Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE GASEOUS ENVIRONMENT OF HIGH-z GALAXIES: PRECISION MEASUREMENTS OF NEUTRAL HYDROGEN IN THE CIRCUMGALACTIC MEDIUM OF z ∼ 2–3 GALAXIES IN THE KECK BARYONIC STRUCTURE SURVEY

We present results from the Keck Baryonic Structure Survey (KBSS), a unique spectroscopic survey of the distant universe designed to explore the details of the connection between galaxies and intergalactic baryons within the same survey volumes, focusing particularly on scales from ∼50 kpc to a few Mpc. The KBSS is optimized for the redshift range z ∼ 2–3, combining S/N ∼100 Keck/HIRES spectra of 15 of the brightest QSOs in the sky at z ≃ 2.5–2.9 with very densely sampled galaxy redshift surveys within a few arcmin of each QSO sightline. In this paper, we present quantitative results on the distribution, column density, kinematics, and absorber line widths of neutral hydrogen (H i) surrounding a subset of 886 KBSS star-forming galaxies with 2.0 ≲ z ≲ 2.8 and with projected distances ⩽3 physical Mpc from a QSO sightline. Using Voigt profile decompositions of the full Lyα forest region of all 15 QSO spectra, we compiled a catalog of ∼6000 individual absorbers in the redshift range of interest, with 12 ⩽ log (NH i) ⩽21. These are used to measure H i absorption statistics near the redshifts of foreground galaxies as a function of projected galactocentric distance from the QSO sightline and for randomly chosen locations in the intergalactic medium (IGM) within the survey volume. We find that NH i and the multiplicity of velocity-associated H i components increase rapidly with decreasing galactocentric impact parameter and as the systemic redshift of the galaxy is approached. The strongest H i absorbers within ≃ 100 physical kpc of galaxies have NH i ∼3 orders of magnitude higher than those near random locations in the IGM. The circumgalactic zone of most significantly enhanced H i absorption is found within transverse distances of ≲ 300 kpc and within ±300 km s−1 of galaxy systemic redshifts. Taking this region as the defining bounds of the circumgalactic medium (CGM), nearly half of absorbers with log(NH i) > 15.5 are found within the CGM of galaxies meeting our photometric selection criteria, while their CGM occupy only 1.5% of the cosmic volume. The spatial covering fraction, multiplicity of absorption components, and characteristic NH i remain significantly elevated to transverse distances of ∼2 physical Mpc from galaxies in our sample. Absorbers with NH i >1014.5 cm−2 are tightly correlated with the positions of galaxies, while absorbers with lower NH i are correlated with galaxy positions only on ≳Mpc scales. Redshift anisotropies on these larger scales indicate coherent infall toward galaxy locations, while on scales of ∼100 physical kpc peculiar velocities of Δv ≃ ±260 km s−1 with respect to the galaxies are indicated. The median Doppler widths of individual absorbers within 1–3 rvir of galaxies are larger by ≃ 50% than randomly chosen absorbers of the same NH i, suggesting higher gas temperatures and/or increased turbulence likely caused by some combination of accretion shocks and galactic winds around galaxies with Mhalo ≃ 1012 M☉ at z ∼ 2–3.
MUVTIME: A Multivariate Time Series Visualizer for Behavioral Science

Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowship PIIF-GA-2011- 301155; Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) project PTDC/PSI- PCO/121494/2010; AFP was also partially funded by the FCT project (IF/00217/2013)
Implementation of evidence-based alcohol screening in the Veterans Health Administration.

