Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A simplified approach for studying the influence of vertical accelerations on seismic response of slopes

ABSTRACT A simplified approach is presented for estimating permanent displacements in slopes as a result of both vertical and horizontal seismic accelerations. A study of 52 earthquake records showed that the time difference between maximum horizontal and vertical accelerations varied between 0 and 10.3 s. The approach is illustrated for an earth dam embankment by analysing the effects of five of the above earthquake records. The approach combines a pseudo-static slope stability analysis for estimation of the critical (or yield) horizontal-vertical acceleration combinations, and a Newmark type displacement analysis. Guidelines are presented for conservative choice of soil strength parameters of saturated clays for use in the stability analysis. While permanent displacements of up to 40 cm were predicted without considering the vertical acceleration component, no additional displacement above 3.5 cm resulted when this component was included. The predicted additional displacement was consistently less than 10%, and in 50% of the analyses, vertical acceleration led to smaller predicted displacements. The simple approach may be applied in analysis for any slope using real earthquake records. Using existing, empirical expressions for permanent displacement, based only on horizontal accelerations, the effect of the vertical accelerations may be conservatively estimated by increasing the displacement by 10%.
It's not easy being green: : the role of self-evaluations in explaining support of environmental issues

Using a mixed methods design, we examine the role of self-evaluations in influencing support for environmental issues. In Study 1—an inductive, qualitative study—we develop theory about how environmental issue supporters evaluate themselves in a mixed fashion, positively around having assets (self-assets) and negatively around questioning their performance (self-doubts). We explain how these ongoing self-evaluations, which we label “situated self-work,” are shaped by cognitive, relational, and organizational challenges individuals interpret about an issue from a variety of life domains (work, home, or school). In Study 2—an inductive, quantitative, observational study—we derive three profiles of environmental issue supporters’ mixed selves (self-affirmers, self-critics, and self-equivocators) and relate these profiles to real issue-supportive behaviors. We empirically validate key constructs from Study 1 and show that even among the most dedicated issue supporters, doubts play an important role in their experiences and may be either enabling or damaging, depending on the composition of their mixed selves. Our research offers a richer view of both how contexts shape social issue support and how individuals’ self-evaluations play a meaningful role in understanding the experiences and, ultimately, the issue-supportive behaviors of individuals working on social issues.
The evolution of ideas concerning the function of the neocortex.

Vernon B. Mountcastle is Professor Emeritus at the Johns Hopkins Medical School and head of the Philip Bard Laboratories of Neurophysiology in the Zangvil Krieger Mind/ Brain Institute at that university. His illustrious scientific career has been devoted to the study of the cerebral cortex, and his work has had an enormous impact on the field and on our understanding of the biological basis of higher brain functions. The following article is the text of his History of Neuroscience Lecture, delivered at the 24th annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience in Miami, Florida, on 14 November 1934. It is a unique perspective on the history of ideas concerning the organization and function of the cerebral cortex from an outstanding scientist who has been at the forefront of this field for over four decades.
Clinical neurological findings among metal degreasers exposed to chlorinated solvents

Among industrial solvents in present use trichloroethylene belongs to those which have been the concern of most neurological and occupational investigations since the beginning of this century. Reports on a broad spectrum of neurotoxicity are however mostly based on case‐studies and accidental circumstances. The object of this study was to examine clinical neurological manifestations after long‐term exposure to degreasing solvents, mainly trichloroethylene. The population was 99 metal degreasers, the design a historical cohort study. The most marked finding was a highly significant dose‐response relation between solvent exposure and motor dyscoordination ‐ a finding that was retained after multivariate control of relevant confounders. Vibration thresholds increased by solvent exposure at bivariate level, but the multivariate analysis showed that age was explaining most of the increase. No significant cranial nerve dysfunction was found.
A set of indicators for arc faults detection based on low frequency harmonic analysis

In this paper a novel set of indicators is presented for arc faults detection in electrical circuits. The indicators are defined starting from an experimental characterization of the arc fault phenomenon and the study of the arcing current in several test conditions, which were chosen in accordance with the UL 1699 Standard requirements. The proposed parameters are measured by means of a high resolution low frequency spectral analysis of the arcing current, which allows to achieve a good spectral resolution even with short observation windows.
Survival characteristics of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis in chicken egg albumen

Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (SE) is a major foodborne pathogen primarily causing human infection through contaminated chicken eggs. To understand how SE survives in chicken egg albumen, we systematically and quantitatively analysed the survival properties of SE in egg albumen and identified factors affecting its survival. Survival assays of SE in egg indicate that egg albumen restricted the growth of SE. A major factor that controlled SE's growth in egg albumen was iron restriction, since egg albumen supplemented with iron allowed SE to grow, and iron acquisition mutants of SE showed decreased survival in egg albumen. In addition, low pH of albumen, high concentrations of bacteria and low incubation temperatures of bacteria with albumen facilitates the survival of SE. Our results suggest that egg albumen uses multiple mechanisms to control SE including iron limitation, surface interaction and possible enzymatic activities.
Optimizing thin client caches for mobile cloud computing:

