Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The sensitivity of subannual and intraseasonal tropical variability to model ocean mixed layer depth

[1] The influence of air-sea interaction on subannual and intraseasonal tropical variability is explored through analysis of three long simulations of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation atmospheric general circulation model (GCM) with differing ocean specifications: a coupled ocean GCM, a simple 50-m mixed layer model, or climatological sea surface temperatures (SST); together with 50-year simulations with mixed layer depths of 10 m and 20 m. The analysis focuses initially on a signal similar to a Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) contained in the first two empirical orthogonal functions (EOF) of monthly anomalies of tropical 807-hPa winds in January in the coupled model. Time-lag regression is used to demonstrate that these patterns propagate eastward, although at only half the speed of the MJO, and induce perturbations to the Australian monsoon. The specified SST model shows no such propagation. Similar results are then obtained using daily data filtered to retain subannual periods. The eastward propagation speed is faster in the shallower mixed layer cases, with the 10-m case producing speeds close to observations. In the interactive models, surface energy fluxes force SST anomalies propagating ahead of the EOF convergence. These fluxes are largely consistent with evaporation perturbed by wind anomalies to the monsoon westerlies, augmented by solar radiation. The SST anomalies then further perturb the winds, as is confirmed by a separate SST perturbation experiment. From the examination of other seasons, it is seen that air-sea interaction generally enhances the amplitude of the MJO-like patterns. It also enhances their eastward propagation along westerly wind bands. Analysis of zonal wave number one winds confirms the strong sensitivity to mixed layer depth in the amplitude and period of the eastward propagating component, particularly during September through February. The results suggest that air-sea interaction may be important to the MJO, provided that the SSTs are sufficiently responsive to the atmospheric patterns.
FRONTAL SURFACE AREA AS A PREDICTOR OF CYCLING PERFORMANCE

The equation of motion of a cyclist indicates that at a constant velocity the largest morphological influence on the cyclists retarding force is the projected frontal surface area. Nevertheless, parameters profiling a cyclists physical ability such as V02 max, work done in a given time or the power output achieved at the anaerobic threshold are usually normalized to body mass when making comparisons between athletes. This study examined if cycling time trial performance could be better predicted from a physical parameter normalized to frontal surface area rather than normalized to body mass. A group (n=7) of male juvenile cyclists (14-16 yrs) and a group (n=l 1) of male junior cyclists (16-18 yrs) performed a five minute maximum effort test on a wind braked bicycle ergometer. Peak power and total work done were measured. Each cyclists frontal surface area on the bicycle was determined by a regression equation using height and weight (Mclean 1993). The juvenile cyclists competed in a 10 km flat time trial while the juniors competed in a 15 km flat time trial. Triathlon style aerodynamic handlebars were not used. For both the juvenile and junior groups correlation analysis showed that time trial time was better predicted by total work/FSA (r=-.82 and -.86 respectively) rather than by total work/body mass (I=-.53, I=-.74) or total work alone (I= .67 I= .65). It was concluded that parameters describing a cyclists physical ability should be normalized to FSA rather than body mass when making comparisons between athletes.
Insulin resistance in non-diabetic hypothyroid patients: a critical examination of METS-IR as a diagnostic marker

Abstract Objectives Insulin resistance (IR) is a significant metabolic disturbance that plays a pivotal role in various health conditions, including hypothyroidism. Homeostatic Model Assessment For Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) is widely used for assessing IR. However, alternative indices, such as the Metabolic Score for Insulin Resistance (METS-IR), have been developed for diverse applications. This study aimed to meticulously investigate IR in patients with hypothyroidism and to compare the effectiveness of METS-IR with HOMA-IR. To enrich our analyses, additional metrics, including the Triglyceride Glucose (TyG) Index, the Triglyceride to High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio (TG/HDL-C), and the Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI) have been incorporated. Methods This cross-sectional study included 260 non-diabetic adults, 130 with hypothyroidism (case group), and 130 healthy volunteers (control group). Parameters, including Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (T4), fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, insulin levels, and lipid profiles, were measured. IR indices were calculated. Results The groups were matched for age and gender (p = .143; p = .099). The case group demonstrated a notably elevated mean METS-IR of 195.58, in contrast to the control group’s mean METS-IR of 131.10 (p = .044). The mean HOMA-IR was significantly higher in the case group than in the control group, with average of 2.00 and 1.81, respectively (p = .027). METS-IR was positively correlated with TyG (r = 0.505, p = .001) and TG/HDL-C (r = 0.844, p = .001). Meanwhile, the relationships between METS-IR, HOMA-IR, and QUICKI were significant at r = 0.194 (p = .027) and r = . 210 (p = .016), respectively. METS-IR was significantly higher in patients with overt hypothyroidism (p = .016). Conclusion This study emphasizes the efficacy of METS-IR as a diagnostic tool for IR in patients with hypothyroidism, establishing it as a proficient alternative to HOMA-IR. These findings were substantiated by the correlations observed with the TyG, TG/HDL-C, and QUICKI measurements. Variations in METS-IR between individuals with subclinical and overt hypothyroidism accentuate its effectiveness in identifying metabolic abnormalities in hypothyroid conditions.
Adapting to a global pandemic: a qualitative assessment of programmatic responses to COVID-19 in the multi-country Women’s Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) programme

