Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A new model of Holocene peatland net primary production, decomposition, water balance, and peat accumulation

Abstract. Peatland carbon and water cycling are tightly coupled, so dynamic modeling of peat accumulation over decades to millennia should account for carbon-water feedbacks. We present initial results from a new simulation model of long-term peat accumulation, evaluated at a well-studied temperate bog in Ontario, Canada. The Holocene Peat Model (HPM) determines vegetation community composition dynamics and annual net primary productivity based on peat depth (as a proxy for nutrients and acidity) and water table depth. Annual peat (carbon) accumulation is the net balance above- and below-ground productivity and litter/peat decomposition – a function of peat hydrology (controlling depth to and degree of anoxia). Peat bulk density is simulated as a function of degree of humification, and affects the water balance through its influence on both the growth rate of the peat column and on peat hydraulic conductivity and the capacity to shed water. HPM output includes both time series of annual carbon and water fluxes, peat height, and water table depth, as well as a final peat profile that can be "cored" and compared to field observations of peat age and macrofossil composition. A stochastic 8500-yr, annual precipitation time series was constrained by a published Holocene climate reconstruction for southern Quebec. HPM simulated 5.4 m of peat accumulation (310 kg C m-2) over 8500 years, 6.5% of total NPP over the period. Vascular plant functional types accounted for 65% of total NPP over 8500 years but only 35% of the final (contemporary) peat mass. Simulated age-depth and carbon accumulation profiles were compared to a radiocarbon dated 5.8 m, c.9000-yr core. The simulated core was younger than observations at most depths, but had a similar overall trajectory; carbon accumulation rates were generally higher in the simulation and were somewhat more variable than observations. HPM results were sensitive to century-scale anomalies in precipitation, with extended drier periods (precipitation reduced ∼10%) causing the peat profile to lose carbon (and height), despite relatively small changes in NPP.
Small signal analysis and design of active droop control using current mode equivalent circuit model

This paper proposes a small signal model for active droop control in equivalent circuit form. Active droop control is an average current mode control with proportional output voltage feedback. The proposed model takes the switching ripple of the voltage and current feedback into account, and the model is valid up to half of switching frequency. The features of the active droop controlled converters with ESR dominant capacitor and ceramic capacitor are identified. Design guidelines of the compensator and external ramp are proposed to simplify the compensator, maximize the control bandwidth and reduce the output capacitor numbers. The over designed external ramp complicates the loop design and degrades the performance. The model is applicable to different modulations.
Functional and Muscle Size Response to 5 Days of Treadmill Training in Young Rats

In this study, the hypothesis that improvements in functional and structural measures could be detected in the young, female rat with only 5 days of moderate treadmill training was tested. Eight-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into control (n = 10) and training groups (n = 11). Over the 5-day period, running duration and treadmill speed increased progressively. Maximal running time and gas exchange were measured on Day 6. In trained compared with control rats, maximal running time was 54% greater (p < .005), right hindlimb muscle was 16% heavier (p < .01), and end-exercise respiratory exchange ratio (RER) was 17% lower (p < .05). Substantial metabolic and structural adaptations occurred in young female rats after only 5 days of treadmill training. This protocol may be useful in discovering the initiating mechanisms of the training response in the young organism.
CD146 defines commitment of cultured annulus fibrosus cells to express a contractile phenotype

Characterization of cells is important for facilitating cell‐based therapies for degenerative diseases of intervertebral discs. For this purpose, we analyzed mouse annulus fibrosus cells by flowcytometory to detect phenotypic change in their primary cultures. After examination of sixteen cell surface proteins, we focused on CD146 that solely increased during culture expansion. CD146 is known to be a marker for mesenchymal stem cells and for their vascular smooth muscle commitment with expression of contractile phenotype enhanced by SM22α. We sorted CD146+ cells to elucidate their characteristics and the key factors that play a role in this change. Whole cell cultures showed the ability for tripotent differentiation toward mesenchymal lineages, whereas sorted CD146+ cells did not. Expression of CD146 was elevated by addition of transforming growth factor β1, and sorted CD146+ cells expressed higher levels of mRNA for SM22α and Elastin than did CD146− cells. Morphologically, CD146+ cells more broadly deposited extracellular type I collagen than CD146− cells and showed filamentous actin bundles traversing their cytoplasm and cell–cell junctions. Moreover, CD146+ cells demonstrated significantly higher gel contraction properties than CD146− cells when they were embedded in collagen gels. Human annulus fibrosus CD146+ cells also showed higher contractility. Immunohistochemistry determined CD146+ cells localized to the outermost annulus layers of mouse intervertebral disc tissue with co‐expression of SM22α. These results suggest that increment of CD146 expression indicates gradual change of cultured annulus fibrosus cells to express a contractile phenotype and that transforming growth factor β1 enhances this cellular commitment. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1361–1372, 2016.
Alternative approaches of identifying accident prone location

