Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assimilation of additional radiosonde observation helps improve the prediction of typhoon-related rainfall in the Pearl River Delta

Typhoons frequently hit the Pearl River Delta (PRD), threatening the region’s dense population and assets. Typhoon precipitation forecasting in this region is challenging, in part because of the complex hydrometeorological effects over coast and the scarcity of upstream marine meteorological observations. Typhoon Mun was formed in the South China Sea on July 2, 2019, and it brought heavy rainfall to the PRD when its center moved to the Beibu Gulf. During Typhoon Mun, an additional sounding was conducted offshore in the PRD every 12 hours to assess the incremental impact on the skill of precipitation forecasting. A precipitation prediction based on the Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF) underestimated the 12-hour accumulated precipitation over PRD by 87%, with the Final operational global analysis (FNL) data from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction in the United States of America as initial fields. To address this issue, we implemented a solution by reconstructing the initial field through the assimilation of the additional radiosonde observations using the WRF Three-dimensional Variational (3D-Var) method. The prediction with the new initial fields reduced the rainfall underestimation by 24%. A difference analysis indicates that the planetary boundary layer scheme used in FNL underestimates the low-level temperature and humidity, especially after the rainfall peak. In contrast, assimilation gives a more realistic lower tropospheric structure, significantly enhancing the moisture flux convergence around 925 hPa and divergence around 700 hPa around the PRD. Sensitivity experiments show that assimilating atmospheric thermal (i.e., temperature and humidity) profiles are more helpful than dynamic (wind) profiles in improving the rainfall prediction of the typhoon.
Chemical Investigations in Kelussia odoratissima Mozaff. Leaves Based on Comprehensive Analytical Methods: LC-MS, SPME, and GC-MS Analyses

Kelussia odoratissima Mozaff. is a species of Apiaceae endemic to the Zagros Mountains in Iran. In the present investigation, for the first time, the polyphenolic compounds and flavonoids of its leaves were determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). As a result, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, acetyl phloroglucinol, vanillic acid, m-coumaric acid, and 4-methylsiringol were determined as the main phenolic compounds, while 3-hydroxyflavone, flavone, quercetin, rutin, neohesperidin, polydatin, and diosmin were the main flavonoid components, of which chlorogenic acid (303.08 µL/gDW), neohesperidin (38.37 µL/gDw), and diosmin (28.62 µL/gDW) were the most abundant. Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) was also used to determine the chemical compounds. Based on SPME, (Z)-undec-6-en-2-one (17.48%) and (Z)-butylidenephthalide (4.348%) were the major components. Based on GC-MS analyses, (Z)-ligustilide was the main compound; however, some new compounds were also determined, including 3-ethylisobenzofuran-1 (3H)-one, (E)-ligugustilide, and E-n-butylidene phthalide. Also, for the first time, we have identified EOs ethyl and isobutyl phthalides on the basis of the obtained EI-MS spectra. Finally, the fragmentation of phthalides is also discussed in this research.
Statistical Fragility of Randomized Controlled Trials Evaluating Platelet-Rich Plasma Use for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review

Background: Numerous studies have been published on the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for knee osteoarthritis (OA), with conflicting results. Purpose: To determine the fragility index (FI) and fragility quotient (FQ) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the use of PRP to treat knee OA. Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: RCTs evaluating the efficacy of PRP injections for knee OA from 2000 to 2020 were included for analysis according to PRISMA guidelines. The FI was determined by calculating the number of outcome event reversals required to change the statistical significance. The associated FQ was determined by dividing the FI by the sample size. Results: Our initial search resulted in 41,149 studies, of which 8 RCTs (678 patients, 72 outcome events) were included in the analysis. One study failed to report PRP formulation details, whereas 87.5% of studies reported using either leukocyte-rich or leukocyte-poor PRP. The platelet concentration was reported in 25% of the included trials. The overall FI of the 72 outcome events was 8.5. Accounting for sample size, the associated FQ was determined to be 0.14, suggesting that the reversal of 14% of outcome events was required to change outcome significance. There were 51 statistically significant outcomes, of which the FI and FQ were 12 and 0.164, respectively. Conclusion: Comprehensive fragility analysis suggested that the published literature evaluating the efficacy of PRP use for knee OA may lack statistical stability. We recommend the reporting of both an FI and FQ in addition to P value analysis to provide a clear and thorough understanding of the statistical integrity of studies reporting on PRP use for knee OA.
Lifestyle interventions to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes in women at high risk for gestational diabetes mellitus: a randomized controlled trial

