Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Evaluation of Unclassed Crossed-Line Choropleth Mapping

In Tobler's unclassed mapping, the computer is used to create a virtually continuous array of crossed-line shadings from white to black, thus eliminating the need to generalize quantitative area distributions into classes. Criticism of this method has centered on potential interpretation difficulties for the map user. These and other issues have been examined through subject testing. A preliminary test concerning the relationship between calculated and perceived values for crossed-line shadings showed that people tend to underestimate value differences and an exponent was derived to compensate for this underestimation. A comparative evaluation between unclassed and traditional class-interval methods of choropleth mapping based on critical attributes of choropleth map communication indicate that judgments of both relative and absolute values for individual areas are improved with the unclassed method while there is little difference in the quality of the overall pattern produced by the two methods, at leas.
Seasonal Variation in Nitrogen and Phosphorus Concentrations in the Mekong River at Vientiane

For delineation of current condition and characteristics of the nutrient concentrations in the Mekong River, continuous frequent observation was carried out in the mainstream at Vientiane. The water samples were taken twice a week from April 2002 to December 2005 and were analyzed for nitrogen and phosphorus species. Detailed seasonal variation characteristics which had not been detected by previous monthly observation were revealed by the frequent observation. Overall, the nutrient concentrations were low, possibly owing to lower population density and lower coverage of agricultural land in the upstream of the sampling point. The ammonium-nitrogen concentration, however, showed an increasing trend during the recent decades. The nitrogen concentrations abruptly increased in May, coinciding with the first small rise in the discharge after the low flow period. It is suggested that the first runoff after the dry season took the accumulated nitrogen in the basin and on the river bed to the river, bringing about the abrupt increase in the nitrogen concentrations. After June, the nitrogen concentrations steadily decreased, regardless of the discharge enhancement during the flood season. It is considered that the nitrogen supply after June was diluted by plentiful water during the flood season. On the other hand, the phosphorus concentrations gently increased from April to June and were greatly fluctuated during the flood season. Continuous dilution effects by the plenty of water and occasional larger scale soil erosions during the flood season may account for the variation characteristics of phosphorus concentrations during the flood season.
Holocene Gorge Excavation Linked to Boulder Fan Formation and Frost Weathering in a Norwegian Alpine Periglaciofluvial System

Landform-sediment-process assemblages associated with four gorges and their corresponding downstream boulder fans in the alpine periglaciofluvial system of the Storutla river, Jotunheimen, southern Norway, are described. The potential volume of frost-weathered sediment excavated from the gorges is compared using a sediment-budget approach to calculate the volume of angular sediment within the fans accumulated during the Holocene. Fan volumes represent an estimated 18 to 53% of the total gorge volume. Allowing also for the volume of relatively small caliber material flushed through the system, 24 to 97% of the gorge volume is accounted for by an estimated minimum long-term Holocene rate of gorge excavation of 0.002 to 0.010 m3 m–1 yr–1 (minimum long-term Holocene gorge incision rate of 0.15–0.39 mm yr–1) Most of the remaining gorge volume is attributed to substantial pre-Holocene subglacial gorge incision by meltwater action. These rates of Holocene periglaciofluvial erosion of bedrock appear to exceed those characteristic of temperate fluvial systems unaffected by tectonic uplift. The implied rates of frost weathering (macrogelivation) are less than those under optimum conditions in arctic-alpine environments but support the efficacy of frost weathering in locations susceptible to the annual freeze-thaw cycle.
Evaluation of analytical solute discharge moments using numerical modeling in absolute and relative dispersion frameworks

Two‐dimensional numerical simulations are used to validate the analytical solutions for the solute discharge moments. In addition to the analysis of classical absolute dispersion we also consider relative dispersion whereby plume meandering (deviation from mean flow path caused by velocity variations at scales larger than plume size) is removed. The numerical simulations are used within a Monte Carlo framework to assess the accuracy and robustness of the analytical predictions of the solute discharge moments (mean and variance). Results show that the analytical predictions deviate from the numerical simulations as the log conductivity variance increases. Deviation occurs for the mean as well as the variance of the solute discharge. The absolute dispersion formulation, however, shows better agreement with the numerical simulations than does the relative dispersion for strong heterogeneity and vice versa for small variability. The relative dispersion results, however, depend on the prediction of the ensemble mean of the plume arrival time, which differs between simulations and analytical solution. Using the first‐order analytical estimate for this parameter leads to a much better agreement between the numerical and the analytical results for solute discharge moments in the relative dispersion case.
Vesicular Stomatitis Virus as an Oncolytic Agent against Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

