Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT: DECOMPOSITION RATES IN HUMAN REMAINS WRAPPED IN PLASTIC

Determining an accurate estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) of human remains is important for several reasons. First, it is used to determine whether the individual is recently deceased, and therefore of medicolegal concern. If so, the estimated PMI is used in narrowing the possible identities of the deceased. PMI can also be used in excluding, or convicting, a murder suspect. Though deviations may occur, it has been found that PMI can be calculated from the decomposition stages with reasonable accuracy (Galloway 1989, Megyesi 2001, Megyesi et al. 2005, Schiel 2008, Simmons et al. 2010). Some factors, such as low temperatures, desiccation, or delay of insect access have been shown to produce a ‘minimum’ estimated PMI much shorter than the actual PMI, and this must be considered when estimating PMI. This experiment explores whether conditions exist that might cause an estimated PMI to significantly over-estimate the true time-since-death. The study addresses variables involved in decomposition of a body wrapped in plastic in early spring. It investigates the differences in estimated and actual PMI between six subjects, in two sets of three treatments: black plastic, translucent plastic, or no plastic. PMI was calculated from Accumulated Degree Days (ADD) from temperatures measured both internally and next to the body at 30 days. These are compared with PMI calculated from Total Body Scores (TBS) assessed visually using Megyesi’s methodology (Megyesi 2001, Megyesi et al. 2005). PMI calculated from weather station data are compared with PMI from TBS after visual assessment of the subjects at two months.
Single-symbol decodable differential space-time modulation based on QO-STBC

We show that minimum-decoding-complexity quasi-orthogonal space-time block code (MDC-QOSTBC) can be used to form a new differential space-time modulation (DSTM) scheme to provide full transmit diversity with single-symbol decodable complexity. This is the first known single-symbol decodable DSTM not based on orthogonal STBC. We derive the DSTM code design criteria and use them to construct customized constellation sets that provide full diversity and maximum coding gain. Our new DSTM scheme can provide a higher code rate and better decoding performance than DSTM schemes based on rate-1/2 orthogonal STBC. It also has a lower decoding complexity than the other DSTM schemes, as its maximum likelihood decoding only requires the joint detection of two real symbols.
Identifying transcriptional start sites of human microRNAs based on high-throughput sequencing data

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critical small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression by hybridizing to the 3′-untranslated regions (3′-UTR) of target mRNAs, subsequently controlling diverse biological processes at post-transcriptional level. How miRNA genes are regulated receives considerable attention because it directly affects miRNA-mediated gene regulatory networks. Although numerous prediction models were developed for identifying miRNA promoters or transcriptional start sites (TSSs), most of them lack experimental validation and are inadequate to elucidate relationships between miRNA genes and transcription factors (TFs). Here, we integrate three experimental datasets, including cap analysis of gene expression (CAGE) tags, TSS Seq libraries and H3K4me3 chromatin signature derived from high-throughput sequencing analysis of gene initiation, to provide direct evidence of miRNA TSSs, thus establishing an experimental-based resource of human miRNA TSSs, named miRStart. Moreover, a machine-learning-based Support Vector Machine (SVM) model is developed to systematically identify representative TSSs for each miRNA gene. Finally, to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed resource, an important human intergenic miRNA, hsa-miR-122, is selected to experimentally validate putative TSS owing to its high expression in a normal liver. In conclusion, this work successfully identified 847 human miRNA TSSs (292 of them are clustered to 70 TSSs of miRNA clusters) based on the utilization of high-throughput sequencing data from TSS-relevant experiments, and establish a valuable resource for biologists in advanced research in miRNA-mediated regulatory networks.
Experimental Therapeutics , Molecular Targets , and Chemical Biology Pivotal Roles of Snail Inhibition and RKIP Induction by the Proteasome Inhibitor NPI-0052 in Tumor Cell