BACKGROUND Despite evidence-based guidelines, brief alcohol screening and counseling have not been routinely integrated into most primary care practices in the United States. OBJECTIVE To describe the results of the implementation of evidence-based alcohol screening by the Veterans Health Administration (VA) in 2004, as the first step toward implementation of brief alcohol counseling. STUDY DESIGN This observational study of outpatients from all 21 VA networks relied on the following 2 data sources from the VA Office of Quality and Performance: (1) Medical record reviews, designed to compare VA networks quarterly, evaluated whether established VA patients had documented screening for alcohol misuse and documented follow-up assessment for alcohol use disorders among those who screened positive for alcohol misuse (January-March 2005); and (2) Mailed patient satisfaction surveys from 2004, which oversampled patients new to the VA (response rate, >70%), included the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C) questions and asked about past-year advice "to drink less or not to drink alcohol" from a VA provider. RESULTS Based on 10 115 medical record reviews, 93% (range, 89%-96% across networks) of outpatients were screened for alcohol misuse, and 25% (range, 11%-36%) screened positive. Among screen-positive patients, 42% (range, 5%-84%) had documented follow-up assessment, but absolute numbers of screen-positive patients evaluated were small (27-80 patients per network). Based on 235 481 patient surveys, the prevalence of alcohol misuse was 22% (range, 15%-27% across networks), and 28% (range, 20%- 36%) of screen-positive patients reported receiving alcohol-related advice. Alcohol-related advice increased as AUDIT-C scores increased. CONCLUSION The VA successfully implemented evidence-based alcohol screening, but the rate of follow-up among screen-positive patients remained low.
An Inexact Smoothing Newton Method for Euclidean Distance Matrix Optimization under Ordinal Constraints

When the coordinates of a set of points are known, the pairwise Euclidean distances among the points can be easily computed. Conversely, if the Euclidean distance matrix is given, a set of coordinates for those points can be computed through the well known classical Multi-Dimensional Scaling (MDS). In this paper, we consider the case where some of the distances are far from being accurate (containing large noises or even missing). In such a situation, the order of the known distances (i.e., some distances are larger than others) is valuable information that often yields far more accurate construction of the points than just using the magnitude of the known distances. The methods making use of the order information is collectively known as non-metric MDS. A challenging computational issue among all existing nonmetric MDS methods is that there are often a large number of ordinal constraints. In this paper, we cast this problem as a matrix optimization problem with ordinal constraints. We then adapt an existing smoothing Newton method to our matrix problem. Extensive numerical results demonstrate the efficiency of the algorithm, which can potentially handle a very large number of ordinal constraints. Mathematics subject classification: 90C30, 90C26, 90C90.
Atherosclerotic disease in axial spondyloarthritis: increased frequency of carotid plaques.

OBJECTIVES To establish whether subclinical atherosclerosis is increased in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (ax-SpA). METHODS A set of 149 consecutive patients with no history of cardiovascular disease that fulfilled the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society classification criteria for ax-SpA was studied by carotid ultrasonography. Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and plaques were assessed. A series of 181 community-based controls with no cardiovascular disease were studied for comparison. To establish whether ax-SpA might have a direct effect on the risk of carotid plaques or an indirect effect via its putative influence on hypertension, dyslipidaemia or obesity, we obtained adjusted odds ratios (OR) for each clinical factor by the development of adjusted models. RESULTS cIMT was increased in patients (0.621±0.123 mm) when compared to controls (0.607±0.117 mm) but the difference was not significant (p=0.30). Nevertheless, carotid plaques were more commonly observed in patients with ax-SpA than in controls (41.6% vs. 26.4%; p=0.003). Patients with plaques had longer duration of the disease than those without plaques (20.5±11.2 years vs. 12.0±8.6 years; p<0.001). Plaques were more frequent in patients with hip involvement (crude odds ratio 3.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-9.75; p=0.05), syndesmophytes (crude OR 4.94, 95% CI 2.14-11.4; p<0.001), in patients with higher functional limitation and mobility index measured by BASFI (crude OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.02-1.33; p=0.03) and BASMI (crude OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.19-1.77; p<0.001), and in those with psoriasis (crude OR 3.94, 95% CI 1.31-11.84; p=0.02. However, except for psoriasis that continued being a strong risk factor for plaques after adjustment, the relationship between other clinical features of ax-SpA and carotid plaques disappeared in the adjusted models. CONCLUSIONS Our results confirm the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with ax-SpA.
Do women want disclosure of fetal gender during prenatal ultrasound scan?

