Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human-caused Indo-Pacific warm pool expansion

The recent observed expansion of the Indo-Pacific warm pool is robustly attributed to anthropogenic greenhouse gas increases. The Indo-Pacific warm pool (IPWP) has warmed and grown substantially during the past century. The IPWP is Earth’s largest region of warm sea surface temperatures (SSTs), has the highest rainfall, and is fundamental to global atmospheric circulation and hydrological cycle. The region has also experienced the world’s highest rates of sea-level rise in recent decades, indicating large increases in ocean heat content and leading to substantial impacts on small island states in the region. Previous studies have considered mechanisms for the basin-scale ocean warming, but not the causes of the observed IPWP expansion, where expansion in the Indian Ocean has far exceeded that in the Pacific Ocean. We identify human and natural contributions to the observed IPWP changes since the 1950s by comparing observations with climate model simulations using an optimal fingerprinting technique. Greenhouse gas forcing is found to be the dominant cause of the observed increases in IPWP intensity and size, whereas natural fluctuations associated with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation have played a smaller yet significant role. Further, we show that the shape and impact of human-induced IPWP growth could be asymmetric between the Indian and Pacific basins, the causes of which remain uncertain. Human-induced changes in the IPWP have important implications for understanding and projecting related changes in monsoonal rainfall, and frequency or intensity of tropical storms, which have profound socioeconomic consequences.
Roles of URE 2 and GLN 3 in the Proline Utilization Pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae can use alternative nitrogen sources such as arginine, urea, allantoin, g-aminobutyrate, or proline when preferred nitrogen sources like glutamine, asparagine, or ammonium ions are unavailable in the environment. Utilization of alternative nitrogen sources requires the relief of nitrogen repression and induction of specific permeases and enzymes. The products of the GLN3 and URE2 genes are required for the appropriate transcription of many genes in alternative nitrogen assimilatory pathways. GLN3 appears to activate their transcription when good nitrogen sources are unavailable, and URE2 appears to repress their transcription when alternative nitrogen sources are not needed. The participation of nitrogen repression and the regulators GLN3 and URE2 in the proline utilization pathway was evaluated in this study. Comparison of PUT gene expression in cells grown in repressing or derepressing nitrogen sources, in the absence of the inducer proline, indicated that both PUT1 and PUT2 are regulated by nitrogen repression, although the effect on PUT2 is comparatively small. Recessive mutations in URE2 elevated expression of the PUT1 and PUT2 genes 5to 10-fold when cells were grown on a nitrogen-repressing medium. Although PUT3, the proline utilization pathway transcriptional activator, is absolutely required for growth on proline as the sole nitrogen source, a put3 ure2 strain had somewhat elevated PUT gene expression, suggesting an effect of the ure2 mutation in the absence of the PUT3 product. PUT1 and PUT2 gene expression did not require the GLN3 activator protein for expression under either repressing or derepressing conditions. Therefore, regulation of the PUT genes by URE2 does not require a functional GLN3 protein. The effect of the ure2mutation on the PUT genes is not due to increased internal proline levels. URE2 repression appears to be limited to nitrogen assimilatory systems and does not affect genes involved in carbon, inositol, or phosphate metabolism or in mating-type control and sporulation.
Priority Based Dynamic Round Robin (PBDRR) Algorithm with Intelligent Time Slice for Soft Real Time Systems

In this paper, a new variant of Round Robin (RR) algorithm is proposed which is suitable for soft real time systems. RR algorithm performs optimally in timeshared systems, but it is not suitable for soft real time systems. Because it gives more number of context switches, larger waiting time and larger response time. We have proposed a novel algorithm, known as Priority Based Dynamic Round Robin Algorithm(PBDRR),which calculates intelligent time slice for individual processes and changes after every round of execution. The proposed scheduling algorithm is developed by taking dynamic time quantum concept into account. Our experimental results show that our proposed algorithm performs better than algorithm in [8] in terms of reducing the number of context switches, average waiting time and average turnaround time.
Improved near real-time data management procedures for the Mediterranean ocean Forecasting System-Voluntary Observing Ship program

