Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptive Processing of Digital Broadband Seismic Data

The main purpose of this paper is to develop a step-wise approach to recursive parameter estimation for time-invariant autoregressive moving average (ARMA) models used to track slowly time variant-seismic noise. In these steps computational complexity is balanced against estimation accuracy. By updating with every new data sample, the recursions are well adapted to on-line implementation. They are designed to be insensitive to spurious additive glitches in the data. Assuming that the ARMA parameters vary slowly with time, the estimated parameters contain information about the long time behavior of the modeled process compared with the time duration of additive transient signals. In seismological applications these transients are thought to be earthquake signals. The estimated ARMA parameters are used a) for the design of robust prediction error filters with arbitrary prediction distance to reduce the microseismic noise while passing the earthquake signal widely undisturbed, and b) for automatic detection of earthquake signals. A three-step scheme for the detection of weak earthquake signals is developed: The first step is to clean the data from glitches (for example data transmission errors) by replacing these with predicted values. The second step involves conventional recursive bandpass filtering to focus upon relevant frequency bands. In the third step a detection variable is computed from the difference of time consecutive ARMA parameter vectors for the bandpass filtered traces.
Short‐term reproductive prognosis when no cause can be found for recurrent miscarriage

Summary. The short‐term reproductive prognosis of recurrent miscarriage for which no cause was found has been evaluated in 95 couples investigated between 1980 and 1986 at the First Obstetric and Gynaecological Clinic of the University of Milan. The actuarial overall 3‐year livebirth delivery rate was 64%, increasing constantly with time. The reproductive success rate decreased with the number of previous miscarriages from 80% in women with two, to 60% with three and 46% with four or more miscarriages. No effect of age and socio‐economic status emerged. There was a positive association between the number of previous miscarriages and the risk of miscarriage in the next pregnancy. Compared with women with two miscarriages the relative risk of another miscarriage was 2·3 for those with three previous miscarriages and 5·0 for those with four or more (χ21 for trend adjusted for age = 5·2, P= 0·02).
Comprehensive kinetic study of delignification, carbohydrate degradation, cellulose chain scissions, and hexenuronic acid reactions during kraft pulping of Eucalyptus globulus

Eucalyptus globulus represents one of the most suited fibre sources for the production of a wide range of high quality papers and high-purity dissolving pulps. The optimization of kraft pulping covering both continuous and batch processes demands kinetic models suitable for advanced control and offline optimization of the cooking operation. Quite recently, an improved kinetic model structure for softwood kraft cooking has been published, which considers varying alkali and temperature profiles during the cooking [1]. Unfortunately, most alkaline cooking models are based solely on softwood [2, 3]. This work contributes to an improved kinetic model for kraft cooking of Eucalyptus globulus suitable for advanced control of modern displacement cooking processes such as the continuous batch cooking process (CBC). After impregnation where the initial lignin has been removed, the bulk and residual delignification have been studied in a batch reactor as a function of the [OH - ], [HS - ], ionic strength, [Na + ], and temperature. The underlying kinetic expressions are similar to those used in the Andersson model also including a mechanism for determining the distribution of lignin and carbohydrate species 2 and 3 as a function of the cooking conditions. The kinetic equations were successfully validated against experimental data from a pilot plant digester applying conventional batch cooks. Furthermore, the formation of hexenuronic acid bound to the xylan backbone and its degradation / dissolution were described by a consecutive first-order reaction. In agreement to other studies, the temperature and the effective alkali charge revealed a strong influence on the hexenuronic acid content in the pulp while the effect of sulfidity proved to be insignificant. The role of ionic strength on the HexA content remained unclear. An increase in the ionic strength resulted in a higher maximum HexA content shifted to a higher kappa number (about 58), but with progressive delignification to a kappa number typical for unbleached E. globulus kraft pulp (about 15), the HexA content decreased to a level more than 20% lower as compared to pulps cooked at lower ionic strength.
Formation professionnelle : quels facteurs limitent l’accès des salariés seniors ?

