Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SUMMER MOISTURE VARIABILITY ACROSS EUROPE, 1892-1991 : AN ANALYSIS BASED ON THE PALMER DROUGHT SEVERITY INDEX

Monthly Palmer Drought Severity Indices (PDSI) have been calculated for the period 1892–1991 over a 5° latitude by 5° longitude grid covering Europe and south-west Asia from 35 °N to 70 °N and 10 °W to 60 °E. These indices are used to describe the spatial and temporal details of relative moisture variability during summer (June-August). The full series of mean summer PDSI maps are presented. Over Europe as a whole, there has been a consistent (but statistically insignificant) increase in moisture supply throughout the period of record. The 1930s and 40s were exceptionally dry. The summer of 1947 was the driest, both in terms of average PDSI but also in terms of the spatial extent of moderate drought. However, the summer of 1921 was by far the most extreme when considering the spatial extent of severe drought conditions. Widespread drought conditions also prevailed over many regions of Europe during the 1890s. The wettest summers occurred in 1987 and 1916. The total area of Europe experiencing either severe dry or severe wet conditions has increased noteably during recent years. Nine regions of coherent summer moisture variability are objectively defined by orthogonal rotation of the principal components of the summer PDSI. The nine rotated components, which explain 60 per cent of total variability of this data set, represent moisture variability in north-western Europe (NWEUR), the north-west Mediterranean (NWMED), the lower Volga (LVOLG), central European Russia (CERUS), the north-east Mediterranean (NEMED), the southern Caspian Sea (SCASP), the Pechora Basin (PECHB), the Danube Basin (DANUB), and northern Fennoscandia (NFENN). The last 3 years have been very dry in NWEUR and NWMED. The most recent summer in our analysis, 1991, was the wettest on record in both CERUS and NEMED. Preliminary spectral analyses provide little evidence for a solar-moisture relationship in these European data over this period.
Application of Satellite Products to Study Upwelling, Chlorophyll and Mixed Layer Depth of Southeastern Arabian Sea

The role of wind stress in modulating upwelling and subsequent changes in mixed layer depth and chlorophyll concentration in southeastern Arabian Sea are studied for the period encompassing 2000–2008. During southwest monsoon season favoring upwelling in this region, it is observed that decrease in wind stress is always followed by an increase in chlorophyll concentration with approximately two weeks delay, accompanied by the shoaling of mixed layer depth, whereas the opposite is observed during high wind stress periods. This is attributed to the mixing and entrainment of nutrients into the euphotic zone which enable increase in surface chlorophyll and thereby boosting the primary productivity of the region. Wavelet analysis is used to deduce the temporal variability of winds, chlorophyll and mixed layer for the region. A time lag of 2 weeks is observed between the decrease in wind stress followed by a high in the surface chlorophyll concentration, often well captured by satellite. Another interesting observation is the bimodal variability of chlorophyll-a concentration during summer monsoon is observed in this region which was hitherto unnoticed. This spatial and temporal relation between wind, chlorophyll and mixed layer depth can provide valuable insight towards future studies on upwelling induced productivity for this region.
Expansion and contraction tension zones in western pinon-juniper woodlands under projected climate change

Populations of pinons and junipers across the interior west have been highly dynamic over the last two centuries, undergoing an overall expansion but punctuated with regional mortality. Accumulating demographic studies across the interior west indicate the drivers of expansion and contraction of populations are compounded by regional land use legacies, but have an underlying climatic component. The key implication is that pinon and juniper distributions respond to climatic variation across spatial and temporal scales by expansion from, and contraction to, areas of long-term persistence relative to their centurial (pinons) and millennial (junipers) life spans. Individualistic climatic tolerances among pinon and juniper species lead to temporally dynamic assemblages in the landscape that vary regionally.
Potential future dynamics of carbon fluxes and pools in New England forests and their climatic sensitivities: A model‐based study

