Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic Characterization of the Tick-Borne Orbiviruses

The International Committee for Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) recognizes four species of tick-borne orbiviruses (TBOs): Chenuda virus, Chobar Gorge virus, Wad Medani virus and Great Island virus (genus Orbivirus, family Reoviridae). Nucleotide (nt) and amino acid (aa) sequence comparisons provide a basis for orbivirus detection and classification, however full genome sequence data were only available for the Great Island virus species. We report representative genome-sequences for the three other TBO species (virus isolates: Chenuda virus (CNUV); Chobar Gorge virus (CGV) and Wad Medani virus (WMV)). Phylogenetic comparisons show that TBOs cluster separately from insect-borne orbiviruses (IBOs). CNUV, CGV, WMV and GIV share low level aa/nt identities with other orbiviruses, in ‘conserved’ Pol, T2 and T13 proteins/genes, identifying them as four distinct virus-species. The TBO genome segment encoding cell attachment, outer capsid protein 1 (OC1), is approximately half the size of the equivalent segment from insect-borne orbiviruses, helping to explain why tick-borne orbiviruses have a ~1 kb smaller genome.
November seesaw in northern extratropical sea level pressure and its linkage to the preceding wintertime Arctic Oscillation

This paper examines the impact of the wintertime Arctic Oscillation (AO) on the following November circulation. The application of a set of statistical methods shows that a response of November sea level pressure (SLP) to the preceding wintertime AO operates on a hemispheric scale. At high and middle latitudes, this response is a well‐pronounced seesaw in SLP between the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. Winters of the positive AO polarity tend to be followed by positive SLP anomalies spanning the whole Northern Eurasia and negative SLP anomalies extending from the Bering Sea through the Western North Atlantic. Opposite SLP anomalies prevail after winters of the negative AO polarity. The response of November SLP to the preceding wintertime AO closely resembles the first empirical orthogonal function of November SLP. That is, the polarity of the wintertime AO precedes the polarity of the leading mode of variability of November SLP over the Northern Hemisphere. The wintertime AO exerts a 9‐month lag impact on November circulation due to the re‐emergence of a sea surface temperature anomaly over the western North Atlantic.
Temporal variations of the 18O/16O signal of the whole‐canopy transpiration in a temperate forest

Biosphere‐atmosphere exchange of water vapor isotopes plays an important role in the global atmospheric 18O‐CO2 and 18O‐O2 budgets. In this paper, we report the results of the first continuous measurements of isotope ratios of water vapor and the evapotranspiration flux in a temperate forest over one full growing season. We found that the 18O/16O isotopic signal of the whole‐canopy transpiration (δT) was not in steady state with respect to plant source water. The departure from steady state was greatest at night and on days of low transpiration rates. Relative humidity was an important driver on timescales shorter than a few hours; on the diurnal timescale, the nonsteady state behavior was driven by relative humidity and the covarying transpiration rate. On average, δT was lowest in midmorning and highest at midnight, with an average peak‐to‐peak variation on the order of 15‰ over the growing season. A diurnal variation of 60‰ or more was observed on some days. On the seasonal timescale, δT was tightly coupled with the precipitation isotope ratio in the early growing season and fluctuated around the isotope ratio of the stem water of overstory trees in the late growing season. The temporal shift suggests that the forest switched its water source from the shallow to the deep soil pool and that the overstory trees dominated the whole stand transpiration in the late growing season. Using isotopic partitioning, we estimated that the overstory trees contributed roughly 70% to the whole‐stand transpiration water loss during the growing season.
A reinterpretation of the Upper Triassic ichthyosaur Shonisaurus

ABSTRACT Shonisaurus, from the Upper Triassic (Carnian) of Nevada, is represented by some 40 individuals. However, many comprise only a few elements, and not one of the skeletons is complete. Furthermore, preservation is often poor, so information is limited. Reaching lengths of up to 15 m, possibly slightly more, Shonisaurus was about the size of a Gray Whale. The only other ichthyosaur of comparable size was a little known and unnamed ichthyosaur from the English Lower Jurassic, which may have reached 15 m (McGowan, 1996). Shonisaurus was long-bodied, with about 60 presacral vertebrae. Some of the centra, at about the level of the 97th vertebra, are wedge-shaped, indicating a tailbend. However, their cambers are small, and their combined angle of deflection is only about 5°, which hardly constitutes a tailbend. The paired fins were long and slender, with no more than three major digits in each, possibly only two. Contrary to previous descriptions, the emarginations on the free margins of many of the fin.
A nonlinear function approach for the normalized complementary relationship evaporation model

