Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Background error covariance estimation for atmospheric CO2 data assimilation

In any data assimilation framework, the background error covariance statistics play the critical role of filtering the observed information and determining the quality of the analysis. For atmospheric CO2 data assimilation, however, the background errors cannot be prescribed via traditional forecast or ensemble‐based techniques as these fail to account for the uncertainties in the carbon emissions and uptake, or for the errors associated with the CO2 transport model. We propose an approach where the differences between two modeled CO2 concentration fields, based on different but plausible CO2 flux distributions and atmospheric transport models, are used as a proxy for the statistics of the background errors. The resulting error statistics: (1) vary regionally and seasonally to better capture the uncertainty in the background CO2 field, and (2) have a positive impact on the analysis estimates by allowing observations to adjust predictions over large areas. A state‐of‐the‐art four‐dimensional variational (4D‐VAR) system developed at the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is used to illustrate the impact of the proposed approach for characterizing background error statistics on atmospheric CO2 concentration estimates. Observations from the Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite “IBUKI” (GOSAT) are assimilated into the ECMWF 4D‐VAR system along with meteorological variables, using both the new error statistics and those based on a traditional forecast‐based technique. Evaluation of the four‐dimensional CO2 fields against independent CO2 observations confirms that the performance of the data assimilation system improves substantially in the summer, when significant variability and uncertainty in the fluxes are present.
Composition, Properties and Nutritional Aspects of Milk Fat Globule Membrane - a Review

Composition, Properties and Nutritional Aspects of Milk Fat Globule Membrane - a Review In the last few years, knowledge on the composition and properties of the milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) increased significantly. It is now recognized that the MFGM is highly complex in structure and composed of different protein and lipid components with specific technological and nutritional properties. As such, MFGM materials have been isolated and characterized as valuable ingredients for incorporation into new food products. However, MFGM are also sensitive to modification during isolation and processing, and care should be taken to standardize the composition and characteristics of the membrane to maintain its unique properties during application in food products. The MFGM is subject to changes in composition and structure from the moment the fat globule leaves the mammary secretory cell. Upon milk harvesting and further milk handling, further changes to the MFGM take place. Depending on the type and degree of treatment, this may involve different physico-chemical interactions between various membrane components, the loss of membrane components and/or adsorption of components from the milk plasma. However, the effects appear to be variable and dependent on physiological (animal) factors, and much remains to be learned about the phenomena on a molecular level.
A Novel Approach for Tracking of a Mobile Node Based on Particle Filter and Trilateration

This paper evaluates the performance of a novel algorithm for tracking of a mobile node, interms of execution time and root mean square error (RMSE). Particle Filter algorithm is used to track the mobile node, however a new technique in particle filter algorithm is also proposed to reduce the execution time. The stationary points were calculated through trilateration and finally by averaging the number of points collected for a specific time, whereas tracking is done through trilateration as well as particle filter algorithm. Wi-Fi signal is used to get initial guess of the position of mobile node in x-y coordinates system. Commercially available software “Wireless Mon” was used to read the WiFi signal strength from the WiFi card. Visual C++ version 6 was used to interact with this software to read only the required data from the log-file generated by “Wireless Mon” software. Results are evaluated through mathematical modeling and MATLAB simulation. Keywords—Particle Filter, Tracking, Wireless Local Area Network, WiFi, Trilateration
Distinctive features of the two classes of eukaryotic peptide deformylases.