Objective To examine the effects of lifestyle interventions, including dietary guidance, health education and weight management, on pregnancy outcomes in women at high risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods Our study included 251 women at high risk of GDM and 128 randomized to lifestyle interventions (dietary guidance, health education, and weight management); One hundred and twenty-three people were randomly assigned to a control group (regular pregnancy check-ups). Counts between groups were compared using either chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test. Results Compared with the control group, the risk of GDM was reduced by 46.9% (16.4% vs 30.9%, P = 0.007) and the risk of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) was reduced by 74.2% (2.3% vs 8.9%, P = 0.034) in the intervention group. There were no significant differences in macrosomia, cesarean section, or preterm birth (P >0.05). Conclusion The lifestyle intervention in this study helped pregnant women to better understand knowledge related to pregnancy, reduce stress and anxiety, and increase intake of adequate prenatal nutrition. This intervention prevented metabolic abnormalities that may occur due to inadequate nutrient intake during pregnancy. In addition, it helped women to control weight gain, maintain appropriate weight gain during pregnancy, and reduce the risk of excessive or insufficient weight gain, ultimately lowering the incidence of GDM and PIH. This highlights the importance of early screening and intervention for high-risk pregnant women. Clinical Trial Registration https://www.chictr. org.cn, identifier ChiCTR2300073766.
Prediction of 3-Year Survival in Patients with Cognitive Impairment Based on Demographics, Neuropsychological Data, and Comorbidities: A Prospective Cohort Study

Objectives: Based on readily available demographic data, neuropsychological assessment results, and comorbidity data, we aimed to develop and validate a 3-year survival prediction model for patients with cognitive impairment. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 616 patients with cognitive impairment were included. Demographic information, data on comorbidities, and scores of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale, and Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire were collected. Survival status was determined via telephone interviews and further verified in the official death register in the third year. A 7:3 ratio was used to divide patients into the training and validation sets. Variables with statistical significance (p < 0.05) in the single-factor analysis were incorporated into the binary logistic regression model. A nomogram was constructed according to multivariate analysis and validated. Results: The final cohort included 587 patients, of whom 525 (89.44%) survived and 62 (10.56%) died. Younger age, higher MMSE score, lower IADL score, absence of disinhibition, and Charlson comorbidity index score ≤ 1 were all associated with 3-year survival. These predictors yielded good discrimination with C-indices of 0.80 (0.73–0.87) and 0.85 (0.77–0.94) in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. According to the Hosmer–Lemeshow test results, neither cohort displayed any statistical significance, and calibration curves displayed a good match between predictions and results. Conclusions: Our study provided further insight into the factors contributing to the survival of patients with cognitive impairment. Clinical Implications: Our model showed good accuracy and discrimination ability, and it can be used at community hospitals or primary care facilities that lack sophisticated equipment.
Preoperative Immature Neutrophils Predict Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Uncomplicated Type-B Aortic Dissection After Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair

Purpose Inflammation is a hallmark of the initial development and progression of aortic dissection. This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of preoperative neutrophils in aorta-related adverse events (AAEs) after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for type B aortic dissection (TBAD). Patients and Methods A total of 80 patients with TBAD undergoing TEVAR were enrolled in our hospital. Preoperative inflammatory markers, including white blood cells (WBCs), neutrophils, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), were measured. Circulating neutrophil subpopulation was determined by flow cytometry. Kaplan–Meier curve was performed to determine whether neutrophil subsets independently predicted aorta-related adverse events (AAEs) after TEVAR. Results Compared with control group, the prevalence of hypertension and the levels of inflammatory indicators including WBCs, total neutrophils, NLR, immature neutrophils and hs-CRP were significantly higher in TBAD patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that NLR, absolute number of total neutrophils and percent CD10− immature neutrophils had excellent area under curves. During the 18-month follow-up, 16 (20.0%) were reported to occur AAEs, while 4 deaths (5.0%) were documented. Percent immature neutrophil was markedly higher in TBAD patients experiencing AAEs as compared with those without AAEs. Kaplan–Meier curve and Cox regression analysis demonstrated that percent immature neutrophil was the only predictor correlated with the occurrence of AAEs (hazard ratio 7.66, 95% CI: 2.91, 20.17, P = 0.018). Conclusion Increased CD10− immature neutrophils could act as a potential biomarker related to long-term adverse outcomes in TBAD patients following TEVAR.
Correlation satellites in optical and loss spectra

Coupling of excitations leads to intriguing effects on the spectra of materials. We propose a cumulant formulation for neutral electronic excitations which opens the way to describe effects such as double plasmon satellites or exciton-exciton coupling. Our approach starts from the GW + Bethe-Salpeter approximation to many-body perturbation theory which is based on a quasiparticle picture, and it adds coupling of excitations through a consistent inclusion of dynamically screened interactions. This requires one to consider scattering contributions that are usually neglected. The result is formulated in a way that highlights essential physics, that can be implemented as a postprocessing tool in first-principles codes, and that suggests which kind of materials and measurements should exhibit strong effects. This is illustrated using a model.
Pareto-optimal reinsurance for both the insurer and the reinsurer with general premium principles

Abstract In this paper, we study Pareto-optimal reinsurance policies from the perspectives of an insurer and a reinsurer, assuming reinsurance premium principles satisfy risk loading and stop-loss ordering preserving. By geometric approach, we determine the forms of the optimal policies among two classes of ceded loss functions, the class of increasing convex ceded loss functions and the class that the constraints on both ceded and retained loss functions are relaxed to increasing functions. Then we demonstrate the applicability of our results by giving the parameters of the optimal ceded loss functions under Dutch premium principle and Wang’s premium principle.
Environmental programming of stress responses through DNA methylation: life at the interface between a dynamic environment and a fixed genome

Early experience permanently alters behavior and physiology. These effects are, in part, mediated by sustained alterations in gene expression in selected brain regions. The critical question concerns the mechanism of these environmental “programming” effects. We examine this issue with an animal model that studies the consequences of variations in mother-infant interactions on the development of individual differences in behavioral and endocrine responses to stress in adulthood. Increased levels of pup licking/grooming by rat mothers in the first week of life alter DNA structure at a glucocorticoid receptor gene promoter in the hippocampus of the offspring. Differences in the DNA methylation pattern between the offspring of high- and low-lickinglgrooming mothers emerge over the first week of life; they are reversed with cross-fostering; they persist into adulthood; and they are associated with altered histone acetylation and transcription factor (nerve growth factor-induced clone A [NGFIA]) binding to the glucocorticoid receptor promoter. DNA methylation alters glucocorticoid receptor expression through modifications of chromatin structure. Pharmacological reversal of the effects on chromatin structure completely eliminates the effects of maternal care on glucocorticoid receptor expression and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) responses to stress, thus suggesting a causal relation between the maternally induced, epigenetic modification of the glucocorticoid receptor gene and the effects on stress responses in the offspring. These findings demonstrate that the structural modifications of the DNA can be established through environmental programming and that, in spite of the inherent stability of this epigenomic marker, it is dynamic and potentially reversible.
Isotopic Evidence for the Provenance of Turquoise, Mineral Paints, and Metals in the Southwestern United States

