Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Isotopic Ages of Igneous and Metamorphic Boulders from the Haymond Formation (Pennsylvanian), Marathon Basin, Texas, and their Significance

Twelve whole-rock and mica ages have been determined on igneous and metamorphic boulders from the Haymond Formation in the Marathon Basin. Ages range from 370 to 410 m.y. , indicating that these rocks were formed during the period from Middle Devonian to Late Silurian. The granitic gneisses and metarhyolitic rocks have distinctive petrographic and chemical characteristics which suggest that the rocks were derived from the partial melting of clastic sediments. This is supported by the relatively high initial Sr 87/86 ratio of 0.713. The petrographic and isotopic evidence supports the following conclusions: (1) a geosyncline to the southeast of the Marathon depositional basin probably reached maximum subsidence in Silurian-Devonian time. (2) the partial melting in the downwarped geosyncline and resulting volcanism offers a source for the silica in the Caballos Novaculite, (3) the igneous and metamorphic activity in the geosyncline was followed closely by mountain building which supplied the source for the flysch sequence in the Marathon depositional basin. The mountains formed during this interval are named the Llanoria Mountains, and the orogeny causing the uplift is called the Llanorian Orogeny. Ten samples were dated from Texas and Mexico in an unsuccessful search for the specific source area for the boulders.
Ultramafic impact melt sheet beneath the South Pole–Aitken basin on the Moon

The Spectral Profiler onboard the Japanese lunar explorer Kaguya conducted the first hyperspectral survey around the South Pole‐Aitken basin (SPA) on the Moon that is one of the largest impact structures in the Solar System. The radiative transfer modeling revealed that fresh crater central peaks inside SPA are commonly composed of an ultramafic assemblage dominated by Magnesium rich orthopyroxene, suggesting a homogeneous layer buried under SPA. The extensive ultramafic layer could be a relic of a gigantic impact melt pool produced by the SPA‐forming impact. The preponderance of orthopyroxene could have resulted from significant fractional crystallization of the lunar magma ocean prior to the onset of plagioclase floatation.
PanIN-specific regulation of Wnt signaling by HIF2(cid:2) during early pancreatic tumorigenesis

Essentially all studies of the hypoxia pathway in pancreatic cancer research to date have focused on fully malignant tumors or cancer cell lines, but the potential role of HIFs in the progression of pre-malignant lesions has not been critically examined. Here, we show that HIF2(cid:2) is expressed early in pancreatic lesions both in human and in a mouse model of pancreatic cancer. HIF2(cid:2) is a potent oncogenic stimulus but its role in Kras-induced pancreatic neoplasia has not been discerned. We used the Ptf1aCre transgene to activate Kras G12D and delete Hif2 α solely within the pancreas. Surprisingly, loss of Hif2(cid:2) in this model led to not reduced but rather markedly higher number of mPanIN lesions. These low-grade mPanIN lesions, however, failed to progress to high-grade mPanINs, associated with exclusive loss of β -catenin and SMAD4. The concomitant loss of HIF2(cid:2) as well as (cid:3)-catenin and Smad4 was further confirmed in vitro , whereby silencing of Hif2(cid:2) resulted in reduced (cid:3)-catenin and Smad4 transcription. Thus, with oncogenic Ras expressed in the pancreas, HIF2(cid:2) modulates Wnt-signaling during mPanIN progression, by maintaining appropriate levels of both Smad4 and β -catenin. in the early PanINs. The abundance of HIF2(cid:2) at this stage promotes expression of both Smad4 and β -catenin in PanINs. SMAD4 prevents overexpression of β -catenin , thus maintaining (cid:3)-catenin levels at the necessary threshold required for PanIN progression
Evaluation of the efficacy of antibiotic combinations against multidrug-resistant 2 Pseudomonas aeruginosa in automated time-lapse microscopy and static time-kill 3 experiments

