Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Constraints on the Structure of Mantle Convection Using Seismic Observations, Flow Models, and the Geoid

The establishment of the theory of plate tectonics in the late 1960s has left little doubt that the mantle is convecting. The plates themselves form the cold upper thermal boundary layer of the mantle convection system; the cooling of oceanic plates as they move away from midoceanic ridges provides the mechanism by which the Earth loses most of its heat (e.g., Sclater et al., 1980; O'Connell and Hager, 1980). The mantle is in turn cooled by the cold slabs that plunge into Earth's interior at subduction zones. Although plate tectonics implies that convective motions in the mantle are the dominant mechanism for heat transport, and we can measure the surface motions associated with it, we are remarkably ignorant of even the gross features of the interior flow field associated with this mantle circulation. Only at subduction zones, where seismicity presumably marks the particle trajectories of the cold descending boundary layer, do we have direct evidence for the interior flow pattern and state of stress. Most of what is understood, or thought to be understood, about convection in the Earth's interior is based on comparison of simplified models to observations taken at the surface. Examples of these models of mantle convection are given in the other chapters of this book, as well as in the general geophysical literature. These include studies of convection in media with uniform rheology (Busse, this volume; Jarvis and Peltier, this volume), interpretation of travel time anomalies from deep earthquakes in terms of simple thermal models of subducted slabs (Jordan eta! ., this volume), interpretation of geochemical anomalies in terms of models of the distribution of mantle heterogeneities (Hart and Zindler, this volume), and interpretation of changes in the Earth's shape and rotational parameters in terms of models of mantle rheology (Peltier, this volume). In order to be useful, models must be simple enough to understand, and yet contain enough of the essential physics to be applicable. The line between oversimplification and overwhelming complexity is a fine one, and its positioning is a matter of subjective judgement, particularly when some observations have a fairly small signal to noise ratio. The ultimate test of a particular model is whether it can satisfy, within their uncertainties, the observations. If it cannot it must be rejected, although unfortunately, the converse is not true. The more types of observations a model can satisfy, however, the more likely it is to be correct.
Evaluation of Anti-Asthmatic Activity of Caffeic Acid in Allergen Induced Murine Allergic Asthma Model

Considering the lack of effective drug to treat allergic asthma and based on the possible antiallergic effect of caffeic acid (CA), this study was conducted to investigate the effects of caffeic acid in an experimental model of respiratory allergy to ovalbumin in adult balb/c mice, in order to further explore its possible effect as anti-allergic agent for the treatment of allergic asthma. Natural phenolic compounds are commonly present in considerable portions of the human diet. Caffeic acid (CA) is one of the major representative hydroxycinnamic acids widely distributed in plant tissues, present in foods such as fruits, spices, vegetables, wine, olive oil, and coffee. In-silico docking studies of caffeic acid with TNF-alpha receptor structure was performed using Glide version 9.6 of Schrödinger software. Antiasthmatic activity was studied using in-vivo mice BALF and lung homogenatestudies and in-vitro TNFalpha inhibition method.
NeFII: Inverse Rendering for Reflectance Decomposition with Near-Field Indirect Illumination

k=1 ak λk 2π(1− e−2λk) eλk(wi·ξk−1), (1) where ξ, λ,μ ∈ ΘE are SG parameters of environment illumination, i.e., lobe axis, lobe sharpness and lobe amplitude of SG respectively. When sampling, we first utilize the probability ak to decide which Gaussian component to draw from, then draw wi from the k-th Gaussian distribution. In order to draw samples from the k-th Gaussian distribution, we apply inverse transform sampling [3], which employs uniform random variables and maps them to random variables of the target distribution. We first transform the PDF of direction wi to 1D marginal and conditional density functions of its spherical coordinate φ and θ. Following [3], the joint PDF pk(θ, φ) of spherical coordinate φ and θ is derived as
Guidelines for Tourism in Parks and Protected Areas of East Asia

