Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ground-Level Concentrations of Atmospheric Methane in Southwest Greenland Evaluated Using Open-Path Laser Spectroscopy and Cavity-Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy

Abstract Portable open-path laser (OPL) instruments provide a way to measure real-time, in situ atmospheric methane (CH4) concentrations at a variety of spatial and temporal scales. Our results suggest that OPL instruments may be simple and effective tools for monitoring atmospheric CH4 dynamics near ground-level in Arctic landscapes. We used a CH4 detecting OPL instrument at seven different field sites in southwest Greenland during the summer of 2012 to monitor atmospheric CH4 concentrations in the presence of local CH4 sources and sinks. Measurements with the OPL were conducted for deployments between 0.4 and 40 h over path lengths between 10 and 300 m. These measurements were checked against periodic grab samples analyzed in the field lab using cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy. Mean concentrations of atmospheric CH4 measured with the OPL across all field sites ranged from 1.72 (±0.12) to 1.88 (±0.15) ppm by volume (ppmv). The median atmospheric CH4 concentration measured using cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy was 1.82 ± 0.04 ppmv. Slightly elevated CH4 concentrations were measured downwind of one lake and in a subglacial cave. OPL measurements of atmospheric CH4 concentrations agreed with results from cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy (<3% difference). OPL technology may be a useful tool for extended CH4 monitoring studies in the Arctic and may help in our understanding of atmospheric CH4 concentrations at spatial and temporal scales not accessible to other forms of measurement.
Airborne Earth Observation Positioning and Orientation by SINS/GPS Integration Using CD R-T-S Smoothing

This paper addresses the issue of state estimation in the integration of a Strapdown Inertial Navigation System (SINS) and Global Positioning System (GPS), which is used for airborne earth observation positioning and orientation. For a nonlinear system, especially with large initial attitude errors, the performance of linear estimation approaches will degrade. In this paper a nonlinear error model based on angle errors is built, and a nonlinear estimation algorithm called the Central Difference Rauch-Tung-Striebel (R-T-S) Smoother (CDRTSS) is utilized in SINS/GPS integration post-processing. In this algorithm, the measurements are first processed by the forward Central Difference Kalman filter (CDKF) and then a separate backward smoothing pass is used to obtain the improved solution. The performance of this algorithm is compared with a similar smoother based on an extended Kalman filter known as ERTSS through Monte Carlo simulations and flight tests with a loaded SINS/GPS integrated system. Furthermore, a digital camera was used to verify the precision of practical applications in a check field with numerous reference points. All these validity checks demonstrate that CDRTSS is a better method and the work of this paper will offer a new approach for SINS/GPS integration for Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and other airborne earth observation tasks.
The Rise and Fall of Forests

After a catastrophic disturbance to an ecosystem, there is an initial period of ecosystem buildup, eventually followed (in the absence of another major disturbance) by a decline phase during which ecosystem productivity and plant biomass decrease. In their Perspective, [Birks and Birks][1] discuss a recent chronosequence analysis of six types of forest ecosystem that demonstrates how changes in soil composition contribute to ecosystem decline during interglacial periods ([ Wardle et al .][2]). [1]: http://www.sciencemag. org/cgi/content/full/305/5683/484 [2]: http://www.sciencemag. org/cgi/content/short/305/5683/509
Mechanism underlying autoinducer recognition in the Vibrio cholerae DPO-VqmA quorum-sensing pathway

Quorum sensing is a bacterial communication process whereby bacteria produce, release, and detect extracellular signaling molecules called autoinducers to coordinate collective behaviors. In the pathogen Vibrio cholerae , the quorum-sensing autoinducer 3,5-dimethyl-pyrazin-2-ol (DPO) binds the receptor and transcription factor VqmA. The DPO-VqmA complex activates transcription of vqmR , encoding the VqmR small RNA, which QS, high low
The biological fitness of bone progenitor cells in Reamer Irrigator Aspirator-waste

biological waste collected during the Reamer-Irrigator-Aspirator (RIA) procedure described as an of bone progenitor cells with a comparable osteogenic gene profile to donor-matched iliac crest-bone marrow (IC-BM) . it not clear if these RIA-waste (RIA-W) cells are biologically fit. We to evaluate the stress levels and functions of RIA-W progenitor cells.
Multilayer three-dimensional super resolution imaging of thick biological samples