25 Objectives: Antibiotic combination therapy is used for severe infections caused by multidrug- 26 resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria. Yet, data of which combinations are most effective 27 is lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro efficacy of polymyxin B in combination 28 with 13 other antibiotics against four clinical strains of MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa . 29 Methods: We evaluated the interactions of polymyxin B in combination with amikacin, 30 aztreonam, cefepime, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, fosfomycin, meropenem, minocycline, 31 rifampicin, temocillin, thiamphenicol or trimethoprim by automated time-lapse microscopy 32 using predefined cut-off values indicating inhibition of growth (≤10 6 CFU/mL) at 24 h. 33 Promising combinations were subsequently evaluated in static time-kill experiments. 34 Results: All strains were intermediate or resistant to polymyxin B, anti-pseudomonal β- 35 lactams, ciprofloxacin and amikacin. Genes encoding β-lactamases (e.g., bla PAO and bla OXA-50 ) 36 and mutations associated with permeability and efflux were detected in all strains. In the time- 37 lapse microscopy experiments, positive interactions were found with 39 of 52 antibiotic 38 combination/bacterial strain setups. Enhanced activity was found against all four strains with 39 polymyxin B used in combination with aztreonam, cefepime, fosfomycin, minocycline, 40 thiamphenicol and trimethoprim. Time kill experiments showed additive or synergistic 41 activity with 27 of the 39 tested polymyxin B combinations, most frequently with aztreonam, 42 cefepime, and meropenem. 43 Conclusion: Positive interactions were frequently found with the tested combinations, also 44 against strains that harboured several resistance mechanisms to the single drugs and with 45 antibiotics that are normally not active against P. aeruginosa . Further study is needed to 46 explore the clinical utility of these combinations.
Local anesthetic sympathetic blockade for complex regional pain syndrome.

BACKGROUND Local anesthetic blockade of the sympathetic chain is widely used to treat reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) and causalgia. These two pain syndromes are now conceptualized as variants of a single entity: complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). A recent meta-analysis of the topic has been published. However, this study only evaluated studies in English language and therefore it could have overlooked some randomized controlled trials. OBJECTIVES This systematic review had three objectives: to determine the likelihood of pain alleviation after sympathetic blockade with local anesthetics in the patient with CRPS; to assess how long any benefit persists; and to evaluate the incidence of adverse effects of the procedure. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane Pain, Palliative and Supportive Care Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, and conference abstracts of the World Congresses of the International Association for the Study of Pain. Bibliographies from retrieved articles were also searched for additional studies. SELECTION CRITERIA We considered for inclusion randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effect of sympathetic blockade with local anesthetics in children or in adult patients to treat RSD, causalgia, or CRPS. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS The outcomes of interest were the number of patients who obtained at least 50% of pain relief shortly after sympathetic blockade (30 minutes to 2 hours) and 48 hours or later. We also assessed the presence of adverse effects in each treatment arm. A random effects model was used to combine the studies. MAIN RESULTS Two small randomized double blind cross over studies that evaluated 23 subjects were found. The combined effect of the two trials produced a relative risk (RR) to achieve at least 50% of pain relief 30 minutes to 2 hours after the sympathetic blockade of 1.17 (95% CI 0.80-1.72). It was not possible to determine the effect of sympathetic blockade on long-term pain relief because the authors of the two studies evaluated different outcomes. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS This systematic review revealed the scarcity of published evidence to support the use of local anesthetic sympathetic blockade as the 'gold standard' treatment for CRPS. The two randomized studies that met inclusion criteria had very small sample sizes, therefore, no conclusion concerning the effectiveness of this procedure could be drawn. There is a need to conduct randomized controlled trials to address the value of sympathetic blockade with local anesthetic for the treatment of CRPS.
Strong-Motion Records of the 2002 Denali Fault, Alaska, Earthquake

The MW 7.9 Denali Fault earthquake on 3 November 2002 ruptured a 340-km section along the Susitna Glacier, Denali, and Totschunda faults in central Alaska. The earthquake was digitally recorded at more than 55 strong-motion sites throughout the state at distances up to 280 km from the fault rupture. The site closest to the fault, Trans-Alaska Pipeline Pump Station 10, is located about 3 km north of the surface rupture, where the observed maximum horizontal peak ground acceleration was about 0.35 g. The peak horizontal accelerations observed at the sites closest to the fault rupture were considerably smaller than those yielded by the ground-motion prediction equations. Although the earthquake provided a valuable set of strong-motion data, an important opportunity was missed to capture near-field recordings from such a major strike-slip event. A concerted national effort is needed to prioritize the instrumentation of faults that are likely locations of future great earthquakes.
Is there a persistent control of monsoon winds by precipitation during the late Holocene?

