Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Linear Response Function of an Idealized Atmosphere. Part II: Implications for the Practical Use of the Fluctuation–Dissipation Theorem and the Role of Operator’s Nonnormality

AbstractA linear response function (LRF) relates the mean response of a nonlinear system to weak external forcings and vice versa. Even for simple models of the general circulation, such as the dry dynamical core, the LRF cannot be calculated from first principles owing to the lack of a complete theory for eddy–mean flow feedbacks. According to the fluctuation–dissipation theorem (FDT), the LRF can be calculated using only the covariance and lag-covariance matrices of the unforced system. However, efforts in calculating the LRFs for GCMs using FDT have produced mixed results, and the reason(s) behind the poor performance of the FDT remain(s) unclear. In Part I of this study, the LRF of an idealized GCM, the dry dynamical core with Held–Suarez physics, is accurately calculated using Green’s functions. In this paper (Part II), the LRF of the same model is computed using FDT, which is found to perform poorly for some of the test cases. The accurate LRF of Part I is used with a linear stochastic equation to s.
Effect of Incorporation of Leguminous Cover Crops on Yield and Yield Components of Maize

3 Abstract: The low and declining productivity of many tropical soils are the major constraints limiting the realization of the improved genetic potential of crops that are now available. The need to take appropriate measures to check this decline in soil productivity is urgent as the rate of deterioration is on the increase and if not checked will have serious implications for future food demands of the increasing human population. The acquisition of enough crop residues for use in the field does not appear very feasible, because they have other attractive alternative uses. In this work forage legumes were planted and allowed to grow for 1 and 2 years before incorporation and the performance of maize was evaluated. Among the legume incorporation treatments, at after one year of growth, Chamaecrista rotundifolia gave higher grain yield than the other treatments. After two years of growth, Centrosema pascuorum and Centrosema brasilianum gave higher grain yields. Grain yield and yield related parameters significantly responded to N fertilizer in the two seasons. However, increased application of N fertilizer tended to increase the stover and ear leaf concentrations of N, K, Ca and Mg. The fallow legumes and food crops may have to be intercropped either simultaneously or in a relay pattern to improve the yield of crops without loosing a season for food crop cultivation.
Prevention of renal ischemia/reperfusion‐induced injury in rats by leflunomide

Objective: There is increasing evidence to suggest that toxic oxygen radicals play an essential role in the pathogenesis of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in the kidney. This study was designed to investigate the effects of leflunomide, an isoxazole derivative and a unique immunomodulatory agent, in I/R‐induced renal injury in rats.
Gravitational Co-evolution and Opposition-based Optimization Algorithm

Abstract In this paper, a Gravitational Co-evolution and Opposition-based Optimization (GCOO) algorithm is proposed for solving unconstrained optimization problems. Firstly, under the framework of gravitation based co-evolution, individuals of the population are divided into two subpopulations according to their fitness values (objective function values), i.e., the elitist subpopulation and the common subpopulation, and then three types of gravitation-based update methods are implemented. With the cooperation of opposition-based operation, the proposed algorithm conducts the optimizing process collaboratively. Three benchmark algorithms and fifteen typical benchmark functions are utilized to evaluate the performance of GCOO, where the substantial experimental data shows that the proposed algorithm has better performance with regards to effectiveness and robustness in solving unconstrained optimization problems.
Camera calibration with genetic algorithms

We present a novel approach based on genetic algorithms for performing camera calibration. Contrary to the classical nonlinear photogrammetric approach, the proposed technique can correctly find the near-optimal solution without the need of initial guesses (with only very loose parameter bounds) and with a minimum number of control points (7 points). Results from our extensive study using both synthetic and real image data as well as performance comparison with Tsai's procedure demonstrate the excellent performance of the proposed technique in terms of convergence, accuracy, and robustness.
Beginner Surgeon's Initial Experience with Distal Subtotal Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer Using a Minimally Invasive Approach