The novel proteasome inhibitor NPI-0052 has been shown to sensitize tumor cells to apoptosis by various chemotherapeutic drugs and tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosisinducing ligand (TRAIL), although the mechanisms involved are not clear. We hypothesized that NPI-0052–mediated sensitization may result from NF-κB inhibition and downstream modulation of the metastasis inducer Snail and the metastasis suppressor/immunosurveillance cancer gene product Raf-1 kinase inhibitory protein (RKIP). Human prostate cancer cell lines were used as models, as they express different levels of these proteins. We show that NPI-0052 inhibits both NF-κB and Snail and induces RKIP expression, thus resulting in cell sensitization to CDDP and TRAIL. The direct role of NF-κB inhibition in sensitization was corroborated with the NF-κB inhibitor DHMEQ, which mimicked NPI-0052 in sensitization and inhibition of Snail and induction of RKIP. The direct role of Snail inhibition by NPI-0052 in sensitization was shown with Snail small interfering RNA, which reversed resistance and induced RKIP. Likewise, the direct role of RKIP induction in sensitization was revealed by both overexpression of RKIP (mimicking NPI-0052) and RKIP small interfering RNA that inhibited NPI-0052–mediated sensitization. These findings show that NPI-0052 modifies the NF-κB-Snail-RKIP circuitry in tumor cells and results in downstream inhibition of antiapoptotic gene products and chemoimmunosensitization. The findings also identified Snail and RKIP as targets for reversal of resistance. [Cancer Res 2009;69(21):8376–85]
Chloride ion transport and mass balance in a metropolitan area using road salt

In the Twin Cities metropolitan area (TCMA) of Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, an estimated 317,000 metric tons (t) of road salt were used annually for road deicing between 2000 and 2005. To determine the annual retention of road salt, a chloride budget was conducted for a 4150 km2 watershed encompassing the populated areas of the TCMA. In addition to inflows and outflows in the major rivers of the TCMA, multiple sources of chloride were examined, but only road salt and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents were large enough to be included in the analysis. According to the chloride budget, 235,000 t of chloride entered the TCMA annually with the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers, and 355,000 t exited through the Mississippi River. Of the 120,000 t of chloride added annually to the rivers inside the TCMA watershed boundaries, 87,000 t came from WWTPs and 33,000 t came from road salt. Of the 142,000 t of chloride applied annually in the TCMA watershed as road salt (241,000 t NaCl), only 23% (33,000 t) were exported through the Mississippi River and 109,000 t or 77% were retained in the TCMA watershed. Chloride budgets for 10 subwatersheds within the TCMA analyzed in a similar way, gave an average chloride retention rate of 72%. The retention is occurring in the soils, surface waters (numerous lakes, wetlands, and ponds) and in the groundwater. Chloride concentrations in many of these urban water bodies are now considerably higher than the presettlement background levels of less than 3 mg/L with concentrations as high as 2000 mg/L in shallow groundwater wells. The continued accumulation of chloride in the groundwater and surface waters is a cause for concern.
Association of lactate dehydrogenase and diabetic retinopathy in US adults with diabetes mellitus

Abstract Objectives The purpose of our investigation is to evaluate the level of relationship between lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and the occurrence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in adults with diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods The investigation involved an analysis of five sectional data cycles acquired from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2009 to 2018. The present study involved the selection of DM samples from a complex multistage probability sample. These samples were subsequently classified into two distinct groups, namely the No DR (NDR) and DR groups. The present study comprehensively investigated the biological and social risk factors associated with DR. The biological factors examined in this investigation included blood pressure, blood routine, hemoglobin A1c, blood glucose, and comorbidities. The social dimensions encompass education and sex. Results After considering all factors, multivariate regression models indicated a significant relationship between DR and increased LDH (adjusted odds ratio = 1.007, 95% confidence interval: 1.003–1.011). The subgroup analysis revealed that the effect size of LDH on the existence of DR in the subgroups remained consistent, as indicated by all p values greater than . 05. A statistically significant relationship was identified between elevated LDH levels > 134 U/L and a raised risk of DR in people with DM. Conclusion LDH concentrations were connected with an increased prevalence of DR in participants with DM. Our study highlights that patients with LDH > 134 U/L are distinguishably related to DM complicated by DR. DR is more common in diabetic individuals with coronary heart disease.
Kuviokohtaisten puustotunnusten ennustaminen laserkeilauksella

Tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli selvittaa, kuinka luotettavasti ilmasta kasin keratysta harvapulssisesta laserpisteaineistosta voidaan ennustaa kuviokohtaisia puustotunnuksia. Maastoaineistona kaytettiin 472 koealan puustotietoja, jotka oli mitattu 67 kasvatusja uudistamisvaiheen kuviolta. Kaukokartoitusmateriaalina kaytettiin laserpisteaineistoa, jonka tiheys oli keskimaarin 0,7 pulssia neliometrille. Tutkimusaineisto kerattiin elo–syyskuussa 2004 UPM-Kymmene Oyj:n omistamalta tilalta Varkaudesta. Tutkimuksessa sovelletun tilastollista mallinnusta kayttavan lahestymistavan toiminta perustuu siihen, etta regressioyhtaloilla lasketaan laserpisteaineistosta puustotunnukset. Tyossa laadittiin malleja puustotunnusten ja laserpisteparvesta lasketun korkeusjakauman tunnusten valille koealatasolla. Laadituilla regressioyhtaloilla ennustettiin metsikkokuviolle, kayttaen koko kuviolle osuneita laserpisteita, puuston keskilapimitta, keskipituus, runkoluku, pohjapinta-ala ja tilavuus. Mallit tuottivat laadinta-aineistossaan edella mainituille puustotunnuksille seuraavat absoluuttiset ja suhteelliset keskivirheet (RMSE): 1,9 cm (9,5 %), 1,9 m (5,3 %), 274 kpl/ha (18,1 %), 2,0 m2/ha (8,3 %), ja 19,9 m3/ha (9,8 %). Saadut tulokset ovat erittain tarkkoja ja verrattuna SOLMU-muotoiseen maastossa tehtavaan kuvioittaiseen arviointiin selvasti tarkempia. Esitetty inventointimenetelma on edelleen kehitettyna erittain lupaava vaihtoehto metsasuunnittelun metsanmittaustehtavaan Suomessa.
Multiringed basins - Illustrated by Orientale and associated features. [geologic mapping and photographs of lunar ejecta]

Geologic mapping and photographs of the Orientale multiring basin are studied as to origin, size, and nature and distribution of ejecta. Six facies of ejecta are observed around the Cordillera Mountains: concentric, radial, smooth plains, grooved, secondary impact craters, and fissured. Transport of these ejecta occurred by block gliding, landsliding, debris flow, and possibly by base surge, viscous flow, and ballistic ejection. The ejecta are mainly clastic types, but melts and annealed breccias are expected to be abundant. Mixing of ejecta and substrate materials must have occurred; compositions of the ejecta are probably zoned laterally and vertically.
Evaluating the potential to impose partial root zone drying (PRD) on clay soils in commercial cotton production systems

This project investigated the ability to create effective partial root zone deficits for cotton on cracking clay soils. The project involved parameterising and validating the model by comparing simulated with measured results obtained from a partial root zone drying field trial. After validation, the model was used to simulate soil-water movement associated with the range of different irrigation frequencies and water volumes that could be applied commercially using low energy precision application nozzles fitted to centre pivots and lateral move machines. From the validation, the predictive accuracy of the model simulation was found to progressively decrease from 69% to 64% and then 39% for increasing simulated growth periods of 17, 26 and 63 days. The simulated soil moisture content in the surface layers immediately under the plant row were found to be generally lower than the measured soil moisture in the field possibly due to difficulties in appropriately parameterising the root extraction pattern. Similarly, the simulated soil moisture at profile depths greater than 100 cm were slightly under-predicted presumably due to parameterisation errors in the soil hydraulic properties for this layer. Based on the requirement for a soil water gradient of at least 100 kPa, none of the irrigation strategies simulated on the soil produced a soil moisture potential gradient large enough to induce partial root zone drying effects without causing deficit irrigation. A second investigation collected soil data for use in the model, however the model would not run using this data. The results of this project suggest that it may be difficult to implement PRD strategies on cracking clay soils for commercial cotton production. However further work is required to confirm the simulated soil-water movement under field conditions and to assess the impact of other local environmental conditions (eg. rainfall) on the potential to induce PRD responses.
Balancing Value Iteration and Policy Iteration for Discrete-Time Control

