Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of aerosols on polarized sky radiance: model development, validation, and applications

Abstract. Although solar radiation initially is unpolarized when entering the Earth's atmosphere, it is polarized by scattering processes with molecules, water droplets, ice crystals, and aerosols. Hence, measurements of the polarization state of radiation can be used to improve remote sensing of aerosols and clouds. The analysis of polarized radiance measurements requires an accurate radiative transfer model. To this end, a new efficient and flexible three-dimensional Monte Carlo code to compute polarized radiances has been developed and implemented into MYSTIC (Monte Carlo code for the phYSically correct Tracing of photons In Cloudy atmospheres). The code has been extensively validated against published benchmark results. The polarized downwelling radiation field is calculated for various aerosol types showing the high sensitivity of polarized ultraviolet radiances to the particle microphysics. Model simulations are compared to ground based measurements and found to be qualitatively in good agreement. Quantitative differences can be attributed to the assumed aerosol models based on the OPAC aerosol database, which does not include exactly the types of aerosols that have been observed. This comparison to the measurements shows that there is a high potential to retrieve information about the aerosol type from polarized radiance measurements.
CCN Spectral Shape and Stratus Cloud and Drizzle Microphysics

The shapes of high‐resolution cloud condensation nucleus (CCN) spectra are compared with cloud and precipitation characteristics observed in the Marine Stratus/Stratocumulus Experiment. These high‐resolution spectra often revealed bimodality that is usually caused by in‐cloud processing. Bimodal CCN spectra were associated with clouds that had as much as double the concentrations of droplets with narrower distributions and as much as an order of magnitude less drizzle than clouds associated with the most extreme unimodal CCN spectra. We introduce objective CCN spectral metrics: (1) CCN concentration differences between the two modes, unprocessed (Aitken, Nu) and processed (accumulation, Np), and (2) slopes of cumulative CCN spectra. Both of these CCN spectral shape classifications show similar cloud droplet concentration (Nc) trends to that of an earlier subjective modal rating system. When there are two modes, they are separated either by minimal concentrations or concentration inflections. Enhancement of Nc is traced to greater CCN bimodality that causes narrower droplet spectra that suppress drizzle. These effects could augment indirect aerosol effects and can only be revealed by high‐resolution CCN spectral shape comparisons with cloud and drizzle microphysics.
A Comparison of Scheduling Approaches for Mixed-Parallel Applications on Heterogeneous Platforms

Mixed-parallel applications can take advantage of large-scale computing platforms but scheduling them efficiently on such platforms is challenging. In this paper we compare the two main proposed approaches for solving this scheduling problem on a heterogeneous set of homogeneous clusters. We first modify previously proposed algorithms for both approaches and show that our modifications lead to significant improvements. We then perform a comparison of the modified algorithms in simulation over a wide range of application and platform conditions. We find that although both approaches have advantages, one of them is most likely the most appropriate for the majority of users.
A Temporal Concurrent Constraint Calculus As An Audio Processing Framework

Audio processing systems involve complex interactions of concurrent processes. These are usually implemented using domain specific visual languages and tools more concerned with providing practical solutions than with giving formal meaning to the supplied audio unit combinators. Concurrent constraint process calculi have proved to be effective in modeling with precision a wide variety of concurrent systems. We propose using ntcc , a non deterministic temporal concurrent constraint calculus, to model audio processing systems. We show how the concurrent constraint nature of the calculus greatly simplify specifying complex synchronization patterns. We illustrate ntcc as audio processing framework by modeling unit combinators and using them ina an audio processing example.
Minimum Bounded Degree Spanning Trees