Despite the many advances in highway design, traffic engineering, automobile manufacturing, and police enforcement technologies, many countries around the world still suffer from an ever-increasing problem of traffic accidents. Therefore, there has been a keen interest throughout the world in developing Road Safety Improvement Programs (RSIPs) aimed at: 1) identifying accident-prone locations; 2) diagnosing their problems; and 3) suggesting proper countermeasures. While the success of these programs has varied considerably from one jurisdiction to another, the overall performance of these programs has been less than satisfactory in terms of number of accidents eliminated. The main reason for that is believed to relate to the inadequacy of procedures adopted in the execution of these programs. Most importantly, the faulty identification of accident-prone locations (i.e., identification of locations that are not really accident-prone) seems to be the primary reason behind the lack of success of these programs. This thesis discusses the problems encountered in developing and implementing RSIPs from an engineering perspective. It also describes the efforts in developing new techniques to make these programs more effective in identifying and treating accidentprone locations. Sayed (1995) has described two new techniques for the identification process. The first one is the Modified RSIP that alters the definition of accident-prone locations and introduces the concept of correctable accidents. The second one is the Countermeasure-Based RSIP that starts by identifying prevailing accident patterns and then suggest proper engineering countermeasures, thus effectively reversing the normal flow of procedures in traditional RSIPs. This thesis introduces further refinements to
Expression of PER, CRY, and TIM genes for the pathological features of colorectal cancer patients

As typical clock gene machinery, period (PER1, PER2, and PER3), cryptochrome (CRY1 and CRY2), and timeless (TIM), could control proliferation, cellular metabolism, and many key functions, such as recognition and repair of DNA damage, dysfunction of the circadian clock could result in tumorigenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, the expression levels of PER1, PER2, and PER3, as well as CRY1, CRY2, and TIM in the tumor tissue and apparently healthy mucosa from CRC patients were examined and compared via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Compared with the healthy mucosa from CRC patients, expression levels of PER1, PER2, PER3, and CRY2 in their tumor tissue are much lower, while TIM level was much enhanced. There was no significant difference in the CRY1 expression level. High levels of TIM mRNA were much prevalent in the tumor mucosa with proximal lymph nodes. CRC patients with lower expression of PER1 and PER3 in the tumor tissue showed significantly poorer survival rates. The abnormal expression levels of PER and TIM genes in CRC tissue could be related to the genesis process of the tumor, influencing host–tumor interactions.
Bulimia: An Analysis of Moods and Behavior

&NA; An innovative sampling method was used to compare normal‐weight bulimic patients to normal controls on four dimensions: (1) overall moods, (2) extent of mood fluctuating, (3) degree of social isolation, and (4) extent of food‐related behavior. In addition, a sequence analysis was conducted to explore the impact of binging and purging episodes on various affective states among the bulimics. Results indicated that the bulimics experienced significantly more dysphoric and fluctuating moods than normal controls and that they spent much more time alone and in food‐related behavior than the control group. The discussion presents a hypothetical integration regarding the etiology and maintenance of the bulimic behavior based on the results of the data and post‐trial interviews with the bulimic patients.
[The effectiveness of psychoanalytic-interactional therapy in borderline personality disorder: a study of clinical data].

OBJECTIVES Different methods are available for the psychotherapeutic treatment of patients with severe structural mental disorders. Psychoanalytic-interactional therapy is among those methods which have been clinically proven to be effective for many years. Psychoanalytic-interactional therapy was derived from analytic psychotherapy specifically to allow for the treatment of severely disturbed patients, e.g. patients with borderline personality disorders, prepsychotic disorders, addictions and perversions. METHODS In a naturalistic study, the effectiveness of psychoanalytic-interactional therapy was tested in a sample of patients with borderline personality disorders (N = 132). The patients were treated at the Clinic Tiefenbrunn near Goettingen, Germany. Standardized, reliable and valid diagnostic instruments were used to study the treatment effects. RESULTS Psychoanalytic-interactional therapy was found to significantly improve target symptoms, general symptoms, interpersonal problems and life satisfaction. DISCUSSION The results are discussed with regard to the treatment of severely disturbed patients.
Standardized Protocol for Virtual Surgical Plan and 3-Dimensional Surgical Template–Assisted Single-Stage Mandible Contour Surgery