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES It is possible that not all women would want the disclosure of fetal gender by the sonologist during a prenatal scan. The objectives of this study were to determine the proportion of women who do not want fetal gender disclosure at the time of prenatal ultrasonography and document their reasons. METHOD A cross-sectional survey of women that were 20 weeks or more pregnant that had prenatal ultrasound at a private health facility in January 2006. The sonologist asked each of the women during the procedure whether they wanted to know fetal sex or not. Those that consented had disclosure of fetal sex while those that declined gave their reasons, which were documented. RESULTS Two hundred and one (201) women were studied within the study period. Most of the women (82%) were of the Hausa/Fulani ethnic group and were predominantly of the Islamic faith (90%). One hundred and ninety women (94.5%) consented to disclosure of fetal gender, while eleven (5.5%) declined. The main reason for not wanting to know fetal sex was: 'Satisfied with any one that comes'. CONCLUSION Most of the pregnant women (94%) would want disclosure of fetal gender at prenatal ultrasound scan. Only 5.5% of the women would not want fetal sex disclosure because they were satisfied with whichever that was there. It is advisable for the sonologist to be discrete on what to say during the procedure especially as it relates to fetal sex so as not to hurt those that do not want disclosure.
Flashover Characteristics of Long Air Gaps with Negative Switching Impulses

The electrogeometric model (EGM) proposed by Armstrong and Whitehead has been used to calculate the lightning shielding features of transmission lines. While the striking distance equation in the EGM uses the 50% flashover voltage characteristics of negative switching impulses for rod-rod gaps, those characteristics for long air gaps have not been sufficiently examined. The present study has therefore focused on clarifying the 50% flashover characteristics of negative switching impulses for long air gaps. Consequently, saturating characteristics have been obtained for rod-plane gaps compared with almost linear characteristics for rod-rod and rod-conductor gaps. Furthermore, new knowledge was obtained indicating that, for air gaps of around 4 to 5 m, the 50% flashover voltage may possibly be lower for rod-plane gaps than for rod- rod and rod-conductor gaps.
Aquaporin‐4‐containing astrocytes sustain a temperature‐ and mercury‐insensitive swelling in vitro

In order to understand the molecular mechanism underlying astroglial swelling, we studied primary astrocyte cultures from newborn mouse and analyzed them for expression of functional water channels. Immunocytochemical analysis of mouse brain confirms the presence of AQP4 location in astrocytic endfeet with a polarized pattern, as found in rat. Using Southern blot PCR and Western blot analysis, we demonstrate that primary astrocyte cultures from mouse express the AQP4 water channel at both the RNA and protein levels. Two polypeptides, of 30 kDa and 32 kDa, were identified in the astrocytes. Densitometric analysis demonstrates that the 32‐kDa form represents 25% of the total AQP4 protein. Moreover, immunofluorescence experiments show strong surface membrane expression of AQP4 protein in cultured cells, even though the polarity of the expression is not maintained. Furthermore, functional studies indicate that cultured astrocytes manifest rapid and temperature‐independent volume changes in response to osmotic gradients, in agreement with a channel‐mediated water transport. Water movement was found to be HgCl2 insensitive, suggesting AQP4 and AQP7 as putative water channels. Using Western blot and PCR experiments, we exclude the presence of AQP7 in astrocytes, indicating that only AQP4 is responsible for the rapid water movement. Altogether, the results indicate that primary astrocyte cultures are a valid cell model for further investigation of the molecular mechanism of water movement in the brain and its physiological regulation. GLIA 31:29–38, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Echocardiographic left ventricular mass and electrolyte intake predict arterial hypertension.

