Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lessons learnt from implementing an empirically informed recruitment approach for FEM-PrEP, a large HIV prevention clinical trial

: We implemented an empirically informed, geographically based recruitment approach for FEM-PrEP, a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention clinical trial of daily oral emtricitabine (FTC) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) for HIV prevention. During the formative research phase, we conducted a modification of the Priorities for Local AIDS Control Efforts (PLACE) method and used those data and staff experiences to identify and prioritize for recruitment geographic areas where HIV incidence might be high. During the clinical trial, we implemented a routinely monitored and flexible recruitment plan in the geographical areas identified in the formative research. We describe three lessons learnt from implementing this approach: 1) the PLACE data were critical in identifying places presumed to be high risk; 2) staff experiences, in combination with PLACE data, were needed to inform a practical recruitment strategy; and 3) recruiting in establishments in priority areas identified by the PLACE data led to screening many HIV-positive women at the Bondo site (Kenya), placing additional burden on clinic staff. These lessons learnt highlight the critical importance of having a flexible and monitored recruitment strategy. Although we successfully recruited a study population at higher risk for HIV, FEM-PrEP was unable to determine the effectiveness of FTC/TDF for HIV prevention, due to low adherence to the study product among participants. We must shift the paradigm of recruitment for clinical trials of new products from focusing on identifying populations with high incidence to identifying populations at risk who are motivated and able to adhere to the study product regimen.
Metabolic shift toward ketosis in asocial cavefish increases 1 social-like collective behavior 2

45 Social affinity and collective behavior are nearly ubiquitous in the animal kingdom, but many lineages 46 feature evolutionarily asocial species. These solitary species may have evolved to conserve energy in 47 food-sparse environments. However, the mechanism by which metabolic changes regulate social affinity 48 is not well investigated. In this study, we used the Mexican tetra ( Astyanax mexicanus ), which features 49 riverine sighted surface (surface fish) and cave-dwelling populations (cavefish), to address the impact of 50 metabolic shifts on asociality and other cave-associated behaviors in cavefish, including repetitive 51 turning, sleeplessness, swimming longer distances, and enhanced foraging behavior. After 1 month of 52 ketosis-inducing ketogenic diet feeding, asocial cavefish exhibited significantly higher social affinity, 53 whereas social affinity regressed in cavefish fed the standard diet. The ketogenic diet also reduced 54 repetitive turning and swimming in cavefish. No detectable behavioral shifts were found regarding 55 sleeplessness and foraging behavior, suggesting that other evolved behaviors are not regulated by 56 ketosis. We further examined the effects of the ketogenic diet via supplementation with extragenic 57 ketone bodies, revealing that ketone bodies are pivotal molecules associated with social affinity. Our 58 study indicated that fish that evolved to be asocial remain capable of exhibiting social affinity under 59 ketosis.
Solitary fracture waves in metastable snow stratifications

[1] Fracture processes in layered snow have many implications on avalanche hazard and mountain safety. This paper is a contribution for a better understanding of fracture dynamics in a stratified medium with a collapsible layer in terms of a simple analytical model involving only field measurable parameters. For this purpose a simple three-layer snow stratification is considered to consist of a compact basal layer, a collapsible weak layer, and a homogenous top layer. It is shown analytically that the fracture of the weak layer can occur in the form of a localized disturbance zone propagating a collapse with constant velocity and wavelength. Simple analytical expressions describing the disturbance are obtained. The results are in good agreement with observations in the terrain. The presented fracture process is relevant to the release of dry snow slab avalanches and to the propagation of firn quakes and whumpfs but may also apply to other stratified media with appropriate properties.
Major implication of the littoral zone for methane release from boreal lakes