Projections of terrestrial carbon (C) dynamics must account for interannual variation in ecosystem C exchange associated with climate change, increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration, and species dynamics. We used a dynamic ecosystem model to (i) project the potential dynamics of C in New England forests under nine climate change scenarios (CCSs) for the 21st century and (ii) examine the sensitivity of potential C dynamics to changes in climate and atmospheric CO2 concentration. Our results indicated that forest net primary productivity (NPP) and soil heterotrophic respiration (RH) averaged 428 and 279 gC/m2/yr and New England forests sequestered CO2 by 149 gC/m2/yr in the baseline period (1971–2000). Under the nine future CCSs, NPP and RH were modeled to increase by an average rate of 0.85 and 0.56 gC/m2/yr2 during 1971–2099. The asymmetric increase in NPP and RH resulted in New England forests sequestering atmospheric CO2 at a net rate of 0.29 gC/m2/yr2 with increases in vegetation and soil C. Simulations also indicated that climate warming alone decreases NPP, resulting in a net efflux of C from forests. In contrast, increasing precipitation by itself stimulates CO2 sequestration by forests. At the individual cell level, however, changes in temperature or precipitation can either positively or negatively affect consequent C dynamics. Elevation of CO2 levels was found to be the biggest driver for modeled future enhancement of C sequestration. Without the elevation of CO2 levels, climate warming has the potential to change New England forests from C sinks to sources in the late 21st century.
Nonlinear principal component analysis of noisy data

With very noisy data, overfitting is a serious problem in pattern recognition. For nonlinear regression, having plentiful data eliminates overfitting, but for nonlinear principal component analysis (NLPCA), overfitting persists even with plentiful data. Thus simply minimizing mean square error is not a sufficient criterion for NLPCA to find good solutions in noisy data. A new index is proposed which measures the disparity between the nonlinear principal components u and u macr for a data point x and its nearest neighbour x macr. This index, 1middotCS (the Spearman rank correlation between u and u macr), tends to increase with overfitted solutions, thereby providing a diagnostic tool to determine how much regularization (i.e. weight penalty) should be used in the objective function of the NLPCA to prevent overfitting. Tests are performed using autoassociative neural networks for NLPCA on synthetic and real climate data.
Segmentation of the Vp/Vs ratio and low‐frequency earthquake distribution around the fault boundary of the Tonankai and Nankai earthquakes

Beneath the Kii Peninsula, the distribution of low‐frequency earthquakes (LFEs) forms three clusters. A previous study shows that one of the clusters has anomalously less amount of cumulative slip than the others. To understand the cause of this variation, we applied a tomographic analysis using arrival times of earthquakes recorded by both ocean bottom seismometers and onshore stations. As a result, we identified segmentation about the Vp/Vs ratio around the subducting plate interface corresponding to the distribution of LFEs. One of the segments has low a Vp/Vs ratio that coincides with the small‐slip LFE cluster. Another segment has a high Vp/Vs ratio in which almost no LFEs occur. We conclude that the relatively low pore fluid pressure within the low Vp/Vs segment contributes to the small‐slip LFE cluster and that the gap of LFEs within the high Vp/Vs segment corresponds to stable slip area due to high pore fluid pressure.
The Role of Effort in Perceiving Distance

Berkeley proposed that space is perceived in terms of effort. Consistent with his proposal, the present studies show that perceived egocentric distance increases when people are encumbered by wearing a heavy backpack or have completed a visual-motor adaptation that reduces the anticipated optic flow coinciding with walking effort. In accord with Berkeley's proposal and Gibson's theory of affordances, these studies show that the perception of spatial layout is influenced by locomotor effort.
Omission of surgery in older women with early breast cancer has an adverse impact on breast cancer specific survival