Abstract. A "ship of opportunity" program was launched as part of the Mediterranean Forecasting System Pilot Project. During the operational period (September 1999 to May 2000), six tracks covered the Mediterranean from the northern to southern boundaries approximately every 15 days, while a long eastwest track from Haifa to Gibraltar was covered approximately every month. XBT data were collected, sub-sampled at 15 inflection points and transmitted through a satellite communication system to a regional data centre. It was found that this data transmission system has limitations in terms of quality of the temperature profiles and quantity of data successfully transmitted. At the end of the MFSPP operational period, a new strategy for data transmission and management was developed. First of all, VOS-XBT data are transmitted with full resolution. Secondly, a new data management system, called Near Real Time Quality Control for XBT (NRT.QC.XBT), was defined to produce a parallel stream of high quality XBT data for further scientific analysis. The procedure includes: (1) Position control; (2) Elimination of spikes; (3) Re-sampling at a 1 metre vertical interval; (4) Filtering; (5) General malfunctioning check; (6) Comparison with climatology (and distance from this in terms of standard deviations); (7) Visual check; and (8) Data consistency check. The first six steps of the new procedure are completely automated; they are also performed using a new climatology developed as part of the project. The visual checks are finally done with a free-market software that allows NRT final data assessment. Key words. Oceanography: physical (instruments and techniques; general circulation; hydrography)
Homomorphic Subspace MAC Scheme for Secure Network Coding

Existing symmetric cryptography‐based solutions against pollution attacks for network coding systems suffer various drawbacks, such as highly complicated key distribution and vulnerable security against collusion. This letter presents a novel homomorphic subspace message authentication code (MAC) scheme that can thwart pollution attacks in an efficient way. The basic idea is to exploit the combination of the symmetric cryptography and linear subspace properties of network coding. The proposed scheme can tolerate the compromise of up to r−1 intermediate nodes when r source keys are used. Compared to previous MAC solutions, less secret keys are needed for the source and only one secret key is distributed to each intermediate node.
Identifying Errors in Handwritten Outpatient Prescriptions in Oman

To evaluate and analyze the handwritten outpatient prescriptions and associated error of omissions from four different hospitals in Oman. The study designed was an observational, retrospective and analysis of prescriptions was carried out by table and chart method. A total of 900 prescriptions were collected between April 2009 to July 2010. The type of error of omissions considered in this analysis includes all three important parts of prescriptions, i.e. superscription, inscription, and subscription. The most common type of superscription error of omission was found to be age (72.44%) and gender (32.66%). More than 46% of prescriptions were incomplete on direction for use, more than 22% of prescriptions were not having the information on dose, and more than 23% of prescriptions omitted the dosage forms of prescribed drugs. The date of dispensing of medications was omitted in all the prescriptions and more than 44% of prescriptions were missing the signature of dispenser.It was also found that more than 4% of prescriptions omitted the prescriber′s signature and more than 18% of prescriptions omitted the date of prescription. We conclude from this study that the handwritten prescriptions were associated with significant frequency of minor and major prescription error of omissions.
Effect of delivery care user fee exemption policy on institutional maternal deaths in the central and volta regions of ghana.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND To improve access to skilled attendance at delivery and thereby reduce maternal mortality, the Government of Ghana introduced a policy exempting all women attending health facilities from paying delivery care fees. OBJECTIVE To examine the effect of the exemption policy on delivery-related maternal mortality. METHODS Maternal deaths in 9 and 12 hospitals in the Central Region (CR) and the Volta Region (VR) respectively were analysed. The study covered a period of 11 and 12 months before and after the introduction of the policy between 2004 and 2006. Maternal deaths were identified by screening registers and clinical notes of all deaths in women aged 15-49 years in all units of the hospitals. These deaths were further screened for those related to delivery. The total births in the study period were also obtained in order to calculate maternal mortality ratios (MMR). RESULTS A total of 1220 (78.8%) clinical notes of 1549 registered female deaths were retrieved. A total of 334 (21.6%) maternal deaths were identified. The delivery-related MMR decreased from 445 to 381 per 100,000 total births in the CR and from 648 to 391 per 100,000 total births in the VR following the implementation of the policy. The changes in the 2 regions were not statistically significant (p=0.458) and (p=0.052) respectively. No significant changes in mean age of delivery-related deaths, duration of admission and causes of deaths before and after the policy in both regions. CONCLUSION The delivery-related institutional maternal mortality did not appear to have been significantly affected after about one year of implementation of the policy.
Modulation of human corticomuscular beta‐range coherence with low‐level static forces

