Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PNA Predictability at Various Time Scales

AbstractIn this study, the predictability of the Pacific–North American (PNA) pattern is evaluated on time scales from days to months using state-of-the-art dynamical multiple-model ensembles including the Canadian Historical Forecast Project (HFP2) ensemble, the Development of a European Multimodel Ensemble System for Seasonal-to-Interannual Prediction (DEMETER) ensemble, and the Ensemble-Based Predictions of Climate Changes and their Impacts (ENSEMBLES). Some interesting findings in this study include (i) multiple-model ensemble (MME) skill was better than most of the individual models; (ii) both actual prediction skill and potential predictability increased as the averaging time scale increased from days to months; (iii) there is no significant difference in actual skill between coupled and uncoupled models, in contrast with the potential predictability where coupled models performed better than uncoupled models; (iv) relative entropy (REA) is an effective measure in characterizing the potential predic.
The mapping of visual space onto foveal striate cortex in the macaque monkey

Visuotopic maps of foveal striate cortex have been obtained by means of single cell recordings from four hemispheres in two awake, behaving macaque monkeys. The numbers of successful separate striate penetration sites in the four hemispheres were 42, 58, 81, and 61, for a total of 242. The resolution of the maps is 10 min of visual angle, nearly an order of magnitude finer than previous maps. No striate receptive field center was found more than 5 min into the ipsilateral visual field. The four maps were sufficiently compatible with one another that they could be combined into one. There are only minor magnification differences between the right and left hemispheres and between the upper and lower quadrants. There is a vertical/horizontal magnification anisotropy of about 1.5:1 in central foveal cortex (0 to 20 min). The composite map can be approximated by the complex logarithmic equation, w = 7.7 * ln (x + iy + 0.33), where w is expressed in millimeters and x and y are expressed in degrees.
Potential Risk Factors Associated with Sole Hemorrhages Causing Lameness in Egyptian Water Buffaloes and Native Breed Cows

Sole hemorrhages are considered as a main cause for sub clinical laminitis. In this study we aimed at discussing the most prominent risk factors associated with sole hemorrhages causing lameness in Egyptian water buffaloes and native breed cows. The final multivariate logistic regression model showed, a significant association between sub acute ruminal acidosis (P < 0.05), limb affected (P < 0.05) and weight (P < 0.05) and sole hemorrhages causing lameness in Egyptian water buffaloes and native breed cows. According to our knowledge, this is the first paper to discuss the risk factors associated with sole hemorrhages causing lameness in Egyptian water buffaloes and native breed cows
Inhibition of adhesion molecules by budesonide on a human epithelial cell line (lung carcinoma)

Inhaled corticosteroids in the treatment of asthma have been shown to produce marked reductions in the number of inflammatory cells (mainly mast cells and eosinophils) and their products at bronchial level (such as cytokines). Recently, it has been demonstrated that epithelial cells express ICAM‐1/CD54 in allergic patients both during natural allergen exposure and after allergen challenge. We have previously demonstrated that deflazacort (a systemic steroid) reduces the expression of ICAM‐1 on conjunctival epithelial cells. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects exerted by budesonide on adhesion molecule expression by a human epithelial cell line (lung carcinoma: DM) and on soluble ICAM‐1. Budesonide was added at concentrations corresponding to 10−8, 10−7, and 10−6 mol/1 in cultured epithelial cells, either in the absence of any stimulus or in the presence of interferon‐gamma (IFN‐y) at 500 U/ml. After 24 h of incubation, cytofluorometric analysis was performed for ICAM‐1 and CD29/VLAP1. The 24–h supernatants of the same cultures were collected and then evaluated for soluble ICAM‐1 (sICAM‐1). The results showed that budesonide inhibits ICAM‐1 and CD29 basal expression on the cells studied (P<0.05): budesonide was effective in a dose‐dependent manner. In addition, budesonide reduced surface ICAM‐1 upregulation induced by IFN‐γ at 500 U/ml (p<0.05). Finally, cell cultures with budesonide showed decreased levels of soluble ICAM‐1 in basal condition, but not after IFN‐γ stimulation.
Parallax and Luminosity Measurements of an L Subdwarf

