Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Data Assimilation: the 1984/85 Revisions of the Ecmwf Mass and Wind Analysis

A comprehensive evaluation of the ECMWF operational data assimilation system has been made, based largely on statistics of its performance over a long period of time. the evaluation has identified many deficiencies, covering such aspects of the analysis as the optimum interpolation statistics, the data selection algorithms, and the quality control criteria applied within the analysis. The observation and forecast error variances were seriously in error in the stratosphere and in the tropics. A more faithful model of the forecast error spectrum is provided by the Bessel function expansion than by the Gaussian model. the vertical structure of the height error is assumed to be composed of two components: a ‘barotropic’ part related to a horizontally constant mode and a ‘baroclinic’ structure for the horizontally varying modes. the wind field errors also have a large-scale component. the extratropical vertical correlation remained similar to the earlier correlations, but the tropical height and wind structures changed dramatically. Reasonable rejection limits were defined from the distributions of the observation departures from the first guess, as were observation errors for satellite and aircraft wind reports and Australian pseudo-observations. A comprehensive and homogeneous data selection algorithm has been devised. However, it has been found necessary to exclude land surface wind reports from the analysis process as the wind departures from a first-guess field commonly contradict the surface pressure departures due to difficulties in generating a reasonable 10 m first-guess wind. the omission of surface winds alleviated the data selection problem in data-dense regions. The representation of the vertical correlations was changed to a continuous representation in the vertical which enabled a multivariate interpolation from data on standard pressure levels directly to model coordinates. the earlier procedure used a multivariate interpolation to constant pressure surfaces in the model grid, followed by a univariate interpolation to model surfaces in the vertical. The results of these improvements, in a series of tests covering in total some 30 days of assimilations, are also described. In summary they yield an analysis and a subsequent first guess which are in closer agreement with observations. the analysis scheme yields more balanced fields in the sense that the subsequent initialization produces more modest changes. the major impact on forecasts, in particular in the short range, is also judged to be positive. These improvements have been incorporated in the ECMWF operational data assimilation system. They have also been incorporated in the reassimilation of the final FGGE level IIb data set at ECMWF.
Instability of an inhomogeneous bacterial suspension subjected to a chemo-attractant gradient

Abstract The stability of a suspension of chemotactic bacteria confined in an infinitely long channel and subjected to a stationary, linear chemo-attractant gradient is investigated. While swimming, individual bacteria exert force dipoles on the fluid, which at the continuum level lead to a stress depending upon the bacterial orientation and number density fields. The presence of the attractant gradient causes bacteria to tumble less frequently when swimming along the gradient, leading to a mean orientation and a non-zero chemotactic drift velocity $U_0$ in that direction. At long length and time scales compared to those associated with the persistence of bacterial swimming, fluxes due to chemotaxis and the random run–tumble motion of bacteria balance to yield an exponentially varying number density profile across the channel in the base state. The associated bacterial stress field is also exponentially varying and is normal. This spatially non-uniform base state is unstable to fluctuations in the bacterial concentration field when the scaled bacterial concentration $\beta = (3 C/8) \langle n_0\rangle L^2 H$ exceeds a critical value determined by a Péclet number defined as ${\mathit{Pe}} = U_0 H/\kappa $. Here, $C$ is a non-dimensional dipole strength, which depends on the geometry of the bacterium, $\langle n_0\rangle $ is the bacterial concentration averaged across the channel of depth $H$, $L$ is the total length of the bacterium, $\kappa $ is the bacterial diffusivity, and $\beta _{\mathit{crit}}$ is a monotonically decreasing function of ${\mathit{Pe}}$, with $\beta _{\mathit{crit}} \sim 720/{\mathit{Pe}}^3$ for ${\mathit{Pe}} \ll 1$ and $\beta _{\mathit{crit}} \sim 2$ for ${\mathit{Pe}} \gg 1$. The instability is the result of the coupling between the active stress-driven fluid flow and the bacterial concentration, and manifests as rectangular convection patterns. When $\beta $ first exceeds $\beta _{\mathit{crit}}$, the unstable wavelengths are large with $\lambda \gg H$ and the mode of instability is stationary. Although oscillatory modes appear when $\lambda \leq O(H)$ and $\beta > 247$, the most dangerous mode of instability is found to be always stationary with a wavelength $\lambda _m/H \sim {\mathit{Pe}}^{-1}$. To study the coupling between the previously analysed orientation shear instability mechanism of bacterial suspensions and the new chemotaxis-driven instability, a new set of continuum equations that consistently account for weak chemotaxis, rotation of bacteria by weak fluid shear and weak non-continuum effects along with their coupled effects has been derived. The stability analysis of those equations showed that the orientation shear mechanism has only a negligible influence on the critical concentration for the present chemotaxis-induced instability when the suspension depth is large, and it is the latter that has the lowest critical concentration.
ESR STUDIES ON GMR RELATED MATERIALS IV: ESR OF Mn IN La0.7Ca0.3MnO3

