventional cigarettes to candidate potential reduced exposure products (PREP) or who stopped smoking. Two electrically heated smoking systems (EHCSS) were used as prototype cigarettes that have significant reductions in a number of mainstream smoke constituents as measured by smoking machines relative to those from conventional cigarettes. Urine samples were collected from a randomized, controlled, forced-switching study in which 110 adult smokers of a conventional cigarette brand (CC1) were randomly assigned to five study groups. The groups included the CC1 smoking group, a lower-tar conventional cigarette (CC2) smoking group, EHCSS1 group, EHCSS2 group and a no smoking group that were monitored for 8 days. Biomarkers were measured at baseline and day 8. The daily excretion levels of these biomarkers were compared among the groups before and after switching, and the relationships between the daily excretion levels of these biomarkers and cigarette smoking-related exposure were investigated using Pearson product-moment correlation and multiple regression analyses. It was concluded that under controlled study conditions: (1) 1-OHP, S-PMA and t,t-MA are useful biomarkers that could differentiate exposure between smoking conventional and EHCSS cigarettes or between smoking conventional cigarettes and no smoking; between S-PMA and t,t-MA, the former appeared to be more sensitive; (2) 3-MeAd could only differentiate between smoking conventional cigarettes and no smoking; the results for 3-EtAd were not conclusive because contradictory results were observed; (3) 8-OHdG had a questionable association with smoking and therefore the utility of this biomarker for smoking-related exposure could not be established; and (4) urinary excretion of thioethers as a biomarker lacked sensitivity to demonstrate a clear dose–response relationship in conventional cigarette smokers, although it could differentiate the excretion levels between those subjects who smoked a conventional cigarette and those who stopped smoking.
Factors affecting quality of life in Korean patients with chronic heart failure.

AIM Poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) may be one of the most common predictors of mortality and rehospitalization. This study was conducted to identify factors affecting HRQOL in Korean patients with CHF using two HRQOL measurements. METHODS The study included a sample of 114 patients. HRQOL was measured by the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) and the World Health Organization's Quality of Life Instrument - Short Version (WHOQOL-BREF). Multiple regression analyses were performed to analyze the relationship between the factors and HRQOL. RESULTS Significant correlations were found between MLHFQ and WHOQOL-BREF in total and component scores, with the two exceptions of WHOQOL-BREF psychological and MLHFQ physical or total. The perceived economic status, functional status, and sex were factors identified as having an effect on HRQOL. CONCLUSION The MLHFQ was better able to differentiate sex, comorbidity, and functional status. Further studies are needed to implement cost-effective nursing interventions for patients with CHF to improve their HRQOL.
Differential effect of dexamethasone and hydrocortisone on alveolar growth in rat pups

Glucocorticoids are widely used in perinatology, since they decrease the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome and chronic lung disease. However, evidence is now increasing that their use in this age group may result in impaired alveolar lung growth and general development. The aim of this study was to determine whether a low dose of hydrocortisone (1 mg/kg/day for 11 days) was deleterious to lung growth in rat pups, as compared to an equivalent dose of dexamethasone.
Inhaled corticosteroids reduce the progression of airflow limitation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a meta-analysis

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a syndrome of chronic progressive airflow limitation which occurs as a result of chronic inflammation of the airways and lung parenchyma. However, the role of inhaled corticosteroids in the treatment of COPD is controversial. We hypothesised that inhaled corticosteroids reduce the progression of airflow limitation in COPD. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted and data were analysed using random effects methodology. The effect of inhaled steroids on annual change in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was determined for all trials, for trials with high dose treatment regimens, and for trials in subjects with moderate to severe airflow limitation. Results: Data from eight controlled clinical trials of ⩾2 years were included (n=3715 subjects). Meta-analysis of all study data revealed that inhaled corticosteroids reduce the rate of FEV1 decline by 7.7 ml/year (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3 to 14.2, p=0.02). Meta-analysis of studies with high dose regimens revealed a greater effect of 9.9 ml/year (95% CI 2.3 to 17.5, p=0.01) compared with the meta-analysis of all studies. Conclusions: Inhaled corticosteroid treatment for ⩾2 years slows the rate of lung function decline in COPD. The effect observed with high dose regimens is greater than that with all regimens combined. These data suggest a potential role for inhaled corticosteroids in modifying the long term natural history of COPD.
The MAXI Mission on the ISS: Science and Instruments for Monitoring All-Sky X-Ray Images

