Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Temporal and spatial variation of stable-isotope ratios and accumulation rates in the hinterland of Neumayer station, East Antarctica

Abstract Four firn cores were retrieved in 2007 at two ridges in the area of the Ekström Ice Shelf, Dronning Maud Land, coastal East Antarctica, in order to investigate the recent regional climate variability and the potential for future extraction of an intermediate-depth core. Stable water-isotope analysis, tritium content and electrical conductivity were used to date the cores. For the period 1981–2006 a strong and significant correlation between the stable-isotope composition of firn cores in the hinterland and mean monthly air temperatures at Neumayer station was (r = 0.54−0.71). No atmospheric warming or cooling trend is inferred from our stable-isotope data for the period 1962–2006. The stable-isotope record of the ice/firn cores could expand well beyond the meteorological record of the region. No significant temporal variation of accumulation rates was detected. However, decreasing accumulation rates were found from coast to hinterland, as well as from east (Halvfarryggen) to west (Søråsen). The deuterium excess (d) exhibits similar differences (higher d at Søråsen, lower d at Halvfarryggen), with a weak negative temporal trend on Halvfarryggen (0.04‰ a−1), probably implying increasing oceanic input. We conclude that Halvfarryggen acts as a natural barrier for moisture-carrying air masses circulating in the region from east to west.
Biologically-Targeted Detection of Primary and Micro-Metastatic Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of morbidity/mortality from gynecologic malignancy. Early detection of disease is difficult due to the propensity for ovarian cancer to disseminate throughout the peritoneum. Currently, there is no single accurate test to detect primary or recurrent ovarian cancer. We report a novel clinical strategy using PPF: a multimodal, PET and optical, folate receptor (FR)-targeted agent for ovarian cancer imaging. The capabilities of PPF were evaluated in primary human ovarian cancer cells, in vivo xenografts derived from primary cells and ex vivo patient omemtum, as the heterogeneity and phenotype displayed by patients is retained. Primary cells uptake PPF in a FR-dependent manner demonstrating approximately a 5- to 25-fold increase in fluorescence. By both PET and fluorescence imaging, PPF specifically delineated FR-positive, ovarian cancer xenografts, with similar tumor-to-background ratios of 8.91±0.91 and 7.94±3.94, and micro-metastatic studding (<1mm), which demonstrated a 3.5-fold increase in PPF uptake over adjacent normal tissue. Ex vivo patient omentum demonstrated selective uptake of PFF by tumor deposits. The ability of PPF to identify metastatic deposits <1mm could facilitate more complete debulking (currently, optimal debulking is <10mm residual tumor), by providing a more sensitive imaging strategy improving treatment planning, response assessment and residual/recurrent disease detection. Therefore, PPF is a novel clinical imaging strategy that could substantially improve the prognosis of patients with ovarian cancer by allowing pre-, post- and intra-operative tumor monitoring, detection and possibly treatment throughout all stages of therapy and tumor progression.
Modeling damage in rotorcraft flexbeams using wave mechanics

The application of wave propagation analysis to detect damage in rotorcraft flexbeams in the form of transverse cracks and delaminations is discussed. The approach used involves examining the local scattering properties of structural discontinuities in the frequency domain to assess the effect of damage on the modal response of the structure. A model using a simulated cantilevered beam is used to illustrate the performance of the wave model approach for dynamic detection of damage in the form of transverse cracks imparted to composite rotorcraft flexbeams. Experimental validation is carried out on a graphite/epoxy (AS4/3501-6) cantilever beam test specimen with ply orientation in vacuum at various RPM levels. Damage in the form of a transverse crack, which extends across the entire width of the specimen is imparted at depths of 25, 50 and 75% of the beam thickness to the test specimen. A piezoelectric actuator mounted near the root is used to excite the structure dynamically to help locate and determine the extent of damage. The resonant frequencies and scattering properties are used as performance metrics to compare the experimental behavior against the analytical predictions from the wave modeling.
Skeletogenesis of Myiopsitta monachus (Psittaciformes) and sequence heterochronies in Aves