Background : Primary endocrine therapy (PET) is used as an alternative to surgery in up to 40% of UK women with early breast cancer over age 70. This study has investigated the impact of surgery versus PET on breast cancer specific survival (BCSS) in older women. Methods: Cancer registration data were obtained from two English regions from 2002 to 2010 (n=23,961). A retrospective analysis was performed for women with ER positive disease, using statistical modelling to show the effect of treatment (surgery or PET) and age/health status on BCSS. Missing data was handled using multiple imputation. Results : After data pre-processing, 18,730 (78.5%) were identified as having ER positive disease; of these, 10,087 (54%) had surgery and 8,643 (46%) had PET. BCSS was worse in the PET group compared with the surgical group (5 year BCSS: 69% v 90% respectively). This was true for all strata considered, though the differential was lessened in the cohort with the greatest degree of comorbidity. For older, frailer patients the hazard of breast cancer death has less relative impact on overall survival. Selection for surgery on the basis of predicted life expectancy may permit selection of women for whom surgery confers little benefit. This model is being used to develop an on-line algorithm to aid management of older women with early breast cancer (Age Gap Risk Prediction Tool). Conclusion : BCSS in older women with ER positive disease is worse if surgery is omitted. This treatment choice may, therefore, contribute to inferior cancer outcomes.
Analysis of water retention curve as a potential tool in comparing the effect of different soil management in two olive orchard in southern Spain

The experimental areas were located in Benacazon and Pedrera, Seville province in Southern Spain, and at each location two experimental plots were established. One of the plots was under traditional tillage management and the other under cover crop soil management. The slope at the plots was 12 and 4% respectively. Soil samples were taken at both plots differentiating between the inter tree areas and the under the olive canopy areas, between two different depths: 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm. These resulted in eight different sampling areas (2x2x2). Samples were taken three year after establishing the experiments.
A Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America

Geography and bird distribution Climate and habitat Migration History of ornithology in Mexico Conservation Birding in Mexico and northern Central America Using this book Taxonomy Molt and plumage Outline of the species accounts Family and Species Accounts Appendices on extinct species, hypothetical occurrence, birds of Pacific Islands and Caribbean Islands, and additional species of eastern Honduras.
Symposium Title: Tutorial Discourse What Makes Human Explanations Eeective? What Makes Human Explanations Eeective?

If computer-based instructional systems are to reap the beneets of natural language interaction, they must be endowed with the properties that make human natural language interaction so eeective. To identify these properties, we replaced the natural language component of an existing Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS) with a human tutor, and gathered protocols of students interacting with the human tutor. We then compared the human tutor's responses to those that would have been produced by the ITS. In this paper, I describe two critical features that distinguish human tutorial explanations from those of their computational counterparts.
Upregulation of a basolateral FXR-dependent bile acid efﬂux transporter OST (cid:1) -OST (cid:2) in cholestasis in humans and rodents

andNazzarenoBallatori. UpregulationofabasolateralFXR-dependentbile acid efﬂux transporter OST (cid:1) -OST (cid:2) in cholestasis in humans and rodents. Am Physiol Liver Physiol solute transporter (OST (cid:1) -OST (cid:2) ) is a novel heteromeric bile acid and sterol transporter expressed at the basolateral membranes of epithelium in the ileum, kidney, and liver. To determine whether OST (cid:1) -OST (cid:2) undergoes farnesoid X receptor (FXR)-dependent adaptive regulation following cholestatic liver injury, mRNA and protein expression levels were analyzed in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and following common bile duct ligation (CBDL) in rats and Fxr null and wild-type mice. Hepatic OST (cid:1) and OST (cid:2) mRNA increased 3- and 32-fold, respectively, in patients with PBC compared with controls, whereas expression of Ost (cid:1) and Ost (cid:2) also increased in the liver of rats and mice following CBDL. In contrast, expression of Ost (cid:1) and Ost (cid:2) mRNA was generally lower in Fxr null mice, and CBDL failed to enhance expression of Ost (cid:1) and Ost (cid:2) compared with wild-type mice. HepG2 cells treated for 24 h with chenodeoxycholic acid, a selective FXR ligand, had higher levels of OST (cid:1) and OST (cid:2) mRNA and protein. Increases in OST protein were visualized by confocal microscopy at the plasma membrane. These results indicate that expression of Ost (cid:1) and Ost (cid:2) are highly regulated in response to cholestasis and that this response is dependent on the FXR bile acid receptor.
Malaguana‐Gadao Ridge: Identification and implications of a magma chamber reflector in the southern Mariana Trough