The emergence and rapid spread of interest and use of cloud computing as an accessible and expandable, as needed, computing facility on the go, has a very deep affinity to the proliferation of intelligent mobile devices including smartphones and tablets. Together, these technologies have the potential of not leaving anybody behind when it comes to computing applications whether small and personal or large and organizational, and regardless of geographic boundaries and economical conditions. However, many technical challenges still exist that are still delaying the realization of this dream with the responsiveness and quality needed from the user perspective. In this paper, we examine user requirements for access to the cloud through thin clients, handheld and mobile devices. In light of these requirements we characterize some of the needed research developments particularly in the area of device architecture. We present our work in exploring the cache design space for embedded processors using evolutionary techniques for mobile and thin client processors. We present a heuristic, evolutionary approach (genetic algorithm) to exploration that significantly cuts down on the time and resources, obtaining a near optimal design. We demonstrate the real‐world utility of our tool‐chain—“CERE” (pronounced SIRI) short for (CachE Recommendation Engine)—by rapidly and efficiently designing a cache hierarchy, which maximizes the performance of a web browser navigating to a set of popular websites running on a single ARM core. The goal is to improve the users' experience using web browsers. “CERE” made the right choices, and we were able to observe a 17.1% speedup going from the “best” hierarchy relative to the “worst” hierarchy. We will detail potential future directions as well.
Assessment of Stromal Keratocytes and Tear Film Inflammatory Mediators During Extended Wear of Contact Lenses

Purpose: To monitor quantitative changes in stromal keratocyte density and the level of tear film inflammatory mediators following extended contact lens wear. Methods: Twenty-two subjects aged 32 ± 11 years participated in this cross-sectional study. Eleven subjects had worn silicone hydrogel (Si-H) lenses on a 30-day continuous wear basis for 12 months. Eleven subjects had worn rigid gas permeable lenses on the same basis for 12 months. Eleven age-matched control subjects were also recruited. Ultrasound pachometry, confocal microscopy, and tear fluid sample collection were performed on all subjects. Tear samples were assayed for epidermal growth factor (EGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and interleukin (IL)-8. Results: Corneal thickness was similar for all subject groups. Total keratocyte density was not different between the 3 groups; however, keratocyte density was lower for rigid lens wearers in the anterior to mid stroma and lower for Si-H lens wearers in the posterior stroma compared with control subjects. Rigid lens wearers exhibited an irregular keratocyte distribution across the corneal stroma. EGF concentration and rate of release was greater in the tears collected from the rigid lens wearers and Si-H lens wearers, and IL-8 concentration was higher in the samples collected from the rigid lens wearers compared with the samples collected from the control subjects. Conclusions: Mechanical stimulation of the corneal surface due to the physical presence of a contact lens and the consequent release of inflammatory mediators may account for a loss or redistribution of keratocytes.
Using Radar Data to Calibrate a Stochastic Parametrization of Organized Convection

Stochastic parameterizations are increasingly becoming skillful in representing unresolved atmospheric processes for global climate models. The stochastic multicloud model, used to simulate the life cycle of the three most common cloud types (cumulus congestus, deep convective, and stratiform) in tropical convective systems, is one example. In this model, these clouds interact with each other and with their environment according to intuitive‐probabilistic rules determined by a set of predictors, depending on the large‐scale atmospheric state and a set of transition time scale parameters. Here we use a Bayesian statistical method to infer these parameters from radar data. The Bayesian approach is applied to precipitation data collected by the Shared Mobile Atmospheric Research and Teaching Radar truck‐mounted C‐band radar located in the Maldives archipelago, while the corresponding large‐scale predictors were derived from meteorological soundings taken during the Dynamics of the Madden‐Julian Oscillation field campaign. The transition time scales were inferred from three different phases of the Madden‐Julian Oscillation (suppressed, initiation, and active) and compared with previous studies. The performance of the stochastic multicloud model is also assessed, in a stand‐alone mode, where the cloud model is forced directly by the observed predictors without feedback into the environmental variables. The results showed a wide spread in the inferred parameter values due in part to the lack of the desired sensitivity of the model to the predictors and the shortness of the training periods that did not include both active and suppressed convection phases simultaneously. Nonetheless, the resemblance of the stand‐alone simulated cloud fraction time series to the radar data is encouraging.
The burden of mood-disorder/cerebrovascular disease comorbidity: essential neurobiology, psychopharmacology, and physical activity interventions