The ossification sequence of Myiopsitta monachus was determined. Myiopsitta has a similar sequence to other altricial birds, with delayed skeletons compared to precocial species. The hindlimbs ossify before the forelimbs, a condition that could be linked to altriciality. To determine the stability of the sequences of ossification across birds, we selected species of different groups of Aves and used event‐pairing method and character mapping on a phylogeny. Our results show that the homogeneity in the development of birds was supported by 56.77% of the character states. Event‐pair cracking phylogenetic method was applied to identify sequence heterochronies. Results reveal a high number of heterochronies and show that the long bones in limbs may behave as modules. In Myiopsitta, the ossa ectethmoidale and mesethmoidale ossify early. These bones provide the origin site of the Psittaciformes’ novel adductor m. ethmomandibularis, associated with strong bite forces, and its acceleration in the sequence may correspond to the functional hypothesis. Also, the early appearance of some hyoid apparatus elements occurs, and could be related to the development of tongue in Psittaciformes and its role in handling food, and is in concordance with the functional and size hypothesis.
Randomized grey wolf optimizer (RGWO) with randomly weighted coefficients

Meta-heuristic algorithms are quiet widely used in engineering and science. In this paper, a novel variant of grey-wolf optimizer, randomized gray-wolf optimizer, is proposed where the effect of random coefficients of the best agents are taken into consideration. The proposed variant is tested on a set of 12 standard benchmark functions and compared with grey-wolf optimizer and particle swarm optimization on different dimensional search spaces. To statistically validate and analyse the convergence behaviour of variant, wilcoxon rank sum test along with convergence graphs over 30 runs is studied. The experimental study signify that the proposed variant not only enhances the performance but has comparable convergence rate, especially in case of multi-modal problems.
Heterogeneity of pulmonary perfusion as a mechanistic image-based phenotype in emphysema susceptible smokers

Recent evidence suggests that endothelial dysfunction and pathology of pulmonary vascular responses may serve as a precursor to smoking-associated emphysema. Although it is known that emphysematous destruction leads to vasculature changes, less is known about early regional vascular dysfunction which may contribute to and precede emphysematous changes. We sought to test the hypothesis, via multidetector row CT (MDCT) perfusion imaging, that smokers showing early signs of emphysema susceptibility have a greater heterogeneity in regional perfusion parameters than emphysema-free smokers and persons who had never smoked (NS). Assuming that all smokers have a consistent inflammatory response, increased perfusion heterogeneity in emphysema-susceptible smokers would be consistent with the notion that these subjects may have the inability to block hypoxic vasoconstriction in patchy, small regions of inflammation. Dynamic ECG-gated MDCT perfusion scans with a central bolus injection of contrast were acquired in 17 NS, 12 smokers with normal CT imaging studies (SNI), and 12 smokers with subtle CT findings of centrilobular emphysema (SCE). All subjects had normal spirometry. Quantitative image analysis determined regional perfusion parameters, pulmonary blood flow (PBF), and mean transit time (MTT). Mean and coefficient of variation were calculated, and statistical differences were assessed with one-way ANOVA. MDCT-based MTT and PBF measurements demonstrate globally increased heterogeneity in SCE subjects compared with NS and SNI subjects but demonstrate similarity between NS and SNI subjects. These findings demonstrate a functional lung-imaging measure that provides a more mechanistically oriented phenotype that differentiates smokers with and without evidence of emphysema susceptibility.
Clinical Implications of Digenic Inheritance and Epistasis in Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders

The existence of epistasis in humans was first predicted by Bateson in 1909. Epistasis describes the non-linear, synergistic interaction of two or more genetic loci, which can substantially modify disease severity or result in entirely new phenotypes. The concept has remained controversial in human genetics because of the lack of well-characterized examples. In humans, it is only possible to demonstrate epistasis if two or more genes are mutated. In most cases of epistasis, the mutated gene products are likely to be constituents of the same physiological pathway leading to severe disruption of a cellular function such as antibody production. We have recently described a digenic family, who carry mutations of TNFRSF13B/TACI as well as TCF3 genes. Both genes lie in tandem along the immunoglobulin isotype switching and secretion pathway. We have shown they interact in an epistatic way causing severe immunodeficiency and autoimmunity in the digenic proband. With the advent of next generation sequencing, it is likely other families with digenic inheritance will be identified. Since digenic inheritance does not always cause epistasis, we propose an epistasis index which may help quantify the effects of the two mutations. We also discuss the clinical implications of digenic inheritance and epistasis in humans with primary immunodeficiency disorders.
Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2018 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association

Each chapter listed in the Table of Contents (see next page) is a hyperlink to that chapter. The reader clicks the chapter name to access that chapter. Each chapter listed here is a hyperlink. Click on the chapter name to be taken to that chapter. Each year, the American Heart Association (AHA), in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, and other government agencies, brings together in a single document the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and the cardiovascular risk factors listed in the AHA’s My Life Check - Life’s Simple 7 (Figure1), which include core health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, diet, and weight) and health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure [BP], and glucose control) that contribute to cardiovascular health. The Statistical Update represents …
Late diagnosis of a truncating WISP3 mutation entails a severe phenotype of progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia

Rare diseases are often misdiagnosed or receive a delayed diagnosis; thus, unfortunately, affected individuals may not receive optimal medical management. Here, we report a case of two siblings with a severe phenotype of progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia (PPD). Their onset of symptoms began at the age of 3 yr. Both were neglected in the past, and the patients presented with a very severe phenotype and unmitigated natural history. PPD is a rare autosomal recessive skeletal dysplasia characterized by progressive joint stiffness, swelling, and pain. Because of observed muscle wasting, weakness, and the lack of laboratory testing, the case had been initially misdiagnosed by the local physicians. We aimed to provide diagnostic support by a targeted next-generation sequencing gene panel (Illumina TruSight One) for Mendelian diseases (Mendeliome), and we identified a homozygous frameshift mutation in the gene WISP3 (c.868_869delAG, p.Ser290Leufs*12). Thus, early diagnosis and intervention may have decreased the severity and complication of the disease.
Evaluation of Social-Cognitive versus Stage-Matched, Self-Help Physical Activity Interventions at the Workplace

Purpose. To compare the effectiveness of stage-matched vs. social-cognitive physical activity interventions in a work setting. Both interventions were designed as minimal-contact, self-help programs suitable for large-scale application. Design. Randomized trial. Participants were randomized into one of the two intervention groups at baseline; the follow-up assessment was conducted 1 month later. Setting. A large, public university in the southeastern region of the United States. Subjects. Employees from two academic colleges within the participating institution were eligible to participate: 366 employees completed the baseline assessment; 208 of these completed both assessments (baseline and follow-up) and met the compliance criteria. Intervention. Printed, self-help exercise booklets (12 to 16 pages in length) either (1) matched to the individual's stage of motivational readiness for exercise adoption at baseline or (2) derived from social-cognitive theory but not matched by stage. Measures. Standard questionnaires were administered to assess stage of motivational readiness for physical activity; physical activity participation; and exercise-related processes of change, decisional balance, self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, and goal satisfaction. Results. The two interventions were equally effective in moving participants to higher levels of motivational readiness for regular physical activity. Among participants not already in maintenance at baseline, 34.9% in the stage-matched condition progressed, while 33.9% in the social-cognitive group did so (x2 = not significant). Analyses of variance showed that the two treatment groups did not differ in terms of physical activity participation, cognitive and behavioral process use, decisional balance, or the other psychological constructs. For both treatment groups, cognitive process use remained high across all stages, while behavioral process use increased at the higher stages. The pros component of decisional balance did not vary across stage, whereas cons decreased significantly between preparation and action. Conclusions. Minimal-contact, one-shot physical activity interventions delivered at work can help people increase their participation in regular physical activity. Stage matching may not necessarily add value to interventions that otherwise make good use of behavior change theory. The findings also reinforce the importance of barrier reduction in long-term adherence. A limiting factor in this study is that employees in the earliest stage of change (precontemplation) were not well-represented in the sample.
Asymmetric Bimanual Control of Dual-Arm Exoskeletons for Human-Cooperative Manipulations