We consider the minimum cost spanning tree problem under the restriction that all degrees must be at most a given value k. We show that we can efficiently find a spanning tree of maximum degree at most k+2 whose cost is at most the cost of the optimum spanning tree of maximum degree at most k. This is almost best possible. The approach uses a sequence of simple algebraic, polyhedral and combinatorial arguments. It illustrates many techniques and ideas in combinatorial optimization as it involves polyhedral characterizations, uncrossing, matroid intersection, and graph orientations (or packing of spanning trees). The result generalizes to the setting where every vertex has both upper and lower bounds and gives then a spanning tree which violates the bounds by at most two units and whose cost is at most the cost of the optimum tree. It also gives a better understanding of the subtour relaxation for both the symmetric and asymmetric traveling salesman problems. The generalization to l-edge-connected subgraphs is briefly discussed
Meat Unwinding Techniques in Kilishi Processing in North Cameroon: Constraints and Innovations

Slicing and low technological quality of meat constitute the major technological constraints of kilishi manufacturing process (slices of meat, dried or smoked, seasoned with a cocktail of ingredients and grilled or not on firewood). The unwinding process remains painful and requires skill coupled with proven dexterity in its production. It was to minimize these constraints that a comparative study of three unwinding modes: along the muscle, the 15cmx5cmx5cm and the successive rolling (innovative method) was conducted to know the best unwinding method on two muscles from a zebu goudali, male, brown dress and aged four years,: Round and thick rib on five steps aging period (rigor-mortis, 24h, 48h, 72h and 96h). The results obtained, showed that meat from the slaughterhouse reached the level of the kilishi units in Maroua-Cameroun after 199±8.4 min in rigor-mortis state and it deserved to be aging at least 24h to improve its firmness and from 48h to facilitate unwinding. The unwinding techniques were significantly different (p≤0.05) and successive rolling appeared as the best unwinding mode which reduced the unwinding time of 500g of meat from 15.61 ± 0.57min to 5.88 ± 0.2 min for round and 14.85 ± 0.65 min at 5.58 ± 0.21 min for thick rib during rigor mortis. These times failed after 96h of aging at 4 ± 2°C at 3.16 ± 0.15 min for the Round at 2.48 ± 0.38 min for Thick rib. Aging alone and / or combined with successive rolling improved the firmness of the meat and significantly reduced the unwinding time. The successive rolling feet for all types of muscles joined, with aging contributed to increase the number of muscles of the carcass that had to be used in the processing of kilishi.
Relevance Feedback Algorithm Based on Collaborative Filtering in Image Retrieval

Content-based image retrieval is a very dynamic study field, and in this field, how to improve retrieval speed and retrieval accuracy is a hot issue. The retrieval performance can be improved when applying relevance feedback to image retrieval and introducing the participation of people to the retrieval process. However, as for many existing image retrieval methods, there are disadvantages of relevance feedback with information not being fully saved and used, and their accuracy and flexibility are relatively poor. Based on this, the collaborative filtering technology was combined with relevance feedback in this study, and an improved relevance feedback algorithm based on collaborative filtering was proposed. In the method, the collaborative filtering technology was used not only to predict the semantic relevance between images in database and the retrieval samples, but to analyze feedback log files in image retrieval, which can make the historical data of relevance feedback be fully used by image retrieval system, and further to improve the efficiency of feedback. The improved algorithm presented has been tested on the content-based image retrieval database, and the performance of the algorithm has been analyzed and compared with the existing algorithms. The experimental results showed that, compared with the traditional feedback algorithms, this method can obviously improve the efficiency of relevance feedback, and effectively promote the recall and precision of image retrieval.
Origin, inheritance, and gene regulatory consequences of genome dominance in polyploids