ABSTRACT Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is a promising oncolytic agent against a variety of cancers. However, it has never been tested in any pancreatic cancer model. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is the most common and aggressive form of pancreatic cancer. In this study, the oncolytic potentials of several VSV variants were analyzed in a panel of 13 clinically relevant human PDA cell lines and compared to conditionally replicative adenoviruses (CRAds), Sendai virus and respiratory syncytial virus. VSV variants showed oncolytic abilities superior to those of other viruses, and some cell lines that exhibited resistance to other viruses were successfully killed by VSV. However, PDA cells were highly heterogeneous in their susceptibility to virus-induced oncolysis, and several cell lines were resistant to all tested viruses. Resistant cells showed low levels of very early VSV RNA synthesis, indicating possible defects at initial stages of infection. In addition, unlike permissive PDA cell lines, most of the resistant cell lines were able to both produce and respond to interferon, suggesting that intact type I interferon responses contributed to their resistance phenotype. Four cell lines that varied in their permissiveness to VSV-ΔM51 and CRAd dl1520 were tested in mice, and the in vivo results closely mimicked those in vitro. While our results demonstrate that VSV is a promising oncolytic agent against PDA, further studies are needed to better understand the molecular mechanisms of resistance of some PDAs to oncolytic virotherapy.
Crustal-scale shortening and extension across the Grenville Province of western Québec

A deep seismic reflection survey shot in 1993 crosses almost the full width of the Grenville Province in western Quebec. The seismic transect provides a very clear image of the crust-mantle boundary and the most precise definition to date of the various Grenvillian terranes. The crust is around 44 km thick beneath the Grenville Front but thins rapidly to 36 km some 60 km to the southeast; it is also notable that the greatest crustal thickness of 50 km occurs at the southeast end of the transect, far from the inferred location of the main Grenvillian collision. The Grenville Front zone, in which NW directed thrusting at about 1 Ga was followed by SE directed extension, is defined by discontinuous, SE dipping reflections, which extend down to the Moho. To the southeast, the overlying migmatitic Archean parautochthon, almost half of the transect, is characterised instead by NW dipping reflectors extending into the lower crust. These reflectors are in turn truncated to the southeast by a 12-km-thick zone of intense SE dipping reflections, the Baskatong crustal ramp. The base of the allochthonous terranes (Allochthon Boundary Thrust) is likely located at this ramp, which flattens out at around 30-km depth into the base of the relatively transparent intermediate crust. A highly reflective upper crustal deck corresponding to rocks of the Mont-Laurier terrane was thrust over the Baskatong crustal ramp and is represented further to the northwest by the klippelike Cabonga allochthon. The synformal, transparent Morin anorthosite-charnockite complex belongs to the same upper crustal level. Ramp anticlines and the overriding basal thrust of the upper allochthons demonstrate the NW directed propagation of tectonic transport during the Grenvillian orogeny, involving deformation and displacement along the Baskatong ramp with a relay into the Grenville Front zone. Postaccretional extension appears to have been primarily accommodated along the latter two crustal discontinuities thinning the crust immediately south of the Grenville Front and affecting the crust up to 350 km away from the front.
Fibrosis and cancer: A strained relationship

