Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microstructural tectonometamorphic processes and the development of gneissic layering: a mechanism for metamorphic segregation

The Mary granite, in the East Athabasca mylonite triangle, northern Saskatchewan, provides an example and a model for the development of non‐migmatitic gneissic texture. Gneissic compositional layering developed through the simultaneous evolution of three microdomains corresponding to original plagioclase, orthopyroxene and matrix in the igneous rocks. Plagioclase phenocrysts were progressively deformed and recrystallized, first into core and mantle structures, and ultimately into plagioclase‐rich layers or ribbons. Garnet preferentially developed in the outer portions of recrystallized mantles, and, with further deformation, produced garnet‐rich sub‐layers within the plagioclase‐rich gneissic domains. Orthopyroxene was replaced by clinopyroxene and garnet (and hornblende if sufficient water was present), which were, in turn, drawn into layers with new garnet growth along the boundaries. The igneous matrix evolved through a number of transient fabric stages involving S‐C fabrics, S‐C‐C′ fabrics, and ultramylonitic domains. In addition, quartz veins were emplaced and subsequently deformed into quartz‐rich gneissic layers. Moderate to highly strained samples display extreme mineralogical (compositional) segregation, yet most domains can be directly related to the original igneous precursors. The Mary granite was emplaced at approximately 900 °C and 1.0 GPa and was metamorphosed at approximately 750 °C and 1.0 GPa. The igneous rocks crystallized in the medium‐pressure granulite field (Opx–Pl) but were metamorphosed on cooling into the high‐pressure (Grt–Cpx–Pl) granulite field. The compositional segregation resulted from a dynamic, mutually reinforcing interaction between deformation, metamorphic and igneous processes in the deep crust. The production of gneissic texture by processes such as these may be the inevitable result of isobaric cooling of igneous rocks within a tectonically active deep crust.
Compression of Psuedo-Periodic Signals Using 2D Wavelet Transforms

This paper attempts to utilize the pitch synchronous property of pseudo- periodic 1-dimensional signals like voiced speech, music etc, to improve the efficiency of compression retaining the distinctive characteristics of the original signal. The signal is represented in 2-dimensional form and decomposed using 2-D wavelet. The decomposed signal is compressed using various threshold parameters. Results show that higher signal to noise ratio, higher compression ratio and lower percentage distortion are obtained with the new method of 2-D compression as compared to 1-D compression. We have used a new method of pitch peak detection of voiced signals using k-means clustering algorithm.
A Novel Feature Extraction Technique for Face Recognition

Face recognition has found its extensive application in security. An effective method in extracting features increases the efficiency and the recognition rate of the face recognition system and also makes its implementation easier. This paper proposes a two step methodology for improving the recognition rate of the face recognition system. Face images extracted from an acquisition system posses noise, illumination changes and rotation, reduces the discriminatory power of the classifier. The proposed method involves deriving an illumination insensitive image using Integral Normalized Gradient Image (INGI) and extraction of invariant face features using discrete orthogonal tchebichef moment. Discrete orthogonal moment gives better representation of image even with less order, effective under translation, rotation and tilt and less sensitive to noise. The extracted features are classified using nearest- neighbor classifier. The proposed method is tested using Yale database. Experimental results show the finite number of order for successful feature extraction, the recognition rate under different strategies, the insensitivity of tchebichef moments to noise and the improvement in recognition rate with tchebichef shift invariant. Index Terms-- Face Recognition, Illumination Normalization, Feature Extraction, Tchebichef Moment, Nearest Neighbor Classifier.
Vertical grid spacing necessary for simulating tropical cirrus clouds with a high‐resolution atmospheric general circulation model

The distribution of simulated cirrus clouds over the tropics is affected by the particular model's vertical grid spacing. To examine this effect, we use a high‐resolution atmospheric general circulation model with 28 km and 14 km horizontal meshes. We show that a vertical grid spacing of 400 m or less is necessary to resolve the bulk structure of cirrus clouds. As one reduces the vertical grid spacing below about 1000 m, the visible cirrus cloud fraction decreases, the cloud thins (optically and geometrically), the cloud top height lowers, and consequently, the outgoing longwave radiation increases. These effects are stronger over the tropics. When using a vertical grid spacing of 400 m or less, the vertical profiles of effective radii and ice water content converge toward measurements (CloudSat satellite and Cloud‐Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation).
Local distribution of PM2.5 concentration over Osaka based on space and ground measurements