Recent advances in optical microscopy have enabled biological imaging beyond the diffraction limit at nanometer resolution. A general feature of most of the techniques based on photoactivated localization microscopy (PALM) or stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM) has been the use of thin biological samples in combination with total internal reflection, thus limiting the imaging depth to a fraction of an optical wavelength. However, to study whole cells or organelles that are typically up to 15 μm deep into the cell, the extension of these methods to a three-dimensional (3D) super resolution technique is required. Here, we report an advance in optical microscopy that enables imaging of protein distributions in cells with a lateral localization precision better than 50 nm at multiple imaging planes deep in biological samples. The approach is based on combining the lateral super resolution provided by PALM with two-photon temporal focusing that provides optical sectioning. We have generated super-resolution images over an axial range of ≈10 μm in both mitochondrially labeled fixed cells, and in the membranes of living S2 Drosophila cells.
Comparison of point selection for characterizing on-line signature

Authentication systems based on biometrics are becoming popular. One of them, authentication by handwritten signature, is the most accepted due to the fact that it is easy to use. In this paper we present a comparison of methods for efficient point selection for on-line signature authentication purpose. 5 methods are presented based on different selection criteria. The efficiency of these methods is measured by the recognition rate. The comparison method used is Dynamic Time Warping.
Managing and Conserving Southern African Grasslands With High Endemism

Abstract The Maloti–Drakensberg bioregion is the highest part of the southern African grassland biome shared by the Kingdom of Lesotho and South Africa. This bioregion is dominated by the Maloti–Drakensberg mountain range, which forms the eastern boundary between Lesotho and 3 of South Africa's provinces, namely, the Orange Free State, Kwa-Zulu/Natal, and the Eastern Cape. The combination of topographical, geological, altitudinal, and climatic variations has resulted in a dramatic landscape characterized by extraordinary natural beauty and rich biodiversity. Although the alpine and subalpine grassland vegetation types in the region are relatively well conserved in relation to other grassland types in the biome, they have been severely affected by a combination of injudicious range management regimes, the spread of alien plants, the establishment of agricultural monocultures, poor infrastructure development and maintenance, and the political engineering of human demographics. Because these grasslands form the most important component of the bioregion's ecosystems and related services such as maintenance of water catchment integrity, it is critical to derive innovative strategies that ensure sustainable solutions to the problems affecting them. The Maloti–Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation and Development Program seeks to find natural resource and conservation management solutions by integrating biodiversity conservation and socioeconomic growth strategies.
Secure multiparty computation for privacy preserving data mining

Disclaimer This document contains a student thesis (bachelor's or master's), as authored by a student at Eindhoven University of Technology. Student theses are made available in the TU/e repository upon obtaining the required degree. The grade received is not published on the document as presented in the repository. The required complexity or quality of research of student theses may vary by program, and the required minimum study period may vary in duration.
Meiosis-specific functions of kinesin motors in cohesin removal and maintenance of chromosome integrity in budding yeast

Kinesin motors provide the molecular forces at the kinetochore-microtubule interface and along the spindle to control chromosome segregation. During meiosis with the two rounds of microtubule assembly-disassembly, the roles of motor proteins remain unexplored. We observed that in contrast to mitosis Cin8 (kinesin 5) and Kip3 (kinesin 8) together are indispensable in meiosis. Examining the meiosis in cin8∆ kip3∆ cells, we detected chromosome breakage in the meiosis II cells. The double mutant exhibits delay in the cohesin removal and spindle elongation during anaphase I. Consequently, some cells abrogate meiosis II and form dyads while some, as they progress through meiosis II, cause defect in chromosome integrity. We believe that in the latter cells, an imbalance of spindle mediated force and simultaneous persistent cohesin on the chromosomes cause their breakage. We provide evidence that tension generated by Cin8 and Kip3 through microtubule cross-linking is essential for signaling efficient cohesin removal and maintenance of chromosome integrity during meiosis. Summary Molecular motors generate forces that facilitate chromosome segregation. Unlike mitosis, in meiosis, two times chromosome segregation occur with twice microtubule assembly/disassembly. This work reports that the motor mediated forces are crucial for cohesin removal in meiosis and thus maintain genome integrity.
MET Tyrosine Kinase Inhibition Enhances the Antitumor Efficacy of an HGF Antibody