Although corticomuscular synchronization in the beta range (15–30 Hz) was shown to occur during weak steady‐state contractions, an examination of low‐level forces around 10% of the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) is still missing. We addressed this question by investigating coherence between electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyogram (EMG) as well as cortical spectral power during a visuomotor task. Eight healthy right‐handed subjects compensated isometrically static forces at a level of 4% and 16% of MVC with their right index finger. While 4% MVC was accompanied by low coherence values in the middle to high beta frequency range (25–30 Hz), a significant increase of coherence mainly confined to low beta frequencies (19–20 Hz) was observed with force of 16% MVC. Furthermore, this increase was associated with better performance, as reflected in decreased relative error in force during 16% MVC. We additionally show that periods of good motor performance within each condition were associated with higher values of EEG–EMG coherence and spectral power. In conclusion, our results suggest a role for beta‐range corticomuscular coherence in effective sensorimotor integration, thus stabilizing corticospinal communication.
Prevalence of Failure due to Adverse Reaction to Metal Debris in Modern, Medium and Large Diameter Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacements – The Effect of Novel Screening Methods: Systematic Review and Metaregression Analysis

Metal-on-metal (MoM) hip replacements were used for almost a decade before adverse reactions to metal debris (ARMD) were found to be a true clinical problem. Currently, there is a paucity of evidence regarding the usefulness of systematic screening for ARMD. We implemented a systematic review and meta-analysis to establish the prevalence of revision confirmed ARMD stratified by the use of different screening protocols in patients with MoM hip replacements. Five levels of screening were identified: no screening (level 0), targeted blood metal ion measurement and/or cross-sectional imaging (level 1), metal ion measurement without imaging (level 2), metal ion measurement with targeted imaging (level 3) and comprehensive screening (both metal ions and imaging for all; level 4). 122 studies meeting our eligibility criteria were included in analysis. These studies included 144 study arms: 100 study arms with hip resurfacings, 33 study arms with large-diameter MoM total hip replacements (THR), and 11 study arms with medium-diameter MoM THRs. For hip resurfacing, the lowest prevalence of ARMD was seen with level 0 screening (pooled prevalence 0.13%) and the highest with level 4 screening (pooled prevalace 9.49%). Pooled prevalence of ARMD with level 0 screening was 0.29% and with level 4 screening 21.3% in the large-diameter MoM THR group. In metaregression analysis of hip resurfacings, level 4 screening was superior with regard to prevalence of ARMD when compared with other levels. In the large diameter THR group level 4 screening was superior to screening 0,2 and 3. These outcomes were irrespective of follow-up time or study publication year. With hip resurfacings, routine cross-sectional imaging regardless of clinical findings is advisable. It is clear, however, that targeted metal ion measurement and/or imaging is not sufficient in the screening for ARMD in any implant concepts. However, economic aspects should be weighed when choosing the preferred screening level.
Policy Practitioners’ Accounts of Evidence-Based Policy Making: The Case of Universal Credit