L’acces a la formation decroit avec l’âge. A caracteristiques d’emploi identiques, les plus de 50 ans se forment moins que leurs cadets, leur taux d’acces flechissant nettement apres 55 ans. Ce phenomene s’est cependant legerement attenue au fil des annees, du fait notamment de l’allongement de la vie professionnelle. Les salaries âges de 50 ans ou plus sont, en moyenne, plutot bien informes de l’existence des differents dispositifs de formation professionnelle auxquels ils peuvent pretendre (83 %). Les seniors sont peu demandeurs de formation : les trois quarts des salaries âges de 55 ans et plus declarent ne pas souhaiter suivre une formation (ou une autre formation que celle deja suivie). Neanmoins, plus du tiers des salaries seniors mettent en avant le refus ou l’absence de soutien par leur employeur. Les difficultes personnelles ne sont citees comme raisons principales de l’absence de recours a la formation que par moins de 8 % d’entre eux.
Comment on : “ The k − 3 and k − 5 / 3 energy spectrum of atmospheric turbulence : Quasigeostrophic two-level model simulation ”

Recently, Tung and Orlando (2003, hereafter TO) proposed a new explanation for the observed spectra of atmospheric turbulence reported originally by Nastrom and Gage (1985). The present comment is intended to expand on some issues not considered explicitly by TO, and to contrast the modeling philosophy taken by TO relative to that implicitly invoked in most numerical QG studies. In particular, the comment explains why the result of TO has not been seen in previous studies using similar models, and notes some potential pitfalls in the interpretation of the results of TO. The features of the atmospheric spectrum reported by Nastrom and Gage (1985) are similar to those expected from geostrophic turbulence phenomenology, but nevertheless difficult to describe completely within that framework, assuming a single disturbance source. TO detail these difficulties and the theories proposed to get around them, and go on to propose the following new hypothesis. Baroclinic instability, they argue, generates turbulent energy in the mid-latitude troposphere at scales corresponding to zonal wavenumbers in the range 3–12, resulting in a short upscale cascade of energy (truncated by large-scale Ekman friction and the finite scale of the planet at wavenumber 1), and a down-scale cascade of enstrophy, resulting in the k−3 spectrum observed down to scales of about 600 km for the zonal wind. TO further claim that, in contradistinction to basic quasi-geostrophic turbulence phenomenology, there is a small down-scale cascade of energy, and that at some scale kt such that k2 t = η, where is the down-scale energy flux and η is the down-scale enstrophy flux, the spectrum due to the down-scale energy flux dominates that due to the direct cascade of enstrophy. The result, they argue, is the appearance of a k−5/3 energy spectrum at small scales, due to the small but non-negligible direct cascade of energy. Using a two-layer spectral quasigeostrophic model, forced by radiative relaxation toward a baroclinically unstable mean state and dissipated at large scale by linear Ekman damping and at small scale by a very high order hyperviscosity (νs∇ζ , with s = 18 and ζ = ∇2ψ), TO obtain results apparently consistent with their hypothesis. The existence of a small downscale energy flux (and a small upscale enstrophy flux) in geostrophic and two-dimensional turbulence is well-supported by numerical evidence (I have seen it in my own simulations, and it is apparent in the simulations reported in TO) and theory (see Eyink, 1996). The fact that the magnitudes of these “counter”-fluxes depend on dissipation (at small-
The optimal dose of ketamine for caudal epidural blockade in children

Sixty boys aged up to 9 years undergoing orchidopexy were randomly allocated to receive one of three solutions for caudal epidural injection: group A received 1 ml. kg−1 of 0.25% bupivacaine with 0.25 mg. kg−1of preservative‐free ketamine, group B received 1 ml. kg−1 of 0.25% bupivacaine with ketamine 0.5mg. kg−1 and group C received 1 ml. kg−1 of 0.25% bupivacaine with 1 mg. kg−1 of ketamine. Postoperative pain was assessed by means of a modified Objective Pain Score and analgesia was administered if this score exceeded four. The median duration of caudal analgesia was 7.9h in group A, 11 h in group B and 16.5 h in group C. There were no differences between the groups in the incidence of motor block, urinary retention, postoperative vomiting or postoperative sedation. Group C had a significantly higher incidence of behavioural side effects, including slightly odd behaviour, vacant stares and abnormal effect than groups A and B.
Commercial quality, major bioactive compound content and antioxidant capacity of 12 cultivars of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) fruits.