Lead and strontium isotopes are two powerful tracers that can be used to identify or constrain the provenance of a wide range of archaeological materials, but these two isotopic tracers have been rarely employed to infer the sources of artifacts in the southwestern USA. This dissertation contains four studies that demonstrate how these isotopic systems can address questions about the sources of three types of archaeological materials found in this region: turquoise, lead-based glaze-paints, and metals. The analysis of 116 samples of turquoise from 17 deposits in the southwestern USA reveals that lead and strontium isotopes are robust and sensitive tracers of turquoise at multiple scales. Isotopic variation among turquoise deposits correlates with broad regional differences in the geologic and tectonic setting of the rocks and mineral deposits which host turquoise mineralization. Many turquoise deposits also have unique isotopic signatures that will enable insights into ancient patterns of turquoise acquisition at regional and local levels. To show the utility of these tracers when applied to archaeological turquoise, I use lead and strontium isotopic measurements to establish that the Silver Bell Mountains are the likely source turquoise found at the Redtail site in the Tucson Basin, Arizona, USA. This dissertation also contains new, high-precision isotopic ratios of lead ores (galena and cerrusite) from four mining districts in New Mexico, including the Cerrillos Hills. All districts studied are possible sources of lead used by Pueblo IV communities to produce glaze paints. These new measurements, made by multiple-collector ICP-MS, define the isotopic composition of the ore deposits with greater precision and accuracy than achieved in previous studies, indicating an opportunity to improve interpretations about the provenance of lead in glaze paints. Lead isotopes are also found to be useful tools for identifying lead and copper metal associated with the 1540-1542 Vázquez de Coronado expedition. Lead shot and copper crossbow boltheads from two sites with archaeological evidence for the expedition’s presence were determined to share similar or identical lead isotopic ratios. I 8
The Lower Paleozoic succession in the Tassili outcrops, Algeria: sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy

The EAGE Conference held in Algiers in April 2005 was the opportunity for 23 attendees to participate in a post-conference field-trip organized in the Tassili N’Ajjer outcrops in southern Algeria. The stratigraphic succession from the infra-Cambrian to the Middle Devonian is exposed in these exceptional outcrops, desert conditions favouring continuous exposure. The field trip started in the city of Djanet in the Infracambrian granites and shales and ended five days later in Illizi in the Lower Devonian Emsian sandstones (Figure 1). During the trip, these outcrops were described in terms of sedimentology, fracturation, and sequence stratigraphy. The outcrops of this area are of particular interest for petroleum geologists as the same sedimentary succession produces hydrocarbons in the nearby Illizi and Berkine basins and in the Hassi- Messaoud area. The Cambrian, Ordovician, and Devonian sandstones observed in the Tassili outcrops have an equivalent in the reservoir units in the subsurface. The Silurian hot shales are also the prolific source rock of the petroleum system in these basins. The succession presented in the outcrops can then be directly compared with the subsurface data of the Illizi and Berkine basins. The area was first surveyed by Killian (1922) who described the sedimentary succession of the region. Then, the lithostratigraphy and the Siluro-Devonian succession in the outcrops were established by Dubois et al. (1967). The reference study of the Lower Paleozoic outcrops in Algeria was published by Beuf et al. (1971). These authors proposed a lithostratigraphic nomenclature for the Lower Paleozoic and a sedimentological description of the formations. They also identified and interpreted the main unconformities in the Lower Paleozoic with a modern approach, discussing the relative role of tectonics and climate during sedimentation. A detailed mapping of the area was also performed by Sonatrach and Beicip under the supervision of the Ministere de l’Industrie of Algeria. However, since these pioneer studies, little has been published about the outcrop geology although hydrocarbon exploration and development has been very active in the nearby Illizi and Berkine basins. The objective of this paper is to propose a reference section for the Lower Paleozoic in the western Tassili with an updated sedimentological interpretation. An interpretation in terms of sequence stratigraphy will also be proposed. We then summarize the lithostratigraphy in use in the outcrops and propose a correspondence with the sub-surface.
Why is there still so much confusion about VO2 plateau? A re-examination of the work of A.V. Hill

Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) is regarded as the gold standard for assessing aerobic fitness. In 1923, Hill et al. proposed that VO2max represents the maximal ability of the body to take in and consume O2 during strenuous exercise. Recently, however, controversy has arisen over the issue of whether a leveling off, or "plateau" in VO2 is necessary to verify attainment of VO2max. Purpose: To compare two different VO2max protocols and determine if both protocols show direct evidence of an upper limit on VO2. Methods: Nine runners (18-35 years old) completed a continuous graded exercise test (CGXT), followed by a discontinuous graded exercise test (DGXT). The CGXT consisted of gradually increasing treadmill running speed to the point of volitional exhaustion; the highest speed attained was labeled the peak treadmill speed. Over the next several days, participants ran at 80%, 90%, 100%, 105%, and 110% of peak treadmill speed for 10 minutes, or until volitional exhaustion was reached. Results: All participants (n=9) achieved a "VO2 ceiling" (or upper limit) on the DGXT, while only 44% (n=4) achieved a "VO2 plateau" on the CGXT. There was no significant difference between the VO2max obtained from a CGXT (57.4 ± 2.6 mL*kg -1 min -1 ) and DGXT (60.0 ± 3.1 mL*kg -1 min -1 ). There was no difference between oxygen uptake measured at 90%, 100%, 105%, and 110% of PTV (p>0.05). However, the highest VO2 recorded at 80% PTV was significantly lower than that recorded at all other velocities (p<0.05). Conclusion: The VO2 ceiling effect on a DGXT is inherently different than the VO2 plateau effect on a CGXT. In this study, a ceiling was always seen on the DGXT, but a plateau was not always seen on the CGXT.
Using consensus and cooperative reflective journal writing instructional strategies to enhance students’ achievement in Biology

Teachers are supposed to adapt their teaching-learning process based on classroom interaction to suit the learning conditions of learners to produce a complete learning community that is intellectually and behaviourally sound. This can only be achieved in a serene, friendly, and collaborative environment. This study determined the effects of consensus and cooperative reflective journal writing instructional strategies on students’ achievement in biology, with gender moderating at two levels. A pretest-posttest control group quasi-experimental design with a 3X2 factorial matrix was adopted. The treatment lasted for six weeks. The sample consisted of 305 senior secondary school II students in Ibadan metropolis, Oyo state, Nigeria. The instrument for data collection was the Students’ Biology Achievement Test (SBAT). The generated data were analysed using a two-way analysis of variance (ANCOVA) and the Bonferroni post-hoc test. The results of the study revealed that consensus and cooperative reflective journal writing strategies improved students’ achievement in biology. The results also revealed that gender affected students’ achievement in biology. Treatment and gender did not affect students’ achievement in biology. The study concluded that the strategies adopted enhance students’ achievement in biology and, therefore, recommended to be adopted in biology classrooms
The effect of salinity and tofu whey wastewater on the growth kinetics, biomass, and primary metabolites in Euglena sp.

The nutritional content of tofu whey wastewater (TWW) has potential as a culture medium for microalgae Euglena sp. through salinity adjustment. We considered combinations of TWW consisting of 0% (CM), 75% (MI), and 100% (L) with combination salinity levels consisting of 0 g/L (CM/MI0/L0), 2 g/L (CM2/MI2/L2), and 4 g/L (CM4/MI4/ L4). The analyses were carried out on the cell density, growth kinetics (logic and Gompertz equation), biomass, total lipid (Bligh and Dyar method), total carbohydrate (phenol-sulfuric acid method), total protein (Bradford method), and pigments. Based on the study, the combination with highest cell density, biomass, total lipid, total carbohydrate, and total protein was obtained in L4 (14.375 ×105 ± 0.375 cells/mL), MI2 (2.77 ± 0.118 mg/mL), L4 (0.81 ± 0.020 mg/mL), MI (0.48 ± 0.014 mg/mL), and MI4 (0.14 ± 0.005 mg/mL), respectively. Moreover, the combinations with the highest chlorophyll A, chlorophyll B, and carotenoid were 10.74 ± 0.14 mg/L (L4), 2.53 ± 0.07 mg/L (L4), and 2.57 ± 0.003 mg/L (L4), respectively. The addition of TWW combined with specific salinity enhanced growth and biomass composition of Euglena sp. Furthermore, TWW could be an effective and inexpensive alternative medium in Euglena sp. for biorefinery activity.