Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Constraints on the early uplift history of the Tibetan Plateau

The surface uplift history of the Tibetan Plateau and Himalaya is among the most interesting topics in geosciences because of its effect on regional and global climate during Cenozoic time, its influence on monsoon intensity, and its reflection of the dynamics of continental plateaus. Models of plateau growth vary in time, from pre-India-Asia collision (e.g., ≈100 Ma ago) to gradual uplift after the India-Asia collision (e.g., ≈55 Ma ago) and to more recent abrupt uplift (<7 Ma ago), and vary in space, from northward stepwise growth of topography to simultaneous surface uplift across the plateau. Here, we improve that understanding by presenting geologic and geophysical data from north-central Tibet, including magnetostratigraphy, sedimentology, paleocurrent measurements, and 40Ar/39Ar and fission-track studies, to show that the central plateau was elevated by 40 Ma ago. Regions south and north of the central plateau gained elevation significantly later. During Eocene time, the northern boundary of the protoplateau was in the region of the Tanggula Shan. Elevation gain started in pre-Eocene time in the Lhasa and Qiangtang terranes and expanded throughout the Neogene toward its present southern and northern margins in the Himalaya and Qilian Shan.
All Optical Wavelength Conversion of Nyquist-WDM Superchannels Using FWM in SOAs

In this paper, the performance of all-optical wavelength conversion (WC) of Nyquist-WDM superchannels is investigated for future implementation in optical networks. We consider advanced modulation formats of DQPSK and 16-QAM for the subchannel modulation format achieving raw bit rates of 448 and 896 Gb/s, respectively. We demonstrate through simulations the WC of Nyquist-WDM superchannel using degenerate and nondegenerate four-wave mixing (FWM) in a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). We consider the effects of raised cosine (RC) and root raised cosine (RRC) signal pulse shaping within the wavelength conversion process. We find that the performance of the converted superchannel is severely impaired by crosstalk due to cross-gain modulation of the pump by the superchannel. Optimum performance of the converted superchannel is achieved by setting the detuning between the continuous-wave pump and the central wavelength of the superchannel to be around 200 GHz and using pumps of double the gain saturation power of the SOA with 23 dB pump to signal power ratio.
Exploiting tree structures for classifying programs by functionalities

Analyzing source code to solve software engineering problems such as fault prediction, cost, and effort estimation always receives attention of researchers as well as companies. The traditional approaches are based on machine learning, and software metrics obtained by computing standard measures of software projects. However, these methods have faced many challenges due to limitations of using software metrics which were not enough to capture the complexity of programs. The aim of this paper is to apply several natural language processing techniques, which deal with software engineering problems by exploring information of programs' abstract syntax trees (ASTs) instead of software metrics. To speed up computational time, we propose a pruning tree technique to eliminate redundant branches of ASTs. In addition, the k-Nearest Neighbor (kNN) algorithm was adopted to compare with other methods whereby the distance between programs is measured by using the tree edit distance (TED) and the Levenshtein distance. These algorithms are evaluated based on the performance of solving 104-label program classification problem. The experiments show that due to the use of appropriate data structures although kNN is a simple machine learning algorithm, the classifiers achieve the promising results.
The Effects of Sodium Bicarbonate and Sodium Citrate on Blood pH , HCO 3-, Lactate Metabolism and Time to Exhaustion

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of sodium bicarbonate and sodium citrate in increasing lactate concentration, blood pH, HCO3, and time to exhaustion. Increased time to exhaustion is an advantage since the athletes can do more anaerobic work. Exhaustion could be delayed by increasing HCO3 to catch H produced by lactate metabolism to form H2O and CO2. The design of this research was randomized pretest posttest control group design. Thirty badminton student players were randomly selected and randomly assigned to three groups. The first group (the control group) was given placebo, NaCl . 9 g/dl, the second group was given sodium bicarbonate 300 mg/kg in 500 ml aqua, and the third group was given sodium citrate 300 mg/kg in 500 ml aqua. Blood pH and bicarbonate ion (HCO3) were measured through Opti Medical Blood gas Analyzer. Lactate was measured by Cobas Roche lactate Analyzer. Data was analyzed using Manova with . 05 significant level. Blood pH of the groups taking sodium bicarbonate and sodium citrate were higher significantly against control group (p<.05), and sodium bicarbonate group was significantly higher than the sodium citrate group (p<.05). Blood lactate tests showed that sodium bicarbonate group and sodium citrate group gave significant difference vs control group (p<.05), whereas sodium bicarbonate did not differ significantly against sodium citrate (p>.05). Sodium bicarbonate is better than sodium citrate, although both were better than control (p<.05). Sodium bicarbonate is better than sodium citrate in increasing blood pH and time to exhaustion. The disadvantage of using sodium bicarbonate is that it can cause gastrointestinal problem and headache, so it is not advisable to be used by athletes who have the symptoms.
Sequence‐specific DNA binding of the progesterone receptor to the uteroglobin gene: effects of hormone, antihormone and receptor phosphorylation.