Purpose Minimally invasive gastrectomy (MIG), including laparoscopic distal subtotal gastrectomy (LDG) and robotic distal subtotal gastrectomy (RDG), is performed for gastric cancer, and requires a learning period. However, there are few reports regarding MIG by a beginner surgeon trained in MIG for gastric cancer during surgical residency and fellowship. The aim of this study was to report our initial experience with MIG, LDG, and RDG by a trained beginner surgeon. Materials and Methods Between January 2014 and February 2015, a total of 36 patients (20 LDGs and 16 RDGs) underwent MIG by a beginner surgeon during the learning period, and 13 underwent open distal subtotal gastrectomy (ODG) by an experienced surgeon in Bundang CHA Medical Center. Demographic characteristics, operative findings, and short-term outcomes were evaluated for the groups. Results MIG was safely performed without open conversion in all patients and there was no mortality in either group. There was no significant difference between the groups in demographic factors except for body mass index. There were significant differences in extent of lymph node dissection (LND) (D2 LND: ODG 8.3% vs. MIG 55.6%, P=0.004) and mean operative time (ODG 178.8 minutes vs. MIG 254.7 minutes, P<0.001). The serial changes in postoperative hemoglobin level (P=0.464) and white blood cell count (P=0.644) did not show significant differences between the groups. There were no significant differences in morbidity. Conclusions This study showed that the operative and short-term outcomes of MIG for gastric cancer by a trained beginner surgeon were comparable with those of ODG performed by an experienced surgeon.
Cellular coaggregation of oral Streptococcus milleri with actinomyces

Oral isolates of Streptococcus milleri were examined for their ability to coaggregate with actinomyces. Of the 68 S. milleri strains tested, including 3 reference strains, 40 strains coaggregated with Actinomyces naeslundii WVU45 (actinomyces coaggregation group B) and 36 strains coaggregated with Actinomyces viscosus T14V (actinomyces coaggregation group A). All S. milleri strains of serotypes b (4 strains), e (2 strains), and f (24 strains) coaggregated with both of the actinomyces. The coaggregation reactions between the S. milleri cells and A. naeslundii WVU45 cells were optimal at about pH 7.0 and were Ca2+ or Mg2+ dependent, but they were not inhibited by the presence of simple sugars or amino sugars, including lactose (up to 0.5 M). Treatment of the S. milleri cells with heat (100 degrees C, 3 min) or proteases (trypsin, 1.0 mg/ml; pronase, 0.25 mg/ml; 37 degrees C; 3 h) and of the actinomyces cells with periodate (0.01 M, 4 degrees C, 16 h) destroyed their coaggregating abilities. The coaggregations between cells of the S. milleri strains, we well as cells of the Streptococcus sanguis H1 (reference strain for streptococcus coaggregation group 2) and the actinomyces strains (WVU45 and T14V), were inhibited by AFH1 (a carbohydrate receptor on T14V cells for a lectin on H1 cells). These interactions were also inhibited by anti-AFH1 immunoglobulin G (IgG) and by anti-b, anti-e, and anti-f S. milleri IgG or anti-f IgG Fab fragments. These results suggest that S. milleri, at least strains of serotypes b, e, and f, belongs to streptococcus coaggregation group 2.
A New Weather Forecasting Technique using Back Propagation Neural Network with Modified Levenberg-Marquardt Algorithm for Learning

- Temperature warnings are essential forecasts since they are utilized to guard life and property. Temperature forecasting is the kind of science and technology to approximate the temperature for a future time and for a given place. Temperature forecasts are performed by means of gathering quantitative data regarding the in progress state of the atmosphere. The author in this paper utilized a neural network-based technique for determining the temperature in future. The Neural Networks package consists of various kinds of training or learning techniques. One such technique is Back Propagation Neural Network (BPN) technique. The main advantage of the Back Propagation Neural Network technique is that it can reasonably estimated a large class of functions. This technique is more efficient than numerical differentiation. The simple meaning of this term is that the proposed technique has ability to confine the complex relationships among several factors that contribute to assured temperature. The proposed idea is tested using the real time dataset. In order to further improve the prediction accuracy, this paper uses Modified Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) Algorithm for Neural Network learning. In modified LM, the learning parameters are modified. The proposed algorithm has good convergence and also it reduces the amount of oscillation in learning procedure. The proposed technique is compare with the usage of BPN and the practical working of meteorological department. The experimental result shows that the proposed technique results in better accuracy of prediction when compared to the conventional technique of weather prediction.
Effect of Surface Finish on Flow Boiling Heat Transfer

