Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intercomparison of Remote Sensing Retrievals: An Examination of Prior-Induced Biases in Averaging Kernel Corrections

In remote sensing applications, Optimal Estimation (OE) retrievals are sometimes compared to independent OE retrievals of the same process. This intercomparison is often done in instrument validation, where retrievals are compared with data from a separate validation instrument, and it is sometimes done in data assimilation, where data from multiple instruments need to be adjusted to the “same footing. ” In these cases, the two different retrievals are compared using an adjustment that is colloquially known as the averaging kernel correction. A general misconception in the existing literature is that this averaging kernel correction removes any bias introduced by prior misspecification by either (or both) of the two comparative OE retrievals. In this paper, we will analytically show that this is not the case and the averaging kernel correction process implicitly “shifts” both OE retrievals to a common comparison prior. We will also show that there is generally a non-zero bias that is proportional to the difference between this comparison prior mean and the true (but unobserved) mean state, which has large implications for retrieval validation and data assimilation in remote sensing. Finally, to better characterize OE retrievals and retrieval intercomparisons, we will make some recommendations for mitigating this prior-induced bias in intercomparison of OE retrievals.
Missing Pixel Reconstruction on Landsat 8 Analysis Ready Data Land Surface Temperature Image Patches Using Source-Augmented Partial Convolution

Missing pixels is a common issue in satellite images. Taking Landsat 8 Analysis Ready Data (ARD) Land Surface Temperature (LST) image as an example, the Source-Augmented Partial Convolution v2 model (SAPC2) is developed to reconstruct missing pixels in the target LST image with the assistance of a collocated complete source image. SAPC2 utilizes the partial convolution enabled U-Net as its framework and accommodates the source into the framework by: (1) performing the shared partial convolution on both the source and the target in encoders; and (2) merging the source and the target by using the partial merge layer to create complete skip connection images for the corresponding decoders. The optimized SAPC2 shows superior performance to four baseline models (i.e., SAPC1, SAPC2-OPC, SAPC2-SC, and STS-CNN) in terms of nine validation metrics. For example, the masked MSE of SAPC2 is 7%, 20%, 44%, and 59% lower than that of the four baseline models. On the six scrutinized cases, the repaired target images generated by SAPC2 have the fewest artifacts near the mask boundary and the best recovery of color scales and fine textures compared with the four baseline models.
Net protein balance correlates with expression of autophagy, mitochondrial biogenesis, and fat metabolism‐related genes in skeletal muscle from older adults

The mechanisms leading to sarcopenia, the main cause for frailty in older adults, are still unclear. Autophagy and the ubiquitin‐proteasome system (UPS) may play a role in mediating muscle protein breakdown related to sarcopenia. In addition to loss of muscle mass, compromised muscle performance observed in sarcopenic patients has been linked to muscle mitochondria dysfunction. Increased fat deposition and fat cell infiltration in muscle frequently seen in skeletal muscle of older adults may play an additional role for the pathogenesis of sarcopenia. Therefore, the first objective of this study was to understand differences in expression of genes related to autophagy, UPS, mitochondrial biogenesis, and fat metabolism in skeletal muscle of older adults compared with young adults. Our second objective was to determine the correlation between whole body protein kinetics (WBPK) and gene expression with age. Real‐time quantitative PCR was used to determine the relative expression of targeted genes, and hierarchical regression analysis was used to determine if age had a moderating effect on the correlation between expression of targeted genes and WBPK. Increases in the expression of autophagy‐related genes and fat metabolism‐related genes were observed in muscle of older adults compared with young adults. In addition, age enhanced the negative correlations between mitochondrial biogenesis genes and net protein balance. These results suggest that dysregulated gene expression of mitochondrial biogenesis could play a role in muscle loss in older adults.
Somite segmentation in amphibian embryos: is there a transmitted control mechanism?