Tumors are characterized by extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, remodeling, and cross-linking that drive fibrosis to stiffen the stroma and promote malignancy. The stiffened stroma enhances tumor cell growth, survival and migration and drives a mesenchymal transition. A stiff ECM also induces angiogenesis, hypoxia and compromises anti-tumor immunity. Not surprisingly, tumor aggression and poor patient prognosis correlate with degree of tissue fibrosis and level of stromal stiffness. In this review, we discuss the reciprocal interplay between tumor cells, cancer associated fibroblasts (CAF), immune cells and ECM stiffness in malignant transformation and cancer aggression. We discuss CAF heterogeneity and describe its impact on tumor development and aggression focusing on the role of CAFs in engineering the fibrotic tumor stroma and tuning tumor cell tension and modulating the immune response. To illustrate the role of mechanoreciprocity in tumor evolution we summarize data from breast cancer and pancreatic ductal carcinoma (PDAC) studies, and finish by discussing emerging anti-fibrotic strategies aimed at treating cancer. cytoskeletal reorganization. In a fibrotic tumor, the production and remodeling of the ECM is disturbed. CAFs produce increased amounts of ECM, as well as growth factors and enzymes that induce its remodeling and post-translational cross-linking that stiffens and aligns its fibrils to increases its tensile properties, enhance its density and elevate the compressive force experienced by cells within the tissue.
Analysis of surf zone turbulence

Measurements of turbulent kinetic energy k under surf zone waves are analyzed to show how k varies over depth, between breaker point and shoreline, and how k depends on the beach slope. It is found that the variation of k over depth is remarkably weak, large values being measured a few percent of the depth above the bottom. A simple model for the dissipation mechanism makes it possible to derive an empirical formula for the time-averaged k that accurately describes all the data considered reliable.
Frailty and quality of life in elderly primary health care users

Objective: to investigate the association between physical frailty and quality of life in elderly users of primary health care in the capital of the state of Paraná. Method: a cross-sectional, quantitative study with 203 elders. Data collected included: physical activity questionnaires, weight loss, fatigue/exhaustion, quality of life, performance of gait speed tests, and handgrip strength. Results: of the 203 older adults, 115 were pre-frail, 49 were non-frail, and 39 were frail, with a signifi cant association with functional capacity and quality of life in all groups. The dimensions resulting from physical aspects, pain, and vitality were associated with those that were non-frail. Conclusion: in this study, frailty syndrome was inversely proportional to the quality of life, and signifi cantly associated with functional capacity of older adults. Physical frailty is a manageable condition which can be targeted through geriatric nursing interventions. cuestionarios de actividad física, pérdida de peso, fatiga/agotamiento, calidad de vida y pruebas de velocidad de marcha y fuerza de prensión. Resultados: de los 203 ancianos, 115 eran pre-frágiles, 49 no frágiles, 39 frágiles, con asociación signifi cativa de la dimensión capacidad funcional de la calidad de vida en todos los grupos. Las dimensiones limitaciones por “aspectos físicos”, “dolor” y “vitalidad” se asociaron con aquellos no frágiles. Conclusión: en este estudio, el síndrome de fragilidad era inversamente proporcional a la calidad de vida y signifi cativamente asociada con la capacidad funcional de los ancianos. Se entiende que la fragilidad física es una condición manejable y puede ser impactada a través de intervenciones de enfermería geriátrica. Descriptores: Anciano; Anciano Frágil; de Atención de Salud; Enfermería
Very low-grade metamorphism of the Meso-Neoproterozoic and the Lower Paleozoic along the profile from Huangtu-dian to Xianxi in the central-northern part of Hunan Province, China

The Lengjiaxi and Banxi groups of the Meso-Neoproterozoic and the Lower Paleozoic along the profile at Huangtudian-Xianxi of the central-northern Hunan Province, China underwent very low-grade metamorphism. Illite crystallinity (IC) data of the <2 μm fractions range from 0.18-0.21°Δ2θ for the Lengjiaxi Group to 0.19–0.23°Δ2θ for the Banxi Group to 0.20–0.29°Δ2θ for the Sinian to the Lower Paleozoic (Kübler index, corrected with Kisch IC set, 1991). This indicates that the metamorphic grade of the Lengjiaxi Group is in the epizone, the Banxi Group in the epizone-high anchizone, and the Sinian to the Lower Paleozoic mostly in the high anchizone along the profile investigated. The peak metamorphic temperature evaluated is roughly 340–240°C. This result does not agree with the greenschist or subgreenschist facies of the Lengjiaxi and Banxi groups and neither with the lower-greenschist facies or diagenitic zone of the Sinian to the Lower Paleozoic, of which most previous researchers thought. The illites (K-mica) b0 values range from 0.8989–0.9050 nm for the Lengjiaxi Group to 0.8984–0.9037 nm for the Banxi Group to the Lower Paleozoic. Based on the cumulative frequency curves of illite (K-mica) b0, the peak metamorphic pressure of the Banxi Group to the Lower Paleozoic along the profile was derived in a low-intermediate pressure type. Illites occur as 2M1 polytype in the Lengjiaxi and Banxi groups and as 2M1+1 M types in some samples of the Lower Paleozoic. This indicates that the transformation of illite polytype from 1M to 2M1 was fulfilled within the high anchizone.
The effect of maternal Inflammation on foetal programming of metabolic disease