Past variations in the south Asian summer monsoon (Southwest Monsoon, SWM) have been inferred earlier mainly using wind proxies in marine sediment cores from the upwelling‐dominated western Arabian Sea. Here we report precipitation proxies, i.e., high‐resolution stable oxygen isotope variations, of two different species of planktonic foraminifera, namely, Gs. sacculifer and Gs. ruber, in an AMS 14C dated sediment core from the monsoon‐runoff‐dominated eastern Arabian Sea. The above data sets reveal that during the past ∼1800 years (and perhaps up to ∼2800 years; resolution of the wind record is too low for comparison) reductions in monsoon wind strength in the western Arabian Sea appear to be persistently accompanied by aridity over India. It clarifies that past fluctuations in SWM precipitation over the Indian subcontinent followed the wind intensity records from the western Arabian Sea on centennial time scales. We further provide the first paleoclimatic evidence for the control exerted by SWM precipitation over the SWM wind strength via latent heat release.
Results of a comprehensive study of the photochemistry of N2 + in the ionosphere

The disagreement between model calculations of ionospheric N2+ concentrations and those measured by the Atmosphere Explorer (AE) satellite has been controversial for several years. The model calculations of N2+ require an additional loss of the order of ∼10² ions cm−3 s−1 at ∼250 km in order to account for the observed N2+ concentrations. After analysis of many orbits of AE data we have drawn the conclusion that such a loss rate could only be provided by either (1) enhancing the ionospheric dissociative recombination rate coefficient for N2+ by a factor of 2–3 over its currently accepted value if this is not precluded by laboratory data or (2) enhancing of the charge exchange of N2+ with atomic oxygen. This could be achieved by two mechanisms which either independently or combined can account for the observed N2+ concentrations. The first is the enhanced destruction of N2+ by charge exchange of vibrationally excited N2+ with O (enhancement of the branch to NO+ only transfers the problem to NO+). The second mechanism is the accidentally energetically resonant reaction O+(²D) + N2 ⇄ N2+(X)υ=5 + O. In spite of the valid theoretical arguments against the plausibility of these two mechanisms, without any viable alternatives we feel compelled to present our results. The best agreement between theory and data is obtained when these two mechanisms are combined with the rate coefficients for charge exchange of vibrationally excited N2+ with O increased by a factor of 50 and N2 set equal to 2.5×10−10 cm³ s−1 and where N2+(X)υ>0 is quenched by N2 at a rate of ∼5×10−10 cm³ s−1. An important aspect of the chemical scheme is negligible quenching of O+(²D) by O. We estimate an upper limit for the rate coefficient of this process to be ∼5×10−12 cm³ s−1.
Winter snowfall prediction in the United States using multiple discriminant analysis

This study seeks to determine the skill of multiple discriminant analysis for predicting seasonal snowfall. Winter total snowfall amount and frequency of snowfall events are examined for 440 stations in the United States from 1930 to 2006. The independent variables used to create the forecast include ocean–atmosphere teleconnection patterns [such as the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO)], large‐scale atmospheric patterns [such as the Arctic Oscillation (AO), North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and Pacific/North American (PNA)], land cover (such as Arctic sea ice extent and Eurasian snow cover extent), and temperature. Based on a jackknife analysis, forecasts are correct 20–80% of the time for categories of ‘below normal’, ‘near normal’, and ‘above normal’. When broader categories are used of ‘normal or below’, ‘near normal’, and ‘normal or above’ the forecasts are correct as much as 90% of the time at some stations. The Central United States, Ohio River Valley, Great Lakes, and Upper Midwest regions show the highest level of skill. Results not only confirm relationships previously documented between atmospheric phenomena and US snowfall (such as with the PNA, NAO, and ENSO), but also expand our understanding of factors that influence decadal‐scale snowfall variation (such as Arctic sea ice extent and Eurasian snow cover extent).
Fracturing in low-permeability soils for remediation of contaminated ground