A nonlinear function approach for the normalized complementary relationship evaporation model that is different from the methodology maintaining the symmetric complementary relationship with appropriate definitions of potential and wet‐environment evaporation is proposed and verified. This approach employs the definitions used in the advection‐aridity model, wherein the potential is estimated using the Penman equation. Normalized by Penman potential evaporation, the complementary relationship model is expressed as a function describing the relationship between the evaporation ratio (the ratio of the actual to the Penman potential evaporation) and the proportion of the radiation term in Penman potential evaporation. The new nonlinear function proposed in the current study is approximately equivalent to the advection‐aridity and the modified Granger models under conditions that are neither too wet nor too dry, but is more reasonable under arid and wet conditions. The new nonlinear function model performs well in estimating actual evaporation, as verified by the observed data from four sites under different land covers. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of Several Dielectric Mixing Models for Estimating Soil Moisture Content in Sand, Loam and Clay Soils

As part of a NOAA-funded project, studies are being conducted at the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez Campus using surface-based ground penetrating radar (GPR) to measure soil moisture content. The GPR will eventually be used to verify values of soil moisture at several locations in Puerto Rico using active radar and passive satellite-based sensors. As a part of the estimation process, it is necessary to relate moisture content to the GPR-measured dielectric constant. The motivation for this study was the need to select an appropriate dielectric mixing model for the wide range of soils being considered in the study. An important requirement of the dielectric mixing model was that it works well with input data available from NRCS Soil Survey Reports (e.g., soil texture, available water capacity, etc). The advantage of using this type of data is that it can be readily incorporated into a geographic information system (GIS) to be used with the geo-referenced dielectric data of the surface and satellite-based sensors. This paper provides a review of several dielectric mixing models, and compares moisture content estimates for sand, loam and clay soils, based on dielectric data obtained from a GPR, TDR and Theta Probe™. These results are also compared to soil moisture contents obtained from gravimetric data. Soils were characterized in terms of their chemical and physical properties; information needed by several of the dielectric mixing models. In some cases, especially with the loam soil, wide variations in the dielectric constants and moisture contents were observed.
The Digital Transformation of Business Model Innovation: A Structured Literature Review

This paper has a two-fold aim: to analyze the development of the digital transformation field, and to understand the impact of digital technologies on business model innovation (BMI) through a structured review of the literature. The results of this research reveal that the field of digital transformation is still developing, with growing interest from researchers since 2014. Results show a need for research in developing countries and for more collaboration between researchers and practitioners. The review highlights that the field is fragmented among disruptive technologies, shared platforms and ecosystems, and new enabling technologies. We conclude that digital transformation has impacted value creation, delivery, and capture in almost every industry. These impacts have led to the employment of a variety of new business models, such as those for frugal innovation and the circular economy.
Interventions for promoting physical activity

Background Little is known about the effectiveness of strategies to enable people to achieve and maintain recommended levels of physical activity. Objectives To assess the effectiveness of interventions designed to promote physical activity in adults aged 16 years and older, not living in an institution. Search methods We searched The Cochrane Library (issue 1 2005), MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycLIT, BIDS ISI, SPORTDISCUS, SIGLE, SCISEARCH (from earliest dates available to December 2004). Reference lists of relevant articles were checked. No language restrictions were applied. Selection criteria Randomised controlled trials that compared different interventions to encourage sedentary adults not living in an institution to become physically active. Studies required a minimum of six months follow up from the start of the intervention to the collection of final data and either used an intention-to-treat analysis or, failing that, had no more than 20% loss to follow up. Data collection and analysis At least two reviewers independently assessed each study quality and extracted data. Study authors were contacted for additional information where necessary. Standardised mean differences and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for continuous measures of self-reported physical activity and cardio-respiratory fitness. For studies with dichotomous outcomes, odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Main results The effect of interventions on self-reported physical activity (19 studies; 7598 participants) was positive and moderate (pooled SMD random effects model 0.28 95% CI 0.15 to 0.41) as was the effect of interventions (11 studies; 2195 participants) on cardio-respiratory fitness (pooled SMD random effects model 0.52 95% CI 0.14 to 0.90). There was significant heterogeneity in the reported effects as well as heterogeneity in characteristics of the interventions. The heterogeneity in reported effects was reduced in higher quality studies, when physical activity was self-directed with some professional guidance and when there was on-going professional support. Authors' conclusions Our review suggests that physical activity interventions have a moderate effect on self-reported physical activity, on achieving a predetermined level of physical activity and cardio-respiratory fitness. Due to the clinical and statistical heterogeneity of the studies, only limited conclusions can be drawn about the effectiveness of individual components of the interventions. Future studies should provide greater detail of the components of interventions.
Precipitation characteristics over land from the NOAA‐15 AMSU sensor