OBJECTIVE To identify predictors of arterial hypertension. PATIENTS One hundred thirty-two normotensive adults from a large employed population. METHODS Echocardiography, standard blood tests, and 24-hour urine collection, at baseline and after an interval of 3 to 6 years (mean, 4.7 +/- 0.8 years). RESULTS At follow-up, 15 subjects (11%; 7 men, 8 women) had a systolic blood pressure greater than 140 mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure greater than 90 mm Hg or both (mean, 143 +/- 7 and 87 +/- 6 mm Hg, respectively). At baseline, subjects who developed hypertension had a greater left ventricular mass index than those who did not (92 +/- 25 compared with 77 +/- 19 g/m2 body surface area; P less than 0.005) and higher 24-hour urinary sodium/potassium excretion ratio (3.6 +/- 1.7 compared with 2.6 +/- 1.4; P less than 0.04); there were no differences in race, initial age, systolic or diastolic blood pressure, coronary risk factors, or plasma renin activity. The likelihood of developing hypertension rose from 3% in the lowest quartile of sex-adjusted left ventricular mass index to 24% in the highest quartile (P less than 0.005); a parallel trend was less regular for quartiles of the sodium/potassium excretion ratio (P less than 0.04). In multivariate analyses, follow-up systolic pressures in all subjects and in the 117 who remained normotensive were predicted by initial age, systolic blood pressure, black race, and sex-adjusted left ventricular mass index; final diastolic blood pressure was predicted by its initial value, plasma triglyceride levels, urinary sodium/potassium ratio, low renin activity, black race, and plasma glucose level. CONCLUSIONS Echocardiographic left ventricular mass in normotensive adults is directly related to the risk for developing subsequent hypertension. Left ventricular mass improves prediction of future systolic pressure, whereas diastolic pressure is more related to initial metabolic status. Black race is also an independent determinant of higher subsequent blood pressure.
Higher Ocean Surface Wind Speeds During Marine Cold Air Outbreaks

Marine cold air outbreaks (MCAOs) are large-scale phenomena in which cold air masses are advected over open ocean. It is well-known that these events are linked to the formation of polar lows and other mesoscale phenomena associated with high wind speeds, and that they therefore in some cases represent a hazard to maritime activities. However, it is still unknown whether MCAOs are generally conducive to higher wind speeds than normal. Here this is investigated by comparing the behaviour of ocean surface wind speeds during MCAOs in three atmospheric reanalysis products with different horizontal grid spacings, along with case studies using a convection-permitting numerical weather prediction model. The study regions are the Labrador Sea and the Greenland–Iceland–Norwegian (GIN) Seas, where MCAOs have been shown to be important for air–sea interaction and deep water formation. The main findings are: 1) Wind speeds during the most extreme MCAO events are stronger than normal and higher than wind speeds during less severe events; 2) The peak times of MCAO usually occur when baroclinic waves pass over the regions; and 3) Reanalyses with grid spacings of more than 50 km appear to underestimate winds driven by the large ocean–atmosphere energy fluxes during MCAOs. It is also shown that while the strong wind episodes during MCAOs generally last for just a few days, MCAOs can persist for up to 50 days. These findings demonstrate that it would be worthwhile to forecast MCAOs, and that it might be possible to do this beyond the standard weather forecasting range of up to 10 days. Preprints (www.preprints.org) | NOT PEER-REVIEWED | Posted: 6 April 2017 doi:10.20944/preprints201704.0035. v1
Apex oxygen and critical temperature in copper oxide superconductors: Universal correlation with the stability of local singlets.

Electronic-energy-level structures of the layered Cu oxide compounds are drawn within the ionic model. Correlations between the level separations obtained and the superconducting critical temperature {ital T}{sub {ital c}} are examined for all families of the Cu oxide superconductors. It is proposed that the position of the energy level of the apex oxygen atoms is of primary importance for the electronic states of the CuO{sub 2} plane and governs the optimum {ital T}{sub {ital c}}'s of all families of hole-carrier suprconductors. The pressure effect of {ital T}{sub {ital c}} is discussed within this framework. Based on cluster-model calculations, where the covalency neglected in the ionic model is fully taken into account, we argue that the role of the apex oxygen atoms is to prescribe the stability of local singlet states made of two holes in the Cu 3{ital d}{sub {ital x}}{sup 2}{minus}{ital y}{sup 2} and O 2{ital p}{sub {sigma}} orbitals of the CuO{sub 2} plane, and thereby to control the maximum {ital T}{sub {ital c}} of each family.
Charge packets modeling in insulating polymers based on transport description

Charge packets in insulating polymers-especially in polyethylene, have been reported by many groups in different laboratories within the last 15 years. They constitute an unexpected behavior in charge transport and understanding the mechanisms for their formation and propagation could participate in deepening our knowledge of this class of material. Here, we concentrate on "slow packets" modeling. We first recall the general features of the experiments reporting charge packets and the models that have been proposed so far. We then use bipolar transport models featuring injection and transport in an attempt to approach the experimental behavior. The modeling allows discussing the physical situation for packets formation and propagation.
An RNA Element That Facilitates Programmed Ribosomal Readthrough in Turnip Crinkle Virus Adopts Multiple Conformations