Transitions between aquatic and terrestrial environments can be recognized as biogeochemically active ecotones that support high CH4 release. We studied the links between littoral CH4 fluxes and aquatic vegetation, hydrologic conditions, and sediment quality, and integrated the CH4 fluxes into a whole‐lake assessment. Methane fluxes were measured using a closed chamber method in the littoral and pelagic zones of three Finnish mid‐boreal lakes from May to October. The cumulative CH4 fluxes were spatially integrated over the lake relative to the vegetation coverage in the littoral, and to depth zones in the pelagic regions. During the ice‐free period, 66–77% of the CH4 was released from the littoral zone, and the mean CH4 effluxes from these lakes were 0.08–0.42 mol m−2 ice‐free season−1. Littoral and pelagic productivity was reflected in CH4 release from the lakes. Our results show that estimates of lake CH4 release should include an assessment of the vegetated littoral zone.
Cloud formation under Mars Pathfinder conditions

Temperature data taken during the Mars Pathfinder entry are applied to a time dependent microphysical model of cloud formation. Our goal is to reproduce the characteristics of clouds observed at the Pathfinder site. We assume that the total water column abundance is 11 percipitable microns. We also assume that the atmospheric dust initially has a lognormal size distribution with a modal radius of 0.6 μm, r eff = 1.5 μm, and an optical depth of = 0.5. Three temperature profiles are used in the model calculations. The first is the Pathfinder entry observation. The second is this same profile but with the inversion at 10 km removed. The third simulation uses the temperature profiles calculated by the Ames Mars general circulation model for Mars Pathfinder conditions. In all cases clouds form at altitudes of 35-45 km. In addition lower thicker clouds form within the 10 km inversion of the unaltered profile, while peak cloud formation occurred near local noon at 20 km for the GCM calculated profiles. Given a combination of all three temperature scenarios, cloud optical depths, particle sizes, and colors are consistent with IMP observations.
Dynamically modeling fault step overs using various friction laws

It is well known that fault step overs can under some circumstances allow through‐going rupture and under other circumstances cause rupture to terminate. However, the effects of different friction law formulations on jumping rupture have not been extensively explored. In this study we use the 2‐D dynamic finite element method to investigate how different frictional parameterizations affect the ability of rupture to jump a step over, in both extensional and compressional settings. We compare linear slip‐weakening friction and three forms of rate‐ and state‐dependent friction: the aging law, slip law, and slip law with strong rate weakening. We have found that for friction parameterizations with the same effective slip‐weakening distance, the functional forms of such friction laws can have a significant effect on maximum jump distance. With friction laws scaled to have equivalent fracture energies, we find that the functional forms of such friction laws have a second‐order effect on jumping rupture. Finally, with our specific parameterizations we find that delays in rupture across the step over systems can lead to a previously unseen mode of supershear transition once the rupture renucleates on the secondary fault segment, even if the initial stress field precludes such a transition. Studies using multiple friction laws in complex geometries such as fault step overs can lead to better understanding of the dependence of rupture properties on the type of friction law utilized in models and statistical analysis.
BENCH MARK STABILITY IN NIGERIA

Abstract A geodetic levelling network was established in the main campus of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1976. This network, which initially consisted of 17 lines and 10 junction points with a total length of 11 km, was extended in 1979 by the addition of new bench marks bringing the total length of levelling to 18 km. A recovery levelling to replace lost bench marks and further extend the net was carried out in 1983, resulting in a total length of levelling of 27 km, made up of 21 links and 11 junction points. Repeated levelling carried out in 1979, 1980, 1983 and 1990 shows that no significant movement had occurred at the marks. By 1983 the apparent vertical movement of any of the bench marks sited in 1976 was less than 1 mm. For the bench marks established in 1978 the apparent movement was less than 5 mm in the first year after emplacement, and less than 1 mm by 1983.
Fault-controlled alpine topography in Norway