This paper presents a field study on hydraulic fracturing for in situ remediation of contaminated ground. Sand-propped hydraulic fractures were placed from vertical and horizontal wells at a test facility. Field excavations were conducted to expose the fractures and inspect their distribution and geometry. Fractures that were mapped by field excavation were found to be near horizontal, implying that the soil formation is overconsolidated. It was also observed that the sand "proppant" was thicker at locations where the soil layers were relatively weak or contained weak fissures. Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) was also conducted in an attempt to map the fractures. There was no indication that fractures were being mapped by this geophysical technique. Fracture mapping based on tiltmeter data analyses conformed closely with the actual fracture placement in the vertical well but did not properly predict the actual fracture placement in the horizontal well.Key words: hydraulic fracturing, field test, l.
Spatiotemporal Patterns of Water Stable Isotope Compositions at the Shale Hills Critical Zone Observatory: Linkages to Subsurface Hydrologic Processes

To better understand flow pathways and patterns in the subsurface, a stable isotope monitoring network was established at the Susquehanna‐Shale Hills Critical Zone Observatory (SSHCZO). Soil water samples were collected approximately biweekly using suction‐cup lysimeters installed at multiple depths along four different transects in the catchment. Groundwater and stream water were collected daily in the valley using automatic samplers, while precipitation samples were collected automatically on an event basis. The 3+ years (2008–2012) of monitoring data showed strong seasonal precipitation isotope compositions, which were imprinted in seasonal patterns of soil water at different spatial locations and depths. The groundwater isotope composition remained relatively constant throughout the year and closely matched the yearly amount‐weighted precipitation average, suggesting groundwater received recharge water in each season, although recharge mechanisms differed between growing and nongrowing seasons. Soil water samples showed clear attenuation with depth, with the largest variability in the shallow soil water (≤30 cm) mirroring precipitation inputs, moderate variability in the intermediate depths (40–100 cm), and the least variability in the deep soil water (≥120 cm) where the average remained near the groundwater average. Soil water isotope composition profiles also provided clear evidence for preferential flow occurring both laterally and vertically in different seasons and at various soil depths in the catchment. Putting all together, the extensive dataset of soil water isotopic compositions obtained in this study have provided a number of insights into complex subsurface hydrologic processes that are transferable to other similar landscapes.
ZP2 peptide beads select human sperm in vitro, decoy mouse sperm in vivo, and provide reversible contraception

Sperm bind to ZP2 peptide beads, which can select superior sperm for assisted reproduction but can also be used for contraception. Two sides of the same peptide The zona pellucida, a matrix that surrounds ovulated eggs, is the site of sperm recognition and binding, which precede sperm penetration and fertilization. Avella et al. identified a peptide from the zona pellucida called ZP2, which the authors attached to agarose beads to facilitate infertility treatment or, conversely, contraception. On the one hand, the beads with ZP2 peptide were combined with sperm in vitro to successfully select the best sperm for assisted reproductive technologies. On the other hand, the same beads placed into the uterus of fertile mice bound any incoming sperm and prevented them from reaching the eggs, thus providing a long-acting method of contraception. A related podcast discusses these findings. Gamete recognition in the female reproductive tract occurs at the surface of the zona pellucida surrounding ovulated eggs. The acellular zona matrix is composed of three (mouse) or four (human) proteins (ZP1 to ZP4), and the amino terminus of ZP2 is the primary sperm-binding ligand. Mouse and human sperm bind, respectively, to recombinant moZP235–149 and huZP239–154 peptides attached to agarose beads. Mouse ZP2 peptide beads markedly inhibited fertilization of ovulated mouse eggs inseminated in vitro and incubated overnight. Similarly, human ZP2 peptide beads prevented sperm binding and penetration of transgenic ZP2Rescue zonae pellucidae, in which human ZP2 replaced mouse ZP2. When mouse ZP2 peptide beads were transcervically deposited into the uterus, there was no change in mating behavior and copulatory plugs were present, but bound sperm did not progress into the oviduct and female mice were infertile. On average, contraception lasted >10 estrus cycles but was reversible with no detectable pathology in the reproductive tract. Despite the long-term contraceptive effect, initial sperm binding to the peptide beads was reversible in vitro. We exploited this observation to select human sperm that were better able to penetrate the zonae of human ZP2Rescue eggs, and the approach holds promise for identifying superior sperm for human assisted reproductive technologies (ART). We conclude that the amino-terminal ZP2 peptide supports sperm binding, which is initially reversible but, with time, becomes irreversible. Short-term, reversible binding may be useful in selecting sperm for ART, and long-term binding decoys sperm and results in effective contraception in mice.
Space‐time variability of low streamflows in river networks