Peptide deformylases (PDFs) are essential enzymes of the N-terminal protein processing pathway of eubacteria. The recent discovery of two types of PDFs in higher plants, PDF1A and PDF1B, and the detection of PDF1A in humans, have raised questions concerning the importance of deformylation in eukaryotes. Here, we have characterized fully in vitro and compared the properties of the two classes of eukaryotic PDFs, PDF1A and PDF1B, using the PDFs from Arabidopsis thaliana and Lycopersicon esculentum. We have shown that the PDFs of a given class (1A or 1B) all display similar features, independently of their origin. We also observed similar specificity of all plant PDFs for natural substrate peptides, but identified a number of biochemical differences between the two classes (1A or 1B). The main difference lies at the level of the bound cofactor, iron for PDF1B-like bacterial PDFs, and zinc for PDF1A. The nature of the metal cation has important consequences concerning the relative sensitivity to oxygen of the two plant PDFs. Investigation of the specificity of these enzymes with unusual substrates revealed additional differences between the two types of PDFs, enabling us to identify specific inhibitors with a lower affinity against PDF1As. However, the two plant PDFs were inhibited equally strongly in vitro by actinonin, an antibiotic that specifically acts on bacterial PDFs. Uptake of actinonin by A. thaliana seedlings was used to investigate the function of PDFs in the plant. Because it induces an albino phenotype, we conclude that deformylation is likely to play an essential role in the chloroplast.
A Guide to Improving the Care of Patients with Fragility Fractures, Edition 2

Over the past 4 decades, much has been learned about the pathophysiology and treatment of osteoporosis, the prevention of fragility fractures, and the perioperative management of patients who have these debilitating injuries. However, the volume of published literature on this topic is staggering and far too voluminous for any clinician to review and synthesize by him or herself. This manuscript thoroughly summarizes the latest research on fragility fractures and provides the reader with valuable strategies to optimize the prevention and management of these devastating injuries. The information contained in this article will prove invaluable to any health care provider or health system administrator who is involved in the prevention and management of fragility hip fractures. As providers begin to gain a better understanding of the principles espoused in this article, it is our hope that they will be able to use this information to optimize the care they provide for elderly patients who are at risk of or who have osteoporotic fractures.
Recursion theory on orderings. I. A model theoretic setting

In [6], Metakides and Nerode introduced the study of the lattice of recursively enumerable substructures of a recursively presented model as a means to understand the recursive content of certain algebraic constructions. For example, the lattice of recursively enumerable subspaces, , of a recursively presented vector space V∞ has been studied by Kalantari, Metakides and Nerode, Retzlaff, Remmel and Shore. Similar studies have been done by Remmel [12], [13] for Boolean algebras and by Metakides and Nerode [9] for algebraically closed fields. In all of these models, the algebraic closure of a set is nontrivial. (The formal definition of the algebraic closure of a set S, denoted cl(S), is given in §1, however in vector spaces, cl(S) is just the subspace generated by S, in Boolean algebras, cl(S) is just the subalgebra generated by S, and in algebraically closed fields, cl(S) is just the algebraically closed subfield generated by S. ) In this paper, we give a general model theoretic setting (whose precise definition will be given in §1) in which we are able to give constructions which generalize many of the constructions of classical recursion theory. One of the main features of the models which we study is that the algebraic closure of set is just itself, i.e., cl(S) = S. Examples of such models include the natural numbers under equality 〈N, = 〉, the rational numbers under the usual ordering 〈Q, ≤〉, and a large class of n-dimensional partial orderings.
A genomic portrait of the genetic architecture and regulatory impact of microRNA expression in response to infection

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critical regulators of gene expression, and their role in a wide variety of biological processes, including host antimicrobial defense, is increasingly well described. Consistent with their diverse functional effects, miRNA expression is highly context dependent and shows marked changes upon cellular activation. However, the genetic control of miRNA expression in response to external stimuli and the impact of such perturbations on miRNA-mediated regulatory networks at the population level remain to be determined. Here we assessed changes in miRNA expression upon Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and mapped expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) in dendritic cells from a panel of healthy individuals. Genome-wide expression profiling revealed that ∼40% of miRNAs are differentially expressed upon infection. We find that the expression of 3% of miRNAs is controlled by proximate genetic factors, which are enriched in a promoter-specific histone modification associated with active transcription. Notably, we identify two infection-specific response eQTLs, for miR-326 and miR-1260, providing an initial assessment of the impact of genotype-environment interactions on miRNA molecular phenotypes. Furthermore, we show that infection coincides with a marked remodeling of the genome-wide relationships between miRNA and mRNA expression levels. This observation, supplemented by experimental data using the model of miR-29a, sheds light on the role of a set of miRNAs in cellular responses to infection. Collectively, this study increases our understanding of the genetic architecture of miRNA expression in response to infection, and highlights the wide-reaching impact of altering miRNA expression on the transcriptional landscape of a cell.
Comparison with Various Parts of Broussonetia papyrifera as to the Antinociceptive and Anti-Inflammatory Activities in Rodents