The optimal control problem of discrete-time nonlinear systems depends on the solution of the Bellman equation. In this paper, an adaptive reinforcement learning (RL) method is developed to solve the complex Bellman equation, which balances value iteration (VI) and policy iteration (PI). By adding a balance parameter, an adaptive RL integrates VI and PI together, which accelerates VI and avoids the need of an initial admissible control. The convergence of the adaptive RL is proved by showing that it converges to the Bellman equation. Subsequently, the adaptive RL is realized by using the neural network (NN) approximation for value function and a least-squares scheme is developed for updating NN weights. Then, the convergence of NN-based adaptive RL is proved with considering NN approximation error. To further improve its performance, an adaptive rule is developed for tuning balance parameter in adaptive RL iteration by iteration. Finally, the effectiveness of the adaptive RL is validated with simulation studies.
Changes in Cycling and Incidence of Overweight and Obesity among Danish Men and Women

Purpose Overweight and obesity are associated with increased risk of several noncommunicable diseases and are a growing public health issue. The primary purpose of the current study was to investigate incidence of overweight and obesity according to 5-yr cycling habits. The secondary purpose was to investigate incidence of remission from overweight and obesity according to 5-yr cycling habits. Methods We analyzed 9014 men and 8661 women without chronic disease who between 1993 and 2003 completed two assessments approximately 5 yr apart. At both assessments, participants reported habitual cycling habits. Also, body weight and waist circumference were measured by a laboratory technician at baseline and self-assessed at second examination. We computed multivariable adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for development of and remission from abdominal and general overweight and obesity, according to 5-yr cycling habits. Results Continued cycling was associated with lower odds for incidence of abdominal (men, >102 cm; women, >88 cm) and incidence of general (body mass index ≥30 kg·m−2) obesity; compared with no cycling, OR (95% CI) values were 0.82 (0.74–0.91) and 0.74 (0.60–0.92) for abdominal and general obesity, respectively. Also, those who initiated cycling had lower odds for incidence of abdominal obesity; OR (95% CI) was 0.85 (0.73–1.00) relative to no cycling. Although we found no evidence of remission from abdominal and general overweight and obesity according to 5-yr cycling habits, those who continued cycling had significantly larger decreases in waist circumference relative to noncyclists (&bgr; coefficient (95% CI), −0.95 cm (−1.56 to −0.33 cm)). Conclusions Continued cycling compared with no cycling was associated with lower odds for abdominal and general obesity. Also, late-in-life initiation of cycling was associated with lower odds for abdominal obesity relative to no cycling.
Quality assessment tool for performance measurement of image contrast enhancement methods

An objective image quality assessment tool is proposed to measure image enhancement quality with emphasis on contrast. In the proposed tool, which is based on maximizing contrast with minimum artefact (MCMA), local and global properties of an image are measured through pixel-wise and histogram-wise features, respectively. To this aim, three sub-measures are introduced, each of which able to detect one contrast-related quality aspect: (i) low dynamic range of image; (ii) histogram shape preservation during image enhancement process; and (iii) local pixel diversity. These sub-measures are combined through a subjective test to adapt them to the mean opinion scores (MOSs) of a diverse set of training contrast-enhanced images. A regression algorithm performs the adaptation by fitting the three sub-measures to the MOS values and finding an optimal linear combination by maximizing the Pearson correlation. In order to evaluate the performance of the MCMA algorithm, another independent, subsequent, subjective test was performed on a set of images enhanced by various known contrast enhancement algorithms to obtain MOS values and to compare them with the output of the proposed MCMA method. The experimental results show that MCMA has the highest correlation to the MOS when compared to the existing tested contrast measurement tools.
Los mamíferos de la formación Arroyo Chasicó (Mioceno superior), provincia de Buenos Aires, del Museo "J.C. Moyano" de Mendoza