ESR measurements have been carried out for La0.97Ca0. 03MnO3 at temperatures from 4 K up to 760 K. below ≃243 K, two kinds of spectra, the high-field and low-field signals, are observed down to 96 and 4 K, respectively. They are assumed to be due to Mn4+ and Mn3+ ions, respectively. From the g-shifts of the high-field (Mn4+) signals, the magnetic interaction coefficient between Mn4+ and Mn3+ spins is estimated. Clear single ESR was observed above ≃255 K, and its linewidth and intensity are obtained as a function of temperature. The linewidth nearly follows exp(-550/T), and the intensity gradually deviates from Curie's law below ≃550 K, presumably due to the spin-cluster formation.
About Regression Estimators with High Breakdown Point

A generalisation of a theorem by Vandev (1993) concerning the finite sample breakdown point is given. Using this result the breakdown point properties of the LMS and LTS estimators of Rousseeuw (1984) and the rank-based regression estimator of Hossjer (1994) are studied. Moreover, the breakdown point properties of the weighted least trimmed estimators of order k in the case of grouped logistic regression are investigated, as well as linear regression with an exponential q-th power distribution.
Seasonal Oxy-Inflammation and Hydration Status in Non-Elite Freeskiing Racer: A Pilot Study by Non-Invasive Analytic Method

Freeskiing is performed in an extreme environment, with significant physical effort that can induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and dehydration. This study aimed to investigate the evolution of the oxy-inflammation and hydration status during a freeskiing training season with non-invasive methods. Eight trained freeskiers were investigated during a season training: T0 (beginning), T1-T3 (training sessions), and T4 (after the end). Urine and saliva were collected at T0, before (A) and after (B) T1-T3, and at T4. ROS, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), interleukin-6 (IL-6), nitric oxide (NO) derivatives, neopterin, and electrolyte balance changes were investigated. We found significant increases in ROS generation (T1A-B +71%; T2A-B +65%; T3A-B +49%; p < 0.05–0.01) and IL-6 (T2A-B +112%; T3A-B +133%; p < 0.01). We did not observe significant variation of TAC and NOx after training sessions. Furthermore, ROS and IL-6 showed statistically significant differences between T0 and T4 (ROS +48%, IL-6 +86%; p < 0.05). Freeskiing induced an increase in ROS production, which can be contained by antioxidant defense activation, and in IL-6, as a consequence of physical activity and skeletal muscular contraction. We did not find deep changes in electrolytes balance, likely because all freeskiers were well-trained and very experienced.
Antagonistic Strain Bacillus halotolerans Jk-25 Mediates the Biocontrol of Wheat Common Root Rot Caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana

Common root rot caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana infestation in wheat is one of the main reasons for yield reduction in wheat crops worldwide. The bacterium strain JK-25 used in the current investigation was isolated from wheat rhizosphere soil and was later identified as Bacillus halotolerans based on its morphological, physiological, biochemical, and molecular properties. The strain showed significant antagonism to B. sorokiniana, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium graminearum, and Rhizoctonia zeae. Inhibition of B. sorokiniana mycelial dry weight and spore germination rate by JK-25 fermentation supernatant reached 60% and 88%, respectively. The crude extract of JK-25 was found, by Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), to contain the surfactin that exerted an inhibitory effect on B. sorokiniana. The disruption of mycelial cell membranes was observed under laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) after treatment of B. sorokiniana mycelium with the crude extract. The antioxidant enzyme activity of B. sorokiniana was significantly reduced and the oxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) content increased after treatment with the crude extract. The incidence of root rot was significantly reduced in pot experiments with the addition of JK-25 culture fermentation supernatant, which had a significant biological control effect of 72.06%. Its ability to produce siderophores may help to promote wheat growth and the production of proteases and pectinases may also be part of the strain’s role in suppressing pathogens. These results demonstrate the excellent antagonistic effect of JK-25 against B. sorokiniana and suggest that this strain has great potential as a resource for biological control of wheat root rot strains.
Solid State Transformers: A Critical Review of Projects with Relevant Prototypes and Demonstrators

The ongoing energy transition has changed the architecture of electricity networks in ways that conventional power transformers are not able to cope with the new required functionalities. For this purpose, the solid state transformer (SST), which comprises state of the art power electronics with galvanic isolation to interconnect two separate alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) power grids, is considered to be the dominant solution. The purpose of this paper is to provide a practical, application-oriented review of the SST. In this context, the main functionalities and possible applications of the SST are presented, including smart grids (SGs), data centres, railways, offshore wind farms, etc. Furthermore, the main developed SST prototypes are analysed with special focus on the related projects, demonstrators, stakeholders and rated values, e.g., voltage, switching frequency and power. The analysis is concluded with the future trends and challenges regarding the wider implementation of SST technology in the electrical grid.
Inhibitory effect of lactobacilli supernatants on biofilm and filamentation of Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Candida parapsilosis

Introduction Probiotic Lactobacillus strains had been investigated for the potential to protect against infection caused by the major fungal pathogen of human, Candida albicans. Besides antifungal activity, lactobacilli demonstrated a promising inhibitory effect on biofilm formation and filamentation of C. albicans. On the other hand, two commonly isolated non-albicans Candida species, C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis, have similar characteristics in filamentation and biofilm formation with C. albicans. However, there is scant information of the effect of lactobacilli on the two species. Methods In this study, biofilm inhibitory effects of L. rhamnosus ATCC 53103, L. plantarum ATCC 8014, and L. acidophilus ATCC 4356 were tested on the reference strain C. albicans SC5314 and six bloodstream isolated clinical strains, two each of C. albicans, C. tropicalis, and C. parapsilosis. Results and Discussion: Cell-free culture supernatants (CFSs) of L. rhamnosus and L. plantarum significantly inhibited in vitro biofilm growth of C. albicans and C. tropicalis. L. acidophilus, conversely, had little effect on C. albicans and C. tropicalis but was more effective on inhibiting C. parapsilosis biofilms. Neutralized L. rhamnosus CFS at pH 7 retained the inhibitory effect, suggesting that exometabolites other than lactic acid produced by the Lactobacillus strain might be accounted for the effect. Furthermore, we evaluated the inhibitory effects of L. rhamnosus and L. plantarum CFSs on the filamentation of C. albicans and C. tropicalis strains. Significantly less Candida filaments were observed after co-incubating with CFSs under hyphae-inducing conditions. Expressions of six biofilm-related genes (ALS1, ALS3, BCR1, EFG1, TEC1, and UME6 in C. albicans and corresponding orthologs in C. tropicalis) in biofilms co-incubated with CFSs were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR. When compared to untreated control, the expressions of ALS1, ALS3, EFG1, and TEC1 genes were downregulated in C. albicans biofilm. In C. tropicalis biofilms, ALS3 and UME6 were downregulated while TEC1 was upregulated. Taken together, the L. rhamnosus and L. plantarum strains demonstrated an inhibitory effect, which is likely mediated by the metabolites secreted into culture medium, on filamentation and biofilm formation of C. albicans and C. tropicalis. Our finding suggested an alternative to antifungals for controlling Candida biofilm.
Emergent molecular traits of lettuce and tomato grown under wavelength-selective solar cells