Significance Ancient plant polyploids contain dissimilar subgenomes. Subgenomes that have lost fewer genes are subgenomes that tend to express their genes to higher mRNA levels: “genome dominance. ” Genome dominance is heritable through multiple rounds of polyploidy and over tens of millions of years. Twenty-four–nucleotide RNA coverage of noncoding, transposon DNA upstream of genes marks the recessive subgenomes of Brassica rapa and Arabidopsis with only a small effect of gene expression. We hypothesize that the “diploid” parent of a tetraploidy with the lowest transposon load was to become the dominant subgenome. The balance of transposon position effects on genes is important for the regulation of quantity (and perhaps to solve the heterosis and C-value paradoxes). Whole-genome duplications happen repeatedly in a typical flowering plant lineage. Following most ancient tetraploidies, the two subgenomes are distinguishable because one subgenome, the dominant subgenome, tends to have more genes than the other subgenome. Additionally, among retained pairs, the gene on the dominant subgenome tends to be expressed more than its recessive homeolog. Using comparative genomics, we show that genome dominance is heritable. The dominant subgenome of one postpolyploidy event remains dominant through a subsequent polyploidy event. We show that transposon-derived 24-nt RNAs target and cover the upstream region of retained genes preferentially when located on the recessive subgenome, and with little regard for a gene’s level of expression. We hypothesize that small RNA (smRNA)-mediated silencing of transposons near genes causes position-effect down-regulation. Unlike 24-nt smRNA coverage, transposon coverage tracks gene expression, so not all transposons behave identically. We propose that successful ancient tetraploids begin as wide crosses between two lines, each evolved for different tradeoffs between transposon silencing and negative position effects on gene expression. We hypothesize that following a chaotic wide-cross/new tetraploid period, genes acquire their new expression balances based on differences in transposon coverage in the parents. We envision patches of silenceable transposon as quantitative cis-regulators of baseline transcription rate. Attractive solutions to heterosis and the C-value paradox are mentioned.
Longitudinal Associations Between Interpersonal Relationship Functioning and Mood Episode Severity in Youth With Bipolar Disorder

Abstract This study examined the longitudinal association between mood episode severity and relationships in youth with bipolar (BP) disorder. Participants were 413 Course and Outcome of Bipolar Youth study youth, aged 12.6 ± 3.3 years. Monthly ratings of relationships (parents, siblings, and friends) and mood episode severity were assessed by the Adolescent Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation Psychosocial Functioning Schedule and Psychiatric Rating Scales, on average, every 8.2 months over 5.1 years. Correlations examined whether participants with increased episode severity also reported poorer relationships and whether fluctuations in episode severity predicted fluctuations in relationships, and vice versa. Results indicated that participants with greater mood episode severity also had worse relationships. Longitudinally, participants had largely stable relationships. To the extent that there were associations, changes in parental relationships may precede changes in episode severity, although the magnitude of this finding was small. Findings have implications for relationship interventions in BP youth.
Factors associated with non‐attendance at pediatric allergy clinics

Non‐attendance for scheduled appointments is common in many medical specialties. However, there are no published reports on non‐attendance in pediatric allergy clinics. We investigated the factors for non‐attendance in pediatric allergy patients. We assessed the effects of age, gender, ethnic origin, waiting time for an appointment and the timing of the appointment on non‐attendance proportions. Chi‐square tests were used to analyze statistically significant differences of categorical variables. Logistic regression models were used for multivariate analyses. A total of 442 visits in a 21‐month period were included in the study. The overall proportion of non‐attendance at the pediatric allergy clinic was 33.0%. Jewish rural patients had 19.4% non‐attendance; Jewish urban patients had 35.6% non‐attendance; and Bedouin patients had 57.1% non‐attendance (p < 0.001). Non‐attendance was higher in spring and winter (43.5% and 36.7%, respectively) than in summer and autumn (26.9% and 26.5%, respectively) (p = 0.016). Non‐attendance was not significantly influenced by gender, age, hour of the appointment or waiting time for the appointment. A multivariate logistic regression model demonstrated that the ethnic origin of the patients and the season of the year were significantly associated with non‐attendance. We conclude that in children attending allergy clinics, factors that determine non‐attendance include the ethnic origin of the patients and the season of the year.
Physiological parameters of cattle and buffalo in different seasons under different housing modification systems-A review