This publication provides a collection of material useful to planners and managers of parks and protected areas in East Asia. It has been designed to help them think about the influx of tourism to natural protected areas, and to urge them to consciously plan for management of the interactions of tourists and the natural and cultural environment. General suggestions have been made that each jurisdiction and park can use when developing their own approaches to policy development, funding, implementation and management. Local communities, private tourism operators and land-use planners will also be able to use various sections of this document to assist their practices in being more sustainable
Investigation of atomic and molecular processes in Hα emission through modelling of measured Hα emissivity profile using DEGAS2 in the ADITYA tokamak

In order to understand the atomic and molecular processes involved in the emission of the hydrogen Balmer alpha (H) spectral line from tokamak plasmas, the measured radial profile of H emissivity in ADITYA tokamak discharges has been modeled using the DEGAS2 neutral particle transport code. The radial profile of emissivity has been measured using a 1.0 m multi-track spectrometer and with PMT array based space-resolved visible spectroscopic diagnostics involving interference filters. The radial profile of the neutral hydrogen density has been obtained using the DEGAS2 code by reproducing the experimentally observed H emissivity profile. It has been found that the neutral density falls by 80–200 times at the plasma center compared to its maximum value at the plasma edge near the limiter (). Detailed investigation of the contributions of atomic and molecular processes involved in H emission reveals the significant presence of hydrogen molecules and molecular ions within ∼4 cm of the limiter radius. The contributions from processes involving H ions are found to be higher than those from the molecular hydrogen dissociation with H dissociative recombination dominating over H dissociation at the extreme edge of the plasma.
Evaluation of Air Pollution Tolerance Index of Plants and Ornamental Shrubs in Enugu City: Implications for Urban Heat Island Effect

The study compared the air pollut ion tolerance indices (APTI) of five plant species and five ornamental shrubs in Enugu Urban. Laboratory analysis was performed on the four physiological and biological parameters including leaf relative water content (RW C), ascorbic acid (AA) content, total leaf chlorophyll (TCH) and leaf extract p H. These parameters were used to develop an air pollution tolerance index. Factor analysis and descriptive statistics were utilized in the analysis to examine the interactions between these parameters. The study also showed the possibility of utilizing APTI as a tool for selecting plants or ornamental shrubs for urban heat Island mit igation in Enugu City. The result of APTI showed order of tolerance for plants as Anacarduim occidentale (23.20), Pinus spp (22.35), Catalpa burgei (22.57), Magifera indica (23.37), and Psidum guajava (24.15). The result of APTI showed increasing order of sensitivity for ornamental shrubs from Ixo ra red (14.32), Yellow ficus(12.63), Masquerade pine(12.26), Tu ja pine(11.000), to Yello w bush(10.60). The APTI of all the plants examined were h igher than those of ornamental shrubs; thus, suggesting that plants in general were more tolerant to air pollution than ornamental shrubs.
"The real world": a study of domestic abuse in Salford

Research shows that domestic abuse is a deeply gendered experience with women accounting for the majority of its victims. Its impact on individuals cannot be overstated. This study presents an in-depth examination of the impact of domestic abuse on women in Salford. An ethnographic approach was used in order to highlight cultural factors of a geographical area known for its high rates of domestic abuse. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with seven women recruited from a women’s group for domestic abuse survivors held at Salford Women’s Centre and at the two women’s refuges in Salford. Ethnographic observations were also recorded from my time spent in field settings. Field materials were transcribed verbatim and a thematic approach was utilised for the analytic process. Six over-arching themes were identified: (1) constructs of abuse - including types of abuse experienced, cycle/escalation of abuse and post-separation abuse; (2) impact of abuse - including mental health issues and a loss of self; (3) leaving - including barriers to leaving and motivation to leave; (4) the future - including fear and inner strength; (5) agency involvement - social services, police and non-statutory domestic abuse organisations and (6) cultural factors. The findings were discussed with reference to the works of Judith Butler whose theory of gender performativity utilises a feminist, deconstructive approach to gender identities, providing insights into the nature of intimate relationships in Salford. The study makes an original contribution to the knowledge base on domestic abuse in terms of the methodological strands used which developed a gender-specific understanding of this serious social issue and considered how social work practitioners can best respond to it. The ethnographic approach highlights the cultural influences in attitudes towards abuse and the impact on the performativity of gender roles in Salford.
Algorithm Appreciation: Algorithmic Performance, Developmental Processes, and User Interactions

