Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Skillful seasonal predictions of winter precipitation over southern China

Southern China experiences large year-to-year variability in the amount of winter precipitation, which can result in severe social and economic impacts. In this study, we demonstrate prediction skill of southern China winter precipitation by three operational seasonal prediction models: the operational Global seasonal forecasting system version 5 (GloSea5), the NCEP Climate Forecast System (CFSv2) and the Beijing Climate Center Climate System Model (BCC-CSM1.1m). The correlation scores reach 0.76 and 0.67 in GloSea5 and CFSv2, respectively; and the amplitude of the ensemble mean forecast signal is comparable to the observed variations. The skilful predictions in GloSea5 and CFSv2 mainly benefit from the successful representation of the observed ENSO teleconnection. El Niño weakens the Walker circulation and leads to the strengthening of the subtropical high over the northwestern Pacific. The anti-cyclone then induces anomalous northward flow over the South China Sea and brings water vapor to southern China, resulting in more precipitation. This teleconnection pattern is too weak in BCC-CSM1.1m, which explains its low skill (0.13). Whereas the most skilful forecast system is also able to simulate the influence of the Indian Ocean on southern China precipitation via changes in southwesterly winds over the Bay of Bengal. Finally, we examine the real-time forecast for 2015/16 winter when a strong El Niño event led to the highest rainfall over southern China in recent decades. We find that the GloSea5 system gave good advice as it produced the third wettest southern China in the hindcast, but underestimated the observed amplitude. This is likely due to the underestimation of the Siberian High strength in 2015/2016 winter, which has driven strong convergence over southern China. We conclude that some current seasonal forecast systems can give useful warning of impending extremes. However, there is still need for further model improvement to fully represent the complex dynamics of the region.
Backbone Routing over Multihop Wireless Networks: Increased Network Coding Opportunity

Network coding has been proved as an effective way to enhance the throughput of the multihop wireless ad hoc networks in both unicast and multicast traffics. However, in a random network topology with non-coding-aware routing protocols, the performance enhancement may be limited because the packet routing scheme does not take advantage of the possibility of network coding. In this paper, we propose a Backbone ROuting with Network Coding (BRONC) scheme over a multihop wireless network, which combines the benefits of both backbone routing and network coding techniques. With backbone-based routing, all packets are forced to be transmitted over a constructed backbone. Because of the characteristics of bi-directional traffic flow and pre-specified routes in backbone routing, the possibility of coding packets at intermediate nodes can be substantially increased, and thus the benefit of network coding is fully exploited. Simulation results show that BRONC improves the coding opportunity significantly, and it outperforms the existing opportunistic coding schemes in terms of throughput, packet delivery ratio and transmission overhead.
The use of an antibiotic order form for antibiotic utilization review: influence on physicians' prescribing patterns.

An antibiotic order form was implemented for all inpatient antibiotic orders at an 800-bed hospital in April 1981 to provide an ongoing, concurrent audit of antibiotic use. The prescribing physician provided the clinical indication for the antibiotic order, and individual patient treatment courses were identified. During the 25-month study period, cephalosporins, penicillin plus ampicillin, and aminoglycosides accounted for 44%, 22%, and 17% of all treatment courses, respectively. Sixty-nine percent of first-generation cephalosporin treatment courses were for prophylaxis, whereas the remaining antibiotics were used for either empirical therapy or documented infection in 56%-79% of cases. After the introduction of the antibiotic order form, there was a significant decline in both the number of antibiotic treatment courses (P = .025) and the percentage of patients receiving any antibiotic (P = .007). We conclude that a specialized antibiotic order form is an effective method for antibiotic utilization review and can have a significant impact on a physician's prescribing patterns.
Trust in Supervisor and Job Engagement: Mediating Effects of Psychological Safety and Felt Obligation