In this paper, two upper limbs of an exoskeleton robot are operated within a constrained region of the operational space with unidentified intention of the human operator's motion as well as uncertain dynamics including physical limits. The new human-cooperative strategies are developed to detect the human subject's movement efforts in order to make the robot behavior flexible and adaptive. The motion intention extracted from the measurement of the subject's muscular effort in terms of the applied forces/torques can be represented to derive the reference trajectory of his/her limb using a viable impedance model. Then, adaptive online estimation for impedance parameters is employed to deal with the nonlinear and variable stiffness property of the limb model. In order for the robot to follow a specific impedance target, we integrate the motion intention estimation into a barrier Lyapunov function based adaptive impedance control. Experiments have been carried out to verify the effectiveness of the proposed dual-arm coordination control scheme, in terms of desired motion and force tracking.
A Low-Cost Approach to Automatically Obtain Accurate 3D Models of Woody Crops

Crop monitoring is an essential practice within the field of precision agriculture since it is based on observing, measuring and properly responding to inter- and intra-field variability. In particular, “on ground crop inspection” potentially allows early detection of certain crop problems or precision treatment to be carried out simultaneously with pest detection. “On ground monitoring” is also of great interest for woody crops. This paper explores the development of a low-cost crop monitoring system that can automatically create accurate 3D models (clouds of coloured points) of woody crop rows. The system consists of a mobile platform that allows the easy acquisition of information in the field at an average speed of 3 km/h. The platform, among others, integrates an RGB-D sensor that provides RGB information as well as an array with the distances to the objects closest to the sensor. The RGB-D information plus the geographical positions of relevant points, such as the starting and the ending points of the row, allow the generation of a 3D reconstruction of a woody crop row in which all the points of the cloud have a geographical location as well as the RGB colour values. The proposed approach for the automatic 3D reconstruction is not limited by the size of the sampled space and includes a method for the removal of the drift that appears in the reconstruction of large crop rows.
Ganglioside Structure Dictates Signal Transduction by Cholera Toxin and Association with Caveolae-like Membrane Domains in Polarized Epithelia

In polarized cells, signal transduction by cholera toxin (CT) requires apical endocytosis and retrograde transport into Golgi cisternae and perhaps ER (Lencer, W.I., C. Constable, S. Moe, M. Jobling, H.M. Webb, S. Ruston, J.L. Madara, T. Hirst, and R. Holmes. 1995. J. Cell Biol. 131:951–962). In this study, we tested whether CT's apical membrane receptor ganglioside GM1 acts specifically in toxin action. To do so, we used CT and the related Escherichia coli heat-labile type II enterotoxin LTIIb. CT and LTIIb distinguish between gangliosides GM1 and GD1a at the cell surface by virtue of their dissimilar receptor-binding B subunits. The enzymatically active A subunits, however, are homologous. While both toxins bound specifically to human intestinal T84 cells (K d ≈ 5 nM), only CT elicited a cAMP-dependent Cl− secretory response. LTIIb, however, was more potent than CT in eliciting a cAMP-dependent response from mouse Y1 adrenal cells (toxic dose 10 vs. 300 pg/well). In T84 cells, CT fractionated with caveolae-like detergent-insoluble membranes, but LTIIb did not. To investigate further the relationship between the specificity of ganglioside binding and partitioning into detergent-insoluble membranes and signal transduction, CT and LTIIb chimeric toxins were prepared. Analysis of these chimeric toxins confirmed that toxin-induced signal transduction depended critically on the specificity of ganglioside structure. The mechanism(s) by which ganglioside GM1 functions in signal transduction likely depends on coupling CT with caveolae or caveolae-related membrane domains.
Entropy4Cloud: Using Entropy-Based Complexity to Optimize Cloud Service Resource Management