Receptor tyrosine kinase therapies have proven to be efficacious in specific cancer patient populations; however, a significant limitation of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment is the emergence of resistance mechanisms leading to a transient, partial, or complete lack of response. Combination therapies using agents with synergistic activity have potential to improve response and reduce acquired resistance. Chemoreagent or TKI treatment can lead to increased expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and/or MET, and this effect correlates with increased metastasis and poor prognosis. Despite MET's role in resistance and cancer biology, MET TKI monotherapy has yielded disappointing clinical responses. In this study, we describe the biological activity of a selective, oral MET TKI with slow off-rate and its synergistic antitumor effects when combined with an anti-HGF antibody. We evaluated the combined action of simultaneously neutralizing HGF ligand and inhibiting MET kinase activity in two cancer xenograft models that exhibit autocrine HGF/MET activation. The combination therapy results in additive antitumor activity in KP4 pancreatic tumors and synergistic activity in U-87MG glioblastoma tumors. Pharmacodynamic characterization of biomarkers that correlate with combination synergy reveal that monotherapies induce an increase in the total MET protein, whereas combination therapy significantly reduces total MET protein levels and phosphorylation of 4E-BP1. These results hold promise that dual targeting of HGF and MET by combining extracellular ligand inhibitors with intracellular MET TKIs could be an effective intervention strategy for cancer patients who have acquired resistance that is dependent on total MET protein. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(7); 1269–78. ©2017 AACR.
Variations in strontium isotope abundances in minerals part 1: Mass spectrometry analysis of mineral sources of strontium

Procedures for the determination of the isotopic abundances of Sr in mineral sources have been perfected which enable one to analyze as little as 50 μ g of Sr. Variations in the isotopic ratio Sr86/Sr88 have been found which are outside the experimental error and, as yet, unexplained, in minerals. Differences in this ratio have been observed in the Sr from two accessory minerals in the same granitic rock.
Differences in soil aggregate, microbial biomass carbon concentration, and soil carbon between Pinus rigida and Larix kaempferi plantations in Yangpyeong, central Korea

This study was conducted to examine the soil aggregate distributions and their relationship with microbial biomass carbon (C) concentration and soil C in Pinus rigida and Larix kaempferi plantations. Soil samples of 0–10 cm, 10–20 cm, and 20–30 cm depth were collected and the microbial biomass C concentration was measured. The soils were then classified into four aggregate size classes by wet-sieving procedure [large macroaggregate (>2000 μm), small macroaggregate (250–2000 μm), microaggregate (53–250 μm), and silt-plus-clay (<53 μm)] and the C content of each aggregate size class was analyzed. The L. kaempferi plantation contained more macroaggregate over 250 μm than the P. rigida plantation did. The mean weight diameter (MWD) of the soil aggregate up to 30 cm depth was 1.26 mm and 1.45 mm in the P. rigida and L. kaempferi plantations, respectively, and it decreased with soil depth. The microbial biomass C concentration up to 30 cm depth was 510 μg C g soil−1 for the P. rigida plantation and 764μg C g soil−1 for the L. kaempferi plantation, and it was greatest in the surface soil in both plantations. The mean soil C concentration up to 30 cm depth was 2.00% for the P. rigida plantation and 2.88% for the L. kaempferi plantation. In both plantations, the soil C concentration was higher in the surface soil than in the deep soil. However, there was no significant difference of C concentration among the soil aggregate size classes. The soil C content up to 30 cm depth in the P. rigida and L. kaempferi plantations were 47.69 Mg ha−1 and 61.49 Mg ha−1, respectively, and were also higher in the surface soil than in the deep soil. In both plantations, macroaggregate contained more Ccontent than microaggregate did. The microbial biomass C and soil C concentrations were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the L. kaempferi plantation than in the P. rigida plantation due to the effect of species difference. The MWD and C content tended to be greater in the L. kaempferi plantation than in the P. rigida plantation, but the differences were not significant. In this study, the soil aggregate size, microbial biomass C and soil C concentrations were positively correlated with one another.
Constraints on the causes of mid‐Miocene volcanism in the Pacific Northwest US from ambient noise tomography