The effects of ligand binding and receptor phosphorylation on the interaction of progesterone receptor with specific DNA sequences in the uteroglobin gene were studied by nitro‐cellulose filter binding and DNase I footprinting. High affinity sites were mapped upstream from the transcription start and in the first intron. They contained a common TGTTCACT sequence. These sites were occupied with similar affinity by the receptor, either in its free state, or complexed with the hormone or an antagonist (RU486); and also by receptor which had been phosphorylated in vivo in a hormone‐dependent manner. In all cases identical footprints were observed. These experiments led to the following conclusions. The hormone‐dependency of receptor binding to DNA or chromatin is observed in intact cells and in crude cellular extracts but not with purified receptor. Thus in situ, the unliganded receptor probably interacts with some nuclear component(s) which stabilizes it in a ‘non‐activated’ form (non‐chromatin and non‐DNA binding form). When isolated, the receptor may undergo activation, even in the absence of the hormone. Binding by receptor of an antihormone (and possibly receptor phosphorylation) exerts an effect on gene transcription through a mechanism which is different from (and probably follows) receptor interaction with the gene.
Global and local path planning in natural environment by physical modeling

In the field of robotics, some autonomous vehicles work in natural sites. One problem for the autonomous system is to plan a path to the goal. A usual method uses potential fields to find a global path. With this method, obstacles must be clearly defined. But this is not the case in such natural environments. A new physically based potential method is introduced to find paths such as, for instance, a winding path to a pass. Moreover, locally, vehicles have to cope with a geometrically unstable environment and thus have a complex dynamic behavior. Thus it is necessary to elaborate a physical model of the robot-environment system. Generally, the two plannings, global and local, are independent. The introduced potential method resorts to the simulations of the vehicles to find a feasible path.
Physical Activity and Diabetes Complications in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes

Physical activity exerts numerous beneficial health effects, and the evidence favoring a physically active lifestyle in the treatment of chronic diseases is substantial (1). For patients with diabetes, physical activity is considered important (2). In theory, regular physical activity may prevent diabetes complications through beneficial effects on glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, lipid profile, and endothelial function. However, physical activity could also cause adverse effects or patients may not be able to exercise due to complications. Little, however, is known about the relationship between physical activity and diabetes complications (3). Therefore, we investigated the associations between physical activity and microvascular and macrovascular diabetic complications in a large cohort of patients with type 1 diabetes from the Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy (FinnDiane) Study. The FinnDiane Study and the assessment of self-reported leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) by a questionnaire have previously been described (4). This is a cross-sectional analysis of 1,945 patients with data on LTPA. Renal status was based on at least three urine collections. Renal function was evaluated by the Cockcroft-Gault formula (5) for estimated creatinine clearance. Data on retinopathy and cardiovascular disease (CVD) were obtained from medical records. Differences between groups were …
An Experimental Examination of Competitor-Based Price Matching Guarantees

We use experimental methods to demonstrate the anti-competitive potential of price matching guarantees in both symmetric and asymmetric cost duopolies. Our findings establish that when costs are symmetric, price-matching guarantees significantly increase market prices. In markets with cost asymmetries, guaranteed prices remain high relative to prices without the use of guarantees, but the overall ability of price guarantees to act as a collusion facilitating device becomes contingent on the relative cost difference. Lesser use of guarantees, combined with lower average prices and slower convergence to the collusive level, suggest that the mere presence of cost asymmetries may curtail collusive behavior.
Next-Generation Sequencing Techniques for Eukaryotic Microorganisms: Sequencing-Based Solutions to Biological Problems

ABSTRACT Over the past 5 years, large-scale sequencing has been revolutionized by the development of several so-called next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies. These have drastically increased the number of bases obtained per sequencing run while at the same time decreasing the costs per base. Compared to Sanger sequencing, NGS technologies yield shorter read lengths; however, despite this drawback, they have greatly facilitated genome sequencing, first for prokaryotic genomes and within the last year also for eukaryotic ones. This advance was possible due to a concomitant development of software that allows the de novo assembly of draft genomes from large numbers of short reads. In addition, NGS can be used for metagenomics studies as well as for the detection of sequence variations within individual genomes, e.g., single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), insertions/deletions (indels), or structural variants. Furthermore, NGS technologies have quickly been adopted for other high-throughput studies that were previously performed mostly by hybridization-based methods like microarrays. This includes the use of NGS for transcriptomics (RNA-seq) or the genome-wide analysis of DNA/protein interactions (ChIP-seq). This review provides an overview of NGS technologies that are currently available and the bioinformatics analyses that are necessary to obtain information from the flood of sequencing data as well as applications of NGS to address biological questions in eukaryotic microorganisms.
Design of an embedded speech-centric interface for applications in handheld terminals