BACKGROUND Modern consumers are increasingly interested in their personal health and expect the food they purchase to be tasty and attractive while being safe and healthful. The aim of this study was to determine the commercial quality, characterise the antioxidant capacity and quantify the major bioactive compounds of 12 cultivars of loquat fruits in order to establish a database for utilising these germplasm resources. RESULTS Of the 12 cultivars, 'Guanyu' produced the biggest fruits, while 'Tianzhong' and 'Bingtangzhong' had the highest soluble solids content but the lowest titratable acidity. 'Taipinghong' was reddest in colour. Sucrose, fructose, glucose and sorbitol were the major sugars in loquat fruits, with the highest total sugar content being observed in 'Bingtangzhong' and 'Tianzhong'. Phenolics and flavonoids were the main bioactive compounds and were abundant in 'Tianzhong' and 'Zhaozhong'. 'Taipinghong' had the highest total carotenoid content, while 'Qingzhong' had the highest vitamin C content. 'Tianzhong', 'Bingtangzhong' and 'Ninghaibai' showed higher antioxidant activity than the other cultivars, as measured by assays of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiozoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) scavenging and ferric-reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP). CONCLUSION Commercial fruit quality, major bioactive compound content and antioxidant capacity varied greatly among the 12 cultivars. 'Bingtangzhong' and 'Tianzhong' were the highest-ranking cultivars based on their good commercial quality and high nutritional value. The loquat fruits with higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents also had clearly higher antioxidant capacities.
Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2)-dependent Oligomerization of Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (FGF2) Triggers the Formation of a Lipidic Membrane Pore Implicated in Unconventional Secretion*

Background: PI(4,5)P2- and tyrosine phosphorylation-dependent unconventional secretion of FGF2 is mediated by direct translocation across the plasma membrane. Results: PI(4,5)P2-mediated membrane recruitment causes oligomerization of tyrosine-phosphorylated FGF2 that, in turn, triggers the formation of a lipidic membrane pore. Conclusion: Membrane-inserted FGF2 oligomers represent intermediates of membrane translocation during unconventional secretion. Significance: Mechanistic insight into a novel self-sustained mechanism of protein translocation across membranes is provided. Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) is a critical mitogen with a central role in specific steps of tumor-induced angiogenesis. It is known to be secreted by unconventional means bypassing the endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi-dependent secretory pathway. However, the mechanism of FGF2 membrane translocation into the extracellular space has remained elusive. Here, we show that phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate-dependent membrane recruitment causes FGF2 to oligomerize, which in turn triggers the formation of a lipidic membrane pore with a putative toroidal structure. This process is strongly up-regulated by tyrosine phosphorylation of FGF2. Our findings explain key requirements of FGF2 secretion from living cells and suggest a novel self-sustained mechanism of protein translocation across membranes with a lipidic membrane pore being a transient translocation intermediate.
Utilisation de la biosurveillance lichénique sur la zone industrialo-portuaire de Fos-sur-Mer : retour sur trois ans de suivi à l'échelle d'un territoire intercommunal

