Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A New Procedure for Selecting and Ranking Ground-Motion Prediction Equations (GMPEs): The Euclidean Distance-Based Ranking (EDR) Method

Abstract We introduce a procedure for selecting and ranking of ground‐motion prediction equations (GMPEs) that can be useful for regional or site‐specific probabilistic seismic hazard assessment (PSHA). The methodology is called Euclidean distance‐based ranking (EDR) as it modifies the Euclidean distance ( DE ) concept for ranking of GMPEs under a given set of observed data. DE is similar to the residual analysis concept; its modified form, as discussed in this paper, can efficiently serve for ranking the candidate GMPEs. The proposed procedure separately considers ground‐motion uncertainty (i.e., aleatory variability addressed by the standard deviation) and the bias between the observed data and median estimations of candidate GMPEs (i.e., model bias). Indices computed from the consideration of aleatory variability and model bias or their combination can rank GMPEs to design GMPE logic trees that can serve for site‐specific or regional PSHA studies. We discussed these features through a case study and ranked a suite of GMPEs under a specific ground‐motion database. The case study indicated that separate consideration of ground‐motion uncertainty (aleatory variability) and model bias or their combination can change the ranking of GMPEs, which also showed that the ground‐motion models having simpler functional forms generally rank at the top of the list. We believe that the proposed method can be a useful tool to improve the decision‐making process while identifying the most proper GMPEs according to the specific objectives of PSHA. Online Material: MATLAB script and sample input file for EDR index calculation.
RECOGNITION OF PARASEQUENCES BASED ON WAVELET TRANSFORM OF LOG DATA

The principle used to recognize sequence boundary and the anatomy of stratigraphic architecture is the key of sequence stratigraphy.Log curves change abruptly due to variation of physical properties at the interface of parasequences.Such changes can be revealed by wavelet transform of log data.As a case study,SP log curve from a well in the Dongying Sag is processed using Gauss wavelet transformation,and the time-frequency chromatogram and wavelet coefficient curves on different scales are obtained.When the optimal decomposition scale is determined,the interface between parasequences can be recognized exactly according to the position of wavelet modulus.The depositional cycle types can be identified by using the high and low frequency wavelet coefficient of GR after multiscale analysis,and the corresponding frequency spectrum response character was established.This research provides a completely new method to quantitatively demarcate sequence boundaries and stratigraphic architecture.
Effect of Borrelia burgdorferi on the Expression of miRNAs in Breast Cancer and Normal Mammary Epithelial Cells

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death in women worldwide. Recent studies have demonstrated that inflammation due to infections with microorganisms could play a role in breast cancer development. One of the known human pathogens, Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, has been shown to be present in various types of breast cancer and is associated with poor prognosis. We reported that B. burgdorferi can invade breast cancer cells and affect their tumorigenic phenotype. To better understand the genome-wide genetic changes caused by B. burgdorferi, we evaluated the microRNA (miRNA or miR) expression profiles of two triple-negative breast cancer cell lines and one non-tumorigenic mammary cell line before and after B. burgdorferi infection. Using a cancer-specific miRNA panel, four miRNAs (miR-206, 214-3p, 16-5p, and 20b-5p) were identified as potential markers for Borrelia-induced changes, and the results were confirmed by quantitative real-time reverse transcription (qRT-PCR). Among those miRNAs, miR-206 and 214 were the most significantly upregulated miRNAs. The cellular impact of miR-206 and 214 was evaluated using DIANA software to identify related molecular pathways and genes. Analyses showed that the cell cycle, checkpoints, DNA damage–repair, proto-oncogenes, and cancer-related signaling pathways are mostly affected by B. burgdorferi infection. Based on this information, we have identified potential miRNAs which could be further evaluated as biomarkers for tumorigenesis caused by pathogens in breast cancer cells.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells Combined with a P(VDF-TrFE)/BaTiO3 Scaffold and Photobiomodulation Therapy Enhance Bone Repair in Rat Calvarial Defects

