Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using in Vitro High Throughput Screening Assays to Identify Potential Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals

Background: Over the past 20 years, an increased focus on detecting environmental chemicals that pose a risk of adverse effects due to endocrine disruption has driven the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP). Thousands of chemicals are subject to the EDSP; thus, processing these chemicals using current test batteries could require millions of dollars and decades. A need for increased throughput and efficiency motivated the development of methods using in vitro high throughput screening (HTS) assays to prioritize chemicals for EDSP Tier 1 screening (T1S). Objective: In this study we used U.S. EPA ToxCast HTS assays for estrogen, androgen, steroidogenic, and thyroid-disrupting mechanisms to classify compounds and compare ToxCast results to in vitro and in vivo data from EDSP T1S assays. Method: We implemented an iterative model that optimized the ability of endocrine-related HTS assays to predict components of EDSP T1S and related results. Balanced accuracy was used as a measure of model performance. Results: ToxCast estrogen receptor and androgen receptor assays predicted the results of relevant EDSP T1S assays with balanced accuracies of 0.91 (p < 0.001) and 0.92 (p < 0.001), respectively. Uterotrophic and Hershberger assay results were predicted with balanced accuracies of 0.89 (p < 0.001) and 1 (p < 0.001), respectively. Models for steroidogenic and thyroid-related effects could not be developed with the currently published ToxCast data. Conclusions: Overall, results suggest that current ToxCast assays can accurately identify chemicals with potential to interact with the estrogenic and androgenic pathways, and could help prioritize chemicals for EDSP T1S assays.
(A) is the predominant macrolide resistance determinant in and in Germany

In this study, macrolide-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes isolates from Germany were carefully characterised by susceptibility testing, phenotyping, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing of macrolides resistance genes, and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Of 2045 S. pneumoniae and 352 S. pyogenes isolates, 437 (21.4%) and 29 (8.2%), respectively, were found to be macrolide-resistant. Among the S. pneumoniae isolates, the most prevalent resistance marker was mef (A) (57.7%) followed by erm (B) (27.0%) and mef (E) (11.2%). Of note, the dual resistance mechanism mef (E)+ erm (B) was found in a relatively high proportion (4.1%) of pneumococcal isolates. Among the S. pyogenes isolates, 31.0% carried mef (A), 34.5% erm (B) and 13.8% erm (A). Dissemination of a single clone [ mef (A)-positive England 14 -9] has significantly contributed to the emergence of macrolide resistance among pneumococci in Germany.
Velocity field in Asia inferred from Quaternary fault slip rates and Global Positioning System observations

We perform a joint inversion of Quaternary strain rates and 238 Global Positioning System (GPS) velocities in Asia for a self-consistent velocity field. The reference frames for all geodetic velocity observations are determined in our inversion procedure. India (IN) moves relative to Eurasia (EU) about a pole of rotation at (29.78°N, 7.51°E, 0.353° Myr−1), which yields a velocity along the Himalaya within India that is ∼73–76% of the magnitude of the IN-EU NUVEL-1A velocity and a vector azimuth that is 8–10° clockwise of NUVEL-1A IN-EU vector azimuth. Relative to Eurasia, south China moves at 9–11 mm/yr in the direction 110–120° with a pole position (64.84°N, 156.74°E, 0.12° Myr−1). Amurian block motion has a pole position in a similar location but at a slower rate (64.61°N, 158.23°E, 0.077° Myr−1) and most of the Amurian-Eurasia motion is accommodated by extension across Lake Baikal. Tarim Basin moves relative to Eurasia about a pole of rotation at (39.24°N, 98.2°E, −0.539° Myr−1) and ∼16–18 mm/yr of shortening is accommodated across the west central Tien Shan. There is distributed E-W extension throughout both southern and north central Tibet. Within southern Tibet, between the longitudes of 77°E to 92°E, the deformation field accommodates ∼16–19 mm/yr of E-W extension. We compare predicted seismic moment rates with those observed in this century in Asia. Total observed seismic moment rates within the entire area of central and east Asia (2.2×107 km2) in this century are 2.26±0.7×1020 N m yr−1 as compared with a predicted total rate of 2.03±0.066×1020 N m yr−1. Comparisons between observed and predicted moment rates within 42 subregions reflect the generally unstable process of inferring long-term seismic moment rates from a catalog of limited duration (94 years). An observation period of ∼10,000 years would be required to reduce uncertainties in observed seismic moment rate to the same size as the uncertainties in model tectonic moment rates, inferred from the joint inversion of GPS and Quaternary rates of strain. We show that in general, a better correlation with model tectonic moment rate is inferred from the seismicity catalog by considering the numbers of earthquakes above a cutoff magnitude (mb ≥ 5.0, for the period January 1, 1965, to January 1, 1999).
Extensible Testing for Infrastructure as Code