In this research, we conduct an online experiment to better understand perceptions of algorithmic features (fairness, accountability, transparency, and explainability) This study identifies key factors of algorithm and conceptualizes such issues in relation to trust by testing how they affect user emotion and satisfaction of personalized machine learning algorithms. The results indicate the heuristic roles of algorithmic characteristics in terms of their underlying links to trust and subsequent behaviors. Users experience a dual-process in assessing AI features and formulating trust through their heuristic-systematic evaluations. Heuristic and systematic processes are positively linked to trust and systematic processes are positively connected to trust and performance expectancy, which serve as antecedents of emotions. Heuristic and systematic processes offer a useful perspective on the conceptualization of AI experience and interaction. User cognitive processes identified provide solid foundations for algorithm design and development and a stronger basis for the design of sensemaking AI services.
Driver Distraction in Commercial Vehicle Operations

This study investigated the impact of driver distraction in commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operations. Data from two earlier naturalistic studies were combined to create a data set of 203 CMV drivers and 55 trucks from seven trucking fleets operating at 16 locations. A total of 4,452 safety-critical events (i.e., crashes, near-crashes, crash-relevant conflicts, and unintentional lane deviations) were identified in the data set, along with 19,888 baseline (uneventful, routine driving) epochs. Data analyses included odds ratio calculations and population attributable risk estimates. Key findings were that drivers were engaged in non-driving related tasks in 71 percent of crashes, 46 percent of near-crashes, and 60 percent of all safety-critical events. Also, performing highly complex tasks while driving led to a significant increase in risk. Eye glance analyses examined driver eye location while performing tasks while operating a CMV. Tasks associated with high odds ratios (increased risk) were also associated with high eyes off forward road times. This suggests that tasks that draw the driver’s visual attention away from the forward roadway should be minimized or avoided. Based on the results of the analyses, a number of recommendations are presented that may help address the issue of driver distraction in CMV operations.
A novel cysteine-rich neurotrophic factor in Aplysia facilitates growth, MAPK activation, and long-term synaptic facilitation

Neurotrophins are critically involved in developmental processes such as neuronal cell survival, growth, and differentiation, as well as in adult synaptic plasticity contributing to learning and memory. Our previous studies examining neurotrophins and memory formation in Aplysia showed that a TrkB ligand is required for MAPK activation, long-term synaptic facilitation (LTF), and long-term memory (LTM) for sensitization. These studies indicate that neurotrophin-like molecules in Aplysia can act as key elements in a functionally conserved TrkB signaling pathway. Here we report that we have cloned and characterized a novel neurotrophic factor, Aplysia cysteine-rich neurotrophic factor (apCRNF), which shares classical structural and functional characteristics with mammalian neurotrophins. We show that apCRNF (1) is highly enriched in the CNS, (2) enhances neurite elongation and branching, (3) interacts with mammalian TrkB and p75NTR, (4) is released from Aplysia CNS in an activity-dependent fashion, (5) facilitates MAPK activation in a tyrosine kinase dependent manner in response to sensitizing stimuli, and (6) facilitates the induction of LTF. These results show that apCRNF is a native neurotrophic factor in Aplysia that can engage the molecular and synaptic mechanisms underlying memory formation.
Étude de la transition entre le gaz atomique et le gaz moléculaire dans deux cirrus de la boucle céleste nord

