Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neutral stability and resonant destabilization of the Earth's crust

Responses of tectonic plates of the Earth's crust to spatially localized perturbations are a classical problem of theoretical seismology. A characterization of such responses is of fundamental importance for the estimation and interpretation of seismograms, for the prediction and analysis of earthquakes. In this paper, we model a plate of the Earth's crust as a vertically stratified elastic waveguide of finite thickness and infinite horizontal extension rigidly attached to a solid half-space underneath it, and study the propagation of spatially localized linear perturbations in the model. An initial boundary–value linear stability problem for three-dimensional (3D) small localized disturbances in the plate is treated by using the Laplace transform in time and the Fourier transform in two orthogonal spatial directions. By applying an energytype method it is shown that a plate of the Earth's crust of an arbitrary vertical stratification is exponentially neutrally stable. The asymptotic time responses of the plate to sources nearly harmonic in time are studied by applying the mathematical formalism for 3D spatially amplifying waves to the solution having the form of an inverse Laplace-Fourier integral. The procedure is an extension of previous analysis by Brevdo to the vertically stratified case. The vertical stratification of the plate is modelled by using different seismic measurement data. We show that every vertically stratified plate of the Earth's crust considered possesses a rich set of resonant frequencies which is assessed to be countable and unbounded. Sources with resonant frequencies cause a resonant destabilization of the plate, with the growth of the perturbation displacement in time like ln t or √t. The result gives further support to our hypothesis that certain earthquakes can be triggered by localized low-amplitude oscillatory forcings at resonant frequencies. Also, based on the presence of very high resonant frequencies in every tectonic plate, we suggest that the estimation of seismograms and earthquake prediction can be improved by extending the frequency range of the existing monitoring tools.
Post-Transcriptional Control of Human Ether-a-go-go-Related Gene Potassium Channel Protein by (cid:1) -Adrenergic Receptor Stimulation

Stimulation of (cid:1) 1-adrenoreceptors ( (cid:1) 1-AR) acutely alters ion channel behavior via several signaling pathways [calcium and protein kinase C (PKC)]. Little is known about sustained (cid:1) 1-adrenergic/PKC signaling and channel regulation as may occur during cardiovascular dis- ease states. Here we describe the effects of prolonged (cid:1) 1A-AR and PKC activity on human ether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG) K (cid:1) channels (Kv11.1) expressed in a heterologous expression system. Stim- ulation of (cid:1) 1A-AR with phenylephrine or direct activation of PKC with phorbol ester increased HERG channel protein abundance and K (cid:1) current density in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Channel augmentation reached a steady-state plateau within 24 h with a 2- to 6-fold induction. Phorbol ester and moderate (cid:1) 1A-AR stimulation enhanced HERG abundance in a PKC-dependent fashion but with stronger (cid:1) 1A-adrenergic stimulation; protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent activity also contributed. Comparable channel induction of other cardiac K (cid:1) channels was not seen in this system. Comparison of wild-type HERG and channels with either mutated PKC phos- phorylationsites(HERG (cid:2) PKC)ormutatedPKAphosphorylationsites (HERG (cid:2) PKA) suggested that the mechanisms of augmentation of HERG by the two kinases were partially overlapping. The PKC- dependent effect was largely due to enhanced synthetic rates. Stimulation of (cid:1) 1-AR in cultured rat neonatal cardiac myocytes also enhanced the abundance of ERG channels. These findings show that (cid:1) 1A-AR stimulation is capable of influencing the balance of HERG channel synthesis and degradation via multiple signaling pathways, a process that may have relevance in cardiac diseases and treatment. a of solutions. All out Cells were studied on an inverted microscope equipped with patch-pipette micromanipulators and epifluorescence optics for green fluorescent protein (trans-fected cells). patch-clamp used for voltage-clamp measurements. 9 to 10 M
Perceptual Segmentation: Combining Image Segmentation with Object Tagging