ABSTRACT In the social context of job engagement, the role of trust in supervisor in predicting engagement of employees has received attention in research. Very limited research, however, has investigated the mechanisms mediating this dynamic relationship. To address this important gap in knowledge, the aim of this study was to examine psychological safety and felt obligation as two psychological mechanisms mediating the effect of trust in supervisor on job engagement. Drawing from job engagement and social exchange theories, the mediating roles of psychological safety and felt obligation in the trust-engagement relationship were empirically investigated in the Malaysian context. Using self-report questionnaires, data were collected from 337 nurses employed in a public hospital located near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Results fully supported the proposed serial multiple mediator model. Trust in supervisor was indirectly related to job engagement via psychological safety followed by felt obligation. This study provides empirical evidence that trust in supervisor makes employees feel psychologically safe to employ and express their selves in their job roles. This satisfaction of the psychological safety need is interpreted by employees as an important socioemotional benefit that, in turn, makes them feel obligated to pay back to their organization through their enhanced level of job engagement. Implications for theory and practice were discussed.
Seasonal and helio-geomagnetic activity pattern of the ionospheric variability over Russia's Eastern Siberia and Far East region from the GPS/GLONASS data

We studied the ionospheric variability based on the analysis of vertical total electron content (TEC) variations over the Eastern Siberia and Far East regions during the period of 2002–2015. TEC data were measured from the phase of dual-frequency GPS/GLONASS receivers located in middle (Irkutsk), sub-auroral (Yakutsk) and high-latitude (Norilsk and Tiksi) regions. As a characteristic of the ionospheric variability high-frequency component, we used the TEC variation coefficient, which is a normalized TEC dispersion in daytime. This coefficient represents the level of internal gravity waves (IGW) activity in the ionosphere. Analysis of seasonal variability changes and those related to solar and geomagnetic activity revealed significant deviations of the TEC variation coefficient throughout a year. The lowest coefficient values of about 5–10% are recorded at all the stations in summer months. Maximum TEC variability was detected in winter, exceeding the summer time variations up to 6 times. These variations are regularly observed from year to year, they are not associated with changes in helio-geomagnetic conditions. The ionospheric variations analyzed are presumably caused by IGW propagating into the thermosphere from the lower atmosphere. The IGW generation sources at strato-mesospheric heights may be associated with shear-layer instabilities in the spatially non-uniform, high-velocity jet stream associated with the winter circumpolar vortex (CPV). Based on ECMWF ERA-Interim reanalysis data, we revealed a significant increase in wave activity at the strato-mesosphere heights from November to February for all the years considered. Wave disturbances generated inside winter CPV area can be partly transmitted upward. Propagating upward, IGWs transfer atmospheric constituents into the mesosphere and lower thermosphere. It leads to the molecular gas inflow or outflow at these heights, thereby altering the [O]/N2] ratio and causing ionospheric variation.
Porous high-density polyethylene implants in auricular reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the ability of porous high-density polyethylene (Medpor) implants to tolerate exposure and support skin grafts when used to reconstruct defects in auricular cartilage in an animal model. DESIGN Polyethylene implants placed in surgically created defects in auricular cartilage and covered with a skin flap were then exposed at either 4, 7, or 21 days after implantation. The exposed implants were then allowed to heal secondarily or received a skin graft 1 week later. The ability of polyethylene implants to tolerate exposure and support skin grafts was observed clinically and via histological study of the implantation sites. SUBJECTS Nine adult New Zealand rabbits. RESULTS Polyethylene implants demonstrated excellent ability to tolerate wound exposure as early as 4 days after implantation, with extrusion of 1 of the 36 implants placed. The degree of secondary wound healing increased as the interval from implantation to exposure increased from 4 to 21 days. Exposed polyethylene implants in all groups also supported all 18 skin grafts placed 1 week after exposure of the implant surface. CONCLUSIONS Polyethylene implants are well tolerated as replacements for native cartilage in auricular reconstruction. Polyethylene implants tolerated wound exposure as early as 4 days after implantation and demonstrated the ability to heal by secondary intention and support skin grafts. This is likely because of the extent of fibrovascular ingrowth from surrounding tissue, which allows the material to behave more like native tissue and less like a foreign body in this setting.
Institutions, capital control, and liquidity creation