Background: Tissue engineering and cell therapy have been the focus of investigations on how to treat challenging bone defects. This study aimed to produce and characterize a P(VDF-TrFE)/BaTiO3 scaffold and evaluate the effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) combined with this scaffold and photobiomodulation (PBM) on bone repair. Methods and results: P(VDF-TrFE)/BaTiO3 was synthesized using an electrospinning technique and presented physical and chemical properties suitable for bone tissue engineering. This scaffold was implanted in rat calvarial defects (unilateral, 5 mm in diameter) and, 2 weeks post-implantation, MSCs were locally injected into these defects (n = 12/group). Photobiomodulation was then applied immediately, and again 48 and 96 h post-injection. The μCT and histological analyses showed an increment in bone formation, which exhibited a positive correlation with the treatments combined with the scaffold, with MSCs and PBM inducing more bone repair, followed by the scaffold combined with PBM, the scaffold combined with MSCs, and finally the scaffold alone (ANOVA, p ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: The P(VDF-TrFE)/BaTiO3 scaffold acted synergistically with MSCs and PBM to induce bone repair in rat calvarial defects. These findings emphasize the need to combine a range of techniques to regenerate large bone defects and provide avenues for further investigations on innovative tissue engineering approaches.
DO IONet: 9-Axis IMU-Based 6-DOF Odometry Framework Using Neural Network for Direct Orientation Estimation

With the development of mobile devices, low-cost inertial measurement unit (IMU)-based research on inertial odometry for indoor localization is being actively conducted. Inertial odometry estimates the amount of change in position and orientation relative to the initial value based on the data measured by the IMU and creates a trajectory via a multi-integration process. However, existing approaches primarily focus on estimating the position in a two-dimensional (2D) plane. Additionally, drift errors occur because the position is estimated by integrating the position change and the orientation change. Herein, we propose a novel six-degree of freedom inertial odometry framework that directly estimates the orientation to minimize drift errors. The proposed framework is a direct-orientation inertial odometry network (DO IONet) that outputs the velocity and orientation of the IMU by using linear acceleration, gyro data, gravitational acceleration, and geomagnetic data as inputs to structurally eliminate drift errors that occur during orientation calculations. DO IONet is composed of a convolutional neural network-based encoder to extract features from inertial data and decoder to extract sequential features. Structurally, it does not require initial values and has no cumulative error despite estimating orientation over tens of seconds.
Increased Circulating ADMA in Young Male Rats Caused Cognitive Deficits and Increased Intestinal and Hippocampal NLRP3 Inflammasome Expression and Microbiota Composition Alterations: Effects of Resveratrol

Endothelial dysfunction is characterized by disturbances in nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and increased circulating asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) due to the enormous release of free radicals. Increased circulating ADMA may cause endothelial dysfunction and a variety of clinical disorders, such as liver and kidney disease. Young male Sprague-Dawley rats at postnatal day 17 ± 1 received continuous ADMA infusion via an intraperitoneal pump to induce endothelial dysfunction. Four groups of rats (n = 10 per group) were allocated: control, control and resveratrol, ADMA infusion, and ADMA infusion and resveratrol groups. Spatial memory, NLR family pyrin-domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, cytokine expression, tight junction proteins in the ileum and dorsal hippocampus, and microbiota composition were examined. We found cognitive deficits; increased NLRP3 inflammasome in the plasma, ileum, and dorsal hippocampus; decreased ileum and dorsal hippocampal cytokine activation and tight junction proteins; and microbiota composition alterations in the ADMA-infusion young male rats. Resveratrol had beneficial effects in this context. In conclusion, we observed NLRP3 inflammasome activation in peripheral and central dysbiosis in young male rats with increased circulating ADMA, and found that resveratrol had beneficial effects. Our work adds to the mounting evidence that inhibiting systemic inflammation is a promising therapeutic avenue for cognition impairment, probably via the gut-brain axis.
Nonparametric sequential prediction of stationary time series

We present simple procedures for the prediction of a real valued time series with side information. For squared loss (regression problem), survey the basic principles of universally consistent estimates. The prediction algorithms are based on a combination of several simple predictors. We show that if the sequence is a realization of a stationary and ergodic random process then the average of squared errors converges, almost surely, to that of the optimum, given by the Bayes predictor. We offer an analog result for the prediction of stationary gaussian processes. These prediction strategies have some consequences for 0− 1 loss (pattern recognition problem).
Lexical similarities between Khelobedu dialect and Tshivenḓa and Sepedi languages