We use data from the 118‐station High Lava Plains (HLP) seismic experiment together with other regional broadband seismic data to image the 3D shear wave velocity structure in the Pacific Northwest using ambient noise tomography. This extensive data set allows us to resolve fine‐scale crustal structures throughout the HLP area in greater detail than previous studies. Our results show 1) a high velocity cylinder in the crust and average velocities in the upper mantle beneath the Owyhee Plateau; 2) a mid‐crustal high velocity anomaly along the Snake River Plain that also extends south into Nevada and Utah; 3) a low velocity anomaly directly beneath Yellowstone throughout the crust; and 4) low velocities beneath the HLP both in the crust and uppermost mantle, possibly indicating very thin or absent mantle lithosphere in the area. These features provide important constraints on possible models for Miocene to recent volcanism in the Pacific Northwest.
Canadian historical and homogeneous temperature datasets for climate change analyses

The Canadian Historical Temperature Database (CHTD) was developed to meet the need for detailed individual station datasets and to produce an improved historical climate change database. It contains datasets of monthly mean maximum and minimum temperatures for 210 Canadian stations. Stations were selected on the basis of length of record, data completeness, and spatial distribution across the country. Records from separate stations were sometimes joined to temporally extend their series backward. Missing data gaps were estimated using highly correlated neighbour stations. Relative homogeneity was assessed using a Canadian developed technique based on regression models. Nonclimatic steps resulting from station or site relocations were identified and quantified. Data adjustments were performed for large steps (greater than 0.6°C) with or without metadata and for medium steps (0.4–0.6°C) with support. A bias in minimum temperatures was also identified and adjusted at principal stations located in eastern Canada. The bias results from a change in observing procedure in 1961 throughout the country, and it typically produces a decreasing step of about 0.6–0.8°C in the annual series in the eastern part of the country. Although also detectable in western Canada, it appears to be small there and no bias adjustments were performed in the western part of the country. Large temporal and spatial differences in data availability exist between areas north and south of 60°N latitude making national analyses possible for only the latest 50 years of data. Spatial presentation of the linear trends before and after adjustments shows overall improvement to the regional and national trends in terms of spatial consistency. The CHTD contains the best available monthly temperature data in Canada and these datasets are now available to the climate change research community. Copyright © 1999 Royal Meteorological Society
Continuity in Tropical Cave Use: Examples from East Timor and the Aru Islands, Maluku

The Aru Islands and East Timor fall within the biogeographic region known as Wallacea and have lain within the tropics for the known history of human occupation. Recent research has identified archaeological sequences that parallel the older radiocarbon chronologies from Australia. Terminal Pleistocene huntergatherer assemblages recovered from at least six caves register the introduction of a Neolithic technocomplex after ca. 4000 B.P. in the form of pottery, domesticates, ovens, the industrial use of shell, and some endemic extinctions. However, there are also intriguing uniformities in the cultural assemblages: in the suites of artifacts discarded and assumed supply zones for those artifacts, in the economic faunal suites, and in the apparent level of intensity of occupation of the different sites. We concur with and extend the argument made by Glover (1986) that there was no substantial change in the nature of cave use in East Timor despite the possible subsistence changes that might have taken place. Their remarkable continuities reflect their similar placement within larger regional land-use systems through time: they represent diverse components of a larger domestic and totemic landscape, which appears to continue to this day. The scale of territoriality, degree of mobility, and extent of trade and exchange of groups must all be considered if the placement of caves within cultural landscapes is to be understood.
Article State-dependent Variability of Neuronal Responses to Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation of the Visual Cortex