Shelter management is the manipulation of microclimate of the animals to suit best to their welfare reducing climatic stress without affecting much to cost of construction. House should be designed to meet the requirements health and comfort to the animals, convenience and comfort of the operator, efficiency of labour and materials handling and compliance with applicable health regulation. Problems related with the cost of housing,ventilations, scare resources, hygiene, manifestationof disease,behavioural concerns etc. Amelioration of these problems could be achieved by management intervention with respect to various components of housing and installation of cooling system to reduce heat. The major physiological changes involved in this acclimation and acclimatization while animals do acclimatize by gradually adapting to such stressors within their natural environment. During extreme weather condition open sides of shed can be covered temporarily with gunny bags, plastic sheet, bamboo mats, straw panels etc. Area-wise housing strategies for different kinds of the animals can be indentified and evaluated of new housing design to suit for different local condition based on locality available resources in this context could be explored. Also some modification in loose house can be very useful for example, in summer the thatch roofing succeeded in ameliorating heat stress but in winters, modification of floor with sand or rubber mat improved productive performance of dairy animals. Mist foggers, mist fogger with heavy duty dairy fans and ceiling fans are used to reduce thermal load during ambient temperature when body thermoregulation mechanism are not able to maintain normal physiological parameters.
Prevalence of obstructive airway disease by spirometric indices in non-smoker subjects with IHD and HTN

Background: Recent studies have found that there is a strong association between ischemic heart disease (IHD) and hypertension (HTN) with spirometric indices. Aims: To study the prevalence of obstructive airway disease (OAD) in non-smoker subjects with IHD and HTN and to compare them with healthy population. Settings and Design: This was a prospective, case–control, and observational study. Subjects and Methods: A total of 100 patients (cases) (n = 100) admitted in medicine department were recruited for this study. Controls (n = 100) were apparently healthy age- and sex-matched without HTN and IHD, recruited from March 2007 to July 2008. All eligible subjects were subjected to spirometric examination on a turbine-based spirometer (MIR spirolab-II) according to ATS/ERS guidelines. Forced expiratory volume/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) ratio <70% was used to make a diagnosis of OAD. Statistical Analysis Used: All analyses were carried out using Statistical Software Package for Social Sciences trial version (SPSS 10 version). Results: Out of 100 cases, 18 were with FEV1/FVC ratio <70% (OAD) and 82 had >70% FEV1/FVC ratio. Out of 100 controls, 2 were with FEV1/FVC ratio <70% (OAD) and 98 had >70% FEV1/FVC ratio. Eleven patients out of 66 from the case population with HTN had FEV1/FVC ratio <70% (Odds ratio 8.044). Prevalence of OAD in the hypertensive individuals was 16.66%. Twelve patients out of 62 from the case population with IHD had FEV1/FVC ratio <70% (Odds ratio of 9.333). Prevalence of OAD in the IHD individuals was 19.35%. In multiple correlation results for case population, when pulmonary function test variables were correlated with various dependant (age) and independent variables [HTN, IHD, height, weight, body mass index (BMI)], they were significantly reduced (P = 0.00017). In multivariate analysis (MANOVA), spirometric variables like FEV1, FEV1/FVC%, FVC, forced expiratory flow (FEF) 25–75%, and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) were compared with factors like IHD, HTN, and covariates like age and BMI. We found that systolic blood pressure (SBP; P = 0.005), diastolic blood pressure (DBP; P = 0.05), height (P = 0.05), weight (P = 0.042), and IHD (P = 0.0001) were strongly associated with reduced pulmonary functions like FEV1, FEV1/FVC%, and FVC. The presence of IHD and HTN were independently associated with the presence of OAD. Conclusions: This study highlights the increased prevalence of OAD amongst patients with IHD and HTN. Patients with IHD and HTN should routinely undergo inexpensive investigations like spirometry to detect the presence of underlying OAD.
Characterization of melanins in human irides and cultured uveal melanocytes from eyes of different colors.