The Monitor of All-sky X-ray Image (MAXI) mission is the first astronomical payload to be installed on the Japanese Experiment Module — Exposed Facility (JEM-EF or Kibo-EF) on the International Space Station. It has two types of X-ray slit cameras with wide FOVs and two kinds of X-ray detectors consisting of gas proportional counters covering the energy range of 2 to 30 keV and X-ray CCDs covering the energy range of 0.5 to 12 keV. MAXI will be more powerful than any previous X-ray All Sky Monitor payloads, being able to monitor hundreds of Active Galactic Nuclei. A realistic simulation under optimal observation conditions suggests that MAXI will provide all-sky images of X-ray sources of � 20 mCrab (� 7 � 10 � 10 erg cm � 2 s � 1 in the energy band of 2–30 keV) from observations during one ISS orbit (90 min), � 4.5 mCrab for one day, and � 2 mCrab for one week. The final detectability of MAXI could be � 0.2 mCrab for two years, which is comparable to the source confusion limit of the MAXI field of view (FOV). The MAXI objectives are: (1) to alert the community to X-ray novae and transient X-ray sources, (2) to monitor long-term variabilities of X-ray sources, (3) to stimulate multi-wavelength observations of variable objects, (4) to create unbiased X-ray source cataloges, and (5) to observe diffuse cosmic X-ray emissions, especially with better energy resolution for soft X-rays down to 0.5 keV.
Concentration of particulate platinum-group minerals during magma emplacement; a case study from the Merensky Reef, Bushveld Complex

The petrology, mineralogy and geochemistry of a section of the Merensky Reef at Bafokeng Rasimone Platinum Mine (BRPM) are described. A model for the formation of platinum-group minerals (PGM), sulphide and chromitite is proposed that explains the stratigraphic relationships observed in the Merensky Reef, both at BRPM and at other locations in the Bushveld Complex. To achieve this it is necessary to understand platinum-group element (PGE) behaviour in naturally occurring mafic systems and for this reason comparisons are drawn from core TN207 through the Platreef at Tweefontein. The common link between the Platreef and Merensky Reef is the presence of unusually high concentrations of As, Sb, Bi and Te that promote the crystallisation of semi-metal bearing PGM from sulphide liquids. Under conditions of increasing semi-metal contamination, Pt is the first PGE to be extracted from a sulphide liquid followed by Rh, Ru, Os and Ir. While some Pd is released to form Pd-PGM much of it remains within the Ni-rich sulphide phase that crystallizes to form pentlandite. A critical aspect is the timing of their introduction into the magmatic system. For the Merensky magmas, contamination occurred predominantly within a staging chamber owing to wall-rock interaction with Transvaal sediments. This led to the formation of sulphide liquids that captured PGE and, ultimately, the crystallization of Pt- and Ru-PGM. The extreme enrichment in PGE and the high Pt/Pd ratios in the Merensky chromitites are attributed to density-driven concentration of PGM transported by magmas displaced from a staging chamber. Emplacement of these magmas into the Bushveld Complex resulted in thermo-mechanical erosion of the floor and deposition of chromites + sulphides + PGM. In places, these assemblages collected in sedimentary-like scour channels. In the Platreef, contamination occurred largely after magma emplacement owing to interaction with the local Transvaal sediments. As a result, mechanical separation of PGM did not occur and most PGM remain spatially associated with their original sulphide hosts.The Merensky Reef is a prime example of highly efficient PGE concentration resulting from mechanical processes, whereas the Platreef is a prime example of highly efficient PGE removal from sulphide liquids in response to extreme contamination by semi-metals.
Transmission techniques and channel estimation for Spatial Interweave TDD Cognitive Radio systems