The infrared (IR) cirrus clouds observed at high Galactic latitude are excellent candidates to study the transition between the atomic gas and the molecular gas. In this thesis, two potential sites of H2 formation have been discovered in the North Celestial Loop (/ = 135°, b = 40°) through examining the far-IR-Hl ratio and looking for an excess over that expected from an atomic medium. I call these sites the Spider and Ursa Major fields. The comparison between the IR excess map and the CO (J — 1 — 0) data from the Five College Radio Astronomical Observatory (resolution = 45 arcsec) shows that the IR excess peaks do not coincide with the CO peaks. The absence of coincidence is explained by (i) a density too small to allow CO excitation, (ii) insufficient CO self-shielding or (iii) variations of the dust properties. The comparison between CO data and Hi data from the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory (resolution = 1 arcmin) is in agreement with the models that predict CO formation where large velocity shears and turbulence dissipation are observed. OH observations of 108 locations over the two diffuse clouds from the Green Bank Telescope (resolution = 7 arcmin) are analyzed. OH is a precursor molecule to CO and its formation requires H2. The coincidence between the OH emission peak and the IR excess peak indicates that OH could be a better tracer of H2 than CO in these low-density regions. CO (7 = 1-0) and CO (J = 1 0 ) observations from the Institut de Radioastronomie Millimétrique and CO ( J = 2 — 1) observations from the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (resolution = 20 arcsec) are analyzed on a small number of fields in both regions. Using a large velocity gradient model, we found smaller densities at the location of the IR excess peak while self-shielding should be efficient given the computed column densities.
Youths’ perceptions and behaviors on COVID-19 testing

Background Social gatherings are frequent sources of COVID-19 infections, especially among youth. However, little is known about youth testing behaviors before and after gatherings. Our aim was to assess behaviors and perceptions of youth related to testing for COVID-19 before or after social gatherings in order to inform efforts to reduce disease spread. Methods Five open-ended questions were texted to participants aged 14–24 throughout the United States via MyVoice. Using a content analysis approach, two investigators reviewed responses by question, developed a codebook, and independently applied codes. Discrepancies were resolved via discussion. Code frequency and demographic data were summarized using descriptive statistics. Results Of 1204 participants, 989 responded to at least one question (RR = 94.1%). The mean age was 20.2 years (SD: 2.4 years). Most participants (80.7%) reported testing for COVID-19 at least once. Most (70.6%) were likely to test following an event, especially “[i]f someone at the gathering tested positive,” while a smaller number (50.9%) endorsed testing prior to a gathering. Of youth who would not get tested, being vaccinated was the highest reported. Conclusion Youth in our nationwide sample are likely to test for COVID-19 after an event, though less likely if they are vaccinated. Their desire to test is primarily driven by symptoms, exposures, and requirements. Youth are interested in increased access to home testing. Youth-centered communications regarding testing recommendations and increased test availability for youth may reduce COVID-19 spread among young people and inform future pandemic recommendations.
Structure-Informed Protein Language Models are Robust Predictors for Variant Effects

Predicting protein variant effects through machine learning is often challenged by the scarcity of experimentally measured effect labels. Recently, protein language models (pLMs) emerge as zero-shot predictors without the need of effect labels, by modeling the evolutionary distribution of functional protein sequences. However, biological contexts important to variant effects are implicitly modeled and effectively marginalized. By assessing the sequence awareness and the structure awareness of pLMs, we find that their improvements often correlate with better variant effect prediction but their tradeoff can present a barrier as observed in over-finetuning to specific family sequences. We introduce a framework of structure-informed pLMs (SI-pLMs) to inject protein structural contexts purposely and controllably, by extending masked sequence denoising in conventional pLMs to cross-modality denoising. Our SI-pLMs are applicable to revising any sequence-only pLMs through model architecture and training objectives. They do not require structure data as model inputs for variant effect prediction and only use structures as context provider and model regularizer during training. Numerical results over deep mutagenesis scanning benchmarks show that our SI-pLMs, despite relatively compact sizes, are robustly top performers against competing methods including other pLMs, regardless of the target protein family’s evolutionary information content or the tendency to overfitting / over-finetuning. Learned distributions in structural contexts could enhance sequence distributions in predicting variant effects. Ablation studies reveal major contributing factors and analyses of sequence embeddings provide further insights. The data and scripts are available at https://github.com/Stephen2526/Structure-informed_PLM. git.
Effects of non-pharmacological interventions on patients with sarcopenic obesity: A meta-analysis