: Most consumers do not want to edit their images, either because they do not have the time, or they do not have the know how. They do want to be able to press a button that will magically make the objects captured in their photo look better. At the heart of enabling such functionality, lay image analysis models. The more we know about the objects in the photo, the better we can enhance and modify it according to human preferences. We present a necessary piece of this puzzle, breaking the image into signi¯cant segments and ¯nding important perceptual objects including skin, sky, snow and foliage.
Improving computational efficiency in global river models by implementing the local inertial flow equation and a vector‐based river network map

Global river models are an essential tool for both earth system studies and water resources assessments. As advanced physical processes have been implemented in global river models, increasing computational cost has become problematic for executing ensemble or long‐term simulations. To improve computational efficiency, we here propose the use of a local inertial flow equation combined with a vector‐based river network map. A local inertial equation, a simplified formulation of the shallow water equations, was introduced to replace a diffusion wave equation. A vector‐based river network map which flexibly discretizes river segments was adopted in order to replace the traditional grid‐based map which is based on a Cartesian grid coordinate system. The computational efficiency of the proposed flow routing and river network map was tested by executing hydrodynamic simulations with the CaMa‐Flood global river model. The simulation results suggest that the computational efficiency can be improved by more than 300% by applying the local inertial equation. It can be improved by a further 60% by implementing the vector‐based river network map instead of a grid‐based map. It is found that the vector‐based map with evenly distributed flow distances between calculation units allows longer time steps compared to the grid‐based map because the latter has very short flow distances between calculation units at high latitudes which critically limit time step length. Considering the improvement in simulation speed, the local inertial equation, and a vector‐based river network map are preferable in global hydrodynamic simulations with high computational demands such as ensemble or long‐term experiments.
Temporal Variations of Radiocarbon Reservoir Ages in the South Pacific Ocean during the Holocene

This article discusses the magnitude and rate of change of radiocarbon reservoir ages from the surface ocean in the South Pacific during the Holocene. 14C reservoir ages are calculated from paired U/Th and 14C measurements. Seventeen pairs of coral dates were determined from samples collected on Rendova and Tetepare Islands, in the Solomon Islands, and from Espiritu Santo Island, Vanuatu. The samples are all Holocene in age, with 230Th ages ranging from about 400 to 9400 BP. Samples were collected as drill cores or surface outcrops. About half of the surface samples appear to have incorporated modern carbon through postdepositional recrystallization. Two of the core samples were also affected by carbon exchange. The Holocene 14C reservoir ages observed in this data set show stable values for the last 3000 yr, and substantial variability from 5000–6000 BP (~100 to ~950 14C yr). Persistent low values (<200 14C yr) were observed for samples from 7000–8000 BP. We attribute these variations to temporal changes in lateral advection and vertical mixing, and possibly to local environmental conditions related to the interplay between sea-level rise and episodic uplift, characteristic of all the coral localities.
Spinning elastic beads: a route for simultaneous measurements of shear modulus and interfacial energy of soft materials.

Large deformations of soft elastic beads spinning at high angular velocity in a denser background fluid are investigated theoretically, numerically, and experimentally using millimeter-size polyacrylamide hydrogel particles introduced in a spinning drop tensiometer. We determine the equilibrium shapes of the beads from the competition between the centrifugal force and the restoring elastic and surface forces. Considering the beads as neo-Hookean up to large deformations, we show that their elastic modulus and surface energy constant can be simultaneously deduced from their equilibrium shape. Also, our results provide further support to the scenario in which surface energy and surface tension coincide for amorphous polymer gels.
Gene therapy targeting cardiac phosphoinositide 3-kinase (p110 (cid:2) ) attenuates cardiac remodeling in type 2 diabetes