SUMMARY Electrical brain stimulation is a promising tool for both experimental and clinical applications. However, the effects of stimulation on neuronal activity are highly variable and poorly understood. To investigate the basis of this variability, we performed extracellular recordings in the visual cortex following application of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Our measurements of spiking and local field potential activity exhibit two types of response patterns which are characterized by the presence or absence of spontaneous discharge following stimulation. This variability can be partially explained by state-dependent effects, in which higher pre-TMS activity predicts larger post-TMS responses. These results reveal the possibility that variability in the neural response to TMS can be exploited to optimize the effects of stimulation. It is conceivable that this feature could be utilized in real time during the treatment of clinical disorders.
Alcohol and nicotine polygenic scores are associated with the development of alcohol and nicotine use problems from adolescence to young adulthood

Background and Aims: Molecular genetic studies of alcohol and nicotine use have identified many genome-wide association study (GWAS) loci. We measured associations between drinking and smoking polygenic scores (PGS) and trajectories of alcohol and nicotine use outcomes from late childhood to early adulthood, substance-specific versus broader-liability PGS effects, and if PGS performance varied for consumption versus problematic substance use. Design, setting, participants and measurements: We fitted latent growth curve models with structured residuals to scores on measures of alcohol and nicotine use and problems from ages 14 to 34 years. We then estimated associations between the intercept (initial status) and slope (rate of change) parameters and PGSs for drinks per week (DPW), problematic alcohol use (PAU), cigarettes per day (CPD) and ever being a regular smoker (SMK), controlling for sex and genetic principal components. All data were analyzed in the United States. PGSs were calculated for participants of the Minnesota Twin Family Study (n = 3225) using results from the largest GWAS of alcohol and nicotine consumption and problematic use to date. Correspondence: Joseph D. Deak PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Human Genetics Division, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA. , joseph.deak@yale.edu. AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS Joseph Deak: Conceptualization; formal analysis; investigation; funding acquisition; project administration. D. Angus Clark: Conceptualization; formal analysis; investigation; methodology; project administration; resources; software; visualization. Mengzhen Liu: Data curation; formal analysis; methodology. Jonathan Schaefer: Investigation; methodology. Seonkyeong Jang: Data curation; formal analysis; methodology. C Emily Durbin: Conceptualization; investigation; supervision. William Iacono: Conceptualization; data curation; funding acquisition; project administration. Matthew McGue: Conceptualization; data curation; funding acquisition; project administration. Scott Vrieze: Conceptualization; data curation; formal analysis; project administration. Brian Hicks: Conceptualization; data curation; formal analysis; funding acquisition; investigation; methodology; project administration; supervision. Frederic C. Blow, Ph.D. is the PI on this Institutional T32 award. This funding supported Brian M Hicks (B.M.H.) DECLARATION OF INTERESTS None. SUPPORTING INFORMATION Additional supporting information may be found in the online version of the article at the publisher’s website. HHS Public Access Author manuscript Addiction. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2022 April 01. Published in final edited form as: Addiction. 2022 April ; 117(4): 1117–1127. doi:10.1111/add.15697. A uhor M anscript
Atomically thin spherical shell-shaped superscatterers based on a Bohr model

Graphene monolayers can be used for atomically thin three-dimensional shell-shaped superscatterer designs. Due to the excitation of the first-order resonance of transverse magnetic (TM) graphene plasmons, the scattering cross section of the bare subwavelength dielectric particle is enhanced significantly by five orders of magnitude. The superscattering phenomenon can be intuitively understood and interpreted with a Bohr model. In addition, based on the analysis of the Bohr model, it is shown that contrary to the TM case, superscattering is hard to achieve by exciting the resonance of transverse electric (TE) graphene plasmons due to their poor field confinements.