This study compared the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of various parts of Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) L’Herit. ex Vent. (BP, Moraceae) by chemical-induced pain and inflammation in rodents. All BP parts (1 and 2 g/kg, p.o.) effectively inhibited writhing responses induced by 1% acetic acid. The BP radix, leaf, and fruit effectively inhibited the late-phase licking responses caused by 1% formalin. But only the BP radix and fruit reduced the edema induced by 1% carrageenan at 1–2 h. Furthermore, the BP radix reduced the abdominal Evan’s blue extravasations caused by inflammatory mediators, including serotonin and sodium nitroprusside. Finally, the radix had the highest contents of betulin and betulinic acid among all BP parts. In conclusion, the radix is the better medicinal BP part possessing antinociceptive and antiinflammatory effects, and its anti-inflammatory effects are partially related to the inhibition of vascular permeability via autocrines and nitric oxide.
A New Core and Delta Detection for Fingerprints Using the Extended Relation Graph

A new detection methodology for both of the core and the delta of the fingerprint using the extended relational graph is presented. This paper shows the way to detect both of the core loop and the delta loop from the extended relational graph, which we proposed in order to summarize the global feature of the fingerprint ridge pattern distribution. The experimental results for 180 fingerprint samples show that the processing time is ranging from 0.34 [sec] to 0.44 [sec] for each fingerprint image by using Pentium 4 1.8 GHz Processor. In our experiments, the core and the delta were successfully extracted in 94.4% of the 180 samples.
A Comparison of Assessment Methods of Hand Activity and Force for Use in Calculating the ACGIH® Hand Activity Level (HAL) TLV®

This article compares several methods that were used for determining hand activity level and force in a large prospective ergonomics study. The first goal of this analysis was to determine the degree of correlation between hand activity/ force ratings using different assessment methods. The second goal was to determine if the hand activity/force methods were functionally equivalent for the purpose of calculating the ACGIH® hand activity level (HAL) threshold limit value (TLV®). A final goal was to investigate reasons for potential differences between methods. More than 700 task analyses were conducted on 484 workers at three study locations. Hand activity was assessed by two methods, including a trained observer on site using a 10-point visual analog scale for hand activity level and by offsite video analysis of the same task to calculate the frequency of exertions and the work/recovery ratio. Hand force was assessed by two on-site methods: ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) using a modified Borg CR-10 scale by a trained observer and RPE by the worker performing the task. The two methods for assessing hand activity level were correlated (Spearman rank = 0.49) and produced main TLV result categories (below Action Limit, Action Limit, TLV) with percent of exact agreement ranging from 71 to 91% and weighted Kappa ranging from 0.61 to 0.75. The two RPE methods for assessing hand force were correlated (Spearman rank ranging from 0.47 to 0.69) and produced TLVs with percent of exact agreement ranging from 64 to 83% and weighted Kappa ranging from 0.52 to 0.62. Differences between methods may be explained by a number of task and subject variables that were significantly associated with higher levels of hand activity and force. In summary, this study found substantial agreement between two methods for assessing hand activity level and moderate agreement between two methods for assessing hand force.
Comparison of body composition assessment methods in patients with human immunodeficiency virus-associated wasting receiving growth hormone.