Purpose The purpose of this study is to conduct an empirical investigation on how country-specific characteristics such as the quality of the institutional environment and the restrictiveness of capital control policy affect domestic financial sector’s ability to provide liquidity to the economy. Design/methodology/approach This study uses panel regressions on international banking data across 102 countries from Bankscope. Findings The results show that strong institutions and looser capital control in a country enhance the banks’ role as the liquidity provider to the economy. The study also finds that institutional quality and capital control have a dynamic effect that influences the creation of liquidity. Better institutions benefit the creation of liquidity in either under normal economic conditions or during economic downturn. Loosened capital control, as a result of financial openness, facilitates liquidity creation under normal economic conditions. Originality/value This study complements the research on the role of country-level institutions in financial and economic development and suggests a liquidity channel through which a country’s institutions can further economic growth. The study also provides evidence on the impact of a country’s control of capital flows on the role of banking sector in domestic economy.
Value of Market Mechanisms Enabling Improved Wind Power Predictions: A Case Study of the Estinnes Wind Power Plant

Facing balancing responsibility, accurate output predictions are indispensable for wind power generators. Prediction errors result in imbalance costs impacting profitability of wind power investments. This contribution focuses on this relation and assesses the impact of three market mechanisms commonly suggested by industry to reduce imbalance costs: delayed market closure, intraday markets and 15’ market products. The first two mechanisms allow the use of prediction horizons closer to real-time while the latter synchronises the time period of market products with the settlement period of the balancing mechanism. The impact of these suggested market mechanisms on imbalance costs and profits is researched by means of representative prediction models applied in a high-capacity wind power plant in Estinnes, Belgium. In this case study, it is shown that the suggested mechanisms do not necessarily improve market value of wind power. The reducing effect on imbalance costs depends on the one hand strongly on specific characteristics of the predictions and on other hand on trends in the balancing market. In this way, this contribution gives clear insight in the impact of prediction models on imbalance costs and required measures to reduce them.
Stanniocalcin-1 Potently Inhibits the Proteolytic Activity of the Metalloproteinase Pregnancy-associated Plasma Protein-A*