Developers automate deployments with Programming Languages Infrastructure as Code (PL-IaC) by implementing IaC programs in popular languages like TypeScript and Python. Yet, systematic testing---well established for high-velocity software development---is rarely applied to IaC programs because IaC testing techniques are either slow or require extensive development effort. To solve this dilemma, we develop ProTI, a novel IaC unit testing approach, and implement it for Pulumi TypeScript. Our preliminary experiments with simple type-based test case generators and oracles show that ProTI can find bugs reliably in a short time, often without writing any additional testing code. ProTI's extensible plugin architecture allows combining, adopting, and experimenting with new approaches, opening the discussion about novel generators and oracles for efficient IaC testing.
Impacts of Intermediate Water Formation in the North Pacific on Indonesian Throughflow and Equatorial Thermocline Depth: A High Latitude Control for ENSO Variability?

Title of Document: IMPACTS OF INTERMEDIATE WATER FORMATION IN THE NORTH PACIFIC ON INDONESIAN THROUGHFLOW AND EQUATORIAL THERMOCLINE DEPTH: A HIGH LATITUDE CONTROL FOR ENSO VARIABILITY? Elizabeth Kaye Brabson, Master of Science, 2008 Directed By: Professor James Farquhar Department of Geology Long-term variability in the strength and frequency of the El Niño – Southern Oscillation (ENSO) may be attributable to changes in background climatology. During times of cold climate events in the high latitudes, El Niño conditions may have been more persistent in the equatorial Pacific. In this study, a numerical ocean model was used to examine the role oceanic circulation may play in linking these two regions. The simulation of an intermediate body of water of 10 Sv in the North Pacific results in an overall decrease in flow of 29% across the Indonesian Seaways. No change in the overall structure of the thermocline was observed; however the model predicted warming of the surface water in the western and eastern tropical Pacific. It is, therefore hypothesized that a sinking water mass in the North Pacific could have fueled either more permanent El Niño – like conditions or more frequent/intense ENSO events. IMPACTS OF INTERMEDIATE WATER FORMATION IN THE NORTH PACIFIC ON INDONESIAN THROUGHFLOW AND EQUATORIAL THERMOCLINE DEPTH: A HIGH LATITUDE CONTROL FOR ENSO VARIABILITY?
Noise in two‐color electronic distance meter measurements revisited

[1] Frequent, high-precision geodetic data have temporally correlated errors. Temporal correlations directly affect both the estimate of rate and its standard error; the rate of deformation is a key product from geodetic measurements made in tectonically active areas. Various models of temporally correlated errors are developed and these provide relations between the power spectral density and the data covariance matrix. These relations are applied to two-color electronic distance meter (EDM) measurements made frequently in California over the past 15-20 years. Previous analysis indicated that these data have significant random walk error. Analysis using the noise models developed here indicates that the random walk model is valid for about 30% of the data. A second 30% of the data can be better modeled with power law noise with a spectral index between 1 and 2, while another 30% of the data can be modeled with a combination of band-pass-filtered plus random walk noise. The remaining 10% of the data can be best modeled as a combination of band-pass-filtered plus power law noise. This band-pass-filtered noise is a product of an annual cycle that leaks into adjacent frequency bands. For time spans of more than 1 year these more complex noise models indicate that the precision in rate estimates is better than that inferred by just the simpler, random walk model of noise.
The role of external linkages and gatekeepers for the renewal and expansion of U.S. cities’ knowledge base, 1990-2004 *

This paper examines the role of external linkages and gatekeepers for the renewal and expansion of cities’ knowledge base, by presenting new evidence about co-invention networks in U.S. metropolitan areas based on European Patent Office (EPO) data for the period 1990-2004. We argue that the relative importance of direct external linkages and external relations mediated by gatekeepers varies according to specific local conditions. In particular, our findings suggest that external relations are on average a chief conduit to inject non-redundant knowledge at the local level and contribute to broadening and rejuvenating the local knowledge base. However, cities are quite heterogeneous in how they benefit from external relations. Whereas direct external connections outperform, on average, external links mediated by gatekeepers, the latter are especially important in cities with a localized and specialized knowledge base, as they enable the trans-coding and absorption at the local level of externally sourced knowledge.
Land Use Land Cover Change Analysis after the Earthquake of Wenchuan