The presence of eumelanin and pheomelanin in irides from eyes of various colors was determined and quantified by a highly specific microanalytical procedure based on chemical degradation. Significant differences in the type of melanin were observed in the stroma and iris pigment epithelium (IPE) fractions obtained by micro-dissection of the iris specimens. Melanin from the IPE is essentially eumelanin, while the pigment in IPE-scraped iris (consisting mainly of stroma plus anterior IPE) proved to be both eumelanic and pheomelanic. A pheomelanic-type pigmentation was associated with green irides, while green-blue mixed-color irides were mostly eumelanic; by contrast, green-brown mixed-color and brown irides could not be placed into either of the two categories and probably feature a mixed pigment content. Blue irides invariably exhibited very low pigment content. Analysis of cultured iridial melanocytes in the growing stage showed a significant shift to pheomelanic pigmentation when compared with those in IPE-scraped tissues, providing evidence that growth of iridial melanocyte induce a marked change of melanin metabolism. After senescence, cultured melanocytes exhibited a marked increase in pigment content, most of the variation was associated with the eumelanin content. These results represent the first direct evidence for the presence of eumelanin and pheomelanin in human irides, and suggest that differences in stromal pigmentation are due not only to the quantity, but also the nature of the melanin pigment.
Inhibition of pilocarpine‐induced saliva secretion by adrenergic agonists in ICR mice

The aim of the present study was to clarify the effects of the adrenoceptor agonist isoproterenol (IPR) on saliva secretion stimulated by the muscarinic receptor agonist pilocarpine (PILO) in mice. Mice were injected with either 0.5 mg/kg, i.p. PILO alone or simultaneously with 2 mg/kg, i.p., IPR to evaluate the inhibitory effects of adrenoceptor agonists on saliva secretion. The mechanisms underlying changes in saliva flow rate were evaluated by histological examination of aquaporin 5 (AQP5) and saliva flow rate using the adenylate cyclase (AC) inhibitor SQ22536 (0.25 mg per mouse, s.c.), which was administered 30 min prior to PILO and/or IPR. Saliva volume decreased significantly in the mice treated simultaneously with PILO + IPR compared with that in mice treated with PILO alone. Changes in the intracellular localization of AQP5 were seen in PILO + IPR‐treated mice, and those changes were reversed by SQ22536 pretreatment. In addition, the decreased salivary flow rate in the PILO + IPR‐treated mice was partially restored by SQ22536 pretreatment. There were no significant changes in intracellular calcium or ATP levels among the groups. The results of the present study suggest the existence of an inhibitory effect of the sympathetic nervous system on parasympathetic‐stimulated salivary secretion from the salivary gland.
Natural and Human Influences on the Link Between Meteorological and Hydrological Drought Indices for a Large Set of Catchments in the Contiguous United States

Precipitation‐based drought indices are most commonly used in drought monitoring and early warning systems whereas impacts of drought are often related to other domains of the hydrological cycle such as streamflow. Precipitation droughts do not always coincide with streamflow droughts, as the propagation from precipitation to streamflow is affected by climate, catchment properties, and human influences. For monitoring in ungauged catchments it is the question to what extent drought indices solely based on precipitation or other (more recently developed) meteorological drought indices that include evaporation or snowmelt, have a stronger correlation with streamflow, and whether this correlation is weaker in catchments where streamflow is altered by human influences. Results of a correlation exercise between various meteorological drought indices and streamflow showed that the strongest correlation was often found for meteorological drought indices that include evaporation (especially in drier climates) or snow processes (especially in colder climates). Most catchments with an indicated presence of human influences showed a maximum correlation between meteorological drought indices and streamflow that was comparable in strength to the same correlation for catchments with near‐natural flow. However, up to 15% of catchments with an indicated presence of human influences show weaker correlations. Drought indices derived from these influenced records with a weaker correlation do not necessarily correspond to reported drought impacts. In conclusion, knowing which meteorological drought index has the strongest correlation with streamflow in different climate zones has the potential of improving large‐scale drought monitoring and early warning systems in ungauged areas or regions that lack real‐time streamflow availability.