ABSTRACT Ribosome recoding is used by RNA viruses for translational readthrough or frameshifting past termination codons for the synthesis of extension products. Recoding sites, along with downstream recoding stimulatory elements (RSEs), have long been studied in reporter constructs, because these fragments alone mediate customary levels of recoding and are thus assumed to contain complete instructions for establishment of the proper ratio of termination to recoding. RSEs from the Tombusviridae and Luteoviridae are thought to be exceptions, since they contain a long-distance RNA-RNA connection with the 3′ end. This interaction has been suggested to substitute for pseudoknots, thought to be missing in tombusvirid RSEs. We provide evidence that the phylogenetically conserved RSE of the carmovirus Turnip crinkle virus (TCV) adopts an alternative, smaller structure that extends an upstream conserved hairpin and that this alternative structure is the predominant form of the RSE within nascent viral RNA in plant cells and when RNA is synthesized in vitro. The TCV RSE also contains an internal pseudoknot along with the long-distance interaction, and the pseudoknot is not compatible with the phylogenetically conserved structure. Conserved residues just past the recoding site are important for recoding, and these residues are also conserved in the RSEs of gammaretroviruses. Our data demonstrate the dynamic nature of the TCV RSE and suggest that studies using reporter constructs may not be effectively recapitulating RSE-mediated recoding within viral genomes. IMPORTANCE Ribosome recoding is used by RNA viruses to enable ribosomes to extend translation past termination codons for the synthesis of longer products. Recoding sites and a downstream recoding stimulatory element (RSE) mediate expected levels of recoding when excised and placed in reporter constructs and thus are assumed to contain complete instructions for the establishment of the proper ratio of termination to recoding. We provide evidence that most of the TCV RSE adopts an alternative structure that extends an upstream conserved hairpin and that this alternative structure, and not the phylogenetically conserved structure, is the predominant form of the RSE in RNA synthesized in vitro and in plant cells. The TCV RSE also contains an internal pseudoknot that is not compatible with the phylogenetically conserved structure and an RNA bridge to the 3′ end. These data suggest that the TCV RSE is structurally dynamic and that multiple conformations are likely required to regulate ribosomal readthrough.
Linear quadratic control of LPV systems using static and shifting specifications

This paper extends some recent results about linear quadratic control (LQC) using linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) to linear parameter varying (LPV) systems. At first, static specifications, where the weighting matrices are constant, are considered. Later, the concept of shifting linear quadratic control (SLQC), where some varying parameters are introduced and used to schedule not only the controller, but the weighting matrices too, is considered. A numerical example is used to illustrate the application of the proposed theory.
A systematic review and meta‐analysis of screen time behaviour among North American indigenous populations

Screen time (computer, television, video game and smartphone/tablet activity) is associated with increased obesity and other health risks. This systematic review evaluates screen time among North American Indigenous populations and compares it with that of North American Europeans. Electronic databases (e.g. MEDLINE and EMBASE) were searched, and citations cross‐referenced. Included articles reported screen time among First Nations/American Indians, Métis, Inuit/Alaskan Natives or Native Hawaiians. From 788 citations evaluated, 40 identified articles report television, video game, computer and/or overall screen time. Overall screen time was 3.65 ± 1.26 h day−1 (n = 2,242, 8 articles) among Indigenous children/youth and 3.61 ± 2.95 h day−1 (n = 155, 1 article) among adults. Among children/youth, 66.0% (n = 11 256, 9 articles) reported less than 2 h day−1 of television screen time, while only 52.8% (n = 2,458, 1 article) of adults reported this volume. Screen time was generally greater among male population, youth, First Nations/American Indians and overweight/obese individuals. Indigenous children/youth reported greater overall screen time than North American Europeans (4.81 ± 2.84 h day−1, n = 1,182 vs. 3.40 ± 2.81 h day−1, n = 2,785; 3 articles; p < 0.0001). Screen time is common among North American Indigenous populations. Further research evaluating interventions to reduce screen time and chronic disease risks is required. © 2016 World Obesity