Six‐channel seismic reflection data reveal a magma chamber reflector beneath the Malaguana‐Gadao Ridge, the southernmost segment of the spreading center in the Mariana Trough. For most of its length the spreading center in this active back‐arc basin is morphologically similar to slow spreading mid‐ocean ridges, having a deep central graben flanked by a zone of abyssal hill fabric. This southernmost segment, however, has a broad, smooth cross section, lacks a deep central graben, and is thus similar in morphology to fast spreading ridges (e.g., the East Pacific Rise). We identify a magma chamber at 1.5 s two‐way travel time below the crest of the ridge. Observations from remotely operated vehicles along the ridge reveal not only fresh pillows, lobate, and sheet lava flows but also an abundance of volcaniclastic debris and intense hydrothermal activity. These observations, together with the “fast spreading” morphology of the ridge, suggest that this segment has a considerably higher magma supply than is typical in the Mariana Trough. We suggest that the volcanic arc or enhanced melting of a hydrated mantle is supplying volatile‐rich magma as evidenced by a highly negative coefficient of reflection, −0.42, for this MCR and the presence of evolved, highly vesicular lava and volcaniclastic materials. The southeastern Mariana back‐arc basin spreading ridge does not compare readily with mechanical models for global mid‐ocean ridge data sets because of marked asymmetry in both volcanism and deformation that may be the consequence of slab‐related geometry in this part of the convergent margin system.
Cliff, A.D. and Ord, J.K. 1973: Spatial autocorrelation. London: Pion

In 1973, Pion published A.D. Cliff and J.K. Ord’s Spatial autocorrelation, a path-breaking monograph that came to have an enormous impact on geographical data analysts. The monograph deserves the praise accorded it because it spelt out for the first time concisely, comprehensively and in detail solutions to the problem of identifying spatial association in mapped data. The monograph, based on earlier writings of the two authors a geographer and a statistician opened the door to a new era in geographical analysis. It enabled researchers to assess statistically the degree of spatial dependence in their data and, in so doing, to search for more accurate solutions to their problems, including finding additional
ARE YOU GONNA EAT THAT?Arsenic and Mercury Levels in Allegheny River Catfish and Implications for Human Consumption

This study examined arsenic and mercury concentrations in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) caught for human consumption in the Allegheny River. Arsenic is a known human carcinogen and mercury is known to cause neurological disorders, particularly in fetuses and children. Subsistence and semi-subsistence anglers and their families are at risk of exposure.Catfish were caught at 4 distinct sites - Pittsburgh, Cheswick, Freeport and Ford City. They were measured for general characteristics such as weight, length, and sex, and tissue samples were taken and analyzed for heavy metal content. The study addressed main questions: Do levels of mercury and arsenic vary among the 4 sites and, if so, how? Do the levels of mercury and arsenic in these fish pose a threat to people who eat them regularly? Analysis of variance was used to determine group differences by location. Contrasts were performed to test for specific differences: Pittsburgh from the other three sites, and Cheswick, Freeport and Ford City from each other. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to determine if any of the other factors, weight, length or sex, had an impact on metals levels in addition to location. Assessments of risk to human consumers of these fish were conducted using US EPA guidelines and formulae.The Pittsburgh fish were found to have significantly different concentrations of both arsenic and mercury than the fish from the other sites. Mean levels of arsenic and mercury were observed to be lower in the Pittsburgh fish. No significant differences in contaminant levels were found between the Cheswick, Freeport and Ford City fish. Subsequent analyses were conducted combining these three locations into the Allegheny River group. Regression analyses showed minimal impact of weight and no impact of any other factor when controlling for location. Public Health Implications: Risk assessments found hazard quotients above 1 for all populations (children 3-8, children 9-15, women of childbearing age, other adults) based on 95% confidence intervals for mean concentrations of mercury. Arsenic levels also showed excess cancer risk for all populations. Current fish consumption advisories are inadequate to protect the health of regular consumers of these fish.
Spatial Relationships of Complex Fractionated Atrial Electrograms and Continuous Electrical Activity to Focal€Electrical Sources