This work intends to estimate PM2.5 concentration over mega city Osaka in Japan based on both satellite and ground measurements. Our work is composed of the following steps. At first the relationship between PM2.5 and aerosol optical thickness (AOT) is derived by using the ground measurements with sun photometer and PM-sampler, respectively. In addition vertical distribution of aerosol particles are also investigated by LIDAR measurements. The second step is to retrieve columnar AOT distribution from the space-based reflectance information with CAI (cloud aerosol imager) on GOSAT (greenhouse gases observing satellite). Note that, the PM2.5 measurements indicate the surface level concentration of the atmospheric particles, and hence the columnar AOT distribution should be converted to the surface level aerosol optical depth (AOD) based on the aerosol extinction profile with LIDAR. Finally, PM2.5 distribution is obtained from the relationship derived at the first step. The obtained results of PM2.5 are partially validated with the sampling data of PM2.5 at the surface.
Contribution of Walking to School to Individual and Population Moderate-Vigorous Intensity Physical Activity: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE This study estimated the contribution of walking to/from school to objectively measured daily moderate-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) in individuals and populations. METHODS MEDLINE, PsycINFO and SPORTDiscus were systematically searched up to February 2015. Two reviewers independently screened titles/abstracts/full-text articles, and assessed study quality. RESULTS Of 2430 records, 129 were eligible for full-text screening. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria of reporting objectively obtained measures of MVPA (total and while walking to/from school) in children and adolescents. The weighted mean MVPA accumulated in walking to and from school was 17 min/day in primary school pupils (9 samples, n = 3422) and 13 min/day in high school pupils (4 samples, n = 2600). Pooled analysis suggested that walking to and from school contributed 23% and 36% of MVPA on schooldays in primary school age children and high school pupils, respectively. All included studies were of high methodological quality. CONCLUSIONS Walking to and from school makes a meaningful contribution to individual schoolday MVPA for active commuters in western countries. Since schooldays represent only around half of all days, and prevalence of walking to school is low in many countries, the contribution of walking to school to population MVPA is probably low.
Genetic and epigenetic characterization of hypodiploid acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Purpose To investigate the genetic and epigenetic landscape of hypodiploid (<45 chromosomes) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Methods Single nucleotide polymorphism array, whole exome sequencing, RNA sequencing, and methylation array analyses were performed on eleven hypodiploid ALL cases. Results In line with previous studies, mutations in IKZF3 and FLT3 were detected in near-haploid (25–30 chromosomes) cases. Low hypodiploidy (31–39 chromosomes) was associated with somatic TP53 mutations. Notably, mutations of this gene were also found in 3/3 high hypodiploid (40–44 chromosomes) cases, suggesting that the mutational patterns are similar in low hypodiploid and high hypodiploid ALL. The high hypodiploid ALLs frequently displayed substantial cell-to-cell variability in chromosomal content, indicative of chromosomal instability; a rare phenomenon in ALL. Gene expression analysis showed that genes on heterodisomic chromosomes were more highly expressed in hypodiploid cases. Cases clustered according to hypodiploid subtype in the unsupervised methylation analyses, but there was no association between chromosomal copy number and methylation levels. A comparison between samples obtained at diagnosis and relapse showed that the relapse did not arise from the major diagnostic clone in 3/4 cases. Conclusion Taken together, our data support the conclusion that near-haploid and low hypodiploid ALL are different with regard to mutational profiles and also suggest that ALL cases with high hypodiploidy may harbor chromosomal instability.
Depuration of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in Breast Milk from California First-Time Mothers (Primiparae)

Background Little is known about the rates of loss (depuration) of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from mothers during lactation. Depuration rates affect infant exposure to chemicals during breast-feeding, and fetal and lactational transfers during subsequent pregnancies. Objective Our objective in this study was to estimate depuration rates of PBDEs and PCBs using serial samples of breast milk. Method Nine first-time mothers (primiparae) each collected samples at 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks after birth. Nine additional primiparae each collected two samples at varying time intervals (18 to > 85 weeks after birth). Analytical precision was assessed to evaluate the accuracy of measured monthly percentage declines in PBDEs and PCBs. Results The four major PBDE congeners decreased 2 or 3% ± 1% per month over the 6-month period. These decreases were consistent over a 50-fold range (21–1,330 ng/g lipid weight) of initial PBDE concentrations in breast milk. The change in PCB-153 ranged from + 0.3% to –0.6% per month, with heterogeneous slopes and greater intraindividual variability. PBDE and PCB concentrations declined 1% per month over longer periods (up to 136 weeks). Conclusions Our data indicate that PBDEs and PCBs are not substantially (4–18%) reduced in primiparae after 6 months of breast-feeding. Consequently, the fetal and lactational exposures for a second child may not be markedly lower than those for the first. Participants were volunteers from a larger study population (n = 82), and were typical in their PBDE/PCB levels and in many demographic and lifestyle factors. These similarities suggest that our results may have broader applicability.
Simulations of Arctic Temperature and Pressure by Global Coupled Models