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruption to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) globally but there is little published evidence on the COVID-19 response of SRHR programmes, or lessons learned through their adaptations. To document the COVID-19 response of a global SRHR programme (the Women’s Integrated Sexual Health programme), in-depth interviews were conducted between April and July 2021 with 22 key informants from implementing partners in Sierra Leone, Ethiopia and central or regional offices, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the third-party monitoring partner. Framework analysis methods were used. Several rapid COVID-19 adaptations were identified: the development of crisis management and communication teams; increased partnership and engagement with government; reduced contact and risk in service delivery; reformulated community mobilisation; flexible performance management and remote methods of quality assurance; and sharing of learnings alongside the development of new guidance and tools. Throughout the pandemic, the programme was able to continue high-quality service delivery, though equity goals proved more difficult to reach. Challenges included the continually changing environment, competing pressures on governments, burdensome reporting, and staff burnout. The pandemic response was facilitated by prior experience of health emergencies, strong government relationships, a supportive workforce and some pre-existing approaches, tools, and systems. This study has identified important lessons that can inform programming in future crises, including the need for immediate recognition of SRHR as essential, sustained support for staff, use of multiple mechanisms to reach marginalised groups, adequate funding for equity goals, and a better balance between the burden of reporting and accountability needs.
Learning Spelling From Meaning

Abstract. According to the instance-based approach, each novel word encounter is encoded as an episodic trace, including different aspects of word knowledge (orthography, semantics, phonology) and context. Experiencing the novel word again leads to reactivating the previous instances to support word identification. Accordingly, once a link between orthography and meaning is established through several instances of co-occurrence, presenting the novel word form enhances semantic learning even if the contexts are uninformative about the meaning (Eskenazi et al., 2018). Here, we investigated whether informative contexts enhance orthographic learning in the absence of the novel word form. Participants read pseudowords in three definition-like sentences, followed by three unrelated filler sentences (baseline condition), three uninformative sentences (orthographic condition), or three informative sentences with synonyms replacing the pseudoword (semantic condition). After reading, participants were better at spelling pseudowords exposed in the semantic than in the baseline condition and recalled more definitions of the pseudowords exposed in the orthographic than in the baseline condition. Such results indicate that both semantic and orthographic learning benefit from the contexts where the target information is absent. Overall, this supports the instance-based approach and contributes to the understanding of the interplay between orthography and semantics in contextual word learning.
A meta‐analysis of the risk factors of surgical site infection after hysterectomy for endometrial cancer

Abstract Surgical Site Infection (SSI) is one of the common postoperative complications after hysterectomy for endometrial cancer (EC). Previous studies have investigated the risk factors for SSI in patients with EC. However, big differences in research results exist, and the correlation coefficients of different research results are quite different. A meta‐analysis was conducted to examine the risk factors related to SSI in patients with EC. We searched English databases to collect case–control studies or cohort studies published before July 20, 2023, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and ScienceDirect. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed via Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. The analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4. 1 tool. A total of 6 articles (n = 3647) were selected in this meta‐analysis. The following risk factors were presented to be significantly correlated with SSI in EC: laparotomy (OR = 2.66, 95% CI [1.57, 4.54]), postoperative blood sugar ≥10 mmol/L (OR = 4.38, 95% CI [2.83, 6.78]), Federation International of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage‐III or IV (OR = 2.27, 95% CI [1.49, 3.46]). The occurrence of SSI is influenced by a variety of factors. Thus, we should pay close attention to high‐risk subjects and take crucial targeted interventions to lower the SSI risk after hysterectomy. Owing to the limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more rigorous studies with adequate sample sizes are needed to verify the conclusion.
Studies of drought tolerance in interspecific progenies of Oryza glaberrima (Steud) and O. Sativa (L) and an appraisal of the use of male gametocides in rice hybridisation.