In this paper we propose a new method of designing the beamformer subspace in MIMO interference channel with a Time-Division Duplex (TDD) transmission scheme. In particular, this method is applied to a Spatial Interweave Cognitive Radio scenario. In our model we do not require a priori knowledge of the Channel State Information (CSI) at the transmitters. The primary and the opportunistic (cognitive) users are able to obtain information required for Tx beamforming through smart exploitation of received signal during a TDD time slot, exploiting channel reciprocity thus reducing overhead for channel estimation. The opportunistic user designs its beamformer in order to span the noise subspace at the primary receiver, thus intertwining its signal with the primary's so that its signal lies within the spatial whitespaces of the primary, possibly licensed system, causing no interference to the latter.
Nitric oxide activation of guanylyl cyclase in cells revisited

Nitric oxide (NO) elicits physiological effects in cells largely by activating guanylyl cyclase (GC)-coupled receptors, leading to cGMP accumulation. Like other receptor-coupled effector mechanisms, NO stimulation of GC activity was previously considered to be a graded, concentration-dependent response, with deactivation following swiftly once the agonist disappeared. Recently, a new and unconventional mechanism has been proposed from experiments on purified protein [Cary, S. P. L. , Winger, J. A. & Marletta, M. A. (2005) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 102, 13064–13069]. It was concluded that GC in vivo will display a dual regulation by NO: a long-lasting tonic activity (10–20% of maximum) due to persistent occupation by NO of the heme binding site and phasic activity due to engagement of another unidentified, lower affinity site. The hypothesis was first tested by monitoring GC activity in rat platelets maintained in vitro and exposed to calibrated NO transients. The kinetics was as expected for a single binding site for NO (EC50 = 10 nM), with activation and deactivation of enzyme activity conforming to the predictions of a simple receptor model. No tonic GC activity attributable to long-term NO binding was detected after exposure to the full range of active NO concentrations (peaking at 2–500 nM). Comparable results were obtained by using neural cells isolated from the cerebellum. After exposure to high NO concentrations, persistent GC activity could be recorded, but this activity was caused artifactually by secondary NO sources being formed in the medium. The new scheme for regulation of GC activity by NO is of doubtful relevance to cells.
Ability of Circulating Human Hematopoietic Lineage Negative Cells to Support Hematopoiesis

Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) self‐renewal is regulated by osteoblast and/or endothelial cells within the hematopoietic niche. However, the true identity of the supporting cells and the nature of the secreted factors remain uncertain. We developed a novel mouse model and analyzed whether circulating human peripheral hematopoietic lineage negative/AP+ (lin−/AP+) cells support hematopoiesis in vivo. Thus, immunocompromised (Rag) mice expressing thymidine kinase (Tk) under the control of the 3. 6Col1α1 promoter (Tk‐Rag) were treated with ganciclovir, resulting in osteoblast progenitor cell ablation and subsequent loss of hematopoiesis (evaluated by measuring mouse Ter119+ erythroid cells). Following hematopoietic cell depletion, human bone marrow‐derived marrow stromal cells (MSCs) or lin−/AP+ cells were infused into Tk‐Rag mice and compared with saline infusions. Ganciclovir significantly reduced (7.4‐fold) Ter119+ cells in the bone marrow of Tk‐Rag mice compared to saline injections. Infusion of either MSCs or lin−/AP+ cells into ganciclovir‐treated mice resulted in a 3.3‐fold and 2.7‐fold increase (P < 0.01), respectively, in Ter119+ cells compared to mice receiving saline. Relative to lin−/AP− cells, lin−/AP+ cells expressed high levels of mesenchymal, endothelial, and hematopoiesis supporting genes. Thus, human peripheral blood lin−/AP+ cells represent a novel cell type capable of supporting hematopoiesis in a manner comparable to MSCs. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 58–66, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Role of Dopamine in the Primate Caudate Nucleus in Reward Modulation of Saccades