Abstract Simulations of Arctic surface air temperature and sea level pressure by 14 global climate models used in the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change are synthesized in an analysis of biases and trends. Simulated composite GCM surface air temperatures for 1981–2000 are generally 1°–2°C colder than corresponding observations with the exception of a cold bias maximum of 6°–8°C in the Barents Sea. The Barents Sea bias, most prominent in winter and spring, occurs in 12 of the 14 GCMs and corresponds to a region of oversimulated sea ice. All models project a twenty-first-century warming that is largest in the autumn and winter, although the rates of the projected warming vary considerably among the models. The across-model and across-scenario uncertainties in the projected temperatures are comparable through the first half of the twenty-first century, but increases in variability associated with the choice of scenario begin to outpace increases in across-model variabil.
Informational cognitive model applied to the water resources management

Tucunduba’s basin in Brazil was chosen for the area of research into the development of a cognitive computational causal structure that was capable of identifying and qualifying the potential conflict processes generated from the multiple uses of the water in this urban basin, and to use the information in making decisions as to the possible scope of structural and non-structural actions. The use of a qualitative model in the area of water resources, using informational methodologies like the software Decision Explorer, aims not only to understand the water aspects, but also the social and indispensable aspects in taking a decision in a conflict scenario regarding the use of these resources. This software is a tool for the development of the cognitive mapping, where concept gathering representative causes and effects will be joined through a coded visualization. The conflicting identification and qualification caused by the multiple uses of the water has been carried out through interviews with specialists in the area of management and sanitation. This information was added to a map with the purpose of proving the hypothesis formulated in the research, through the use of analysis tools to assist the problem identification due to the multiple use of the water, from existing structural and non-structural measures (or proposals), in order to provide the manager with more effective solutions to solve these problems. It can be said that this group of items illustrate the main measures to be observed by the manager, in order to solve the conflicts for the multiple use of the basin, highlighted by the interviews and individual cognitive maps. The conclusions reached were mainly by means of the researcher’s intervention and interpretation of the data and based on these analyses an understanding of the systems is obtained, potential conflicts identified with their causes and effects, and suggestions for mitigating measures proposed.
Cholesteryl ester transfer protein rs5833 genetic variant affect HDL-cholesterol levels and ratio total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol in postmenopausal obese female patient.

OBJECTIVE One SNP in exon 9 (r5883) has been involved with high risk of cardiovascular disease in hypertensive subjects. The goal of the present study was to test the role of this genetic variant on lipid levels and Metabolic Syndrome (MS) in menopausal obese females. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study enrolled a sample of 112 menopausal obese females. Measurements of adiposity parameters, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, insulin concentration, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), lipid profile, C reactive protein and prevalence of MS were recorded. Genotype of CETP gene polymorphism (rs5883) was studied. RESULTS The distribution of the rs5883 polymorphism in this menopausal obese population was 83.9% (n=94) (CC), 15.2% (n=17) (CT) and 0.9% (n=1) (TT). Adiposity parameters, blood pressure, fasting glucose levels, insulin levels, HOMA-IR, C reactive protein, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides were similar in both genotype groups (CC vs. CT+TT). Moreover, HDL cholesterol (8.5+1.2 mg/dl; p=0.01) and ratio total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol (0.5±0.2; p=0.04) were higher in T allele carriers (dominant model). MS percentage was similar in both genotypes (37.6% vs. 27.2%; p=0.43). Logistic regression analysis showed a decreased risk of low-HDL cholesterol in T allele carriers (OR=0.18, 95% CI=0.02-0.77, p=0.03) after adjusting by dietary fatty acid intakes, body mass index and age. CONCLUSIONS The results reported here support that CETP variant rs5883 is related with HDL-cholesterol levels and ratio total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol.
IDENTIFICATION OF A NOVEL CELL TYPE IN PERIPHERAL LYMPHOID ORGANS OF MICE

Several properties of lymphoid dendritic cells in situ have been determined, and contrasted to information previously established for lymphocytes and mononuclear phagocytes. Dendritic cells are not found in newborn mice, and their concentration in both spleen and mesenteric lymph node does not reach adult levels until 3–4 wk of age. Dendritic cells largely disappear from adherent populations following administration of steroids (2.5 mg hydrocortisone acetate s.c.) and ionizing radiation (Do of 100 rads for Co60). Splenic dendritic cells can originate from precursors located in both bone marrow and spleen itself, probably the red pulp. The mature splenic population does not actively divide (pulse labeling index with [3H]thymidine of 1.5–2.5%), but does turnover at substantial rate, 10+% of the total pool per day. The influx of new cells appears to be derived from a proliferating precursor compartment, but the mechanism for efflux or turnover is not known. Dendritic cells in spleen and node undergo little or moderate increase in numbers during development of a primary immune response. These in vivo characteristics, taken together, further distinguish dendritic cells as a novel cell type, distinct from mononuclear phagocytes and lymphocytes.
Zonal and geographical distributions of cirrus clouds determined from SAGE data