Abstract This paper draws on insider accounts from UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) officials to analyse the relationship between evidence and policy making at a time of rapid policy development relating to Universal Credit (UC). The paper argues, firstly, that evidence selection within the DWP was constrained by the overarching austerity paradigm, which constituted a Zeitgeist and had a significant bearing on the evidence selection and translation process, sharpening the focus of policy officials and analysts on the primacy of quantitative evidence when advising Ministers. Secondly, while methodological preferences (or an ‘evidence hierarchy’) impacted on evidence selection, this was not as significant as practitioners’ perceived capabilities to handle and develop evidence for policy. These capabilities were linked to departmental structures and constrained by political feasibility. Together, these dimensions constituted a significant filtration mechanism determining the kinds of evidence that were selected for policy development and those omitted, particularly in relation to UC. The paper contributes to debates about the contemporary role of evidence in policymaking and the potential of the relationship between future evidence production and use.
Tactile priming modulates the activation of the fronto-parietal circuit during tactile angle match and non-match processing: an fMRI study

The repetition of a stimulus task reduces the neural activity within certain cortical regions responsible for working memory (WM) processing. Although previous evidence has shown that repeated vibrotactile stimuli reduce the activation in the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, whether the repeated tactile spatial stimuli triggered the priming effect correlated with the same cortical region remains unclear. Therefore, we used event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and a delayed match-to-sample task to investigate the contributions of the priming effect to tactile spatial WM processing. Fourteen healthy volunteers were asked to encode three tactile angle stimuli during the encoding phase and one tactile angle stimulus during the recognition phase. Then, they answered whether the last angle stimulus was presented during the encoding phase. As expected, both the Match and Non-Match tasks activated a similar cerebral network. The critical new finding was decreased brain activity in the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), the right posterior parietal cortex (PPC) and bilateral medial frontal gyri (mFG) for the match task compared to the Non-Match task. Therefore, we suggest that the tactile priming engaged repetition suppression mechanisms during tactile angle matching, and this process decreased the activation of the fronto-parietal circuit, including IFG, mFG and PPC.
A peer-to-peer architecture for networked virtual environments

A Networked Virtual Environment (NVE) is a synthetic world where human-controlled avatars can interact. Multiplayer on-line games such as Quake and World of Warcraft are the most popular applications for NVEs. In early 2003, Second Life (SL), a NVE where avatars can invent a new social life, was launched. The main innovative feature of SL is user-generated content: avatars participate in the development of the virtual environment by creating objects such as cars, trees, and buildings. SL rapidly became the most popular NVE, reaching more than 16 million registered users in September 2009.
Cataract Surgery in Eyes with Filtered Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma

Purpose To evaluate the effect of cataract surgery on intraocular pressure (IOP) in filtered eyes with primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG). Methods In this prospective interventional case series, 37 previously filtered eyes from 37 PACG patients with mean age of 62.1±10.4 years were consecutively enrolled. All patients had visually significant cataracts and phacoemulsification was performed at least 12 months after trabeculectomy. Visual acuity, IOP and the number of glaucoma medications were recorded preoperatively, and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. Anterior chamber (AC) depth was measured preoperatively and 3 months after cataract surgery with A-scan ultrasonography. The main outcome measure was IOP at 12 months. Results IOP was decreased significantly from 18.16±5.91 mmHg at baseline to 15.37±2.90 mmHg at final follow-up (P<0.01). The mean number of glaucoma medications was significantly decreased from 1.81±0.24 to 0.86±1.00 (P=0.001) at 1 year postoperatively. At final follow up, 36 (97.2%) eyes and 32 (86.4%) eyes had IOP≤21 and IOP≤18 mmHg, respectively; 14 (37.8%) eyes and 9 (24.3%) eyes had IOP≤21 and IOP≤18 mmHg without medications, respectively. The magnitude of IOP reduction was correlated with higher preoperative IOP (r=0.85, P<0.001), shallower preoperative AC depth (r=-0.38, P=0.01) and greater changes in AC depth (r=-0.39, P=0.01). Conclusion Cataract surgery reduces IOP and the number of glaucoma medications in previously filtered PACG eyes. This reduction seems to be greater in patients with higher preoperative IOP and shallower anterior chambers.
Parental Exposure to Carcinogens and Risk for Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Colombia, 2000-2005