La methode de biosurveillance de la qualite de l'air par les lichens a ete appliquee au territoire intercommunal du SAN Ouest-Provence qui abrite la zone industrialo-portuaire de Fos-sur-Mer et qui jouxte les complexes petrochimiques du pourtour de l'etang de Berre. Ces travaux ont exploite les deux aspects offerts par la biosurveillance lichenique, a savoir le lien entre qualite de l'air et diversite lichenique d'une part (9 stations) et bioaccumulation des contaminants (metaux, HAP, dioxines/furanes) dans les thalles de Xanthoria parietina, d'autre part (20 stations). Les observations effectuees indiquent une atteinte a la biodiversite lichenique lorsqu'on se rapproche des grands centres industriels locaux, celle-ci diminuant de 22 especes en zone eloignee a 10 especes (pour un Indice de Purete Atmospherique, IPA, allant de 99,5 a 42,7, respectivement). Inversement, les teneurs en contaminants mesurees dans X. parietina augmentent fortement avec la proximite industrielle, avec des rapports de concentrations atteignant un facteur 10 a 100 selon les polluants consideres. On denote egalement une plus grande disparite des concentrations en polluants, pouvant s'expliquer par une plus grande dependance vis-a-vis des conditions meteo en zone industrielle, et notamment de vent. Ceci met l'accent sur la specificite associee a l'aspect fixe, permanent et localise (souvent canalise) des emissions industrielles, qui contraste avec le caractere plus diffus, notamment des emissions urbaines, que ce soit pour le trafic routier ou le secteur residentiel. Ces travaux montrent la complementarite des deux aspects de la biosurveillance lichenique et, ici encore, leur aptitude a mesurer les impacts des activites anthropiques sur la qualite de l'air. Ils revelent aussi l'inadequation de la reglementation appliquee par les industriels sur le suivi par biosurveillance, qui se cantonne generalement au voisinage immediat de leurs installations. Ils pointent au contraire le besoin d'une surveillance integree sur un territoire defini de maniere coherente avec son usage et ses specificites et incluant les zones d'habitation qui doivent meme figurer au centre de la biosurveillance atmospherique.
Clinicopathologic correlations of genomic gains and losses in follicular lymphoma.

PURPOSE To evaluate the clinical relevance of genomic aberrations in follicular lymphomas (FLs). PATIENTS AND METHODS In this study, we analyzed 124 biopsy samples of patients with FL using comparative genomic hybridization. RESULTS In 87 cases (70%), genomic imbalances were detectable. The most frequent aberrations were gains of chromosome arms 7p (21 patients), 7q (21 patients), Xp (16 patients), 12q (15 patients), and 18q (14 patients) as well as losses on 6q (21 patients). Grades 2 and 3 according to the World Health Organization classification correlated with a more complex karyotype (P <.0001). In a subset of 82 patients, a comprehensive clinical data set was available. In a multivariate analysis including all clinical risk factors of the International Prognostic Index as well as genomic aberrations, the loss of material on chromosomal bands 6q25q27 was the strongest predictor of a shorter survival (P =.0001; hazard ratio, 6.5), followed by elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase level (P =.0009; hazard ratio, 4.9), the presence of more than one extranodal manifestation (P =.017; hazard ratio, 4.2), and age greater than 60 years (P =.022; hazard ratio, 2.6). CONCLUSION These data indicate that genomic aberrations may contribute significantly to risk assessment in patients with FL, the majority of whom are included in low-risk groups using established clinical prognostic scores.
Genetic spatial autocorrelation can readily detect sex‐biased dispersal

Sex‐biased dispersal is expected to generate differences in the fine‐scale genetic structure of males and females. Therefore, spatial analyses of multilocus genotypes may offer a powerful approach for detecting sex‐biased dispersal in natural populations. However, the effects of sex‐biased dispersal on fine‐scale genetic structure have not been explored. We used simulations and multilocus spatial autocorrelation analysis to investigate how sex‐biased dispersal influences fine‐scale genetic structure. We evaluated three statistical tests for detecting sex‐biased dispersal: bootstrap confidence intervals about autocorrelation r values and recently developed heterogeneity tests at the distance class and whole correlogram levels. Even modest sex bias in dispersal resulted in significantly different fine‐scale spatial autocorrelation patterns between the sexes. This was particularly evident when dispersal was strongly restricted in the less‐dispersing sex (mean distance <200 m), when differences between the sexes were readily detected over short distances. All tests had high power to detect sex‐biased dispersal with large sample sizes (n ≥ 250). However, there was variation in type I error rates among the tests, for which we offer specific recommendations. We found congruence between simulation predictions and empirical data from the agile antechinus, a species that exhibits male‐biased dispersal, confirming the power of individual‐based genetic analysis to provide insights into asymmetries in male and female dispersal. Our key recommendations for using multilocus spatial autocorrelation analyses to test for sex‐biased dispersal are: (i) maximize sample size, not locus number; (ii) concentrate sampling within the scale of positive structure; (iii) evaluate several distance class sizes; (iv) use appropriate methods when combining data from multiple populations; (v) compare the appropriate groups of individuals.
A Differential Pharmacokinetic Analysis of the Erythropoietin Receptor Population in Newborn and Adult Sheep