In all vertebrate embryos, somite segmentation begins in the occipital region and proceeds from here caudally with remarkable regularity. The segmentation pattern and the shape, size and number of somites formed are constant for each species, and it appears as if some quite complex mechanism must control their development. That this control mechanism must be versatile as well as precise is shown, for instance, by the fact that haploid newts have a larger number of cells per somite than the normal diploid, while polyploids have smaller numbers of somite cells than normal, so that the somite sizes are very nearly the same in all cases: the number of somites per embryo is also always the same as in the diploid (Fankhauser, 1945). Further, when mesoderm is either added to or excised from the somite region of the archenteron roof experimentally (Waddington & Deuchar, 1953), there is regulation so that the overall shape of the somites remains nearly normal, and again, their number per embryo is unchanged from that typical of the species.
Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine In Vitro Antiplasmodial and Cytotoxic Activities of Ethanol Extracts of Apical Stem of Phyllanthus amarus Schum

The in vitro antiplasmodial and cytotoxic activities of ethanol extracts from whole plant, fresh apical stems and calli from fresh apical stem of Phyllanthus amarus cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with indole-butyric acid (IBA)/benzylaminopurine (BAP) 1:1, 1:2, 1:4 and 1:4, IBA/BAP/mannitol 1:1:0.5%, IBA/BAP/mannitol: 2% for three months were evaluated. Results indicated that all ethanol extracts showed an in vitro antiplasmodial activity at different extends. The most active ethanol extract was that from callus cultivated with IBA/BAP/ mannitol 1:1:05% (IC50 < 0.19 μg/ml). The ethanol whole plant and intact apical stem extracts exhibited an activity with IC50 values of 2.5 ± 0.4 and 8.2 ± 1.9 μg/ml, respectively. Quercetin, lupeol and ellagic acid displayed an antiplasmodial activity with IC50 values of 3.2 ± 0.6, 8.3 ± 1.4 and 0.07 ± 0.02 μg/ml, respectively. All ethanol extracts and isolated compounds were considered to be non cytotoxic against MT-4 cell lines growth (CC50 > 32 μg/ml).
Food availability as a determinant of pairing behaviour in the European robin

1. Male and female European robins, Erithacus rubecula, defended separate territories from August to January. Pairs formed between January and March. 2. The benefits of early pairing were twofold: first, as 20% of males failed to pair there was strong competition for females; second, although pairing was initially costly in terms of individual foraging success, bachelors invested more time advertising in the long term. 3. Birds on individual territories encountered large food items more frequently than those on pair territories. This decrease in foraging success within pairs was identified as a cost of territory sharing. 4. To test the hypothesis that food availability underlies the defence of individual territories in winter, and the timing of switches to pair territoriality, I manipulated food supply and recorded individual behaviour. 5. Compared to controls, males provided with extra food were forced to repel intruders more frequently, yet advertised for mates earlier and paired earlier. 6. Pair members whose supplementary food supply was temporarily withdrawn spent less time consorting than controls. This suggests that an elevated food supply helped individuals to afford the costs of sharing their food resources, and thus to pair and lay clutches early. 7. The influence of food supply and territoriality on population density and social behaviour is discussed.
Solvent Extraction Studies for the Separation of Trivalent Actinides from Lanthanides with a Triazole-functionalized 1,10-phenanthroline Extractant

ABSTRACT A new N-atom donor extractant 2,9-bis(1-(2-ethylhexyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-1,10-phenanthroline (EH-BTzPhen) was synthesized and used in solvent extraction studies to separate the trivalent minor actinide americium(III) and curium(III) from europium(III), representing fission product lanthanides. The extractant was found to be soluble in 1-octanol and in the Aliquat-336 nitrate ([A336][NO3]) ionic liquid diluent, but insoluble in n-dodecane. The [A336][NO3] is a fully incinerable room temperature ionic liquid, and has a higher flash point than aliphatic diluents such as 1-octanol. The EH-BTzPhen proved to be effective for selective minor actinide extraction only in combination with 2-bromohexanoic acid synergist when 1-octanol was used as a diluent (SF Am/Eu > 200). The change of the diluent from 1-octanol to Aliquat-336 nitrate allowed selective An(III) extraction from low acidity feed solutions without the need of a synergist (SF Am/Eu ~ 70 and SF Am/Cm ~ 1.9–2.2). The phase transfer kinetics of the ligand-metal complexes is however very slow at 22 °C in the case of both solvents. With this newly synthesized extractant, the achieved SF Am/Cm was comparable to the values achieved with the established CyMe4BTBP and CyMe4BTPhen extractants.
On nano polypyrrole and carbon nano tube reinforced PVDF for 3D printing applications: Rheological, thermal, electrical, mechanical, morphological characterization