CONTEXT Bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS) and skinfold anthropometry (SKF) have been used to monitor body composition among patients with HIV wasting; however, validation of these techniques during recombinant human GH (rhGH) treatment has not been performed. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to evaluate the degree of agreement between criterion measurements of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and those of BIS and SKF in patients with HIV wasting treated with rhGH. DESIGN AND SETTING We conducted a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, two-period crossover trial at the University of Toronto and Mount Sinai Hospital (Toronto, Canada). PATIENTS A referred sample of 27 community-dwelling men with HIV-associated weight loss (> or =10% over preceding 12 months) despite optimal antiretroviral therapy participated in the study. INTERVENTION Intervention was one daily injection of rhGH (6 mg) or placebo self-administered for 3 months in a crossover fashion with a 3-month washout. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Fat-free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM) were measured by BIS, SKF, and DXA before and after rhGH and placebo treatment. RESULTS FFM(BIS) was not significantly different from FFM(DXA) after rhGH treatment (P = 0.10). Mean differences (bias +/- sd) according to Bland-Altman analysis were smaller for SKF than for BIS (P < 0.05) at all time points, yet treatment-induced change in FM was better detected with BIS than with SKF. BIS estimates of FFM and FM showed better agreement with those of DXA after rhGH treatment (1.6 +/- 4.6 kg and -2.1 +/- 3.9 kg) compared with baseline (3.8 +/- 3.5 kg and -4.1 +/- 3.6 kg) and placebo (2.7 +/- 4.4 kg and -3.1 +/- 4.6) (P < 0.05). BIS overestimated and SKF underestimated the treatment-induced changes in FFM and FM. CONCLUSIONS SKF was more accurate than BIS when measuring body composition in patients with HIV wasting before and after rhGH treatment; nonetheless, the accuracy of BIS increased after treatment. Change in FM because of treatment was not accurately assessed with SKF.
Problems created in attenuation corrected SPECT images by artifacts in the attenuation maps

Attenuation of photons is a well recognized problem in SPECT, leading to artifacts and inaccuracies in reconstructed images. Most of the correction methods available in clinics use attenuation maps obtained with different transmission scanning systems. However, when maps are inaccurate this procedure may introduce artifacts to the final images which are difficult to identify, but which could inadvertently alter diagnosis and study outcome. The objective of this study was to investigate the issues of quality of the attenuation map and the effects that map artifacts may have on the attenuation corrected emission images. The investigated topics were related to the problem of low transmission counts, the cross-talk contributions from emission isotope, truncation of the transmission data and the methods of map reconstruction, segmentation and scaling. Examples of patient studies displaying particular problems guided our investigation and simulations were used in the analysis. Attenuation maps and final emission images were visually checked for artifacts and for presence of perfusion defects. Quantitative evaluation of map uniformity and defect visibility and size variations was performed.
Radiation proctitis: a decade's experience.

INTRODUCTION Pelvic radiotherapy is an essential component of potentially curative therapy for many pelvic malignancies; however, the rectum consequently often sustains collateral injury. METHODS The researchers retrieved patient data that was prospectively gathered over a ten-year period between January 1995 and December 2004. The relevant details, including gender, age, pelvic pathology for which radiotherapy was administered, the presenting symptoms, the interval between radiotherapy and the onset of symptoms, the mode of diagnosis, treatments received, length of hospital stay and duration of follow-up, were analysed. RESULTS During the period under review, 77 patients were admitted for the treatment of radiation proctitis, with a median follow-up period of 14 (range 1-61) months. There were 23 male and 54 female patients, with a median age of 63.9 (range 37-89) years. The most common underlying cancers were gynaecological (63.6 percent), prostate (18.2 percent) and colorectal (15.6 percent) cancer. The most common presenting symptom was bleeding per rectum (89.6 percent), with a change in bowel habits a distant second (10.4 percent). The median latent period between the completion of radiotherapy and the onset of symptoms was 24 (range 3-68) months. The majority of the patients (72.5 percent) received non-surgical treatment, most commonly using topical 4 percent formalin solution to arrest the bleeding, with more than half the patients requiring repeat treatments. 14 (18.2 percent) patients required colorectal resections for intractable bleeding, intestinal obstruction or intra-abdominal sepsis. CONCLUSION Radiation proctitis can be a therapeutic challenge, even in the most experienced hands. The majority of patients who present with per rectal bleeding can be treated using topical modalities, while surgery may offer the only chance of relief from life-threatening symptoms.
The Nonconforming Point Interpolation Method Applied to Electromagnetic Problems