In cloud service resource management system, complexity limits the system's ability to better satisfy the application's quality of service requirements, e.g., cost budget, average response time, and reliability. Numerousness, diversity, variety, uncertainty, etc., are some of the complexity factors that lead to the variation between expected plan and actual running performance of cloud applications. In this paper, after defining the complexity clearly, we identify the origin of complexity in cloud service resource management system through the study of “Local Activity Principle. ” In order to manage complexity, an entropy-based methodology is presented to use, which covers identifying, measuring, analyzing, and controlling (avoid and reduce) of complexity. Finally, we implement such idea in a popular cloud engine, Apache Spark, for running analysis as a service. Experiments demonstrate that the new entropy-based resource management approach can significantly improve the performance of spark applications. Compare with the fair scheduler in Apache Spark, our proposed entropy scheduler is able to reduce overall cost by 23%, improve the average service response time by 15–20%, and minimized the standard deviation of service response time by 30–45%.
An Optimized Fast Handover Scheme Based on Distributed Antenna System for High-Speed Railway

High-speed trains have become one of the most leading transportation means, where each year the manufacture companies reach a new speed record. This progressive speed records increase the handover (HO) rate which makes it very difficult for high speed railway (HSR) mobile communication to sustain a reliable communication link. Utilizing distributed antenna systems (DASs) along with the two-hop architecture, this paper analyzes the conventional handover scheme based on this architecture and proposes a faster HO strategy. The proposed scheme reduces the HO latency and failure probability which could greatly improve the end-users quality of services (QoS). The analytical results show that the proposed scheme performs better than the conventional HO scheme.
The effect of grapefruit juice on drug disposition

Introduction: Since their initial discovery in 1989, grapefruit juice (GFJ)–drug interactions have received extensive interest from the scientific, medical, regulatory and lay communities. Although knowledge regarding the effects of GFJ on drug disposition continues to expand, the list of drugs studied in the clinical setting remains relatively limited. Areas covered: This article reviews the in vitro effects of GFJ and its constituents on the activity of CYP enzymes, organic anion-transporting polypeptides (OATPs), P-glycoprotein, esterases and sulfotransferases. The translational applicability of the in vitro findings to the clinical setting is discussed for each drug metabolizing enzyme and transporter. Reported AUC ratios for available GFJ–drug interaction studies are also provided. Relevant investigations were identified by searching the PubMed electronic database from 1989 to 2010. Expert opinion: GFJ increases the bioavailability of some orally administered drugs that are metabolized by CYP3A and normally undergo extensive presystemic extraction. In addition, GFJ can decrease the oral absorption of a few drugs that rely on OATPs in the gastrointestinal tract for their uptake. The number of drugs shown to interact with GFJ in vitro is far greater than the number of clinically relevant GFJ–drug interactions. For the majority of patients, complete avoidance of GFJ is unwarranted.
Study on Photocatalytic Technology with Photovoltaic-Thermal Integration and its Applications in Indoor Air Purification

In terms of energy and environmental purification, application of photocatalytic purification in energy and environment is getting increasingly widespread. In the present paper, it focused on the applications of photocatalytic technology in indoor air purification. Photocatalyst and photocatalytic reaction devices are the two issues in photocatalytic air purification. Fe-La co-doped TiO2 was prepared, and integration of photovoltaic-thermal circular photocatalytic air purification reactor was designed, which showed high air purification efficiency. The experimental data and theoretical analysis gave the support to exploit new indoor air purification technologies. Further, technical and economic analysis on photocatalysis technology with photovoltaic-thermal integration applying in indoor air purification was studied and helpful results were attained.