Maternal obesity during pregnancy increases the child's risk of developing obesity and obesity‐related diseases later in life. Key components in foetal programming of metabolic risk remain to be identified; however, chronic low‐grade inflammation associated with obesity might be responsible for metabolic imprinting in the offspring. We have therefore surveyed the literature to evaluate the role of maternal obesity‐induced inflammation in foetal programming of obesity and related diseases. The literature on this topic is limited, so this review also includes animal models where maternal inflammation is mimicked by single injections with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). An LPS challenge results in an immunological response that resembles the obesity‐induced immune profile, although LPS injections provoke a stronger response than the subclinical obesity‐associated response. Maternal LPS or cytokine exposures result in increased adiposity and impaired metabolic homeostasis in the offspring, similar to the phenotype observed after exposure to maternal obesity. The cytokine levels might be specifically important for the metabolic imprinting, as cytokines are both transferable from maternal to foetal circulation and have the capability to modulate placental nutrient transfer. However, the immune response associated with obesity is moderate and therefore potentially weakened by the pregnancy‐driven immune modulation, dominated by anti‐inflammatory Treg and Th2 cells. We know from other low‐grade inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, that pregnancy can improve disease state. If pregnancy is also capable of suppressing the obesity‐associated inflammation, the immunological markers might be less likely to affect metabolic programming in the developing foetus than otherwise implied.
New chondrichthyans from Bartonian-Priabonian levels of Río de Las Minas and Sierra Dorotea, Magallanes Basin, Chilean Patagonia

Here we studied new fossil chondrichthyans from two localities, Rio de Las Minas, and Sierra Dorotea, both in the Magallanes Region, southernmost Chile. In Rio de Las Minas, the upper section of the Priabonian Loreto Formation have yielded material referable to the taxa Megascyliorhinus sp. , Pristiophorus sp. , Rhinoptera sp. , and Callorhinchus sp. In Sierra Dorotea, middle-to-late Eocene levels of the Rio Turbio Formation have provided teeth referable to the taxa Striatolamia macrota (Agassiz), Palaeohypotodus rutoti (Winkler), Squalus aff. weltoni Long, Carcharias sp. , Paraorthacodus sp. , Rhinoptera sp. , and indeterminate Myliobatids. These new records show the presence of common chondrichtyan diversity along most of the Magallanes Basin. The new record of Paraorthacodus sp. and P. rutoti, support the extension of their respective biochrons in the Magallanes Basin and likely in the southeastern Pacific.
Phosphorus Sorption and Lime Requirements of Maize Growing Acid Soils of Kenya