Objective Systematic evaluation of the improvement effect of non-pharmacological intervention on patients with sarcopenic obesity. Methods Wanfang, VIP, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), SinoMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase databases were searched systematically for randomized controlled trials (RCTS) and experimental studies of non-pharmacological interventions on patients with sarcopenic obesity. The retrieval period was from the establishment of the databases to October 31, 2022. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.4. Results A total of 18 studies involving 1,109 patients were included. Meta-analysis results showed that non-pharmacological interventions improved patients’ body weight [mean difference, MD = −2.74, 95% CI (−4.79, −0.70), P = 0.009], body fat percentage [MD = −0.67, 95% CI (−0.96, −0.38), P<0.00001], grip strength [MD = 1.29, 95% CI (0.81, 1.77), P<0.00001], gait speed [MD = 0.05, 95% CI (0.03, 0.07), P<0.00001], and knee extension strength [MD = 2.56, 95% CI (1.30, 3.82), P<0.0001]. Conclusions Non-pharmacological interventions can effectively improve the clinical symptoms and signs of patients with sarcopenic obesity. Dissemination of this information will be therapeutically useful. Trial registration Registration. The PROSPERO No. is CRD42023403341.
Aged gut microbiota contribute to different changes in antioxidant defense in the heart and liver after transfer to germ-free mice

Age-associated impairment in antioxidant defense is an important cause of oxidative stress, and elderly individuals are usually associated with gut microbiota (GM) changes. Studies have suggested a potential relationship between the GM and changes in antioxidant defense in aging animals. Direct evidence regarding the impact of aging-associated shifts in GM on the antioxidant defense is lacking. The heart is a kind of postmitotic tissue, which is more prone to oxidative stress than the liver (mitotic tissue). To test and compare the influence of an aged GM on antioxidant defense changes in the heart and liver of the host, in this study, GM from young adolescent (5 weeks) or aged (20 months) mice was transferred to young adolescent (5 weeks) germ-free (GF) mice (N = 5 per group) by fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). Four weeks after the first FMT was performed, fecal samples were collected for 16S rRNA sequencing. Blood, heart and liver samples were harvested for oxidative stress marker and antioxidant defense analysis. The results showed that mice that received young or aged microbiota showed clear differences in GM composition and diversity. Mice that received aged microbiota had a lower ratio of Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes in GM at the phylum level and an increased relative abundance of four GM genera: Akkermansia, Dubosiella, Alistipes and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group. In addition, GM α-diversity scores based on the Shannon index and Simpson index were significantly higher in aged GM-treated mice. Oxidative stress marker and antioxidant defense tests showed that FMT from aged donors did not have a significant influence on malondialdehyde content in serum, heart and liver. However, the capacity of anti-hydroxyl radicals in the heart and liver, as well as the capacity of anti-superoxide anions in the liver, were significantly increased in mice with aged microbiota. FMT from aged donors increased the activities of Cu/Zn superoxide SOD (Cu/Zn-SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione-S-transferase in the heart, as well as the activity of Cu/Zn-SOD in the liver. Positive correlations were found between Cu/Zn-SOD activity and radical scavenging capacities. On the other hand, glutathione reductase activity and glutathione content in the liver were decreased in mice that received aged GM. These findings suggest that aged GM transplantation from hosts is sufficient to influence the antioxidant defense system of young adolescent recipients in an organ-dependent manner, which highlights the importance of the GM in the aging process of the host.