The integration of semi-transparent organic solar cells (ST-OSCs) in greenhouses offers new agrivoltaic opportunities to meet the growing demands for sustainable food production. The tailored absorption/transmission spectra of ST-OSCs impacts the power generated as well as crop growth, development and responses to the biotic and abiotic environments. To characterize crop responses to ST-OSCs, we grew lettuce and tomato, traditional greenhouse crops, under three ST-OSC filters that create different light spectra. Lettuce yield and early tomato development are not negatively affected by the modified light environment. Our genomic analysis reveals that lettuce production exhibits beneficial traits involving nutrient content and nitrogen utilization while select ST-OSCs impact regulation of flowering initiation in tomato. These results suggest that ST-OSCs integrated into greenhouses are not only a promising technology for energy-neutral, sustainable and climate-change protected crop production, but can deliver benefits beyond energy considerations.
Gravitational wave astronomy, relativity tests, and massive black holes

Abstract The gravitational wave detectors that are operating now are looking for several kinds of gravitational wave signals at frequencies of tens of Hertz to kilohertz. One of these is mergers of roughly 10 M⊙ BH binaries. Sometime between now and about 8 years from now, it is likely that signals of this kind will be observed. The result will be strong tests of the dynamical predictions of general relativity in the high field regime. However, observations at frequencies below 1 Hz will have to wait until the launch of the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), hopefully only a few years later. LISA will have 3 main objectives, all involving massive BHs. The first is observations of mergers of pairs of intermediate mass (100 to 105M⊙) and higher mass BHs at redshifts out to roughly z=10. This will provide new information on the initial formation and growth of BHs such as those found in most galaxies, and the relation between BH growth and the evolution of galactic structure. The second objective is observations of roughly 10 M⊙ BHs, neutron stars, and white dwarfs spiraling into much more massive BHs in galactic nuclei. Such events will provide detailed information on the populations of such compact objects in the regions around galactic centers. And the third objective is the use of the first two types of observations for testing general relativity even more strongly than ground based detectors will. As an example, an extreme mass ratio event such as a 10 M⊙ BH spiraling into a galactic center BH can give roughly 105 observable cycles during about the last year before merger, with a mean relative velocity of 1/3 to 1/2 the speed of light, and the frequencies of periapsis precession and Lense-Thirring precession will be high. The LISA Pathfinder mission to prepare for LISA is scheduled for launch in 2011.
Turbulent Flow In Two and Three Dimensions.

Abstract Three-dimensional turbulence occurs mainly in convective clouds and in the atmospheric boundary layer. Two-dimensional turbulence is a model for the statistical features of large-scale flows in the atmosphere. The differences between two- and three-dimensional turbulence are discussed, with a minimum of mathematics, in terms of elementary vorticity dynamics. The influence of the microstructure on the evolution of the large-scale features of the flow field is explored in some detail. A simple rationale is given for ignoring subgrid scale fluxes in numerical weather prediction.
Effects of a Mindfulness and Physical Activity Programme on Anxiety, Depression and Stress Levels in People with Mental Health Problems in a Prison: A Controlled Study