Abstract Cardio-vascular diseases (CVDs) and CVD-related disorders (including cerebrovascular diseases; CBVDs) are a major public health concern as they represent the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in developed countries. Patients with CVDs and CBVDs co-morbid with mood disorders, especially bipolar disorder (BD) and major depressive disorder (MDD), suffer reduced quality-of-life and significant disability adjusted for years of life and mortality. The relationship between CVDs/CBVDs and mood disorders is likely to be bidirectional. Evidence for shared genetic risk of pathways involved in stress reaction, serotonin or dopamine signalling, circadian rhythms, and energy balance was reported in genome-wide association studies. There is some evidence of a neuroprotective effect of various antidepressants, which may be boosted by physical exercise, especially by aerobic ones. Patients with CVDs/CBVDs should be routinely attentively evaluated for the presence of mood disorders, with tools aimed at detecting both symptoms of depression and of hypomania/mania. Behavioural lifestyle interventions targeting nutrition and exercise, coping strategies, and attitudes towards health should be routinely provided to patients with mood disorders, to prevent the risk of CVDs/CBVDs. A narrative review of the evidence is herein provided, focusing on pharmacological and physical therapy interventions.
Congenital and Maternal Toxoplasmosis

A study of 300 cases of congenital toxoplasmosis has shown that the most frequent forms of this disease are not the most severe ones. Forms with few symptoms or even latent forms are recognised with increasing frequency. Congenital toxoplasmosis has been found in 5 out of 225 cases of neonatal icterus (2.2 per cent) and in 16 out of 261 cases of isolated hydrocephalus (6.1 per cent). The disease does not often cause epilepsy or isolated neurological disturbances.
Differing Trends in the Tropical Surface Temperatures and Precipitation over Land and Oceans

In the past 50 years, sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the tropical latitudes have trended toward a warmer ocean state. As a response, tropical land surface temperatures, as well as tropical tropospheric temperatures (as manifested in the variations in the 200-mb tropical heights), have also trended upward. Analysis of trends in the tropical precipitation fields, however, remains problematic because of the scarcity of the observed data over the tropical oceans. Using both observed data and data from atmospheric general circulation model simulations, trends in tropical precipitation over the ocean and land are analyzed. The analysis reveals that in the tropical latitudes over land, the precipitation trend differs from the trend in the surface temperature. Oceanic precipitation has an increasing trend that is consistent with increasing SSTs, whereas over the tropical land regions precipitation decreases. In contrast, land temperatures increase in phase with the trend in SSTs. It is suggested that the combination of increasing surface temperature and decreasing precipitation could produce considerably greater societal consequences compared with the traditionally argued scenario in which both temperature and precipitation increase in response to increasing SSTs.
Ammonium/Methylammonium Permeases of a Cyanobacterium

Ammonium is an important nitrogen source for many microorganisms and plants. Ammonium transporters whose activity can be probed with [14C]methylammonium have been described in several organisms including some cyanobacteria, and amtgenes encoding ammonium/methylammonium permeases have been recently identified in yeast, Arabidopsis thaliana, and some bacteria. The unicellular cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 exhibited a [14C]methylammonium uptake activity that was inhibited by externally added ammonium. Three putativeamt genes that are found in the recently published complete sequence of the chromosome of strain PCC 6803 were inactivated by insertion of antibiotic resistance-encoding gene-cassettes. The corresponding mutant strains were impaired in uptake of [14C]methylammonium. Open reading framesll0108 (amt1) was responsible for a high affinity uptake activity (K s for methylammonium, 2.7 μm), whereas open reading frames sll1017(amt2) and sll0537 (amt3) made minor contributions to uptake at low substrate concentrations. Expression of the three amt genes was higher in nitrogen-starved cells than in cells incubated in the presence of a source of nitrogen (either ammonium or nitrate), but amt1was expressed at higher levels than the other two amtgenes. Transcription of amt1 was found to take place from a promoter bearing the structure of the cyanobacterial promoters activated by the nitrogen control transcription factor, NtcA.
Male Adolescent Sexual Behavior

There is a need to involve sexual partners when addressing sexual behavior of high-risk adolescent women. This study explored men’s perceptions of their role in sexual relationships with adolescent women with a history of sexually transmitted infection (STI) and abuse. The AIDS risk reduction model was used to assess sexual risk behaviors of these men for development of cognitive behavioral risk reduction interventions for themselves and partner. Qualitative interviews were conducted with African and Mexican American men (n = 14; ages 18 to 21 years), recruited via adolescent women enrolled in a control-randomized trial of behavioral interventions for reduction of unintended pregnancy, abuse, substance use, and STI. Participants varied in their perceptions of personal susceptibility to STI or HIV, access to informational resources regarding sexual behavior, and level of adult support for safer sexual behavior. These men shared perceptions of inadequate sexual health preparation, including education concerning risk, ultimately contributing to adverse outcomes of sexual behavior.
MerR family transcription activators: similar designs, different specificities