The nano polypyrrole (PPy) and carbon nano tubes (CNT) are known for their excellent charge carrying capacities, thermal stability, conductivity and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) for their inherent piezoelectricity and biocompatibility. The mechanical blending of these materials to form a feedstock filament can be an excellent input for the 3D printing of customized sensors for biomedical applications. But hitherto little has been reported on rheological, thermal, electrical, mechanical and morphological properties of PPy/CNT reinforced PVDF especially for 3D printing of customized sensors. In this study, the twin screw compounding has been used to prepare feedstock filaments of PVDF, PVDF-2.5%CNT, PVDF-2.5%PPy and PVDF-2.5% (CNT + PPy) to explore feasibility of sensor 3D printing for biomedical applications. Further, the feedstock filaments were subjected to thermal, mechanical, morphological investigations. The results of study show that addition of PPy and CNT in PVDF matrix has improved the specific heat capacity, elongation and charge capacity significantly.
The remarkable larval anatomy of Proceratophrys minuta Napoli, Cruz, Abreu and Del‐Grande, 2011 (Amphibia: Anura: Odontophrynidae)

The free living larvae of anurans (i.e., tadpoles) are a key element in the evolution and diversification of this group, and as such, their morphology is an important element to understand the phylogenetic relationships of frogs. However, the lack of data on larval morphology prevents us from fully understanding larval evolution in several lineages. The Neotropical genus Proceratophrys currently comprises 39 species, but descriptions of the internal morphology of larvae in this group are rare and restricted to few aspects of their buccopharyngeal cavity, chondrocranium, and muscles. In the present study, I describe the internal anatomy of the tadpole of P. minuta and report a new remarkable myological character state for the species. Given the rarity of this material, the description of this species' buccopharyngeal and musculo‐skeletal elements is based on two tadpoles in developmental stages 30 and 31. Several new apomorphic character states are described: (a) the presence of a conical papilla in the interior of the nostril; (b) a row of five short, conical papilla preceding the tall, postnarial papilla; and (c) the m. mandibulolabialis inserting in the gular skin. This latter feature is a remarkable, newly discovered character state that had never been reported in the literature before and is probably related to a particular feeding habit of the tadpoles of this species. The function of the m. mandibulolabialis in P. minuta is unknown.
Behavioural Understanding of Hospital Service Quality: Organisational Learning and Organisational Innovativeness

This study aims to identify the effect between organizational learning and service quality in public hospitals. The theoretical framework is derived based on Behavioral Theory of Firm by Cyert and March (1963) and Donabedian's Healthcare Quality Model. Service quality is discussed as endogenous construct. The Schwandt's organizational learning system model is evaluated as exogenous construct. The unit of analysis consists of clinical and clinical support departments with a sample size of 221 from 23 public hospitals in Peninsula Malaysia. Patients' perception on the departments' service quality is evaluated, and organizational learning and organizational innovativeness are assessed by the department heads in public hospitals. Patients' response data from 884 were aggregated to match the 221 responses of the department head. Structural equation modeling with AMOS and SPSS was applied to analyze data. Findings reveal that all hypotheses are supported. Organizational innovativeness shows a partial mediating effect between learning activity and service quality, and between performing actions and service quality. Service quality provides the organizational performance feedback to improve the learning activity for the human resource development. Thus, this study implies that the need for human resource development is imperative in contributing towards service performance to patients in the public hospitals.
Geographic variation, phylogeny and systematic status of Gracilinanus microtarsus (Mammalia: Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae)