Background Mandible contour surgery, including reduction gonioplasty and genioplasty, has become increasingly popular in East Asia. However, it is technically challenging and, hence, leads to a long learning curve and high complication rates and often needs secondary revisions. The increasing use of 3-dimensional (3D) technology makes accurate single-stage mandible contour surgery with minimum complication rates possible with a virtual surgical plan (VSP) and 3-D surgical templates. This study is to establish a standardized protocol for VSP and 3-D surgical templates–assisted mandible contour surgery and evaluate the accuracy of the protocol. Methods In this study, we enrolled 20 patients for mandible contour surgery. Our protocol is to perform VSP based on 3-D computed tomography data. Then, design and 3-D print surgical templates based on preoperative VSP. The accuracy of the method was analyzed by 3-D comparison of VSP and postoperative results using detailed computer analysis. Result All patients had symmetric, natural osteotomy lines and satisfactory facial ratios in a single-stage operation. The average relative error of VSP and postoperative result on the entire skull was 0.41 ± 0.13 mm. The average new left gonial error was 0.43 ± 0.77 mm. The average new right gonial error was 0.45 ± 0.69 mm. The average pognion error was 0.79 ± 1.21 mm. Patients were very satisfied with the aesthetic results. Surgeons were very satisfied with the performance of surgical templates to facilitate the operation. Conclusions Our standardized protocol of VSP and 3-D printed surgical templates–assisted single-stage mandible contour surgery results in accurate, safe, and predictable outcome in a single stage.
Two-stage low-frequency square-wave electronic ballast with analog and digital control

This paper investigates a two-stage low-frequency square-wave (LFSW) electronic ballast with a combined analogue and digital control. The first stage of the ballast is a power factor correction (PFC) converter and the second is a half-bridge (HB) converter with an igniter. The advantage of the proposed scheme compared to conventional LFSW ballasts, is including an improved modified HB circuit. This approach contributes to two benefits regarding the body-diode ruggedness and its reverse recovery charge process. The combined analogue and digital control additionally provides a high operating frequency range. Further, an improved methodology is proposed for the design of the inductors, including eddy current loss estimation and core type selection. Finally, design application considerations are derived concerning the proposed electronic ballast.
Mapping of human interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) to chromosome 19q13.3–13.4 by an intragenic polymorphic marker

We have identified a highly polymorphic intragenic marker composed of two dinucleotide repeats in an intron of the human interferon regulatory factor (IRF3) gene. This polymorphic marker has allowed us to map IRF3 to the boundary of 19q13.3–13.4 between the polymorphic markers D19S604 and D19S206 close to KLK1. An intron is present in a homologous position in the mouse Irf3 gene, but lacks the dinucleotide repeats present in the human intron. Syntenic conservation between this region of 19q13.3–13.4 maps Irf3 to either mouse chromosome 7 or 17.
Analysis of the accuracy of weight loss information search engine results on the internet.

OBJECTIVES We systematically identified and evaluated the quality and comprehensiveness of online information related to weight loss that users were likely to access. METHODS We evaluated the content quality, accessibility of the information, and author credentials for Web sites in 2012 that were identified from weight loss specific queries that we generated. We scored the content with respect to available evidence-based guidelines for weight loss. RESULTS One hundred three Web sites met our eligibility criteria (21 commercial, 52 news/media, 7 blogs, 14 medical, government, or university, and 9 unclassified sites). The mean content quality score was 3.75 (range=0-16; SD=2.48). Approximately 5% (4.85%) of the sites scored greater than 8 (of 12) on nutrition, physical activity, and behavior. Content quality score varied significantly by type of Web site; the medical, government, or university sites (mean=4.82, SD=2.27) and blogs (mean=6.33, SD=1.99) had the highest scores. Commercial (mean=2.37, SD=2.60) or news/media sites (mean=3.52, SD=2.31) had the lowest scores (analysis of variance P<.005). CONCLUSIONS The weight loss information that people were likely to access online was often of substandard quality because most comprehensive and quality Web sites ranked too low in search results.
Opvoeding in Beeld

Background. The aim of this study was to find out the differences in parenting strategies between mothers of children with ADHD, DBD, comorbid ADHD-DBD and mothers of typically developing children. Methods. The sample contained 185 children between 3,5 to 5,5 years with ADHD, DBD, comorbid ADHD-DBD and a control group. Data was collected with the Parenting Practices Interview, completed by the mothers. Results. Corrected for SES, there were significant differences between parenting by mothers of the clinical groups and mothers of the control group. Mothers of the control group do not use more positive parenting strategies than mothers of the clinical groups. However, mothers of the clinical groups did use more negative parenting strategies than mothers of the control group. The clinical groups did not differ from each other. Conclusions. Mothers of children with ADHD, DBD or ADHD-DBD used more negative parenting strategies than mothers of typically developing children. But no differences in parenting strategies were found between mothers of the clinical groups.
Selection of young soccer players in terms of anthropometric and physiological factors.