METHODS We included a subset of 66 patients (age: 63 [56, 67] years, 69% persistent AF) with electroanatomic data from the SELECT AF (Selective complex fractionated atrial electrograms targeting for atrial fibrillation) randomized control trial that compared the efficacy of CFAEwith CEA ablation in AF patients undergoing pulmonary vein antral ablation. Focal sources were identified based on bipolar electrogram periodicity and QS unipolar electrogram morphology.
‘Lysyl oxidase plays a critical role in endothelial cell stimulation to drive tumor angiogenesis’

Identification of key molecules that drive angiogenesis is critical for modalities Using multiple models of colorectal cancer, we show that activity of the extracellular matrix-modifying enzyme lysyl oxidase (LOX) is essential for stimulating endothelial cells in vitro, and angiogenesis in vivo. We show LOX activates Akt through platelet derived growth factor receptor (cid:2) (PDGFR(cid:2)) stimulation, resulting in increased vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. LOX-driven angiogenesis can be abrogated through targeting LOX directly, or using inhibitors of PDGFR(cid:2), Akt and VEGF signaling. Furthermore, we show that LOX is clinically correlated with VEGF expression and blood vessel formation in 515 colorectal cancer patient samples. Finally, we validate our findings in a breast cancer model, demonstrating the universality of these observations. Taken together, our findings have broad clinical and therapeutic implications for a wide variety of solid tumor types. of VEGF occurred at the transcriptional level, qRT-PCR was performed on huLOX and α LOX-treated SW480 cells, and their respective controls. We found that VEGF cell Fig. S5E). Taken together these results show that VEGF production as stimulated in a LOX-dependent manner can promote HUVEC migration and human CRC cell lines, we show an induction of PDGFR β phosphorylation in response to addition of active human LOX protein. Furthermore, stimulation of the receptor with PDGF-BB consistently induced Akt phosphorylation and VEGF secretion in each of the CRC cell lines tested, and this could be abrogated by treating with a PDGFR β inhibitor. This suggests that PDGFR β on CRC cells can be activated by extracellular LOX activity, thereby inducing Akt phosphorylation and VEGF secretion.
Imaging of vascular wall fine structure in the human retina using adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy.

PURPOSE To improve the ability to image the vascular walls in the living human retina using multiply-scattered light imaging with an adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscope (AOSLO). METHODS In vivo arteriolar wall imaging was performed on eight healthy subjects using the Indiana AOSLO. Noninvasive imaging of vascular mural cells and wall structure were performed using systematic control of the position of a 10× Airy disk confocal aperture. Retinal arteries and arterioles were divided into four groups based on their lumen diameters (group 1: ≥100 μm; group 2: 50-99 μm; group 3: 10-49 μm; group 4: <10 μm). RESULTS Fine structure of retinal vasculature and scattering behavior of erythrocytes were clearly visualized in all eight subjects. In group 1 vessels the mural cells were flatter and formed the outer layer of regularly spaced cells of a two (or more) layered vascular wall. In the vessels of groups 2 and 3, mural cells were visualized as distinct cells lying along the lumen of the blood vessel, resulting in a wall of irregular thickness. Vascular wall components were not readily identified in group 4 vessels. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that retinal vascular mural cells and wall structure can be readily resolved in healthy subjects using AOSLO with multiply scattered light imaging for retinal vessels with a lumen diameter greater than or equal to 10 μm. Our noninvasive imaging approach allows direct assessment of the cellular structure of the vascular wall in vivo with potential applications in retinal vascular diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.