Background: The molecular mechanisms behind previously reported biological effects of stanniocalcin-1 are poorly understood. Results: Stanniocalcin-1 potently inhibits the proteolytic activity of the metzincin metalloproteinases PAPP-A and PAPP-A2, which promote insulin-like growth factor (IGF) activity in tissues. Conclusion: Stanniocalcin-1 is a novel proteinase inhibitor. Significance: Altered stanniocalcin-1 expression may affect IGF signaling in vivo under normal or pathological conditions. Stanniocalcin-1 (STC1) is a disulfide-bound homodimeric glycoprotein, first identified as a hypocalcemic hormone important for maintaining calcium homeostasis in teleost fish. STC1 was later found to be widely expressed in mammals, although it is not believed to function in systemic calcium regulation in these species. Several physiological functions of STC1 have been reported, although many molecular details are still lacking. We here demonstrate that STC1 is an inhibitor of the metzincin metalloproteinase, pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), which modulates insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling through proteolytic cleavage of IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs). STC1 potently (Ki = 68 pm) inhibits PAPP-A cleavage of IGFBP-4, and we show in a cell-based assay that STC1 effectively antagonizes PAPP-A-mediated type 1 IGF receptor (IGF1R) phosphorylation. It has recently been found that the homologous STC2 inhibits PAPP-A proteolytic activity, and that this depends on the formation of a covalent complex between the inhibitor and the proteinase, mediated by Cys-120 of STC2. We find that STC1 is unable to bind covalently to PAPP-A, in agreement with the absence of a corresponding cysteine residue. It rather binds to PAPP-A with high affinity (KD = 75 pm). We further demonstrate that both STC1 and STC2 show inhibitory activity toward PAPP-A2, but not selected serine proteinases and metalloproteinases. We therefore conclude that the STCs are proteinase inhibitors, probably restricted in specificity to the pappalysin family of metzincin metalloproteinases. Our data are the first to identify STC1 as a proteinase inhibitor, suggesting a previously unrecognized function of STC1 in the IGF system.
Dose-dependency of dexamethasone on the analgesic effect of interscalene block for arthroscopic shoulder surgery using ropivacaine 0.5%: A randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND Dexamethasone prolongs the duration of single-shot interscalene brachial plexus block (SISB). However, dose-dependency of dexamethasone as an adjuvant for SISB remains insufficiently understood. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of different doses of dexamethasone on the duration of SISB using ropivacaine 0.5%. DESIGN A randomised, double-blind controlled trial. SETTING Single university tertiary care centre. PATIENTS One hundred and forty-four patients scheduled for elective arthroscopic shoulder surgery were allocated randomly to one of four groups. INTERVENTIONS Patients received 12 ml of ropivacaine 0.5% in 0.9% saline (control group), or containing dexamethasone 2.5, 5.0 or 7.5 mg for SISB. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary endpoint was the time to the first analgesic request. Pain scores and adverse effects were also assessed up to 48 h postoperatively. RESULTS Inclusion of dexamethasone 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 mg resulted in significant (P < 0.001) increases in time to the first analgesic request by factors of 1.6, 2.2 and 1.8, respectively. The percentages of patients not requiring analgesics in the first 48 h postoperatively with dexamethasone 0.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 mg were 3, 22, 39 and 33%, respectively (P < 0.001). There were no significant effects on pain scores or incidences of adverse effects. CONCLUSION Dexamethasone demonstrated significant beneficial dose-dependent effects on duration to the first analgesic request, the number of patients not requiring analgesics and analgesic use in the first 48 h after SISB for arthroscopic shoulder surgery. There were no significant effects on pain scores or incidences of adverse effects. TRIAL REGISTRATION the trial was registered with the Clinical Trial Registry of Korea: https://cris.nih. go.kr/cris/index.jsp. Identifier: KCT0001078
Statistical Applications in Genetics and Molecular Biology The Generalized Odds Ratio as a Measure of Genetic Risk Effect in the Analysis and Meta-Analysis of Association Studies

The significance of risk effects in genetic association studies is assessed using the odds ratio for various genetic models (dominant, recessive and co-dominant) by merging genotypes. These models are not independent and there is no a priori biological justification for their choice. Consequently, the interpretation of their results can be problematic, especially when multiallelic variants and disease progression are investigated. The introduction of the generalized odds ratio (ORG) may be a remedy. The ORG utilizes the complete genotype distribution and it provides an estimate of the magnitude of the association, given that the mutational load and/or the phenotype are treated as a graded exposure and/or outcome. The performance of the ORG was tested in 13 meta-analyses with binary outcomes (12 with biallelic and one 3-allelic variants) and in one metaanalysis that investigated disease progression. Six biallelic meta-analyses produced a significant ORG, indicating higher risk of disease given that the diseased subjects have a higher mutational load compared to the non-diseased ones. Four of the six meta-analyses showed significance for all genetic models. The multiallelic meta-analysis produced a significant ORG, indicating that the mutational load is implicated in disease susceptibility; on the contrary, the multiple genetic models produced diverse results. In the disease progression meta-analysis, the risk of progression was related to mutational load of the variant whereas the conventional analysis did not reveal this association. Application of the ORG could overcome the shortcomings of multiple model testing or erroneous model specification and provides an alternative and robust way for genetic association testing.
A Conserved Docking Site in MEKs Mediates High-affinity Binding to MAP Kinases and Cooperates with a Scaffold Protein to Enhance Signal Transmission*