In Kenya, maize (Zea mays L.) is mainly grown on acid soils in high rainfall areas. These soils are known for low available phosphorus (P), partly due to its sorption by aluminium (Al) and iron oxides. The study determined soil P sorption, lime requirements and the effects of lime on soil pH, Al levels and available P on the main maize growing acids soils in the highlands east and west of Rift Valley (RV), Kenya. Burnt lime containing 21% calcium oxide was used. The soils were strongly to extremely acid (pH 4.85-4.07), had high exchangeable Al 3+ (> 2 cmol Al kg -1 ) and Al saturation (> 20% Al), which most maize germplasm grown in Kenya are sensitive to. The base cations, cation exchange capacity and available P (< 10 mg P kg -1 bicarbonate extractable P) were low, except at one site in the highlands east of RV indicative with history of high fertilizer applications. Highlands east of RV soils had higher P sorption (343-402 mg P kg -1 ) than the west (107-258 mg P kg -1 ), probably because of their high Al 3+ ions and also the energies of bonding between the soil colloids and phosphate ions. Highlands east of RV also had higher lime requirements (11.4-21.9 tons lime ha -1 ) than the west (5.3-9.8 tons lime ha -1 ). Due to differences in soil acidity, Al levels and P sorption capacities within and between highlands east and west of RV, blanket P fertilizer and lime recommendations may not serve all soils equally well.
Tephrostratigraphy of An Loch Mór, Inis Oírr, western Ireland: implications for Holocene tephrochronology in the northeastern Atlantic region

Twelve definable cryptotephra layers younger than c. 8600cal. BP are reported from lacustrine core material taken from An Loch Mór, Inis Oírr, Aran Islands, western Ireland. The geochemistry of these shard layers, which represent more Holocene tephras than previously geochemically characterized from any European site outside the proximal volcanic influence of Italy or Iceland, is presented. Of these tephras, four may correlate with known Iceland-derived tephra horizons (Vo 1477, HI, Lairg A and H5); one appears to have two possible named correlatives (Hoy;‘Lairg B’ at Sluggan Bog, N Ireland); another has a plausible correlative (AD 860A); but two others represent Icelandic tephras apparently not previously reported on Iceland itself, including a tephra that has geochemistry very similar to Hl (AD 1104) but which dates to c. cal. AD 840. Four tephras that date from the period c. AD 40-1400 have a distinct geochemical signature that relates to Jan Mayen, 750km to the northeast of Iceland and some 1800km distant from An Loch Mór. The results contribute substantially to the chronology of the sediments from An Loch Mór and, at the international level, to the tephrostratigraphy of the northeast Atlantic region. The well-attested Icelandic H4 tephra (from a Hekla eruption of c. 4260cal. BP) was not recorded; it is suggested that An Loch Mór lies south of its recordable distribution in this part of the northeast Atlantic region. Taken together with work at other sites, the findings point to a wealth of potential tephra isochrons in Holocene deposits of the northeast Atlantic seaboard. It is clear also that calcareous lake sediments can be as fruitful a source of tephras as peats. Potential problems relating to dating and geochemical fingerprinting of tephra layers in individual sites are highlighted with reference to the Lairg tephras as recorded in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and to the Hoy tephra that has been described from Orkney.
Mamíferos de las terrazas del valle del Tajo: primeros datos de micromamíferos del Pleistoceno en Toledo (España central)

This paper deals with the first data on small mammals from Buenavista lnferior and Salchicha Inferior, two new sites on the Tagus river terraces in the area around Toledo. The authors also undertake a synthesis on the large mammals from the classical sites of this area. Biostratigraphically, the oldest mammal site is Salto de la Zorra (on the TT6 terrace, at + 7517-1) correponding to the Lower Pleistocene. The Valdelobos Superior site flT7 terrace, at +60m) can be placed on the transition from the Lower to the Middle Pleistocene. The following sites: Polkono Industrial of Toledo, Campo de Tiro, Buenavista Inferior and Salchicha Inferior, placed on the TT9 terrace (at +40m), correspond to the Middle Pleistocene. The Pinedo site, placed on the TTlO terrace (at +25-30m), also belongs to the Middle Pleistocene but with a rnore recent age than the aforenamed sites. Finally, the Arenero de Valdelobos site, placed on the TT72 terrace (at +4-9m), corresponds to the Upper Pleistonce. Almost al1 the mammal associations from these sites of the Lower and the Middle Pleistocene suggest an environment with some wooded areas and also some open areas. The climate would be mild. From the Middle Pleistocene, only the rnore recent mammal association of Pinedo suggests a rnore wooded environment or at least with rnore vegetation, and a relatively warmer and more humid climate than the actual in the Meseta. Finally, the Upper Pleistocene Arenero de Valdelobos mammal association is characteristical of steppe.