We present the first parallax and luminosity measurements for an L subdwarf, the sdL7 2MASS J05325346+8246465. Observations conducted over 3 years by the USNO infrared astrometry program yield an astrometric distance of 26.7 ± 1.2 pc and a proper motion of 2.6241″ ± 0.0018″ yr−1. Combined with broadband spectral and photometric measurements, we determine a luminosity of log Lbol/L☉ = − 4.24 ± 0.06 and Teff = 1730 ± 90 K (the latter assuming an age of 5-10 Gyr), comparable to mid-type L field dwarfs. Comparison of the luminosity of 2MASS J05325346+8246465 to theoretical evolutionary models indicates that its mass is just below the sustained hydrogen-burning limit, and is therefore a brown dwarf. Its kinematics indicate a ~110 Myr, retrograde Galactic orbit that is both eccentric (3 kpc ≲ R≲ 8.5 kpc) and extends well away from the plane (Δ Z = ± 2 kpc), consistent with membership in the inner halo population. The relatively bright J-band magnitude of 2MASS J05325346+8246465 implies significantly reduced opacity in the 1.2 μ m region, consistent with inhibited condensate formation as previously proposed. Its as yet unknown subsolar metallicity remains the primary limitation in constraining its mass; determination of both parameters would provide a powerful test of interior and evolutionary models for low-mass stars and brown dwarfs.
The Effectiveness of Private Voucher Education

In this article the authors analyze the effect of private voucher education on student academic performance using new data on Chilean students and a novel identification strategy. Most schools in Chile provide either primary or secondary education. The authors analyze the effect of private voucher education on students who are forced to enroll at a different school to attend secondary education once graduated from primary schooling—structural switches. Moreover, the data set the authors use in this article contains information on previous academic achievement and thus allows them to identify differences in students’ unobservable characteristics. Using a number of propensity-score-based econometric techniques and the changes-in-changes estimation method, the authors find that private voucher education leads to small, sometimes not statistically significant differences in academic performance. The estimated effect of private voucher education amounts to about 4% to 6% of one standard deviation in test scores. In contrast, the literature on Chile based on cross-sectional data had previously found positive effects of about 15% to 20% of one standard deviation.
Performance assessment of DMOEA-DD with CEC 2009 MOEA competition test instances

In this paper, the DMOEA-DD, which is an improvement of DMOEA[1, 2] by using domain decomposition technique, is applied to tackle the CEC 2009 MOEA competition test instances that are multiobjective optimization problems (MOPs) with complicated Pareto set (PS) geometry shapes. The performance assessment is given by using IGD [3, 4] as performance metric.
Comparative Effectiveness Research in DARTNet Primary Care Practices: Point of Care Data Collection on Hypoglycemia and Over-the-Counter and Herbal Use Among Patients Diagnosed With Diabetes

Background:The Distributed Ambulatory Research in Therapeutics Network (DARTNet) is a federated network of electronic health record (EHR) data, designed as a platform for next-generation comparative effectiveness research in real-world settings. DARTNet links information from nonintegrated primary care clinics that use EHRs to deliver ambulatory care to overcome limitations with traditional observational research. Objective:Test the ability to conduct a remote, electronic point of care study in DARTNet practices by prompting clinic staff to obtain specific information during a patient encounter. Research Design:Prospective survey of patients identified through queries of clinical data repositories in federated network organizations. On patient visit, survey is triggered and data are relinked to the EHR, de-identified, and copied for evaluation. Subjects:Adult patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus that scheduled a clinic visit for any reason in a 2-week period in DARTNet primary care practices. Measures:Survey on hypoglycemic events (past month) and over-the-counter and herbal supplement use. Results:DARTNet facilitated point of care data collection triggered by an electronic prompt for additional information at a patient visit. More than one-third of respondents (33% response rate) reported either mild (45%) or severe hypoglycemic events (5%) in the month before the survey; only 3 of those were also coded using the ICD-9 (a significant difference in detection rates 37% vs. 1%). Nearly one-quarter of patients reported taking an OTC/herbal, 4% specifically for the treatment of symptoms of diabetes. Conclusions:Prospective data collection is feasible in DARTNet and can enable comparative effectiveness and safety research.
Endothelial function and sleep: associations of flow‐mediated dilation with perceived sleep quality and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep

Endothelial function typically precedes clinical manifestations of cardiovascular disease and provides a potential mechanism for the associations observed between cardiovascular disease and sleep quality. This study examined how subjective and objective indicators of sleep quality relate to endothelial function, as measured by brachial artery flow‐mediated dilation (FMD). In a clinical research centre, 100 non‐shift working adults (mean age: 36 years) completed FMD testing and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, along with a polysomnography assessment to obtain the following measures: slow wave sleep, percentage rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, REM sleep latency, total arousal index, total sleep time, wake after sleep onset, sleep efficiency and apnea–hypopnea index. Bivariate correlations and follow‐up multiple regressions examined how FMD related to subjective (i.e. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores) and objective (i.e. polysomnography‐derived) indicators of sleep quality. After FMD showed bivariate correlations with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores, percentage REM sleep and REM latency, further examination with separate regression models indicated that these associations remained significant after adjustments for sex, age, race, hypertension, body mass index, apnea–hypopnea index, smoking and income (Ps < 0.05). Specifically, as FMD decreased, scores on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index increased (indicating decreased subjective sleep quality) and percentage REM sleep decreased, while REM sleep latency increased (Ps < 0.05). Poorer subjective sleep quality and adverse changes in REM sleep were associated with diminished vasodilation, which could link sleep disturbances to cardiovascular disease.
Radiation-induced breakpoint misrejoining in human chromosomes: random or non-random?

PURPOSE To investigate whether radiation-induced misrejoining of chromosome breakpoints is randomly or non-randomly distributed throughout the human genome. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data were combined from as many published cytogenetic studies as possible. The percentage of radiation-induced breaks per megabase (Mb) of DNA between all human chromosomes was calculated, and the observed and expected numbers of breakpoints based on DNA content between and within chromosomes were compared. RESULTS A DNA-proportional distribution of breakpoints in 14 autosomes and a statistically significant deviation from proportionality in the other eight autosomes and the sex chromosomes was found. Regression analysis showed no significant change in breakpoint frequency per Mb of DNA relative to autosome size. Analysis between chromosome arms showed a non-random distribution of induced breakpoints within certain autosomes, particularly the acrocentrics. In cases of non-random distributions, a prevalence of events was found at heterochromatic regions and/or telomeres, and a clustering of breakpoints was found near the centromeres of many chromosomes. CONCLUSIONS There is an approximately linear proportionality between autosomal DNA content and observed breakpoint number, suggesting that subsets of autosomes can be used to estimate accurately the overall genomic frequency of misrejoined breakpoints contingent upon a carefully selected subset. However, this conclusion may not apply to the sex chromosomes. The results also support the influence of chromatin organization and/or preferential DNA repair/misrejoining on the distribution of induced breakpoints. However, these effects are not sufficient at a global level to dismiss the value of cytogenetic analysis using a genome subset for biodosimetry.
The Genetic Architecture of Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is classically characterised by the clinical need for insulin, the presence of disease-associated serum autoantibodies, and an onset in childhood. The disease, as with other autoimmune diseases, is due to the interaction of genetic and non-genetic effects, which induce a destructive process damaging insulin-secreting cells. In this review, we focus on the nature of this interaction, and how our understanding of that gene–environment interaction has changed our understanding of the nature of the disease. We discuss the early onset of the disease, the development of distinct immunogenotypes, and the declining heritability with increasing age at diagnosis. Whilst Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) have a major role in causing T1D, we note that some of these HLA genes have a protective role, especially in children, whilst other non-HLA genes are also important. In adult-onset T1D, the disease is often not insulin-dependent at diagnosis, and has a dissimilar immunogenotype with reduced genetic predisposition. Finally, we discuss the putative nature of the non-genetic factors and how they might interact with genetic susceptibility, including preliminary studies of the epigenome associated with T1D.
Mapping of Three Genetic Determinants of Susceptibility to Estrogen-Induced Mammary Cancer within the Emca8 Locus on Rat Chromosome 5