Window channel measurements from the NOAA‐15 Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU) are used to retrieve rain rates. This study focuses on the rain rate retrievals over land and uses measurements at 89 and 150 GHz to detect a scattering signal by millimeter‐sized ice particles under precipitating atmospheres. An operational algorithm using the AMSU‐A module (89 GHz) implemented in August 1999 is also described. The algorithms are calibrated with hourly surface rain observations. It is shown that identification of stratiform rain can be dramatically improved using measurements at 150 GHz from the AMSU‐B sensor. Improved spatial resolution of AMSU‐B is a major factor contributing to this algorithm.
On the importance of intermediate water flows for the global ocean overturning

A steady state inverse global ocean model is used together with the available original, historical hydrographic database to study and quantify the large-scale global ocean circulation. The model has a variable resolution grid with grid sizes as small as 2.5° longitude by 2° latitude along boundaries, straits or over steep topography and a default resolution of 5° by 4° in “quiet” open ocean regions. The model has 26 vertical levels with 60 m resolution near the surface. The adjoint method is applied to drive the model to the hydrographic data and to optimize horizontal flows, air-sea heat fluxes, and mixing coefficients in an iterative way. Mass, heat, and salt budgets are satisfied exactly by the model. After assimilation, both simulated temperature and salinity fields are in good agreement with observations. Sensitivity experiments show that different circulation patterns with varying relative importance of intermediate water versus warm water transports and varying warm water inflow from the Indian Ocean into the Atlantic are consistent with the hydrographic data. However, for all solutions we find that the water mass that dominates the compensation of North Atlantic Deep Water export is Antarctic Intermediate Water. The northward transport rates of intermediate water in the South Atlantic and South Pacific in our model solutions range between 10 and 15 Sv in each ocean and are considerably larger than previously published values.
Paleomagnetism and 40Ar/39Ar ages from La Palma in the Canary Islands

The structure of the time‐averaged geomagnetic field has been known forcenturies to be approximately dipolar. Significant departures of the time‐averagedfield from that of an axial geocentric dipole, however, have been reportedfor decades. The data on which time‐averaged field models are based must beof the highest quality in order to document subtle long‐term features. Wepresent here new paleomagnetic data and 40Ar/39Ar ages for the island of La Palma, The Canary Islands.Paleomagnetic samples were obtained from 28 lava flows. Of these, 21 met ourminimum acceptance criteria for use in time‐averaged field models. The 40Ar/39Ar age determinationswere successfully carried out on samples from eight of the flows. Our isotopicages and paleomagnetic polarities are consistent with the currently acceptedgeomagnetic reversal timescales. The reversed data in the updated databaseare antipodal to the normal data within the uncertainties, and the time‐averageddirection is indistinguishable from that expected from a geocentric axialdipole.
Report Regulation of (cid:2) cell glucokinase by S-nitrosylation and association with nitric oxide

37232 lucokinase (GK) activity plays a key role in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from pancreatic (cid:2) cells. Insulin regulates GK activity by modulating its association with secretory granules, although little is known about the mechanisms involved in regulating this association. Using quantitative imaging of multicolor ﬂuorescent proteins fused to GK, we found that the dynamic association of GK with secretory granules is modulated through nitric oxide (NO). Our results in cultured (cid:2) cells show that insulin stim-ulates NO production and leads to S-nitrosylation of GK. Furthermore, inhibition of NO synthase (NOS) activity blocks insulin-stimulated changes in both GK association G with secretory granules and GK conformation. Mutation of cysteine 371 to serine blocks S-nitrosylation of GK and causes GK to remain tightly bound to secretory granules. GK was also found to interact stably with neuronal NOS as detected by coimmunoprecipitation and ﬂuorescence resonance energy transfer. Finally, attachment of a nuclear localization signal sequence to NOS drives GK to the nucleus in addition to its normal cytoplasmic and granule targeting. Together, these data suggest that the regulation of GK localization and activity in pancreatic (cid:2) cells is directly related to NO production and that the association of GK with secretory granules occurs through its interaction with 0.1 mM neocuproine) using 0.5% Triton X-100 and 0.5% cholate before protection of free cys- teines with methyl methanethiosulfonate (Pierce Chemical Co.) and de-rivatization of S-nitrosylated cysteines with ascorbic acid and biotin-HPDP (Pierce Chemical Co.). Biotinylated proteins were isolated by binding to neutravidin-agarose (Pierce Chemical Co.) followed by five washes with a high salt buffer (20 mM Hepes, pH 7.7, 600 mM NaCl, 1 mM EDTA, 0.5% Triton X-100) and elution in HNE buffer (20 mM Hepes, pH 7.7, 100 mM NaCl, 1 mM EDTA) plus 100 mM 2-mercaptoethanol. Alternatively, GK-YFPs were isolated by immunoprecipitation with A.v. Peptide Antibody (BD BioSciences, Clontech Laboratories, Inc.) preconjugated to IgG agarose (Sigma-Aldrich). Western blots were then performed on eluted pro- teins to detect GK and nitrosylated proteins.
Prehistoric hunters of the High Plains