The recognition of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) by their upstream activators, MAPK/ERK kinases (MEKs), is crucial for the effective and accurate transmission of many signals. We demonstrated previously that the yeast MAPKs Kss1 and Fus3 bind with high affinity to the N terminus of the MEK Ste7, and proposed that a conserved motif in Ste7, the MAPK-docking site, mediates this interaction. Here we show that the corresponding sequences in human MEK1 and MEK2 are necessary and sufficient for the direct binding of the MAPKs ERK1 and ERK2. Mutations in MEK1, MEK2, or Ste7 that altered conserved residues in the docking site diminished binding of the cognate MAPKs. Furthermore, short peptides corresponding to the docking sites in these MEKs inhibited MEK1-mediated phosphorylation of ERK2in vitro. In yeast cells, docking-defective alleles of Ste7 were modestly compromised in their ability to transmit the mating pheromone signal. This deficiency was dramatically enhanced when the ability of the Ste5 scaffold protein to associate with components of the MAPK cascade was also compromised. Thus, both the MEK-MAPK docking interaction and binding to the Ste5 scaffold make mutually reinforcing contributions to the efficiency of signaling by this MAPK cascadein vivo.
Conjoint Effects of Serum Calcium and Phosphate on Risk of Total, Cardiovascular, and Noncardiovascular Mortality in the Community

Objective—Hyperphosphatemia is a cardiovascular risk factor in patients with chronic kidney disease. Relations of circulating calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (Pi) to long-term mortality risk in the community require further investigation. Methods and Results—Associations of serum Ca and Pi to mortality were evaluated in a community-based cohort of 2176 men (mean age, 50.1 years). During follow-up (median, 29.8 years), 1009 men died, and 466 of these deaths resulted from cardiovascular causes. In Cox proportional hazards models, serum Pi and [Ca×Pi] were independent predictors of total mortality (hazard ratio per SD, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01–1.12; P=0.03; 1.07; 95% CI, 1.01–1.12; P=0.01) and cardiovascular mortality (1.10; 95% CI, 1.02–1.18; P=0.01; 1.10; 95% CI, 1.03–1.19; P=0.008). Serum Ca was associated with risk of total mortality (1.08; 95% CI, 1.01–1.16; P=0.02) and noncardiovascular mortality (1.10; 95% CI, 1.01–1.21; P=0.04). Results were consistent after multivariate adjustments in subsamples of individuals with estimated glomerular filtration rate >90 mL/min and low-to-normal serum Ca and Pi. Conclusion—Circulating Ca and Pi levels are associated with risks of total, cardiovascular, and noncardiovascular mortality in the community, and their conjoint effects are additive. Additional studies are warranted to evaluate whether Ca and Pi are modifiable risk factors in the general population.
Selective regulation of beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors by atypical agonists.

The interactions of the atypical agonists pindolol and celiprolol with beta adrenergic receptors were compared with those of the full agonist, isoproterenol. Studies were carried out using intact cells as well as membranes prepared from C6 glioma cells. Computer-assisted analysis of dose-response curves resulting from the inhibition of the binding of [125I]iodopindolol by the beta-1 and beta-2 selective compounds ICI 89,406 and ICI 118,551 revealed that approximately one-third of the beta adrenergic receptors on these cells were beta-1 receptors. Addition of GTP to the binding assay simplified the dose-response curve for inhibition of the binding of [125I]iodopindolol by isoproterenol and diminished the potency of the agonist. GTP had no effect on the binding of pindolol or celiprolol, suggesting that these drugs do not induce the formation of a ternary complex with the receptor and the guanine nucleotide-binding protein for stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity. When added to the growth medium of intact C6 cells, isoproterenol induced a 40-fold increase in cyclic AMP accumulation. Pindolol and celiprolol, however, caused no elevation of enzyme activity. Addition of isoproterenol to the growth medium of intact cells resulted in an 80% decrease in the density of both beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors within 8 hr. Growing cells in the presence of pindolol or celiprolol induced a 50% decrease in the density of beta-2 receptors, which was inhibited by beta adrenergic antagonists. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)