Strong evidence indicates that erythropoietin (Epo) is eliminated via Epo receptors (EpoR). Epo receptors may be classified as erythropoietic receptors that are largely located on erythroid progenitor cells in the bone marrow (BM) and nonerythropoietic receptors present in most tissues. Epo's elimination kinetics was studied using a very sensitive tracer interaction method (TIM) before and after chemical ablation of BM as an indirect way of evaluating the EpoR through an assortment of pharmacokinetic parameters (VM, KM, K, and CL) used in differentiating the EpoR population in newborn and adult sheep. TIM identified a parallel nonlinear Michaelis-Menten (VM and KM), and linear (K) elimination pathway and found the latter pathway to be significantly (p < 0.01) more dominant in lamb: K/(VM/KM + K) = 0.309 (25.3) versus 0.0895 (18.4) mean (CV%) lambs versus adult sheep. The significantly (p < 0.01) larger total clearance found for lambs indicates a larger nonhematopoietic tissue clearance of Epo (CL = 118 (10.9) ml/h/kg versus 67.8 (19.3) lamb versus adult sheep). The VM/KM ratio for the nonlinear pathway was not found to be significantly different (p > 0.05) between newborn and adults with values of 1.10 (15.8) and 1.30 (3.81) h–1, respectively. We proposed the hypothesis that the linear pathway is via nonhematopoietic EpoR. Assuming that Epo's elimination largely depends not only on erythropoietic EpoR but also on nonhematopoietic EpoR, this work shows a significant difference in the relative proportions of the two EpoR populations in lamb and adult sheep. The larger dominance of the nonhematopoietic EpoR in lamb supports the hypothesis that these receptors are more needed in early life, e.g., providing neuroprotection from perinatal hypoxemic-ischemic episodes.
Gene Therapy for Pyoderma Gangrenosum: Optimal Transfection Conditions and Effect of Drugs on Gene Delivery in the HaCaT Cell Line Using Cationic Liposomes

Background/Aims: Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare ulcerative skin disease, currently treated empirically with immunosuppression. PG is a good target for gene therapy since the skin is easily accessible. This study used the FDA-approved vector Lipofectamine® 2000 to investigate in vitro transfection of skin keratinocytes. The aim was to determine an optimum transfection protocol, including the effect of drugs currently used to treat PG on the efficiency of gene transfer, since gene therapy is unlikely to be used as monotherapy. Methods: Cells of the HaCaT line were transfected with the lacZ reporter gene, and transgene expression was measured after a given time period. Conditions tested were: relative concentrations of DNA and Lipofectamine®, time from transfection to measurement of expression, pH, and exposure to clinically relevant drugs (hydrocortisone, methotrexate, infliximab). Results: The greatest levels of β-galactosidase expression were observed using a DNA:Lipofectamine® ratio of 1:5 (μg/μl) on day 3 after transfection, using culture medium at pH 7, and in the presence of hydrocortisone. Transfection efficiency was reduced by the presence of methotrexate and not significantly affected by infliximab. Conclusion: Gene therapy is a potential future strategy for the management of PG; this study is a step towards the development of a topical gene-based agent.
Direct-to-Consumer Advertising Skepticism and the Use and Perceived Usefulness of Prescription Drug Information Sources

This study investigates advertising skepticism in the context of consumers’ prescription drug information seeking behavior. Results of a telephone survey found that: (a) the overall level of direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) skepticism among consumers was neutral; (b) DTCA skepticism was unrelated to age, positively related to education and income, and varied by race; (c) however, when all the antecedent variables were considered concurrently, only education emerged as a significant predictor (consumers with higher education were more skeptical of DTCA); (d) DTCA skepticism was not significantly related to perceived importance of prescription drug information; (e) DTCA skepticism was not associated with use of advertising and interpersonal sources of prescription drug information; and (f) DTCA skepticism was negatively related to perceived usefulness of advertising sources but unrelated to perceived usefulness of professional interpersonal sources (i.e., physicians and pharmacists). The article concludes with a discussion of findings and directions for future research.