The Northwestern Plains and the Adjacent Mountain Ranges: An Ecological Area for Prehistoric Hunters and Gatherers. The Archaeological Record for the Northwestern Plains and Mountains. The Prehistoric Plains Indian Hunter. Prehistoric Hunting of the Lesser Game Animals. Studies of Animal Populations in Archaeological Sites and Their Use in Biological and Cultural Interpretations. Experimental Archaeology and the Use of Weaponry and Tools. Hunting and Gathering Subsistence Strategies. Miscellaneous and Unique Artifacts and Features. Lithic Technology. An Overview of Wyoming Rock Art. Human Skeletal Remains on the Northwestern Plains. Lithic Resources. Final Thoughts and Remarks. Index.
Cervical Cancer Genetic Susceptibility: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses of Recent Evidence

Introduction Cervical cancer (CC) has one of the highest mortality rates among women worldwide. Several efforts have been made to identify the genetic susceptibility factors underlying CC development. However, only a few polymorphisms have shown consistency among studies. Materials and Methods We conducted a systematic review of all recent case-control studies focused on the evaluation of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and CC risk, stringently following the “PRISMA” statement recommendations. The MEDLINE data base was used for the search. A total of 100 case-control studies were included in the meta-analysis. Polymorphisms that had more than two reports were meta-analyzed by fixed or random models according to the heterogeneity presented among studies. Results We found significant negative association between the dominant inheritance model of p21 rs1801270 polymorphism (C/A+A/A) and CC (pooled OR = 0.76; 95%CI: 0.63–0.91; p<0.01). We also found a negative association with the rs2048718 BRIP1 polymorphism dominant inheritance model (T/C+C/C) and CC (pooled OR = 0.83; 95%CI: 0.70–0.98; p = 0.03), as well as with the rs11079454 BRIP1 polymorphism recessive inheritance model and CC (pooled OR = 0.79; 95%CI: 0.63–0.99; p = 0.04). Interestingly, we observed a strong tendency of the meta-analyzed studies to be of Asiatic origin (67%). We also found a significant low representation of African populations (4%). Conclusions Our results provide evidence of the negative association of p21 rs1801270 polymorphism, as well as BRIP1 rs2048718 and rs11079454 polymorphisms, with CC risk. This study suggests the urgent need for more replication studies focused on GWAS identified CC susceptibility variants, in order to reveal the most informative genetic susceptibility markers for CC across different populations.
Functional effects of distinct innervation styles of pyramidal cells by fast spiking cortical interneurons

Inhibitory interneurons target precise membrane regions on pyramidal cells, but differences in their functional effects on somata, dendrites and spines remain unclear. We analyzed inhibitory synaptic events induced by cortical, fast-spiking (FS) basket cells which innervate dendritic shafts and spines as well as pyramidal cell somata. Serial electron micrograph (EMg) reconstructions showed that somatic synapses were larger than dendritic contacts. Simulations with precise anatomical and physiological data reveal functional differences between different innervation styles. FS cell soma-targeting synapses initiate a strong, global inhibition, those on shafts inhibit more restricted dendritic zones, while synapses on spines may mediate a strictly local veto. Thus, FS cell synapses of different sizes and sites provide functionally diverse forms of pyramidal cell inhibition. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.07919. 001
Sentinel Node Identification in Melanoma: Current Clinical Impact, New Emerging SPECT Radiotracers and Technological Advancements. An Update of the Last Decade

Background: Melanoma is the most lethal skin cancer with a mortality rate of 262 cases per 100.000 cases. The sentinel lymph node (SLN) is the first lymph node draining the tumor. SLN biopsy is a widely accepted procedure in the clinical setting since it provides important prognostic information, which helps patient management, and avoids the side effects of complete lymph node dissection. The rationale of identifying and removing the SLN relies on the low probability of subsequent metastatic nodes in case of a negative histological exam performed in the SLN. Discussion: Recently, new analytical approaches, based on the evaluation of scintigraphic images are also exploring the possibility to predict the metastatic involvement of the SLN. 99mTc-labeled colloids are still the most commonly used radiotracers but new promising radiotracers, such as 99mTc-Tilmanocept, are now on the market. In the last decades, single photon emission computed tomography-computerized tomography (SPECT/CT) has gained wider diffusion in clinical departments and there is large evidence about its superior diagnostic accuracy over planar lymphoscintigraphy (PL) in the detection of SLN in patients with melanoma. Scientists are also investigating new hybrid techniques combining functional and anatomical images for the depiction of SLN but further evidence about their value is needed. Conclusion: This review examined the predictive and prognostic factors of lymphoscintigraphy for metastatic involvement of SLN, the currently available and emerging radiotracers and the evidence of the additional value of SPECT/CT over PL for the identification of SLN in patients with melanoma. Finally, the review discussed the most recent technical advances in the field.