It is well known that the surface structure affects the pool boiling heat transfer from a heater surface. The number and size distribution of cavities present on a heater surface affect the nucleation characteristics. This fact is utilized in developing structured and sintered surfaces for enhanced boiling performance. The nucleate boiling component in flow boiling is also expected to exhibit a somewhat similar dependence. The present study investigates the flow boiling heat transfer of subcooled water over heater surfaces prepared with different roughness characteristics. The setup consists of a 9.5 mm diameter circular heater placed on the lower wall of a 3 mm × 40 mm horizontal channel. Four different surface finishes are tested on the same heater unit. Each surface is observed under a microscope, and analyzed with an image processing software to obtain the cavity size distribution. Relationships between the cavity size distribution and the heat transfer are then compared for the four surfaces. The results indicate that the wall superheats for the four surfaces tested were within 0–30 percent of each other for a given heat flux. Although the roughest surface generally performed the best, no definite trend could be observed. It is also noted that the cavity size distribution of a surface is not significantly affected by simple polishing techniques. A commercially prepared sintered surface is also tested. Its performance was markedly above the four roughened surfaces. However, the sintered surface exhibited a large hysteresis effect, while the four roughened surfaces showed little hysteresis under the test conditions.
Ieee Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence 1 Cross-domain Visual Matching via Generalized Similarity Measure and Feature Learning

—Cross-domain visual data matching is one of the fundamental problems in many real-world vision tasks, e.g., matching persons across ID photos and surveillance videos. Conventional approaches to this problem usually involves two steps: i) projecting samples from different domains into a common space, and ii) computing (dis-)similarity in this space based on a certain distance. In this paper, we present a novel pairwise similarity measure that advances existing models by i) expanding traditional linear projections into affine transformations and ii) fusing affine Mahalanobis distance and Cosine similarity by a data-driven combination. Moreover, we unify our similarity measure with feature representation learning via deep convolutional neural networks. Specifically, we incorporate the similarity measure matrix into the deep architecture, enabling an end-to-end way of model optimization. We extensively evaluate our generalized similarity model in several challenging cross-domain matching tasks: person re-identification under different views and face verification over different modalities (i.e., faces from still images and videos, older and younger faces, and sketch and photo portraits). The experimental results demonstrate superior performance of our model over other state-of-the-art methods.
Structural Requirements for Optimized Delivery, Inhibition of Oxidative Stress, and Antiapoptotic Activity of Targeted Nitroxides

Suppression of mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen species is a promising strategy against intrinsic apoptosis typical of degenerative diseases. Stable nitroxide radicals such as 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPOL) and its analogs combine several important features, including recycleability, electron acceptance from respiratory complexes, superoxide dismutase mimicry, and radical scavenging. Although successful in antioxidant protection, their effective concentrations are too high for successful in vivo applications. Recently (J Am Chem Soc 127:12460, 2005), we reported that 4-amino 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy, covalently conjugated to a five-residue segment of gramicidin S (GS), was integrated into mitochondria and blocked actinomycin D (ActD)-induced superoxide generation and apoptosis. Using a model of ActD-induced apoptosis in mouse embryonic cells, we screened a library of nitroxides to explore structure-activity relationships between their antioxidant/antiapoptotic properties and chemical composition and three-dimensional (3D) structure. High hydrophobicity and effective mitochondrial integration are necessary but not sufficient for high antiapoptotic/antioxidant activity of a nitroxide conjugate. By designing conformationally preorganized peptidyl nitroxide conjugates and characterizing their 3D structure experimentally (circular dichroism and NMR) and theoretically (molecular dynamics), we established that the presence of the β-turn/β-sheet secondary structure is essential for the desired activity. Monte Carlo simulations in model lipid membranes confirmed that the conservation of the d-Phe-Pro reverse turn in hemi-GS analogs ensures the specific positioning of the nitroxide moiety at the mitochondrial membrane interface and maximizes their protective effects. These new insights into the structure-activity relationships of nitroxide-peptide and -peptide isostere conjugates are instrumental for development of new mechanism-based therapeutically effective agents.
Influence of surface wettability on competitive protein adsorption and initial attachment of osteoblasts