Several undescribed mammal remains from the Arroyo Chasico Formation, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, were found in the paleontological collection of the Museo de Ciencias Naturales y Antropologicas "Juan Comelio Moyano", Mendoza, Argentina. These specimens represent four families of the orders Xenarthra, otoungulata, and Litopterna, and provide new data on this typical fauna of Chasicoan age. This material also furnishes the first evidence of protherotheriid litoptems in the Chasico fauna.
Simulating Soil Moisture Content Variability and Bio-energy Crop Yields Using a Hydrological Model

Bioenergy crops can be grown in marginal lands maintaining optimum hydro-environmental conditions such as soil moisture content and they are considered one of the renewable energy sources for the future biofuel needs. The objectives of this study were to evaluate average soil moisture content (SMC) and crop yields from the agricultural fields using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). This study was conducted in the Town Creek watershed (TCW) and Upper Pearl River watershed (UPRW). The SWAT model was reasonably calibrated and validated (coefficient of determination - R 2 from 0.53 to 0.88, Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency Index - E from 0.46 to 0.84, Root mean square error - RMSE from 46.18 to 11.38) using monthly stream flow data. The model predicted soil moisture content results determined statistically no significance difference (p values of 0.2733 for field 2, and 0.3364 for field 3) from two fields and significance difference (p values of 0.0015 for field 1, and 0.0008 for field 4) from other two fields within the watersheds. The SWAT model reasonably simulated (R 2 from 0.29 to 0.66, E from -0.26 to 0.63) long-term county level corn and soybean yields from the TCW. Model predicted average corn and soybean yield results showed that TCW can produce 3.74 Mg/ha of corn and 1.53 Mg/ha of soybean yields annually. The results of this study could provide valuable resource information to land managers and policy makers.
Climate during Permian-Triassic Biosphere Reorganizations, Article 1: Climate of the Early Permian

The Permian was marked by transition from the glacioera to the thermoera, the last one in the geo- logical history. This global climatic reorganization followed the significant paleogeographic changes related to Pangea formation and preceded the major reorganization in the Earth's biota that occurred in the terminal Per- mian-initial Triassic. Climatic changes served as a coupling process in this chain of events. The analysis of cli- matic history makes it possible to estimate the role of climate in the cardinal reorganization of the Late Paleo- zoic biosphere. The compiled one lithological-paleogeographic and two paleoclimatic maps allowed recon- struction of the Early Permian climatic zonation. In the initial Permian, glaciations developed in high and middle latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere and resembled the Pleistocene glacial maximum. Later on, the ice shield gradually decreased and in the late Sakmarian-initial Artinskian, it approached the shape of a polar cap. Separate glaciation centers were preserved only in Antarctica until the end of the Permian. These climatic changes were not unidirectional and showed different-scale oscillations. The Permian climate was strongly influenced by the Pangea supercontinent. The asymmetric position of continental blocks relative to the equator determined by an asymmetry in climatic zoning. It was particularly well manifested at the beginning of the Per- mian, when the glacial belt in the past continental southern hemisphere extended from the pole to 40 ° -30 ° S. Correspondingly, other climatic belts in the southern hemisphere were reduced except for the arid one. To the contrary, the glacial belt was missing in the oceanic northern hemisphere, where most developed were semiarid and temperate belts. By the end of the Early Permian, the asymmetry in position of climatic belts slightly decreased. Arid and semiarid climatic belts were widely developed in both hemispheres. The growing aridity of the Pangea supercontinent was caused by its huge dimension, orographic barriers, and successive regression of epicontinental seas and strengthened by the global postglacial warming.