This article endeavours to argue from a linguistic point of view for the ‘independence’ of Khelobedu, to be recognised as an additional official language in the Republic of South Africa. The speakers of Khelobedu speak neither Sepedi or Tshivenḓa as some linguists claim. From the wide range of literature on this phenomenon, some Sepedi and Tshivenḓa linguists claim that this language (Khelobedu) is their dialect. This indecisiveness leaves Khelobedu speakers in limbo. As a result, Balobedu learners end up performing poorly academically because they learn the Sepedi language as their second language instead. The purpose of this article is to argue on linguistic grounds against such a classification by the earlier linguists and missionaries as the findings succinctly provide evidence in support of this position. In attempting to dispute this classification, the content analysis method was employed for data gathering purposes. A comparative lexicostatistic approach was used to undergird the study. In terms of data, Khelobedu, Tshivenḓa and Sepedi lexical items were collected and compared to corroborate the claim. Nevertheless, Khelobedu strongly shows its ‘independence’ as do Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana and isiZulu, isiNdebele, isiXhosa and Siswati. Furthermore, Khelobedu and Sepedi differ greatly in terms of their pronunciation. The issue around mutual intelligibility, we argue, should not be put into this equation. The article recommends that Khelobedu be regarded as an official language that Balobedu learners and students could use as a medium of teaching and learning; furthermore, Balobedu’s identity should also not be compromised.Contribution: The significance and contribution of this article to scientific knowledge resides in its contention that the classification of Khelobedu as one of the dialects of the Sepedi or Northern Sotho language lacks linguistic justification. The article further argues that this misclassification was due to the partnership that existed between the missionaries and the colonial government in consultation with their informants who only recognised varieties where the missionaries settled and operated. Therefore, it is postulated that Khelobedu should be considered a fully fledged language since it shows its own linguistic repertoire.
Microbial Biological Control of Fungi Associated with Grapevine Trunk Diseases: A Review of Strain Diversity, Modes of Action, and Advantages and Limits of Current Strategies

Grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs) are currently among the most important health challenges for viticulture in the world. Esca, Botryosphaeria dieback, and Eutypa dieback are the most current GTDs caused by fungi in mature vineyards. Their incidence has increased over the last two decades, mainly after the ban of sodium arsenate, carbendazim, and benomyl in the early 2000s. Since then, considerable efforts have been made to find alternative approaches to manage these diseases and limit their propagation. Biocontrol is a sustainable approach to fight against GTD-associated fungi and several microbiological control agents have been tested against at least one of the pathogens involved in these diseases. In this review, we provide an overview of the pathogens responsible, the various potential biocontrol microorganisms selected and used, and their origins, mechanisms of action, and efficiency in various experiments carried out in vitro, in greenhouses, and/or in vineyards. Lastly, we discuss the advantages and limitations of these approaches to protect grapevines against GTDs, as well as the future perspectives for their improvement.
High-Quality Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly of the Corsac Fox (Vulpes corsac) Reveals Adaptation to Semiarid and Harsh Environments

The Corsac fox (Vulpes corsac) is a species of fox distributed in the arid prairie regions of Central and Northern Asia, with distinct adaptations to dry environments. Here, we applied Oxford-Nanopore sequencing and a chromosome structure capture technique to assemble the first Corsac fox genome, which was then assembled into chromosome fragments. The genome assembly has a total length of 2.2 Gb with a contig N50 of 41.62 Mb and a scaffold N50 of 132.2 Mb over 18 pseudo-chromosomal scaffolds. The genome contained approximately 32.67% of repeat sequences. A total of 20,511 protein-coding genes were predicted, of which 88.9% were functionally annotated. Phylogenetic analyses indicated a close relation to the Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) with an estimated divergence time of ~3.7 million years ago (MYA). We performed separate enrichment analyses of species-unique genes, the expanded and contracted gene families, and positively selected genes. The results suggest an enrichment of pathways related to protein synthesis and response and an evolutionary mechanism by which cells respond to protein denaturation in response to heat stress. The enrichment of pathways related to lipid and glucose metabolism, potentially preventing stress from dehydration, and positive selection of genes related to vision, as well as stress responses in harsh environments, may reveal adaptive evolutionary mechanisms in the Corsac fox under harsh drought conditions. Additional detection of positive selection for genes associated with gustatory receptors may reveal a unique desert diet strategy for the species. This high-quality genome provides a valuable resource for studying mammalian drought adaptation and evolution in the genus Vulpes.
Diagnosis of Upper-Level Processes Influencing an Unusually Intense Extratropical Cyclone over Southeast Australia

Abstract On 1 December 1987, an unusual midlatitude cyclone affected much of southeastern Australia. The storm was characterized by unforced rapid deepening to a near record low (locally) mean sea-level pressure, high winds, anomalously cold surface temperatures, and near-record rainfall in some areas. The storm resulted in extensive damage, including a massive livestock kill. Comparison with storm tracks over southern Australia from the past 20 years shows that the path of this storm was quite unusual for this time of year. Utilizing a series of analyses prepared from an incremental limited area data assimilation system, it is shown that: 1) an amplifying upper-tropospheric wave influenced the initial development and path of the cyclone as it crossed the southern coast of Australia, 2) transverse circulations associated with two juxtaposed upper-level jet streaks embedded in the wave focussed upper-level divergence and midlevel ascent over the low during its rapid intensification phase, and 3) a distinct.
Cataphoric it and backgrounding from the point of view of coherence relations