The embedded speech-centric interface for handheld wireless devices has been implemented on a commercially available PDA as a part of an application that allows real-time access to stock prices through GPRS. In this article, we have focused mainly in the optimization of the ASR subsystem for minimizing the use of the handheld computational resources. This optimization has been accomplished through the fixed-point implementation of all the algorithms involved in the ASR subsystem and the use of PCA to reduce the feature vector dimensionality. The influence of several parameters, such as the Qn resolution in the fixed-point implementation and the number of PCA components retained, have been studied and evaluated in the ASR subsystem, obtaining word recognition rates of around 96% for the best configuration. Finally, a field evaluation of the system has been performed showing that our design of the speech centric interface achieved good results in a real-life scenario.
A novel bimodal lipidic contrast agent for cellular labelling and tumour MRI.

We have synthesized a bimodal lipidic molecule bearing both fluorophore and contrast agent signatures on the same structure in order to create a robust bimodal liposome for both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fluorescence microscopy utility. The dual-modality concept considered in the synthesis of this new paramagnetic and fluorescent lipid is valuable in that anatomical information (MRI) as well as very sensitive localization (ex vivo fluorescence microscopy) of signal, and therefore liposome biodistribution, is obtainable. Bimodal cationic and neutral PEGylated liposomes were formulated using this novel lipid probe and used to label cells in vitro and image human ovarian xenografts in vivo. Tumour signal enhancement was increased by over 6-fold post-administration of the neutral PEGylated liposomes, and was maintained at this level up to the 24 h end-point. Our results showed this lipid to be more effective and sensitive than the single signature paramagnetic lipid Gd.DOTA. DSA at cellular labelling and tumour MRI.
Targeted Iron Chelation Will Improve Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract : Following spinal cord injury there is a protracted accumulation of iron at the site of the injury. Iron plays a role in multiple damaging pathways following injury but is also essential for maximal oligodendrogenesis. The current experiments investigate the therapeutic potential of iron chelation following traumatic spinal cord injury. Our initial research indicates that if iron chelation with the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved drug Exjade is begun approximately 1.5 hours after a spinal cord injury there is limited improvement in locomotor function and increased spared of grey matter. Since iron accumulation occurs in a protracted manner, we also investigated the potential of delayed the start of Exjade treatment by 1 week. This paradigm, however, did not result in any of the improvements observed in the early onset treatment. Increasing the dose of Exjade to 320mg/kg/day resulted in increased mortality and therefore was discontinued. In attempts to improve the effects of iron chelation, we have conducted experiments using a different FDA approved chelator, deferiprone. Following either contusive or hemisection spinal cord injury, deferiprone improves functional and histological outcome.
The Relationship Between Coping Styles and Clinical Outcomes in Patients with COPD Entering Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Abstract Background: Symptoms of anxiety, depression and exercise intolerance contribute to an impaired health status in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Coping styles may also be related to symptoms and health status. Objectives of this study were to assess the distribution of coping styles in patients entering pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) with and without anxiety and/or depression; and to assess whether coping styles contribute to exercise intolerance and reduced health status. Methods: Coping styles were studied in 698 patients using the Utrecht Coping List (UCL). Disease-specific health status (St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, SGRQ), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS), exercise tolerance (6-minute walking distance, 6MWD) and clinical characteristics were assessed. Results: High levels (16.5%) of active confronting coping style were rarely reported. A minority of patients used low levels (17.5%) of passive reaction pattern coping style. Differences in coping profiles were present between patients with and without anxiety and/or depression. A higher level of active confronting coping style was associated with a higher 6MWD (Beta 0.092, p < 0.01), while a higher level of avoidance coping style was associated with a lower 6MWD (Beta -0.074, p = 0.017). The UCL subscales were not related to SGRQ total score (p > 0.05). Conclusions: In COPD patients entering PR, coping styles were associated with symptoms of anxiety, depression and exercise intolerance, but not associated with disease-specific health status. Future studies should examine whether interventions aiming at optimizing coping styles during PR can improve outcomes for patients with COPD.
Breastfeeding duration in a multiethnic population in Hawaii.