Gene therapy targeting cardiac phosphoinositide 3-kinase (p110 (cid:2) ) attenuates cardiac remodeling in type 2 diabetes. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 318: H840–H852, circumferential ﬁber shortening (all P (cid:3) 0.05 vs pre-AAV measurement). This cardioprotection occurred in combination with reduced LV reactive oxygen species ( P (cid:3) 0.05 vs. T2D mice) and an associated decrease in markers of endoplasmic reticulum stress (reduced Grp94 and Chop , all P (cid:3) 0.05 vs. T2D mice). Together, our ﬁndings demonstrate that a cardiac-selective increase in PI3K(p110 (cid:2) ), via rAAV6-caPI3K, attenuates T2D-induced diabetic cardiomyopathy, providing proof of concept for potential translation to the clinic. of of in the context of the prognosis of diabetes represents an unmet clinical need. In the present study, we now demonstrate that delayed intervention with PI3K gene therapy (rAAV6-caPI3K), administered as a single dose in mice with preexisting type 2 diabetes, attenuates several characteristics of diabetic cardiomyopathy, including diabetes-induced impairments in cardiac remodeling, oxidative stress, and function. Our discovery here contributes to the previous body of work, suggesting the cardioprotective effects of PI3K(p110 (cid:2) ) could be a novel therapeutic approach to reduce the progression to heart failure and death in diabetes-affected patients.
Serum Aripiprazole Concentrations Prehemodialysis and Posthemodialysis in a Schizophrenic Patient With Chronic Renal Failure A Case Report

In summary, this unusual case adds to the literature of clozapine-associated eosinophilia with pleural effusions as well as pancreatitis. With others, we recommend a rechallenge registry to assist those providers who wish to retrial clozapine after significant adverse events. Clinically, we suggest discontinuation of divalproex, if possible, before clozapine rechallenge. We urge providers to consider the possibility of end-organ damage if fever or eosinophilia occurs during clozapine initiation.
Use of permeable reactive barriers to treat acid mine effluents

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is one of the most serious environmental problems facing the Canadian Mineral Industry. The AMD results from oxidation of sulphide minerals (e.g. pyrite or pyrrhotite) contained in mine waste or mine tailings. It is characterised by acid effluents rich in heavy metals, which are released into the environment. A new acid remediation technology is presented in this article by which alkaline metallurgical residues (red mud) from the aluminum extraction industry are used to construct permeable reactive barriers (PRB) to treat acid mine effluents. This article describes column tests performed to simulate a PRB constructed using Bauxsol™, a chemically and physically treated bauxite refinery residue, as a reactive material. The results from these experiments show that these PRB are efficient in neutralising pH and removing metals from acidic mine effluents.
Assessing short‐ and long‐time displacements in the Venice coastland by synthetic aperture radar interferometric point target analysis

[1] The Venice Lagoon in Italy is a unique environment vulnerable to loss in surface elevation relative to the mean sea level. We present detailed synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometric analyses on persistent point targets for the historical center of Venice, the tourist area of Sottomarina, and the Zennare farmland close to the southern lagoon edge. The selected areas are characterized by different degrees of development and our analyses show the remarkable capability of SAR Interferometric Point Target Analysis (IPTA) to map land displacement rates in densely urbanized zones and to detect movement information on isolated structures with a mm/year accuracy. A detailed analysis of the time series from 1992 to 2000 provided by IPTA shows that the vertical component of the measured displacements are the superposition of a short timescale, generally seasonal, movement on the order of 1 cm that is likely related to the fluctuation of environmental variables (temperature, piezometric head in the aquifer system underlying the lagoon, sea/lagoon water level) and a long-term ground deformation associated with building construction, the geomorphology of the area, and the human development of natural resources. If Venice is confirmed to be generally stable, significant long-term subsidence on the order of 4 mm/year is detected at the Sottomarina coastland. The highest displacement rates, of up to 8–10 mm/year, are recorded in the farmland bounding the lagoon margin where the movements are found to be highly site-specific.
The High Variability in Sizing Knee Cartilage Defects

Background: Articular cartilage defects of the knee are commonly encountered during arthroscopic examination and are believed to be a precursor to osteoarthritis. While a variety of surgical treatments exist, the defect size, specifically the cross-sectional area, has historically been used as a critical element in choosing one procedure over another. The purpose of this study was to characterize the variability associated with arthroscopic techniques that are used to determine the cross-sectional area of distal femoral articular cartilage defects.
Incident tuberculosis and risk factors among HIV-infected children in Tanzania