Recent studies in the general population have shown an inverse relationship between mindfulness and symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as the benefits of physical activity on these symptoms. These relationships have not yet been studied in a population with severe mental disorder (SMD) in prison, where symptoms of anxiety and depression and impulsive behaviours have a high incidence. A controlled study was developed to assess the benefits of a mindfulness-based protocol whereby elements of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy were evaluated and compared to an adapted sport program. Twenty-two inmates from the “El Acebuche” prison aged between 23 and 58 years old participated in this study, which included a pre-, post-, and follow-up; the majority of participants had SMD and were distributed in both conditions. The DASS-21 was obtained for its evaluation. The results of the Mann–Whitney U test for independent samples indicated a significant reduction in the levels of stress and depression in the mindfulness intervention group compared to the control group in which no significant changes were observed, providing evidence on the effect of this practice in prison contexts.
Variational bias correction of satellite radiance data in the ERA‐Interim reanalysis

This article describes the performance of the variational bias correction system for satellite radiance data in ERA‐Interim, and considers implications for the representation of climate signals in reanalysis. We briefly review the formulation of the method and its ability to automatically develop bias estimates when radiance measurements from newly available satellite sensors are first introduced in the reanalysis. We then present several results obtained from the first 19 years (1989–2007) of ERA‐Interim. These include the identification of Microwave Sounding Unit (MSU) instrument calibration errors, the response of the system to the Pinatubo eruption in 1991, and the detection of a long‐term drift in biases of tropospheric AMSU‐A data. We find that our results support the notion that global reanalysis provides an appropriate framework for climate monitoring. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Design of Carbon Nanocomposites Based on Sodium Alginate/Chitosan Reinforced with Graphene Oxide and Carbon Nanotubes

The aim of this study was to use a simple, low-cost and environmentally friendly synthesis method to design nanocomposites. For this purpose, carbon nanostructures were used to reinforce the chitosan/alginate bond in order to improve the mechanical, solubility, water absorption and barrier (protection against UV radiation) properties of the chitosan/alginate structure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet and visible light absorption spectroscopy (UV-VIS) and color analysis were utilized, and the thickness and mechanical properties of the obtained films were determined. The tests that were carried out showed an equal distribution of nanostructures in the composite material and the absence of chemical interactions between nanoparticles and polymers. It was also proven that the enrichment of the polysaccharide composite with graphene oxide and carbon nanotubes positively affected its absorption, mechanical capabilities and color.
RNA-Sequencing Reveals the Involvement of Sesquiterpene Biosynthesis Genes and Transcription Factors during an Early Response to Mechanical Wounding of Aquilaria sinensis

Plants respond to wounding by reprogramming the expression of genes involved in secondary metabolism. Aquilaria trees produce many bioactive secondary metabolites in response to wounding, but the regulatory mechanism of agarwood formation in the early response to mechanical wounding has remained unclear. To gain insights into the process of transcriptome changes and to determine the regulatory networks of Aquilaria sinensis to an early response (15 days) to mechanical wounding, we collected A. sinensis samples from the untreated (Asc1) and treated (Asf1) xylem tissues and performed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). This generated 49,102,523 (Asc1) and 45,180,981 (Asf1) clean reads, which corresponded to 18,927 (Asc1) and 19,258 (Asf1) genes, respectively. A total of 1596 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected in Asf1 vs. Asc1 (|log2 (fold change)| ≥ 1, Padj ≤ 0.05), of which 1088 were up-regulated and 508 genes were down-regulated. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis of DEGs showed that flavonoid biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and sesquiterpenoid and triterpenoid biosynthesis pathways might play important roles in wound-induced agarwood formation. Based on the transcription factor (TF)-gene regulatory network analysis, we inferred that the bHLH TF family could regulate all DEGs encoding for farnesyl diphosphate synthase, sesquiterpene synthase, and 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase (DXS), which contribute to the biosynthesis and accumulation of agarwood sesquiterpenes. This study provides insight into the molecular mechanism regulating agarwood formation in A. sinensis, and will be helpful in selecting candidate genes for improving the yield and quality of agarwood.