The ACI rat model of 17β-estradiol (E2)-induced mammary cancer has gained wide use in the study of breast cancer etiology, prevention, and genetics. Emca8, a QTL that determines susceptibility to E2-induced mammary cancer, was previously mapped to rat chromosome 5 (RNO5) in an intercross between resistant Brown Norway (BN) and susceptible ACI rats. In this study, a panel of congenic rat strains, each of which carries BN alleles across a defined segment of RNO5 on the ACI genetic background, was generated and used to map more precisely the Emca8 determinants of mammary cancer susceptibility. Three distinct genetic determinants were localized within Emca8, and two of these were mapped to intervals of less than 15 megabases. Emca8.1 harbors Cdkn2a, Cdkn2b, and other genes and is orthologous to the 9p21 breast cancer locus identified in genome-wide and candidate gene association studies. Emca8.2 harbors Cdkn2c and other genes and is orthologous to the 1p32 locus in humans that is frequently deleted in breast cancers. Both Emca8.1 and Emca8.2 harbor copy number variants that are orthologous to copy number variant regions in humans. Gene expression profiles were defined for mammary tissues from E2-treated ACI and ACI.BN-Emca8 rats to define the impact of Emca8 on gene expression and identify differentially expressed genes residing within Emca8.1 and Emca8.2. This study further illustrates the relevance of the ACI rat model of E2-induced mammary cancer for identifying novel genetic determinants of breast cancer susceptibility and defining the mechanisms through which estrogens contribute to breast cancer development. Cancer Prev Res; 6(1); 59–69. ©2012 AACR.
Evaluating measles surveillance using laboratory-discarded notifications of measles-like illness during elimination

SUMMARY For jurisdictions implementing measles elimination strategies, a minimum surveillance benchmark of 1/100 000 population per year measles-like illness (MLI) cases initially notified, but then rejected based on laboratory testing was proposed. We used this standard to assess the quality of the Victorian enhanced measles surveillance between 1998 and 2003. Victorian enhanced measles surveillance includes interviews with notified cases and confirmatory laboratory testing for notifications. We found 72% (918/1281) of measles notifications were discarded after testing. The median annual rate of discard was 2·9/100 000. The annual discard rate was inversely associated with the age of the notifications, and measles negative with no other diagnosis made was the most common laboratory outcome. The annual rates of discarded notifications in Victoria were consistently above the minimum recommended standard. The rate of discarded MLIs as a surveillance threshold should be useful in measles endemic regions, but may require modification where disease elimination has occurred.
Important Role of Endogenous Erythropoietin System in Recruitment of Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Hypoxia-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension in Mice

Background— Recent studies have suggested that endogenous erythropoietin (Epo) plays an important role in the mobilization of bone marrow–derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). However, it remains to be elucidated whether the Epo system exerts protective effects on pulmonary hypertension (PH), a fatal disorder encountered in cardiovascular medicine. Methods and Results— A mouse model of hypoxia-induced PH was used for study. We evaluated right ventricular systolic pressure, right ventricular hypertrophy, and pulmonary vascular remodeling in mice lacking the Epo receptor (EpoR) in nonerythroid lineages (EpoR−/− rescued mice) after 3 weeks of exposure to hypoxia. Those mice lack EpoR in the cardiovascular system but not in the hematopoietic system. The development of PH and pulmonary vascular remodeling were accelerated in EpoR−/− rescued mice compared with wild-type mice. The mobilization of EPCs and their recruitment to the pulmonary endothelium were significantly impaired in EpoR−/− rescued mice. By contrast, reconstitution of the bone marrow with wild-type bone marrow cells ameliorated PH in the EpoR−/− rescued mice. Hypoxia enhanced the expression of EpoR on pulmonary endothelial cells in wild-type but not EpoR−/− rescued mice. Finally, hypoxia activated endothelial nitric oxide synthase in the lungs in wild-type mice but not in EpoR−/− rescued mice. Conclusions— These results indicate that the endogenous Epo/EpoR system plays an important role in the recruitment of EPCs and prevents the development of PH during chronic hypoxia in mice in vivo, suggesting the therapeutic importance of the system for the treatment of PH.
Wave‐induced pore pressure measurements near a coastal structure