BACKGROUND The increasing ethnic diversity in the United States necessitates a study of variations in infant feeding patterns among ethnic groups. This study was conducted as part of Hawaii's surveillance system to identify infant feeding patterns in Hawaii; specifically, to identify factors influencing duration of breastfeeding among ethnically diverse mothers. METHODS All women who delivered an infant in Hawaii between January 1 and March 31, 1989, were mailed surveys 14 to 19 months after delivery. Fifty-one percent (n = 2011) of women responded, of whom 1574 (78%) did some breastfeeding and are included in the analysis of prediction of weaning (cessation of breastfeeding). Cox regression (survival) analysis was used to predict weaning. RESULTS The median duration of breastfeeding was 150 days; 45 percent of infants were still breastfeeding at age 6 months and 16 percent at age 1 year. Factors associated with early weaning were Japanese ethnicity; mother born in a country other than the United States, Japan, or the Philippines; first language other than English, or two languages at home; employed full-time outside the home; introduced formula or fruit before age 6 months; received formula from the WIC program; and stopped breastfeeding for convenience, breast problems, problems getting breastfeeding started, insufficient milk, baby refusing the breast, and a sick baby. Factors associated with late weaning were older maternal age; college education; living on a rural island; previous breastfeeding experience; helpful breastfeeding advice from family or friends; receiving WIC for breastfeeding mothers; introducing the cup before age 6 months; and not giving fruit to the baby. CONCLUSION In Hawaii, programs that address how and when to introduce foods, use of formula, and management of outside employment and breastfeeding should be made available to those groups of women at risk for early weaning to lengthen their duration of breastfeeding.
Heterogeneity of cerebral blood flow in symptomatic patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy

Summary There is still controversy concerning which patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis or symptomatic moderate stenosis are likely to benefit from carotid endarterectomy. The surgical candidates for carotid endarterectomy should have a high risk for stroke, but a low risk for operative complications. Therefore, new effective patient selection strategies, including haemodynamic testing, schemes of risk stratification and pre‐operative cardiac testing, are under investigation. To improve haemodynamic assessment of patients with carotid artery stenosis, we evaluated a novel global cerebral blood flow (CBF) heterogeneity index at rest and after acetazolamide injection in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy. CBF heterogeneity index was measured in 15 patients by using basal and acetazolamide enhanced 99mTc‐HMPAO SPET both before and 1 month after surgery. CBF heterogeneity index was calculated as the coefficient of variation of a total of 44 cerebral regions representing mainly both ipsi‐ and contralateral grey matter. A high linear correlation was observed between CBF heterogeneity index and ipsilateral carotid stenosis degree (r = 0.74, P = 0.003). Before surgery, CBF heterogeneity index increased significantly after acetazolamide injection when compared to the basal condition (from 7.0 ± 1.5 to 8.3 ±1.7%, P = 0.008). This response disappeared after carotid endarterectomy. When compared to pure asymmetry of CBF (ipsi/contralateral CBF ratio), the CBF heterogeneity index seemed to reflect, more sensitively, the haemodynamic effects of carotid endarterectomy. The CBF heterogeneity index after acetazolamide injection is a sensitive marker of the haemodynamic consequences of carotid artery stenosis and its operative treatment.
Families and medication use and adherence among Latinos with schizophrenia

Abstract Background: Medication nonadherence among Latinos with schizophrenia represents a significant treatment obstacle. Although some studies have examined patient and family perceptions of adherence, few have examined these perceptions together. However, such knowledge can provide a deeper understanding of how family processes may contribute to or impede adherence among underserved groups such as Latinos. Aims: This study explored perceptions of medication and adherence among Latinos with schizophrenia and key family members. Method: Purposive sampling was used to collect data from 34 participants: 14 patients with schizophrenia receiving community-based mental health services in an urban public setting and 20 key family members. Informed by grounded theory, semistructured interviews were analyzed by bilingual–bicultural team members. Results: Salient themes emerged indicating facilitators of and obstacles to medication use. Specifically, challenges centered on medication side effects, autonomy and choice, and illness insight, whereas facilitators focused on family support and holistic views of treatment and empowerment. Conclusions: Because the majority of Spanish-speaking Latinos with schizophrenia live with family, it is important to examine family factors that may influence medication use. Findings suggest that patient and family perceptions of medication should be examined as part of the treatment process, particularly regarding issues of autonomy and choice.
Assessment of Resource Coordination Effectiveness Through Analysis of Distributed Cognitive Traces in Team Decision Making

Computer supported collaborative work (CSCW) and computer supported collaborative learning (CSCL) are facilitated through deployment of complex multi-user systems. In order to increase the effectiveness of these systems, we must know more about how people interact with structures in the technology and the work space to sustain interaction, alleviate cognitive load, and enable restructuring of social and environmental elements thereby creating new knowledge structures. The present study suggests a way to capture evidence of artifact usage, emergence of knowledge and process structures, and resource coordination patterns during computer-mediated group interaction to better understand how resource coordination facilitates collaborative cognitive tasks. It is proposed that interactive use of emergent and accumulated cognitive information traces in a virtual decision-making task environment results in formation of an emergent group mental model through a discoursedriven distillation process. This collective mental model is the synthesis of the distributed shared understanding of the collaboratively-negotiated problem solution that is instantiated in the final decision model as the physical representation of the problem solution.