Following Harris & Bates’ (2002) observation that cataphora is allowed in subordinate backgrounded clauses, we examine backgrounding at the discourse level, making use of the nucleus-satellite distinction in Rhetorical Structure Theory (Mann & Thompson 1988). We extract examples of cataphoric it in an RST-annotated corpus and conclude that there is no strict correlation between cataphora and backgrounding, as cataphoric it appears in both nuclei and satellites. Using diagnostics in Ariel (1990), we propose that the occurrence of cataphora in nuclei is explained by: (i) cohesion, and (ii) first mention versus continuation of a discourse referent.
CAEG: crash-based automatic exploit generation

In this paper, CAEG (Crash-based Automatic Exploit Generation) is proposed to automatically generate binary program exploits based on known crash inputs. In CAEG we analyze the input causing a program crash and address two main challenges: how to reproduce the crash state and how to automatically generate control flow hijacking exploits. Firstly, a path-oriented algorithm is proposed to find the crash path using symbolic execution techniques by treating the crash input as a symbolic value. Secondly, we summarize the principle of multiple control flow hijacking vulnerability exploits. In addition, consider bypassing the vulnerability mitigation mechanism by using springboard instructions to bypass Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) and return-to-libc to bypass Non-executable bit (NX). We tested 11 open source software with vulnerabilities (8 from the test sets of AEG and MAYHEM, and 3 from the CVE and EDB vulnerability repositories). The experimental results show that our scheme is more efficient than AEG and MAYHEM.
Using genetic algorithms as a parameter estimation tool for the generalized lambda distribution (gld) family: “methods of moments”

The generalized lambda distribution, GLD is a four-parameter familythat has been used for fitting distributions to a wide variety of data sets. Minimizationthrough traditional calculus-based methods has been implementedwith relative success, but due to computational and theoretical shortcomings ofthose methods, the moment space has been limited. This paper solve those troublesby using Genetic Algorithms (search algorithms based on the mechanicsof natural selection and natural genetics) applied to the methods of moments.Examples of better solutions than the ones find out with traditional calculusbasedmethods are included.
Reinforcement Learning in a New Keynesian Model

We construct a New Keynesian (NK) behavioural macroeconomic model with bounded-rationality (BR) and heterogeneous agents. We solve and simulate the model using a third-order approximation for a given policy and evaluate its properties using this solution. The model is inhabited by fully rational (RE) and BR agents. The latter are anticipated utility learners, given their beliefs of aggregate states, and they use simple heuristic rules to forecast aggregate variables exogenous to their micro-environment. In the most general form of the model, RE and BR agents learn from their forecasting errors by observing and comparing them with each other, making the composition of the two types endogenous. This reinforcement learning is then at the core of the heterogeneous expectations model and leads to the striking result that increasing the volatility of exogenous shocks, by assisting the learning process, increases the proportion of RE agents and is welfare-increasing.
Effects of gait training with and without proprioceptive neuromuscular
facilitation on balance and gait in chronic stroke patients

Introduction. To compare the effects of gait training with and without proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on balance and gait in chronic stroke individuals. Methods. it was a double-blind randomized control trial conducted at University Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation clinic, Lahore, Pakistan from March 2020 to November 2020 using non-probability convenient sampling. Sixty patients in the chronic phase of a stroke, aged between 35 and 85 years, were randomly allocated into two groups. Group A received proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation-based gait training along with routine physical therapy, while group B received only gait training and routine physical therapy. Berg balance scale (BBS) and GAiTRite platinum were used as measuring equipment. The rules and regulations set by the ethical committee of the university of Lahore were followed. data was analysed by a statistical package for social sciences, version 24. Results. Balance improved more significantly in group A than in group B ( p < 0.05). Participants improved significantly in terms of stride length ( p < 0.001), step length ( p < 0.001), % swing phase ( p < 0.001), BBS ( p < 0.001), cadence ( p < 0.001) and velocity ( p < 0.001), and decreased significantly for ambulation time ( p < 0.001), and % stance phase of gait cycle ( p < 0.001), over the treatment period within both groups. The results of stride length, step length, ambulation time, cadence, velocity, % of swing and stance phase were insignificant for between-group comparisons. Conclusions. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation-based gait training along with routine physical therapy is more effective in improving balance as compared to routine physical therapy alone. However, for improving gait parameters, proprioceptive neuro-muscular facilitation (PNF) proves to be as effective as routine physical therapy and gait training.