Living organisms use metals for a variety of essential functions, and face the problems of how to acquire and regulate the intracellular levels of those metals they need, differentiate between essential and toxic metals, and remove from the cell or detoxify metals that are toxic. In bacteria, cytoplasmic metal ion responsive transcriptional regulators are important in regulating the expression of genes involved in metal ion homeostasis and efflux systems. The MerR family of transcriptional activators are metal sensing regulators that are found in different bacteria and have a common design, but have evolved to recognize and respond to different metals. In this issue of Molecular Microbiology, work by Checa and colleagues describes for the first time a gold‐specific MerR family regulator named GolS from Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium that controls the production of an efflux pump and a metal chaperone protein that confer resistance to Au salts.
Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 4EAvailability Controls the Switch between Cap-Dependent andInternal Ribosomal Entry Site-MediatedTranslation

ABSTRACT Translation of m7G-capped cellular mRNAs is initiated by recruitment of ribosomes to the 5′ end of mRNAs via eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4F (eIF4F), a heterotrimeric complex comprised of a cap-binding subunit (eIF4E) and an RNA helicase (eIF4A) bridged by a scaffolding molecule (eIF4G). Internal translation initiation bypasses the requirement for the cap and eIF4E and occurs on viral and cellular mRNAs containing internal ribosomal entry sites (IRESs). Here we demonstrate that eIF4E availability plays a critical role in the switch from cap-dependent to IRES-mediated translation in picornavirus-infected cells. When both capped and IRES-containing mRNAs are present (as in intact cells or in vitro translation extracts), a decrease in the amount of eIF4E associated with the eIF4F complex elicits a striking increase in IRES-mediated viral mRNA translation. This effect is not observed in translation extracts depleted of capped mRNAs, indicating that capped mRNAs compete with IRES-containing mRNAs for translation. These data explain numerous reported observations where viral mRNAs are preferentially translated during infection.
Effects of medical therapies for acromegaly on glucose metabolism.

OBJECTIVE Abnormalities of glucose metabolism are common findings of acromegaly. However, robust evidence on whether therapy with somatostatin analogs (SSAs) or pegvisomant (PEG) differently affects glucose metabolism is lacking. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of therapy with SSAs, PEG, or their combination on glucose metabolism in a large series of acromegalic patients. DESIGN This was a historical-prospective study. Among 50 consecutive acromegalic patients under SSA therapy, acromegaly in 19 patients was controlled. PEG used in combination with SSA therapy allowed the control of acromegaly in the remaining 31 patients and was then continued as monotherapy in 18 patients. METHODS The following parameters were evaluated at the diagnosis of acromegaly and during DIFFERENT TREATMENTS: fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and insulin concentrations, insulin sensitivity (QUICK-I), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR), and plasma glucose and insulin concentrations during the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Comparison was made using analysis for paired data. RESULTS Insulin resistance improved when acromegaly was controlled with therapy with SSAs, PEG, or SSA+PEG. However, FPG concentrations were higher during SSA therapy (alone or combined with PEG) than at the diagnosis of acromegaly, even when corrected for disease activity, whereas they were reduced during PEG therapy. Mean glucose concentrations during the OGTT were higher in patients receiving SSA therapy than in those receiving PEG therapy. In addition, the prevalence of diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance was higher during SSA therapy than at diagnosis or during PEG therapy and was not influenced by disease control. CONCLUSIONS Medical therapies for acromegaly reduce insulin resistance and increase insulin sensitivity; on the contrary, glucose indexes may be differently affected by SSA or PEG therapy.
Regression Discontinuity Designs Using Covariates

Abstract We study regression discontinuity designs when covariates are included in the estimation. We examine local polynomial estimators that include discrete or continuous covariates in an additive separable way, but without imposing any parametric restrictions on the underlying population regression functions. We recommend a covariate-adjustment approach that retains consistency under intuitive conditions and characterize the potential for estimation and inference improvements. We also present new covariate-adjusted mean-squared error expansions and robust bias-corrected inference procedures, with heteroskedasticity-consistent and cluster-robust standard errors. We provide an empirical illustration and an extensive simulation study. All methods are implemented in R and Stata software packages.
the United States Populations in Sweden , the Netherlands , with Men Compared to Heterosexual Specific Clustering for Men Who Have Sex Chlamydia trachomatis Strains Show

Published Ahead of Print 22 August 2012. 10.1128/JCM.01713-12. 2012, 50(11):3548. DOI: J. Clin. Microbiol. Gaydos, Servaas A. Morré and Björn Herrmann Resha Yass, Justin Hardick, Göran Bratt, Charlotte A. Linus Christerson, Reinier J. M. Bom, Sylvia M. Bruisten, and the United States Populations in Sweden, the Netherlands, with Men Compared to Heterosexual Specific Clustering for Men Who Have Sex Chlamydia trachomatis Strains Show