Introduction The objective of this study was to determine the risk factors for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and, in particular, the role of parental occupational exposure to carcinogenic and probably carcinogenic hydrocarbons before the child's conception. Methods For this case-control study, cases were children younger than 15 years who were newly diagnosed with ALL between January 2000 and March 2005 at 1 of 6 Colombian hospitals. An interview with both parents of 170 children (85 cases and 85 individually matched neighborhood controls) gathered information about each child's exposures and parental demographic and occupational characteristics, medical history, health risk behaviors, and pregnancy and birth history. A job-exposure matrix was used to classify parental exposure to hydrocarbons on the basis of the main industrial activity of each workplace where parents worked before (both parents) or during the index pregnancy (mother only). Conditional odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated by period of exposure (preconception, pregnancy, and childhood). Results The risk of childhood ALL was linked to 1) parental occupational exposure to hydrocarbons before conception, 2) parental smoking before conception, 3) maternal low socioeconomic status during pregnancy, and 4) higher maternal age (≥35 y) at the child's birth. Conclusion These findings suggest an association between childhood ALL and parental occupational exposure to carcinogenic and probably carcinogenic hydrocarbons before conception. Outcomes depended on the parent exposed. Future research should investigate the additive or multiplicative role of other environmental sources of hydrocarbons.
Delayed silent phoneme monitoring in adults who do and do not stutter

ABSTRACT Previous research employed silent phoneme monitoring tasks to examine differences in phonological encoding in adults who stutter (AWS) compared to adults who do not stutter (AWNS). The primary purpose of this study was to apply a modified version of the task – the delayed silent phoneme monitoring task – to examine the integrity of the phonological speech plan within working memory in AWS and AWNS before and after subvocal rehearsal. The secondary purpose of this study was to examine whether group differences were more apparent when greater phonological demand was placed upon phonological working memory. In Experiment 1, 20 adults (10 AWNS, 10 AWS) identified target phonemes within trochaic nonwords held in memory before the initiation of subvocal rehearsal (1 s) and after subvocal rehearsal (4 s). In Experiment 2, an additional 20 adults (10 AWNS, 10 AWS) monitored identical nonwords with low-frequency iambic stress. Speed and accuracy of manual response was measured, as well as post-trial verbal productions. Both groups identified the initial phoneme of trochaic stimuli fastest, irrespective of stress, and both groups monitored phonemes faster after the 4 s delay. However, AWS identified phonemes within iambic stimuli with less accuracy than AWNS. Group differences in monitoring errors were most evident for phonemes immediately following syllable boundary, and after subvocal rehearsal. Preliminary findings suggest AWS may exhibit distinct difficulties relative to AWNS when accessing segmental information after subvocal rehearsal is required, but only when target words are more phonologically demanding (i.e., low-frequency iambic stress).
Molecular Evolution of Pancreatic-Type Ribonuclease&*

Amino acid sequences of 39 mammalian ribonucleases have been used to construct trees by the maximum parsimony procedure. These trees are in fairly good agreement with the biological classification of the species involved. In the branching order of the six investigated eutherian mammalian orders, the edentates diverge first, followed, probably, by the primates. No definite conclusions can be drawn about the order of divergence of the perissodactyls, the rodents, and the group consisting of artiodactyls plus cetaceans. Nucleic acid sequences of part of the messenger RNAs of rat pancreatic and bovine seminal ribonuclease were compared. Both messengers have a second stop codon at position 129, which is in agreement with the addition of four residues at the C-terminus in several other ribonucleases. Turtle pancreatic ribonuclease and human angiogenin differ from each other and from the mammalian ribonucleases at 55%-70% of the amino acid positions; they share a number of structural features. Mammalian nonsecretory ribonucleases are homologous to the pancreatic ribonucleases in sequence regions where the active-site histidine residues are located.