[1] Wave-induced pore pressures were measured at various depths below the sandy bed in front of a coastal structure. The results of a weeklong field experiment carried out in September 2003 on the beach of Capbreton, in southwest France, are presented. The coastal structure was located in the intertidal zone of the beach. The transmission of pressure variations inside the soil, as compared to the pressure variations produced by the waves in the water layer, are analyzed in terms of both amplitude decay and phase shifts and compared to theoretical models. The gas content inside the soil was also measured. The results confirm that the gas content is a key parameter affecting the transmission of pressure inside the soil. It is shown that a significant upward pressure gradient is generated during a wave period, which can liquefy a 30 cm deep superficial layer of the soil. This is interpreted in terms of momentary liquefaction events. The manner in which the phenomena change during the different tidal periods investigated is described. The dependence of the results on wave height and bed level is discussed. Whereas the soil properties were not modified over a tidal period when the wave activity was sufficiently low, a significant change in the transmission of pressure variations inside the soil was observed when the structure was subjected to larger waves. This is interpreted in terms of a change in the gas content in the superficial layer.
Simla Slates: The Precambrian Flysch of the Lesser Himalaya, Its Turbidites, Sedimentary Structures and Paleocurrents

The Precambrian Simla Slates group of Himachal Pradesh and Garhwal is a shaly flysch made up of graywackes and related finer sediments deposited primarily by lateral turbidity currents in the distal part of the basin. Two trends of paleocurrents have been recognized in this flysch. Various scour and tool markings indicate turbidity currents that flowed oblique or even transverse to the general tectonic strike of the Himalayan chain. These turbidity currents demonstrate diverging trends northwest to north-northwest in the Simla area, north in the Tons Valley in the middle, and north-northeast to northeast in Garhwal. They seem to have originated on the shelf of the north-by-northeasterly prolongation of the now profoundly eroded and peneplaned Aravalh, which lies buried under the sands of the Ganga and Yamuna Rivers. The Archean Aravallis, and possibly the Ajabgarhs of the Proterozoic Delhi System probably served as the mam source of the sediments. Erosional structures in the graywackes and related sediments indicate indigenous bottom currents sweeping consistently in an easterly direction across the slope. The directly overlying Blaini Boulder Beds of the Simla area arc interpreted as slide conglomerates, representing submarine slides generated on steep structural slopes as a result of severe tectonic movements toward the end of the Simla time.
The relationship between observation intervals and errors in radar rainfall estimation over the Indochina Peninsula

Although several meteorological radars are operated routinely in Southeast Asian countries, their observation frequencies are sometimes only one or two times per hour. To examine the usability of such poorly sampled observation data, this study investigated the relationship between the observation interval and the estimation error of radar rainfall intensity. The data sets analysed were the radar reflectivity data obtained from the Om Koi S‐band radar located in northern Thailand, which operates at approximately 5‐min intervals, and the surface rainfall data of rain gauges installed in the Mae Chaem Watershed, which has a catchment area of 3853 km2. Through the calibration of parameters in a relationship equation between the rainfall intensity and the reflectivity, hourly rainfall intensities were estimated successfully with high accuracy. The reflectivity data with a poor temporal resolution were constructed by resampling the original 5‐min‐interval data. The comparison of hourly rainfall intensities estimated from the resampled data with those from the original data reveals that the root mean square error can be expressed as a function of the observation interval and grid size of the radar rainfall intensity product. We conclude that even 30‐min intervals of reflectivity data are useful for estimating the average hourly rainfall intensity over the Mae Chaem Watershed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.