Abstract: Alpine topography in Norway is largely fault-controlled. Linear and asymmetric ranges developed in the footwalls of normal faults that were reactivated after the main phase of Mesozoic rifting, but prior to the Late Cenozoic glaciations. Stark geomorphological contrasts developed across the faults, reflecting differential glacial exploitation of the pre-glacial drainage pattern. Alpine topography developed preferentially in the footwalls. Triangular facets mark the traces of the most recently active faults. At the base of deeply incised, alpine range-front escarpments, the best-exposed faults display metres-thick fault-rock successions and record multiple phases of fault movement. Juxtaposition of Precambrian and Caledonian basement rocks with Jurassic or Cretaceous sedimentary rocks provides evidence for fault activity in or after the Mesozoic for some of the faults. Late Cretaceous or younger reactivation is indicated by jumps in apatite fission-track apparent ages across the faults, and interferometric synthetic aperture radar and earthquake data attest to normal faulting at the present day. Two of the areas described host anomalous clusters of rockslides that may relate to tectonic activity. The most distinct landscape-forming faults in western Scandinavia were probably active in the Cenozoic, and imposed asymmetric landscape patterns from the scale of single mountain ranges to the whole of Scandinavia.
Nitric oxide excited under auroral conditions: Excited state densities and band emissions

Electron impact excitation of vibrational levels in the ground electronic state and nine excited electronic states in NO has been simulated for an IBC II aurora (i.e., ∼10 kR in 3914 A radiation) in order to predict NO excited state number densities and band emission intensities. New integral electron impact excitation cross sections for NO were combined with a measured IBC II auroral secondary electron distribution, and the vibrational populations of 10 NO electronic states were determined under conditions of statistical equilibrium. This model predicts an extended vibrational distribution in the NO ground electronic state produced by radiative cascade from the seven higher-lying doublet excited electronic states populated by electron impact. In addition to significant energy storage in vibrational excitation of the ground electronic state, both the a 4Π and L2 Φ excited electronic states are predicted to have relatively high number densities because they are only weakly connected to lower electronic states by radiative decay. Fundamental mode radiative transitions involving the lowest nine excited vibrational levels in the ground electronic state are predicted to produce infrared (IR) radiation from 5.33 to 6.05 μm with greater intensity than any single NO electronic emission band. Fundamental mode radiative transitions within the a 4Π electronic state, in the 10.08–11.37 μm region, are predicted to have IR intensities comparable to individual electronic emission bands in the Heath and e band systems. Results from this model quantitatively predict the vibrational quantum number dependence of the NO IR measurements of Espy et al. [1988].
Holocene sea-ice variations in Greenland: onshore evidence

The oldest dated driftwood log from northern Greenland is c. 9300 cal. years old, which is about 2000 years younger than the beginning of the last deglaciation and 2000 years younger than the oldest driftwood on Svalbard. Driftwood entry to northern Greenland was rare until 7400 cal. years BP, indicating more severe summer sea-ice conditions than at present. More open water than at present probably characterized the period between 6800 and 5500 cal. years BP, during which time driftwood stranded on the beaches of Nioghalvfjerdsfjorden that is now covered by a floating glacier. In central East Greeland, the occurrence of the extralimital species Mytilus edulis in the time interval from c. 8500 to 6000 cal. years BP indicates more open water than at present, and in northwest Greenland studies of dinoflagellate cysts in a marine core indicate warmer surface waters, and hence less sea ice than at present from 7300 to 3700 cal. years BP.
Late Oligocene to Early Miocene planktic Foraminiferida from Ashmore Reef No. 1 Well, northwest Australia

Forty-eight species and subspecies, belonging to 13 genera of planktic foraminiferids have been identified from the ‘Cartier Beds’ and unnamed calcarenite in Ashmore Reef No. 1 Well. The assemblages indicate that the units correlate with planktic Zones N.3/4 to N.6–7 (Late Oligocene to Early Miocene). One new species, Subbotina cartieri, is described.
Vascular Flora of the Duke Forest, North Carolina

The Duke Forest (Durham and Orange counties, North Carolina), managed by Duke University's School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, contains a diversity of forested and nonforested habitats. Vascular plants were collected from 1986 to 1989, and the Duke University Herbarium was searched, in order to obtain a vouchered flora of the Duke Forest. The flora consists of 978 species, including 169 exotics. Eighty-four species are additions to the Durham or Orange County floras, as recorded by Radford et al.
An In-depth Evaluation of Metagenomic Classi�ers for Soil Microbiomes