Objective:To describe the burden of pediatric tuberculosis (TB) in a HIV-infected population and explore the demographic and clinical factors associated with the occurrence of pediatric TB. Design:Longitudinal analysis of a cohort of HIV-infected children. Methods:The endpoint of the study was clinically diagnosed TB. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to explore the predictors of incident TB among HIV-infected children under age 15 years after enrollment into the HIV program. Results:The cohort comprised of 5040 children [median age: 5 years, interquartile range (IQR) 1–9 years]. During a median follow-up of 0.8 (IQR 0.1–2.5) years, 376 out of 5040 children met the case definition for TB. The overall incidence of TB was 5.2/100 person-years. In multivariate analyses, older age at enrollment [relative risk (RR) 1.7, 95%, confidence interval (CI) 1.5–1.8], severe wasting (RR 1.8, 95% CI 1.3–2.5), severe immune suppression (RR 2.6, 95% CI 1.8–3.8), anemia (RR 1.4, 95% CI 1.0–1.9) and WHO stage IV (RR 4.5, 95% CI 2.4–8.5) were all independently associated with a higher risk of TB. In addition, the use of antiretroviral drugs for more than 180 days reduced the risk of TB by 70% (RR 0.3, 95% CI 0.2–0.4). Conclusions:Antiretroviral therapy (ART) use is strongly associated with a reduced risk of tuberculosis among HIV-infected children, and should therefore be included in HIV care and treatment programs. Trials of interventions designed to improve the nutritional and hematologic status of these children should also be performed.
Biostratinomic analysis of Lycoptera beds from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation, western Liaoning, China

Little is known about the palaeoenvironments of the Early Cretaceous lakes of western Liaoning. Uncertainties exist especially about the water depth, water temperatures and annual temperature fluctuations. Here, we analyse the preservation of the most abundant fish of the lakes, the teleost Lycoptera, articulated skeletons of which occur in large concentrations suggestive of mass mortality. Taphonomic features such as degree of disarticulation, orientation patterns and displacement of skeletal elements reveal distinct preservational patterns. They suggest that the water temperature was low during winter and exhibited pronounced seasonal fluctuations. The depth of the lakes was not deep. Possible causes of the fish mortality are discussed, of which anoxia is favoured. This leads to a more refined palaeoenvironmental model for these palaeolakes, which harbour one of the most important Mesozoic Lagerstätten.
River discharge, land use change, and surface water quality in the Xiangjiang River, China

To compare the impacts of river discharge on the surface water quality of the Xiangjiang River in China, 12 surface water quality parameters recorded at 31 sampling sites from January 1998 to December 2008 along the river and its main tributaries were analyzed. Significantly higher concentrations of total nitrogen, ammoniacal nitrogen, and total phosphorus, and biochemical oxygen demand were observed during low‐flow periods than during high‐flow periods, implying a higher risk to local residents drinking untreated water during low‐flow periods. Pollution indexes, including the inorganic pollution index and integrated pollution index (IPI), were negatively related to impervious surface area (ISA) and cropland area (CLA) when ISA (CLA) was less than 160 (3000) km2. However, the relationship was positive when ISA (CLA) was larger than 160 (3000) km2, which provided a reasonable explanation for the observed spatial patterns of water quality. Distinct increasing temporal trends for two kinds of pollution indexes were also found. The annual ISA was significantly related to the rapid degradation of water quality from 1998 to 2008, with correlation coefficient (r) values of 0.816 (p = 0.002) and 0.711 (p = 0.014) for the organic pollution index (OPI) and IPI, respectively. However, annual rainfall was negatively correlated with the two indexes with r values of 0.785 (p = 0.002) and 0.448 (p = 0.093) for OPI and IPI, respectively. Our study highlights that decision makers should be more aware of recent increases in the pollution of the Xiangjiang River, especially at downriver sites and during low‐flow periods. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Approaches for Linking People, Place, and Environment for Human Dimensions Research