Expected reward impacts behavior and neuronal activity in brain areas involved in sensorimotor processes. However, where and how reward signals affect sensorimotor signals is unclear. Here, we show evidence that reward-dependent modulation of behavior depends on normal dopamine transmission in the striatum. Monkeys performed a visually guided saccade task in which expected reward gain was different depending on the position of the target. Saccadic reaction times were reliably shorter on large-reward trials than on small-reward trials. When position–reward contingency was switched, the reaction time difference changed rapidly. Injecting dopamine D1 antagonist into the caudate significantly attenuated the reward-dependent saccadic reaction time changes. Conversely, injecting D2 antagonist into the same region enhanced the reward-dependent changes. These results suggest that reward-dependent changes in saccadic eye movements depend partly on dopaminergic modulation of neuronal activity in the caudate nucleus.
Multidecadal Variability of the Upper Ocean Heat Content Anomaly Field in the North Pacific and its Relationship to the Aleutian Low and the Kuroshio Transport

北太平洋において、数十年スケールの海洋表層貯熱量の変動特性とアリューシャン低気圧、黒潮流量、北太平洋亜熱帯モード水のコア水温、海面水温、海面気圧との関係について調べた。 その結果、表層貯熱量偏差は北太平洋中緯度において時計回りに伝播していることがわかった。 また、この伝播が1980年以降においてアリューシャン低気圧、黒潮流量、北太平洋亜熱帯モード水のコア水温と連動して変化することが示された。 すなわち、アリューシャン低気圧が強化した約5年後に黒潮流量が増加し、さらに数年後に、北太平洋亜熱帯モード水のコア水温および日本の南東海域における海洋表層貯熱量偏差が増加する。 このような関係は、過去の研究で指摘された20年スケールにおける関係と類似する。 また、海洋表層貯熱量の伝播経路上において、表層貯熱量偏差、海面水温偏差、海面気圧偏差が同期する領域は、日本の南東海域と太平洋中央部を含む黒潮続流域の東方海域のみであることが明らかになった。 さらに、表層貯熱量の伝播特性がこの領域で強化されることが明らかになった。 本研究の結果から、北太平洋の数十年スケールにおける海洋表層貯熱量の時間空間変動特性や、それと関係する大気海洋偏差場との関連について新しい知見が得られた。
Upper Extremity Axillary Loop Grafts: An Opportunity in Hemodialysis Access

Background Dialysis vascular access complications are considered as significant causes of morbidity in chronic hemodialysis patients. Objectives The aim of the present study was a comparison of axillary loop and straight grafts patency and its complications in hemodialysis access. Patients and Methods In this cohort study conducted at Shahid Beheshti Medical University, 77 patients who underwent placement of loop or straight access grafts were included. Demographics, primary and secondary patency rates and complications like thrombosis, infection, bleeding, steal syndrome and other complications were compared in these two groups. The collected data was analyzed by chi-square test, t-test, and logistic regression. Results Primary patency rate in straight and loop groups after 1 month were 88.9% and 92.3% respectively (P = 0.721), and after 24 months were 31% and 55.5% respectively (P = 0.058). Secondary patency rate in straight and loop groups after 3 months were 75.6% and 92.3% respectively (P = 0.189), and after 24 months were 37.9% and 66.7% respectively (P = 0.044). The frequency of complications were the same among two methods of graft replacement and mal incidence of thrombosis, infection, delayed infection, pseudoaneurysm formation and steal syndrome occurrence ultimate graft failure and venous hypertension were not significantly different (P > 0.05). Conclusions Polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) vascular graft seems to be an appropriate vascular access and is a promising alternative when upper extremity arteriovenous fistulas cannot be constructed. Additionally, there was no significant difference between the two groups for complications and early patency, but late patency was improved in loop group. More study is necessary for a conclusive assessment.