This paper using remote sensing technology, extract land use and land cover change (LUCC), topography and geomorphology, vegetation coverage information of Wenchuan city. According to 2007~2008 type of land use change on the current situation and the dynamic changes in Wenchuan LUCC analysis. The results showed that after the earthquake, the forest cover of Wenchuan coverage from 67.59% in 2007 fell to 60.73 percent, dropped 6.86%, forest dynamic degree reached 10.18%; grass coverage from 16.29% in 2007 fell to 12.55%, dropped 3.74%, the dynamic degree reached 23%. The earthquake triggered landslides, avalanches, landslides and other geological hazards. Large tracts of woodland, grassland turned into bare land. Covering an area of 10.63%, dynamic degree is up to 291%, about 434.12km2, caused serious damage to the ecological environment to Wenchuan city.
Comunicación breve Anthropometric and biochemical parameters in adolescents and their relationship with eating habits and household food availability

Objectives: To evaluate the per capita availability of energy and macronutrients in the home and frequency of food consumption by adolescents and to relate them with anthropometric and biochemical variables, as well as verify if the eating habits of parents are associated to the children. Methods: We evaluated the weight, height, body fat (%BF), glucose, insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol (TC) and fractions of 120 adolescents. We evaluated also the eating habits of adolescents and their parents. Results: Adolescents with more than 35% of available lipids had 9.1-fold higher chances of presenting alterations in TC. Those who replaced the main meals for snacks had 3.66, 4.66 and 2.82 higher chances of presenting alterationsin %BF, insulin and triglycerides, respectively. The daily consumption of fruit was considered as a protective factor in relation to hyperinsulinemia. There was a similar feeding behavior among adolescents and their mothers. Conclusion: The results suggest the importance of specific attention to adolescent health, focused on family education.
Center for Policy Research Working Paper No . 84 PREDICTION IN THE PANEL DATA MODEL WITH SPATIAL CORRELATION : THE CASE OF LIQUOR

This paper considers the problem of prediction in a panel data regression model with spatial autocorrelation in the context of a simple demand equation for liquor. This is based on a panel of 43 states over the period 1965-1994. The spatial autocorrelation due to neighboring states and the individual heterogeneity across states is taken explicitly into account. We compare the performance of several predictors of the states demand for liquor for one year and five years ahead. The estimators whose predictions are compared include OLS, fixed effects ignoring spatial correlation, fixed effects with spatial correlation, random effects GLS estimator ignoring spatial correlation and random effects estimator accounting for the spatial correlation. Based on RMSE forecast performance, estimators that take into account spatial correlation and heterogeneity across the states perform the best for one year ahead forecasts. However, for two to five years ahead forecasts, estimators that take into account the heterogeneity across the states yield the best forecasts. JEL Code: C21, C23, C53
Response of the Middle Atmosphere to Solar Variability — Model Simulations

Solar flux variations could affect the middle atmosphere through modulating the photolysis of chemical series and solar heating rates. Indirect feedback effects from chemical, radiative, and dynamical interactions could provide additional sources for perturbations in the middle atmosphere. In this paper, recent developments in modeling the effect of solar variability on the middle atmosphere is described. For the 27-day solar rotational cycle, the temperature and ozone response in the stratosphere predicted by one- and two-dimensional models compares well with data analyses. For the 11-year solar cycle, model simulations suggest a non-negligible ozone/temperature response compared to changes produced by anthropogenic perturbations in the stratosphere. There is no sufficient long-term atmospheric dataset to establish a statistically significant correlation with the 11-year solar cycle. But in general, agreement between the observational analysis (for periods of one to two solar cycles) and model simulations of the long-term solar variability effect is unsatisfactory.
Huskie Commons Huskie Commons

It is well established that exercise improves cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, although an ideal dose of exercise is not known. The physical activity guidelines currently recommend 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity. Most individuals do not engage in adequate exercise, although a safe upper limit does not exist and a too much exercise hypothesis has recently emerged. This review of the literature analyzes studies that have evaluated exercise dose response on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality for the purpose of determining safe and effective exercise prescriptions. Searches were performed in PubMed and CINAHL between 2010 and 2018 to identify six studies that met inclusion criteria. Moderate-intensity exercise reduced all-cause mortality in five of six studies, whereas low-dose exercise most effectively improved all-cause mortality in three studies, and cardiovascular mortality in one study. Vigorous-intensity exercise or extreme doses demonstrated variable outcomes and remain controversial; two studies found vigorous-intensity exercise beneficial to improve health, two studies discouraged vigorous exercise, and two studies had less conclusive outcomes. It is not surprising that any amount of exercise improves health compared with none at all, with the greatest benefits observed when sedentary individuals began exercising. Low-dose exercise should be recommended to everyone with a goal of meeting the minimal requirements according to guidelines for decreased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Additional research to more thoroughly understand exercise dose response and motivate individuals to improve exercise engagement is currently warranted.
Anomalous southward intrusion of the Oyashio east of Japan: 1. Influence of the seasonal and interannual variations in the wind stress over the North Pacific