Background: Recent endeavours in metagenomics, exempli�ed by projects such as the human microbiome project and TARA Oceans, have illuminated the complexities of microbial biomes. A robust bioinformatic pipeline and meticulous evaluation of their methodology have contributed to the success of these projects. The soil environment, however, with its unique challenges, requires a specialized methodological exploration to maximize microbial insights. A notable limitation in soil microbiome studies is the dearth of soil-specic reference databases available to classi�ers that emulate the complexity of soil communities. There is also a lack of in-vitro mock communities derived from soil strains that can be assessed for taxonomic classi�cation accuracy.
Paleoproterozoic boninites in an ophiolite-like setting, Trans-Hudson orogen, Canada

Paleoproterozoic high-Mg andesites of the Birch Lake assemblage in the Trans-Hudson orogen display trace element enrichments characteristic of Cenozoic boninites, occur in an analogous stratigraphic setting, and share a metallogenic association with the younger rocks. Their geochemical compositions indicate substantial prior depletion and a selective reenrichment of the mantle sources consistent with metasomatism by siliceous melts. These requirements are best accounted for in an island-arc setting and indicate that early extensional stages of subduction-zone development have not changed substantially over the past 2000 m.y.
Evaluating daily surface maximum temperature interpolation error by adding climate stations near border areas over China

Based on the observed daily surface maximum temperature data from 610 stations over mainland China and 162 sites from neighbouring countries during 1981–2010, the impacts of adding climate stations near border areas on daily surface maximum temperature interpolation errors over China were studied using the thin‐plate spline method. The results showed that large improvements of interpolation accuracy in daily surface maximum temperature were achieved in border areas by adding climate information from neighbouring countries. Mean absolute error (MAE) was reduced by an average of 0.6 °C year−1 and the frequency distribution of daily bias narrowed and became more peaked at 21 boundary stations that were withheld from the model‐building process. Although pronounced variation was not found in most part of mainland China at a 10 km × 10 km grid resolution, the interpolated temperature transition between different thresholds became more stable and aligned with elevation gradients in western and northern border areas of China after incorporating data from the 162 foreign stations into the spatial interpolations. Therefore, caution should be taken when generating gridded data sets only based on observed sites in study areas to investigate regional climate change, particularly if border areas with complicated terrain are insufficiently covered by data networks.
Confirmation of elemental sulfur toxicity in the Microtox® assay during organic extracts assessment of freshwater sediments

Recent literature indicates that the elemental sulfur occurring in organic extracts of sediment samples can be toxic to the bacterium Vibrio fischeri, used in standard Microtox® bioassays. This observation was tested by means of the solvent extraction of 14 freshwater sediment samples from rivers tributary to Lake Geneva (Switzerland–France), measuring both Microtox toxicity and the elemental sulfur concentration of the extracts. Aliquots of these sediment extracts were further treated to remove the sulfur by adding acid‐activated copper to the crude extracts; for 18 h in one case, and for 116 h in an other. The results were a significant amount of the observed acute toxicity in the Microtox assay of 81% of sample extracts (n = 42, crude and after cleanup) was due to elemental sulfur, and despite a median decrease of 99.1% of elemental sulfur in the extracts subject to a 116‐h cleanup, sulfur toxicity was not completely excluded for 57% (8/14) of the samples. Clearly, the Microtox methodology needs to be amended to more accurately assess the potential impact of organic pollutants in sediments when solvent extracts are used. This will help to cut down on costly and unnecessary remedial actions.
Fluid geochemistry at Vulcano island: A change in the volcanic regime or continuous fluctuations in the mixing of different systems?