The gracile mouse opossum Gracilinanus microtarsus occurs mainly along the Atlantic forest of eastern and southern Brazil. Earlier studies revealed high levels of genetic divergence among samples across its range. Here, we analyzed the congruence of geographic variation between molecular and morphological characters to evaluate whether the populations that have been segregated by molecular divergence represent more than one species, as previously suggested. We examined 195 specimens of G. microtarsus, 94 of G. agilis, and 12 of Cryptonanus sp. , and inferred a phylogeny based on 25 discrete morphological characters. We compared this result with a phylogeny based on partial cytochrome b sequences of 27 specimens. The monophyly of the genus, and of both G. microtarsus and G. agilis were corroborated by morphological and molecular analyses. The molecular phylogeny recovered three clades, and the morphological data indicated three distinct lineages, which also segregated in morphometric space, indicating the possibility of occurrence of three cryptic species within what is currently identified as G. microtarsus. However, morphological and molecular phylogenies were not completely congruent, and the morphological classification of the specimens included in the molecular analysis resulted in a paraphyletic group in the molecular phylogeny. Hence, our results suggest that G. microtarsus represents one species, diagnosable by morphological and molecular characters, showing strong morphological and molecular variation throughout its distributional range.
VMP360: Adaptive 360° Video Streaming Based on Optical Flow Estimated QoE

Containing full panoramic content in a single frame and providing immersive experience for users, 360° video has attracted great attention in industry and academia. Viewport-driven tiling schemes have been introduced in 360° video processing to provide high-quality video streaming. However, treating viewport as traditional streaming screen results in frequently rebuffer or quality distortion, leading to poor Quality of Experience (QoE) of schemes. In this paper, we propose Viewpoint Movement Perception 360° Video Streaming (VMP360), an adaptive 360° video streaming system that utilizes unique factors of 360° video perception quality of users to improve the overall QoE. By studying the relative moving speed and depth difference between the viewpoint and other content, the system evaluates the perceived quality distortion based on optical flow estimation. Taking QoE into account, a novel 360° video quality evaluation metric is defined as Optical-flow-based Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (OPSNR). Appling OPSNR to tiling process, VMP360 proposes a versatile-size tiling scheme, and further Reinforcement Learning (RL) is used to realize the Adaptive Bit Rate (ABR) selection of tiles. VMP360 is evaluated through the client-server streaming system with two prior schemes Pano and Plato. Statistics show that the proposed scheme can improve the quality of 360° video by 10.1% while maintaining same rebuffer ratio compared with the Pano and Plato, which confirms that VMP360 can provide a promising high QoE for 360° video streaming. The code of a prototype can be found in https://github.com/buptexplorers/OFB-VR.
Involvement of the Cell Wall Integrity Pathway of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in Protection against Cadmium and Arsenate Stresses

Environmental pollution by metal/metalloids such as cadmium and arsenic has become a serious problem in many countries, especially in developing countries. This study shows that in the yeast S. cerevisiae, the CWI pathway plays a protective role against cadmium and arsenate through the upregulation of genes involved in cell wall biosynthesis and cell cycle control, possibly in order to modulate cell wall reconstruction and cell cycle phase transition, respectively. These data provide insights into molecular mechanisms underlying adaptive responses to cadmium and arsenate. ABSTRACT Contamination of soil and water with heavy metals and metalloids is a serious environmental problem. Cadmium and arsenic are major environmental contaminants that pose a serious threat to human health. Although toxicities of cadmium and arsenic to living organisms have been extensively studied, the molecular mechanisms of cellular responses to cadmium and arsenic remain poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that the cell wall integrity (CWI) pathway is involved in coping with cell wall stresses induced by cadmium and arsenate through its role in the regulation of cell wall modification. Interestingly, the Rlm1p and SBF (Swi4p-Swi6p) complex transcription factors of the CWI pathway were shown to be specifically required for tolerance to cadmium and arsenate, respectively. Furthermore, we found the PIR2 gene, encoding cell wall O-mannosylated heat shock protein, whose expression is under the control of the CWI pathway, is important for maintaining cell wall integrity during cadmium and arsenate stresses. In addition, our results revealed that the CWI pathway is involved in modulating the expression of genes involved in cell wall biosynthesis and cell cycle control in response to cadmium and arsenate via distinct sets of transcriptional regulators. IMPORTANCE Environmental pollution by metal/metalloids such as cadmium and arsenic has become a serious problem in many countries, especially in developing countries. This study shows that in the yeast S. cerevisiae, the CWI pathway plays a protective role against cadmium and arsenate through the upregulation of genes involved in cell wall biosynthesis and cell cycle control, possibly in order to modulate cell wall reconstruction and cell cycle phase transition, respectively. These data provide insights into molecular mechanisms underlying adaptive responses to cadmium and arsenate.
Biological and physical factors affecting the colonization of vegetation-free patches in a SW Atlantic salt marsh