The Oyashio is a western boundary current of the subarctic circulation in the North Pacific. In recent years an anomalous southward intrusion of the Oyashio has been observed frequently from winter to late spring that is closely associated with the atmospheric temperature and other climatic elements of the eastern part of Japan. The anomalous southward intrusion of the Oyashio east of Japan was observed in 1963, 1974, 1981, and 1984. The average southward limit of the Oyashio water in the northern area of the Kuroshio Extension is approximately 39°–39.5°N in spring, but the Oyashio intrudes south to about 36°N in these anomalous years. The relationship between the southward intrusion of the Oyashio and the variation in wind stress over the North Pacific is examined by use of wind stress data. It has been demonstrated that prior to occurrences of the anomalous southward intrusion of the Oyashio in late spring, the southward shift of the latitude with no wind stress curl was commonly observed in the North Pacific by the development of the prominent Aleutian low. If a Sverdrup balance is assumed, the subarctic circulation shifts southward about 300–500 km from its annual mean latitude. During the Oyashio intrusion periods, stronger southeastward wind stress by the Siberian high were observed in the western region of the North Pacific, which suggests that the occurrence of the Oyashio intrusion is associated with the global change in the atmospheric circulation. However, analysis of historical data shows that if the southward shift of the wind system occurs, a warm eddy detached from the Kuroshio Extension and a large eastward expansion of the Tsugaru warm current suppress the development of the anomalous southward intrusion of the Oyashio east of Japan. A simple method to predict the anomalous intrusion of the Oyashio in late spring is proposed on the basis of these results.
Symptom Recognition and Perceived Urgency of Help‐Seeking for Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Diseases in the General Public: A Mixed Method Approach

Clinical outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are improved if the disease is treated early. However, treatment is often significantly delayed as a result of delayed help‐seeking by patients who fail to recognize its symptoms or the need for rapid medical attention. Two studies were conducted to investigate the role of symptom recognition in help‐seeking for the symptoms of RA, and compared this to symptom recognition and help‐seeking in angina and bowel cancer.
Approximation for the invariant measure with applications for jump processes (convergence in total variation distance)

In this paper, we establish an abstract framework for the approximation of the invariant probability measure for a Markov semigroup. Following Pag{\`e}s and Panloup [40] we use an Euler scheme with decreasing step (unadjusted Langevin algorithm). Under some contraction property with exponential rate and some regularization properties, we give an estimate of the error in total variation distance. This abstract framework covers the main results in [40] and [14]. As a specific application we study the convergence in total variation distance to the invariant measure for jump type equations. The main technical difficulty consists in proving the regularzation properties-this is done under an ellipticity condition, using Malliavin calculus for jump processes.
Nanomanipulation with Designer Thermoplasmonic Metasurface

Plasmonic nanoantennas provide an efficient platform to confine electromagnetic energy to the deeply subwavelength scales. The resonant absorption of light by the plasmonic nanoantennas provides the means to engineer heat distribution at the micro and nanoscales. We present thermoplasmonic metasurfaces for on-chip trapping, dynamic manipulation and sensing of micro and nanoscale objects. This ability to rapidly concentrate objects on the surface of the metasurface holds promise to overcome the diffusion limit in surface-based optical biosensors. This platform could be applied for the trapping and label-free sensing of viruses, biological cells and extracellular vesicles such as exosomes.
Application of Principal Component Analysis to Simultaneous Seismic Inversion

The Principal component analysis (PCA) uses an orthogonal linear transformation to project the model space with large dimensionality to a small subsurface dimension by taking advantage of strong correlation between models. In this paper, we apply PCA as an efficient parameterization tool for simultaneous seismic inversion. We start with a large number of training images sampled from the prior probability distribution. Principal components are then calculated from the covariance matrix derived from these training images. Since the number of principal components (PCs) is much smaller than the original number of model parameters, new images in posterior probability distribution can be efficiently reconstructed by only updating the weights of the PC. In this paper, we applied PCA based VFSA to both post-stack and pre-stack seismic data to invert for 2D impedance profiles. The results from simultaneous inversion demonstrate better lateral continuity than a trace-by-trace inversion using the same optimization tool. The same workflow can also be applied to 3D seismic volumes.
A contextual algorithm for AVHRR fire detection

Abstract A contextual algorithm for fire detection with NOAA-AVHRR-LAC data was developed. Unlike ‘traditional’ fire detection algorithms (e.g., multichannel thresholds), the decision to record a fire is made by comparing a fire pixel with the pixels in its immediate neighbourhood. The algorithm is self-adaptive and therefore very consistent over large areas as well as through seasons. The algorithm appears to operate successfully in most areas of the world. This Letter presents the contextual approach and describes the algorithm.