This study investigated the influence of surface wettability on competitive protein adsorption and the initial attachment of osteoblasts. A thin-film coating of hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) and subsequent O2-plasma treatment was carried out on substrates with a mirror surface in order to create a wide range of wettabilities. The adsorption behavior of fibronectin (Fn) and albumin (Alb) in both individual and competitive mode, and the initial attachment of mouse osteoblastic cells (MC3T3-E1) over a wide range of wettabilities were investigated. The contact angle of HMDSO coatings without O2-plasma treatment against double-distilled water was more than 100°, whereas it dramatically decreased after the O2-plasma treatment to almost 0°, resulting in super-hydrophilicity. Individually, Fn adsorption showed a biphasic inclination, whereas Alb showed greater adsorption to hydrophobic surfaces. In the competitive mode, in a solution containing both Fn and Alb, Fn showed greater adsorption on hydrophilic surfaces, whereas Alb predominantly adsorbed on hydrophobic surfaces. The initial attachment of osteoblastic cells increased with an increase in surface wettability, in particular, on a super-hydrophilic surface, which correlated well with Fn adsorption in the competitive mode. These results suggest that Fn adsorption may be responsible for increasing cell adhesion on hydrophilic surfaces in a body fluid or culture media under physiological conditions.
Lifespan Extension Induced by Caffeine in Caenorhabditis elegans is Partially Dependent on Adenosine Signaling

Caffeine is a widely used psychoactive substance. Studies have shown that caffeine may play a protective role in aging-associated disorders. However, the mechanisms by which caffeine modulates aging are not yet clear. In this study, we have shown that caffeine increases Caenorhabditis elegans lifespan, delays its larval development, reduces reproduction and body length. These phenotypes were partly reversed by worm’s exposure to adenosine, which suggest a putative common target. Moreover, they were dependent on a functional insulin/IGF-1-like pathway. Our results may shed light on new genetic determinants of aging.
The Image of Images as an Aid to Improve Learning - An Eye-tracking Experiment Studying the Effect of Contrasts in Computer-based Learning Material

This study addresses differences in the design of computer-based learning materials—text with or without pictures—and the aim is to show in what way these differences affect learning outcomes. In total, 46 young adults participated: 19 with dyslexia and 27 controls. Approximately half of each group received the condition text only, and half received the text and an integrated picture. The learning material was presented on computer screens, and the participants’ viewing patterns were registered by eye-tracking. The respondents answered text-based and picture-based questions, as well as oral questions, during the experiment. The assumptions about learning are based on variation theory and on the importance of contrasts in discerning important aspects of the learning material. The results show that whether material of the same content (surrealism) is presented in text only (without explicit contrasts embedded in the text) or in text and picture form (which offers a contrast) affects learning outcomes, particularly for the participants with dyslexia, who showed a fourfold increase from pre-test to post-test (from .10 to .40).
Prognostic scores based on the preoperative plasma fibrinogen and serum albumin level as a prognostic factor in patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma

This study is to clarify the prognostic value of preoperative plasma fibrinogen and serum albumin level, as known as FA score, in a cohort of Chinese patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). We retrospectively evaluated clinicopathological data on 169 patients who underwent surgery between 2006 and 2013. The FA score was calculated based on cutoff values of 3.53g/L for fibrinogen and 43.56 g/L for albumin. Overall survival and cancer specific survival was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the equivalences of the curves were tested by log-rank tests. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was applied in univariate and multivariate analyses. In univariate analysis, tumor size, tumor grade, pathological T stage and FA score were significantly associated with overall survival and cancer specific survival, and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis identified FA score (score 1: HR=3.486, 95%CI 1.358-8.948, p=0.009; HR=3.485, 95%CI 1.363-8.913, p=0.009, respectively; score 2: HR=5.509, 95%CI 2.144-14.158, p<0.001; HR=5.521, 95%CI 2.074-14.697, p=0.001, respectively) was an independent predictor for overall survival and cancer specific survival. The evaluation of preoperative FA score can be regarded as an independent prognostic factor for predicting overall survival and cancer specific survival in UTUC. The fibrinogen and albumin levels are low cost and easy accessibility in clinical practice.
A New Isoform of the Histone Demethylase JMJD2A/KDM4A Is Required for Skeletal Muscle Differentiation

In proliferating myoblasts, muscle specific genes are silenced by epigenetic modifications at their promoters, including histone H3K9 methylation. Derepression of the promoter of the gene encoding the myogenic factor myogenin (Myog) is key for initiation of muscle differentiation. The mechanism of H3K9 demethylation at the Myog promoter is unclear, however. Here, we identify an isoform of the histone demethylase JMJD2A/KDM4A that lacks the N-terminal demethylase domain (ΔN-JMJD2A). The amount of ΔN-JMJD2A increases during differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts into myotubes. Genome-wide expression profiling and exon-specific siRNA knockdown indicate that, in contrast to the full-length protein, ΔN-JMJD2A is necessary for myotube formation and muscle-specific gene expression. Moreover, ΔN-JMJD2A promotes MyoD-induced conversion of NIH3T3 cells into muscle cells. ChIP-on-chip analysis indicates that ΔN-JMJD2A binds to genes mainly involved in transcriptional control and that this binding is linked to gene activation. ΔN-JMJD2A is recruited to the Myog promoter at the onset of differentiation. This binding is essential to promote the demethylation of H3K9me2 and H3K9me3. We conclude that induction of the ΔN-JMJD2A isoform is crucial for muscle differentiation: by directing the removal of repressive chromatin marks at the Myog promoter, it promotes transcriptional activation of the Myog gene and thus contributes to initiation of muscle-specific gene expression.
Bud, leaf and stem essential oil composition of Syzygium aromaticum from Madagascar, Indonesia and Zanzibar

Syzygium aromaticum essential oil is widely used in dental care, as an antiseptic and analgesic and is effective against a large number of bacteria. The major component of clove essential oils is usually considered to be eugenol, with ? -caryophyllene and eugenyl acetate, being present although in lower concentrations. A review of published results reveals a great variability in the chemical composition of clove essential oils. The purpose of this study is to compare the chemical composition of Madagascar, Indonesia and Zanzibar bud, leaf and stem essential oils. 121 commercial essential oils isolated from bud, leaf and stem were used in this work. The oils were analyzed by GC and ten constituents were identified from the whole. The major constituent of Madagascar and Indonesia bud essential oils was eugenol (72.08 - 80.71% and 77.32 - 82.36% respectively). Out of this constituent which was common to Madagascar and Indonesia bud essential oils, significant difference was observed with respect to eugenyl acetate (11.68 - 21.32% vs 8.61 - 10.55% respectively) and ? -caryophyllene (2.76 - 6.38% vs 5.34 - 8.64% respectively). Comparing chemical composition of leaf essential oils from Madagascar with those of Indonesia, variation in the contents of main constituent, eugenol (80.87 - 83.58% vs 75.04 - 77.54%), ? -caryophyllene (11.65 - 15.02 vs 17.04 - 19.53%) and eugenyl acetate (0.29 - 1.45% vs 0 - 0.06%) was observed. The major constituents of Madagascar, Indonesia and Zanzibar stem essential oils were eugenol (91.81 - 96.65%, 88.76 - 89.28% and 87.52 - 89.47%, respectively) and ? -caryophyllene (1.66 - 4.48%, 7.40 - 7.75% and 7.19 - 9.70%). For each plant material, variation in the percentage of the main constituents was observed according to the sample geographic origin. (Resume d'auteur)