Abstract Much of the human dimensions of environmental change research emphasize the mapping and modeling of land use and land cover patterns over space and time, and the linkages between people, place, and environment as proximate and distal forces of landscape dynamics. Spatial digital technologies, framed within a GIScience (GISc) context, figure prominently in the characterization of land use and land cover through remote sensing technologies, and in the assessment of social and demographic factors and local and regional site and situation considerations achieved through global positioning systems, data visualizations, and spatial and statistical analyses. Here, we describe some fundamental approaches for linking data across thematic domains, essential for the study of human‐environment interactions. The goal is to generate compatible data sets that extend across social, biophysical, and geographical domains so that the causes and consequences of land use and land cover dynamics might be explored within a spatially‐explicit context.
Climate variability effects on spatial soil moisture dynamics

We investigate the role of interannual climate variability on spatial soil moisture variability dynamics for a field site in Louvain‐la‐Neuve, Belgium. Observations were made during 3 years under intermediate (1999), wet (2000), and extremely dry conditions (2003). Soil moisture variability dynamics are simulated with a comprehensive model for the period 1989–2003. The results show that climate variability induces non‐uniqueness and two distinct hysteresis modes in the yearly relation between the spatial mean soil moisture and its variability. We demonstrate that the direction of hysteresis is related to a yearly climate index that does not require soil moisture observations.
Oral Arsenic-Containing Qinghuang Powder ( 青黄散 ) : A Potential Drug for Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are clonal marrow stem-cell disorders mostly occurring in elderly people, characterized by ineffective and dysplastic hematopoiesis leading to peripheral blood cytopenias, and approximately 1/3 of patients transform to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Despite the recent advances in understanding of the pathogenesis of MDS, the treatment alternatives for patients are still limited. Stem cell transplantation has curative potential, but it is only an option for a small group of patients, who is also in good physical condition and has a donor source. The majority of patients with MDS are elder and usually unable to endure intensive chemotherapy. The median overall survival (mOS) of high-risk MDS patients treated with chemotherapy is only about 1 year. Demethylating drug (such as decitabine or azacitidine) has been widely used to treat MDS, while results from a randomized survival study did not show a survival benefit of decitabine in a population with intermediate or higher risk MDS ineligible for intensive chemotherapy. The response to lenalidomide is most common in patients with a deletion of the long arm of chromosome 5 [del(5q)]. Unfortunately, the vast majority of MDS patients (over 80%) lack a 5q deletion, and only 26% of such patients respond to lenalidomide. Patients with numerical or structural abnormalities of chromosome 7 have a particularly poor outcome with traditional management strategies. Thus, continuous challenges are obviously needed to seek more effi cient clinical drugs with a high tolerance to patients with MDS.
Temporal trends in surface irradiance at ultraviolet wavelengths

To clarify recent, conflicting results about temporal trends in surface ultraviolet (UV) irradiance, a study was undertaken of UVB (280–320 nm) and UVA (320–400 nm) at Atlanta, Georgia, from 1980–1984. Results indicate that, while Robertson-Berger (UVB) “RB” meter readings decreased about 10% over the period, Eppley “TUVR” (UVA) readings increased about the same amount. These trends appear to be due not to changes in ozone or cloud cover, but to real effects on the RB data from changes in aerosol concentrations, and to calibration drift of the TUVR sensor. Implications of these results for long-term monitoring of UV radiation are discussed.
The Evolutionary Origins of Recurrent Pancreatic Cancer.

Surgery is the only curative option for Stage I/II pancreatic cancer, nonetheless most patients will recur after surgery and die of their disease. To identify novel opportunities for management of recurrent pancreatic cancer we performed whole exome or targeted sequencing of 10 resected primary cancers and matched intrapancreatic recurrences or distant metastases. We identified that recurrent disease after adjuvant or first-line platinum therapy corresponds to an increased mutational burden. Recurrent disease is enriched for genetic alterations predicted to activate Mapk/Erk and PI3K/AKT signaling and develops from a monophyletic or polyphyletic origin. Treatment induced genetic bottlenecks lead to a modified genetic landscape and subclonal heterogeneity for driver gene alterations in part due to intermetastatic seeding. In one patient what was believed to be recurrent disease was an independent (second) primary tumor. These findings suggest routine post-treatment sampling may have value in the management of recurrent pancreatic cancer.