Increasing fumarolic activity and the rise of outlet fumarole temperatures has occurred at Vulcano island (southern Italy) since September 1987. Regular sampling and analysis have been conducted on the well-known F5 fumarolic and later on F5HT and FA f umaroles on the Fossa crater plus other gas emanations from different sites on the island. Significant chemical and isotopical oscillations have been recorded over the period 1987–1991. Variations of water vapor in the fumarolic fluid follow a seasonal pattern and can be related to both external (seasonal) and magmatic influences but they suggest a control by a source other than magmatic. Significant variations of H2O, and of some species in the anhydrous gas phase (H2, CO2, SO2, N2, and He), have been related in the past to chemical or dynamic changes in the feeding system at depth. Oscillations of the isotopic composition of helium and carbon suggest possible mixing with a nonsurficial source, possibly crustal in origin. Argon and neon isotopic data support this hypothesis. Several mechanisms are considered for explaining the chemical and isotopic data, in relation to the recent increase in activity. Not all of the chemical and isotopic variations recorded are related to geophysical parameters such as seismicity and deformation. The low CO content of the F5 fumarolic and the apparent constancy of the 3He/4He ratio do not suggest an increase in the input of deep magmatic fluids. The high CO content of the high temperature (650°C) FA fumarole, located at the interior of the crater, along with helium and carbon isotopic ratios similar to other fumarolics is probably due to an easier ascent of these fluids to the surface. Apparent equilibrium temperatures, close to the fumarolic outlet temperature, indicate isothermal expansion of the gas from a shallow equilibration zone for both high- and lower-temperature gases. In particular, the chemical and isotopic features of fluids belonging to both crater and beach fumarole fields are consistent with the existence of two intermediate system, independently feeding the two fields. High 3He/4He ratios for the beach fluids, similar to those of the crater fluids, suggest a large magmatic reservoir at depth, feeding both the crater and the beach intermediate reservoirs.
Rapid Nonconjugate Adaptation of Vertical Voluntary Pursuit Eye Movements

Abstract : The precise yoking of the two eyes during vertical eye movements is normally preserved throughout life. This preservation is due in part to adaptive processes that adjust the relative neural innervations sent to each eye's extraocular muscles (nonconjugate adaptation). This behavioral study investigates adaptive processes that maintain conjugacy along the vertical meridian during three types of ocular motor behavior: voluntary pursuit, saccade, and steady fixation. Binocular yoking was quantified by binocular recordings of vertical eye position (dual-Purkinje eye tracker) while vertical eye movements were monocularly stimulated. Properties of nonconjugate adaptive processes were inferred from changes in pre- and post-adaptation binocular yoking.
Discrimination of particle zonation on a pebble beach

The extent to which pebble shapes are zonally sorted on a pebble beach is examined. On the basis of comprehensive point samples from a pebble beach in west Wales, and using factor analysis, a pebble shape index for each point sample is derived. It is proposed that the sum of squares (%RSS) explained by a linear trend surface of shape index values, approximates to the degree to which the second derivative of pebble shape with respect to distance downbeach, tends towards zero. If the second derivative is zero there is no zonation of sample shape values but, rather, a uniform trend. Strength of zonation on one beach is calculated for eight beach samples during 1971. A heterogeneity index (Ht) is introduced to show the degree of difference between clustered point samples on the basis of shape and size. On the basis of %RSS and Ht value, discrimination between pebble facies type on the sample beach over time can be made.
A finite-difference time-domain simulation tool for ground-penetrating radar antennas

The generation and recording of electromagnetic waves by typical ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) systems are complex phenomena. To investigate the characteristics of typical GPR antennas operating in diverse environments, we have developed a versatile and efficient simulation tool. It is based on a finite‐difference time‐domain (FDTD) approximation of Maxwell's equations that lets one simulate the radiation characteristics of a wide variety of typical surface GPR antenna systems. The accuracy of the algorithm is benchmarked and validated with respect to laboratory measurements for comparable antenna systems. Computed radiation patterns demonstrate that the illumination of the subsurface in the near‐ to intermediate‐field range varies significantly according to how the antenna is designed. Our models show the effects of varying the shapes of the antennas, adding shielding (metal box with and without absorbing material and with and without resistive loading), adding a receiver antenna, and changing the soil .