A low‐flow equation is derived from Darcy's law and a mass balance equation for base flow from a hillside by assuming that groundwater recharge is constant over short time periods. This low‐flow equation reduces to many of the existing mechanistic low‐flow equations, but in its general form looks like a linear regression model and captures spatial variability in base flow among hillsides in a basin. As a result, it unifies the mechanics and statistics of low flows in river networks. This equation is tested against low‐flow data from the Flint River basin in Georgia and the Gasconade River basin in Missouri, both of which are approximately 7000 km2 in size.
Activation of TLR4 Is Required for the Synergistic Induction of Dual Oxidase 2 and Dual Oxidase A2 by IFN-γ and Lipopolysaccharide in Human Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines

Pancreatitis is associated with release of proinflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species and plays an important role in the development of pancreatic cancer. We recently demonstrated that dual oxidase (Duox)2, an NADPH oxidase essential for reactive oxygen species–related, gastrointestinal host defense, is regulated by IFN-γ–mediated Stat1 binding to the Duox2 promoter in pancreatic tumor lines. Because LPS enhances the development and invasiveness of pancreatic cancer in vivo following TLR4-related activation of NF-κB, we examined whether LPS, alone or combined with IFN-γ, regulated Duox2. We found that upregulation of TLR4 by IFN-γ in BxPC-3 and CFPAC-1 pancreatic cancer cells was augmented by LPS, resulting in activation of NF-κB, accumulation of NF-κB (p65) in the nucleus, and increased binding of p65 to the Duox2 promoter. TLR4 silencing with small interfering RNAs, as well as two independent NF-κB inhibitors, attenuated LPS- and IFN-γ–mediated Duox2 upregulation in BxPC-3 cells. Induction of Duox2 expression by IFN-γ and LPS may result from IFN-γ–related activation of Stat1 acting in concert with NF-κB–related upregulation of Duox2. Sustained extracellular accumulation of H2O2 generated by exposure to both LPS and IFN-γ was responsible for an ∼50% decrease in BxPC-3 cell proliferation associated with a G1 cell cycle block, apoptosis, and DNA damage. We also demonstrated upregulation of Duox expression in vivo in pancreatic cancer xenografts and in patients with chronic pancreatitis. These results suggest that inflammatory cytokines can interact to produce a Duox-dependent pro-oxidant milieu that could increase the pathologic potential of pancreatic inflammation and pancreatic cancer cells.
Spatial and temporal variations in the thermodynamics since the Last Glacial Maximum at Jutulstraumen drainage basin, East Antarctica

A flow-line model is coupled to a 2D temperature model to simulate the thermodynamic changes of Jutulstraumen drainage basin due to grounding line retreat and increased surface temperature since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). The basin consists of a plateau drained by an outlet glacier, and the simulated ice volume reductions are 1% and 2% respectively of the current grounded volume. The mountain ranges H.U. Sverdrupfjella and Neumayerskarvet fringing the plateau were not overridden by ice at the LGM, while the Nashornet nunataks closer to the grounding line were. Today the glacier is almost in balance with the current climate, with the highest thinning rate < 5.0×10−3 ma−1 at the plateau. The simulated present-day thermal regime of the outlet glacier shows a basal layer at the pressure melting point and negative temperature gradients with depth due to horizontal advection of cold ice from the plateau. Sensitivity studies show that strain heating and horizontal advection are important for the basal temperatures in the fast flowing outlet glacier and for about half of the wide basin at the polar plateau. Increased strain heating and horizontal advection since the LGM control the response time required to readjust to the new conditions, and it controls the present-day volume.