Rice has become a staple food as well as a source of income to many fanners in Mali and the rest of West Africa, but for various factors production does not match the demand. Rice varieties developed to date for the region have not taken into account fanners' preferences and perceptions on varieties and management practices. As a result, fanners have adopted few of the improved rice varieties that have been released, suggesting that fanner's perceptions and preferences might not coincide with breeding objectives. This study was therefore conducted to detennine fanners' preferences for rice cultivars, and perceptions on drought stress and management practices. Participatory rural appraisal (PRA) was conducted in Sikasso region in September 2005. A total of 125 fanners, comprising 68 males and 57 females, were randomly selected from 10 villages in the upland, lowland and irrigated ecologies. The pRA tools included individual interviews, group discussions and transect walks across the fields. Results indicated that fanners' preferences, crop management and ranking of production constraints differed significantly across ecologies. The most preferred trait in upland ecology was short duration rice and tall plants. In tenns of grain quality, long red grains were preferred in the upland ecology. In the lowland ecology, tall varieties were most preferred followed by short duration and long white grains. In irrigated rice ecology, high grain yield was the most preferred trait followed by long duration, but were indifferent about grain quality. Seemingly, fanners in the lowland and upland ecologies were prepared to trade off yield for grain quality and plant height, which might be different from breeders' selection criteria. Fanners' high preference for tall varieties in the upland and lowland ecologies was also in sharp contrast with the model of dwarf rice varieties responsible for the green revolution in Asia. These findings suggest that a different plant idiotype would be required. Generally, drought was perceived to be a major problem causing an estimated yield reduction of about 60% in all ecologies, indicating the need to breed for drought stress tolerance. Common drought management strategies that were employed by fanners included planting of early maturing cultivars that escape late season drought and use of drought tolerant varieties. Sole cropping was practiced in all the ecologies. There were differences in the number of fanners who applied fertilizer, which increased from 4% in the irrigated, 26% in lowland to 73% in the upland ecologies. Female fanners were more predominant in the rainfed lowland and irrigated ecologies than the upland ecology. Our results suggested that the best breeding strategy would be ecosystem breeding for each of the ecologies.
Isolation of the murine Glut1 deficient thalamocortical circuit: wavelet characterization and reverse glucose dependence of low and gamma frequency oscillations

Glucose represents the principal brain energy source. Thus, not unexpectedly, genetic glucose transporter 1 (Glut1) deficiency (G1D) manifests with encephalopathy. G1D seizures, which constitute a prominent disease manifestation, often prove refractory to medications but may respond to therapeutic diets. These seizures are associated with aberrant thalamocortical oscillations as inferred from human electroencephalography and functional imaging. Mouse electrophysiological recordings indicate that inhibitory neuron failure in thalamus and cortex underlies these abnormalities. This provides the motivation to develop a neural circuit testbed to characterize the mechanisms of thalamocortical synchronization and the effects of known or novel interventions. To this end, we used mouse thalamocortical slices on multielectrode arrays and characterized spontaneous low frequency oscillations and less frequent 30–50 Hz or gamma oscillations under near-physiological bath glucose concentration. Using the cortical recordings from layer IV among other regions recorded, we quantified oscillation epochs via an automated wavelet-based algorithm. This method proved analytically superior to power spectral density, short-time Fourier transform or amplitude-threshold detection. As expected from human observations, increased bath glucose reduced the lower frequency oscillations while augmenting the gamma oscillations, likely reflecting strengthened inhibitory neuron activity, and thus decreasing the low:high frequency ratio (LHR). This approach provides an ex vivo method for the evaluation of mechanisms, fuels, and pharmacological agents in a crucial G1D epileptogenic circuit.
Shark Depredation and Unwanted Bycatch in Pelagic Longline Fisheries: Industry Practices and Attitudes, and Shark Avoidance Strategies

Substantial ecological, economic and social problems result from shark interactions in pelagic longline fisheries. Improved understanding of industry attitudes and practices towards shark interactions assists with managing these problems. Information on fisher knowledge and new strategies for shark avoidance may benefit sharks and fishers. A study of 12 pelagic longline fisheries from eight countries shows that incentives to avoid sharks vary along a continuum, based on whether sharks represent an economic disadvantage or advantage. Shark avoidance practices are limited, including avoiding certain areas, moving when shark interaction rates are high, using fish instead of squid for bait and deeper setting. Some conventionally employed fishing gear and methods used to target non-shark species contribute to shark avoidance. Shark repellents hold promise; more research and development is needed. Development of specifically designed equipment to discard sharks could improve shark post release survival prospects, reduce gear loss and improve crew safety. With expanding exploitation of sharks for fins and meat, improved data collection, monitoring and precautionary shark management measures are needed to ensure shark fishing mortality levels are sustainable.
Effective Henry's law constants of glyoxal, glyoxylic acid, and glycolic acid