In many Northern Hemisphere salt marshes, recovery of disturbance-generated bare areas usually occurs within a few years. However, in some southwestern Atlantic marshes, bare patches may remain unchanged for several years. Here we investigated biological and physical factors that might affect bare patch colonization in a Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon salt marsh (Argentina). We evaluated natural seedling emergence of the pioneer pickleweed plant Sarcocornia perennis, considering distance to mature plants and the herbivory/bioturbation exerted by the crab Neohelice granulata (using exclosures). Almost no seedling emergence was observed in patches distant from mature plants, while higher emergence resulted in close patches. Crab exclusion did not affect seedling counts. Nevertheless, most of these seedlings did not survive high-temperature months. We analyzed if colonization was favored by increasing the availability of S. perennis seeds, and we found similar seedling emergence in patches both close and distant to mature plants. As in the previous experiment, most of them did not survive the high-temperature months, but some seedlings could establish within crab exclosures. Finally, we used a shade cloth to reduce solar radiation, but this did not increase seedling survival, which was only favored in crab exclosures. In summary, our results suggest that seed availability, followed by the presence of crabs (but not solar radiation), affect the rate of patch recovery. Additionally, our results show that life-history traits (seed ecology) of the colonizer can be a key and are a usually overlooked driver of salt marsh secondary succession.
Restriction of Dietary Phosphate Ameliorates Skeletal Abnormalities in a Mouse Model for Craniometaphyseal Dysplasia

Craniometaphyseal dysplasia (CMD), a rare genetic bone disorder, is characterized by lifelong progressive thickening of craniofacial bones and metaphyseal flaring of long bones. The autosomal dominant form of CMD is caused by mutations in the progressive ankylosis gene ANKH (mouse ortholog Ank), encoding a pyrophosphate (PPi) transporter. We previously reported reduced formation and function of osteoblasts and osteoclasts in a knockin (KI) mouse model for CMD (AnkKI/KI) and in CMD patients. We also showed rapid protein degradation of mutant ANK/ANKH. Mutant ANK protein displays reduced PPi transport, which may alter the inorganic phosphate (Pi) and PPi ratio, an important regulatory mechanism for bone mineralization. Here we investigate whether reducing dietary Pi intake can ameliorate the CMD‐like skeletal phenotype by comparing male and female Ank+/+ and AnkKI/KI mice exposed to a low (0.3%) and normal (0.7%) Pi diet for 13 weeks from birth. Serum Pi and calcium (Ca) levels were not significantly changed by diet, whereas PTH and 25‐hydroxy vitamin D (25‐OHD) were decreased by low Pi diet but only in male Ank+/+ mice. Importantly, the 0.3% Pi diet significantly ameliorated mandibular hyperostosis in both sexes of AnkKI/KI mice. A tendency of decreased femoral trabeculation was observed in male and female Ank+/+ mice as well as in male AnkKI/KI mice fed with the 0.3% Pi diet. In contrast, in female AnkKI/KI mice the 0.3% Pi diet resulted in increased metaphyseal trabeculation. This was also the only group that showed increased bone formation rate. Low Pi diet led to increased osteoclast numbers and increased bone resorption in all mice. We conclude that lowering but not depleting dietary Pi delays the development of craniofacial hyperostosis in CMD mice without severely compromising serum levels of Pi, Ca, PTH, and 25‐OHD. These findings may have implications for better clinical care of patients with CMD. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.