Nonconforming point interpolation method (NPIM) is a meshless method that has been applied to problems in mechanics in the last years. In this paper, we investigate NPIM in electromagnetism. We present its formulation and shape functions, which are generated by the radial point interpolation method with polynomial terms. The numerical results are compared to the ones obtained by the finite flement method (FEM) and the element-free Galerkin method (EFG).
Effects of a Neurodevelopmental Treatment-Based Trunk Protocol for Infants with Posture and Movement Dysfunction

Purpose: This study was used to evaluate the efficacy of a neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT)-based sequenced trunk activation protocol for change in gross motor function of infants aged 4 to 12 months with posture and movement dysfunction. Infants who received a dynamic co-activation trunk protocol were compared with a control group who received a parent-infant interaction and play protocol. Method: A repeated measures randomized block design was used. A masked reliable examiner assessed infants before, immediately after, and 3 weeks after intervention using the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM). Results: The NDT-based protocol group made significantly (P = 0.048) more progress than the control group from pretest to posttest. Conclusions: Cautious support was found for (1) sequenced, dynamic trunk co-activation intervention compared to generalized infant play; (2) high-frequency, short-term, task-specific intervention; and (3) direct service by NDT-trained pediatric therapists specializing in infant intervention.
Subtalar Distraction Bone Block Fusion: An Assessment of Outcome

Twenty-nine feet in 28 patients who underwent subtalar distraction bone block fusion for the treatment of subtalar deformities associated with symptomatic arthrosis were evaluated. All patients were assessed with the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale score. Eighteen men and 10 women with a mean age of 44 years were evaluated. The mean follow-up was 33 months. Subtalar arthrosis was secondary to trauma in 27 of 29 feet (93%) with os calcis fractures in 19, subtalar dislocations in 5, and talus fractures in 3. Eighteen of the 28 patients (64%) returned to either full- or part-time work. The change in the mean AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale score from 25 preoperatively to 75 postoperatively was statistically significant (P < 0.0001). The radiographic analysis of the pre- and postoperative standing lateral radiographs showed an average increase of 8 mm in hindfoot height, 9° in lateral talocalcaneal angle, and 11° in lateral talar declination angle that were statistically significant (P < 0.0001). All patients but one (96%) were satisfied. Complications included four nonunions, two varus malunions, one metatarsal stress fracture, and one medial plantar nerve paresthesia. Each nonunion occurred in patients who smoked.
Modeling and simulation of directly driven wind turbine with permanent magnet synchronous generator

Wind energy, a kind of renewable and clean energy, is widely studied nowadays. Directly driven wind turbine permanent magnet synchronous generator (D-PMSG) plays an important role in the modern wind generating systems. A reliable and speedy simulation of the wind directly driven permanent-magnet synchronous generator is significant. By replacing the power electronic device with math equivalence, it established the windmill model, PMSG model, control model, voltage source converter (VSC) model, dc-line model, filter model and grid model in this paper. It achieved a simulation in Simulink of Matlab. This simulation model could fix the aim of maximum wind energy tracking, active power and reactive power independent control and variable speed constant frequency operation. With the influence of wind speed changing and short circuit occurring, the simulation results show the availability of the control strategies and research.