The Henry's law constants of glyoxal, glycolic acid and glyoxylic acid in pure water were determined over the range of 278 and 308 K for the first time by a bubble column technique. These compounds were chosen because of their perceived involvement in the formation of secondary organic aerosol through in‐cloud processing pathways. The experimentally determined Henry's law constants are: glyoxal, KH = 4.19 × 105 × exp[(62.2 × 103/R) × (1/T − 1/298)]; glycolic acid, KH = 2.83 × 104 × exp[(33.5 × 103/R) × (1/T − 1/298)]; and glyoxylic acid, KH = 1.09 × 104 × exp[(40.0 × 103/R) × (1/T − 1/298)]. The Henry's law constants of glyoxal in the presence of sodium chloride and sodium sulfate were also determined at 298 K. While the glyoxal KH is enhanced by less than three times in the presence of chloride in the range of 0.05–4.0 M ionic strength, the presence of sulfate at 0.03 M ionic strength increases the glyoxal KH by 50 times.
Width adjustment in experimental gravel‐bed channels in response to overbank flows

We conducted a series of flume experiments to investigate the response of self‐formed gravel‐bed channels to floods of varying magnitude and duration. Floods were generated by increasing the discharge into a channel created in sand‐ and gravel‐sized sediment with a median grain size of 2 mm. Flooding increased the Shields stress along the channel perimeter, causing bank erosion and rapid channel widening. The sediment introduced to the channel by bank erosion was not necessarily deposited on the channel bed, but was rather transported downstream, a process likely facilitated by transient fining of the bed surface. At the end of each experiment, bank sediments were no longer in motion, “partial bed load transport” characterized the flat‐bed portion of the channel, and the Shields stress approached a constant value of 0.056, about 1.2 times the critical Shields stress for incipient motion. Furthermore, the discharge was entirely accommodated by flow within the channel: the creation of a stable channel entirely eliminated overbank flows. We speculate that similar processes may occur in nature, but only where bank sediments are non‐cohesive and where channel‐narrowing processes cannot counteract bank erosion during overbank flows. We also demonstrate that a simple model of lateral bed load transport can reproduce observed channel widening rates, suggesting that simple methods may be appropriate for predicting width increases in channels with non‐cohesive, unvegetated banks, even during overbank flows. Last, we present a model for predicting the equilibrium width and depth of a stable gravel‐bed channel with a known channel‐forming Shields stress.
The Cultural History of Plants

Topics covered include: Fruits * Roots * The Spice Trade * Hearts of Oak * Perfumed Garden * Ling of Cotton and Others * The Grape and the Grain * The Drug Trade and Medicines, Wild Cures * The Plant Collectors * The Global Garden * The Industrial Age * Invasions and Adaptations * Collecting from the Wild * The Future of Biodiversity * Wild Gardens and Protected Areas * Protected Species * and more. Contents listed are tentative and may differ in printed books.
Topographic features of the Bristol Channel sea-bed: a comparison of SEASAT (synthetic aperture radar) and side-scan sonar images

Abstract Side-scan sonar data collected in 1977 and 1983 from the Bristol Channel are compared with 1978 SEASAT images, in order to determine the limiting physical dimensions of positive and negative topographic features detectable by SEASAT. The identification of sea-bed topography is related to a change in current speed which, in turn, is controlled bythe relief:water-depth ratio. In a water depth of 45mwith a surface current speed of about 70cms −1, for example, features > 11 m in relief and with a spacing > 500 m are visible. The widths of tone-change bands on SEASAT images are found to be related to the ‘effective’ widths of the topographic features that are modifying the flow conditions. The tone-change band sequence is related to positive and negative relief of the bed, under a particular current direction.
POSTCONSTRUCTION DEFORMATIONS OF ROCKFILL DAMS

Postconstruction deformations of some rockfill dams with a slightly inclined or central till (moraine) core are presented. Although deformation still continues, even 30 years after dam construction, for all practical purposes the settlement could be nevertheless considered to cease 36 months following the end of construction. The crest settlement reflects the core compression, which is relatively low, while the downstream rockfill shoulders exhibit much higher settlements. The maximum settlement expressed as a percentage of height (%H) does not always concur with the maximum measured settlement value or with the maximum fill height. Depending on the valley cross section (width), an arching phenomenon can develop and push the maximum %H towards the abutments. Horizontal deflection downstream also expressed as a percentage of the height of the dam crest could reach 1.5–5.0 times the settlement value. The effect of impounding is illustrated by a differential deformation (settlement and deflection) of the ups.