An analysis using Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE) data for the period February 1979 to November 1981 was performed to determine the spatial extent and frequency of occurrence of cirrus clouds over a large portion of the earth's surface. The effective field of view corresponding to the determined frequency was 100 km2. A by-product of the study reveals the statistics of tropospheric observational opportunities for a limb-sounding satellite sensor by determining the percentage of times of successful penetration to a given height or depth below the tropopause. The results of the analysis showed that optically thick cirrus clouds form most often in the midlatitudes and over the tropics, with distinct minima near latitude bands of 20°–30° north and south. The zonally averaged latitudinal distributions of cirrus clouds observed by SAGE compared very well with the Nimbus 5 selective chopper radiometer (SCR) observations in shape but not in magnitude. SAGE showed about twice the magnitude of the SCR results. The percentage of tropospheric observational opportunities down to 7 km was as high as 60% in the upper latitudes. A geographical presentation of the SAGE results showed the growth and seasonal movement of high-cloud features were in good agreement with previous studies.
Detection and imaging of buried wastes using seismic wave propagation

A new geophysical tool for high resolution subsurface imaging has been developed which has numerous applications in the field of hazardous waste management. The primary steps of the technique are: (1) An acoustic wave is projected through a subsurface cross section to a hydrophone array located vertically in a borehole; (2) the amplitude versus time signal of the propagating wave is collected at each hydrophone; and (3) the reduced wave equation and theory of backpropagation tomography are invoked to reconstruct the subsurface features from the collected data. The development of this emerging technology is highlighted beginning with its theoretical conception, through system development and field testing, to an examination of its future applications in environmental engineering.
DYNAMIC STABILITY OF ROCK SLOPES AND HIGH FREQUENCY TRAVELING WAVES

An investigation of high frequency, traveling wave excitation of a two‐dimensional, multiple block, rock slope was conducted with a discrete element model to quantify the effects of variable frequency blasting vibrations. The investigation involved a responding upper rigid block and multiple lower rigid blocks that were excited so as to represent a wave propagating through the rock mass. At constant particle velocity or acceleration, increasing dominant excitation frequency significantly decreases shear displacement. Other propagating wave factors such as propagation velocity, wave type, and joint stiffnesses affect calculated shear displacements to a lesser extent than the frequency.
In silico development of new acetylcholinesterase inhibitors

In this work, we made use of fragment-based drug design (FBDD) and de novo design to obtain more powerful acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors. AChE is associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It was found that the cholinergic pathways in the cerebral cortex are compromised in AD and the accompanying cholinergic deficiency contributes to the cognitive deterioration of AD patients. In the FBDD approach, fragments are docked into the active site of the protein. As fragments are molecular groups with a low number of atoms, it is possible to study their interaction with localized amino acids. Once the interactions are measured, the fragments are organized by affinity and then linked together to form new molecules with a high degree of interaction with the active site. In the other approach, we used the de novo design technique starting from reference drugs used in the AD treatment. These drugs were broken into fragments (seeds). In the growing strategy, fragments were added to each seed, growing new molecules. In the linking strategy, two or more separated seeds were linked with different fragments. Both strategies combined produced a library of more than 2 million compounds. This library was filtered using absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion properties. The resulting library with around six thousand compounds was filtered again. In this case, structures with Tanimoto coefficients >. 85 were discarded. The final library with 1500 compounds was submitted to docking studies. As a result, 10 compounds with better interaction energy than the reference drugs were obtained.
Using videos to teach children inhaler technique: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Abstract Objective: This primary objective of this pilot randomized, controlled trial was to determine whether a brief video intervention delivered after a pediatric office visit could improve inhaler technique in children with asthma immediately and one month later. The intervention’s effect on children’s inhaler self-efficacy and asthma control was also evaluated. Methods: Children (n = 91) ages 7–17 years with persistent asthma were recruited at two pediatric practices in North Carolina. Eligible children demonstrated their inhaler technique for metered dose inhalers (MDIs) either with or without a spacer. A trained research assistant used a validated inhaler technique checklist to record which steps children performed correctly. After a regularly scheduled office visit, children were randomized to watch either a 3-min MDI video (intervention group) or a nutrition video (control group) in English or Spanish. Children’s technique was assessed again after watching the video and one month later. Results: Children were primarily male (56%) and non-White (60%). When compared with the control group, children in the intervention group demonstrated a significant improvement in MDI technique post-intervention [mean = 1.12 steps, 95% CI (0.73, 1.50)] but the improvement was not sustained at 1-month follow-up. The intervention did not lead to significant improvements in inhaler self-efficacy or asthma control. Conclusions: A brief video intervention offered during pediatric clinic visits can lead to immediate improvements in children’s inhaler technique. Future studies should evaluate whether booster training videos can help maintain improvements in children’s inhaler technique over time.