AIM The aim of this paper was to describe the anthropometric and physiological characteristics of young soccer players (14-17 years old) which were associated with their being successful or not as soccer players. METHODS Somatotype and body composition was calculated by measuring skinfolds, limb circumferences and joint diameters. VO(2max) was estimated by the Astrand's Test. Sprint, jump and endurance tests were also performed. RESULTS The most relevant differences were obtained between selected and non-selected players belonging to the 14-year-old team. Selected players were taller, heavier, leaner and faster and they had higher absolute or relative VO(2max). In addition, a higher % of selected players was found among those born during the first 6 months of the year. In the rest of the teams, the agility was better in selected than in non-selected players. At later ages, there was also a predominance of players born during the first 6 months of the year. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that around the time of puberty, parameters associated with physical maturity such as height, size, speed, VO(2max), or chronological age are important to determine the success of a soccer player. At older ages, other factors such as agility seem to be more important. Nevertheless, players born in the 1st semester of the year are also more frequent in the older teams. These findings should be taken into account by trainers and coaches, in order to avoid biasing their selection choices.
Depression-associated ARNTL and PER2 genetic variants in psychotic disorders

Circadian rhythm disturbances overlap between psychotic disorders, e.g. schizophrenia, and major depression. We hypothesized that circadian gene variants previously associated with unipolar depression would be overrepresented also in patients with psychotic disorder. Six genetic polymorphisms in ARNTL, PER2 and CRY2 were genotyped in 566 schizophrenia spectrum disorder patients and 926 controls. The rs2290036-C variant of ARNTL was over-represented in psychosis patients, and the variants rs934945-G and rs10462023-G of PER2 were associated with a more severe psychotic disorder. The directions of these genetic associations were in line with those previously identified for depression.
Fungemia during murine cryptococcosis sheds some light on pathophysiology.

We studied fungemia over time in outbred mice infected with Cryptococcus neoformans and looked at its relationship with the intravenous (i.v.) inoculum size, tissue burden and survival. Fungemia was evaluated by culture of 10 microl of peripheral blood from living mice or by culture of buffy coats from sacrificed animals. For all inoculum sizes studied, fungemia could last several weeks after the i.v. inoculation. Individual susceptibility of outbred mice to cryptococcal infection was evidenced by variations in the course, duration and magnitude of fungemia and tissue localizations. These results suggest that the fungus can recirculate after the initial i.v. inoculation. Fungemia, assessed by culture of buffy coats, correlated with the extent of infection in the spleen, lung or brain (P<<0.001) on day 1 after inoculation but only with yeast burden in lung or spleen on day 8, thus demonstrating that brain reacts differently to C. neoformans infection than other organs. Comparison of blood culture techniques and examination of smears suggest that cryptococci might circulate within leucocytes. Finally, quantitative blood cultures may accurately assess the fungal load during experimental cryptococcosis.
Epac- and Ca2+-controlled Activation of Ras and Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinases by Gs-coupled Receptors*

We have recently reported that two typical Gs-coupled receptors, the β2-adrenergic receptor and the receptor for prostaglandin E1, stimulate phospholipase C-ϵ (PLC-ϵ) and increase intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in HEK-293 cells and N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells, respectively, by a pathway involving Epac1, a cAMP-activated and Rap-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF), and the GTPase Rap2B. Here we have demonstrated that these Gs-coupled receptors use this pathway to activate H-Ras and the extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2). Specifically, agonist activation of the receptors resulted in activation of H-Ras and ERK1/2. The latter action was suppressed by dominant negative H-Ras, but not Rap1A. The receptor actions were independent of protein kinase A but fully mimicked by an Epac-specific cAMP analog as well as by a constitutively active Rap2B mutant. On the other hand, a cAMP-binding-deficient Epac1 mutant, the Rap GTPase-activating proteinII, and a dominant negative Rap2B mutant suppressed receptor- and Epac-mediated activation of H-Ras and ERK1/2. Finally, we have demonstrated that activation of H-Ras and ERK1/2 requires the lipase activity of PLC-ϵ and the subsequent [Ca2+]i increase, suggesting that H-Ras activation is mediated by a Ca2+-activated GEF. In line with this hypothesis, receptor-mediated activation of H-Ras and ERK1/2 was strongly enhanced by expression of RasGRP1, a Ca2+-regulated Ras-GEF. Collectively, our data indicated that Gs-coupled receptors can activate H-Ras and subsequently the mitogen-activated protein kinases ERK1/2 by a Ca2+-activated Ras-GEF, possibly RasGRP1, mediated by cAMP-activated Epac proteins, which then lead via Rap2B and PLC-ϵ stimulation to [Ca2+]i increase.